Author Mark Leon Goldberg

If a tree falls in the UN in August, does it make a sound?  UN Direct will be back bringing you insider updates from the UN after a summer break. 

Convention on Cluster Munitions: on Sunday, August 1 the Convention on Cluster Munitions will enter into force, a development welcomed by the SG.  The First Meeting of States Parties will be held in Lao People’s Democratic Republic, a country which has suffered from cluster munitions, in November 2010.

UNAMID: today the Security Council unanimously extended the mandate of UNAMID by 12 months, until July 31, 2011.  On Sunday, Russia assumes the rotating presidency of the Council from Nigeria.

USG OIOS: today the GA endorsed the SG’s appointment of Carman Lapointe-Young (Canada) as USG of OIOS.  Though approved without a vote, Egypt and Cuba expressed their disappointment that the selection was not from a developing country.  Ambassador Rice’s statement on her nomination is available here.  Ms.

ICJ: as you may have heard, today the International Court of Justice delivered its advisory opinion on the legality of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, which, by a vote of 10-4, decided that the declaration did not violate international law.  Secretary Clinton issued this positive statement in response.  Both the SG and Clinton have urged constructive dialogue in the wake of this decision.

SG: today the SG opened the International Conference on Afghanistan in Kabul (a follow-up to the London Conference in January), in which he appealed to Afghan citizens to unite in the national interest and told participants that they were there, not to revise strategies, but to support the Afghan government and its priorities. He also emphasized the need for Afghans to take greater responsibility for security, including accountability for human rights.

SG to Kabul: after much media speculation, the SG’s spokesperson confirmed today that he has traveled to Kabul to co-chair the International Conference on Afghanistan tomorrow with President Karzai.  In his opening remarks, he is expected to call on the Afghan people to achieve peace through reconciliation and build a future based on economic development and cooperation.  He is expected to hold a joint press conference with Karzai as well.  In his remarks this morning at the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, he called on the

SG: today the SG convened the first meeting of the MDG Advocacy Group in Madrid, which is co-chaired by Rwandan President Kagame and Spanish PM Zapatero.  He urged the Advocates to educate and inform on the MDGs and help send the message, especially in this time of economic uncertainty, that the Goals go beyond development and are about generating global economic growth.  This weekend, the SG travels to Geneva to attend the Third World C

SG: tonight he SG is off to Madrid to participate in the first meeting of the MDGs Advocacy Group tomorrow.