United Nations – Secretary General, Security Council, General Assembly  [to 4 July 2015]
http://www.un.org/en/unpress/

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Selected Press Releases/Meetings Coverage
30 June 2015
SC/11956
Peacekeeping, Children in Armed Conflict Dominate June Agenda, as Security Council Wraps Up Month
Peacekeeping, peacebuilding and children in armed conflict had been the centrepieces of the Security Council’s work over the past four weeks, said the Permanent Representative of Malaysia, President of the body for June, in a monthly wrap-up meeting this afternoon.

29 June 2015
SC/11952
‘Any and Every’ Route in Syria Must Be Opened for Life-Saving Humanitarian Aid, Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Tells Security Council in Briefing
As a “nightmare of violence and destruction” continued without end in Syria, it was crucial for humanitarian workers to use every route, across borders and conflict lines, to deliver live-saving aid, a top United Nations humanitarian official told the Security Council this morning.

UN OHCHR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights [to 4 July 2015]
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/media.aspx?IsMediaPage=true

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Human Rights Council adopts texts on enhancing the efficiency of the Council, Rohingya Muslims, the protection of the family, and Ukraine
03 July 2015

Human Rights Council extends mandates on Belarus and Eritrea, asks OHCHR to undertake a fact-finding mission to South Sudan
02 July 2015

Human Rights Council adopts twelve texts, on protection of migrants in transit, unaccompanied migrant children, and others
02 July 2015

UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to 4 July 2015]
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/search?page=&comid=4a0950336&cid=49aea93a7d&scid=49aea93a40

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UNHCR welcomes ASEAN proposals to respond to boat crisis in South-East Asia
3 July 2015

Mediterranean Crisis 2015 at six months: refugee and migrant numbers highest on record
1 July 2015

Joint Statement by UNHCR, OHCHR, IOM, the SRSG for Migration and Development, and UNODC
1 July 2015

UN OCHA [to 4 July 2015]
http://www.unocha.org/media-resources/press-releases

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02 Jul 2015
occupied Palestinian territory: The Gaza Strip: The Humanitarian Impact of the Blockade, July 2015
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Country: occupied Palestinian territory KEY FACTS

01 Jul 2015
World: Pacific voices heard on humanitarian action
Talks about the future of humanitarian action in the Pacific have wrapped up with calls for stronger partnerships with vulnerable and crisis affected communities.

29 Jun 2015
Syrian Arab Republic: Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien: Statement to the Security Council on Syria, New York, 29 June 2015

UNICEF [to 4 July 2015]
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_78364.html

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Selected press release and news notes
UNICEF teams, supplies arrive in areas affected by new Ebola cases in Liberia
MONROVIA/DAKAR/GENEVA, 3 July 2015 – Responding to Liberia’s first confirmed cases of Ebola in more than three months, UNICEF has begun distributing emergency supplies in the affected communities including tents for isolating those under quarantine, hygiene kits and chlorine and buckets for handwashing stations.

Urgent action needed to tackle child labour caused by Syrian Crisis: Save the Children and UNICEF
AMMAN, 2 July 2015 – The conflict and humanitarian crisis in Syria are pushing an ever increasing number of children into exploitation in the labour market, and much more needs to be done to reverse the trend, according to a new report released by Save the Children and UNICEF.

UNICEF, WHO: Lack of sanitation for 2.4 billion people undermining health improvements
NEW YORK/GENEVA, 30 June 2015 – Lack of progress on sanitation threatens to undermine the child survival and health benefits from gains in access to safe drinking water, warn WHO and UNICEF in a report tracking access to drinking water and sanitation against the Millennium Development Goals.

Millions of children in war-torn Yemen at risk of disease and malnutrition – UNICEF
SANA’A, Yemen, 30 June 2015 – The ongoing conflict in Yemen is having a devastating impact on the country’s health system, and exposing millions of children to the threat of preventable diseases, says UNICEF.

IOM / International Organization for Migration [to 4 July 2015]
http://www.iom.int/press-room/press-releases

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Selected Press Releases
Free Movement and Migration in West Africa Launches Call for Proposals for Non-State Actors
06/30/15
Nigeria -The Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and IOM are launching the Non-State Actors (NSA) Fund call for proposals at the ECOWAS Commission Secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria, today (30 June 2015).

First Ever IOM-NGO Consultations Focusing Solely on Humanitarian Issues
06/30/15
Switzerland – IOM, with the support of the Non-Governmental Organization consortium International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), Tuesday will host delegates from more than 40 NGOs and 17 countries to a one-day meeting in Geneva, Switzerland on humanitarian action concerning displaced populations and migrants.

IOM Boosts Border Actions for Vulnerable Migrants in Central America
06/30/15
El Salvador – IOM concluded this month the workshop “Exchange of border experience in Honduras and El Salvador to optimize response capabilities to cater to the needs of vulnerable people,” which served as a platform for the generation of a cross-border action plan and sharing of best practices of inter-institutional work at the local level.

IOM Ghana Distributes Solar Lanterns to Rescued Children
06/30/15
Ghana – IOM in Ghana has distributed 34 solar lanterns to child survivors of trafficking who were rescued from fishing communities along Lake Volta.

UNDP United Nations Development Programme [to 4 July 2015]
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter.html

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Selected Press Releases
Sevamob: Using Mobile Technology to Improve Health
Jun 30, 2015
The social enterprise Sevamob is fundamentally transforming primary healthcare in India through mobile clinics and a tele-health marketplace. The newest company to join the Business Call to Action (BCtA), Sevamob, has committed to reducing anemia by 30 percent, HIV transmission to children by at least half of the national average, and dental issues like caries by 25 percent, in the areas where it is active.

UNESCO [to 4 July 2015]
http://en.unesco.org/news

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Sites in China, Iran, Mongolia and Singapore inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
4 July 2015
The World Heritage Committee this morning approved the inscription of six cultural sites on World Heritage List: Tusi Sites (China), Susa, Cultural Landscape of Maymand (both in the Islamic Republic of Iran), Singapore Botanic Gardens (Singapore), Baekje Historic Areas (Republic of Korea), Great Burkhan Khaldun Mountain and its surrounding sacred landscape (Mongolia).

Sites in Italy, Jordan and Saudi Arabia inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
3 July 2015
The World Heritage Committee inscribed three new cultural sites on the World Heritage List this afternoon: Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalú and Monreale in Italy; Baptism Site “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas) in Jordan and Rock Art in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia. – See more at: http://en.unesco.org/news/sites-italy-jordan-and-saudi-arabia-inscribed-unesco-s-world-heritage-list#sthash.gYrvn3gB.dpuf

Establishing a Global Centre for Excellence for Persons with Disabilities using ICTs
3 July 2015
An international expert meeting on the “Establishment of a Global Centre for Excellence for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)” was held on 29 and 30 June 2015 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. The meeting brought together more than a dozen experts from Brazil, Ecuador, France, India, Ireland, Kuwait, UK and USA, as well as the UN Economic Commission for Western Asia (UNECWA), in cooperation with the Permanent Delegation of the State of Kuwait to UNESCO.
…Over the two days, the experts discussed the proposed Centre, to be based in the State of Kuwait, defining its vision, mission, functions, objectives, scope and title. They further proceeded to the development of a strategic roadmap, and proposals for the structure of the Global Centre, as well as resources and infrastructure required.

Reconstruction of Timbuktu mausoleums nears completion
1 July 2015

$2.3 billion required to send children to school in war-torn countries
28 June 2015

UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime [to 4 July 2015]
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/press/allpress.html?ref=fp

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03/07/2015 –
Tenth anniversary of the entry into force of the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts, and Components and Ammunition

02/07/2015 –
Colombia Survey 2014: UNODC study shows significant increase in coca leaf production in high density areas

FAO Food & Agriculture Organization [to 4 July 2015]
http://www.fao.org/news/archive/news-by-date/2015/en/

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Huge opportunities for agricultural growth in West Africa
West Africa has unprecedented opportunities for agricultural growth, but making the most of them will require more effective regional integration, says a new 400-page book by the African Development Bank (AfDB), FAO and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
2-07-2015

OECD – FAO expect stronger production, lower prices over coming decade
Strong crop yields, higher productivity and slower growth in global demand, along with lower oil and fertilizer prices, should contribute to a gradual decline in real prices for agricultural products over the coming decade, according to the latest Agricultural Outlook report produced by the OECD and FAO.
1-07-2015

FAO Director-General highlights role of trade in food security and the use of public standards to ensure food safety
Global trade can play an important role in improving food security and nutrition and in fighting poverty and hunger while the use of science-based public standards is essential to ensure food safety, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva has told participants in the World Trade Organization’s 5th Global Review of Aid For Trade.
1-07-2015

Child Labour in Agriculture
Child labour is defined as work that is inappropriate for a child’s age, affects children’s education, or is likely to harm their health, safety or morals. It should be emphasized that not all work carried out by children is considered child labour. Some activities may help children acquire important livelihood skills and contribute to their survival and food security.
29-06-2015

ILO International Labour Organization [to 4 July 2015]
http://www.ilo.org/global/lang–en/index.htm

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Occupational safety and health
Ebola: How decent work in the health sector saves lives of health personnel
01 July 2015
International labour standards and tools, if correctly applied, are very effective in protecting frontline health workers treating patients with potentially deadly infectious diseases, such as Ebola, says Christiane Wiskow, Senior Health Sector Specialist at the International Labour Organization (ILO).

IMO International Maritime Organization [to 4 July 2015]
http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/Home.aspx

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Nippon Foundation’s Sasakawa to be awarded 2014 International Maritime Prize
03/07/2015 IMO Council awards the prestigious International Maritime Prize for 2014 to Mr. Yohei Sasakawa.

Mr. Ki-tack Lim (Republic of Korea) elected as IMO Secretary-General
30/06/2015 Mr. Lim has been elected as the Secretary-General of IMO with effect from 1 January 2016, for an initial four-year term.

Maritime and migration heads pledge action on unsafe mixed migration by sea
29/06/2015 IMO Secretary-General Sekimizu and IOM Director-General Swing recognized need for concerted global action

WMO World Meteorological Organization [to 4 July 2015]
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WMO, WHO Issue Guidance on Heat Health Warning Systems
1 July 2015
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have issued new joint guidance on Heat–Health Warning Systems to address the health risks posed by heatwaves, which are becoming more frequent and more intense as a result of climate change.
“Heatwaves are a dangerous natural hazard, and one that requires increased attention,” said Maxx Dilley, Director of WMO’s Climate Prediction and Adaptation Branch, and Maria Neira, Director of WHO’s Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health. “They lack the spectacular and sudden violence of other hazards, such as tropical cyclones or flash floods but the consequences can be severe.”
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SEAMLESS PREDICTION: FROM MINUTES TO MONTHS
30 June 2015
A new WMO publication Seamless Prediction of the Earth System: From Minutes to Months provides a consolidated road map for future weather research to foster the science needed to make society less vulnerable to high-impact weather.
It synthesizes discussions and outcomes of the World Weather Open Science Conference held in Montreal in August 2014. . The conference brought together the entire weather science and user communities for the first time to review the state-of-the-art and chart the scientific frontiers for the next decade and more.

UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization [to 4 July 2015]
http://www.unido.org/en/news-centre/news.html

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UNIDO and Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade to jointly help developing countries, emerging economies
VIENNA, 29 June 2015 – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade (KIET), the Republic of Korea’s leading research institute and economic think…

CBD Convention on Biological Diversity [to 4 July 2015]
http://www.cbd.int/press-releases/

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New manual presents guidelines on sustainable tourism and management in sensitive biodiversity areas
Montreal, 3 July 2015 – Enforcing the notion that a healthy natural environment is one of the world’s most important tourism attractions, and that visiting nature serves to heighten awareness of its intrinsic value for us all, a new manual launched by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) presents guidelines on sustainable tourism and management.

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Tourism Supporting Biodiversity – A Manual on applying the CBD Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
July 2015 :: 60 pages
ISBN: 92-9225-585-1 (print)
ISBN: 92-9225-585-X (electronic)
PDF online at: www.cbd.int/tourism/doc/tourism-manual-2015-en.pdf
Introduction
This Manual provides information for planners, developers, managers and decision makers involved with tourism development and resource management in areas of sensitive biodiversity. The purpose is to help them to mainstream biodiversity concerns and ecosystem services within sustainable tourism development. Its primary target is public authorities and other agencies in a position to influence tourism impacts, while also being relevant to potential developers of tourism projects.

The Manual has been prepared as a result of decisions taken by the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2012 (COP 11) and further developed in 2014 (COP 12) to improve knowledge and materials to better inform the integration of biodiversity into sustainable tourism development.

The Manual is based on the CBD Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development. However, it also reflects a wider perspective on approaches and experience in sustainable tourism development and management.

This Manual, with an emphasis on management and governance, complements the more technical User’s Manual on the CBD Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development published in 2007.

USAID [to 4 July 2015]
http://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases

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United States and Brazil Expand Partnership to Promote Food Security in Mozambique
July 1, 2015
President Obama announced $2 million to expand the partnership between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through Feed the Future and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) to help Mozambique increase agricultural production, food security, and family nutrition. The investment will raise agricultural production through new science and technology and provide training for agricultural policy makers, technicians, and farmers.

DFID [to 4 July 2015]
https://www.gov.uk/government/latest?departments%5B%5D=department-for-international-development

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Changing world, changing aid: Where international development needs to go next
Department for International Development and The Rt Hon Justine Greening MP
Published 3 July 2015
Speech by the International Development Secretary at the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) in London, focussing on the need for development to go beyond aid.
I’m extremely grateful to ODI and Bond for hosting my first major development speech since this government was returned in May and I’m delighted to be back at DFID.

We’ve been saying for a while that the 12 months ahead are absolutely critical for development.

It starts with the Financing For Development conference in Addis the week after next, then the sustainable development goals that will be set at UNGA in September. Then the Climate Change Conference in Paris in November, and the World Trade Organisation Conference in Nairobi in December. And then right through to the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul next May….

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New programmes to strengthen vulnerable states in Africa and more support for Syria crisis
Published 2 July 2015 Press release DFID
Additional help from the UK to provide emergency aid, jobs and education, to help address the root causes of the migrant crisis.
A range of new programmes from the UK will provide emergency aid as well as jobs and education to help address the root causes of the migrant crisis, International Development Secretary Justine Greening announced today.

This new support forms part of a wider approach by the UK government to tackle the migrant crisis and will focus on the fragile and vulnerable states from which the majority of migrants are leaving. This includes Syria and its neighbours as well as a number of African countries such as Nigeria, South Sudan and Kenya.

Millions of refugees and vulnerable people affected by conflict and instability will benefit from immediate, lifesaving support such as food and clean water.

The new support will also help to create jobs and opportunities, provide protection for vulnerable groups, and address underlying causes of conflict and tension so that people are able to build their lives in the region…

A range of new programmes from the UK will provide emergency aid as well as jobs and education to help address the root causes of the migrant crisis, International Development Secretary Justine Greening announced today.

This new support forms part of a wider approach by the UK government to tackle the migrant crisis and will focus on the fragile and vulnerable states from which the majority of migrants are leaving. This includes Syria and its neighbours as well as a number of African countries such as Nigeria, South Sudan and Kenya.

Millions of refugees and vulnerable people affected by conflict and instability will benefit from immediate, lifesaving support such as food and clean water.

The new support will also help to create jobs and opportunities, provide protection for vulnerable groups, and address underlying causes of conflict and tension so that people are able to build their lives in the region…

African Union [to 4 July 2015]
http://www.au.int/en/
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives, recognizing that a number of country-level announcements are added each week]
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Jul.01.2015
Ambassador Mfasoni hands over the AUC’s Secretary General Office to Ms. Djeneba Diarra
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1st July 2015: The handing over ceremony between Ambassador Jean Mfasoni, outgoing Secretary General, and Ms. Djeneba Diarra, incoming Secretary General and first woman to occupy the position, took place on 30th June 2015 at the African Union Headquarters.