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- Former official urges UN to fund green economies
A former UN climate chief says that the international body needs to spend some of the money generated by the sales of carbon allowances to help developing countries build sustainable economies. "What I'm thinking of is a body ... that actually delivers assistance on green growth," said Yvo de Boer. Bloomberg (12/9)       - Postelection riots hamper cholera treatment in Haiti
Valerie Amos, the UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, said Thursday in an interview that the ongoing riots in Haiti over disputed election results for president are complicating efforts to treat the tens of thousands of people stricken with cholera. "We don't want people to die from this, they don't need to," she said. AlertNet (12/9) , BBC (12/10) - WHO endorses new tuberculosis test
The World Health Organization has backed broad use of a new tuberculosis test that cuts diagnosis time from three months to 100 minutes, and backers say will save millions of lives. Tuberculosis killed 1.7 million people in 2009. IRINNews.org (12/9) - Scientists eye hardy, wild seeds for food security
Conservationists and scientists have joined forces in a bid to identify wild relatives of the world's 23 most-utilized food crop species and secure long-term food security. Participants hope to use digital mapping technology to create a cache of climate-change-resistant seeds that can replace current standard crops if necessary. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (12/10) - Much of Pakistan is still underwater after floods
More than four months after monsoons triggered mass flooding in Pakistan, relief agencies continue to struggle to reach villages still underwater. Millions of people remain displaced and in need of basic aid supplies. TIME (12/9) - Negotiators scramble for Cancun agreement
As the Cancun climate summit draws to a close, Russian representatives struck a note of defiance, saying they would not sign on to a renewed Kyoto Treaty commitment, and attendees remain locked in fierce negotiations over the question of binding greenhouse-gas emission cuts. Major developing countries China and India are refusing to agree to binding cuts and want to see developed countries recommit to Kyoto Treaty benchmarks. The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) (12/11) , The Guardian (London) (12/10) - UN: Afghan females face widespread abuse
Forced marriages, honor killings and severe restrictions on movement are just some of the challenges Afghan society continues to place on its women, the United Nations warns in a report. Although the government has recently passed legislation to better protect Afghan women and girls, there is little will or enforcement, the report notes. The Guardian (London) (12/9) - North Korea said to help Myanmar build nuclear weapon
North Korean workers are helping Myanmar build an underground bunker that is potentially intended to protect a site dedicated to the construction of nuclear weapons, according to secret U.S. cables that have been released by WikiLeaks. Moreover, dockworkers and foreign businessmen are reported to have seen evidence of alleged nuclear sites. BBC (12/9) - Former European leaders seek Palestinian state, Israel sanctions
More than two dozen former European leaders are pursuing sanctions against Israel in response to the country's unwillingness to stop construction of new settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. In a letter, the group supports a decision by South American governments to recognize a Palestinian state, as well as call for an end to the Israeli occupation. Ha'aretz (Tel Aviv, Israel) (12/10)
- What are your plans for donating to charitable organizations this holiday season?
| I've already donated |  48.76% | | I'm planning on donating |  33.92% | | I'm not going to donate this season |  11.66% | | I might donate if I find a worthy cause |  5.65% |  | - Your World, Your Future: Voices of a New Generation
As part of its December Presidency of the UN Security Council, the United States will host an innovative event to bring the voices of youth directly to the Council. Young people, representing nearly 50% of the world's population, have a major stake in the key decisions on global peace and security made every day at the Security Council. It is time for their voices to be heard. On Dec. 21, the United States will chair an important Security Council Event titled "Your World, Your Future: Voices of a New Generation" that will bring the 15 members of the Council together to debate three top ideas submitted by young people.From now until Dec. 14, the U.S. Mission to the UN will be accepting submissions for consideration. The question being asked is: "What is the most vital challenge to international peace and security facing your generation? Tell the UN Security Council what issue you believe deserves more attention, and explain why it is important." Anyone 21 or under from anywhere in the world can submit their answer to that question in a one minute video, or in written form, in 250 words or less. Complete instructions as well as terms and conditions of participation are available at www.usun.state.gov/youth. Please write to us at youth@state.gov with any questions. |
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| | | 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: - Thursday, December 09, 2010
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| | | Lead Editor: Adam Mazmanian
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