By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network WASHINGTON, D.C. (IDN) – At a long-awaited meeting between President Donald Trump and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, the U.S. president announced the approval of a dozen warplanes for Nigeria whose sale had been frozen by former President Barack Obama. Rebuking his Nigerian counterpart for the proliferation of violence throughout […]
Malawi’s ‘Fritter Seller’ Ex-President Returns From Exile
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | BLANTYRE (IDN) – Ending four years in political exile, Dr. Joyce Banda, once demeaned as a mere “fritter seller”, returned on April 28, risking possible arrest, as she greeted crowds of joyous supporters at the Blantyre airport and in her home town. The second woman to […]
Kazakhstan Sets the Ball Rolling for the Landmark Interfaith Congress in Astana
By J Nastranis UNITED NATIONS (IDN) – “The holy scriptures of the Koran, Bible, Torah, the Bhagwad Geeta or the Lotus Sutra” underline “the vital importance to unite the efforts of political and religious leaders for the cause of security and stability across our planet,” said Kazakhstan’s Vice-Minister for Religious Affairs and Civil Society, Berik […]
Faith Communities Urge Geneva Conference to Pave the Path to a Nuclear-Weapons-Free World
By Jamshed Baruah GENEVA (IDN) – Diverse faith-based organizations and individuals are appealing to States gathered at the UN in Geneva to spare the world a nuclear catastrophe and foster sustainable development for the good of humanity affirming moral and ethical imperatives. Twenty groups and individuals from different faiths, including Christian, Quaker, Muslim and Hindu […]
India Draws the Focus for South-South Cooperation
By Jaya Ramachandran NEW YORK (IDN) – The India-UN Development Partnership Fund, a dedicated facility within the United Nations Fund for South-South Cooperation established in 2017, has drawn the focus following the announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the launch of a US$50 Million Commonwealth window. This support, announced at the Commonwealth Heads of […]
UN Debates Impact of ‘Fintech’ Revolution on Asia-Pacific
By J Nastranis NEW YORK (IDN) – Since the adoption of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in 2015, significant efforts have been undertaken to mobilise funds for effectively pursuing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Estimates suggest that low and lower-middle income countries around the world may need sizeable additional investment running into trillions of dollars yearly […]
The Menace of Land Degradation Threatens 3.2 Billion People
By J C Suresh TORNONTO | MEDELLIN, Colombia (IDN) – Deteriorating land degradation caused by human activities is menacing the well-being of the world’s 3.2 billion people, driving species to extinction, escalating climate change, triggering mass human migration and whetting conflict, according to an evidence-based assessment of land degradation and restoration. The perils of land […]
Africa Sends a Strong Message for Global Climate Negotiations
By Rita Joshi BONN | NAIROBI (IDN) – Africa has generated a distinct message for the next round of international climate negotiations in Poland from December 3 to 14, 2018, which states: Action on climate change and sustainable development together is the way forward for Africa. This top-line message emerged from deliberations during the Africa […]
UN Industrial Development Arm Grabs Opportunity in Germany
By UNIDO HANOVER (IDN) – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) had a strong presence at the annual Hannover Messe, the world’s leading industrial trade fair which attracts over 6,500 exhibitors and 200,000 visitors. UNIDO has participated in the Hannover Messe every year since 2015 to provide a platform where institutions and industrial enterprises […]
A World Free Of Nuclear Weapons Remains The Ultimate Goal
By Ambassador A.L.A. Azeez Following are extensive excerpts from the Statement by Ambassador A.L.A. Azeez, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, at the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2020 NPT Review Conference from April 23 to May 4, 2018. He called on all nuclear-weapon states to commit to the […]