By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS 25 September 2024 (IDN) — The first eight months of 2024—described as a “super election year”—have seen limited progress in women’s representation in parliaments worldwide. A mid-year provisional analysis by the Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), released September 25, points out that with roughly half the world’s population going to the […]
HeForShe Movement Wins Two Million Champions of Gender Equality
By UN Women NEW YORK | 24 September 2024 (IDN) — Since 2014, HeForShe has bolstered a global movement, engaging more than 2 million men and individuals of all genders in championing gender equality. This unique initiative, led by UN Women, has driven 3 billion conversations on topics ranging from closing the pay gap to […]
Digital Revolution Can Unleash Health Revolution
It Can Avert 74 Percent of Global Deaths Annually By Ramesh Jaura BERLIN | NEW YORK | 23 September 2024 (IDN) — Smoking, boozing, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity trigger the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases. These noncommunicable dieses (NCDs) are responsible for over 74 percent of global deaths annually, […]
Liquid Assets-Africa: Unlocking Water Potential for Growth
By Busani Bafana NAIROBI | 23 September 2024 (IDN) — Africa stands on the edge of a severe water crisis, threatening its ability to meet critical Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a new report reveals. Despite the continent’s vast water resources, poor management, overexploitation, and the escalating effects of climate change are fueling widespread water insecurity. […]
Digital Transformation Accelerates, But Gaps Underscore Need for New Framework
By Ramesh Jaura BERLIN | NEW YORK | 22 September 2024 (IDN) — A new UN report has found a significant upward trend in the development of digital government worldwide as a result of increased private investment in resilient infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies. But the African region, least developed countries, and Small Island Developing States […]
If the Summit is to Achieve Change, the UN Chief Needs to Play Hard Ball
By Simone Galimberti* KATHMANDU, Nepal | 21 September 2024 (IDN)—The United Nations is hosting one of the most important events in the history of the world body. This is the importance that Secretary General António Guterres has placed on the Summit of the Future September 22-23. The meeting is supposed to endorse key blueprints like […]
A Cultural Feast of Folk Songs That Unveils the Soul of Sri Lanka
Reviewed by Nandi Jasentuliyana, former Deputy Director-General, United Nations. LOS ANGELES, USA | 21 September 2024 (IDN) — If you have yet to experience the mesmerizing performances of the Ranwala Balakaya, you’re missing out on a cultural feast that stirs the soul and celebrates Sri Lanka’s rich heritage. Fans of traditional Sri Lankan arts packed […]
Exceptional AI-Powered Art Brings Digital Environmentalism to the UN
World renowned media artist Refik Anadol’s work on nature highlights transformative power of technology during UN General Assembly NEW YORK | 21 September 2024 (IDN | UN) — At the United Nations headquarters, where world leaders will gather to address critical global challenges during the General Assembly (UNGA) high-level week, they will have a unique […]
Summit of the Future: The Importance of Youth and Future Generations
By Bisma Qamar* UNITED NATIONS | 21 September 2024 (IDN) — The Summit of the Future, best described by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring together political leaders to discuss the world’s pressing challenges, is aimed at negotiating solutions. Under the theme “Multilateral Solutions for a better tomorrow,” the Summit is […]
UN Needs to Open Doors to Citizens, Elected Representatives and Civil Society
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS | 19 September 2024 (IDN) — As the UN plays host to four high-level summit meetings next week—with possibly over 150 world leaders in attendance—a group of over 160 civil society organizations (CSOs) is calling on the United Nations to make global governance more “inclusive and accountable.” The UN needs […]