By Jaya Ramachandran GENEVA | SEOUL (IDN) – A new UN report says that women forcibly returned to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) are subjected to torture, ill treatment, sexual abuse, and other violations. The report published by the UN Human Rights office (OHCHR) on July 28 is based on 100 first-hand accounts […]
ESCAP, UNDP and ADB Determined to Achieve SDGs in 2030 Despite the COVID-19 Pandemic
Viewpoint by Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana (ESCAP), Kanni Wignaraja (UNDP) and Bambang Susantono (ADB)* BANGKOK (IDN) – As lockdowns ease in countries across Asia and the Pacific in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing is clear—a return to business as usual is unimaginable in a region that was already off track to meet the […]
UNDP Favours Temporary Basic Income to Protect the World’s Poorest from The Impact of COVID-19
By Caroline Mwanga NEW YORK (IDN) – A new report by the United Nations is pleading for the immediate introduction of a Temporary Basic Income for the world’s poorest people, arguing that this could slow the current surge in COVID-19 pandemic cases by enabling nearly three billion people to stay at home. A United Nations […]
UN Publication Offers New Ideas for Sustainable COVID-19 Recovery
By Radwan Jakeem NEW YORK (IDN) – As the government, business and civil society leaders fight the global COVID-19 pandemic, leading experts and thinkers have offered outside-the-box thinking and new solutions to prevent the outbreak of new pandemics while achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A new publication of policy briefs issued by the UN […]
UN Chief Makes a Passionate Plea for Discarding Fallacies and Falsehoods
The Rich and Poor are Not Sailing in the Same Boat By Jaya Ramachandran NEW YORK (IDN) – UN Secretary-General António Guterres has in a surprise dramatic move, castigated a series of “fallacies and falsehoods” perpetrated particularly on the deprived of the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed all lies such as the lie that […]
Poverty and Inequality Get Worse in Latin America as COVID-19 Infections Surge
By Santo D. Banerjee NEW YORK (IDN) —Latin America is scrambling to contain surging COVID-19 infections while confronting near-certain recession and related impacts. But polices that prioritize poor and vulnerable people can help mitigate the region’s already extreme poverty and inequality, says a new study by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
COVID-19: UNDP Commends Doubling of Germany’s Support to Flexible Core Funding
By Radwan Jakeem NEW YORK (IDN) – Germany has become the largest funding partner to the 2020 core resources of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as a result of a hike to €110 million, equivalent to more than $124 million. In 2019, Germany provided €50 million to UNDP’s core resources. As a strong supporter […]
The Path Forward for Higher Education After COVID-19
UN Academic Impact Talks to Students from Several Countries By Santo D. Banerjee NEW YORK (IDN) – COVID-19 pandemic has forced more than 1.5 billion students in 165 countries out of school, enforcing the global academic community to explore new ways of teaching and learning, including distance and online education, according to UNESCO estimates. This […]
#CopingWithCOVID Webinar for Young People
Taking care of mental health while living in the new normal By UN News NEW YORK (IDN)— The United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Ms Jayathma Wickramanayake, will host the 9th session of the United Nations’ #CopingWithCOVID webinar series on July 15 (livestream at bit.ly/CwCOVID9). During this session — focused on young people’s mental health […]
Surprising Rift Over Africa Seat in UN Security Council
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – The non-permanent Africa seat at the United Nations Security Council was the subject of a heated duel between two African countries who lobbied fiercely for the powerful prize. On a second round of balloting, the seat went to Kenya which garnered 129 votes against 62 […]