| |  | |  World AIDS Day efforts look to protect progress Dozens of landmarks in 13 countries including the Sydney Opera House and New York's Empire State Building turned red today to mark World AIDS Day at a time when infections rates in many countries are falling but a decrease in available funding threatens to derail progress. Advocates hope to raise awareness on testing and prevention, and put focus on the goal of ending mother-to-child transmission by 2015. Global infection rates have declined almost 20% according to the United Nations, but 33 million people are still living with HIV/AIDS. CNN (12/1) , The Washington Post/BlogPost (11/30) , USA TODAY/Kindness blog (12/1) , Reuters (12/1)
|  |  | On behalf of the millions of people needing urgent help and the hundreds of organizations that have come together to devise these plans, I appeal for $7.4 billion to help some of the most vulnerable people in the world survive the effects of disaster and conflict." United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Click here for the full story. |
|  | "And already the UNFCCC has some good news to report: 400 major companies including Coca-Cola, Pepsico, Unilever and Walmart have promised to not use hydrofluorocarbons, a potent greenhouse gas used as a refrigerant, in new equipment after 2015." UN Dispatch | |
- China said to oppose UN Security Council expansion
A secret cable released by WikiLeaks shows that China last year warned a senior U.S. diplomat against expanding the UN Security Council because it would considerably weaken the clout of its five permanent members. The Chinese public, moreover, would have difficulty accepting Japan -- the second largest contributor to the United Nations -- as a permanent member. ForeignPolicy.com/Turtle Bay blog (11/30)       - Pill lowers HIV infection risk by nearly half
 A new study shows that a pill has been effective in reducing HIV infections among men who engage in high-risk sexual activities. Over the course of the study, which involved 2,500 men in six countries, some 44 percent fewer infections were seen among men who took the pill. NPR.org (12/1) - Cash transfers are examined as a weapon against HIV/AIDS spread
Programs in Tanzania and Malawi to pay people to avoid engaging in risky sexual behavior have helped decrease infection rates and could be replicated on a broader scale to achieve HIV/AIDS reduction goals, the World Bank says. Supporters of the approach are examining different ways in which cash transfers could be used to target high risk groups, but critics worry the approach will distort other prevention efforts. The Guardian (London)/Poverty Matters blog (12/1) - EU trade deal could deny cheap drugs to world's poor
The European Union is seeking a trade agreement with India that would further protect the intellectual property rights and commercial interests of large European pharmaceuticals companies, and effectively prohibit Indian companies from producing registered copies of foreign drugs. Such a pact could lead to delays in generic versions of new drugs of 10 years for adults, and 15 years for children. The Independent (London) (12/1) - U.S. sets clear terms for Cancun summit
U.S. officials at the Cancun climate summit have adopted a firm stance on terms for any international deals to battle climate change, saying progress needs to be seen on a broad array of issues and that developing countries must agree to verifiable greenhouse-gas emission cuts. Observers fear the U.S. could walk out of the summit in protest if developing countries insist on placing focus primarily on climate finance, deforestation and technology transfers. The Guardian (London) (11/30) - "Building block" strategy is a way to tackle climate change
Agreements on incremental steps to progress the battle against climate change at the Cancun climate summit provides the best possible launching pad for a broader international treaty in the future, United Nations Foundation President Timothy Wirth and John Podesta, president of the Center for American Progress, write for the Huffington Post. A "building block" strategy of countries taking steps to advance cleaner energy economy and puts focus on focused issues such as block carbon is a cost-effective means to simultaneously cut greenhouse-gas emissions and build broader consensus for broader agreement on a long-term global plan. The Huffington Post (11/30) - Talks aim to define roles in reducing global warming
Negotiators at the UN climate talks in Mexico are trying to break the gridlock over agreement by extending the responsibility for cutting greenhouse gases to developing countries. Currently only wealthy countries must curb carbon emissions from 2008 to 2012. Reuters (11/30) - HRW: Violence against gays is rising in Senegal
Anti-gay violence is rising in Senegal and is likely to intensify ahead of presidential election in 2012, Human Rights Watch warns in a report. Gays are facing arbitrary arrests, lynchings and mob assaults in Senegal, where homosexuality remains a criminal offense, HRW said. Bloomberg (11/30) - Haiti calms as election process moves forward
Controversy over Sunday's elections in Haiti appears to be dying down, with incidents of violence less that was feared by some observers, and the process is on track for a possible runoff vote between top candidates in January, says Edmond Mulet, head of the United Nations Haiti mission. Candidates Michel Martelly and Mirlande Manigat have backtracked on their early opposition to the election, and say they want vote counting to continue. Reuters (11/30) - Leaks show difficult U.S.-Pakistan relations
The recent WikiLeaks releases show a deep concern on the part of U.S. officials about the safety of Pakistan's nuclear programs and strategic security goals related to al-Qaida and the Taliban. While Pakistani and U.S. diplomats have repeatedly issued assurance over the functionality of bilateral relations in the past decades, the leaked cables demonstrate frustrations and the complexity of the relationship. The New York Times (free registration) (11/30)
- World AIDS Day is Dec. 1. Which HIV/AIDS-fighting campaign are you most familiar with?
 | UNAIDS | | The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria | | AIDS Healthcare Foundation | | (RED) | | World AIDS Campaign |
- Let your voice be heard on World AIDS Day
United Nations Foundation CEO Kathy Calvin pointed to signs of hope in the treatment of people with AIDS and urged people to get involved. "This World AIDS Day, consider donating, becoming a supporter or telling your friends to get involved. Together, with your support, we can dramatically reduce deaths from AIDS," she said. Click here for the full statement via the United Nations Foundation. |
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