| |
- UN group lauds U.S. law on conflict minerals
U.S. legislation aimed at preventing the sales of minerals contributing to conflict and human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo is proving effective, the United Nations Group of Experts on Congo says. The group said conflict-free mining is increasing in at least two DR Congo provinces and the U.S. should issue additional requirements to build on the progress. The Christian Science Monitor (10/26)      - UN, pharma giants to share patented drug info
Major drugmakers such as Merck and GlaxoSmithKline are working with the United Nations' World Intellectual Property Agency to share patented drug information with developing countries at a low cost. The collaboration will focus on drugs and vaccines for 20 diseases including malaria, tuberculosis and tropical diseases. Google/Agence France-Presse (10/26) - U.S. is urged to keep up fight against trafficking
The U.S. remains a key player in the fight against human trafficking and a congressional proposal to cut funding would adversely affect the global battle to end the trade, write Matthew Friedman, regional project manager for the United Nations Inter-Agency on Human Trafficking. Between 12 million and 27 million people around the world are trapped in slavelike conditions as result of human trafficking. The Des Moines Register (Iowa) (10/26)  | - Ban Ki-moon talks sustainable development
 The challenges posed by world population growth to 7 billion by the end of this month, according to UN demographers, means that the UN will be making sustainable development its top priority over the next few years, says UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. "Climate change, food-security issues, energy shortages, water scarcities, disease, health issues and gender empowerment: All these are interconnected," Ban says. "We have to address these issues in an integrated way." Time.com (10/26) - Expert: Warming is affecting the U.S. water supply
The combined effects of climate change and population growth will increase freshwater supply challenges in the U.S. in the coming decades, warns a water expert from Arizona State University. Professor Robert Glennon advocates water reuse, improved agricultural usage and changes in the cost of water as ways to manage supply concerns. Reuters (10/26) - Ghana's women look to influence climate policy
Female attendees at a Ghanaian forum on climate justice say rural women need a greater voice in the planning and implementation of climate change policies, according to local news reports. Ghana is already experiencing prolonged droughts and faces the prospect of rising sea levels, coastal erosion and other severe weather events as the effects of climate change intensify. AlertNet (10/26)  | - The ethics of crisis mapping
The rapid development of geographic information services -- such as Google Maps and Google Earth -- add urgency to the need for coordination between the providers and many of the consumers of the information, among whom are governments, crisis responders and other international organizations. Matthew Levinger of the U.S. Institute for Peace notes the findings of the United Nations Foundation study on crisis mapping called Disaster Relief 2.0, and suggests some ethical questions posed by crowdsourced crisis mapping. The Institute for Technology and Social Change (10/26)  | - Council cancels Libya authorization
The United Nations Security Council canceled authorization for NATO operations in Libya today, despite a request from the country's new leadership to wait until they decide whether to request NATO help in securing Libyan borders. The Security Council move would end approval for a no-fly zone and military intervention to protect Libyan civilians, but will not affect sanctions put in place against the former Moammar Gadhafi regime. Reuters (10/27) - China steps back from media liberalization
Recent Chinese government crackdowns on TV entertainment programming and popular Twitter-like microblog platforms reveal a broader policy of reining in years-long liberalization in the nation's media. The motivations behind the new restrictions are unclear, but they may come in response to growing global protests or imminent changes in Chinese leadership. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (10/27) - What 7 billion means for Clean Cookstoves
The birth of the planet's 7 billionth person this month is a milestone that underscores the lifesaving mission of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves. About 3 billion people rely on coal or solid biomass such as wood, dung or charcoal to cook their food each day, and the Alliance is working to reduce the 2 million annual deaths from the smoke emitted by burning these fuels with rudimentary cookstoves and open fires. Click here to read the full release via the United Nations Foundation. - UNFPA's 7 Billion Actions
A world of 7 billion people poses many challenges -- and countless opportunities to make a positive difference. 7 Billion Actions, established by the United Nations Population Fund, inspires change that will make a difference by highlighting positive action by individuals and organizations around the world. Learn more.
|
 | Key Sites
| | |
This SmartBrief was created for eleccion@yahoogroups.com
| Advertise With Us | Amy DiElsi
Director for UN Foundation Communications
United Nations Foundation
1800 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
(D) 202-419-3230
(C) 202-492-3078
(F) 202-887-9021
www.unfoundation.org | | | | About UN WIRE | | UN Wire is a free service sponsored by the United Nations Foundation which is dedicated to supporting the United Nations' efforts to address the most pressing humanitarian, socioeconomic and environmental challenges facing the world today. |
| | | | | | | Recent UN Wire Issues: - Wednesday, October 26, 2011
- Tuesday, October 25, 2011
- Monday, October 24, 2011
- Friday, October 21, 2011
- Thursday, October 20, 2011
| | | Lead Editor: Adam Mazmanian
Contributing Editor: Juliette Terzieff
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005 | | | | | | © 1999-2011 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment