UN OHCHR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights [to 26 March 2016]
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/media.aspx?IsMediaPage=true
Selected Press Releases

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UN rights chief expresses serious concerns over EU-Turkey agreement
GENEVA (24 March 2016) – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Thursday expressed serious concerns about the recent agreement between the European Union and Turkey, pointing to what he termed “a contradiction at the heart of the agreement,” as well as raising concerns regarding arbitrary detention of refugees and migrants…

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Zeid lauds “hugely significant” conviction of Radovan Karadzic
GENEVA (24 March 2016) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein welcomed the verdict against Radovan Karadzic, President of the self-styled Bosnian Serb Republic, which was delivered today by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, describing it as “hugely significant.” Karadzic was found guilty of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Twenty-one years after Karadzic was indicted, this verdict is a forceful manifestation of the international community’s implacable commitment to accountability,” Zeid said. “Karadzic master-minded the confinement, rape, torture and murder of thousands of people; the shelling of civilians; the siege of Sarajevo; and the extensive destruction and plunder of property, including Muslim and Roman Catholic places of worship.”

“His judgment is symbolically powerful – above all for the victims of the crimes committed during the wars in Bosnia-Herzegovina and across the former Yugoslavia, but also for victims across the world. No matter how powerful they are, no matter how untouchable they imagine themselves to be, no matter what continent they inhabit, the perpetrators of such crimes must know that they will not escape justice. Having witnessed first hand the effect of the horrific crimes for which Karadzic has been convicted, I welcome the findings of the Tribunal.”…

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Zeid urges Egypt to halt repression of NGOs
GENEVA (23 March 2016) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the closure of hundreds of civil society organizations in Egypt and the prosecutions of numerous human rights defenders for their legitimate work since November 2014.

“This looks like a clampdown on sections of Egyptian civil society and it must stop,” said Zeid. “NGOs who have played a valuable role in documenting violations and supporting victims will see their activities completely crippled if this continues. This will stifle the voices of those who advocate for victims.”…

SRSG/CAAC Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict [to 26 March 2016]
https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/virtual-library/press-release-archive/

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23 Mar 2016
Special Representative of Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Briefs on Situation of Children in South Sudan
Press release issued by the UN Security Council
On 14 March 2016, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015) concerning South Sudan and the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict held joint informal consultations featuring a briefing by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui, concerning the impact of the armed conflict on children in South Sudan.

The joint informal consultations were a continuation of a practice initiated in 2015 to enhance collaboration and coordination between the Working Group and sanctions committees in order to advance the protection of children in armed conflict.

In her briefing, the Special Representative stated that, despite the many commitments signed by the Government and opposition, the situation of children in South Sudan has worsened with a dramatic increase in grave violations against children in 2015. She expressed deep concern over the continuing recruitment and use of children by all parties to the conflict, as well as the re-recruitment of children previously released by armed groups. The Special Representative also detailed the deliberate targeting of civilians in the conflict, resulting in children being killed and maimed, as well as the wide-spread use of sexual violence as a tactic of war against women and children.

Citing names of perpetrators from both sides, the Special Representative called upon the 2206 Sanctions Committee and its Panel of Experts on South Sudan to continue to investigate and examine the individual and command responsibility of all parties to the conflict for grave violations against children. She also expressed full support for the recommendations of the African Union Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan for the establishment of accountability mechanisms, including the Hybrid Court for South Sudan to be established in pursuance of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan signed on 17 August 2015 (document S/2015/654)…

UN OCHA [to 26 March 2016]
http://www.unocha.org/media-resources/press-releases

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26 Mar 2016
Sudan: Jebel Marra Crisis Fact Sheet Issue 5 I 24 March 2016
Sudan KEY FACTS :: An estimated 129,000 civilians have been reportedly displaced from the Jebel Marra area in Sudan’s Darfur region since mid-January as a result of increased hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Abdul Wahid faction of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA/AW). This is about 23,000 more than the number reported on 10 March.

24 Mar 2016
Syrian Arab Republic: Joint Statement by Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria and Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis on the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members [EN/AR]

24 Mar 2016
Haiti: Becoming Visible: Finding Solutions for Statelessness in Haiti and the Dominican Republic: Position Statement of the CLIO & CCO Haïti in support of CCHD
The Inter-NGO Liaison Framework (Cadre de Liaison Inter-ONG, CLIO in French) and the Comité de Coordination des ONG en Haiti (CCO Haïti), 2 independent coordination platforms that jointly comprise 75 NGOs from Haitian and international civil society organizations operating in Haiti, welcome the Kellogg Foundation initiative to host a series of Round Tables around critical border and nationality issues on the island of Hispaniola, starting on March 23rd 2016…

24 Mar 2016
occupied Palestinian territory: OCHA Flash Update: Third large-scale demolition in Khirbet Tana in 2016
On 23 March, the Israeli authorities destroyed 53 structures in the Palestinian community of Khirbet Tana, located in Area C of the occupied West Bank, on grounds of lack of Israeli-issued building permits. This is one of the largest incidents since OCHA began systematically tracking demolitions in 2009.

24 Mar 2016
Yemen: Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien Statement on Yemen, New York, 24 March 2016 [EN/AR]
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Country: Yemen
It is deeply saddening to be marking a whole year of violence in Yemen. A country whose people were already facing great deprivation and hunger, and who have had to deal since last March with the added horror of war, bombing, shelling; losing their homes and loved ones. I welcome the efforts to find a solution to the crisis, and the announcement yesterday of an agreement to cease hostilities on 10 April is positive…

23 Mar 2016
Iraq: Senior UN official warns of dire consequences for millions of Iraqis due to funding shortfalls

23 Mar 2016
Syrian Arab Republic: US $19 million is allocated through the Humanitarian Pooled Fund for projects in Syria [EN/AR]
Damascus, 23 March 2016 – Nearly $19 million has been allocated to partners through the Syria Humanitarian Pooled Fund (HPF). This standard allocation of funds will finance water, sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, health, food security and agriculture, education and cross-sectoral projects to meet the needs of and make a meaningful difference in the lives of almost 1.4 million people.

23 Mar 2016
Ethiopia: Humanitarian partners launch fundraising campaign to address funding gaps in Ethiopia drought response
(Addis Ababa, 23 March 2016): Humanitarian partners today launched a 90-day campaign to raise awareness on the urgent need for an additional funding for the drought crisis in Ethiopia to address the humanitarian resource gap. “Ethiopia is currently contending with one of the most serious climatic shocks in recorded history with ten million people facing lost harvests and livestock as well as severe water…

23 Mar 2016
World: CERF Advisory group supports the United Nations Secretary-General’s call for a $1 billion CERF by 2018
On 21 March, the CERF Advisory Group met in New York endorsed the Secretary-General’s call to expand CERF to $1 billion by 2018. The Group, which meets bi-annually and provides the Emergency Relief Coordinator, Secretary-General and CERF with policy guidance and expert advice, also encouraged all stakeholders and UN Member States to support a larger CERF.

UNICEF [to 26 March 2016]
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_89711.html
Selected Press Releases

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87 million children under 7 have known nothing but conflict – UNICEF
NEW YORK, 24 March 2016 – More than 86.7 million children under the age of 7 have spent their entire lives in conflict zones, putting their brain development at risk, UNICEF said today.

New EU-Turkey agreement on refugee and migrants could leave children at risk: UNICEF
GENEVA, 22 March 2016 – UNICEF today expressed concern that the new agreement between the EU and Turkey, which comes into effect this week, does not address the pressing humanitarian needs of 19,000 refugee and migrant children stranded in Greece.

Tsinghua University and UNICEF launch innovation partnership to help reach some of the world’s most disadvantaged children
BEIJING, 22 March 2016 – Tsinghua University and UNICEF announced a new long-term partnership to leverage the use of innovation, design and technology, in helping to reach some of the poorest and most disadvantaged children across the world.

Climate change and poor sanitation threaten water safety for millions: UNICEF
nnnNew York, 21 March 2016 – On the eve of World Water Day, UNICEF said the push to bring safe water to millions around the world is going to be even more challenging due to climate change, which threatens both water supply and water safety for millions of children living in drought- or flood-prone areas.

UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to 26 March 2016]
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/search?page=&comid=4a0950336&cid=49aea93a7d&scid=49aea93a40

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Press Releases
23 March 2016
UNHCR welcomes Ministerial Declaration in Bali, calls for new compact to absorb refugees in region
BALI, Indonesia – In a move welcomed by the UN Refugee Agency, Ministers of Bali Process countries today pledged to take a comprehensive regional approach to managing mixed migration flows by strengthening cooperation on search and rescue at sea, predictable disembarkation, temporary protection and legal pathways for refugees and migrants.

The Ministerial Declaration was adopted on Wednesday at the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the Bali Process. It is the first-ever such declaration in the 14-year history of this regional forum and a strong sign that its 45 member countries are deeply committed to addressing the regional challenges of mixed migration at a time of massive forced displacement around the world.

“With more than 60 million people forcibly displaced from countries like Syria, Afghanistan and Burundi, no country or region is immune from the aspects, and combating smuggling and trafficking. This will only work, however, if it goes hand-in-hand with a clear and unequivocal human security impact,” said Volker Türk, UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection. “Today’s pledge is a timely reminder that predictable and equitable responsibility-sharing arrangements are the only way to tackle these challenges while seizing opportunities.”…

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23 March 2016
UNHCR reaches embattled Taizz from Aden with life-saving aid

IOM / International Organization for Migration [to 26 March 2016]
http://www.iom.int/press-room/press-releases

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03/23/16
Migrants Must not be Left out of Efforts to End Tuberculosis
Switzerland – IOM marks World TB Day by highlighting the importance of engaging in productive multi-sectoral partnerships to promote the health and well-being of migrants.

Final Group of Fisheries ‘Slaves’ to be Repatriated from Indonesia
03/22/16
Indonesia – One year after, the last group of men trafficked onto vessels operating in Indonesian waters is preparing to return home.

Mediterranean Migrant Arrivals in 2016: 160,547; Deaths: 488
03/22/16
Greece – IOM this week confirms more than one million migrant and refugee arrivals to the Greek islands via the Eastern Mediterranean route from Turkey since the start of 2015. Earlier this month IOM confirmed combined land and sea arrivals surpassed the one million mark in Greece.

IOM: Migrants Must Fully Benefit from Protection under International Law
03/22/16
Switzerland – IOM has called upon the international community to address the current migrant rights deficit, highlighting the fact that migrants do not adequately benefit from the protection granted to them under international law.

UN Women [to 26 March 2016]
http://www.unwomen.org/news/stories

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Date: 25 March 2016
Press release: UN Commission on the Status of Women urges gender-responsive implementation of Agenda 2030
The 60th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women concluded today with UN Member States committing to the gender-responsive implementation of Agenda 2030. A set of agreed conclusions called for enhancing the basis for rapid progress, including stronger laws, policies and institutions, better data and scaled-up financing.

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Research reveals how fragile settings exacerbate inequalities
Date: 24 March 2016
UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality launched new research on women’s economic empowerment in fragile States this week on the sidelines of the 60th Commission on the Status of Women in New York.

UNAIDS [to 26 March 2016]
http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/

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23 March 2016
UNAIDS calls for stronger partnerships to end the epidemics of tuberculosis and HIV
On World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, UNAIDS is calling for stronger partnerships and a united approach to end the twin epidemics of TB and HIV and save millions of lives. It has never been more urgent for governments, the medical and scientific communities, the private sector and people affected by the diseases to come together to ensure access to existing treatment regimens and to push for new diagnostic tools and treatments to reach all people in need.

“We achieve the most when we work together and use all our strengths to reach ambitious goals,” said UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé. “Harnessing the potential of everyone involved in the response to HIV and TB is needed now more than ever to end these epidemics and create a healthier world as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.”

…The international community is committed to ending the epidemics of TB and HIV within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals. This will be possible only by strengthening and accelerating current responses and by maximizing the contribution of all those involved through a united approach at the international, regional, national and community levels. For example, the development of new diagnostic tools, treatments and potential vaccines against HIV and TB must be speeded up, especially in response to the emergence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. Most importantly, these new regimens and tools must be within reach of everyone affected by TB and HIV…

UNDP United Nations Development Programme [to 26 March 2016]
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter.html

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Mar 24, 2016
UNDP Climate Action Hackathon Accelerates Innovative Approaches to Provide Weather Information to Vulnerable Communities in Africa
Hackers Leverage Weather and Climate Data to Create Mobile Applications to Improve Farming Productivity and Save Lives

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Mar 21, 2016
Helen Clark: Speech at the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development (DIHAD) Conference – Dubai,UAE
…Conclusion
In conclusion, this is the year when the international community must make major strides on working more effectively across what have been the humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding silos. Resources are finite, and they need to be used more effectively, particularly if the 2030 Agenda commitment to ‘leave no one behind’ is to be honored. Strengthening co-ordination across the development, humanitarian, and peacebuilding communities is the fundamental shift which is urgently needed; and there is encouraging progress. But we must do more, and quickly.

UNEP United Nations Environment Programme [to 26 March 2016]
http://www.unep.org/newscentre/?doctypeID=1

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24/03/2016
Renewable Energy Investments: Major Milestones Reached, New World Record Set
:: Coal and gas-fired generation attracted less than half as much capacity investment as renewables last year;
:: Renewables added more to global energy generation capacity than all other technologies combined;
:: For first time, developing world investments in renewables (up 19% in 2015) topped developed nations’ (down 8%);
:: World record total of $286 billion invested in renewables last year; makes $2.3 trillion over 12 years

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Three in Four Jobs in the Global Workforce Depend on Water, says UN on World Water Day
New report shows how water drives job creation and economic growth
22/03/2016

UNISDR UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction [to 26 March 2016]
http://www.unisdr.org/archive

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23 Mar 2016
Speech by Robert Glasser at the World Meteorological Organization
Mr. Robert Glasser, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction
[Excerpt]
…We are probably still at a stage in human development when poverty and exposure to disaster risk are the main factors in deciding whether someone survives an event such as Typhoon Haiyan which claimed over 6,000 lives in the Philippines in November 2013.

Despite the fact that such events are usually well-announced beforehand, poverty and an exposed location can mean the difference between life and death more so than the nature of the hazard itself.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, adopted a year ago at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, recognizes with a clarity unusual in international agreements how important it is not only to continue to improve disaster management but to go beyond that to address the underlying drivers of risk which include poverty, exposure, land use, unplanned urbanization, poor risk governance and, of course, climate change…
:: Download speech in PDF version [PDF 92.43 kB]

UNESCO [to 26 March 2016]
http://en.unesco.org/news
Selected Press Releases/News

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Inter Parliamentary Union Adopts Landmark Resolution to Protect Culture
25 March 2016

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UNESCO and L’Oréal Foundation launch manifesto to promote gender parity in the sciences
25 March 2016

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20 sites added to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves
Lima, 19 March—The International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO added 20 sites to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves during its meeting in the capital of Peru on 18 and 19 March. The newly adopted sites include 18 national sites and one transboundary site shared between Spain and Portugal. The Council also approved 9 extensions to existing Biosphere Reserves. Following the withdrawal of two sites at the request of Austria, this brings the total number of biosphere reserves to 669 sites in 120 countries, including 16 transboundary sites.

UN-HABITAT United Nations Human Settlements Programme [to 26 March 2016]
http://unhabitat.org/media-centre/news/
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global announcement and initiatives]

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Posted March 24, 2016
UN-Habitat and Lincoln Institute pilot a Global Municipal Database for Sustainable Urbanization
Top officials from UN-Habitat and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy signed an agreement in Mexico City this month to create a pilot for a global municipal fiscal database that will result in the reporting of fiscal data for select cities in Asia, Latin America and Africa…

FAO Food & Agriculture Organization [to 26 March 2016]
http://www.fao.org/news/archive/news-by-date/2016/en/

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25-03-2016
Cuba’s accession to accord signals important step in global anti-rogue fishing effort
Cuban Ambassador to the United Nations agencies in Rome, Alba Soto Pimentel, today formally presented FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva with Cuba’s instrument of accession to the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.

UN urges stronger, coordinated international response to address El Niño impacts
The appeal came at a meeting organized in Rome by four UN agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
23-03-2016

New approaches needed to meet sustainable development challenges
The international community needs to find new and innovative ways of working together if it is to meet the goals laid out in the UN’s new Sustainable Development Agenda — and eradicate hunger and poverty, in particular — FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said at the Forum for the Future of Agriculture in Brussels today.
22-03-2016

IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development [to 26 March 2016]
https://www.ifad.org/newsroom/press_release/list/tags/y2016

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22 March 2016
UN agency to provide $51 million to reduce poverty for vulnerable tribal groups in India
Rome, 22 March 2016 – The UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the government of India signed a financial agreement recently that will aim to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods and food and nutrition security for over 62,000 rural households in the country’s central eastern region.
IFAD is providing a US $51.2 million loan towards the $130 million Odisha Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Empowerment and Livelihoods Improvement Programme. It will focus on reducing poverty and improving living conditions for some of the most vulnerable tribal groups in Odisha’s heavily forested Eastern Ghats and Northern Plateau regions…

21 March 2016
UN urges stronger, coordinated international response to address El Niño impacts

ILO International Labour Organization [to 26 March 2016]
http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/lang–en/index.htm

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European Union
ILO welcomes strengthened EU focus on social issues
23 March 2016
The Organization stands ready to support the European Commission, which has launched a consultation on the European Pillar of Social Rights.

High Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth
ILO calls for increase in global health sector workforce
23 March 2016
At the first meeting in Lyon, France, of a new UN multilateral commission, the ILO has highlighted a major increase in the health sector workforce as essential if the 2030 Agenda goals on health are to be realized.

Joint UNESCO and UN – Water Press Release
Water drives job creation and economic growth, says new UN report
22 March 2016
An estimated three out of four jobs that make up the global workforce are either heavily or moderately dependent on water. This means that water shortages and problems of access to water and sanitation could limit economic growth and job creation in the coming decades, according to a UN report.

ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization [to 26 March 2016]
http://www.icao.int/Newsroom/Pages/pressrelease.aspx

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23/3/16
ICAO Condemns Brussels Attacks

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22/3/16
ICAO Confirms Role in Monitoring Progress toward UN SDG 9 for Infrastructure
MONTRÉAL, 21 March 2016 – ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu highlighted today that the UN specialized agency for civil aviation will be contributing important data to help monitor progress towards the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9, which specifies the need for resilient infrastructure to be developed in order to promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

“The development of infrastructure that supports sustainable economic development and human well-being is essential to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and a critical one for global aviation,” Dr. Liu explained. “This is especially the case given the direct links between projected growth for our sector, the need for airport and air navigation system modernization to accommodate increased traffic safely and efficiently, and the ultimate capability of our network to support global connectivity and greater sustainable prosperity for cities and regions worldwide.” …

WMO World Meteorological Organization [to 26 March 2016]
http://public.wmo.int/en

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21 March 2016
State of the Climate: Record Heat and Weather Extremes
Press Release
World Meteorological Day: Hotter, Drier, Wetter. Face the Future
Geneva 21 March 2016 (WMO) – The year 2015 made history, with shattered temperature records, intense heatwaves, exceptional rainfall, devastating drought and unusual tropical cyclone activity, according to the World Meteorological Organization. That record-breaking trend has continued in 2016.

The WMO Statement on the Status of the Climate in 2015 gave details of the record land and sea surface temperatures, unabated ocean warming and sea level rise, shrinking sea ice extent, and extreme weather events around the world.

UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization [to 26 March 2016]
http://www.unido.org/news-centre/news.html

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Wednesday, 23 March 2016
Egypt meeting charts path forward for enhanced coordination of food safety in the region
CAIRO, 23 March 2016 – Enhancing the coordination and integration of food safety measures and harmonizing food safety standards in countries of the League of Arab States (LAS) was the focus of a meeting that ended today in Cairo.

It was part of a capacity building initiative supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), which aims to strengthen the regional capacity of integrating and coordinating food safety measures, thereby ensuring the compliance with international trade rules and regulations.

The Arab Industrial Development and Mining Organization (AIDMO) and the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD) will lead the implementation of the initiative along with national ministries and organizations responsible for food safety in the region…

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Monday, 21 March 2016
UNIDO and University of International Business and Economics of China launch joint study on global value chains with funding from China
BEIJING, 21 March 2016 – Because conventional national statistics and methodologies are not enough to study global value chains and their implications on economic development, a new joint research will be carried out by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) of China.

This innovative approach in research, to be funded by the People’s Republic of China, was announced in Beijing today.

“Global value chains are increasingly playing a leading role in production and trade for international markets. Today, more than half of manufactured products in trade are intermediate goods that require further processing in other countries. As a window of opportunity to access international markets, to absorb new technologies and to follow international standards of production, global value chains have tremendous implications for inclusive and sustainable industrial development – a key component of Sustainable Development Goal 9,” said Nobuya Haraguchi, of UNIDO’s Policy, Research and Statistics Department.

The joint research will examine global value chains at the macro, meso and micro level combining quantitative, qualitative and case study analyses…