FAO Food & Agriculture Organization [to 12 September 2015]
http://www.fao.org/news/archive/news-by-date/2015/en/

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World Forestry Congress sets out vision for future of forests
The largest gathering on forests this decade set out its vision of how forests and forestry should look in 2050, adopting the Durban Declaration after a week of debate. The vision calls for the forests of the future to be “fundamental” for food security and improved livelihoods.
11-09-2015

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FAO Food Price Index registers sharpest fall since December 2008
The index averaged 155.7 points in August 2015, down 5.2 percent from July, the steepest monthly drop since December 2008, with virtually all major food commodities registering marked dips.
10-09-2015

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Severe food insecurity on the rise in Afghanistan
The number of people in Afghanistan resorting to selling land or turning to friends or family for help because of food insecurity has doubled in the last year, says a new a joint report by UN and partner agencies.
10-09-2015

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Ugandan community leader receives top forestry prize
Ugandan forestry activist Gertrude Kabusimbi Kenyangi has been awarded the 2015 Wangari Maathai ‘Forest Champions’ Award in recognition of her efforts to promote the conservation and sustainable use of forest resources in Uganda.
10-09-2015

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World deforestation slows down as more forests are better managed
Some 129 million hectares of forest – an area almost equivalent in size to South Africa – have been lost since 1990, according to FAO’s most comprehensive forest review to date, The Global Forest Resources Assessment 2015. It noted however, that an increasing amount of forest areas have come under protection while more countries are improving forest management.
7-09-2015

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FAO and Action Aid join forces to empower rural people
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and ActionAid International, a globe-spanning NGO, have agreed to embark on new joint program of work that will focus on empowering rural people.
6-09-2015

IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development [to 12 September 2015]
http://www.ifad.org/media/press/index.htm

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UN agriculture agencies to strengthen rural employment opportunities for Caribbean youth
Bridgetown, 7 September 2015 — The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD, or FIDA by its Spanish acronym) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have joined forces to tackle the growing level of youth unemployment in the Caribbean.

The US$2.7 million dollar programme “Strengthening decent rural employment opportunities for young women and men in the Caribbean” will be implemented in coordination with a number of Caribbean governments and key stakeholders in six countries: Belize, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana and Haiti. Other countries in the region, including Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, are also expected to benefit from the programme’s regional activities…

IMO International Maritime Organization [to 12 September 2015]
http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/Home.aspx

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IMO Member State audit details now online
10/09/2015
A new module containing information on audits carried out under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme has been launched.

UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization [to 12 September 2015]
http://www.unido.org/en/news-centre/news.html

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Food safety for social inclusiveness, sustainability and industrial development on agenda of Vienna forum
VIENNA, 11 September 2015 – Coordinated efforts in order to prevent, detect and respond to foodborne diseases, and the benefits of safe food for social inclusiveness, sustainability and industrial development were on the agenda…

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Japan’s assessment of international organizations ranks UNIDO among top performers
VIENNA, 10 September 2015 – The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has assessed and rated 64 international organizations, including UN organizations. Four of them, including the United Nations Industrial Development…

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UNIDO ready to help countries along maritime and land Silk Road accelerate sustainable industrialization, says Director General Li
XIAMEN, China, 8 September 2015 – Unlocking the potential for investments in infrastructure, industry, trade and services in the countries along the maritime and land Silk Road is crucial for the future of the region…

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BRICS to continue playing major role in global growth, says UNIDO Director General Li
Tuesday, 08 September 2015
XIAMEN, China, 8 September 2015 – BRICS, the five major emerging national economies that comprise Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, will continue to play a major role in global economic growth…

UNWTO World Tourism Organization [to 12 September 2015]
http://media.unwto.org/news

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21 million more international tourists in the first half of 2015
10 September 2015
The number of international tourist arrivals grew by 4% in the first half of 2015 according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Destinations worldwide received some 538 million international tourists between January and June 2015, an increase of 21 million compared to the same period of 2014.

CBD Convention on Biological Diversity [to 12 September 2015]
http://www.cbd.int/press-releases/

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STATEMENT OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY BRAULIO FERREIRA DE SOUZA DIAS on the occasion of the UNITED NATIONS DAY FOR SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION
12 SEPTEMBER 2015
… South-South and triangular cooperation are especially important as the overwhelming majority of the Earth’s biodiversity is found in developing countries. Biodiversity – and the many ecosystem services associated with it – form the foundation of the Earth’s life support systems and underpin human lives and well-being. Anchored in the post-2015 development agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals is a clear objective to mainstream biodiversity and ecosystem services in key national priorities and help countries achieve the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

Within the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), South-South cooperation has been identified as a key mechanism for scientific and technical cooperation in support of the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. Scientists and agencies based in the South are playing a major role in the implementation of the Convention. Working with the Secretariat of the CBD, for instance, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has scaled up its support to South-South Cooperation and launched a South-South Cooperation Exchange Mechanism, linked to the Consortium of Scientific Partners on Biodiversity, and supporting the implementation of the Multi-Year Plan of Action for South-South Cooperation on Biodiversity for Development, adopted in parallel to the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and recognized by the Parties.

An innovative agreement of collaboration signed in 2013 between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) and the Brazilian Technical Cooperation Agency has enabled experts from Embrapa to provide technical expertise to developing countries. Among the 22 members of the Convention’s Consortium of Scientific Partners on Biodiversity are several global players from the South, such as the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), the Mexican National Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO), the Costa Rican National Biodiversity Institute (InBio) and the Colombian Humboldt Institute. The Secretariat also works with UNEP to support its network of universities, mostly from the South, through the Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability…

USAID [to 12 September 2015]
http://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases

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USAID Announces $86 million in Food Assistance for Vulnerable People in Sudan
September 7, 2015
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced an additional $86 million in food assistance through the UN World Food Program (WFP) to help feed millions of displaced and food-insecure people in Sudan. Of the $86 million, $75 million will be used to provide more than 69,000 metric tons of U.S. food and $11 million to provide food vouchers and support the local procurement of specialized nutrition products. The new contribution brings the total U.S. Government contribution of food assistance for Sudan to $170 million this year.

DFID [to 12 September 2015]
https://www.gov.uk/government/latest?departments%5B%5D=department-for-international-development

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The Girl Summit Charter
Published 8 September 2015 Policy paper DFID

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Syria refugees: UK government response
Updated 7 September 2015 News story DFID, FCO, Home Office, MOD and Number 10

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Syria: refugees and counter-terrorism – Prime Minister’s statement
Published 7 September 2015 Statement to Parliament AGO, DCLG, DFID, FCO, Home Office, MOD and Number 1

ECHO [to 12 September 2015]
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/en/news

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European Commission adopts its position ahead of the World Humanitarian Summit 2016
10/09/2015
The European Commission has adopted a Communication ‘Towards the World Humanitarian Summit: A global partnership for principled and effective humanitarian action’. The Communication sets out the EU’s strategic vision for reshaping humanitarian…

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EU Aid Volunteers: First call for proposals for deployment is open
09/09/2015
The European Commission has published the first-ever call for proposals for deployment of humanitarian volunteers under its EU Aid Volunteers initiative. Through the new call, around 350 junior and senior professionals are expected to be deployed to…

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EU Children of Peace initiative: €1 million to assist children affected by Ebola
07/09/2015
The European Commission is providing €1 million in funding so that children orphaned and affected by Ebola receive education and psycho-social support.”We must give hope to the children affected by the devastating consequences of the Ebola epidemic…

African Union [to 12 September 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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The African Union and HelpAge urge member states to promote the rights of older people in Africa
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
Addis Ababa,10 September 2015:The African Union Commission (AUC) and HelpAge International have urged African Union Member States to develop and implement policies that protect the rights of older people in Africa.This was during a roundtable meeting on the Role of older persons in achieving Africa’s agenda 2063which took placetoday 10 September 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the members of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) and other key stakeholders.
The Chairperson of the PRC, H.E Albert Ranganai Chimbindi, reiterated the willingness of the African Union to guarantee that the developmental approach of the Africa’s Agenda 2063 is inclusive. He recognised that older people are the custodians of the African culture and therefore, deserve that Africa creates conditions for their contribution to the achievement of the objectives of Agenda 2063. He also highlighted that to address the issue of older people in Africa is also a window of opportunity for the continent to better plan the future of the younger generation.
The Director of Social Affairs of the African Union Commission Ambassador Olawale Maiyegun informed member states that the population of older people in Africa is increasing drastically and therefore there is an urgent need to ensure that specific measures are in place to address the needs of older people…..
… The call to African governments in Addis Ababa follows the release of Global AgeWatch Index 2015 report by HelpAge International whose main aim is to raise visibility of ageing at regional and national levels as well as provide a framework for governments and institutions to respond to ageing population and the UN Secretary General call for Data Revolution…

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Sep.09.2015 – Decision Makers in Africa Address Climate Change through Sustainable Forest Management

The African Development Bank Group [to 12 September 2015]
http://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/
[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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AfDB approves US $22-million grant to break “triangle of thirst” in West Kordofan, Sudan
10/09/2015 – The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) on Wednesday, September 9 committed a grant of US $22-million to finance water and sanitation facilities in the West Kordofan State of Sudan and a country-wide Institutional Capacity Development Program.

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AfDB and Japan sign bilateral agreement for sixth Private Sector Assistance Loan
09/09/2015 – On September 8, 2015, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Japan signed the sixth private sector assistance loan under the joint initiative titled Enhanced Private Sector Assistance (EPSA) for Africa. The loan, worth JPY 35.88 billion, equivalent to USD 300 million, is intended to support private sector operations in Africa.

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AfDB SME Program: Enhancing inclusive growth and job creation in Rwanda
09/09/2015 – The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and Access Bank Rwanda Ltd. signed a loan agreement for the equivalent of US $6 million under the Africa SME Program on September 3, 2015 to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Rwanda.

ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations [to 12 September 2015]
http://www.asean.org/news
[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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One ASEAN, One Response: ASEAN Responding to Disasters as One
BANGKOK, 9 September 2015 –Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention & Mitigation (DDPM) together with the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) will conduct “One ASEAN, One Response Roadshow and ASEAN Resilience Symposium” on 10 – 11 September 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand.

European Union [to 12 September 2015]
http://europa.eu/rapid/search-result.htm?query=18&locale=en&page=1
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives].

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European Commission supports better access to medicines in poorest countries
Press release European Commission Brussels, 10 September 2015
The Commission agreed to support the least developed countries’ call for easier access to cheaper medicines by means of an indefinite exemption from World Trade Organization (WTO) intellectual property rules for pharmaceuticals.

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EU Trust Fund kicks off its actions to address educational and food security needs of Syrian refugees in Turkey
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 9 September 2015
Syrian refugee crisis: Today, the recently established EU Regional Trust Fund in response to the Syrian crisis launched its first actions in support of Syrian refugees.

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Refugee Crisis: European Commission takes decisive action
European Commission – Press release Strasbourg, 9 September 2015
Delivering on the European Agenda on Migration from May, the European Commission is today putting forward a comprehensive package of proposals which will help address the refugee crisis.

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EU Children of Peace initiative: €1 million to assist children affected by Ebola
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 7 September 2015
Children orphaned and affected by Ebola will receive education and psychosocial support via humanitarian projects implemented by UNICEF and Save the Children in Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) [to 12 September 2015]
http://www.oic-oci.org/oicv2/news/

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Selected Press Releases
OIC Welcomes Decision to Raise Palestinian Flag over UN
The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Iyad Ameen Madani, welcomed the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the resolution to raise the flag of Palestine, as an observer state, over the headquarters of the UN. He considered this step as an international support to the expectations and rights of the Palestinian people…
11/09/2015

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OIC Convenes an Emergency Meeting to Mobilize Efforts to Address Syrian Refugee Crisis
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will be holding a meeting on Sunday, 13 September 2015, at its General Secretariat headquarters in Jeddah, to discuss the ramifications of the Syrian refugee crisis and mobilize efforts to address it. …
10/09/2015

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OIC Welcomes Including its Member States in the International Quartet Meeting in New York
The Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Mr. Iyad Amin Madani, welcomed the invitations addressed to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Republic of Egypt to attend the meeting of the International Quartet due to be held on the 30th of the current month of September on the margin of the UN General Assembly’s annual meeting in New York. He viewed that step as important and in line with the OIC stands which call for the invigoration of the Quartet’s role and the reshaping of its structure and work processes in such a way as to bolster efforts in favor of achieving peace based on the Two-State solution…
10/09/2015

IMF [to 12 September 2015]
http://www.imf.org/external/news/default.aspx
[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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Press Release: Statement by IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde at the Conclusion of Visit to Liberia
September 11, 2015

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“Liberia: Overcoming Challenges–Past, Present, and Future,” Speech by Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
September 11, 2015

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“Delivering on the Promise of 2025,” Keynote Address by Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, IMF
Keynote Address by Christine Lagarde
Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
W-20 Summit
September 6, 2015, Ankara, Turkey
I am delighted to be here for this inaugural gathering of the Women’s 20—the W-20.

Today’s launch is timely. At their summit meeting last November, the G-20 pledged to reduce the gap in women’s labor force participation by 25 percent by the year 2025—which would have the benefit of creating an estimated 100 million new jobs for the global economy.

That was The Promise of 2025. Today, I want to focus on how to deliver on that promise.

Certainly, it represents a major challenge. But with so much attention focused on gender equity—by the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals this year, and by the G-20’s pledge from last year—we clearly have a unique moment of opportunity.

We must seize it…

World Bank [to 12 September 2015]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all
[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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World Bank: Quality Education, Social Protection Critical to Stemming Inequality in Asia and the Pacific
CEBU, Philippines, September 11, 2015 – Investing in quality education and providing social protection for the poor stand out among the key policies to address rising inequality in the Asia-Pacific region…
Date: September 11, 2015 Type: Press Release

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World Bank Meets African Caucus in Advance of Fresh Round of Talks on Safeguards Amidst Record Lending for the Continent
WASHINGTON, September 10, 2015–World Bank officials met with the African Caucus in Luanda, Angola, August 27 and 28, to present an update on the work to revise policies for protecting the poor and the…
Date: September 10, 2015 Type: Press Release

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Discriminating Against Women Keeps Countries Poorer
Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of the World Bank.
In 100 countries around the world, women are barred from doing certain work solely because they are women. Over 150 countries have at least one law that is discriminatory towards women. And only 18 countries are free of any law disadvantaging women.
This is just the tip of the iceberg of legal barriers for women to achieve their full economic potential. New World Bank Group research in the Women, Business and the Law 2016 report shows that in 32 countries women cannot apply for passports in the same way as men and in 18 countries they cannot get a job if their husbands feel it is not in the family’s interest. Jordan and Iran are among them. In 59 countries, there are no laws against sexual harassment at work. Myanmar, Uzbekistan and Armenia are among 46 countries where there is no legal protection against domestic violence. In a nutshell, the research makes for depressing reading when you care about inclusion and ending poverty.
Date: September 10, 2015 Type: Opinion

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Middle East and North Africa Makes Progress on Gender Equality, But Severe Barriers Persist, says WBG Report
WASHINGTON, September 9, 2015 – Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Lebanon have enacted reforms to advance women’s economic advancement, although women in the Middle East and North Africa region face the most hurdles…
Date: September 9, 2015 Type: Press Release

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New Report Examines Payment Aspects of Financial Inclusion
The Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures (CPMI) and the World Bank Group today issued a consultative report on Payment aspects of financial inclusion. The report examines demand and supply-side factors affecting financial inclusion in the context of payment systems and services, and suggests measures to address these issues.
Date: September 9, 2015 Type: Press Release

IPU Inter-Parliamentary Union [to 12 September 2015]
http://www.ipu.org/english/news.htm

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Strengthening parliamentary action against weapons of mass destruction
9 SEPTEMBER 2015
IPU is strengthening its collaboration with the UN on the elimination and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) as part of the Organization’s work to promote peace and security in the world. Addressing the UN 1540 Committee, set up to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1540 on WMD, IPU Secretary General, Martin Chungong, outlined how parliaments and MPs could be mobilized on the issue and ensure greater coherence between IPU and the UN Committee in their work…

Amref Health Africa [to 12 September 2015]
http://amref.org/news/news/

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New Partnership for Hygiene Reaping Benefits in Kibera
Published: 08 September 2015 Marie Kinyanjui
Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in July this year, Amref Health Africa CEO Dr Githinji Gitahi and Unilever Africa President Mr Bruno Witvoet visited the Kibera Community Health Centre to see…

BRAC [to 12 September 2015]
http://www.brac.net/#news

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10 September 2015
Finding the freedom through arguments
On September 12, 2015 Saturday at 11.00 am, A national debate competition is going to be held in Bangla Academy Auditorium, Dhaka. Bitarka Bikash Grand Final, Debate competition is organised by BRAC, ATN Bangla and Debate for Democracy. ATN Bangla will telecast it live.

The main objective of this programme is to provide the students of rural secondary schools an opportunity to progress their presentation skill, communication skill and speaking ability as well as improve their logical thinking and self-confidence…

CARE International [to 12 September 2015]
http://www.care-international.org/news/press-releases.aspx

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CARE Calls on the EU to Turn Meetings Into Action
JORDAN/BELGIUM
11 SEPTEMBER 2015
Ahead of Monday’s Extraordinary Council meeting of European Interior Ministers, CARE International calls on the European Union to provide a safe haven for asylum seekers while stepping up its support for humanitarian aid in the Syria region.

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UN Climate Talks Lag Behind As Paris Deadline Approaches
GLOBAL
7 SEPTEMBER 2015
Governments negotiating for a universal climate change agreement, due to be signed in Paris in December, are lagging far behind from what is needed, says CARE International, as the second to last round of UN climate talks before the Paris deadline conclude in Bonn, Germany.