Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden (IDN-INPS) – Is Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, responsible for Brexit? In a way yes she is because at the time of the great economic crisis of 2007-2013, counterproductively she insisted on austerity throughout the European Union. Austerity helped turn the poorer classes of the UK towards Brexit. But […]
The ‘CRISIS’ In Sri Lanka – Invented by the Western Media
Viewpoint by Dr Palitha Kohona Ambassador Dr Palitha Kohona, Former Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations. COLOMBO (IDN) – The change of Government in Sri Lanka, following the unceremonious sacking of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasingha by President Maithripala Sirisena, has given rise to a crescendo of alarmist commentary in the Western media, […]
Global Forum on Human Settlements Calls for Urban Innovation
By Caroline Mwanga NEW YORK | BANGKOK (IDN) – The Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS) 2018 has called for greater efforts to speed up the transition to green growth through developing a circular economy, scaling-up financing for sustainable urban infrastructure, sustainably managing urban water, applying innovative technologies for smart cities, building enhanced partnership and […]
New ESCAP Chief Aims at Deepening Regional Cooperation
By Jaya Ramachandran NEW YORK | BANGKOK (IDN) – Dr. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, the new Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), is convinced that the organization has the opportunity to lead from the front. “The Asia-Pacific region has in recent decades seen remarkable social and […]
Kazakhstan Becomes the First Central Asian Country to Join UN Peacekeeping
By Santo D. Banerjee NEW YORK (IDN) – For the first time in the history of Central Asia, a peacekeeping contingent from the Republic of Kazakhstan is participating in a UN peacekeeping operation. 120 Kazakh peacekeepers have arrived in Lebanon to participate in the mission of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The […]
ATOM Project Ambassador Kuyukov Receives Nuclear-Free Future Award
By Kazinform ASTANA (IDN) – Kazakhstan’s famous artist, activist of the international anti-nuclear movement and Honorary Ambassador of ATOM Project Karipbek Kuyukov has received Nuclear-Free Future Award (NFFA). The awarding ceremony was held end of October at Salzburg University in Austria. Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Austria Kairat Sarybay congratulated NFFA laureates and highly praised their […]
Protests As Pakistan Blasphemy Death Sentence Is Overturned
Viewpoint by René Wadlow The author is representative to the United Nations, Geneva, of the Association of World Citizens (AWC)*. This blog was carried by AWC on November 1, 2018. Since then, Asia Bibi remains in prison, and it is her lawyer who has had to flee the country. There are demonstrations against the Supreme […]
Palestinians, Goodbye?
Viewpoint by Pier Francesco Zarcone* ROME (IDN) – Sorry to say so, but the future of the Palestinians is darker and more bleak than ever, because the Sunni Arab countries have become disinterested in them and they have no powerful friends in the world. Today their loneliness is stronger and more evident, as even the […]
Small Island Developing States Reiterate Commitment to Sustainable Development
By J Nastranis NEW YORK (IDN) – Confronted with the increased effects of climate change, natural disasters, and the outsized impacts of global economic shocks on small economies, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have resolved to strengthen their efforts to achieve sustainable development. The ‘Apia Outcome’ – adopted at the conclusion of a three-day meeting […]
UN Calls for Ensuring Smooth Transition of Poorest Countries from LDC Status
By Santo D. Banerjee NEW YORK (IDN) – As the decade 2011–2020 draws to an end and a growing number of world’s most vulnerable countries are increasing national earning power and improved access to health care and education, making them eligible to exit the group of least developed countries (LDCs), the United Nations has accentuated […]