SRSG/CAAC Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict [to 21 November 2015]
https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/virtual-library/press-release-archive/
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20 Nov 2015
Universal Children’s Day: Our Commitment to Better Protect Children Affected by War
16 Nov 2015
Syria: Conflict Takes Unacceptable Toll on Lives of Children
SRSG/SVC Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.un.org/sexualviolenceinconflict/media/press-releases/
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United Nations Special Representative calls on Security Council for political, financial support for MENA response strategy on conflict-related sexual violence
(New York, 16 November 2015) Sexual violence has been a characteristic of the Syrian conflict, and has been perpetrated by most of the belligerent parties as a tactic of war and a tactic of terrorism, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Zainab Hawa Bangura, today told the UN Security Council, calling for political and financial support to strengthen the current response for communities affected by conflict-related sexual violence.
“Our response has to be beyond security and military considerations,” Special Representative Bangura said in her briefing to the Council.
In seven key points, she highlighted a range of interventions that will be required to aid survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, and aim to prevent new attacks:
1. Mobilize political commitment, support and resources;
2. Ensure that protection and empowerment of women is consistently included as a central consideration in all efforts to prevent violent extremism and countering terrorism;
3. Enhance protection, early-warning and risk mitigation;
4. Strengthen the support and services to survivors of sexual violence;
5. Invest in deepening information, analysis and documentation on sexual violence;
6. Pursue accountability through investigation and prosecution of sexual violence crimes;
7. Ensure women’s participation in peace and mediation processes and the explicit inclusion of conflict-related sexual violence concerns.
UN OCHA [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.unocha.org/media-resources/press-releases
[We generally do not include OCHA Flash Updates on humanitarian crises in this digest]
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20 Nov 2015
Somalia: Somalia: Flash Update 4 Humanitarian Impact of Heavy Rains | 20 November 2015
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Country: Somalia Situation overview During the past week, there has been a reduction in the amount of rainfall and floods in most areas of Juba and Shabelle basins inside Somalia as well as the Ethiopian highlands, according to the FAO-Managed Somalia Land and Water and Information Network (SWALIM). However, the risk of flooding remains high should the rains continue. The recent floods led to the destruction of main supply roads…
19 Nov 2015
Yemen: Yemen: Health and education on the brink of collapse
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Country: Yemen (New York, 19 November 2015): The Head of Operations for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, John Ging, warned that the health and education systems in Yemen are on the brink of collapse. “Eight months of conflict have had a devastating effect on all aspects of life in Yemen, with the health and education sectors the hardest hit,” Mr. Ging warned as he finished a three-day visit…
18 Nov 2015
Yemen: Statement to the Press: Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, Johannes van der Klauuw
17 Nov 2015
Central African Republic: Central African Republic: Humanitarian Coordinator strongly condemns repeated attacks on sites for internally displaced people
16 Nov 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, 16 November 2015
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Country: Syrian Arab Republic
16 Nov 2015
Syrian Arab Republic: Syria Crisis Conference 2016: Joint Announcement
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Country: Syrian Arab Republic
New York, 16 November 2015 We – the leaders of the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Kuwait and the United Nations – are increasingly concerned about the plight of the Syrian people. We have been at the forefront of global efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to those displaced by the conflict. The international community has a responsibility to help the 13.5 million vulnerable and displaced…
UNICEF [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_78364.html
Selected press releases
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Statement attributable to Peter Salama, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa on Universal Children’s Day
AMMAN, 20 November 2015 – “Twenty-six years ago today, the world made a solemn promise to the children of the world, to protect and promote their rights to survive and thrive, to learn and grow, to make their voices heard and to reach their full potential.
Universal Children’s Day: Why fair matters
NEW YORK, 20 November 2015 – The world remains a deeply unfair place for the poorest and most disadvantaged children despite major advances since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989, according to a UNICEF report released today.
UNICEF: Without toilets, childhood is even riskier due to malnutrition
NEW YORK, 19 November 2015 – Lack of access to toilets is endangering millions of the world’s poorest children, UNICEF said today, pointing to emerging evidence of links between inadequate sanitation and malnutrition
Children’s futures being compromised as violence escalates in Burundi, says UNICEF
NAIROBI, Kenya, 18 November 2015 – Children risk bearing the brunt of an escalation in violence in Burundi, UNICEF warned today, noting that the crisis has already left 17 children dead and many more injured.
Tech companies and governments pledge to protect millions of children from sexual exploitation online – UNICEF
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, 17 November, 2015 – Leading technology companies, governments and international organizations have committed to protecting millions of children from online sexual exploitation at the #WeProtect Children Online Global Summit hosted by the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom in Abu Dhabi, said UNICEF.
UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/search?page=&comid=4a0950336&cid=49aea93a7d&scid=49aea93a40
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Secretary-General welcomes election of his nominee, Filippo Grandi of Italy as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
18 November 2015
IOM / International Organization for Migration [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.iom.int/press-room/press-releases
Selected Press Releases
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IOM, UNHCR, UNICEF Joint Statement on New Border Restrictions in the Balkans
11/20/15
Switzerland – In the last couple of days, Governments instituted a range of restrictions against movements of refugees and migrants from Greece.
Resettlement of Refugees from Bhutan Tops 100,000
11/20/15
Nepal – Over 100,000 Bhutanese refugees have been resettled from Nepal to third countries since the start of a resettlement programme launched in 2007.
Displacement Continues in Iraq, Amid Return Movements: IOM
11/20/15
Iraq – The IOM Iraq Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), published yesterday (19/11), identified 3,181,176 internally displaced Iraqis (530,196 families) from 1 January 2014 through 5 November 2015.
IOM Helps Togolese Girls Trafficked in Gabon to Return Home
11/20/15
Senegal – A group of 17 Togolese girls, aged between 16 and 21, including a single mother and her one-year-old baby, have been returned home from Gabon with IOM’s help.
IOM, Partners Conduct Joint Assessment Mission on Ivorian-Liberian Border
11/20/15
Cote d’Ivoire – IOM Cote d’Ivoire has led a week-long inter-agency assessment mission to the Ivorian-Liberian border to identify the challenges faced by border communities from local violence and a lack of border management.
IOM Aids Vulnerable Populations in Remote Areas of Jonglei, South Sudan
11/20/15
South Sudan – IOM is providing lifesaving aid to displaced and vulnerable host community households in remote areas of South Sudan’s Jonglei State. In the first half of November, it reached nearly 6,000 people with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) assistance.
Ghana Builds National Migration Policy Capacity
11/20/15
Ghana – In April the Government of Ghana formally approved a National Migration Policy (NMP.) The policy was developed with support from IOM Ghana and the IOM Development Fund (IDF).
IOM El Salvador Works to Improve Living Conditions for Child Returnees
11/17/15
El Salvador – IOM has reconstructed and re-equipped facilities of the Salvadoran Institute for the Integral Development of Children and Adolescents (ISNA) designed to house unaccompanied migrant children and adolescent returnees.
UN Women [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.unwomen.org/news/stories
Selected Press Releases
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Statement by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Date: 20 November 2015
In her statement to mark this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka says “if we all work together: governments, civil society organizations, the UN system, businesses, schools, and individuals mobilizing through new solidarity movements, we will eventually achieve a more equal world—a Planet 50-50—where women and girls can and will live free from violence”.
Media advisory: Report launch: Progress for women in news media grinds to a halt
Date: 20 November 2015
Results of the fifth and largest study on the portrayal and representation of women in the news media will be released on 23 November.
“In Brazil, women will be at the forefront of ending racism” — Executive Director
Date: 18 November 2015
Speech by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the March of Black Women in Brazil on 18 November.
WHO & Regionals [to 21 November 2015]
WHO calls on countries to protect health from climate change
WHO statement
17 November 2015
Climate change is the defining issue for the 21st century.
According to WHO estimates, climate change is already causing tens of thousands of deaths every year – from shifting patterns of disease, from extreme weather events, such as heat-waves and floods, and from the degradation of air quality, food and water supplies, and sanitation.
The upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-21) in Paris offers the world an important opportunity to not only reach a strong international climate agreement, but also to protect the health of current and future generations. WHO considers the Paris treaty to be a significant public health treaty – one that has the potential to save lives worldwide…
15 million babies are born prematurely every year
Complications of preterm births are the leading cause of death among children under 5 years of age. Without appropriate treatment, those who survive often face lifelong disabilities, including learning, visual and hearing problems and their quality of life is greatly affected.
Physical inactivity and diabetes
November 2015 — Worldwide, people are less physically active. As physical activity decreases, noncommunicable diseases like diabetes are increasing. In the WHO European Region, one third of adults and two thirds of adolescents are insufficiently active.
Clean water and building toilets improves nutrition in Mali
19 November 2015 — WHO, in collaboration with USAID and UNICEF, are calling for nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene programmes to work together to maximize nutrition gains. A new report recommends high-impact solutions such as improving access to latrines. Mali has already started implementing some of these recommendations with great success.
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:: WHO Regional Offices
WHO African Region AFRO
:: Dr Moeti lauds health development efforts in Chad
N’Djamena, 19 November 2015 – The World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, has commended ongoing efforts in Chad to improve the health and wellbeing of the people. Dr Moeti made the remarks during a courtesy call on the Chadian Prime Minister Kalzeubé Payimi Deubet.During the meeting, the Regional Director observed that the priority that the Chadian government has placed on health is making a difference despite the prevailing challenges. Since 2012 Chad has drastically reduced the occurrences of meningitis and cholera outbreaks. Polio transmission has been stopped as well. Furthermore maternal deaths have been reduced from…
WHO Region of the Americas PAHO
:: PAHO to update its manuals on management of obstetric emergencies (11/18/2015)
:: Antibiotics should be ‘handled with care’ to preserve their life-saving qualities (11/18/2015)
:: MERCOSUR countries create a negotiating mechanism to procure high-cost medicines, with PAHO support (11/16/2015)
WHO South-East Asia Region SEARO
:: Antibiotics, handle with care 16 November 2015
WHO European Region EURO
:: Addressing the largest single cause of preventable deaths in Europe – cardiovascular disease 19-11-2015
:: Efforts must be scaled up in order to halve road traffic deaths by 2020 19-11-2015
:: New WHO report shows comparable antibiotic resistance in EU and non-EU countries in the European Region 16-11-2015
WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
:: Launch of first World Antibiotics Awareness Week from 16 to 22 November 2015
WHO Western Pacific Region
:: World Health Organization launches World Antibiotic Awareness Week to promote best practices in the Western Pacific Region
MANILA, 16 November 2015
UNAIDS [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/
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UNAIDS Executive Director delivers his World AIDS Day 2015 message
19 November 2015 |
UNDP United Nations Development Programme [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter.html
Selected Press Releases
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New Grant to Support Human Rights in 10 African Countries
Nov 19, 2015
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Fund have signed a US$10.5 million grant to address human rights barriers faced by vulnerable communities in Africa, and facilitate access to lifesaving health care. The grant is the first of its kind and will cover 10 countries including Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, the Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Helen Clark: Statement to the Informal Meeting of the General Assembly on Ways to Advance a Comprehensive Response to the Global Humanitarian & Refugee Crisis
Nov 19, 2015 Trusteeship Council – United Nations, New York
Sierra Leone launches first mobile financial services guidelines.
Nov 19, 2015
The Central Bank, Bank of Sierra Leone, in partnership with the UN Development Programme and the United Nations Capital Development Fund, launches the country’s first mobile money regulations to accelerate the delivery of financial services to the poor, including women and youth.
Indigenous Peoples take steps to have a voice in COP21
Nov 18, 2015
In partnership with UNDP, Indigenous Peoples from Brazilian Amazon to Pacific Islands hold urgent high-level dialogues with national governments to limit climate change, and ensure rights in new global climate agreement. Their involvement is fundamental in view of new research that highlights the enormous potential of Indigenous People’s solutions to climate change.
G20 Leaders: Call to Action on Inclusive Business
Nov 17, 2015
Leaders at the G20 Leaders Summit in Antalaya, Turkey issued a call to action to public and private sector representatives, international organizations and civil society to advance the ability of businesses around the world to integrate low-income people into their value chains.
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.unep.org/newscentre/?doctypeID=1
Selected Press Releases
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Biodegradable Plastics Are Not the Answer to Reducing Marine Litter, Says UN
Washington D.C., 17 November 2015 – Widespread adoption of products labelled ‘biodegradable’ will not significantly decrease the volume of plastic entering the ocean or the physical and chemical risks that plastics pose to marine environment, concluded a UN report released today.
The report, “Biodegradable Plastics and Marine Litter. Misconceptions, Concerns and Impacts on Marine Environments“, finds that complete biodegradation of plastics occurs in conditions that are rarely, if ever, met in marine environments, with some polymers requiring industrial composters and prolonged temperatures of above 50°C to disintegrate. evidence suggesting that labelling products as ‘biodegradable’ increases the public’s inclination to litter…
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Countries Commit to Tackling Multiple Threats to Migratory Waterbirds
New Action Plans for Seabirds, Eurasian Curlew, Grey Crowned Crane, Long-tailed Duck, Northern Bald Ibis, Shoebill and Taiga Bean Goose Adopted
16/11/2015 00:00:00
UNISDR UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.unisdr.org/archive
Selected Press Releases
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Understanding Risk Forum opens in Addis Ababa
18 Nov 2015
Delegates from over 30 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa along with development partners, academics and civil society are meeting at the launch of the Understanding Risk and Finance Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
UN DESA United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/news.html
Selected Press Releases
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Special UN event stresses key role of water management in tackling challenges of climate change
18 November 2015, New York
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hosted a meeting on the links between water management and disaster risk reduction today, stressing that floods, droughts and cyclones have caused more than $1 trillion in damages and affected over 4 billion people since 1990.
UNESCO [to 21 November 2015]
http://en.unesco.org/news
Selected Press Releases
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20.11.2015 – Communication & Information Sector
UNESCO endorses new approach to Internet issues
In a groundbreaking decision on UNESCO’s role in the digital age, on Tuesday, 17 November 2015 the Organization’s 195 Member States endorsed options for action on Internet-related issues, including embracing the concept of Internet Universality.
The General Conference resolution endorsed the options proposed in the study Keystones to foster inclusive Knowledge Societies – Access to information and knowledge, Freedom of Expression, Privacy and Ethics on a Global Internet
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20.11.2015 – Education Sector
Universal Children’s Day and the Education 2030 agenda
Today, 20 November, the World celebrates the Universal Children’s Day. The Convention, which is the most widely ratified international human rights treaty, sets out a number of children’s rights, including the right to education.
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UNESCO Executive Board elects Michael Worbs of Germany as new Chairman
20 November 2015
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The new global recommendation on museums and collections adopted!
17 November 2015
Today, the UNESCO General Conference adopted the text of a new standard-setting instrument on the Protection and Promotion of Museums and Collections, their Diversity and their Role in Society.
Member States have agreed on setting and implementing a set of global guidelines for the protection and promotion of museums and collections, which is to become the cornerstone of international museum policies. The adoption of this new recommendation reflects the international community’s strong commitment to assisting museums in fulfilling their roles in contemporary society to promote sustainable development and intercultural dialogue. They are one of the most prominent institutions for safeguarding heritage in its all forms, thus contributing to many of the Organization’s fundamental missions.
The elaboration of the Recommendation was supported by the financial contribution from Member States, namely Brazil, the Philippines, and the Czech Republic. It is worth recalling that the Zhi Zheng Art Museum in Shenzhen will partner with UNESCO to create a High-Level Forum on museums and to support the implementation and promotion of the Recommendation, as well as other museum-related activities.
For more information and related documents, please visit the dedicated webpage:
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/museums/recommendation-on-the-protection-and-promotion-of-museums-and-collections/
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World Leaders to mark UNESCO’s 70th Anniversary standing for human rights and against violent extremism
16 November 2015
UN-HABITAT United Nations Human Settlements Programme [to 21 November 2015]
http://unhabitat.org/media-centre/news/
[Selected Announcements]
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UN-Habitat holds a collaborative planning session on the future of Haiti suburb
Port-au-Prince, 19 November 2015 – UN-Habitat this week held the first of a series of charrettes – an intensive collaborative planning session involving citizens and other stakeholders – to discuss the current situation and the future vision…
Posted November 19, 2015
Botswana delegation attend slum upgrading orientation workshop in Nairobi
Nairobi, 18 November 2015— An orientation workshop was held last week at the United Nations Headquarters in Nairobi to train the Botswana Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP) country team on its various aspects. The workshop was well…
Posted November 18, 2015
FAO Food & Agriculture Organization [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.fao.org/news/archive/news-by-date/2015/en/
[Selected Announcements]
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Improved web tool for better estimates of forest biomass and carbon stocks
The latest version of the tree assessment tool, known as GlobAllomeTree, will allow countries worldwide to get a clearer picture of the biomass, carbon content and ecosystem services of trees and forests.
19-11-2015
On its 70th anniversary, FAO sets its eyes firmly on Zero Hunger
Ensuring better nutrition for all and transforming the world’s food systems to ensure their future sustainability represent the two greatest challenges facing FAO as it renews its mission to free the world from hunger and malnutrition, the UN agency’s Director-General, José Graziano da Silva, said today.
14-11-2015
ILO International Labour Organization [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.ilo.org/global/lang–en/index.htm
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Partnerships
ILO and IFRC to promote decent work opportunities in fragile and post-disaster settings
Agreement covers cooperation on livelihoods, procurement, SMEs, and cooperatives.
Press release | 20 November 2015
GENEVA (ILO News) – The ILO and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have signed a new partnership agreement aimed at promoting livelihoods and decent work opportunities for vulnerable groups in fragile and post-disaster settings.
Youth Employment
UN Chiefs endorse Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth
18 November 2015
UN Chief Executives Board endorses Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth, which ILO Director-General hails as exemplary system-wide effort for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
ILO Forced Labour Convention
Norway ratification clinches landmark ILO forced labour protocol
18 November 2015
Norway has ratified the 2014 Protocol to the 1930 ILO Forced Labour Convention, as part of a renewed global effort to eradicate modern slavery.
G20 Leaders’ Summit
ILO Director-General welcomes G20 breakthrough on tackling inequality, says focus should now be on implementation
16 November 2015
G20 Leaders adopt comprehensive agenda for achieving “strong, sustainable and balanced growth” to promote inclusiveness and reduce inequalities.
IMO International Maritime Organization [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/Home.aspx
Regional agreement on maritime piracy to broaden scope to other illicit maritime activity
13/11/2015
An international agreement that has been instrumental in repressing piracy and armed robbery against ships in the western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden is set to significantly broaden its scope.
Signatories to the Djibouti Code of Conduct have agreed to work towards extending its remit to address other illicit maritime activity that threatens safety and security in the region, such as marine terrorism, environmental crimes, human trafficking and Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
National focal points for the code, which was adopted under the auspices of the IMO in 2009, have adopted a resolution expressing concern at the increasing risks from transnational organized crimes at sea and other threats to maritime safety and security in the region. They agreed to encourage information sharing on all illicit activities at sea…
WMO World Meteorological Organization [to 21 November 2015]
https://www.wmo.int/media/?q=news
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Haiti’s new hydromet service takes shape
17 November 2015
The first stone of a new headquarters for Haiti’s national meteorological and hydrological service has been laid, as part of a WMO programme to improve weather and climate services and increase disaster resilience in the Caribbean nation.
Full construction of the building, which will be resistant to earthquakes and hurricanes, is scheduled to begin in early January 2016 and be finished by September.
El Niño Expected to Strengthen Further: High Impacts, Unprecedented Preparation
16 November 2015
A mature and strong El Niño event, which is contributing to extreme weather patterns, is expected to strengthen further by the end of the year, according to the latest Update from the World Meteorological Organization.
Peak three-month average surface water temperatures in the east-central tropical Pacific Ocean will exceed 2 degrees Celsius above normal, placing this El Niño event among the three strongest since 1950. (Strong previous El Niños were in 1972-73, 1982-83 and 1997-98).
UNWTO World Tourism Organization [to 21 November 2015]
http://media.unwto.org/news
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Media and tourism stakeholders gather in Tunisia to discuss how to enhance cooperation
More than 300 participants convened in Tunis for the 4th UNWTO International Conference on ‘Tourism and the Media’. The event, held in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts of Tunisia, counted with the support of CNN International.
17 November 2015
GE2P2 Global :: Knowledge Sharing; Ideas; Operations 