UNWeekly

Did you know? Yesterday, 18 December, was the International Migrants Day. Yet, why is the “migrants” group so important that the United Nations General Assembly marked this date in 2000? 

 

Migration refers to the movement of population. They are either voluntary or forced movements as a result of the increased magnitude and frequency of disasters, economic challenges and extreme poverty or conflict (hence “refugee” is considered as a category of “migrant”). International migration is a growing phenomenon. In 2020, approximately 281 million people were international migrants, representing 3.6 per cent of the global population, which reflects the salient impact to the world.

 

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has led the way to assist migrants since it emerged 70 years ago in promoting a humane and orderly management of migration for the benefit of all, including the communities of origin, transit and destination. While migrants are still subject to stigma, inequality, xenophobia and racism, there is growing evidence that this group has contributed to the alleviation of poverty in communities of origin and economic development in communities of destination, and has even made a significant scientific, sanitary and front-line contribution to our fight against the COVID-19 global pandemic.

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2021.12.19

“Together, let’s make recovery our resolution for 2022”

 

“The world welcomes 2022 with our hopes for the future being tested by deepening poverty and worsening inequality…an unequal distribution of COVID vaccines…climate commitments that fall short, and by ongoing conflict, division, and misinformation”, Secretary-General António Guterres lamented. 

 

Mr. Guterres urged the world to take action and commit to making 2022 a year of recovery for everyone in his message for the New Year. From thoughts to actions, Mr. Guterres came into a bold plan requiring vaccination for everyone, calling for wealthier countries to support the developing world with “financing, investment and debt relief”, healing social tears, recovering from conflicts with new dialogues, and restoring the planet. 

 

He also said that “moments of great difficulty are also moments of great opportunity to come together in solidarity”. Despite these trying times that human beings have been facing, we as a whole can still pave the way to a better future. 

 

Together, let’s think globally and impact locally. MMUNPA wishes you a bright and peaceful New Year.

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2022.01.02

“Building a better future starts today.  So, to the young people attending this forum, keep speaking out. Keep identifying the solutions and actions we need to recover.” 

 

This year's World Youth Forum was held from 10th to 13th January 2022 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt under the theme of 'Back Together: The World After COVID-19', which was a reminder that there is no time to lose. This was also the first Forum since 2019.

 

Guterres said that more than 1.6 billion young people have experienced disruptions in their education and rising unemployment. Their access to health care and counselling is also decreasing during the epidemic. In response, they have been providing ideas and solutions on how communities can rebuild, and emerge stronger from the pandemic through events like this Forum.

 

After urging young people to keep speaking out, Guterres also delivered a message to leaders and policy makers in attendance. He advised that young people are a tremendous source of ideas and innovative solutions, and their needs must be at the forefront of policy and investment discussions. He also looked forward to working with participants to shape a better future beyond the epidemic.

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2022.01.16

As there is a progressive disappearance of languages in the world, linguistic diversity is being threatened. Globally, 40% of the population are not allowed to utilize their native language or the language they are familiar with at school.

 

In order to promote the importance of protecting languages worldwide, to foster the movement for the spread of mother tongues and to prevent the disappearance of most languages in the world, the UNESCO launched an initiative in 1999, and designated 21 February each year as the International Mother Language Day since 2000. 

 

The establishment of the International Mother Language Day began with the Bengali Language Movement. In 1948, the Pakistani government considered Urdu as the only official language of Pakistan, which evoked the protest from East Pakistan. The Bengali Language Movement broke out. Five students were shot dead by the military police on February 21, 1952. After the protest, Bengali and Urdu are both designated as the official languages of Pakistan. Moreover, February 21 is also set as International Mother Language Day to commemorate the Bengali Language Movement.

 

The theme of the International Mother Language Day in 2021 is to nourish multilingualism for education and social integration. This highlights how languages and multilingualism can foster tolerance, and achieve the SDGs on “leaving no one behind”. The UNESCO is committed to protect the diversities of culture and languages. Besides, it firmly believes that diversity is the important power of promoting tolerance and respect in human society.

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2022.01.30

“The video gaming industry is a new ally in the race for a net-zero and nature-positive planet.” 

 

An annual report published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) shows that more than 32 games studios have now joined the UNEP-facilitated Playing for the Planet Alliance, which have enabled the planting of over one million trees. This report showcases the progress the gaming industry has made on decarbonization and green activations.

 

In 2021, the Green Game Jam brings together the biggest names in video games across PC, mobile, and console to educate and empower millions of players to act for nature. It has engaged 130 million gamers on discussions about ocean and forest issues, as well as the positive response to the United Nations Cooperative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UNREDD) and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. 

 

Furthermore, 60 percent of Playing for the Planet members have committed to be net zero/ carbon negative by 2030 with a target set for 2022. Currently, the Alliance consists of 32 members with a gamer base of over 1 billion. With the support of TiMi studios, a new Young Green Game Jam was launched and supported by students from over 300 universities.

 

The theme for the Green Game Jam in 2022 will be on Forests, Food, and the Future. The Jam aims to increase the reaching and impact of the initiative. In addition to the progress within the Alliance, the work has inspired major labels in the music industry to launch its own Music Climate Pact in December 2021.

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2022.02.13

"We are seeing Russian military operations inside the sovereign territory of Ukraine on a scale that Europe has not seen in decades.” 

 

On February 25, the United Nations Security Council voted on a draft resolution jointly proposed by the United States, Albania and dozens of other countries. According to the draft resolution, the Security Council reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

 

The draft resolution condemns Russia's announcement of a "special military operation" against Ukraine on February 23, deplores Russia's aggression against Ukraine in violation of the UN Charter, demands that Russia immediately cease the force against Ukraine and withdraw its troops from Ukraine’s territory completely and unconditionally.

 

While eleven of the Council’s fifteen members voted in favour of the draft resolution, China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstained. Russia, as a permanent member, vetoed the resolution. The draft was not adopted ultimately. 

 

The veto is the exclusive right of the five permanent members of the Security Council. A veto at the meeting would prevent a draft resolution from being formally tabled.

 

Ukraine Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya was not surprised that Russia voted against the draft resolution, denouncing the actions of  “the Kremlin regime”.

 

Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said that the West has made Ukraine a pawn in a geopolitical game and has no regard for the interests of the Ukrainian people. The draft resolution is nothing other than yet another brutal, inhumane move on the Ukrainian chessboard.

 

Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jun said that any actions must be truly conducive to resolving the crisis, instead of adding fuel to the fire. Improper handling of sanctions will only lead to more casualties, more damage to property, more chaotic and complex situations and more difficult to bridge differences. It may “shut the door” to a negotiated, peaceful settlement. 

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2022.02.27

More than half of parents and pregnant women surveyed acknowledged that they had been targeted by formula milk companies, according to the report launched jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), How marketing of formula milk influences our decisions on infant feeding. Industry often delivers misleading and scientifically unsubstantiated information to parents and health workers and also violates the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.

 

Across all countries surveyed, women expressed a strong desire to breastfeed exclusively that ranged from 49 per cent in Morocco to 98 per cent in Bangladesh. Nevertheless, a sustained flow of misleading marketing messages is reinforcing myths about breastfeeding and breast-milk, and undermining women’s confidence in their ability to breastfeed successfully.

 

Breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, followed by exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond, offers a powerful line of defence against all forms of child malnutrition. Breastfeeding also acts as babies’ first vaccine, protecting infants against many common childhood illnesses while reducing future risks of diabetes, obesity, and some forms of cancer in nursing mothers.

 

However, only 44 per cent of babies less than six months old around the world are exclusively breastfed. While global breastfeeding rates have increased very little over the past two decades, formula milk sales have more than doubled in roughly the same time.

 

Following the report launch, WHO, UNICEF and partners called on Governments, health workers, and the baby food industry to end exploitative marketing on formula milk and to fully implement and comply with the requirements of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, including: 

 

passing, monitoring and enforcing laws to prevent formula milk promotion according to the International Code; 

investing in supportive breastfeeding policies and programmes; 

the industry is required to publicly commit to full global compliance with the International Code and subsequent World Health Assembly resolutions.

banning health workers from accepting sponsorship from companies that market foods for infants and young children for scholarships, awards, grants, meetings, or events.

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2022.03.13

Did you know? It turns out that Macau is home to the secretariat of one of the official bodies of the United Nations!

As the official international body in the field of typhoons, the Typhoon Committee was established in 1968 by the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to reduce typhoon damage in the Asia-Pacific region by strengthening regional cooperation. There are now 14 national and regional members, mostly from typhoon-affected countries and regions.

The Secretariat of the Typhoon Committee has been moved to Macau since February 2007, with the Macau SAR Government providing the Secretariat with office accommodation and a cash donation to cover the costs of running and maintaining the premises.

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2022.03.27

Over the past decade, significant progress has been made towards increasing access to education generally, as well as for persons with autism specifically.

However, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe, most countries declared temporary school closures, causing disruption in learning, reversing years of progress and exacerbating inequalities in education.

Many students with autism have been hit especially hard. Studies show that their routines and the services and support they rely on are disrupted.

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2022.04.03

Pramila Patten, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative working to end rape as a weapon of war, was addressing a high-level debate on strengthening accountability as a means to deliver justice for survivors and prevent future violence. Recalling that the Council has passed 10 resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, five of which focus on preventing and addressing conflict-related sexual violence, Ms. Patten began by asking what those declarations mean right now for a woman in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Myanmar or Tigray in northern Ethiopia. 

Ms. Patten presented a handful of the horrifying cases of rape and other violations included in her latest report, revealing what she called “the emboldening effects of impunity”. The report covers some 18 country situations and documents 3,293 UN-verified cases committed last year - 800 more than in 2020, representing “a significant increase”.  97% of those targeted were women and girls, while 83 cases concerned men and boys, mainly in detention centers. In 12 cases, lesbian, gay, trans, queer or intersex (LGBTQI) persons were targeted.   

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2022.04.17

Plants are essential for our health and the health of our world. Despite the fact that plants provide 80% of the food we consume and 98 % of the oxygen we breathe, they are under attack. Every year, up to 40% of food crops are lost due to plant pests and diseases. This has an impact on both food security and agriculture, which is the primary source of income for rural populations. Healthy plants can aid in the reduction of hunger, poverty, environmental protection, and economic development.

Climate change and human activity are modifying ecosystems and threatening biodiversity, while also creating new pest niches. Pests and diseases are increasing as a result of increased international travel and trade, which has tripled in volume in the last decade. Plants must be protected for both people and the environment, and we all have a responsibility to play.

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2022.05.08

According to the State of the Climate 2021 report, last year's extreme weather took a terrible toll on human lives, created shocks for food and water security, and resulted in hundreds of billions of dollars in economic losses.

The report, which reveals yet more compelling evidence that human activity is inflicting worldwide harm - to our land, oceans, and atmosphere - also affirms that the last seven years have been the warmest on record, with global temperatures in 2021 reaching around 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels.

While time is running out to prevent the worst effects of the climate disaster, there is a "lifeline" right in front of us, according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who called the report a "dismal litany of humanity's failure to manage climate disruption."

The UN Secretary-General advocated five crucial initiatives to kick-start the energy transition, which he dubbed the "peace project of the twenty-first century."
1. Treating renewable energy technologies as essential global public goods
2. Secure, scale up and diversify the supply components and raw materials for renewable energy technologies
3. Build frameworks and reform fossil fuel bureaucracies
4. Shift subsidies away from fossil fuels
5. Private and public investments in renewable energy must triple

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2022.05.22

Today, June 5th, marks the World Environmental Day. It is the ​​biggest international day for the environment led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and held annually since 1973.  World Environment Day serves as a global forum for encouraging constructive change. This UN worldwide day brings together governments, corporations, civil society, schools, celebrities, cities, and communities to raise awareness and celebrate environmental action in over 150 nations.

Every year, a different country hosts World Environment Day, where the formal ceremonies take place. Sweden is the host country for 2022. World Environment Day 2022 will be a chance to highlight some of Sweden's pioneering environmental initiatives over the last 50 years. UNEP will collaborate with Sweden to highlight these innovations in the form of written tales and short movies that will be shared online.

The campaign for World Environment Day 2022 is entitled #OnlyOneEarth. It demands for worldwide, revolutionary action to celebrate, preserve, and repair our planet. It was the motto of the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm. This elevated sustainable development to the global agenda, resulting in the creation of World Environment Day.

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2022.06.05

“Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.”

The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997, to call on all stakeholders, including UN Member States, civil society, and individuals worldwide, to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been tortured and are still being tortured today. The Convention has been ratified by 162 nations so far.

Torture aims to destroy the victim's individuality and rejects the human being's intrinsic dignity. Torture persists in all parts of the world, despite the total ban of torture under international law. Concerns about national security and border protection are increasingly being used to justify torture and other types of cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment. Its widespread ramifications frequently extend beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be passed down through generations, leading to violent cycles. Torture has long been denounced by the United Nations as one of the most heinous crimes committed by humans against their fellow humans.

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2022.06.26

“Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.”

The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997, to call on all stakeholders, including UN Member States, civil society, and individuals worldwide, to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been tortured and are still being tortured today. The Convention has been ratified by 162 nations so far.

Torture aims to destroy the victim's individuality and rejects the human being's intrinsic dignity. Torture persists in all parts of the world, despite the total ban of torture under international law. Concerns about national security and border protection are increasingly being used to justify torture and other types of cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment. Its widespread ramifications frequently extend beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be passed down through generations, leading to violent cycles. Torture has long been denounced by the United Nations as one of the most heinous crimes committed by humans against their fellow humans.

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2022.06.26

“Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.”

The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997, to call on all stakeholders, including UN Member States, civil society, and individuals worldwide, to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been tortured and are still being tortured today. The Convention has been ratified by 162 nations so far.

Torture aims to destroy the victim's individuality and rejects the human being's intrinsic dignity. Torture persists in all parts of the world, despite the total ban of torture under international law. Concerns about national security and border protection are increasingly being used to justify torture and other types of cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment. Its widespread ramifications frequently extend beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be passed down through generations, leading to violent cycles. Torture has long been denounced by the United Nations as one of the most heinous crimes committed by humans against their fellow humans.

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2022.06.26

“Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.”

The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997, to call on all stakeholders, including UN Member States, civil society, and individuals worldwide, to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been tortured and are still being tortured today. The Convention has been ratified by 162 nations so far.

Torture aims to destroy the victim's individuality and rejects the human being's intrinsic dignity. Torture persists in all parts of the world, despite the total ban of torture under international law. Concerns about national security and border protection are increasingly being used to justify torture and other types of cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment. Its widespread ramifications frequently extend beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be passed down through generations, leading to violent cycles. Torture has long been denounced by the United Nations as one of the most heinous crimes committed by humans against their fellow humans.

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2022.06.26

“Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.”

The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997, to call on all stakeholders, including UN Member States, civil society, and individuals worldwide, to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been tortured and are still being tortured today. The Convention has been ratified by 162 nations so far.

Torture aims to destroy the victim's individuality and rejects the human being's intrinsic dignity. Torture persists in all parts of the world, despite the total ban of torture under international law. Concerns about national security and border protection are increasingly being used to justify torture and other types of cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment. Its widespread ramifications frequently extend beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be passed down through generations, leading to violent cycles. Torture has long been denounced by the United Nations as one of the most heinous crimes committed by humans against their fellow humans.

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2022.06.26

“Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.”

The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997, to call on all stakeholders, including UN Member States, civil society, and individuals worldwide, to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been tortured and are still being tortured today. The Convention has been ratified by 162 nations so far.

Torture aims to destroy the victim's individuality and rejects the human being's intrinsic dignity. Torture persists in all parts of the world, despite the total ban of torture under international law. Concerns about national security and border protection are increasingly being used to justify torture and other types of cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment. Its widespread ramifications frequently extend beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be passed down through generations, leading to violent cycles. Torture has long been denounced by the United Nations as one of the most heinous crimes committed by humans against their fellow humans.

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2022.06.26

“Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.”

The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997, to call on all stakeholders, including UN Member States, civil society, and individuals worldwide, to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been tortured and are still being tortured today. The Convention has been ratified by 162 nations so far.

Torture aims to destroy the victim's individuality and rejects the human being's intrinsic dignity. Torture persists in all parts of the world, despite the total ban of torture under international law. Concerns about national security and border protection are increasingly being used to justify torture and other types of cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment. Its widespread ramifications frequently extend beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be passed down through generations, leading to violent cycles. Torture has long been denounced by the United Nations as one of the most heinous crimes committed by humans against their fellow humans.

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2022.06.26

“Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.”

The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997, to call on all stakeholders, including UN Member States, civil society, and individuals worldwide, to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been tortured and are still being tortured today. The Convention has been ratified by 162 nations so far.

Torture aims to destroy the victim's individuality and rejects the human being's intrinsic dignity. Torture persists in all parts of the world, despite the total ban of torture under international law. Concerns about national security and border protection are increasingly being used to justify torture and other types of cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment. Its widespread ramifications frequently extend beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be passed down through generations, leading to violent cycles. Torture has long been denounced by the United Nations as one of the most heinous crimes committed by humans against their fellow humans.

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2022.06.26

How is your Christmas season going? People always bless each other for “happiness” during festivals. However, for some of them, their condition is always at odds with the festive vibe and they are not able to speak out across social boundaries.

 

Last Sunday, the UNWeekly covered International Migrants Day and the important impact of the community to the world. Today, let's take a closer look at the lives of migrants, especially the mental health of traditional men.

 

When starting a new life in another country, men may need more psychological and social encouragement than women and children in terms of facing norms. Guglielmo Schinina, Head of Global Mental Health, Psychosocial Response and Intercultural Communication at the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), said that men are reluctant to seek psychological support, and indeed, data collected from different countries also indicates that the suicidal rate for men is twice that of women.

 

Schinina gives the example of Syrian refugees: as men in a traditional and patriarchal society, they may be thinking less about the prospect of a new life and more about the shame and loss of self-esteem that comes from failing to protect their loved ones during previous wars, when their socially constructed responsibility was to take care of the whole family. Even as they face a new life, they worry about future social isolation, cultural shock, language barriers, racial discrimination and uncertainty.

 

In Asian societies, we may expect men to be strong and responsible, and to be seen as the leader of the family. There is a negative stigma attached to men who appear to be weak or who take care of children at home. In the issue of gender equality, apart from fighting for the rights of women and children, we can also try to let go of the stereotypical image of men, as we know that the world should be diverse and inclusive.

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2021.12.26

Braille, which is named after its inventor Louis Braille, is a tactile representation of alphabetic and numerical symbols using six dots to represent each letter and number, and even musical, mathematical and scientific symbols. Braille, being the 「texts」 for the visually impaired, serves the role for education, freedom of expression and opinion, access to information and social inclusion as promoted in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

 

While celebrating World Braille Day, please join us to raise awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication, expression, and education for the full realization of the human rights for visually impaired and partially sighted people. The needs of Braille have been raised since COVID-19 especially on the debates for digital inclusion, where accessible virus information is essential for everyone. 

 

The Macau SAR Government has also made a breakthrough during the 2021 legislative election for implementing the Convention. A special ballot with braille and small holes is designed for visually impaired and partially sighted people to enter the ballot marking booths alone without being accompanied by a third party to complete the voting process.

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2022.01.01

In the first meeting since this year , the President of the UN General Assembly , Abdulla Shahid, stressed the importance of solidarity and fostering hope. 

 

Besides, he also mentioned these 3 points below : 

 

1. Equity of vaccine:

He urged the global community to call for faster production and distribution of vaccinations, and a removal of barriers to rollout.

 

Moreover, he noted that the communities that are most adversely impacted by the pandemic often reside in the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, and small island developing states. 

 

2. Protecting the nature:

He also called for the development of economic strategies that are consistent with global environmental priorities and the protection of natural resources.

 

He  also mentioned Tonga by urging the international community to come together to extend all possible assistance to Tonga, while also offering thoughts, prayers and sympathies for all families impacted.

 

3. Other aspects:

He also spoke about work on gender equality and the importance of upholding human rights, and mentioned launching the Fellowship of HOPE for young people in developing countries.

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2022.01.23

“The extraordinary achievements of the athletes show us that when you are fully focused and make an all-out effort, you can achieve an outstanding result. It is not just athletes, but it is also possible for every one of us to overcome all odds and be our best if we keep striving for distinction. This spirit is the power that can unite humans together.”

On February 4, the 16-day XXIV Olympic Winter Games officially opened in Beijing. For this occasion, the United Nations issued a special set of “Sport for Peace” stamps. This is the first time the United Nations Postal Service has issued stamps for the Olympic Winter Games. This set of stamps reaffirms the support from the United Nations for the Games’ theme, which is “to unite the world’s best winter sports athletes, without any discrimination, to compete in an atmosphere of peace, friendship, and tolerance among nations”.

 

2022.02.06

At the Global Disability Summit, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged all countries to do more to put people living with disabilities “front and centre” of their post-COVID recovery plans.

→The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated obvious inequalities and created new threats.

→People with disabilities were dying at vastly higher rates as they faced persistent barriers in health systems. 

Thus, he identified three priorities. 

 

1. Develop in a disability-inclusive way

People with disabilities were often the poorest and most disadvantaged members of society. When developing countries struggle financially, people with disabilities were among the first victims. He called for reforms to the global financial system, to allow greater investments in disability inclusion, in order to create accessible environments and opportunities everywhere”.  

 

1. Broader and deeper cooperation

Guterres said the effective implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the accomplishment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for persons with disabilities can only be achieved effectively through concerted efforts between governments, international organisations, civil societies and private sectors. He stressed that cooperation must be based on active consultation with persons with disabilities and abundant participation in the decision-making process.

 

1. The commitment of the United Nations

The United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy brings long-lasting and transformative changes across all the work of the United Nations. The 2030 Agenda, along with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, will continue to be the compass for the United Nations’s inclusive recovery.

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2022.02.18

“Everyone must commit to preserving the Earth’s invaluable and irreplaceable wildlife ”

— António Guterres, UN Secretary-General

 

The UN declared March 3 as the World Wildlife Day in 2013,which is celebrated with a unique theme every year. This year (2022), the theme of World Wildlife Day is “Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration”.

 

This year's theme aims to draw attention to the conservation status of some of the most critically endangered wildlife species and to stimulate discussion to conceive and implement solutions for their protection.

Today, around the world, wildlife is in peril as a quarter of species face extinction – in large part, because we have destroyed nearly half of the ecosystems in which they live.

“By damaging the natural world, we threaten our own well-being.We must act now to reverse this trend,” underscored the UN chief.

Animals and plants living in the wild have an intrinsic value and contribute to the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects of human well-being - and to sustainable development.

“Everyone must recognize the “urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of speciesLet us remind ourselves of our duty to preserve and sustainably use the vast variety of life on the planet. Let us push for a more caring, thoughtful and sustainable relationship with nature,” Mr Guterres stressed.

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2022.03.06

Since the 1970s, Bhutan first introduced and began to implement the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH), which is recognized to be more important than Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Bhutan also hosted a high-level meeting on "Happiness and Well-Being: Defining a New Economic Paradigm" during the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly.

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In 2008, Bhutan enshrined Gross National Happiness in the country's constitution as the primary goal of the government, rather than the pursuit of economic indicators such as Gross Domestic Product. Longitudinal studies have shown that happiness can have positive effects on health and life span. The things that bring lasting happiness include strong relationships, helping others, expressing gratitude and meditating.

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2022.03.20

April 7 is World Health day. The theme for this year (2022) is “Our planet, our health”. Through this campaign, WHO urges governments and the public to share their stories of action to protect the planet and prioritise health and social well-being.

A recent report by the World Health Organisation shows that 99% of the world's population breathes air that exceeds the WHO air quality limits, threatening their health. People in low- and middle-income countries are the most affected.

Evidence of the damage caused by air pollution has been growing rapidly and shows that many air pollutants can cause serious harm even at very low levels.

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2022.04.10

“International humanitarian law has not merely been ignored but seemingly tossed aside.”

In the thick of a massive military build-up and clashes in Donbas, Ukraine, spokesperson for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Ravina Shamdasani cautioned about a new phase of the current war. She said these war crimes include indiscriminate shelling and bombing of populated areas, summary execution of civilians. The vast majority of violations by far are attributable to the Russian forces. If the civilian casualties are the only factor being looked at, 92.3 percent of what we have managed to record were recorded in Government-controlled territories, so attributable to the Russian armed forces.

During a mission to Bucha on 9 April, UN human rights officers documented the unlawful killing of some 50 civilians, including by summary execution. During its investigations, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) received more than 300 allegations of killings of civilians in towns in the regions of Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Sumy, all under the control of Russian armed forces in late February and early March.

In Luhansk oblast, “nearly all health facilities and hospitals…are either damaged or destroyed”, WHO spokesperson Bhanu Bhatnagar said. “It’s absolutely essential that a safe passage is created quickly, we need a cessation of fighting for at least two days in order to move vital supplies in, but also to assess the health needs.”

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2022.04.27

Many countries have made today an official holiday to celebrate the International Labour Day. Two days later, there is also an important international day that we should be aware of - World Press Freedom Day.

World Press Freedom Day acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. It is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. It is an opportunity to:
celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom;
assess the state of press freedom throughout the world;
defend the media from attacks on their independence;
and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

This year’s World Press Freedom Day theme “Journalism under digital siege,” spotlights the multiple ways in which journalism is endangered by surveillance and digitally-mediated attacks on journalists, and the consequences of all this on public trust in digital communications.

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2022.05.01

This year’s theme, "Families and Urbanisation", aims to raise awareness on the importance of sustainable, family-friendly urban policies. Over the past few decades, family structure around the world has changed dramatically due to global trends and demographic changes. However, the United Nations still sees the family as the basic building block of society.

Family policies are a cornerstone of national public policy and the most effective means for governments to impact the living standards of future generations. Family policies play a significant role in meeting targets across several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of realising the global ambitions of the SDGs. Family is interconnected with all other megatrends such as technological change, migration, demographic and climate change. Designing responsive family-oriented policies in order to harness the positive aspects of those trends and counteract their negative facets is essential in facing these global challenges.

In 1993, the General Assembly decided in a resolution (A/RES/47/237) that 15 May of every year should be observed as The International Day of Families. Aims to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.

Starting as a health crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic had unprecedented effects on many spheres of life, including the economy, education and nutrition. It negatively impacted care arrangements, work-family balance, gender equality and other aspects of family life.

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2022.05.15

On May 29, 1948, the Security Council authorised the deployment of a small number of UN military observers to the Middle East to monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbours. As the times progressed, the mission's peacekeeping operations now include not just monitoring ceasefires but also safeguarding civilians, disarming ex-combatants, upholding human rights, supporting the rule of law, fostering free and fair elections, and decreasing the risk of landmines, and much more.

To honour peacekeepers who have died serving under the UN flag since 1948, the United Nations General Assembly established May 29 to be the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. On May 29, UN offices, as well as Member States and non-governmental organisations, will hold solemn events to honour the invaluable contribution of uniformed and civilian personnel to the Organisation's work, while also strengthening ties with the local populations they have been deployed to serve.

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2022.05.29

One year after adopting a political declaration on HIV and AIDS: Ending Inequalities and Getting on Track to End AIDS by 2030, data from UNAIDS shows that the AIDS pandemic continues to be responsible for more than 13,000 deaths every week. Moreover, HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths are not currently declining fast enough to end the pandemic in eight years, as Member States have pledged to do.

Representing the UN chief, Chef de Cabinet, Courtenay Rattray, outlined three immediate steps to reverse current trends and get back on track.
Tackle intersecting inequalities, discrimination and the marginalisation of entire communities. Call for policy reforms to reduce the HIV risks for marginalised communities – including sex workers, people who inject drugs, prisoners, transgender people and gay men.
Share health technologies, including antiretrovirals, and make them available to people in all countries throughout the world.
Commit more resources. He pointed out that investments in AIDS are investments in global health security.

All in all, combating the AIDS pandemic should never be a focus merely on medical systems and resources, but an interdisciplinary perspective covering laws, social services, and public health.

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2022.06.12

“Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.”

The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997, to call on all stakeholders, including UN Member States, civil society, and individuals worldwide, to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been tortured and are still being tortured today. The Convention has been ratified by 162 nations so far.

Torture aims to destroy the victim's individuality and rejects the human being's intrinsic dignity. Torture persists in all parts of the world, despite the total ban of torture under international law. Concerns about national security and border protection are increasingly being used to justify torture and other types of cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment. Its widespread ramifications frequently extend beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be passed down through generations, leading to violent cycles. Torture has long been denounced by the United Nations as one of the most heinous crimes committed by humans against their fellow humans.

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2022.06.26

“Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.”

The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997, to call on all stakeholders, including UN Member States, civil society, and individuals worldwide, to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been tortured and are still being tortured today. The Convention has been ratified by 162 nations so far.

Torture aims to destroy the victim's individuality and rejects the human being's intrinsic dignity. Torture persists in all parts of the world, despite the total ban of torture under international law. Concerns about national security and border protection are increasingly being used to justify torture and other types of cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment. Its widespread ramifications frequently extend beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be passed down through generations, leading to violent cycles. Torture has long been denounced by the United Nations as one of the most heinous crimes committed by humans against their fellow humans.

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2022.06.26

“Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.”

The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997, to call on all stakeholders, including UN Member States, civil society, and individuals worldwide, to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been tortured and are still being tortured today. The Convention has been ratified by 162 nations so far.

Torture aims to destroy the victim's individuality and rejects the human being's intrinsic dignity. Torture persists in all parts of the world, despite the total ban of torture under international law. Concerns about national security and border protection are increasingly being used to justify torture and other types of cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment. Its widespread ramifications frequently extend beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be passed down through generations, leading to violent cycles. Torture has long been denounced by the United Nations as one of the most heinous crimes committed by humans against their fellow humans.

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2022.06.26

“Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.”

The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997, to call on all stakeholders, including UN Member States, civil society, and individuals worldwide, to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been tortured and are still being tortured today. The Convention has been ratified by 162 nations so far.

Torture aims to destroy the victim's individuality and rejects the human being's intrinsic dignity. Torture persists in all parts of the world, despite the total ban of torture under international law. Concerns about national security and border protection are increasingly being used to justify torture and other types of cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment. Its widespread ramifications frequently extend beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be passed down through generations, leading to violent cycles. Torture has long been denounced by the United Nations as one of the most heinous crimes committed by humans against their fellow humans.

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2022.06.26

“Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.”

The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997, to call on all stakeholders, including UN Member States, civil society, and individuals worldwide, to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been tortured and are still being tortured today. The Convention has been ratified by 162 nations so far.

Torture aims to destroy the victim's individuality and rejects the human being's intrinsic dignity. Torture persists in all parts of the world, despite the total ban of torture under international law. Concerns about national security and border protection are increasingly being used to justify torture and other types of cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment. Its widespread ramifications frequently extend beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be passed down through generations, leading to violent cycles. Torture has long been denounced by the United Nations as one of the most heinous crimes committed by humans against their fellow humans.

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2022.06.26

“Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.”

The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997, to call on all stakeholders, including UN Member States, civil society, and individuals worldwide, to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been tortured and are still being tortured today. The Convention has been ratified by 162 nations so far.

Torture aims to destroy the victim's individuality and rejects the human being's intrinsic dignity. Torture persists in all parts of the world, despite the total ban of torture under international law. Concerns about national security and border protection are increasingly being used to justify torture and other types of cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment. Its widespread ramifications frequently extend beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be passed down through generations, leading to violent cycles. Torture has long been denounced by the United Nations as one of the most heinous crimes committed by humans against their fellow humans.

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2022.06.26

“Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.”

The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997, to call on all stakeholders, including UN Member States, civil society, and individuals worldwide, to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been tortured and are still being tortured today. The Convention has been ratified by 162 nations so far.

Torture aims to destroy the victim's individuality and rejects the human being's intrinsic dignity. Torture persists in all parts of the world, despite the total ban of torture under international law. Concerns about national security and border protection are increasingly being used to justify torture and other types of cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment. Its widespread ramifications frequently extend beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be passed down through generations, leading to violent cycles. Torture has long been denounced by the United Nations as one of the most heinous crimes committed by humans against their fellow humans.

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2022.06.26

“Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.”

The United Nations General Assembly declared 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by resolution 52/149 on December 12, 1997, to call on all stakeholders, including UN Member States, civil society, and individuals worldwide, to unite in support of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who have been tortured and are still being tortured today. The Convention has been ratified by 162 nations so far.

Torture aims to destroy the victim's individuality and rejects the human being's intrinsic dignity. Torture persists in all parts of the world, despite the total ban of torture under international law. Concerns about national security and border protection are increasingly being used to justify torture and other types of cruel, degrading, and inhuman treatment. Its widespread ramifications frequently extend beyond the isolated act on an individual, and can be passed down through generations, leading to violent cycles. Torture has long been denounced by the United Nations as one of the most heinous crimes committed by humans against their fellow humans.

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2022.06.26