IDN-InDepthNews

Asia-Pacific2016-01-292023-07-10

Sri Lanka Turning Anew into a Geo-Political Battle Ground

SINGAPORE (IDN) – On January 8, 2015 when President Mahinda Rajapakse’s former Cabinet colleague Maithripala Sirisena defeated his old boss in a shock election result campaigning on heralding a non-corruptible ‘yahapalana’ (good governance) regime, people of Sri Lanka took a deep breath, some with euphoric expectations and others with fears of war and terrorism re-visiting the now peaceful island.

Mixed reviews of the anniversary in local newspapers agree that there is a better climate of freedom especially in the media. But it is another question whether democracy and media freedom could eradicate corruption from the political system.

Asia-Pacific2016-01-292023-07-10

Sri Lanka Turning Anew into a Geopolitical Battle Ground

By Kalinga Seneviratne* | IDN-InDepthNews Analysis

UN INSIDER2016-01-282023-07-10

2030 Agenda Needs a Reformed UN Development System

BONN (IDN | GDI) – The 2030 Agenda, with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, adds new urgency to the reform of the UN Development System (UNDS). If we wish the UNDS to play a decisive role in sustainable development, it must be made fit for purpose. UN member states have recognized the need for action.

In December 2014, they launched a state dialogue in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in order to discuss the longer-term positioning of the UNDS and present concrete reform proposals by mid-2016. To date, no breakthrough has been achieved. Participating states are opting for incremental reforms within existing mandates and structures, which are unlikely to bring the necessary changes.

SYNDICATION, UNITED NATIONS2016-01-282023-07-12

2030 Agenda Needs a Reformed UN Development System

By Max-Otto Baumann* | IDN-InDepthNews Viewpoint

International Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs)2016-01-282023-07-10

‘Doomsday Clock’ Shows 3 Minutes to Midnight

SYDNEY – At the most recent annual Doomsday Clock press-conference, held in Washington, the Nobel-prize-winner-heavy advisers of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, itself founded by Einstein and Oppenhiemer in the 1940s, revealed that it had been decided to keep the hands of its iconic and symbolic ‘Doomsday Clock’ at three minutes to midnight. This is bad news for civilisation and humans as a species.

SYNDICATION, UNITED NATIONS2016-01-272023-07-12

Addressing Climate Change and Realizing the SDGs

By Dr Palitha Kohona* | IDN-InDepthNews Analysis

COLOMBO (IDN) – In an unusually mild Paris in December 2015, over 195 countries agreed on a set of broad measures to address the gathering threat to human existence of global warming and climate change.

A beaming UN Secretary-General, for whom climate change has been “one of the defining priorities of his tenure”, described the Paris Accord as heralding a generation with climate hope and a “monumental triumph for people and the planet”.

The global web movement Avaaz, described the Paris Accord as a “brilliant and massive turning point in human history”. The 79-member Africa, Carribean and Pacific Countries group (ACP), most with relatively small economies, enthusiastically welcomed the accord.

UN INSIDER2016-01-272023-07-10

Addressing Climate Change & Realizing the SDGs an Uphill Task

OPINION2016-01-262023-07-10

Buddhist Leader Urges ‘Universal Respect for Human Dignity’

TOKYO – In his annual peace proposal released on January 26, titled “Universal Respect for Human Dignity: The Great Path to Peace,” Daisaku Ikeda, president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist association, calls for intensified efforts to respond to the needs of humanity’s most vulnerable, including those displaced by conflict in Syria and elsewhere or by natural disasters.

Ikeda welcomes the adoption of the UN’s new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their ambitious aim of leaving no one behind. He applauds the fact that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development explicitly includes the protection of the dignity and fundamental human rights of displaced persons and international migrants.

He urges renewed focus on the protection of children uprooted by conflict and their educational needs, as well as further support to countries that have taken in large numbers of people fleeing armed conflict and persecution.

Africa2016-01-262023-07-10

Impatience Rising in Tunisia’s Young Democracy for Jobs

NEW YORK | TUNIS – Thousands of Tunisian police rallied for pay raises on January 25, joining a growing movement of Tunisian citizens turning up the heat on Prime Minister Habib Essid with demands for “work, freedom and dignity”.

Once hailed as the success story of the Arab Spring for its democratic progress, Tunisia has become a poster child for the dangers in ignoring economic malaise, alienation and frustrations of North African youth.

Five years ago, a college graduate turned fruit vendor, Mohamed Bouazizi, ended his life after he faced abuse from police. On January 24, a copycat suicide ended the life of Ridha Yahyaoui who was refused a job. His action sparked riots in some of the same impoverished towns that brought down the previous regime.

Africa2016-01-262023-07-10

Djibouti Reportedly Wants U.S. to Make Room for China’s Military Base

NEW YORK – China has received a green light from Djibouti to build its first overseas military base in that Horn of Africa nation. The question is: will they get a welcome basket from neighbors France, Japan and the U.S.? All three have military bases there as well.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said the new facility will give logistical support to China’s fleet that performs escort duties in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast.