UN OHCHR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/media.aspx?IsMediaPage=true
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G7 leaders’ commitment to human rights in supply chains must be followed by action – UN expert group
6/12/2015
Older persons are still subjected to abuse and violence on a daily basis, UN rights experts warns
6/12/2015
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – 15 June 2015
UN OCHA [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.unocha.org/media-resources/press-releases
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11 Jun 2015
Iraq: UN welcomes $300 million donation from Kuwait to humanitarian response in Iraq and Yemen
10 Jun 2015
Mali: Regional Committee for Disaster Management in West Africa (GECEAO) 9th Annual Consultation, 8 – 10 June 2015 – Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire [EN/FR]
10 Jun 2015
Sudan: The Government of Germany contributes €1 million (about US$ 1 million) to the Sudan Common Humanitarian Fund for 2015 [EN/AR]
09 Jun 2015
Iraq: Iraqi people need greater humanitarian support and protection, says Stephen O’Brien, Emergency Relief Coordinator [EN/KU/AR]
09 Jun 2015
occupied Palestinian territory: Susiya: A Commmunity at Imminent Risk of Forced Displacement June 2015
UNICEF [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_78364.html
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Selected press release and news notes
UNICEF welcomes latest Kuwait donation for children of Syria
NEW YORK, 12 June 2015 – Millions of Syrian children will benefit from the generous US$45 million donation made by the Government of Kuwait, UNICEF said today. This brings Kuwait’s total donations to UNICEF in just three years to US$134.5 million to support the humanitarian response for Syrian children.
Children under threat from renewed violence in eastern Ukraine
GENEVA/KYIV, 12 June 2015 – At least 68 children are reported to have been killed and 180 injured since March last year as a result of conflict in eastern Ukraine, UNICEF said today. While no children were reportedly killed in the latest escalation near the town of Mariinka, west of Donetsk, there are anecdotal reports of children having been injured by heavy weapons fire.
Children urge world leaders to include them in push on water, sanitation and hygiene
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, 10 June 2015 – Some 60 children and young people today told the International High Level Conference on Water for Life here that the world’s youth must be fully engaged in the effort to bring safe and sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene to the most disadvantaged.
IOM / International Organization for Migration [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.iom.int/press-room/press-releases
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Selected Press Releases
IOM carries out its first evacuation by boat of migrants stranded in Yemen 06/12/15
Yemen – IOM evacuated 200 Ethiopian migrants by boat from Yemen, to Djibouti.
Kuwait donates USD10 million for urgent assistance to Syrians affected by Crisis 06/12/15
Geneva- IOM today welcomed the Government of Kuwait’s contribution of US$10 million for urgent assistance to Syrians affected by Crisis.
IOM Releases Revised Appeal As Emergency Begins To Shift into Recovery Mode in Nepal 06/12/15
Nepal – As the emergency phase begins to shift into recovery in Nepal, IOM released a third revised appeal yesterday.
IOM Nepal signs an agreement with UNDP for Early Recovery Cooperation 06/12/15
Nepal – IOM and UNDP signed an agreement on Thursday for a country-level operational cooperation to support the Government of Nepal with post-earthquake rubble and debris management.
IOM and Partners Rescue 20 Ghanaian Children from Trafficking 06/12/15
Ghana – 20 Ghanaian children victims of trafficking have been rescued by IOM from exploitative labour in the fishing industry along Lake Volta
IOM and CDC conduct Ebola Virus Disease outbreak assessment in Boke, Guinea 06/12/15
Guinea – Guinea, one of the three hardest hit countries by the Ebola outbreak is still struggling to contain the virus spread. In mid-May, a new Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak was declared in Boké Prefecture, a region bordering Guinea Bissau.
IOM and FAO: Improved Food Security for Lebanese Returnees from Syria 06/12/15
Lebanon – IOM, partnering with The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Lebanon, has launched a 7-month project, titled “Relieving the Suffering of Lebanese returnees and Host Communities through the Recovery of Smallholder Agricultural Production”. The project is funded by the government of the Irish Republic and constitutes the first partnership of its kind between FAO and IOM in Lebanon.
IOM Provides Humanitarian Aid to Families Affected by Floods in Northern Chile 06/12/15
Chile – In response to the emergency caused by flooding that affected the Atacama region in northern Chile in late March, IOM jointly with the NGO Caritas and the Chilean Red Cross, has made progress in implementing the humanitarian aid project, funded by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which will benefit 300 affected families.
Number of Migrants Landing in Europe in 2015 Passes 100,000 06/09/15
Italy – Some 102,000 migrants had arrived by sea to Europe. The number is slightly ahead of levels reached at this time in 2014.
IOM Appeals for Funding as Iraq Displacement Exceeds Three Million 06/09/15
Iraq – IOM is today launching an appeal for USD 80 million to continue to provide emergency support to vulnerable displaced families throughout Iraq.
IOM Expands Support for Displaced, Conflict-affected in Ukraine 06/09/15
Ukraine – IOM is to launch new projects to help vulnerable, conflict-affected people in Ukraine’s Donbas region.
IOM Egypt Aids Nearly 3,000 Stranded Yemenis 06/09/15
Egypt – IOM has provided assistance to 897 vulnerable Yemeni families (2,768 individuals) stranded in Egypt as a result of the protracted conflict in Yemen and the subsequent closure of Yemeni air space and land border crossings with neighbouring countries.
UN Women [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.unwomen.org/news/stories
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Selected Press Releases
Safe Cities critical for sustainability, as urban population rises
Date : June 11, 2015
Calling on governments, citizens, the private sector and media to come together and make safe urban spaces for women a reality, UN Women Deputy Executive Director Lakshmi Puri delivered remarks at the opening on 10 June of a Safe Cities Global Stakeholders’ Planning Meeting being held in New Delhi, India until 12 June.
Workshop stresses the importance of financing for gender equality, post-2015
Date : June 10, 2015
Making gender equality and women’s empowerment a reality requires dedicated and consistent funding. Highlighting the key role that financing for gender equality will have for the future global development agenda, UN Women, in collaboration with the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITC-ILO) and the European Commission (EC) convened a global workshop entitled “Increasing Financing for Gender Equality: Lessons Learned and the Way Forward,” from 3-5 June 2015 in Brussels, Belgium
UN Women presents its work on women and girls with disabilities
Date : June 10, 2015
On 9 June, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations, UN Women and the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs co-hosted a panel discussion on “Women with Disabilities.” This event is part of the 8th session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD which convenes annually to consider any matter related to the Convention’s implementation, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 9 to 11 June.
G7 leaders highlight women’s empowerment as a top priority
Date : June 9, 2015
The world’s leading industrialized nations cited women’s economic empowerment as a top global priority in a Joint leader’s declaration presented on 8 June at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Schloss Elmau, Germany. They also voiced their support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles, practical guidance for businesses developed through a partnership between UN Women and the United Nations Global Compact. Leaders also committed to reduce the gender gap in workforce participation in their countries by 25 per cent by 2025.
WHO & Regionals [to 13 June 2015]
WHO calls for increase in voluntary blood donors to save millions of lives
11 June 2015
Global Alert and Response (GAR) – Disease Outbreak News (DONs)
13 June 2015 – Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Republic of Korea
13 June 2015 – Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Saudi Arabia
5 June 2015 – Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Republic of Korea
4 June 2015 – Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Republic of Korea
4 June 2015 – Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Saudi Arabia
The Weekly Epidemiological Record (WER) 12 June 2015, vol. 90, 24 (pp. 297–308) includes:
:: Progress towards measles elimination – South-East Asia Region, 2003–2013
:: Fact sheet on Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus
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:: WHO Regional Offices
WHO African Region AFRO
:: Niger now seeing a considerable decrease in meningitis cases
Niamey, 12 June 2015 – The situation of the meningitis epidemic in Niger, caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C, has improved thanks to intensive efforts at the national and international levels. A significant reduction of cases is now being reported in all affected areas and two support centres in Niamey, the capital, were closed as no case has been recorded during the last week.
:: Experts to assess mental health impact of Ebola – 09 June 2015
:: Experts agree to develop robust blood transfusion services in Ebola affected and unaffected countries – 08 June 2015
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WHO Region of the Americas PAHO
:: New WHO and World Bank Group report shows that 400 million do not have access to essential health services (06/12/2015)
:: On World Blood Donor Day, PAHO/WHO thanks voluntary donors and encourages young people to donate (06/10/2015)
:: Caribbean leaders will discuss stepped-up action to tackle chronic diseases (06/08/2015)
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WHO South-East Asia Region SEARO
:: Medical Camp Kits replace primary health care facilities before onset of Nepal’s monsoon 01 June 2015
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WHO European Region EURO
:: Diphtheria detected in Spain 05-06-2015
:: Dramatic increase in Caesarean sections 01-06-2015
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WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
:: Inequality has transformed surviving childhood into a global postcode lottery (commentary) 3 June 2015
:: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the Republic of Korea 2 June 2015
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WHO Western Pacific Region
:: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Republic of Korea to carry out Joint Mission for the MERS-CoV Outbreak
MANILA, 5 June 2015 – In light of the recent outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the World Health Organization and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare will conduct a joint mission to the Republic of Korea. The mission comes after close consultation between WHO and the Government.
:: Strategy for malaria elimination in the Greater Mekong Subregion (2015-2030)
5 June 2015
In close consultation with countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion, the WHO Regional Offices for the Western Pacific and South-East Asia have developed a malaria elimination strategy for the Subregion, where emerging antimalarial multidrug resistance, including resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies, is threatening our recent gains. The elimination strategy is fully aligned with the Global technical strategy for malaria 2016-2030, which has just been endorsed by the World Health Assembly. The first subregional document that effectively operationalizes the global strategy, it is a prime example of partnership and collaboration, with six countries, WHO (two regions and headquarters) and multiple development partners joining forces to fight a common threat.
Tracking universal health coverage: First global monitoring report
Joint WHO/World Bank Group report
June 2015 :: 98 pages
ISBN 978 92 4 156497 7 (NLM classification: W 84)
Abstract
This report is the first of its kind to measure health service coverage and financial protection to assess countries’ progress towards universal health coverage.
It shows that at least 400 million people do not have access to one or more essential health services and 6% of people in low- and middle-income countries are tipped into or pushed further into extreme poverty because of health spending.
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Press Release
New WHO and World Bank Group Report Shows that 400 Million Do Not Have Access to Essential Health Services and 6% of Population Tipped into or Pushed Further into Extreme Poverty because of Health Spending
June 12, 2015
NEW YORK CITY, June 12, 2015—A World Health Organization and World Bank Group report launched today shows that 400 million people do not have access to essential health services and 6% of people in low- and middle-income countries are tipped into or pushed further into extreme poverty because of health spending.
“This report is a wakeup call: It shows that we’re a long way from achieving universal health coverage. We must expand access to health and protect the poorest from health expenses that are causing them severe financial hardship,” says Dr. Tim Evans, Senior Director of Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank Group…
…The report looked at global access to essential health services—including family planning, antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, child immunization, antiretroviral therapy, tuberculosis treatment, and access to clean water and sanitation—in 2013, and found that at least 400 million people lacked access to at least one of these services.
“The world’s most disadvantaged people are missing out on even the most basic services,” says Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny, Assistant Director-General, Health Systems and Innovation, at the World Health Organization. “A commitment to equity is at the heart of universal health coverage. Health policies and programmes should focus on providing quality health services for the poorest people, women and children, people living in rural areas and those from minority groups”.
The report also found that, across 37 countries, 6% of the population was tipped or pushed further into extreme poverty ($1.25/day) because they had to pay for health services out of their own pockets. When the study factored in a poverty measure of $2/day, 17% of people in these countries were impoverished, or further impoverished, by health expenses.
“These high levels of impoverishment, which happen when poor people have to pay out of pocket for their own emergency health care, pose a major threat to the goal of eliminating extreme poverty,” says Dr. Kaushik Basu, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at the World Bank Group. “As we transition to a post-2015 development era, we must act on these findings, or the world’s poor risk being left behind.”
WHO and the World Bank Group recommend that countries pursuing universal health coverage should aim to achieve a minimum of 80% population coverage of essential health services, and that everyone everywhere should be protected from catastrophic and impoverishing health payments.
“As more countries make commitments to universal health coverage, one of the major challenges they face is how to track progress,” says Dr. Ties Boerma, Director of the Department of Health Statistics and Information Systems at the World Health Organization. “The report shows that it is possible to quantify universal health coverage and track progress towards its key goals, both in terms of health services and financial protection coverage.”
This is the first in a series of annual reports that WHO and the World Bank Group will produce on tracking progress towards UHC across countries…
UNDP United Nations Development Programme [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter.html
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Selected Press Releases
Helen Clark: Speech at Launch of the Oslo Governance and Peacebuilding Dialogue Series, UNDP Oslo Governance Center
Jun 12, 2015Oslo, Norway
UNDP and World Resources Institute launch new tool to support climate change actions
Jun 9, 2015Bonn
Meeting on the sidelines of climate change negotiations in Bonn, Germany, UNDP and the World Resources Institute today launched a new guidance tool to support developing countries in preparing climate targets and actions.
Helen Clark: Speech at the Opening Session of the High Level International Conference on the Implementation of the International Decade for Action “Water for Life” 2005-2015
Jun 9, 2015 Dushanbe, Tajikistan
US$ 21 million urgently needed for Central African Republic elections
Jun 8, 2015
Urgent financing is required to finalize preparations for the upcoming general elections in the Central African Republic (CAR), representatives from the United Nations said today.
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.unep.org/newscentre/?doctypeID=1
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Selected Press Releases
Initiatives by Non-State Actors to Curb Emissions Can Help Win the Fight against Climate Change – New UN Report
Actions by Cities, Companies, and Sectors Could Complement Government Efforts and Save Close to 1.8 GtCO2e by 2020
10/06/2015
Surprising Citizens’ Views on Climate Change
Close to Three Quarters Say Action Will Boost Quality of Life.
Vast Majority Back Long Term Goal for New United Nations Agreement in Paris.
Education for the Masses Cited as Best Bet for Cutting Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
10/06/2015
Coordination of Biodiversity-Related Conventions Given a Boost with the Launch of a New Sourcebook
The Sourcebook seeks to enhance cooperation between these biodiversity-related conventions.
09/06/2015
UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner Welcomes G7 Leaders’ Declaration
09/06/2015
The Knowledge Revolution
UNEP Live is not only providing greater access to data and emerging knowledge through collaboration with more people globally and partnerships with more organizations, but is also enhancing data literacy throughout the world.
09/06/2015
UNISDR UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.unisdr.org/archive
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Cholera highlights urban risk factors
A cholera outbreak in Kenya that is concentrated in the informal settlements shows how entrenched poverty can combine with poor urban planning to breed disasters.
10 Jun 2015
UN DESA United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/news.html
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Taking measures to advance sustainable transport
12 June 2015, New York
A high-level advisory group, established by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, agreed on 11 June to take measures that could accelerate a shift toward safer, healthier, more effective, efficient and sustainable transport systems. Sustainable transport is also an essential element for achieving the new global goals and the low carbon economy.
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UN urges action to reduce exclusion and discrimination of persons with disabilities
9 June 2015, New York
Empowering persons with disabilities and securing their rights will advance society as a whole, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said today as he urged strengthening global cooperation and partnership on the matter at the Eighth Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
UNESCO [to 13 June 2015]
http://en.unesco.org/news
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UNESCO launches the final version of Internet Study in English and French -13 June 2015
12 June 2015
UNESCO empowers global youth to develop mobile applications for sustainable development
12 June 2015
Kuwait donates US$ 5 million to UNESCO Education Response to the Syria Crisis
11 June 2015
Twenty new sites added to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves
09 June 2015
UNESCO Ramallah Office launches Education For All Global Monitoring Report (GMR).
Ramallah, 3 June 2015. The UNESCO Ramallah Office launched the 2015 EFA Global Monitoring Report entitled “Education for All 2000-2015: Achievements and Challenges. This year’s Global Monitoring Report is special: 2015 is the deadline for the six Education for All goals agreed by governments in Dakar, Senegal, in 2000. The 2015 Report is the twelfth and perhaps the most important one in the GMR series. It tracks the achievements and challenges of the EFA goals at both global and country levels: on early childhood education, on primary education, on youth and skills, on adult literacy, on gender equality, and on the quality of education…
FAO Food & Agriculture Organization [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.fao.org/news/archive/news-by-date/2015/en/
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Conference ends historic session and unanimously approves work programme and budget
Graziano da Silva in his closing statement to the Conference outlined FAO’s priorities for the coming years, in particular the eradication of hunger, raising levels of nutrition and addressing climate change.
13-06-2015
Social protection, peace-building, rural development key to hunger eradication say Colombian and Mexican Presidents
Empowering family farmers, establishing safety nets to help those most in need escape poverty traps, and ensuring peace and inclusive economic growth in rural areas must be core elements in efforts to eradicate hunger once and for all, the presidents of Colombia and Mexico asserted in speeches at the closing session of the FAO Conference.
13-06-2015
Pope Francis tells FAO Conference delegates eradicating hunger is an obligation that must not be neglected
The international community must respond to the moral imperative of ensuring access to basic foods as “a right of all people,” Pope Francis told delegates to the 39th FAO Conference during a special audience at the Vatican.
11-06-2015
Hunger eradication, nutrition and climate change are FAO’s top priorities
FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva, in his first policy statement since his overwhelming re-election, today outlined that eradicating hunger, raising levels of nutrition and addressing climate change will be among the Organization’s top priorities over the next four years.
8-06-2015
IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.ifad.org/media/press/index.htm
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12 June: Global Forum on Remittances and Development “International Day of Family Global Forum on Remittances and Development “International Day of Family Remittances”
When: 16-19 June 2015
Where: Centro Congressi Stella Polare, Rho, Milan
The fifth Global Forum on Remittances and Development (GFRD) is a unique event bringing together more than 400 policy-makers, private-sector stakeholders and civil-society leaders to pave the way for leveraging the development impact of remittances. The forum will open with the observance of the First International Day for Family Remittances on 16 June.
The forum is convened by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Bank and the European Commission.
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9 June: Investing in Climate Change Adaptation Boosts Small Farmers’ Household Incomes, says IFAD
ILO International Labour Organization [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.ilo.org/global/lang–en/index.htm
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104th International Labour Conference
ILO adopts historic labour standard to tackle the informal economy
12 June 2015
World of Work Summit
President of Panama: Growth and welfare should go hand in hand
11 June 2015
In his address to the ILO Conference, President Juan Carlos Varela said that Panama wanted to be a protagonist in shaping a green economy of the future which should also be an inclusive economy.
World of Work Summit
President Hollande calls for tripartite mobilization on climate change
11 June 2015
Guest of honor of the 104th Session of the International Labour Conference, French President François Hollande advocated for universal mobilization to fight climate change and better ensure application of international labour law.
World of Work Summit
Nobel Peace Laureate warns climate change is fueling child trafficking
11 June 2015
Kailash Satyarthi calls for immediate action on climate change and a child-friendly approach to disaster management, at a special sitting of the International Labour Conference.
World Day Against Child Labour 2015
New ILO study points to the long-term impact of child labour
11 June 2015
New ILO report shows the need for coherent policies tackling child labour and the lack of decent jobs for youth together.
Bangladesh
Rana Plaza victims’ compensation scheme secures funds needed to make final payments
08 June 2015
ILO Director-General encouraged by milestone but says more work remains to be done.
G7 Summit at Schloss Elmau
ILO Director-General welcomes G7 commitment on responsible supply chains
08 June 2015
“The ILO will collaborate closely with its constituents and G7 partners to translate this vision into reality,” said Guy Ryder, who was at the G7 Summit in Elmau, Germany.
WMO World Meteorological Organization [to 13 June 2015]
https://www.wmo.int/media/?q=news
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World Meteorological Congress agrees priorities for 2016-2019
12 June 2015
GENEVA 12 June 2015 (WMO) – The World Meteorological Organization’s quadrennial Congress ended today, with the adoption of a new strategic plan, and related budget as well as the appointment of a new Secretary-General.
The strategic plan sets out priorities for the post 2015 global agenda. These include disaster risk reduction; climate services to help climate change adaptation and sustainable development; capacity development; polar and high mountain region research and monitoring; and strengthened observing and information systems. It also envisages a more cross-cutting urban focus and greater emphasis on marine weather activities.
The International Cloud Atlas
11 June 2015
The World Meteorological Organization is advancing with a major project to revise and update the International Cloud Atlas. The aim is to produce a user-friendly, digital-based product which is an authoritative, comprehensive and up-to-date source of reference and is also interesting and accessible to a wide audience.
WMO sets up new Small Island Developing States programme
11 June 2015
The World Meteorological Organization will set up a new programme dedicated to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Territories in a bid to increase their resilience to extreme weather events and other adverse impacts of climate change.
The World Meteorological Congress approved a resolution establishing the new programme to consolidate existing WMO actions to support enhanced weather and climate services in SIDS and Member Island Territories.
WMO Acts on Gender Equality
8 June 2015
The World Meteorological Congress held a dedicated gender day on 5 June to encourage the development of gender-differentiated weather and climate services for women for the benefit of the entire community and to promote more senior-level female scientists.
“We have to walk the talk,” said WMO Assistant Secretary-General Elena Manaenkova, who is spearheading the WMO gender programme.
WMO celebrates World Oceans Day
8 June 2015
UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.unido.org/en/news-centre/news.html
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Major international Energy Forum in Vienna next week to focus on sustainable energy for inclusive development
Thursday, 11 June 2015
VIENNA, 11 June 2015 – Over 1,000 participants, including high-ranking government officials and experts in the field, are expected to attend this year’s Vienna Energy Forum (VEF) to closely examine sustainable energy issues…
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Promoting women empowerment in the Middle East and North Africa
Tuesday, 09 June 2015
CAIRO, 9 June 2015 – Promoting women empowerment for inclusive and sustainable industrial development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is the aim of a project launched today by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in the capital of Egypt, Cairo.
Funded by the Government of Italy, the project will help economically empower women by supporting the creation of enterprises in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the State of Palestine and Tunisia…
ITU International Telecommunications Union [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/index.aspx?lang=en#.VF8FYcl4WF8
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Global ICT regulatory meeting highlights key role of innovation in driving ICT development
Debates stressed need for more innovative approaches to funding challenges, ICT taxation, network sharing and licensing of new services
Libreville, Gabon,11 June, 2015 – Promoting digital inclusion and closing the ‘digital gap’ between a handful of highly industrialized economies and the world’s many emerging markets and developing economies will require an innovation-oriented mindset that seeks out new approaches to regulation as well as to traditional challenges such as infrastructure funding, service delivery, and taxation of ICT goods and services, according to delegates at ITU’s Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-15), which was held this week at the Stade de l’Amitié in the Gabonese capital, Libreville…
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ITU standards to integrate Internet of Things in Smart Cities
New expert group to specialize in Internet of Things and its applications
Geneva, 10 June 2015 – ITU members have established a new ITU-T Study Group to address the standardization requirements of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, with an initial focus on IoT applications in smart cities.
The new group is titled “ITU-T Study Group 20: IoT and its applications, including smart cities and communities”. It will be responsible for international standards to enable the coordinated development of IoT technologies, including machine-to-machine communications and ubiquitous sensor networks. The group will develop standards that leverage IoT technologies to address urban-development challenges. A key part of this study will be the standardization of end-to-end architectures for IoT and mechanisms for the interoperability of IoT applications and datasets employed by various vertically oriented industry sectors.
The deployment of IoT technologies is expected to connect an estimated 50 billion devices to the network by year 2020, impacting nearly every aspect of our daily lives. IoT is contributing to the convergence of industry sectors, with utilities, healthcare and transportation among the many sectors with a stake in the future of IoT technologies. The new ITU-T Study Group provides the specialized IoT standardization platform necessary for this convergence to rest on a cohesive set of international standards…
USAID [to 13 June 2015]
http://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases
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USAID, World Bank, and WHO Commit to Strengthen Data-Driven Approach to Global Health
June 9, 2015
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), World Bank Group (WBG), World Health Organization (WHO) and country partners commit to increasing the use of data in global health. This enhanced approach will increase the use of data to identify health threats and direct resources to address them quickly and efficiently.
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USAID Announces New Partnership to Boost Climate Resilience in the Developing World
June 9, 2015
Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the launch of a new public-private partnership, Climate Services for Resilient Development. The partnership aims to develop new tools, services, and approaches that bridge technology and organizational gaps in order to strengthen climate resilience to populations around the world. USAID has committed $10 million towards the partnership, with the total financial and in-kind contributions at $34 million by the founding- partners institutions: USAID (leveraging NOAA, NASA, and other U.S. agencies), UK Government (Department for International Development, and UK Met Office), Inter-American Development Bank ,Asian Development Bank, Esri, Google, American Red Cross, and Skoll Global Threats Fund.
DFID [to 13 June 2015]
https://www.gov.uk/government/latest?departments%5B%5D=department-for-international-development
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Ebola medal for over 3000 heroes
Published 11 June 2015 Press release CO, DFID, PHE and Number 10
A new medal has been created to recognise the bravery and hard work of people who have helped to stop the spread of Ebola.
The [U.K.] government has today (11 June 2015) set out the details of a new medal that will recognise the bravery and hard work of thousands of people who helped to tackle Ebola in West Africa.
The medal is expected to go to over 3,000 people who travelled from the UK to work in high risk areas to stop the spread of the disease.
This is the first time a medal has been created specifically to recognise those who have tackled a humanitarian crisis and is in recognition of the highly dangerous environment that workers were required to enter…
Ebola Medal
Published 11 June 2015 Guidance DFID
Following the UK government announcement of the new medal to recognise the efforts of the many individuals who have supported efforts to tackle Ebola in West Africa, the Department for International Development (DFID) will manage the process for individual applications who meet the criteria for the award of the medal. The issuing of medals for the following groups will be processed automatically and individual applications should not need to be made:
:: Home civil servants
:: Military
:: UK Med
:: Public Health England
:: Stabilisation Unit
:: Conflict Humanitarian and Security Department (CHASE) Operations Team
:: UK nationals who worked for DFID-funded non governmental organisations (NGOs) supporting UK government efforts
UK and US join forces to boost natural disaster warning systems
Published 9 June 2015 Press release DFID and Met Office
A new partnership will bring together organisations from across the globe to improve access to weather forecasts and climate information.
The UK government and the Met Office will join forces with the US government, NASA and Google to help improve early warning systems for natural disasters across the developing world, International Development Secretary Justine Greening said today.
The new partnership, launched in Washington D.C. today, will bring together organisations from across the globe to improve access to weather forecasts and climate information in poor countries.
This will help farmers to plan ahead and boost food production as well as help to predict and plan for weather related disasters like droughts, floods and storms…
GE2P2 Global :: Knowledge Sharing; Ideas; Operations 