UNESCO [to 19 December 2015]

UNESCO [to 19 December 2015]
http://en.unesco.org/news
Selected Press Releases

.
The role of universities in supporting UNESCO designated sites, beacons of sustainability
18 December 2015

1954 Convention: New members elected to protect cultural property
18 December 2015

United Nations General Assembly WSIS+10 High-Level Meeting adopts a milestone outcome document
18 December 2015

UNESCO calls for change in the way we look at migrants
17 December 2015

UN General Assembly adopts a new resolution on culture and sustainable development
17 December 2015

First Global Report – Evaluating the Impact of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions
16 December 2015

UNESCO Director-General and President Vladimir Putin discuss protection of cultural heritage in conflict zones in Iraq and Syria
15 December 2015

UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime [to 19 December 2015]

UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime [to 19 December 2015]
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/press/allpress.html?ref=fp

.
18/12/2015 – Statement on International Migrants Day

17/12/2015 – Remarks of UNODC Executive Director, Yury Fedotov, at the United Nations Security Council thematic debate on “Trafficking in Persons in Situations of Conflict: ISIL and Beyond”

15/12/2015 – Opium production in Myanmar and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic stabilizes at high levels, says UNODC report

UN-HABITAT United Nations Human Settlements Programme [to 19 December 2015]

UN-HABITAT United Nations Human Settlements Programme [to 19 December 2015]
http://unhabitat.org/media-centre/news/
[Selected Announcements]

.
Launch of the Cities Alliance Joint Work Program on Resilient Cities
15 Dec 2015, Paris – William Cobbett, Director of Cities Alliance launched the initiative during the United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP21, explaining that the New Cities Alliance Joint Work Program on Resilient Cities brings together expertise…

FAO Food & Agriculture Organization [to 19 December 2015]

FAO Food & Agriculture Organization [to 19 December 2015]
http://www.fao.org/news/archive/news-by-date/2015/en/
[Selected Announcements]

.
Resurgence in global wood production
In 2014, growth in wood products, including industrial roundwood, sawnwood, wood-based panels and pulp and paper, ranged from 1 to 5 percent, surpassing the pre-recession levels of 2007, according to new data published by FAO today. The fastest growth was registered in Asia-Pacific and Latin America and Caribbean.
18-12-2015

.
Sustainable farming systems in Bangladesh and Japan receive global recognition
Four new sites have been designated today by FAO as “Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems” for innovation, sustainability and adaptability.
15-12-2015

IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development [to 19 December 2015]

IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development [to 19 December 2015]
http://www.ifad.org/media/press/index.htm

.
18 December 2015
UN agency to promote profitable rural smallholder enterprises in Paraguay

18 December 2015
UN agency to help Bolivian government raise economic prosperity in rural areas

18 December 2015
UN agency invests in linking smallholder farmers to commercial markets in Bhutan

ILO International Labour Organization [to 19 December 2015]

ILO International Labour Organization [to 19 December 2015]
http://www.ilo.org/global/lang–en/index.htm

.
International Migrants Day
New ILO figures show 150 million migrants in the global workforce
A new ILO statistical study provides estimates on labour migration, including regions and industries where international migrant workers are established and a special focus on migrants in domestic work.
News | 16 December 2015
GENEVA (ILO News) – Migrant workers account for 150.3 million of the world’s approximately 232 million international migrants, according to a new study by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The report, ILO Global Estimates on Migrant Workers , shows migrant workers account for 72.7 per cent of the 206.6 million working age migrant population (15 years and over). The majority – 83.7 million – are men, with 66.6 million women migrant workers.

WMO World Meteorological Organization [to 19 December 2015]

WMO World Meteorological Organization [to 19 December 2015]
.
WMO applauds Paris Agreement
15 December 2015
The World Meteorological Organization strongly commends the world’s Governments for adopting the Paris Agreement last Saturday – and salutes the scientists whose work convinced the international community of the need for urgent action on climate change.

“The Paris Agreement is a diplomatic triumph that reconfirms the invaluable role played by the United Nations in promoting global cooperation and action on humanity’s most pressing challenges,” said WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud. “This Agreement will serve as an essential tool for guiding and motivating action by local and national Governments, businesses, and civil society. The hard work of translating the written text into real actions begins now.”

.
Historic Paris Agreement on Climate Change
14 December 2015
An historic agreement to combat climate change and unleash actions and investment towards a low carbon, resilient and sustainable future was agreed by 195 nations in Paris today.

The Paris Agreement for the first time brings all nations into a common cause based on their historic, current and future responsibilities.
The universal agreement’s main aim is to keep a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius and to drive efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

ITU International Telecommunications Union [to 19 December 2015]

ITU International Telecommunications Union [to 19 December 2015]
http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/index.aspx?lang=en#.VF8FYcl4WF8

.
ITU members agree international standard for Big Data
Building on cloud computing to provide Big Data services
Geneva, 18 December 2015 – ITU members have approved the first ITU standard on Big Data. The international standard details the requirements, capabilities and use cases of cloud-based Big Data as well a high-level ‘system context’ view and its relationships with other entities. The Big Data paradigm provides an effective, scalable solution to deal with growing volumes of data and uncover patterns or other information capable of making data manageable and profitable.

Advances in information and communication technology (ICT) are enabling masses of data to be generated, transmitted and stored, and this explosive growth is increasing in pace. Datasets have become so large and complex, and are generated so fast, that traditional approaches to data processing are proving inadequate. Achieving efficient analysis of data within required timeframes is a significant challenge, one that industry will address using technologies in the field of Big Data.

The new standard, Recommendation ITU-T Y.3600 “Big data – cloud computing based requirements and capabilities”, was developed by ITU-T’s expert group responsible for future networks, cloud computing and network aspects of mobile communications, ITU-T Study Group 13.

.
Expert group identifies emerging demands of ‘5G’ to fuel ITU standardization
Open-source communities to join ITU study of networking innovations
Geneva, 17 December – The ITU-T Focus Group on network aspects of IMT-2020 (‘5G’) has received an extension to its lifetime, with a mandate to undertake in-depth studies into areas such as ‘network softwarization’ and slicing, emerging networking technologies, mobile backhaul and fronthaul, and end-to-end quality of service (QoS). New Terms of Reference call for the group to engage open-source communities, influencing and taking advantage of their work by introducing them to the challenges that telecoms players must overcome in the development of the 5G ecosystem.

The Focus Group’s vision of the 5G era is of a highly dynamic information and communication technology (ICT) industry characterized by the entrance of new players to the networking business and new opportunities for telecoms companies. The approach to year 2020 will play host to the emergence of new business models capitalizing on the transformative effects of softwarization and the associated convergence of open-source and telecoms communities…

.
Partners launch action plan to close digital gender gap
Women’s participation in digital society integral to achieving Agenda 2030
New York, 15 December 2015 – An ‘Action Plan to Close the Digital Gender Gap’ was launched today at a side event on “Women’s Empowerment in the Digital Age” during the High-Level Meeting of the World Summit of the Information Society currently taking place in New York (WSIS+10). It was co-organized by ITU and the governments of Costa Rica, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia and the United States, together with UN Women, Microsoft, Mozilla and the Association for Progressive Communication.

The Action Plan sets out a framework for critical actions to foster and accelerate inclusive and sustainable development by closing the digital gender gap and harness the transformative potential of ICTs for women’s empowerment. Women’s equal and meaningful participation in the digital society is seen as both integral to the realization of women’s rights in the 21st century, as well as the realization of a just, inclusive and rights-based information society aimed at achieving global objectives around gender equality and women’s empowerment by 2030…

.
Top UN Board supports ongoing implementation of World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process
Role of ICTs seen as critical in achieving sustainable development goals
New York, 15 December 2015 – The United Nations Chief Executives Board (CEB), comprising of heads of UN agencies, today issued its resounding support for the WSIS process. In particular, they endorsed the pivotal role of ICTs in driving progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In a joint statement to the United Nations General Assembly on the overall review of the implementation of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+10), the CEB drew a direct relationship between the WSIS process and the “momentous” adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It reaffirmed the important role of information and communication technologies (ICT) as a critical enabler for advancing the globally agreed development goals…

WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization [to 19 December 2015]

WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization [to 19 December 2015]
http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/

.
Global Patent Filings Rise in 2014 for Fifth Straight Year; China Driving Growth
Innovators filed some 2.7 million patent applications to mark another worldwide annual rise in 2014, as application activity in China outstripped the combined total in its next-closest followers, the United States and Japan.
Dec 14, 2015 PR/2015/786

US Department of State [to 19 December 2015]

US Department of State [to 19 December 2015]
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/index.htm
Selected Announcements

.
12/18/15
International Migrants Day; Secretary of State John Kerry; Washington, DC

12/18/15
Remarks at the United Nations Security Council Meeting on Syria; Secretary of State John Kerry; New York, NY

12/16/15
U.S. Department of State Partners With International Council of Museums To Fight Illicit Traffic of Libyan Cultural Heritage; Office of the Spokesperson; Washington, DC

USAID [to 19 December 2015]

USAID [to 19 December 2015]
http://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases

.
United States Announces $88 Million in Humanitarian Aid for Ethiopia
December 18, 2015
New aid will address the humanitarian crisis and the impact of El Niño
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced an additional $88 million in humanitarian assistance for Ethiopia today to address the humanitarian crisis resulting from the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon. The additional aid brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance for Ethiopia to more than $435 million since the start of fiscal year 2015 and increases funding for nutrition, water, food, sanitation, and hygiene support.

.
USAID Awards $5 Million to Off Grid Electric
December 17, 2015
Funding Will Help Start-Up Reach One Million Homes in Tanzania
The U.S. Agency for International Development’s U.S. Global Development Lab today announced $5 million in follow-on funding to Off Grid Electric. The award, funded through the Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) program, will allow Off Grid Electric to test its model at scale and catalyze additional investments to reach more than one million households.

.
The U.S. Announces $173 Million in Additional Emergency Food Assistance for South Sudan
December 15, 2015
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing an additional $173 million in lifesaving emergency food assistance for those suffering from hunger as a result of the conflict that broke out in South Sudan two years ago.

DFID [to 19 December 2015]

DFID [to 19 December 2015]
https://www.gov.uk/government/announcements

.
PM: Government has met commitment to resettle 1,000 refugees by Christmas
16 December 2015 DFID and Number 10 Press release

“80% of people with disabilities live in developing countries. And the barriers that people face aren’t just physical”
15 December 2015 DFID Speech

“By working together will we be able to ensure that we leave no one behind”
15 December 2015 DFID Speech

Integrating East Africa: progress, challenges and future prospects.
15 December 2015 DFID and FCO Speech

ECHO [to 19 December 2015]

ECHO [to 19 December 2015]
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/en/news

.
EU provides €5 million in humanitarian aid for the Burundian crisis
17/12/2015
The European Commission has today released €5 million in new humanitarian assistance to help the increasing number of Burundians affected by the ongoing instability in the country.

.
Commission adopts record humanitarian budget amid increasing global needs
16/12/2015
The European Commission has adopted its humanitarian aid budget for 2016. With nearly €1.1 billion as an initial allocation, it is the highest budget for life-saving relief in man-made and natural disasters to date.

The African Development Bank Group [to 19 December 2015]

The African Development Bank Group [to 19 December 2015]
http://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives, recognizing that a number of country-level announcements are added each week]

.
Egypt, the new chair of the ADEA steering committee and STC-EST bureau for the next 2 years
18/12/2015 – Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Ashraf El-Shihy, has been elected, Chair of the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Steering Committee (SC). He replaces the former Chairperson, Cameroon’s Minister of Education Alim Youssouf Hadidja.

.
AfDB approves regional hydropower PPP to increase electricity supply and integration in Burundi, DRC, Rwanda
18/12/2015 – The African Development Bank Group approved today USD 138 million of loans and grants toward a project which will help develop the energy sector in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda through the construction of the Ruzizi III Hydropower Plant and associated transmission line. The project is expected to increase electricity trading between the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (ECGLC) through the supply of reliable and sustainable clean energy.

.
The African Development Fund Board injects USD 21 million to finance Mozambique’s economic governance and inclusive growth program Phase II
18/12/2015 – The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund (ADF) on 15th December 2015 approved a grant worth USD 21 million to finance Mozambique’s Economic Governance and Inclusive Growth Program Phase II (EGIGP).

.
AfDB invests in Women-owned SMEs in Africa through Alitheia Identity Fund (AIF)
18/12/2015 – The Bank Group’s (AfDB) Board of Directors, met on December 17, 2015 in Abidjan, and approved USD 12.5 million equity investment in Alitheia Identity Fund (AIF or the Fund).

.
Inaugural conference discusses the role of research in transforming Africa’s agriculture
17/12/2015 – The African Development Bank (AfDB) with its partners held an inaugural two-day conference to discuss the continent’s agricultural potential and how to address constraints that continue to hamper the sector’s performance.

.
AfDB, Egypt ink US $500-million loan agreement to support the country’s ongoing reforms
17/12/2015 – The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Egypt have signed on Thursday, December 17 a loan agreement of US $500 million aimed at supporting the Government’s ongoing bold economic reform program and sustaining strong economic growth.

.
COP21: AfDB joins Inclusive Green Growth Partnership to accelerate financing of green growth projects
17/12/2015 – The African Development Bank announced on Thursday, December 17 that it has joined the Inclusive Green Growth Partnership, a new collaboration between the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), multilateral development banks and United Nations agencies to address policy barriers and promote social inclusion at the country level to accelerate financing for green growth projects. The Partnership was launched during the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris (COP21).

.
Egypt: AfDB Board approves 2015/16-2019/20 Country Strategy Paper and US $500-million loan for Economic Governance and Energy Support Program
17/12/2015 – The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) approved on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 in Abidjan the Country Strategy Paper (CSP) of the Arab Republic of Egypt for 2015/16-2019/20. The Board also approved a US $500 million loan entitled the Economic Governance and Energy Support Program (EGESP).

.
“Violence against women and girls harms the development of Africa”: AfDB concludes 16 days of activism
17/12/2015 – The Office of the Special Envoy on Gender of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) concluded its campaign to mark 16 days of activism in solidarity with the UN’s UNiTE “Orange the World: End all Violence against Women and Girls”. From November 25 to December 10, the AfDB ran a sensitization campaign at its headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and across its 35 field offices in Africa.

Asian Development Bank [to 19 December 2015]

Asian Development Bank [to 19 December 2015]
http://www.adb.org/news

.
16 Dec 2015 | News Release
ADB Approves Reforms Package to Speed Loan Delivery, Enhance Operational Efficiency

15 Dec 2015 | News Release
TAPI Shareholders Agreement Signed at Groundbreaking Ceremony
MARY, TURKMENISTAN – The shareholders of TAPI Pipeline Company Limited have signed the Shareholders Agreement at a groundbreaking ceremony here to commemorate the beginning of construction of the Turkmen portion of the planned 1,800 km Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) natural gas pipeline project.

14 Dec 2015 | News Release
Statement by ADB President Takehiko Nakao Following the Conclusion of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change COP21 Meeting in Paris

European Union [to 19 December 2015]

European Union [to 19 December 2015]
http://europa.eu/rapid/search-result.htm?query=18&locale=en&page=1
[We generally limit coverage to regional and global level initiatives]

.
Joint Statement on the International Migrants’ Day
Date: 18/12/2015
European Commission – Statement Brussels, 18 December 2015 Today the European Union recognises the 232 million international migrants worldwide. More people than at any other time have left their homes, either to seek refuge and safety from war and persecution or to escape poverty and find secure livelihoods elsewhere.

EU provides €5 million in humanitarian aid for the Burundian crisis
Date: 17/12/2015
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 17 December 2015 Over 220 000 people are now estimated to have fled the country. The European Commission has today released €5 million in new humanitarian assistance to help the increasing number of Burundians affected by the ongoing instability in the country.

State of Play: Measures to Address the Refugee Crisis
Date: 17/12/2015
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 17 December 2015 State of Play: Measures to Address the Refugee Crisis Updated on 17 December The European Agenda on Migration adopted by the Commission in May 2015 set out the need for a comprehensive approach to migration management.

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) [to 19 December 2015]

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) [to 19 December 2015]
http://www.oic-oci.org/oicv2/news/

.
OIC Welcomes the Unveiling of an Islamic Alliance to Combat Terrorism
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has assured its support for all international and regional efforts aimed at combating terrorism, and renewed its solidarity with all initiatives aimed at achieving security and peace in the Member States and the entire world to serve the interests of the people and to support stability…

…Madani pointed out that the increase in terrorist crimes confers upon Member States a historic responsibility and makes it imperative to intensify joint action to deal with this phenomenon in all its dimensions.

In this regard, Madani welcomed the announcement of an Islamic Coalition to combat terrorism which brings together several OIC Member States. He underscored the unwavering position of the OIC that terrorism has no religion or identity, and must take into account, in addition to security and military considerations, the political, social and economic contexts that provide favorable conditions for the spread of terrorism and violent extremism such as economic deprivation, exclusion, devastation, marginalization, forced disintegration of political, legal, social and cultural institutions. It is also important to examine the underlying reasons behind sectarian violence and attempts to politicize denominational differences and to focus on sectarian affiliation as a core identity, as well as the infiltration by third parties into terrorist and extremist groups in order to serve their own political agendas, he added.
15/12/2015

UNCTAD [to 19 December 2015]

UNCTAD [to 19 December 2015]
http://unctad.org/en/Pages/AllPressRelease.aspx

.
17 Dec 2015 – Business potential of smallholder farmers must be unleashed for sustainable development, report says

17 Dec 2015 – Technology is key driver of development, United Nations General Assembly hears at high-level meeting

16 Dec 2015 – African countries export just 0.3 per cent of world’s high-tech products

15 Dec 2015 – Expanded list of duty-free technology products to boost international trade and development, research reveals