Monthly Archives: November 2010
SG in Kazakhstan ahead of OSCE Summit, UNAIDS says AIDS-free generation possible, SG speaks on WikiLeaks and more from UN Direct
Today USG Amos launched the UN’s Humanitarian Appeal for 2011 in Geneva, calling for $7.4 billion to help the UN provide assistance to over 50 million people in 28 countries.
Will the Central African Republic Arrest Omar Al Bashir Tomorrow? UPDATE: Trip Cancelled!
Why Belgium might be the deciding factor in whether or not Sudan’s indicted president is able to visit the Central African Republic tomorrow without fear of arrest. UPDATE: French diplomatic pressure forces Bashir’s trip cancelled.
How the Cancun Conference Can Succeed With — or Without — China
International negotiators have struggled to make progress in protecting the climate since the disappointing conclusion of the Copenhagen conference. Yet, there are a few good reasons to hope that this year’s summit may produce a more tangible, positive outcome than the last.
How Much Is 50 Million Lives Worth? Actually, $7.4 Billion
A new report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs surveys fourteen global humanitarian crises and finds that $7.4 billion could save 50 million lives.
SG warns against security incidents in Haiti, COP-16 opens in Cancun, Council renews DRC Sanctions and more from UN Direct
Today the CMP started installing the new glass panels on the Secretariat Building. The work is scheduled to be completed in 2012 and will lower energy consumption by at least 50% and reduce GHG emissions by an estimated 45%.
Is the United States Spying on Americans at the UN?
Former National Security Advisor and current UNICEF director Anthony Lake is one of several high ranking Americans at the United Nations. Is the United States collecting intelligence on them, too?
America’s Well Intentioned Spy Activities at the UN (Wikileaks)
One memo on American intelligence gathering activities at the United Nations, revealed by Wikileaks, suggests a strongly progressive agenda for American engagement at the UN.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
There is more to today than sleeping in or shopping.
The UN’s Big Problem in Haiti
The perception that the UN brought cholera to Haiti is now firmly embedded in the media narrative. Why that’s problematic for the UN, the United States, and the Haitian government.
How will the Security Council Respond to the Yeonpyeong Shelling?
The degree of action that the Security Council takes mostly depends on how far China is willing to go. Two recent debates at the council suggest a way forward.
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The top United Nations refugee official today voiced his alarm at new inflows of refugees into Rwanda and Uganda, fleeing fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). More than 8,200 refugees have crossed from DRC into Rwanda since 27 April, according to staff of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). These are in addition to the 55,000 Congolese refugees that Rwanda is already hosting.
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Syria: U.N.-Arab League mediator Kofi Annan is urging Syria’s government to accept U.N. conditions for expanding the distribution of humanitarian aid to roughly 1 million Syrians in need of assistance, the United Nations said today. Meanwhile, three vehicles belonging to … Read more
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Sustainable Future Symposium; ICT for Development; IAEA/Iran; Global Financial Transaction Tax; and more
Partnerships and development cooperation among countries will play a key role in accelerating sustainable development, the Secretary-General of the UN Sustainable Development Conference (Rio+20), Sha Zukang said today, stressing that assistance will need to focus on helping developing countries find longer-term solutions to eradicate poverty and transition into a green economy.The two-day Australia High-Level Symposium, “Shaping a Sustainable Future – Partners in Development Cooperation,” which began today, seeks to facilitate an informal dialogue on development cooperation among high-level policymakers, multilateral and civil society organizations, philanthropic foundations and the private sector.
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DR Congo; South Sudan; UNHCR and OIC; and more
Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ivan Šimonovic, today voiced concern over the human rights situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has experienced a recent upsurge in violence. Mr. Šimonovic said he was “appalled” by the heightened levels of recent violence triggered by defections in the Congolese armed forces, including former members of certain militia groups, and welcomed joint efforts between the peacekeepers of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO), humanitarian actors and the authorities to protect civilians and respond to human rights violations.
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Asia-Pacific Human Development Report; Syria; Horn of Africa; UNRWA
Countries in the Asia-Pacific region must find ways to continue to grow economically and lift millions out of poverty while also responding to climate change and environmental concerns, according to UN report released today, which stresses that new methods of production are needed to meet this goal.UNDP’s Asia-Pacific Human Development Report 2012 argues that policies and actions in the region will have a global impact as it is home to more than half of the world’s population and half of the planet’s megacities.
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SG on Rio/Post-2015 Development; Syria; Middle East; Global Fund; and more
Appealing for flexibility in reaching agreement on a final outcome document, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today, emphasized the need for Member States to agree on launching a process to establish Sustainable Development Goals ahead of the Rio+20 conference while also announcing the appointment of three co-chairs to his High-Level Panel on Post-2015 Development Planning. We should agree on launching a process to establish Sustainable Development Goals that build on the Millennium Development Goals … find better ways to measure progress that goes beyond Gross Domestic Product …and advance action to improve people’s lives through decent work, social protection and the empowerment of women and young people,” the UN chief said in his address to the UN General Assembly.
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Syria; Guinea-Bissau; UNAIDS; Afghanistan; and more
Amid concerns from the international community over the prospects of a “full civil war” in Syria, the Joint Special Envoy Kofi Annan, said today that the ongoing levels of violence and human rights abuses in the Middle Eastern country are unacceptable and the UN observer mission is possibly the only remaining chance to stabilize it.
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Peacebuilding; South Sudan; Indigenous Issues; Rwanda
The United Nations is determined to do everything possible to assist societies torn by war from sliding back into conflict, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told an audience in the United States capital today, adding that while there have been setbacks, peacebuilding remains a crucial element of the world body’s efforts.In a speech to the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D. C., Mr. Ban highlighted the work of the UN’s 16 peacekeeping operations and 15 political missions in the area of peacebuilding – a core mandate of the Organization.
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Counter-terrorism; South Sudan; Iran; Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and more
At the Security Council’s high-level debate on Counter-terrorism today, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today he hoped Member States will decide to create the position of a UN Counter-Terrorism Coordinator to promote better coordination, collaboration and cooperation among all players.Mr. Ban told the Security Council, during its debate on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, that terrorism is a significant threat to peace and security, prosperity and people, and the global community continues to pursue a robust and comprehensive response.
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Sudan/South Sudan; North Korea; Afghanistan; “Born too Soon” report; and more
The Security Council today adopted a unanimous resolution calling on Sudan and South Sudan to immediately end hostilities and resume negotiations within two weeksto resolve all outstanding issues, and voiced its intention to take appropriate measures if the parties do not comply. The Council decided that the two countries shall, among other measures, “immediately cease all hostilities; unconditionally withdraw all of their armed forces to their side of the border; activate, within one week, the necessary border security mechanisms; and immediately cease hostile propaganda and inflammatory statements in the media”.
