UN INSIDER Archives - Page 6 of 7

UN INSIDER2016-01-222023-07-10

All That ‘Gates’ is not Development, Warns ‘Global Justice Now’

ZURICH (IDN) – A new report has expressed grave concern about the huge amount of money and influence the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) wields, accused it of “dangerously skewing” development agenda, and called for the foundation to be the subject of an independent international review and evaluation.

The report by the UK-based campaign group Global Justice Now doubts that the Gates Foundation is “always a force for good”, and wants an independent evaluation to be managed and administered by the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD, by involving a transparent commissioning process and including the participation of various stakeholders, notably those affected by foundation-funded projects.

UN INSIDER2016-01-202023-07-10

New Study Says Next Generation Remains Oblivious To Nuclear Dangers

UNITED NATIONS (IDN) – For over 70 years since the disastrous bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, peace activists have continued their relentless global campaign for a world without nuclear weapons.

The United Nations, which has remained engaged in a longstanding debate, continues to adopt scores of resolutions every year on nuclear disarmament.

And in December, not surprisingly, the 193-member General Assembly wrapped up its 2015 sessions adopting 57 draft resolutions on arms control and disarmament – 23 of which were on nuclear weapons.

UN INSIDER2016-01-192023-07-10

Ban Ki-moon Appoints 17 Eminent Advocates to Achieve 17 SDGs

NEW YORK – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed a group of eminent persons to assist in the campaign to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the world leaders unanimously adopted in September 2015.

They include a queen, a crown princess, a president, a prime minister, a Chinese e-commerce pioneer, and a player often ranked as the world’s best footballer.

With a mandate to support the Secretary-General in his efforts to generate momentum and commitment to achieve the SDGs by 2030, the newly named SDG Advocates will add powerful voices to spur action on the visionary and transformational sustainable development agenda. The 17 SDGs aim to end poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while leaving no one behind.

UN INSIDER2016-01-182023-07-10

Greening the Blue Helmets a Key to Sustainable Development

NAIROBI | NEW YORK (IDN) – The idea of “greening the blue helmets” has become an accepted need and operational requirement for all UN peacekeeping missions, claims a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) based in Nairobi.

Peacekeeping operations, it says, account for over 56% of the UN system’s total climate footprint as demonstrated by the greenhouse gas emissions inventory undertaken by UN Department of Field Support (DFS) in 2008.

UN INSIDER2016-01-172023-07-10

Security Council Joins the U.S. and EU in Removing Sanctions Against Iran

NEW YORK | VIENNA (IDN) – While the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the lifting of sanctions on Iran, the Security Council announced on January 17 that it has removed Iranian Bank Sepah and its international subsidiary from a sanctions list.

The initiative followed the announcement previous day of a UN report confirming that Iran has completed necessary preparatory steps to start the implementation of a plan of action aiming to resolve the nuclear issue.

UN INSIDER2016-01-172023-07-10

Multilateral Diplomacy Triumphs as Sanctions Again Iran are Lifted

VIENNA (IDN) – Political will and multilateral diplomacy marked a milestone as U.S. President Barack Obama revoked a 20-year system of sanctions against Iran and Federica Mogherini, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and a Council member of the Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND), announced the lifting of EU economic blockade against Tehran on January 16.

UN INSIDER2016-01-152023-07-10

UN Adopts The Nelson Mandela Rules For The Treatment Of Prisoners

UNITED NATIONS (INPS) – The UN General Assembly unanimously adopted on December 17 the revised UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (SMRs). This followed a four-year revision process after a 2010 UN General Assembly resolution, which requested revision of the SMRs “so that they reflect recent advances in correctional science and best practices”.

Given that the last stage of negotiations was hosted by the government of South Africa in Cape Town, it was decided that these revised prison standards would be known as the ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ in order to honour the legacy of the late South African President, in prison himself for 27 years and a committed advocate for the rights of prisoners.

UN INSIDER2016-01-142023-07-10

IRENA Builds On The Momentum Of COP 21

DUBAI (IDN) – Government officials from over 150 countries and representatives from the private sector, civil society and international organizations are gathering in Abu Dhabi on January 16-17 for the first time after the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in December to discuss the implications of the historic Paris Agreement.

The gathering marks the 6th assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). It will focus on the critical role of renewable energy in combating climate change and meeting other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UN INSIDER2016-01-142023-07-10

‘Many Languages, One World Contest’ To Promote Agenda 2030

NEW YORK (INPS) – The United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) and the ELS Educational Services, Inc have launched the third edition of Many Languages, One World Essay Contest, to promote multilingualism as an integral part of global citizenship and peaceful coexistence.

The contest will qualify participants for a trip to New York to participate in the United Nations Global Youth Forum July 25-31, 2016. At the Global Youth Forum, the students will develop plans of action related to the UN’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

UN INSIDER2016-01-132023-07-10

UN Chief Lauds G77 As Thailand Takes The Chair From South Africa

NEW YORK (IDN) – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commended the role played by ‘Group of 77’ (G77) developing countries and China, comprising 134 out of 193 member states of the United Nations, “in cementing historic 2015 successes”, as South Africa handed over Chair to Thailand on January 12.

At the handover ceremony of the Group’s Chairmanship, Ban expressed appreciation for South Africa’s “able stewardship as the Chair of the Group of 77 and China throughout such a historic year for multilateralism”, and warmly welcomed Thailand’s leadership.