Viewpoint by Franz Baumann This article is based on Talk given to the UN Association of New York 23 May 2018. Dr. Franz Baumann joined the UN Development Program in 1980 and began working in the UN Secretariat in 1985. He retired in 2015 as an assistant secretary-general, special adviser on environment and peace operations, […]
A Reasonable Case To Convict US of War Crimes in Afghanistan
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden (IDN-INPS) – There is a clock ticking – towards July 20. That is when the International Criminal Court (ICC) for War Crimes, based in The Hague, goes into its summer recess. The question is: Will it be able, in the six weeks that remain, to start proceedings against the US […]
Ivory Coast President’s Agenda 2030 Evokes Protests
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YOK (IDN) – In a recent interview with a French magazine, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara revealed his vision of two more terms in office despite having repeatedly said he would step down at the end of his second term in 2020. The news throws cold water on […]
Infighting Delays a ‘New Dawn’ in South Africa
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – South Africa’s former leader Jacob Zuma is among those said to be impeding efforts by his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa, to create a “new dawn” for citizens and foreign investors – free of corruption and cronyism which became associated with the Zuma regime. Zuma was […]
UN Chief Guterres Calls For Beating Menacing Plastic Pollution
The world must unite to “beat plastic pollution” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in his message for World Environment Day, noting that microplastic particles in the ocean, “now outnumber stars in our galaxy”.
Malaysia Starts on a Journey Towards a New Beginning
By Jayant Menon* MANILA (IDN) – The world has seen a number of unexpected electoral outcomes lately; the most widely reported being Brexit in Europe and the election of President Donald Trump in the United States. But the ouster of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition government in Malaysia was not only unexpected; it was amazing. […]
Sustainable Development Now at the Heart of the UN
By J Nastranis NEW YORK (IDN) – The United Nations General Assembly has approved a landmark consensus resolution, which Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed assures will allow the world body to transform a “cacophony” of efforts under way to make sustainable development a reality into a “symphony”. Secretary-General António Guterres has described the plan as “the […]
Why 79 ACP Countries and EU Must Enter Into New Partnership
By Robert Johnson BRUSSELS | LOMÉ (ACP-IDN) – The Cotonou Partnership Agreement (CPA) between the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of 79 States and 28 European Union (EU) members expires on February 29, 2020. Formal negotiations for a successor Agreement should commence by August 2018. With a view to underpinning preparations and execution of […]
107 ACP-EU Countries Walk The Talk On Global Governance
By Robert Johnson BRUSSELS | LOMÉ (ACP | IDN) – African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and the European Union will walk the talk on global governance by organising joint activities during United Nations conferences this year, according to co-presidents of the Joint ACP-EU Council of Ministers. The Council issued a joint declaration reaffirming its […]
Mamadou and Ramatoulaye Opt Out Of Migrating To Europe
Following is the text of an epilogue in Chapter 6, titled ‘recommendations and conclusions’ of Economic Development in Africa Report 2018: Migration for Structural Transformation, published on June 1, 2018 by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). – The Editor. GENEVA (IDN | UNCTAD) – The news on the radio about Libya […]