By Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) GENEVA (IDN) — World governments have produced a strong basis for a post 2020 global biodiversity framework to safeguard the health of the planet, scheduled for final agreement at UN Biodiversity Conference in Kunming, China later this year. “Governments came to Geneva eager to meet in person and make […]
Europe Soliciting Support from African Leaders for Ukraine
By Kester Kenn Klomegah* MOSCOW | DAR ES SALAAM (IDN) — European Union members have been soliciting support from the African Union (AU), Regional Economic organizations and African countries for the former Soviet republic of Ukraine, now experiencing tremendous atrocities and worsening humanitarian conditions as a direct result of Russia’s “special military operation” since late […]
Green Investments, the New Black for Sustainable Development in Africa
By Busani Bafana KIGALI, Rwanda (IDN) — Less than ten years to the deadline to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Africa is at development cross roads. The big question is how can Africa achieve inclusive and sustainable development to meet the twin agendas; 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063?
BIMSTEC—Can It Take a Giant Leap Forward?
By Sugeeswara Senadhira COLOMBO (IDN) — This week, Sri Lanka is hosting the fifth Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit in the backdrop of member nations struggling to shake-off the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The summit would provide the leaders of the seven members—India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, […]
Ukraine War Might Trigger Food Riots in Poor Countries
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, the head of the World Trade Organization (WTO), is warning that skyrocketing global food prices as a result of the war in Ukraine could trigger food riots from people going hungry in poor countries. WTO Director General Okonjo-Iweala urged food-producing countries against […]
Avoiding Nuclear War Over Ukraine
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power LUND, Sweden (IDN) — In the Cold War days, some of us used to say, “Better red than dead”—to rebuff those who believed in “role-the-dice” nuclear deterrence as a way of political life that gave them security. Now those of us who are frightened that Vladimir Putin could start a nuclear […]
The MADness of the Resurgent U.S. Cold War With Russia
Viewpoint by Nicolas J.S. Davies* NEW YORK (IDN) — The war in Ukraine has placed U.S. and NATO policy toward Russia under a spotlight, highlighting how the United States and its allies have expanded NATO right up to Russia’s borders, backed a coup and now a proxy war in Ukraine, imposed waves of economic sanctions, […]
UN Forum Focuses on Achieving SDGs and Resilient Post-Pandemic Recovery
By Bernhard Schell DUBAI (IDN) — Entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment in a post-pandemic recovery as vehicles to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is the focus of a United Nations forum that opened in Dubai on March 28 under the aegis of Dubai Exhibition Centre at Dubai Expo 2020.
What Do We Know About Climate Change, Peace and Conflict?
Viewpoint by Tobias Ide This article was issued by the Toda Peace Institute and is being republished with their permission. PERTH, Australia (IDN) — The impacts of climate change on peace and conflict are high on the agenda of policy makers and the general public. From UN Security Council debates about climate change and security […]
Biden’s Unhinged Call for Regime Change in Russia
Viewpoint by Norman Solomon SAN FRANCISCO, USA (IDN) — Ever since Joe Biden ended his speech in Poland on Saturday (March 26) night by making one of the most dangerous statements ever uttered by a U.S. president in the nuclear age, efforts to clean up after him have been profuse. Administration officials scurried to assert […]