UN OHCHR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/media.aspx?IsMediaPage=true
Selected Press Releases

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Europe/migration: Five-country police agreement exacerbates crisis and puts vulnerable migrants at risk — Zeid
GENEVA (25 February 2016) – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Thursday expressed serious concern at security measures adopted at a recent meeting of the heads of police of five European countries*, which are already having a negative impact on the human rights of refugees and migrants in southern and central Europe, and are compounding the already exceptionally difficult situation in Greece…
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UN rights expert urges Russia not to implement the new extradition treaty with North Korea
GENEVA / SEOUL (26 February 2016) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Marzuki Darusman, urges the Government of the Russian Federation not to implement the extradition treaty signed with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) earlier this month.
According to reports, there are an estimated 10,000 North Korean regular labourers in Russia, some of whom stay in the country after their contracts have expired in order to seek asylum. Others fleeing the DPRK try to reach Russia through other countries.

“I am alarmed by the new extradition treaty signed between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Russian Federation on 2 February 2016. The treaty calls for transferring and readmitting individuals ‘who have illegally’ left their country and stay ‘illegally’ in another’s territory.

In November 2015, Russia signed a separate extradition treaty with the DPRK, calling for mutual assistance in criminal matters. I am concerned that the latest treaty is much broader in scope and may lead to forced repatriation to the DPRK of individuals at risk of human rights violations, in contravention of Russia’s international obligations.

Given the practice of the DPRK to send labourers to Russia, who often work in slave-like conditions, it is feared that such a treaty could also be used to capture and repatriate workers who attempt to seek asylum.

In fact the practice of sending workers abroad to be exploited may constitute state-sponsored enslavement of human beings, possibly amounting to a specific category of crime against humanity…

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UN report documents litany of violations and abuses amid chaos in Libya
GENEVA (25 February 2016) – A UN report* published on Thursday has documented widespread violations and abuses committed in Libya since the beginning of 2014. The report recommends urgent measures to fight against impunity and to strengthen and reform the justice sector.

“Despite the human rights situation in Libya, the country only sporadically makes the headlines. A multitude of actors – both State and non-State – are accused of very serious violations and abuses that may, in many cases, amount to war crimes,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.

To access the shorter version of the report, please go to: http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/LY/A_HRC_31_47_E.pdf
To access a more extensive version, with detailed findings of the investigation and a map, please go to: http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/LY/A_HRC_31_CRP_3.pdf

UN OCHA [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.unocha.org/media-resources/press-releases.

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26 Feb 2016
South Sudan: Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs calls for an end to the suffering of civilians in South Sudan

26 Feb 2016
Central African Republic: Central African Republic: The humanitarian community provides assistance to internally displaced people affected by recurrent accidental fires

25 Feb 2016
South Sudan: United Nations Emergency Fund Releases $21 Million to Assist People Affected by Conflict in South Sudan

24 Feb 2016
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, 24 February 2016

22 Feb 2016
Syrian Arab Republic: Statement by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Jordan [EN/AR]

UNICEF [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_89711.html
Selected Press Releases

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UNHCR, UNICEF launch Blue Dot hubs to boost protection for children and families on the move across Europe
GENEVA, 26 February, 2016 – As part of a joint endeavour to step up protection for the growing numbers of children and others with specific needs arriving in Europe, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and UNICEF are setting up special support centres for children and families along the most frequently used migration routes in Europe.
[see Week in Review above for more details]

Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake on the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in Syria
NEW YORK, 22 February, 2016 – For Syria’s children, today’s agreement on the terms of a cessation of hostilities is welcome news after five years of brutal conflict. UNICEF welcomes this diplomatic progress. Now it must be matched by action…

Children left injured and homeless after violence in Malakal, South Sudan
JUBA, South Sudan, 22 February 2016 – UNICEF is responding to the needs of children in the aftermath of the violence that occurred inside the Protection of Civilians (PoC) site in Malakal this week. At least 18 people were killed, with children injured, distressed and separated from their parents.

UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/search?page=&comid=4a0950336&cid=49aea93a7d&scid=49aea93a40
Press Releases

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26 February 2016
UNHCR, UNICEF launch Blue Dot hubs to boost protection for children and families on the move across Europe

25 February 2016
First anniversary of the Abidjan Declaration on the eradication of statelessness

23 February 2016
UNHCR concerned by build up along borders and additional hardships for refugees and asylum seekers

IOM / International Organization for Migration [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.iom.int/press-room/press-releases

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02/26/16
Mediterranean Migrant, Refugee Arrivals in Europe Top 120,000
Greece – Migrant and refugee arrivals in Greece and Italy have exceeded 120,000 in 2016, having reached the 100,000 milestone earlier this week.

IOM Evacuates More Stranded Burkinabe Migrants from Libya
02/26/16
Libya – As the humanitarian situation in Libya continues to deteriorate, the number of migrants seeking IOM support to voluntarily return to their home countries is rising.

South Korea’s Entertainment Visas Pose Risk of Human Trafficking: Policy Forum
02/26/16
Republic of Korea – An IOM co-hosted policy forum in Seoul on Tuesday addressed the lack of legal protection for entertainment visa (E-6) holders in the Republic of Korea.

Resource Manuals Target Millions of Indonesian Overseas Workers
02/26/16
Indonesia – Efforts to reduce the vulnerability of Indonesia’s vast migrant labour force received a boost this week with the release of six new resource books for overseas workers produced by IOM and Indonesia’s national agency tasked with their wellbeing.

IOM, USAID Support Rehabilitation Services in Conflict-Affected Colombian Municipalities
02/26/16
Colombia – IOM and USAID are supporting the Colombian Ministry of Health and Social Protection to strengthen rehabilitation services in municipalities severely affected by armed conflict in Quibdó, Apartadó, Cartagena, and Popayán.

125 Afghan Nationals Voluntarily Return Home from Germany with IOM Support
02/24/16
Berlin, Kabul – Yesterday (23/02) 125 Afghan nationals departed voluntarily from Germany to Kabul with the help of an Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The group comprised 107 males and 18 females, of which 10 were children who traveled with members of their families. 13 families in total made the trip home.
They arrived safely in Kabul today (24/02), where they were welcomed by IOM staff.

UN Women [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.unwomen.org/news/stories

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Date: 26 February 2016
Women of Fiji look for support to rebuild their livelihoods
Thousands of women in Fiji rely on income gleaned from selling produce or handicrafts at local markets to pay for their children’s education and day-to-day living expenses. Tropical Cyclone Winston’s destruction of crops and market buildings not only takes away their source of income, it threatens the food security of entire communities, as well as having wider implications for their families’ health, nutrition and education.

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Prime Minister of Pakistan: “There is no honour in honour killing”
Date: 23 February 2016
Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has re-affirmed the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to end discrimination and violence against women and girls, and the end the menace of honour killings prevalent in Pakistan.

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Gender Chart reveals how women fared in 2015 global progress
Date: 23 February 2016
The final edition of the Gender Chart details how women were faring in global progress in 2015 as the MDGs wrap up and the Sustainable Development Goals begin to take their place.

WHO & Regionals [to 27 February 2016]

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Commentary
Africa: Now is the time to reach every child with life-saving vaccines
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa
Dr Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean
22 February 2016
[Excerpts]
Africa has an incredible opportunity to provide a better life for each and every child – and we know exactly how to seize it: provide universal acces0s to immunization across the continent to protect them from vaccine preventable diseases. We have seen the transformative impact of efforts to reach more children with life-saving vaccines. Child deaths in Africa fell by half over the past generation, in large part due to the use of high impact interventions such as immunization…

Ministerial Conference on Immunization in Africa
To galvanize action, WHO’s offices for Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean, in conjunction with the African Union and other partners, are hosting the first-ever Ministerial Conference on Immunization in Africa, in Addis Ababa from 24–25 February 2016.

This conference will represent a remarkable moment. For the first time ministers of health, finance and other sectors from across the continent will come together to declare their commitment to strengthening immunization services, and put universal access to immunization at the forefront of efforts to improve health and drive sustainable development. These leaders are taking action now because they know that vaccines are a smart investment and that their countries can and must do more.
:: website – Ministerial Conference on Immunization in Africa

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WHO “Highlights”
Updated guidance on the care of critically ill children
February 2016 — Children admitted to hospital often die within 24 hours of admission. Many of these deaths can be prevented if treatment is started immediately after their arrival. Updated guidance covers the most common emergency conditions in children arriving at a health facility.

Health Infographics
February 2016 — WHO launches an infographics page to display what effects your health in a clear and concise format. View, download, and share infographics and key messages on diverse health topics.

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:: WHO Regional Offices
WHO African Region AFRO ::
:: Ministers pledge to improve access to vaccines at first-ever Ministerial Conference on Immunization in Africa
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (25 February 2016)
:: Meningitis A nearly eliminated in Africa through vaccination, reaching more than 235 million people – 23 February 2016

WHO Region of the Americas PAHO
:: PAHO experts visit Colombia to support the response to Zika virus (02/23/2016)

WHO South-East Asia Region SEARO
:: Take concrete steps to fight antibiotic resistance, turn pledges into action: WHO
23 February 2016

WHO European Region EURO
No new digest content identified.

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region EMRO
:: Health at your fingertips: Using mobiles to help diabetics in Egypt
24 February 2016
:: Africa: Now is the time to reach every child with life-saving vaccines
22 February 2016

WHO Western Pacific Region
:: WHO supports Fiji’s health needs caused by Tropical Cyclone Winston
SUVA, 26 February 2016 – In response to Fiji’s call for international assistance in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Winston, the World Health Organization (WHO) is providing emergency medical supplies and additional personnel to support Fiji as it organizes relief efforts for the survivors. Fiji has declared a State of Emergency.

UNAIDS [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/

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25 February 2016
Celebrate individuality and stand out on Zero Discrimination Day

23 February 2016
More investment needed in developing female-controlled HIV prevention options
Results from two recent studies of a monthly vaginal ring show modest protection from HIV infection for women
GENEVA, 23 February 2016—Results from two large-scale studies of a vaginal ring that releases the antiretroviral medicine dapivirine to prevent HIV among women have shown protection of around 30% against HIV. The results are encouraging and show the urgent need to expand investment in research and development for female-controlled methods of HIV prevention…

UNDP United Nations Development Programme [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter.html

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Feb 24, 2016
UNDP at 50: An investment in UN’s key role in development
As it marks 50 years at the frontlines of international development, UNDP should be seen as an investment in the UN’s critical role in helping to build a world free of poverty and inequality.

Helen Clark: Statement at ECOSOC on “Integration of development, humanitarian and peace pillars in the work of the UN system”
Feb 23, 2016
ECOSOC Chamber – New York, USA
The scale of today’s humanitarian crises, with their profound impacts on peoples’ lives and on the development trajectory of countries, calls for integrated responses from the international community, including from the United Nations.
Increasingly in the UN system we see new ways of working together across the traditional silos to help build resilience, reduce disaster risk, support recovery from crises of whatever kind, and to deliver together, even during protracted crises…

UNDP at 50: World must step up to beat poverty by 2030
Feb 23, 2016
Meeting the Sustainable Development Goals is only possible with a broad coalition of leaders from government, civil society, multilaterals and the private sector, said Helen Clark.

UNEP United Nations Environment Programme [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.unep.org/newscentre/?doctypeID=1

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27/02/2016
G20 Financial Leaders Commit to Exploring Green Finance Options

Pollinators Vital to Our Food Supply Under Threat
Assessment Details Options for Safeguarding Pollinators
26/02/2016

Op-Ed: Year of green finance nurturing economy
by Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director
26/02/2016

UNEP Executive Director Accepts Appointment to Lead Oxford Martin School
25/02/2016

Strengthened Integration Needed for Effective Action on Air Pollution, Sustainable Consumption, Green Economy
Gearing up for the 2nd UN Environment Assembly, countries define an integrated approach to implementing environmental dimension of Sustainable Development Goals
25/02/2016

UN Development Programme Celebrates 50 Years of Work to End Poverty
24/02/2016

UN DESA United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/news.html

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25 February 2016, New York
Getting ready to implement the 2030 Agenda
The 2016 ECOSOC operational activities for development segment took place on 22-24 February to examine longer-term positioning of the UN development in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The event also reviewed the progress in the implementation of General Assembly resolution on the quadrennial comprehensive policy review (QCPR), which is the mechanism through which coherence, effectiveness and funding of the United Nations 27 programmes, funds and specialized agencies for development is evaluated.

UNESCO [to 27 February 2016]
http://en.unesco.org/news
Selected Press Releases/News

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26 February 2016
UNESCO launches new Competency Framework
In April 2015 UNESCO launched a house-wide project with the participation of staff both at headquarters and in the field, to elaborate a new comprehensive competency framework for the Organization. This new framework seeks to clearly articulate the expected behavioral standards required of UNESCO staff and to provide renewed clarity on the core values that should permeate those behavioral standards. By incorporating both values and competencies in one single framework, a ‘common language’ will be adopted that will facilitate dialogue and link most of our Human Resources processes…

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26 February 2016
UNESCO presented findings of study on web-radios in Morocco
…This study, conducted by Sebastien Negre, a consultant specialized in community radios, is an in depth investigation of 19 of the web radios of the 68 identified in the country. This initiative is part of the Maghreb bureau effort to promote freedom of speech both on and offline as well as media diversity and pluralism.

More than 40 participants from the different Moroccan Web radios answered our invitation. Among the attendees: Radio Campus Marrakech, Radio Ajial in Agadir, Darblanca in Casablanca, Mothers on Line in Tangiers, Sawte in Ouarzazate, e-Joussour in Rabat and Women of the South in Agadir.

In Morocco, the current legal framework of the media sector does not allow the web radios to have a presence on the airwaves. According to Sebastien Negre “Internet is the only media that allows the associations to promote their actions and principles to a wider audience.” This study also analyzed the various economical and editorial characteristics of these online medias. As a community media, they mainly raise issues surrounding youths, sex, employment, equality and citizenship…

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25 February 2016
Repositioning literacy to meet the 2030 Education Agenda targets
Literacy and numeracy are key to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development yet estimates show that there are 757 million adults, including 115 million youth, who cannot read or write a simple sentence and two-thirds of them are women.

UNESCO and the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) is holding a consultation meeting at the Organization’s Headquarters in Paris on 25 February, 2016 to discuss the establishment of a Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL) within the framework of lifelong learning.

‘The Global Alliance for Literacy is an ambitious attempt to make the major stakeholders work together to pull in the same direction to better support countries to achieve better,’ said Arne Carlsen, Director UIL…

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25 February 2016
UNESCO calls for research proposals: Social media and youth radicalization in the digital age
UNESCO launches a call for research proposals to provide a global mapping of research into the assumed roles played by social media in radicalization processes in all regions. The research should also examine ongoing steps being taken to counter radicalization, and provide an in-depth analysis on their potential impact on online and offline freedoms. Building on these empirical findings, the study should also include recommendations for various actors including state actors, Internet companies, news media, civil society and researchers.

UNESCO, therefore, invites interested researchers, institutions, research consortiums and organizations to submit their proposals, according to the General Terms of Reference and Background note by email to internetstudy(at)unesco.org before noon (CET), 24 March 2016. Proposals should include a detailed description of the research methodology, research outline, timeline and the requested funding in US$ with a budget breakdown…

UN-HABITAT United Nations Human Settlements Programme [to 27 February 2016]
http://unhabitat.org/media-centre/news/

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Posted February 26, 2016
UN-Habitat and partners complete Pakistani project
Islamabad, 26 February 2016, – UN-Habitat and Muslim Hands International (MHI), in close collaboration with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) and funding from Government of Japan, jointly held the Project Completion Ceremony for the “Shelter and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) support for the Temporarily Dislocated People (TDPs) from North Waziristan Agency living among host communities in 3 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan”…

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UN-Habitat hosts youth discussion on urban youth and equity in Asia-Pacific
Medan, Indonesia, 23 February 2016 – Around 70 young people gathered in Medan, Indonesia on Saturday for a focus group discussion and survey research on urban youth and equity in Asia-Pacific.
Posted February 23, 2016

FAO Food & Agriculture Organization [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.fao.org/news/archive/news-by-date/2016/en/

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27-02-2016
Governments from Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen their fight against hunger at the FAO Regional Conference
Government representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean will meet in Mexico City from the 29th of February to the 3rd of March at the Regional Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO, to deepen their joint efforts to eradicate hunger and malnutrition.

Pollinators vital to our food supply under threat
The assessment, titled Thematic Assessment of Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production is a groundbreaking effort to better understand and manage a critical element of the global ecosystem.
26-02-2016

Community-based forestry can be a driving force in boosting sustainability and people’s livelihoods
Community-based forestry has shown itself to be a potent vehicle for promoting sustainable forest management, reducing poverty and generating jobs and income for rural communities, but unlocking its true potential will require greater support by governments through policy reforms and other measures.
23-02-2016

FAO puts sustainability on the menu in the world’s fastest-growing food sector: fish
High-level delegations of fisheries ministries from more than 50 countries are gathering in Agadir with industry players to discuss a sector that provides the world with 17 percent of its animal protein and developing countries with more export revenue than meat, tobacco, rice and sugar combined.
22-02-2016

IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.ifad.org/media/press/index.htm

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22 February –
Two IFAD-supported projects contribute to post-Ebola recovery in Liberia
Rome, 22 February 2016 –The Republic of Liberia and the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) signed two agreements today to finance the Tree Crops Extension Project (TCEP) and the Rural Community Finance Project (RCFP), initiatives that will boost farmers’ income, generate much needed foreign exchange, and contribute more broadly to the country’s post-Ebola recovery. The two projects will directly target 35,000 smallholder farmers.

The total investment for the two projects amounts to US $41.6 million, which includes two IFAD loans totalling $18.5 million, both granted on highly concessional terms, and a $5 million IFAD grant. The government of Liberia will contribute $2.4 million while the local population and private sector will contribute an additional $6.7 million. The government of Liberia is seeking co-financing of $9 million from other donors to fund the remainder…

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21 February –
IFAD links research to development for impact in the Near East, North Africa and Europe region

WMO World Meteorological Organization [to 27 February 2016]
https://www.wmo.int/media/news

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WCRP calls for strengthening ocean observations
25 February 2016
The World Climate Research Programme’s ocean observations community has contributed a commentary to Nature Climate Change warning that the ocean observing system is showing signs of degradation. The observing system that has been built up over the past several decades has made possible an unprecedented database of ocean observations. This has enabled scientists for the first time to measure deep ocean heat content, which is a critical part of the global energy budget, as well as pan-oceanic salinity, which is a critical part of the global water budget. Unfortunately, just as this observing system has started to generate this invaluable data it is starting to suffer from a lack of new investment.

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Tropical Cyclone Winston causes devastation in Fiji
22 February 2016
Severe tropical cyclone Winston caused widespread damage and destruction as it hit the Fiji islands on 20 and 21 February as a Category 5 intensity storm, the highest category of cyclones, with winds averaging 220 kilometers per hour and gusts of 315 kilometers per hour.
The Fiji National Disaster Management Office is coordinating the response and has activated the National Emergency Operation Center. A 30-day state of natural disaster has been declared. Reports of casualties are rising.

Winston was one of the strongest cyclones ever to hit Fiji, with wind speeds more than enough to lift an airplane. Its intensity is comparable to that of Tropical Cyclone Pam, which caused devastation in Vanuatu on 14 March 2015. In addition to the high winds, storm surge, heavy swells and torrential rains led to serious flooding.

UNWTO World Tourism Organization [to 27 February 2016]
http://media.unwto.org/news

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26 February 2016
UNWTO confident in Egypt’s tourism recovery
UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, has expressed the Organizations’ full confidence in the recovery of tourism in Egypt during a recent visit to the country. On the occasion, Mr. Rifai met with Egypt’s President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, in the presence of the Egyptian Minister of Tourism, Hisham Zaazou. The President reiterated his full support to the tourism sector and its utmost determination in ensuring that Egypt is a safe, attractive and leading tourism destination saying “if tourism recovers, Egypt will recover”.

CBD Convention on Biological Diversity [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.cbd.int/press-releases/

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2016-02-26
Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing edges closer to reaching goal of 100 ratifications by year’s end
Montreal, 26 February 2016 – Ratifications by Togo and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has brought the total number of ratifications to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to 72.

USAID [to 27 February 2016]
http://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases

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February 22, 2016
New Antiretroviral Ring Safely Reduces HIV Infection by 31 Percent
A new vaginal ring providing sustained release of the antiretroviral (ARV) dapivirine was shown to help reduce the chance of HIV infection during vaginal sex among women ages 18 and older. USAID, through the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, provided $25 million in support for the trial and ring licensure.

DFID [to 27 February 2016]
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-international-development

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23 February 2016
UK and GSMA partner on mobile technology to fight global poverty
DFID Press release
Innovative mobile technology will provide life-enhancing services to millions of people in poverty as part of a new partnership between the UK government, the GSMA Foundation, and the GSMA, the organisation that represents mobile operators worldwide.

The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) will provide financial support to develop and roll out new technologies that can improve response to natural disasters, help women obtain financial services and boost access to safe water and clean energy across the developing world.

The partnership will make significant contributions to nine of the Global Goals including ending extreme poverty, promoting decent work and economic growth, innovation and infrastructure, affordable and clean energy, clean water and sanitation and addressing gender inequality…