By Julia Zimmerman* This is the fifth in a series of reports on the Vienna UN Conference from January 10-12, 2018, which discussed actions and challenges linked to the Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) and in the spirit of SDG 17. The Vienna Liaison Office of the Academic Council on the United Nations System […]
Women’s Path to Leadership: Are We at a Turning point?
By Darline Giraud* This is the fourth in a series of reports on the Vienna UN Conference from January 10-12, 2018, which discussed actions and challenges linked to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly 5 (SDG 5) and in the spirit of SDG 17. The Vienna Liaison Office of the Academic Council on the United Nations […]
Doomsday Clock Warning Makes UN High Level Conference Even More Important
By Alyn Ware* NEW YORK (IDN) – The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the hands of the symbolic Doomsday Clock to 2 Minutes to Midnight, on January 25, indicating that the threat of a nuclear war through accident, miscalculation or intent has risen to an alarming level, and that climate change is not being […]
Security Council Aims at a World Free of Violent Conflicts by 2045
By J Nastranis UNITED NATIONS (IDN) – As conflicts escalate in different geographic areas all over the globe, the 15-nation Security Council has underlined an urgent need for redoubled efforts for their prevention and resolution, addressing where appropriate the regional dimensions of conflicts with specific emphasis on regional diplomacy and arrangements. The Council has primary […]
G-77 at UN to Focus on Global Solidarity and Multilateralism
By Ramesh Jaura GENEVA | NEW YORK (IDN) – The Group of 77, comprising 134 developing and newly industrialized countries, has set itself six priorities for 2018 during the presidency of Sameh Hassan Shoukry, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt. These are closely related to the eradication of poverty in all its forms and […]
Faith-based Organizations Asked to Support Refugees, Migrants
By Amina J. Mohammed Amina J. Mohammed is the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General. Following are extensive excerpts from her remarks to the Fourth Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-based Organizations in International Affairs with the focus: “Perspectives on Migration: Displacement and Marginalization, Inclusion and Justice” in New York on 22 January 2018.* […]
Security Council Delegation Backs Afghan-led Peace Process
By J Nastranis NEW YORK | KABUL (IDN) – For the first time since 2010, the UN Security Council undertook a visit to Afghanistan to reiterate the Council’s support for the Government and people of Afghanistan and their efforts to restore peace, stability and progress to the country. The visit from January 13-15 was organized […]
Sexual Harassment at the UN Is Alive and Persistent
By Laura E. Kirkpatrick, Passblue BUFFALO (IDN) – As its people of the year, Time magazine recently named the Silence Breakers — people who have spoken against sexual harassment and launched the hashtag #MeToo into an international phenomenon with more than seven million hits on social media. Just before the announcement, more than 230 women […]
China Strives for UN Reform by Filling the Growing Vacuum Left by the US
By Kacie Candela, PassBlue NEW YORK (IDN) – China has presented its position on United Nations reform, and it aligns with Secretary-General António Guterres’s own agenda. It pushes for practicalities, such as a transparent process, a stronger peace and security pillar, streamlined internal management and more geographic diversity in hiring practices in peacekeeping and the […]
Tribute to Sir Peter Sutherland (April 25, 1946 – January 7, 2018)
By Dr. Purnaka L. de Silva The author is Director, Institute for Strategic Studies and Democracy (ISSD) Malta. VALETTA (IDN) – Humanitarians across the world are mourning the passing of one of the greatest champions for the rights and freedoms of migrants and refugees, Sir Peter Sutherland, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for International […]