UN-HABITAT United Nations Human Settlements Programme [to 5 December 2015]
http://unhabitat.org/media-centre/news/
[Selected Announcements]

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Guiding Principles for Climate City Planning Action
Posted December 4, 2015

Africities 2015 kicks off with urbanisation taking centre stage
Johannesburg 01 December 2015—The Africities 2015 kicked off in Johannesburg on Sunday with urbanisation taking the centre stage. In his official opening speech, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation gave UN-Habitat a vote…
Posted December 1, 2015

UN-Habitat and UNAIDS present new report at Africities
Johannesburg, 30 November 2015—Cities have a primary role to play to Fast-Track the end of the AIDS epidemic by 2030 says report by UN-Habitat and UNAIDS.
Posted November 30, 2015

FAO Food & Agriculture Organization [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.fao.org/news/archive/news-by-date/2015/en/
Selected Announcements

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New knowledge-sharing initiative to measure and reduce food loss and waste
FAO, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the CGIAR research program on Policies, Institutions and Markets (PIM) today launched a new initiative to enhance global cooperation on measuring and reducing food loss and waste.
4-12-2015

Soils are endangered, but the degradation can be rolled back
The Status of the World’s Soil Resources produced by FAO’s Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils brings together the work of some 200 soil scientists from 60 countries. Its publication coincides with World Soil Day which is celebrated on 4 December and also the end of the UN International Year of Soils 2015 an initiative which has served to raise global awareness on what has been described as “humanity’s silent ally”.
4-12-2015

Council highlights climate change and SDGs for FAO’s work in 2016-17
FAO’s executive council today closed its 151st session today, welcoming the Organization’s budgetary focus and renewed emphases on themes such as climate change and nutrition that cut across traditional disciplines and technical divisions. The Council, the equivalent of FAO’s board of directors, also welcomed FAO’s work with the Sustainable Development Goals approved at the United Nations this autumn.
4-12-2015

Food prices fall in November amid robust global inventories
Major food commodity prices fell in November, reversing about half of their rise in the previous month, as the cost of internationally-traded staples fell across the board except for sugar. The FAO Food Price Index averaged 156.7 points in November, down 1.6 percent from its revised October average and 18 percent below its value a year earlier.
3-12-2015

Google and FAO partner to make remote sensing data more efficient and accessible
Google and FAO have agreed to work closely together to make geospatial tracking and mapping products more accessible for countries. The three-year partnership between Google and FAO is designed to foster technological innovation and expertise and enhance capacity building efforts by working to make applications of digital tools easier to use and apply.
1-12-2015

IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.ifad.org/media/press/index.htm

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Top media fail to connect climate change, migration and food security, says new report
Paris, 4 December 2015 – Top news media are failing to identify climate change as a contributor to some of the world’s biggest crises, including migration, food insecurity and conflict, says a new research report funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and presented at the 21st UNCCD Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris today.

“The media, whether local or global, are among the world’s most influential institutions and how they shape the climate change narrative remains vitally important,” said IFAD President, Kanayo F. Nwanze, about why his organization sponsored the research. “If the world becomes aware of how climate change threatens our food security or why it is a catalyst for migration and conflict, then we can expect better support for policies and investments that can pre-empt future crises.”

The report, “Food, Migration and Climate Change: The Untold Story,” was prepared by Sam Dubberley, a journalist and Director of Kishnish Media Ltd. The research was conducted in September and includes an analysis of eight popular and highly influential news outlets in the United Kingdom and France, including the BBC, Channel 4, TF1, The Guardian, Daily Mail, Le Monde, Libération and France 2…

WMO World Meteorological Organization [to 5 December 2015]
https://www.wmo.int/media/?q=news

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Climate Risk Early Warning Systems initiative launched at COP21
2 December 2015
The governments of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg and The Netherlands have agreed to give more than US$80 million to equip up to 80 countries with better climate risk early warning systems.
Countries from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and, more broadly, nations in Africa will be the first to be supported from the so-called Climate Risk Early Warning Systems (CREWS). They are on the frontline of the most dramatic consequences of climate change and the least equipped with efficient early warning systems.

UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.unido.org/en/news-centre/news.html

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Technology can deliver inclusive and sustainable industrial development: Industrial Development Report 2016
VIENNA, 2 December 2015 – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) today launched its flagship publication, the Industrial Development Report (IDR) 2016…

New open data platform adds further transparency to UNIDO’s inclusive and sustainable industrialization work
VIENNA, 2 December 2015 – A new platform launched this week by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as part of its transparency initiative provides details on all ongoing programmes and projects.

UNIDO forum focuses on partnerships as a way to move Sustainable Development Goal 9 into action
VIENNA, 1 December 2015 – The fourth Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development Forum that ended today in Vienna focused on ways the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) can contribute to advancing…

UNIDO and the EU launch new report on joint cooperation
VIENNA, 30 November 2015 – A new report on the cooperation between the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the European Union (EU) from 2005 to 2015 was today launched in Vienna.

Inclusive and sustainable industrialization key driver of Agenda 2030, say participants at UNIDO General Conference
VIENNA, 30 November 2015 – Inclusive and sustainable industrial development lies at the core of UNIDO’s mandate, it is one of the main drivers for sustainable development and will be crucial for achieving the 2030 Agenda…

ITU International Telecommunications Union [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/index.aspx?lang=en#.VF8FYcl4WF8

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ITU statistics symposium underlines enormous untapped potential of ICTs to improve socio-economic development
Global statistics experts focus on power of big data, ICT innovation and the emerging ‘Internet of Things’
Hiroshima, 3 December 2015 – More than 600 participants from 88 countries, including Deputy Prime Ministers, government ministers, vice-ministers, Directors-General and leaders from business, academia and United Nations agencies met in Hiroshima, Japan, from 30 November to 2 December to attend ITU’s World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Symposium (WTIS-15).

The event opened with a special ceremony commemorating ITU’s 150th anniversary, followed by a Ministerial Roundtable focusing on ICT as a driver of sustainable development, and a Leaders Dialogue on the topic of future ICT trends, policies and measurement challenges.

Participants addressed a wide range of topical issues including big data, progress in measuring the socio-economic impact of ICTs, ICT statistics and the Sustainable Development Goals’ monitoring framework, strategies to measure ICT innovation, and the use of data generated by the Internet of Things to drive ICT development…

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ITU supports Zimbabwe to deliver health care services through ICTs
Geneva, 1 December 2015 – The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) signed a cooperation agreement on 25 November for the extension of telemedicine services to rural and remote clinics and hospitals in Zimbabwe.
Through this new project, the Ministry of ICTs Postal and Courier Services of Zimbabwe will receive assistance from ITU in the development of e-health sector policies and regulations. The overall objective of the project is to use ICTs to improve delivery and provision of quality, cost effective, affordable and accessible health services, particularly to remote and disadvantaged areas…

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ITU releases annual global ICT data and ICT Development Index country rankings
Korea ranks in first place in global ICT Development Index (IDI)
Geneva, 30 November 2015 – ITU’s flagship annual Measuring the Information Society Report, released today, reveals that 3.2 billion people are now online, representing 43.4% of the global population, while mobile-cellular subscriptions have reached almost 7.1 billion worldwide, with over 95% of the global population now covered by a mobile-cellular signal.

The report also notes that all 167 economies included in the ITU’s ICT Development Index (IDI) improved their IDI values between 2010 and 2015 – meaning that levels of information and communication technology (ICT) access, use and skills continue to improve all around the world.

The Measuring the Information Society Report is widely recognized as the repository of the world’s most reliable and impartial global data and analysis on the state of global ICT development, and is extensively relied upon by governments, international organizations, development banks and private sector analysts worldwide.

“ICTs will be essential in meeting each and every one of the 17 newly-agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao, “and this report plays an important role in the SDG process. Without measurement and reporting, we cannot track the progress being made, and this is why ITU gathers data and publishes this important report each year.”…
:: ICT Development Index [interactive site]
:: Pdf Full Report http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/publications/mis2015.aspx

US Department of State [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/index.htm
Selected Announcements

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-12/04/15 U.S. Pledges Additional Humanitarian Assistance for Refugees and Migrants in Europe; Office of the Spokesperson; Washington, DC
The United States today announced a contribution of nearly $24 million in new humanitarian assistance from the United States to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that will help the UN organization to assist refugees and migrants throughout Europe who now face the onset of winter, especially those in Greece, the Balkans, and other parts of Europe. UNHCR’s critical assistance includes providing food, water, and temporary shelter, as well as establishing areas to screen and process arriving refugees and migrants who may need assistance or legal protection.

12/01/15 Cultural Heritage Risk Reduction Program for Libya; Office of the Spokesperson; Washington, DC
As part of its ongoing efforts to help Libya preserve its cultural heritage, the U.S. Department of State sponsored a workshop for Libyan museum professionals, November 29–December 1, in support of Libya’s national inventory of museum objects. The workshop was held in Tunis and was organized by Oberlin College with the participation of the Tunisian Institut National du Patrimoine (National Heritage Institute).
This workshop was the first of five sessions being organized to address critical cultural preservation and protection needs in Libya. Future sessions will cover the looting and illicit trafficking of cultural objects, advanced archaeological site documentation methods, and community engagement in the protection of Libyan cultural heritage…

11/30/15 Joint Statement on Donors’ Pledge of $248M USD to Least Developed Countries Fund to Support Climate Change Adaptation; Office of the Spokesperson; Washington, DC

USAID [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases

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Statement by Acting Administrator Lenhardt on the Confirmation of USAID Administrator Gayle E. Smith
November 30, 2015
Today, the United States Senate confirmed Gayle E. Smith to be the seventeenth Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Gayle’s confirmation comes at a unique time when we have the tools, technologies and approaches to end extreme poverty and its most devastating corollaries, widespread hunger and preventable child and maternal deaths.

DFID [to 5 December 2015]
https://www.gov.uk/government/latest?departments%5B%5D=department-for-international-development
Selected Announcements
Iraq crisis: UK humanitarian response factsheet
Updated 4 December 2015 Promotional material DFID

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: New Disability Framework
Published 3 December 2015 Speech DFID

DFID Disability Framework 2015
Published 3 December 2015 Policy paper DFID

Three more countries pledge to join Africa’s solar revolution
Published 2 December 2015 Press release DFID

ECHO [to 5 December 2015]
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/en/news

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EU supports earthquake affected population in Kyrgyzstan
04/12/2015
The EU is providing €75 810 in humanitarian funding to the Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan to assist families, who have been affected by the earthquake of 17 November in Osh province, Kyrgyzstan.

EU mobilises €125 million for countries affected by ‘El Niño’
02/12/2015
The EU is today announcing a contribution of €125 million to finance emergency actions in countries affected by the extreme weather phenomenon ‘El Niño’ in Africa, Caribbean, Central and South America.

Mapping disaster risk: INFORM releases 2016 results
02/12/2015
Understanding why and where humanitarian crises and disasters are likely to occur is a fundamental step in saving lives. The European Commission supports and utilises INFORM, a global open-source risk assessment tool.

€200 million humanitarian package for Syria crisis and Iraq delivered by European Commission
01/12/2015
The European Commission has successfully delivered the €200 million humanitarian package for the Syria crisis and Iraq, which was announced in September this year by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker.”

African Union [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.au.int/en/
[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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Dec.04.2015
Africa and China Leaders meet to Advance their Strategic Partnership

Dec.04.2015 to Dec.05.2015
Second Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, The Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa

Dec.03.2015
Member States review catalytic framework to end AIDS, TB and malaria by 2030

Dec.02.2015 | Press Releases
Global Heads of State and Government Summit on the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and Sahel Initiative (GGSSI) and Lake Chad Basin

Dec.01.2015 | Press Releases
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission congratulates Burkina Faso for the holding of peaceful presidential and general elections

Nov.30.2015 to Dec.01.2015
Meeting of the Task Force for the Establishment of the African Volunteer Health Corps (AVoHC)

The African Development Bank Group [to 5 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]

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ADF12 & 13: Is the AfDB delivering on its commitments?
04/12/2015 – The African Development Bank (AfDB) delivers on its commitments; produces important documents, tools, and structures; and launches initiatives, but attention needs to focus also on full implementation according to three new evaluations from Independent Development Evaluation (IDEV).

New adaptation support for Global Environment Facility a welcome infusion for Africa, says AfDB
03/12/2015 – The African Development Bank (AfDB) welcomes the new infusion of US $248 million for the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which was announced Monday at the global climate summit in Paris. The new money, pledged by 11 donor countries (Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States of America) in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting, opens the door for new critical support for adaptation in the world’s most vulnerable countries, including a majority of African countries.

Multilateral Development Banks Join Forces to Ramp up Climate Action in Transport
03/12/2015 – Eight multilateral development banks today issued a joint statement, committing to accelerate their efforts to mitigate transport emissions and recognizing the need for more action on the resilience of transport to climate change. The sector accounts for about 60% of global oil consumption, 27% of all energy use, and 23% of world energy-related CO2 emissions.

AfDB to support electricity access for all by 2030 with African Renewable Energy Initiative
02/12/2015 – Africa has launched an ambitious Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) as the continent’s major contribution to Conference of Parties (COP21) taking place in Paris, France.

Development banks vow to mobilize collective resources to confront climate change
01/12/2015 – The heads of the world’s largest development banks have pledged to work together to substantially increase climate investments and ensure that development programs going forward consider climate risks and opportunities.

Multilateral Development Banks pledge increased funding to tackle climate change
01/12/2015 – Multilateral development banks (MDBs) identified climate financing for development action as a crucial step in putting the world on the pathway for sustainable development at the 21st Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris on Monday.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.aiib.org/html/NEWS/

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Mr. Nhlanhla Nene, Minister of Finance of South Africa signed the Articles of Agreement of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
AIIB News 2015-12-04
Mr. Nhlanhla Nene signed the Articles of Agreement of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on December 3, 2015 in Johannesburg. South Africa is the 55th signatory of the Articles.

European Union [to 5 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]

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Refugee Crisis: Greece activates EU Civil protection mechanism, agrees Frontex operation at border with former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and triggers RABIT mechanism
Date: 03/12/2015
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 3 December 2015 Greece has today taken three actions to address the refugee crisis, activating EU mechanisms designed to assist in crisis situations. Greece has today activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to benefit from material support to help cope with the influx of…

EU Internet Forum: Bringing together governments, Europol and technology companies to counter terrorist content and hate speech online
Date: 03/12/2015
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 3 December 2015 EU Internet Forum: Bringing together governments, Europol and technology companies to counter terrorist content and hate speech online

State of Play: Measures to Address the Refugee Crisis
Date: 03/12/2015
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 3 December 2015 State of Play: Measures to Address the Refugee Crisis Updated on 3 December The European Agenda on Migration adopted by the Commission in May 2015 set out the need for a comprehensive approach to migration management.

European Agenda on Security: Commission takes action to combat terrorism and illegal trafficking of firearms and explosives
Date: 02/12/2015
Commission – Press release European Brussels, 2 December 2015 European Agenda on Security: Commission takes action to combat terrorism and illegal trafficking of firearms and explosives The European Commission adopted today a package of measures to step up the fight against terrorism and the illegal trafficking of firearms and explosives.

Syrian refugee crisis: EU Trust Fund launches single biggest EU response package ever for €350 million, helping up to 1.5 million refugees and their host communities in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Iraq
Date: 01/12/2015
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 1 December 2015 Today’s € 350 million aid package under the EU Trust Fund is the single biggest EU measure in response to the Syrian refugee crisis to date.

OECD [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.oecd.org/newsroom/publicationsdocuments/bydate/
[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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Statement by OECD-IEA-ITF-NEA for COP21
The world looks to the Paris Conference of the Parties to deliver a new climate agreement that transforms our development pathway. Success at COP21 can drive and accelerate the transition to a cleaner, healthier and more secure future, locking-in sustainable economic growth and development.
2-December-2015

Further reforms needed to tackle growing risk of pensioner poverty
Recent reforms have made pension systems more financially sustainable and pensioners have higher living standards than ever before. But future generations are likely to find their pension entitlements much less generous than today’s and many may face a serious risk of pensioner poverty, according to a new OECD report.
1-December-2015

Expanding business start-up support for disadvantaged groups can tackle unemployment and social exclusion
Encouraging entrepreneurship among disadvantaged groups can help boost jobs and tackle social exclusion, according to a new joint report by the OECD and European Commission.
30-November-2015

Organization of American States (OAS) [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_releases.asp

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Message from the OAS Secretary General on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 3, 2015
Persons with disabilities represent 15 percent of the world´s population, but they face various kinds of discrimination on a daily basis in the spheres of work, health, education, political participation, access to justice, and physical and communicational accessibility, among other areas. This prevents their full and effective development on equal footing with the rest of society.

In the case of the 21 countries of the Americas that signed the Inter-American Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (CIADDIS), the moral obligation is added to their commitment to adopt the legislative, social, educational and work-related measures necessary to eliminate discrimination against persons with disabilities and promote their full integration into society.

At the OAS we work to ensure that all people have the same opportunities and the resources necessary to participate fully in the economic, social, political and cultural life of their community, and that is why the fight against exclusion is a priority within our hemispheric agenda…

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.oic-oci.org/oicv2/news/
Selected Press Releases

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First Expert Meeting of the OIC Network on Population and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born and Child Health
The First Expert Meeting of the OIC Network on Population and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born and Child Health (OIC MHNet) was held in Ankara, Turkey, on 2-4 December 2015…

…The meeting is participated by a group of interdisciplinary experts in this area from OIC region who engage in collective efforts to share information and knowledge in an endeavor to improve OIC MHNet…

The meeting is the first step in the establishment of the OIC Network, which will serve as a deposit of innovative ideas, problem solving and best practices as well as a platform for disseminating knowledge to OIC countries. Members of the Network engaged in joint activities and discussions, and disseminate and exchange innovative ideas, best practices and viable means of addressing challenges to improve the health of mothers and children in OIC member countries.
04/12/2015

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International coalition on vaccines approved as member of OIC health committee
An international coalition of partners committed to saving children’s lives and protecting people’s health by increasing access to immunization [Gavi] has been officially approved as a member of the OIC’s Steering Committee on Health…
01/12/2015

IMF [to 5 December 2015]
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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Press Release: IMF’s Executive Board Completes Review of SDR Basket, Includes Chinese Renminbi
November 30, 2015

World Bank [to 5 December 2015]
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 Statement of Support for ‘State of City Climate Finance’ report launched at COP21
PARIS, December 4, 2015 — The World Bank supports the ‘The State of City Climate Finance’ report launched today by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and international partners at the Climate Summit…
Date: December 4, 2015 Type: Press Release

Multilateral Development Banks Join Forces to Ramp up Climate Action in Transport
Paris, France, December 3, 2015 – Eight multilateral development banks today issued a joint statement, committing to accelerate their efforts to mitigate transport emissions and recognizing the need for…
Date: December 3, 2015 Type: Press Release

Joint Statement by the Multilateral Development Banks on Sustainable Transport and Climate Change
MDBs Join Forces to Ramp up Climate Action in Transport We, the group of eight multilateral development banks (MDBs),[1] commit to supporting countries implementing sustainable transport solutions. We…
Date: December 2, 2015 Type: Press Release

Remarks by World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim at the Announcement of the Transformative Carbon Asset Facility
I am delighted to join Prime Minister Solberg of Norway and other partners from Sweden, Germany and Switzerland today to announce the Transformative Carbon Asset Facility. Date: November 30, 2015 Type: Speeches and Transcripts

Remarks by World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim at the launch of the Africa Climate Business Plan
It is a pleasure for me to be part of this event with Prime Minister Neves of Cape Verde, Prime Minister Trovoada of Sao Tome and Principe, President Ali Bongo of Gabon, President Macky Sall of Senegal,…
Date: November 30, 2015 Type: Speeches and Transcript

New $500 million initiative to boost large scale climate action in developing countries
PARIS, Nov. 30, 2015 – Four European countries – Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland – today announced a new $500 million initiative that will find new ways to create incentives aimed at large scale…
Date: November 30, 2015 Type: Press Release

Leaders and CEOs Declare Support for Carbon Pricing to Transform Global Economy
PARIS, November 30, 2015– Six heads of state and government and the leaders of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund today called on companies and countries to follow up on their ambitions…
Date: November 30, 2015 Type: Press Release

IPU Inter-Parliamentary Union [to 5 December 2015]
http://www.ipu.org/english/news.htm

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Angola becomes IPU donor
3 DECEMBER 2015
IPU has welcomed a donation of 200,000 Swiss francs from the Angolan Parliament to support the Organization in its key areas of work as a sign of closer engagement between the two and of Angola’s growing participation on the international stage. Although one of the world’s least developed countries, Angola has seen significant economic growth since the end of nearly three decades of civil war. The funding, to cover one year in a two-year agreement, will primarily be used to work together on promoting gender equality and youth participation in parliament but also on maternal, newborn and child health and HIV/AIDS…

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MPs agree on plan to tackle statelessness
1 DECEMBER 2015
MPs from 40 national parliaments have agreed to push for more concerted efforts to address statelessness at the end of a global conference in South Africa. A problem which has a devastating impact on the lives of more than 10 million people globally, statelessness is an often under-reported and growing issue with one child born every 10 minutes without a nationality. MPs at the conference organized by IPU, the South African Parliament and the UN refugee agency UNHCR in Cape Town, agreed to work to resolve statelessness in their own countries through a wide range of measures. These included reviewing national legislation to ensure international standards on preventing and resolving statelessness were met, advocating reform of laws that discriminated on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion or gender, and the strengthening of parliamentary oversight of government policies on the issue. The MPs also agreed to work towards accession to the 1954 and 1961 Statelessness Conventions and called for more regional initiatives to end the phenomenon…