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 […]
U.S. Sanctions Against Iran Raise the Spectre of ‘Black November’ – and More
By Mortezagholi Raissi BERLIN (IDN) – With new sanctions, the U.S. wants to make breathing difficult, if not impossible, for Iranians. The sanctions were threatened in May, when President Donald Trump announced that the United States was withdrawing from a 2015 deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear programme. […]
West’s ‘Democracy’ Clash With Peoples’ Concerns in Sri Lanka
Viewpoint by Kalinga Seneviratne SINGAPORE (IDN) – After Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s shock decision on October 26 to appoint his political foe of recent years Mahinda Rajapakse as Prime Minister, Western diplomats and the international media have expressed outrage at what they perceive as “lack of respect for democratic institutions” such as the Parliament. […]
Will UN Chief Explore the Truth Behind Khashoggi Slaughter?
By Erol Avdovic NEW YORK (IDN) – Pressure is mounting on the United Nations to set up an independent commission to investigate apparently premeditated and the barbaric killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul on October 2. And UN Secretary-General António Guterres faces growing public chorus pushing […]
INF Treaty Decision is a Debacle, But Worse May Be Coming
Viewpoint by Daryl G. Kimball The author is Executive Director of the Arms Control Association. This article appeared on 1 November 2018, and is being reproduced by courtesy of the think-tank. – The Editor WASHINGTON, D.C. (IDN-INPS) – Earlier this year, President Donald Trump told reporters that he wanted to work with Russian President Vladimir […]
World Summit Pledges To Protect Human Rights Defenders
By Jamshed Baruah PARIS (IDN) – A diverse group of 150 human rights defenders from around the world, who gathered for a three-day summit in Paris, have agreed on a landmark action plan which will be presented to the United Nations in December. The plan focuses on how to protect and promote the work of […]
Island Nation Seychelles Praised for Launching World’s First Sovereign Blue Bond
By Jaya Ramachandran NEW YORK | BALI (IDN) – The Government of the Republic of Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 granite and coral islands in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa, has been acclaimed for showing “the leadership to create the world’s first sustainable Blue Bond”. The pioneering financial instrument was launched within four weeks […]
Inclusive Insurance for a Sustainable Future
By Katharine Pulvermacher* The author is Executive Director of Microinsurance Network. LUXEMBOURG (IDN) – Life is hard enough for small-scale farmers, businesses, families and communities who live with the daily threat of losing everything to natural disasters, extreme weather or other catastrophes. Even if you are insured, it can be tough to start again after […]