UNAIDS [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/

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UNAIDS Executive Director delivers his World AIDS Day 2015 message
19 November 2015 |

UNDP United Nations Development Programme [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter.html
Selected Press Releases

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New Grant to Support Human Rights in 10 African Countries
Nov 19, 2015
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Fund have signed a US$10.5 million grant to address human rights barriers faced by vulnerable communities in Africa, and facilitate access to lifesaving health care. The grant is the first of its kind and will cover 10 countries including Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, the Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Helen Clark: Statement to the Informal Meeting of the General Assembly on Ways to Advance a Comprehensive Response to the Global Humanitarian & Refugee Crisis
Nov 19, 2015 Trusteeship Council – United Nations, New York

Sierra Leone launches first mobile financial services guidelines.
Nov 19, 2015
The Central Bank, Bank of Sierra Leone, in partnership with the UN Development Programme and the United Nations Capital Development Fund, launches the country’s first mobile money regulations to accelerate the delivery of financial services to the poor, including women and youth.

Indigenous Peoples take steps to have a voice in COP21
Nov 18, 2015
In partnership with UNDP, Indigenous Peoples from Brazilian Amazon to Pacific Islands hold urgent high-level dialogues with national governments to limit climate change, and ensure rights in new global climate agreement. Their involvement is fundamental in view of new research that highlights the enormous potential of Indigenous People’s solutions to climate change.

G20 Leaders: Call to Action on Inclusive Business
Nov 17, 2015
Leaders at the G20 Leaders Summit in Antalaya, Turkey issued a call to action to public and private sector representatives, international organizations and civil society to advance the ability of businesses around the world to integrate low-income people into their value chains.

UNEP United Nations Environment Programme [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.unep.org/newscentre/?doctypeID=1
Selected Press Releases

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Biodegradable Plastics Are Not the Answer to Reducing Marine Litter, Says UN
Washington D.C., 17 November 2015 – Widespread adoption of products labelled ‘biodegradable’ will not significantly decrease the volume of plastic entering the ocean or the physical and chemical risks that plastics pose to marine environment, concluded a UN report released today.

The report, “Biodegradable Plastics and Marine Litter. Misconceptions, Concerns and Impacts on Marine Environments“, finds that complete biodegradation of plastics occurs in conditions that are rarely, if ever, met in marine environments, with some polymers requiring industrial composters and prolonged temperatures of above 50°C to disintegrate. evidence suggesting that labelling products as ‘biodegradable’ increases the public’s inclination to litter…

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Countries Commit to Tackling Multiple Threats to Migratory Waterbirds
New Action Plans for Seabirds, Eurasian Curlew, Grey Crowned Crane, Long-tailed Duck, Northern Bald Ibis, Shoebill and Taiga Bean Goose Adopted
16/11/2015 00:00:00

UNISDR UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.unisdr.org/archive
Selected Press Releases

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Understanding Risk Forum opens in Addis Ababa
18 Nov 2015
Delegates from over 30 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa along with development partners, academics and civil society are meeting at the launch of the Understanding Risk and Finance Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

UN DESA United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/news.html
Selected Press Releases

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Special UN event stresses key role of water management in tackling challenges of climate change
18 November 2015, New York
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hosted a meeting on the links between water management and disaster risk reduction today, stressing that floods, droughts and cyclones have caused more than $1 trillion in damages and affected over 4 billion people since 1990.

UNESCO [to 21 November 2015]
http://en.unesco.org/news
Selected Press Releases

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20.11.2015 – Communication & Information Sector
UNESCO endorses new approach to Internet issues
In a groundbreaking decision on UNESCO’s role in the digital age, on Tuesday, 17 November 2015 the Organization’s 195 Member States endorsed options for action on Internet-related issues, including embracing the concept of Internet Universality.
The General Conference resolution endorsed the options proposed in the study Keystones to foster inclusive Knowledge Societies – Access to information and knowledge, Freedom of Expression, Privacy and Ethics on a Global Internet

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20.11.2015 – Education Sector
Universal Children’s Day and the Education 2030 agenda
Today, 20 November, the World celebrates the Universal Children’s Day. The Convention, which is the most widely ratified international human rights treaty, sets out a number of children’s rights, including the right to education.

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UNESCO Executive Board elects Michael Worbs of Germany as new Chairman
20 November 2015

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The new global recommendation on museums and collections adopted!
17 November 2015
Today, the UNESCO General Conference adopted the text of a new standard-setting instrument on the Protection and Promotion of Museums and Collections, their Diversity and their Role in Society.
Member States have agreed on setting and implementing a set of global guidelines for the protection and promotion of museums and collections, which is to become the cornerstone of international museum policies. The adoption of this new recommendation reflects the international community’s strong commitment to assisting museums in fulfilling their roles in contemporary society to promote sustainable development and intercultural dialogue. They are one of the most prominent institutions for safeguarding heritage in its all forms, thus contributing to many of the Organization’s fundamental missions.

The elaboration of the Recommendation was supported by the financial contribution from Member States, namely Brazil, the Philippines, and the Czech Republic. It is worth recalling that the Zhi Zheng Art Museum in Shenzhen will partner with UNESCO to create a High-Level Forum on museums and to support the implementation and promotion of the Recommendation, as well as other museum-related activities.

For more information and related documents, please visit the dedicated webpage:
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/museums/recommendation-on-the-protection-and-promotion-of-museums-and-collections/

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World Leaders to mark UNESCO’s 70th Anniversary standing for human rights and against violent extremism
16 November 2015

UN-HABITAT United Nations Human Settlements Programme [to 21 November 2015]
http://unhabitat.org/media-centre/news/
[Selected Announcements]

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UN-Habitat holds a collaborative planning session on the future of Haiti suburb
Port-au-Prince, 19 November 2015 – UN-Habitat this week held the first of a series of charrettes – an intensive collaborative planning session involving citizens and other stakeholders – to discuss the current situation and the future vision…
Posted November 19, 2015

Botswana delegation attend slum upgrading orientation workshop in Nairobi
Nairobi, 18 November 2015— An orientation workshop was held last week at the United Nations Headquarters in Nairobi to train the Botswana Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP) country team on its various aspects. The workshop was well…
Posted November 18, 2015

FAO Food & Agriculture Organization [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.fao.org/news/archive/news-by-date/2015/en/
[Selected Announcements]

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Improved web tool for better estimates of forest biomass and carbon stocks
The latest version of the tree assessment tool, known as GlobAllomeTree, will allow countries worldwide to get a clearer picture of the biomass, carbon content and ecosystem services of trees and forests.
19-11-2015

On its 70th anniversary, FAO sets its eyes firmly on Zero Hunger
Ensuring better nutrition for all and transforming the world’s food systems to ensure their future sustainability represent the two greatest challenges facing FAO as it renews its mission to free the world from hunger and malnutrition, the UN agency’s Director-General, José Graziano da Silva, said today.
14-11-2015

ILO International Labour Organization [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.ilo.org/global/lang–en/index.htm

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Partnerships
ILO and IFRC to promote decent work opportunities in fragile and post-disaster settings
Agreement covers cooperation on livelihoods, procurement, SMEs, and cooperatives.
Press release | 20 November 2015
GENEVA (ILO News) – The ILO and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have signed a new partnership agreement aimed at promoting livelihoods and decent work opportunities for vulnerable groups in fragile and post-disaster settings.

Youth Employment
UN Chiefs endorse Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth
18 November 2015
UN Chief Executives Board endorses Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth, which ILO Director-General hails as exemplary system-wide effort for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

ILO Forced Labour Convention
Norway ratification clinches landmark ILO forced labour protocol
18 November 2015
Norway has ratified the 2014 Protocol to the 1930 ILO Forced Labour Convention, as part of a renewed global effort to eradicate modern slavery.

G20 Leaders’ Summit
ILO Director-General welcomes G20 breakthrough on tackling inequality, says focus should now be on implementation
16 November 2015
G20 Leaders adopt comprehensive agenda for achieving “strong, sustainable and balanced growth” to promote inclusiveness and reduce inequalities.

IMO International Maritime Organization [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/Home.aspx
Regional agreement on maritime piracy to broaden scope to other illicit maritime activity
13/11/2015
An international agreement that has been instrumental in repressing piracy and armed robbery against ships in the western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden is set to significantly broaden its scope.

Signatories to the Djibouti Code of Conduct have agreed to work towards extending its remit to address other illicit maritime activity that threatens safety and security in the region, such as marine terrorism, environmental crimes, human trafficking and Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

National focal points for the code, which was adopted under the auspices of the IMO in 2009, have adopted a resolution expressing concern at the increasing risks from transnational organized crimes at sea and other threats to maritime safety and security in the region. They agreed to encourage information sharing on all illicit activities at sea…

WMO World Meteorological Organization [to 21 November 2015]
https://www.wmo.int/media/?q=news

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Haiti’s new hydromet service takes shape
17 November 2015
The first stone of a new headquarters for Haiti’s national meteorological and hydrological service has been laid, as part of a WMO programme to improve weather and climate services and increase disaster resilience in the Caribbean nation.
Full construction of the building, which will be resistant to earthquakes and hurricanes, is scheduled to begin in early January 2016 and be finished by September.

El Niño Expected to Strengthen Further: High Impacts, Unprecedented Preparation
16 November 2015
A mature and strong El Niño event, which is contributing to extreme weather patterns, is expected to strengthen further by the end of the year, according to the latest Update from the World Meteorological Organization.
Peak three-month average surface water temperatures in the east-central tropical Pacific Ocean will exceed 2 degrees Celsius above normal, placing this El Niño event among the three strongest since 1950. (Strong previous El Niños were in 1972-73, 1982-83 and 1997-98).

UNWTO World Tourism Organization [to 21 November 2015]
http://media.unwto.org/news

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Media and tourism stakeholders gather in Tunisia to discuss how to enhance cooperation
More than 300 participants convened in Tunis for the 4th UNWTO International Conference on ‘Tourism and the Media’. The event, held in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts of Tunisia, counted with the support of CNN International.
17 November 2015

ITU International Telecommunications Union [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/index.aspx?lang=en#.VF8FYcl4WF8

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ITU World Radiocommunication Conference approves spectrum for automotive radar
Anti-collision mechanism to improve road safety
Geneva, 17 November 2015 – Radio-frequency spectrum needed for the operation of short-range high-resolution automotive radar has been allocated in the 79 GHz frequency band. This decision was reached at the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) currently meeting in Geneva from 2 to 27 November. The allocation of the 79 GHz frequency band provides a globally harmonized regulatory framework for automotive radar to prevent collisions, which will improve vehicular safety and reduce traffic accidents.
The allocation of the frequency band for automotive radar responds to the call by the United Nations General Assembly, which observes the third Sunday in November of each year as a “World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims”, which occurred on Sunday, 15 November. The allocation of spectrum by ITU will now facilitate the development of one of the most significant technologies in support of this global need…

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Japan to host leading ITU statistics symposium
Top international speakers and launch of annual global statistics on information and communication technology sector
Geneva, 16 November 2015 – Hiroshima is set to host the World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Symposium (WTIS), ITU’s annual statistical conference that will welcome government ministers and leading experts on economic development and ICT policy to discuss strategies to leverage information and communication technologies (ICTs) to drive socio-economic development.
Organized by ITU, the UN specialized agency for ICTs, the event is hosted by the Government of Japan and is expected to attract some 400 invited high-level dignitaries, global experts and analysts, including government ministers and deputy ministers…

US Department of State [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/index.htm
Selected Announcements

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11/19/15 Refugee Screening Process; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Simon Henshaw, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration; Washington, DC

-11/18/15 International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act; Secretary of State John Kerry; Washington, DC

11/17/15 Background Briefing on Refugee Screening and Admissions; Office of the Spokesperson; Via Teleconference

USAID [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases

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USAID and Partners Announce Winners of Agriculture Innovation Competition
November 20, 2015
Innovators that address global climate change, gender equity, and agriculture’s need for clean energy receive up to $2 million in funding and acceleration support
Today, Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development announced 13 new finalists for the development and expansion of game-changing, clean-energy technologies that will enable farmers and agribusinesses to increase food production and the value of agricultural goods, while bolstering low-carbon economic growth.

DFID [to 21 November 2015]
https://www.gov.uk/government/latest?departments%5B%5D=department-for-international-development
Selected Announcements

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Shapps: South Sudan facing worsening crisis and famine
Published 20 November 2015 Press release DFID

Syria Donors Conference 2016: Joint Announcement
Published 16 November 2015 Press release DFID, FCO and Number 10

ECHO [to 21 November 2015]
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/en/news

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Universal Children’s Day: Supporting child protection in humanitarian assistance
20/11/2015
Every day, thousands of children in situations of emergency are separated from their families and left alone without protection. They are also exposed to attacks, sexual exploitation, forced labour, abuse, forced early marriage and recruitment by armed groups, among other things. Many are deprived from their most basic needs, such as shelter, health care, food or access to education. Today, as we celebrate the Universal Children’s Day, the European Commission reinforces its commitment to the protection of children’s rights worldwide…

World Toilet Day 2015: Better sanitation and hygiene to fight malnutrition
19/11/2015
On World Toilet Day, the European Commission joins the global community in shedding the light on the importance of paying attention to sanitation issues.

African Union [to 21 November 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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Nov.20.2015
The First Lady of Kenya Calls for Joint Efforts to End Preventable Maternal and Child Deaths in Africa

Nov.20.2015 to Nov.21.2015
Commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Adoption of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

Nov.16.2015
African Union Commissioner urges Africa’s Infrastructure Advisory Group to identify new infrastructure projects up to 2030

Nov.16.2015
The African Union Commission and the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa sign an MOU to strengthen research cooperation

Nov.16.2015
Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Migration, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons convenes at the African Union Commission, Headquarters

The African Development Bank Group [to 21 November 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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AfDB Approves Ghana’s Public Financial Management and Private Sector Competitiveness Support Program
20/11/2015 – The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank on Wednesday, 18 November 2015 approved a US$ 56.2-million African Development Fund loan to support Ghana’s Public Financial Management and Private Sector Competitiveness Program. This general budget support operation is the first in a two-year programmatic series of US$ 100 million that will be implemented in 2015 and 2016.

Renewable energy could be “game changer” in Africa
19/11/2015 – Members of the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa (ICA) gave their full support this week to helping Africa achieve its target of 300GW of power from renewable energy by 2030, suggesting that it could be the ‘game changer’ that unlocks Africa’s energy potential and drives economic growth.

AfDB showcases Mali’s Community Led Total Sanitation on World Toilet Day
19/11/2015 – The African Development Bank is commemorating World Toilet Day on Thursday, 19 November at its headquarters in Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire with the key message that toilets are worth investing in.

AfDB Showcases Abidjan-Lagos road corridor as model of infrastructure driven regional integration
19/11/2015 – A key activity of the just concluded Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Week was a site visit to the Abidjan-Lagos corridor, where participants came face to face with the reality of integrating Africa through infrastructure.

AfDB Launches Ethiopia’s Development Effectiveness Review
19/11/2015 – The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) on Wednesday, 18 November 2015 launched Ethiopia’s Development Effectiveness Review (DER) which explores its contribution to the country’s development. The publication examines the progress Ethiopia has made on inclusive growth and explores some of the country’s challenges. It tracks the performance of the Bank’s portfolio against the goals and targets set out in the AfDB’s Results Measurement Framework.

World Toilet Day – AfDB mobilises support to end flying toilets and open defecation
19/11/2015 – The AfDB is commemorating World Toilet Day, on Thursday, 19 November with the release of encouraging results of a Community Led Total Sanitation program have just been released from its field office in Mozambique. In Uganda, there is strong will and AfDB support to end “flying toilets” locally called “kaveera”, the practice of defecating in a polythene bag and throwing it away.

AfDB approves a US $100-million Risk participation agreement for SMBCE, to address Africa’s critical market demand for trade finance
18/11/2015 – The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB), on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 in Abidjan, approved an unfunded US $100-million Risk Participation Agreement (RPA) for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Europe Limited (SMBCE) to support issuing banks in Africa expand their trade finance operations.

Governments called upon to do their part to attract private sector investment
18/11/2015 – The first ever first-ever Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) Week came to a close on November 17, 2015 with calls on African governments to play their role in ensuring policies and reforms are consistent in order to attract private sector investment to help bridge the infrastructure deficit.

ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.asean.org/news
[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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To Launch the ASEAN Community, Leaders Gather in Malaysia for the 27th ASEAN Summit
KUALA LUMPUR, 21 November 2015 – The Leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gather in the Malaysian capital this weekend for a landmark summit that will mark a new era for the region. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak of Malaysia, Chair of ASEAN for 2015, will preside over the 27th ASEAN Summit beginning today where he and his fellow ASEAN Heads of State/Government are expected to announce the launch of the ASEAN Community and ASEAN’s vision beyond 2015.

ASEAN Senior Executives Complete Intensive Course on Disaster Management
SINGAPORE, 20 November 2015 – The Senior Executive Programme on Leadership in Disaster Management was held on 16 – 20 November in Singapore. The course was designed to address the importance of effective leadership in disaster management at strategic and policy levels, focusing on preparedness and response phase of the disaster management cycle.

ASEAN Integration Report 2015
JAKARTA, 20 November 2015 – The ASEAN Integration Report (AIR) 2015 provides a comprehensive analysis of the progress and achievements, including evaluating the impact, of implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint since its adoption in 2007.

The ASEAN Economic Community 2015: Progress and Key Achievements
JAKARTA, 20 November 2015 – ASEAN released The ASEAN Economic Community 2015: Progress and Key Achievements publication, which serves as a quick reader-friendly reference on the AEC. It succinctly explains the origin of the AEC, what it means, where it is now and what kind of benefits it brings.