By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS. 20 September 2023 (IDN) — When the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the 193-member General Assembly back in 2015, they were hailed as a panacea for some of the world’s economic, social and environmental ills. The SDGs were aimed at eradicating extreme hunger and poverty, ensuring […]
UN Chief Wants $500 Billion Annual Development Fund, Financial Reforms
By Arul Louis* UNITED NATIONS. 18 September 2023 (IDN) — UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday renewed his call for the reform of the “outdated, dysfunctional and unfair” World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and for a $500 billion stimulus fund for the world organisation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Speaking at the opening […]
India Steers G20 Towards Supporting Global South’s SDG Push
By Kalinga Seneviratne SINGAPORE. 13 September 2023 (IDN) — In a rare demonstration of consensus, Russia and the US welcomed the New Delhi Declaration of the G20 summit on 10 September that did not condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Instead, they focused on the development challenges facing the global community. Russian Foreign Minister […]
Globalisation of Markets Without Globalisation of Peace
By Andrea Riccardi Professor Riccardi is a historian and founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio. The following are extensive excerpts from his remarks at the opening of the International Meeting for Peace, ‘THE AUDACITY OF PEACE’. BERLIN. 10 September 2023 (IDN) — It is of significance—for women and men of different religions, who fill their […]
The World Must Come Together to Address Global Challenges
By Kristalina Georgieva and Ajay Banga Following are excerpts from the Joint Statement issued by Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, on 7 September 2023. WASHINGTON, DC. 8 September 2023 (IDN) — The world confronts significant economic challenges, the existential threat of climate […]
Albania, As UNSC Chair, To Launch Private Sector Alliance for Humanitarian Aid
By Arul Louis* United Nations. 2 September 2023 (IDN) — Albania, which holds the presidency of the Security Council this month, is planning to launch a platform for the private sector to work with the world organization in providing humanitarian assistance, according to the nation’s Permanent Representative Ferit Hoxha. On 1 September, he said that […]
BRICS Summit: The “Legitimate Aspirations” of Developing Economies – Part 3
By Somar Wijayadasa* Editor’s note: This is the third of a three-part article dealing with an issue of immense interest to our readers and a subject that affects all developing countries. Read Part-2 here NEW YORK. 30 August 2023 (IDN) — On the final day of the historic BRICS Summit held in South Africa from […]
BRICS Jumps to Africa’s Rescue
By Jeffrey Moyo HARARE, Zimbabwe. 29 August 2023 (IDN) — The three-day BRICS Summit from 22-24 August 2023 in South Africa has raised hopes across the African continent that a new deal for development aid to Africa could be taking shape that will be more fair and equitable. For decades, critics have pointed out that […]
BRICS Summit: The Irresistible Move to a Multipolar World – Part 2
By Somar Wijayadasa* Editor’s note: This is the second of a three-part article dealing with an issue of immense interest to our readers and a subject that affects all developing countries. Read Part-1 here NEW YORK. 29 August 2023 (IDN) — The historic three-day BRICS Summit, held in South Africa from 22-24 August 2023, attended […]
BRICS Summit: The Foundation for a Multipolar World – Part 1
By Somar Wijayadasa* Editor’s note: This is the first of a three-part article dealing with an issue of immense interest to our readers and a subject that affects all developing countries. NEW YORK. 28 August 2023 (IDN) — With a massive gathering of leaders of non-Western nations—surpassed only by that of the 114-member Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) […]