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- Rio+20 is just the first step, Calvin says
The Rio+20 conference is the first step toward solving the issues of sustainable development, even if the agreement drafted won't satisfy everyone, writes Kathy Calvin, CEO of the United Nations Foundation. Social media has been crucial in raising awareness outside of the event. "Thanks to a revolution in technology and social media, the conversation on sustainable development has gone global," Calvin writes. Diplomatic Courier online (6/21)      - Security Council weighs a new mission for Syria
The United Nations Security Council reportedly is poised to scrap its monitoring mission in Syria when the mandate expires July 21, replacing the 300 unarmed observers with a small political liaison office backed by a largely civilian staff. The aim of the new mission would be to facilitate a political settlement that would end the violence, which the Arab League said Russia was facilitating through arms shipments. ForeignPolicy.com/Turtle Bay blog (6/21), Reuters (6/21) - An alternative to GDP index is unveiled at Rio+20
An index that would measure sustainable development is being worked up by the United Nations Development Programme, and a framework was announced at the Rio+20 summit. "We need to focus on people and choices," said Khalid Malik, head of the agency's human development report office. "From a policy perspective, this implies that the right to current development is fundamental, but it must be achieved without reducing the choices available to future generations." The Guardian (London) (6/21) - Refugee numbers are unlikely to decline, UN official says
 António Guterres, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees, discusses the crises that have given rise to more than 40 million refugees and displaced people across the world. The problem -- brought to the fore Wednesday in commemoration of World Refugee Day -- is unlikely to diminish, Guterres said, as extreme weather patterns brought on by climate change continue to force millions from their homes. Newsweek (6/19) - Drop in malaria deaths is expected to continue
Deaths attributed to malaria have declined over the past decade, a trend that is forecast to continue in light of gains made through insecticide-treated bed nets, drugs and prospects for an experimental vaccine. Reuters (6/21) - Girl Up takes child-marriage message to ground
Hundreds of thousands of girls in the U.S. have galvanized to discourage child marriage in the developing world through Girl Up, the United Nations Foundation initiative that is establishing pilot projects in Ethiopia, Guatemala, Liberia and Malawi aimed at improving child rights. "Our [U.S.] girls are outraged because they know their counterparts in other countries share the same hopes and dreams but not the opportunities, and they don't think that's fair," said Gina Reiss-Wilchins, the program's director. MediaGlobal (6/20) - Arctic is at risk as melting threat looms
The steady retreat of glaciers, sea ice and permafrost in the Arctic -- where warming is occurring at rates two times higher than average -- is opening up the territory to exploitation by businesses and governments racing to scoop up formerly inaccessible resources. The changes bring environmental and security risks. The Economist (6/16) - Tibetan self-immolations persist as talks collapse
One ethnic Tibetan died and another was injured Wednesday after the 20-somethings set themselves on fire in China's Qinghai province to protest the country's policies in Tibet, bringing the number of self-immolations to more than 35 in the past year. The Dalai Lama said that even though the Chinese government has moved to stifle dissent, democratic change and more individual freedoms were inevitable. BBC (6/21), Reuters (6/20) - UN secretary-general announces significant commitments to action in support of achieving Sustainable Energy for All
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced that more than 100 commitments and actions have been already mobilized in support of his Sustainable Energy for All initiative, demonstrating powerful early momentum from governments, private sector companies and civil society organizations to achieve Sustainable Energy for All by 2030. Read more. |
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