By Ntsoaki Nkoe MASERU (ACP-IDN) – Lesotho, a landlocked kingdom encircled by South Africa, like many other member states of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group, has benefited from partnership with the European Union (EU) through financial assistance from the European Development Fund (EDF) and trade under preferential conditions, says Finance Minister Dr Moeketsi […]
You Can Help Achieve Zero Land Degradation
By Monique Barbut The writer is Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, and the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCDD) based in Bonn, Germany. This viewpoint underlines the importance of June 17 that marks every year the celebration of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (WDCD). – The […]
Experts Debate Digital Media’s Role in Tackling Global Inequalities
By Kalinga Seneviratne BONN (IDN) – ‘Global Inequalities’ was the theme of this year’s Global Media Forum (GMF) hosted by the German public international broadcaster Deutsche Welle, and much discussion focused on whether the digital media tools are a panacea or a hindrance to achieving a more equitable world. In an opening address, Germany’s Minister […]
The Trump-Kim Singapore Summit Relieves Tensions, Nuclear Dangers Remain
By David Krieger The writer is President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. He is the author and editor of many books on peace and nuclear weapons abolition, including ‘Speaking of Peace: Quotations to Inspire Action.’ This article first appeared on NAPF. – The Editor. SANTA BARBARA (IDN) – The Singapore Summit was a dramatic […]
Karzai Blames U.S., Pakistan For Afghanistan Chaos
By Kalinga Seneviratne BONN (IDN) – Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has blamed the United States and Pakistan for the chaos created in his country over the past two decades. He firmly believes that the West, including Germany, should admit to their failures in his war-torn country. He followed up on this argument, initially advanced […]
Two New Books Underline The Light Obama Was
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden (IDN-INPS) – Politics is a fickle beast. Barack Obama won more votes among blue-collar workers than did his opponent, Senator John McCain. But it was those very blue-collar workers who tipped the scales in Donald Trump’s victory. They weren’t racists or they wouldn’t have voted for Obama in the […]
Campaign Frees Famous Cartoonist In Equatorial Guinea Prison
By Lisa Vives Global Information Network NEW YORK (GIN) – If you’ve ever received a request to step up for a jailed author, artist or journalist, you might have wondered later: Was he ever freed? In the case of Ramon Nse Esono Ebale – he certainly was and he thanks you. In a moving letter […]
UN General Assembly Elects Fourth Woman As President In More Than Seven Decades
By J Nastranis NEW YORK (IDN) – In its more than seven-decades-long history, the UN General Assembly has elected only the fourth woman to helm the 193-member organ. Ecuador’s María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, a former Minister for National Defence, is President of the 73rd session of the General Assembly, which opens on September 18. Her […]
Kazakhstan Reaffirms Willingness to Assist in the Maintenance of Peace and Security
By Marat Beketayev, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan The UN Security Council organized on 17 May 2018 a High-Level Open Debate on “Maintenance of international peace and security: Upholding international law within the context of the maintenance of international peace and security,” reflecting the purposes of United Nations as spelt out in […]
UN Chief Lauds India for Deepening South-South Cooperation
By Santo D. Banerjee NEW YORK (IDN) – UN Secretary‑General António Guterres has commended India’s “very important role in shaping the Sustainable Development Goals“. He was speaking at an event marking the first anniversary of the India‑United Nations Development Partnership Fund in New York. The Fund aims at supporting sustainable development for low-income nations with […]