Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.oic-oci.org/oicv2/news/
[Selected Press Releases, Announcements]

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09/03/2016
Jakarta Summit supports the Palestinian reconciliation, calls for banning products of settlements and endorses Abbas’ call for an international peace conference
The Fifth Extraordinary Islamic Summit concluded in the Indonesian capital Jakarta expressing support for the call made by the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to convene an international peace conference to end the Israeli occupation as an essential step towards ending the unsustainable and volatile situation, which would promote calm and revive hope in a peaceful solution to end occupation, and allow the Palestinian people to live in freedom and dignity in their Palestinian State, with Al-Quds as its capital…

IPU Inter-Parliamentary Union [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.ipu.org/english/news.htm

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9 MARCH 2016
African MPs take new steps towards tackling WMDs
Members of Parliament from across Africa have recommended fresh action to halt the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), after a seminar in Côte d’Ivoire. More than 70 MPs from 18 countries took part in the seminar, the first event to bring together MPs from one continent to discuss the implementation of UN Resolution 1540, which deals with the threat posed by WMDs especially when they are in the hands of non-State actors. The event was jointly organized by IPU and the Parliament of Côte d’Ivoire, in partnership with the 1540 Committee and the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs. It delivered practical information on the risks posed by WMDs, and how parliaments can act by implementing Resolution 1540. A roadmap will be developed in the light of the seminar’s conclusions, with MPs proposing that this should include practical tools on how to implement the resolution.

IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong told the seminar: “The danger of terrorist groups making use of weapons of mass destruction to advance their criminal causes is very real… It really takes an effort in global cooperation for MPs in every country to realize that they have an obligation to act and to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.” Other speakers included Isidor Marcel Sene of the 1540 Committee; Jean Albert Agbre, Delegated President of the IPU national group; and Olatokunbo Ige, Director of the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC), who was also representing the UN Office for Disarmament affairs (UNODA). The Speaker of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire, Guillaume Soro, opened the seminar.

WMDs are most likely to spread in areas of conflict and terrorist activity. Resolution 1540 (PDF) obliges governments to implement effective laws, rules and regulations to prevent terrorists and other non-State actors from acquiring them.

World Bank [to 12 March 2016]
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 Group President Jim Yong Kim’s statement on the Fifth Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
Date: March 11, 2016 Type: Press Release

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7 Million More Jobs Each Year in East Asia if Cities Are More Competitive
More competitive cities can help boost growth in the region
SINGAPORE, March 10, 2016—More than 7 million more jobs can be created each year in East Asia if the cities improved their competitiveness…
Date: March 10, 2016 Type: Press Release

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World Bank Group and ISO Partnership Highlights How Countries Benefit from International Standards: Open Trade, Access to Markets and Innovation
WASHINGTON, March 10, 2016—The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the World Bank Group announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to help increase countries’ awareness and involvement in the development, adoption and use of international standards that promote open, fair and transparent trade.

The MoU serves as the foundation for future cooperation in the areas of knowledge generation and dissemination; encouraging research and promoting awareness; improving monitoring and evaluation; and enhancing capacity around international standards that give countries the opportunity to participate in global trade and that contribute to economic development, social progress and protection of the environment….
Date: March 10, 2016 Type: Press Release

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World Bank and Global Environment Facility (GEF) launch new multi-million dollar ‘Global Platform for Sustainable Cities’
International community invests in the Sustainable Cities of the Future
SINGAPORE, March 9, 2016―City leaders from around the world met in Singapore today for the launch of the ‘Global Platform for Sustainable Cities’, or GPSC, which is part of an initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) that is expected to mobilize up to $1.5 billion over the next five years for urban sustainability programs in 11 developing countries, including Brazil, Cote D’Ivoire, China, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Senegal, South Africa, and Vietnam.

Coordinated by the World Bank and supported by multilateral development banks, UN organizations, think tanks and various city networks, the GPSC is a knowledge sharing program that will provide access to cutting-edge tools and promote an integrated approach to sustainable urban planning and financing. The GPSC will work with a core group of 23 cities, but will reach many more by sharing of data, experiences, ideas, and solutions to urban challenges, and by linking the knowledge to finance that will influence investment flows toward building cities’ long-term urban sustainability.
Date: March 9, 2016 Type: Press Release

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Emerging Economies Drive Global Trade Volatility in 2015
WASHINGTON, March 9, 2016—After dramatically declining in the first half of 2015, global trade recovered but at a slower pace over the rest of the year, so that world imports grew by only 1.7 percent in 2015 compared to 3 percent in 2014.

According to a new World Bank Group paper, Global Trade Watch: Trade Development in 2015, by World Bank Group Economists Cristina Constantinescu, Aaditya Mattoo and Michele Ruta, global trade in 2015 reflected persistently weak demand and structural changes in world trade, compounded by falling commodity prices and China’s transition to a new growth path.
Date: March 9, 2016 Type: Press Release

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Countries Meet with World Bank to Discuss Carbon Pricing and Build Carbon Markets
ZURICH, March 8, 2016 – Just months after the Paris Agreement at COP21, the World Bank today brought together over 30 developed and developing countries at the Carbon Pricing: Sustaining the Momentum after COP21 conference in Zurich to take stock and discuss opportunities and challenges to use carbon pricing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Date: March 8, 2016 Type: Press Release

IMF [to 12 March 2016]
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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March 12, 2016
Asia’s Advancing Role in the Global Economy
Speech by Christine Lagarde
Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
New Delhi, India, March 12, 2016
Conference: Advancing Asia: Investing for the Future
New Delhi, India
March 11–13, 2016

African Development Bank Group [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/

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10/03/2016
Legislation and training crucial for tackling cybercrimes targeting women
Cyber-based violence against women was the focus of a forum hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in commemoration of the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2016.

AfDB approves over US $36 million support package for Djibouti
09/03/2016 – The African Development Bank Group will help Djibouti to diversify its economy, improve governance and create employment for the country’s young population.
These commitments were agreed in the 2016-2020 Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Djibouti approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

AfDB receives Green Climate Fund accreditation to increase low-carbon and climate-resilient development in Africa
09/03/2016 – The African Development Bank announced its accreditation on Wednesday, March 9 as a multilateral implementing entity and intermediary to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), further enabling it to scale-up financing necessary to address the impacts of climate change.

New AfDB partnership to stem gender-based cyber violence
08/03/2016 – The African Development Bank (AfDB) has launched a partnership with Facebook, the Kenya ICT Authority, Judiciary and the Kenya Police to increase awareness on cyber-based gender violence.

AfDB releases new report on the impact of Ebola on women
07/03/2016 – On the occasion of International Women’s Day, March 8, 2016, the Office of the African Development Bank’s Special Envoy on Gender, Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, has launched a report on “Women’s Resilience: Integrating Gender in the Response to Ebola.”

Asian Development Bank [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.adb.org/news

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News Release | 11 March 2016
ADB President Says India to Remain Fastest-Growing Large Economy in 2016
ADB President Takehiko Nakao today met India’s Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, and praised India’s strong economic performance in the face of weak global growth and turmoil in commodity and financial markets.

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News Release | 9 March 2016
ADB Sells $3 Billion 5-Year Global Benchmark Bond
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has returned to the US dollar bond market with the pricing of a $3 billion 5-year global benchmark bond, proceeds of which will be part of ADB’s ordinary capital resources and used in its non-concessional operations.

“This is another stellar outcome for ADB against a challenging market backdrop that has prevailed since the beginning of 2016. Strong demand for the transaction allowed us to size a $3 billion new issue in line with our strategy of providing the market with liquid benchmark bonds across the curve,” said ADB Treasurer Pierre Van Peteghem. “We were pleased by the broad participation across geographical regions from the investor community, which is itself a testament to the institution’s robust credit fundamentals and loyal global following in the capital markets.”…

Amref Health Africa [to 12 March 2016]
http://amref.org/news/news/

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Published: 10 March 2016 Carolyne Khamala
Amref supports 12th ECSACON Biennial Conference
Amref Health Africa is partnering with the Kenyan Ministry of Health and the ECSACON organising committee to host the 12th ECSACON (East, Central and Southern Africa College of Nursing) Biennial Conference. This is one of the most esteemed forums in the East, Central and South African region for bringing together policy makers and professionals from around the world to promote strategic professional collaboration in nursing and midwifery practice. It will run from September 7-9, 2016, in Nairobi, Kenya at the Safari Park Hotel…

Danish Refugee Council [to 12 March 2016]
https://www.drc.dk/news

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11.03.2016
Severe drought in Somalia and Somaliland
Nearly 4.7 million people (38 per cent of the population) in drought-hit Somalia are acutely food insecure and are at risk of starving if they do not receive urgent support. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is gearing up its efforts to respond and assist the thousands of communities at risk of being severely affected by the drought particularly in Puntland (Somalia) and Somaliland.

IRC International Rescue Committee [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.rescue.org/press-release-index

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08 Mar 2016
Refugees Prevented from Crossing Greece’s Northern Borders at Increased Risk, Finds IRC

07 Mar 2016
There is a way through the refugee crisis for the EU, but border closures won’t work without safe and legal routes to refuge, effective relocation within Europe, and better aid for Syria’s neighbours

Posted by The IRC on March 8, 2016
The IRC expands its programs in Greece: latest updates on refugee crisis [Storify]
As countries across Europe shut their doors to desperate refugees seeking safety, the IRC today calls on governments to take action to protect the vulnerable and respect the rights and human dignity of all people arriving at their borders. Get the latest updates from our partners on the ground in Serbia…

ICRC [to 12 March 2016]
https://www.icrc.org/en/whats-new
Selected News Releases and Articles

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News release
11 March 2016
Pakistan: Campaign to make Karachi safer for ambulance services
Karachi (ICRC) – Today, a public-service campaign was launched in Karachi to get motorists to give way to ambulances and generally increase respect for ambulance services. Joining forces for this important cause are: the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Edhi Foundation, Aman Foundation, Indus Hospital, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Jinnah Sindh Medical University. Samaa TV and Samaa FM are the media partners for the campaign. The ICRC is also planning to work with government authorities to enact legislation requiring drivers to make way for ambulances on roads.

News release
10 March 2016
Colombia: Insidious violence on the rise in 2015
Bogotá (ICRC) – Although the fighting is abating between government forces and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC-EP), the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) is continuing to register the same levels of violence in the country as in previous years. In a report released today about the humanitarian challenges facing Colombia in 2016, the ICRC underlined the high incidence of death threats, disappearances and sexual violence in 2015.

Article
10 March 2016
Tuvalu Red Cross Society becomes 190th National Society
Tuvalu was a hive of activity on 1 March as the Tuvalu Red Cross Society (TRCS) celebrated its recognition as part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The celebrations were attended by the governor general, the prime minister, cabinet ministers, staff, volunteers and the public.

Article
08 March 2016
ICRC and EPFL launch Humanitarian Tech Hub
Geneva (ICRC / EPFL) – The Humanitarian Tech Hub is an ambitious research and development programme that is being launched by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL). The plans were unveiled today during ICRC President Peter Maurer’s visit to the EPFL campus in Lausanne.
The agreement between the two institutions sets out a four-year programme whose goal is to foster collaboration between the humanitarian and scientific sectors, as well as specialists in other fields, to develop technologies to tackle the humanitarian challenges facing the world today. There is no shortage of avenues to explore: energy, water, construction, logistics, the environment, information and communication technologies, and biomedical technologies, to name just a few. With more than 150 million people worldwide affected by humanitarian crises, the demand and potential applications are enormous…

News release
07-03-2016
Liberia / Côte d’Ivoire: ICRC resumes cross-border family reunifications
Fourteen Ivorian children who had sought refuge in Liberia five years ago were reunited with their families between 4 and 12 February.

Article
04 March 2016
ICRC and Novartis launch partnership to improve access to healthcare in fragile countries
Following the ICRC’s Global Partnerships for Impact and Innovation (GPHI2) event in Lausanne, the ICRC and Novartis launched a partnership, focusing on improving care and treatment to the most vulnerable populations in Lebanon (Syrian refugees, underserved Lebanese and Palestinian patients), suffering from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases.

IRCT [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.irct.org/

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News
IRCT Member Red de Apoyo warns against Venezuelan amnesty law
11 March 2016
IRCT Member Red de Apoyo por la Justicia y Paz in Venezuela has issued a declaration warning against the Law on Amnesty and National Reconciliation. According to Red de Apoyo, the Amnesty law may result in impunity for perpetrators of a number of crimes, including human rights violations, and it will deny victims access to redress and full rehabilitation. In addition, the centre says it will be in direct breach of Article 26 of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela…

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Statements & declarations
IRCT condemns attack on Joint Mobile Group
11 March 2016
The IRCT is deeply concerned about the latest attacks against the Joint Mobile Group in the border region between Ingushetia and Chechnya where the group continues to document and expose severe human rights abuses. On 9 March, a car carrying two staff of the Joint Mobile Group, six journalists and a driver was attacked by masked men who severely beat them and set their car on fire. Later that day, the Ingushetia office of the Joint Mobile Group was attacked and damages are yet to be assessed…

MSF/Médecins Sans Frontières [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news-stories/press/press-releases

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Press Releases
Senate HELP Committee Fails to Fix Flawed PRV Program Intended to Promote Innovation for Neglected Diseases
March 09, 2016
New York— A Senate committee voted today to add Zika to the list of diseases eligible for the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) Priority Review Voucher (PRV) program for neglected diseases, but did not fix major loopholes that make the PRV program for neglected diseases ripe for abuse by pharmaceutical companies.
Press Releases

European Union and Turkey Reach Inhumane Agreement on Refugees
March 08, 2016
In response to an agreement announced today between the European Union and Turkey on refugees and migration, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) released the following statement from Aurelie Ponthieu, MSF humanitarian affairs advisor on displacement:
“European leaders have completely lost track of reality, and the deal currently being negotiated between the EU and Turkey is one of the clearest examples of their cynicism. For each refugee that will risk their life at sea and will be summarily sent back to Turkey, another one may have the chance to reach Europe from Turkey under a proposed resettlement scheme. This crude calculation reduces people to mere numbers, denying them humane treatment and discarding their right to seek protection…

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Field News
CAR: Calm Returns to Carnot, But Many Remain Displaced
March 07, 2016
Despite a return to calm, the situation in Central African Republic (CAR) remains unstable and over 450,000 people are still displaced within the country. At the Catholic Church in Carnot, a town in western CAR, the displaced are gradually moving out of what has become an enclave.

OXFAM [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/pressreleases

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11 March 2016
World powers must safeguard hope – not fan the flames of the Syria conflict: last year was the worst for Syrians
The fifth year of the Syria conflict has been the worst yet for people as warring parties have continued to wreak havoc, increasingly block aid and place more communities under siege.

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Last year was worst for Syrians, world powers must safeguard hope not fan the flames, warn aid agencies
11 March 2016
Russia, the United States, France and the United Kingdom must now safeguard the glimmer of hope that the ceasefire has brought to civilians, rather than “adding fuel to the fire”, warn 30 aid agencies in a new report.

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International investors must withdraw all involvement now from deadly Honduras dam project, says Oxfam
8 March 2016
The assassination last week of Honduran activist Berta Cáceres – who championed the cause of indigenous land rights – shows that international companies have no place now in continuing their support for the Agua Zarca dam she was fighting against.

Norwegian Refugee Council [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.nrc.no/

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(11.03.2016)
Five years of war in Syria
World powers must safeguard hope not fan the flames
The fifth year of the Syria conflict was the worst yet for people as warring parties have continued to wreak havoc, increasingly blocked aid and placed more communities under siege.

Russia, the United States, France and the United Kingdom must now safeguard the glimmer of hope that the ceasefire has brought to civilians, rather than “adding fuel to the fire”, warn 30 aid agencies in a new report.

These four countries – all members of the UN Security Council and the International Syria Support Group – could be key players in helping end the suffering in Syria. Instead they have to varying degrees undermined their own resolutions through inadequate diplomatic pressure, political and military support to their allies or direct military action.

The report, Fuelling the Fire, catalogues the deteriorating conditions in Syria, as the country plunged into further chaos and fragmentation. It has been signed by 30 humanitarian and human rights organisations including Oxfam, Norwegian Refugee Council, CARE International, and Syrian organisations – The Syrian-American Medical Society (SAMS), Big Heart, and Syria Relief and Development…

SOS-Kinderdorf International [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/about-sos/press/press-releases

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09.03.2016
For SOS Children’s Villages nurse, a night shift like no other
Ljupka Pavlovic will never forget the night of Friday, 12 February, when she was working the night shift at a Child Friendly Space for refugees operated by SOS Children’s Villages. The nurse was there just in time to help deliver a baby.

08.03.2016
Voting opens for SOS Children’s Villages exceptional alumni award
Voting is now open to the public for the 2016 Hermann Gmeiner Award. Meet the nominees and cast your vote

07.03.2016
Sweden’s Akelius Foundation donates €10.7 million for refugee response
Swedish philanthropist Roger Akelius has donated 100 million Swedish krona, or €10.7 million, to SOS Children’s Villages Sweden to assist thousands of vulnerable children affected by the refugee crisis in Europe and the Middle East.

Tostan [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.tostan.org/latest-news

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March 11, 2016
Celebrating International Women’s Day in Solidarity with Detainees in Rufisque
On March 8th, I visited a women’s prison in Rufisque, Senegal to celebrate International Women’s Day with Tostan’s Prison Project.

CONCORD [to 12 March 2016]
http://concordeurope.org/news-and-events/
[European NGO confederation for relief and development]

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Deconstructing 10 myths about migration and development – publication
Mar 9, 2016 | Migration and development, Publications
The FORIM, ICMC together with CONCORD launch a series of publications named the “10 myths about migration”. The publications aim to deconstruct the stereotypes and prejudices around migration and development issues.

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Encouraging results for the European Year for Development, according to recent EuroBarometer
Mar 7, 2016 | Development Cooperation, Effective Civil Society, Newsroom
Our board members Marius Wanders and Johannes Trimmel attended on February 29th the launch seminar of the ‘EuroBarometer 441′ about the European Year for Development 2015. The conference organised by the European Commission revealed the results of the year as well as the perception of European citizens on development issues.

The Elders [to 12 March 2016]
http://theelders.org/news-media

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Opinion 6 March 2016
Gender equality and climate change: the vital link for success beyond Paris
From assessing the “people-centred” COP21 Paris Agreement and how those on the frontlines can help the world in tackling climate change, to ensuring that women are empowered to make their voices heard, Mary Robinson marks International Women’s Day by highlighting the link between gender equality and climate justice.

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Guest blog Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner 6 March 2016
Rising sea levels: “Our islands will one day be wiped off the map: what will happen to our women?”
Climate activist and poet Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner marks International Women’s Day by celebrating the strength and resilience of Marshall Islands’ women and highlights the importance of including women in tackling climate change.

Gavi [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.gavialliance.org/library/news/press-releases/

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09 March 2016
Pakistan progressing on immunisation efforts
High level mission praises country’s efforts and calls for increased commitment to reach every child

Islamabad, 9 March 2016 – Pakistan is making progress in improving its childhood immunisation programme, but sustained commitment at federal and provincial level is required to increase the coverage of services and reach children who today miss out on life-saving vaccines.

More than 1,000 Pakistani children under the age of five die every day, many of them from diseases that could have been prevented by vaccines. According to WHO and UNICEF estimates, Pakistan’s coverage rate with one of the most basic vaccines (DTP3) stood at 73% in 2014 with large variations between the provinces, districts and communities. The most recent Pakistan Demographic Health Survey, from 2013, showed Punjab had 76% coverage while in Baluchistan the figure was just 27%.

This week, a high level mission to Pakistan was led by Anuradha Gupta, Deputy CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, together with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the UK’s Department for International Development, USAID, the Norwegian Agency for Development and Cooperation, UNICEF and WHO. The visit was a follow up to a similar mission conducted in February 2015. The delegation visited Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi to see the progress made in the last 12 months, understand the challenges that lie ahead, and encourage leaders to reinforce their commitment to end childhood vaccine preventable deaths.

“I have been deeply encouraged by much of what I have seen during this visit,” said Ms Gupta. “Coordination at federal and provincial level has clearly improved and I have seen for myself some of the innovative work at local level to reach children with vaccines. This week’s approval of the budget for the new provincial plans, which will kick-start the National Immunisation Support Project, is welcome news as it paves the way for intensified action on routine immunisation. Timely release of funding at all levels will be a critical next step.”

Among the initiatives witnessed by the mission was a recently-expanded approach using mobile phone technology and real-time data to monitor vaccinators, identify children missing out on vaccinations, and strengthen accountability. In Punjab this has significantly increased immunisation coverage. Similar approaches are now being initiated in KP and Sindh….

Global Fund [to 12 March 2016]
http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/news/
News
Removing Human Rights Barriers to End the HIV Epidemic
11 March 2016
GENEVA – The Global Fund made a strong appeal to address human rights issues as a key component of efforts to end epidemics such as AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria..
[See Week in Review above for more detail]

Better Education Will Mean Better Health for Young Women & Girls
By Julia Gillard
in Voices on 07 March 2016