By Robert Johnson PARIS (IDN) – A new report will call for attention when climate finance provided and mobilized by developed countries for climate action in developing countries is discussed at the Climate Action Summit at the UN in New York on September 23 and in the run-up to the COP25 climate talks in Santiago […]
Extinction ‘Imminent’ for Small Islands
By Sean Buchanan NEW YORK | GENEVA (IDN) – Islands are often emblazoned across tourism pamphlets, glorified as the epitome of natural beauty and portrayed as idyllic places of escape. But this image is far from the dark reality they face. Changes in sea level, temperature, precipitation, a growing number of extreme storms and floods, […]
Sri Lanka Praised for Advancing the Cluster Munitions Convention’s Objectives
By Jamshed Baruah GENEVA (IDN) – Sri Lanka has won kudos for a number of progressive measures taken during its presidency of the Ninth Meeting of States Parties (MSP) to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) that addresses the humanitarian consequences and unacceptable harm caused to civilians by cluster munitions, through a categorical prohibition and […]
UN Convenes A High-Level Forum to Stress the Significance of Culture of Peace
By Ramesh Jaura BERLIN | NEW YORK (IDN) – “The seed of peace exists in all of us. It must be nurtured, cared for and promoted by us all to flourish. Peace cannot be imposed from outside – it must be realized from within,” says Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury in the run-up to the High-Level […]
India Calls for A Global Water Action Agenda to Restore Degraded Land
By Devinder Kumar NEW DELHI (IDN) – As COP14, the 14th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) entered the second week, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the ministerial segment calling on the international community to set up a global water action agenda as the […]
Organic Agriculture Key to Combat Land Degradation
By Devinder Kumar NEW DELHI (IDN) – In 2018, the first 100% organic state in the world, Sikkim in the North of India, received the Gold Award of the UN backed Future Policy Award, also known as ‘Oscar’ for best policies. The policy enhances soil fertility and increases biodiversity at field and landscape level. Further […]
Golf’s Championship Takes a Swing at Single-Use Plastics
A UN Environment Feature NAIROBI (IDN) – The small Scottish seaside town of St Andrews is replete with a rich history which includes a castle and Scotland’s oldest university, founded in 1413. In 1754, the town witnessed another first when The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews was established. Today, St Andrews is […]
Introducing the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative
UN Messenger of Peace @JaneGoodallInst introduces @IRIforests, a new global effort uniting people of all faiths to end tropical deforestation. Watch the video and share this important message: InterfaithRainforest.org/video #FaithsForForests
UN Forced to Close Down Life-Saving Aid Operations in Yemen
By Caroline Mwanga NEW YORK (IDN) – Because money pledged by Member States has “failed to materialize”, the United Nations is being forced to cease several relief operations in Yemen, which is embroiled in the worst humanitarian crisis triggered by a long-drawn conflict. “All of us are ashamed by the situation,” Lise Grande, UN Humanitarian […]
‘Green Tickets’ for First Ever UN Youth Climate Summit
UN Chief Urges Young People Worldwide to Join Online and in Local Communities By Santo D. Banerjee NEW YORK (IDN) – In an obvious expression of support for the ‘FridaysforFuture’ movement, whose initiator Greta Thunberg is sailing to New York, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is keen to mobilize youth for what he has termed […]