Latest
Story
29 August 2024
UNESCO research arm looks to boost teacher training across Global South
Learn more
Press Release
27 August 2024
UN Secretary-General's Press Conference on Sea Level Rise in Tonga, on 27 August 2024
Learn more
Press Release
26 August 2024
Secretary-General: Raging conflicts; an escalating climate crisis; inequalities and injustices everywhere
Learn more
Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in India
India is critical in determining the success of the SDGs, globally. At the UN Sustainable Development Summit in 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted, “Sustainable development of one-sixth of humanity will be of great consequence to the world and our beautiful planet. It will be a world of fewer challenges and greater hope; and, more confident of its success”. NITI Aayog, the Government of India’s premier think tank, has been entrusted with the task of coordinating the SDGs, mapping schemes related to the SDGs and their targets, and identifying lead and supporting ministries for each target. In addition, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has been leading discussions for developing national indicators for the SDGs. State governments are key to India’s progress on the SDGs as they are best placed to ‘put people first’ and to ensuring that ‘no one is left behind’. The UN Country Team in India supports NITI Aayog, Union ministries and state governments in their efforts to address the interconnectedness of the goals, to ensure that no one is left behind and to advocate for adequate financing to achieve the SDGs.
Publication
03 September 2024
UN in India Digest September 2024
Odisha gets its first 24/7 ‘Grain ATM’ ; Championing climate action at grassroots; FAO’s digital solution for quality spice production, and more updates in the September edition of the UN in India digest. Download this month’s newsletter for a quick roundup of the UN Country Team's work in India.
1 of 5
Story
29 July 2024
UN Human Rights Committee issues findings on India
The United Nations Human Rights Committee has published a series of findings about India after reviewing the country’s record during its latest session in Geneva.The Committee, which comprises 18 independent experts that monitor implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), adopted concluding observations about India on 22 July after holding hearings earlier in the month.In its findings, the Committee, while appreciating the measures adopted by India to tackle discrimination, voiced concern about discrimination and violence against minority groups, including religious minorities, such as Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs, “scheduled castes” and “scheduled tribes”, and LGBTI people.The Committee called on India to adopt comprehensive laws banning discrimination, raise awareness among the public, and provide training to civil servants, law enforcement officers, the judiciary and community leaders to promote respect for diversity. The Committee expressed concern that some provisions of India’s Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts and counter-terrorism laws are not in compliance with the ICCPR. It also voiced concern over the application of counter-terrorism laws for decades in “disturbed areas”, such as districts in Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir and Assam, which it said has led to widespread and grave human rights violations, including excessive use of force leading to unlawful killings, prolonged arbitrary detention, sexual violence, forced displacement and torture. The Committee urged India to comply with its obligations under the ICCPR and to ensure that any counter-terrorism and other security measures in the so-called disturbed areas are temporary, proportionate, strictly necessary and subject to judicial review. It also asked India to establish a mechanism to initiate a process to acknowledge responsibility and ascertain the truth regarding human rights violations in disturbed areas.India was one of seven countries reviewed by the Committee during the latest session. The others were Croatia, Honduras, Maldives, Malta, Suriname and Syria.The Committee will hold its next session from 14 October to 8 November 2024 to review the reports of Ecuador, France, Greece, Iceland, Pakistan and Türkiye. Press Release
1 of 5
Press Release
30 July 2019
World Day against Trafficking in Persons
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
--
MESSAGE ON WORLD DAY AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
30 July 2019
Human trafficking is a heinous crime that affects every region of the world. Some 72 per cent of detected victims are women and girls, and the percentage of child victims has more than doubled from 2004 to 2016, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Most detected victims are trafficked for sexual exploitation; victims are also trafficked for forced labour, recruitment as child soldiers and other forms of exploitation and abuse.
Traffickers and terrorist groups prey on the vulnerable, from people in poverty to those caught up in war or who face discrimination. Nadia Murad, the first trafficking victim to serve as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, was justly co-awarded the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for galvanizing international action to stop trafficking and sexual violence in conflict.
Armed conflict, displacement, climate change, natural disasters and poverty exacerbate the vulnerabilities and desperation that enable trafficking to flourish. Migrants are being targeted. Thousands of people have died at sea, in deserts and in detention centres, at the hands of traffickers and migrant smugglers plying their monstrous, merciless trades.
But everyday indifference to abuse and exploitation around us also takes a heavy toll. Indeed, from construction to food production to consumer goods, countless businesses and enterprises benefit from the misery.
Multilateral action has generated progress, including through the Palermo Convention and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. Most countries have the necessary laws in place, and some countries recently recorded their first trafficking convictions. But more needs to be done to bring transnational trafficking networks to justice and, most of all, to ensure that victims are identified and can access the protection and services they need.
The Sustainable Development Goals include clear targets to prevent abuse and exploitation, to eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls, and to eradicate forced labour and child labour. On this World Day against Trafficking in Persons, let us reaffirm our commitment to stop criminals from ruthlessly exploiting people for profit and to help victims rebuild their lives.
1 of 5
Story
24 July 2024
UNESCO heritage meeting opens in India
The annual meeting of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has kicked off in India for the first time, with thousands of delegates gathering to examine the state of conservation of existing World Heritage sites and discuss which sites should be added to the famous global list. In an opening ceremony held on 21 July in New Delhi, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay highlighted what she called the “tremendous challenges in protecting heritage amid the global transformation driven by the digital revolution and climate disruption”. Ms. Azoulay described India, which currently has 42 sites on the World Heritage List, as “an inspiration” when it comes to heritage.“I would like to thank the Prime Minister for the milestone we reached during the Indian presidency of the G20 – when leaders gathered here issued a Declaration calling for the inclusion of culture as a stand-alone goal in the post-2030 development agenda,” she added. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also speaking at the ceremony, pledged $1 million to support UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, particularly for heritage conservation in India and across the Global South.During the 10-day meeting, discussions will cover the state of conservation of World Heritage properties as well as those on the List of World Heritage in Danger. They will also consider strategies for helping countries manage their heritage sites. India has one of the 28 sites nominated for inclusion this year: Moidams, the mound-burial system of the Ahom Dynasty in the northeastern state of Assam. A decision on the site is expected towards the end of the week.In addition to the main meeting, the gathering features 38 side events, including exhibitions and panel discussions involving heritage experts and site managers. This year marks the first time that India has played host to the World Heritage Committee meeting, which rotates between countries each year.
1 of 5
Story
19 July 2024
In Delhi, students honour Nelson Mandela’s legacy
“Stand up, stand up for your rights. Don’t give up the fight,” a young choir sang as other students clapped and joined in the chorus at the celebrations to mark Nelson Mandela’s 106th birth anniversary in New Delhi.More than 300 students from schools across the National Capital Region gathered at the India International Centre to pay tribute to the former South African President and life-long activist against apartheid.The 18 July event was co-organized by the United Nations Information Centre for India and the NGOs Gandhi Yuva Baradari and the Working Group on Alternative Strategies. Sedula Mashudubele Mamabolo, Counsellor (Political) at the South African High Commission, told the students that reading Mr. Mandela’s autobiography Long Walk to Freedom had changed the course of his life. Mr. Mamabolo highlighted how Mr. Mandela pushed for education to serve as a stepping stone in life for children from underprivileged backgrounds.Students decked in the colours of the South African flag regaled the audience with songs, while others exhibited artworks to pay homage to the work of Mr. Mandela — who was also known by his nickname, Madiba — to promote peace and justice. During a free-wheeling interactive session with Mr. Mamabolo, students asked questions about drawing inspiration from Mr. Mandela’s values and shared their ideas on finding role models in a divisive world and overcoming differences to build a better future. In a video message to mark the day, UN Secretary General António Guterres said the inequality, hunger and poverty that existed in the world were not natural facts. “They are the result of humanity’s choices. And we can decide to do things differently. We can choose to eradicate poverty. We can choose to end inequality… We can choose to fight racism, combat climate change and create a world that works for all humanity,” he said.Mr. Guterres urged everyone to “perform 67 minutes of public service o Nelson Mandela International Day – one minute for each year he fought for justice. Together, let’s honour Madiba’s legacy and turn our hands towards building a better world for all.”
1 of 5
Story
29 August 2024
UNESCO research arm looks to boost teacher training across Global South
UNESCO’s Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) in New Delhi and the Inter-University Centre for Teacher Education (IUCTE) in Varanasi are partnering to enhance the skills of teachers across the Global South.In a memorandum of understanding signed in Varanasi on 23 August by the directors of IUCTE and MGIEP, the two institutions will collaborate to jointly implement initiatives aimed at enhancing the skills of teachers and educators, both in India and other countries, through professional development programmes. MGIEP and IUCTE Varanasi will co-organize training sessions, workshops, conferences, and events designed to build the capacities of teachers from the Global South. These activities will focus on innovative teaching practices, sustainable development and the integration of digital technologies in education. In November, two parallel in-person pilot training cohorts, each consisting of about 50 participants, will be hosted at the IUCTE’s facilities in Varanasi. The pilots will focus on MGIEP’s specialized courses for teacher training, offering participants cutting-edge pedagogical tools and methodologies.Through this partnership, MGIEP aims to strengthen South-South cooperation and support the professional growth of teachers as part of its broader efforts to contribute towards Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and specifically target 4.7, which focus on education for building peaceful and sustainable societies worldwide.MGIEP, established with the support of the Indian Government, is a UNESCO research institute that focuses on achieving SDG 4.7. Established in 2014, IUCTE is an autonomous institution of the University Grants Commission (UGC) focusing on teacher education.
1 of 5
Story
15 August 2024
India's first 24/7 'Grain ATM’ starts dispensing in Odisha
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Odisha Government have launched India’s first around-the-clock grain dispensing machine, or 'Grain ATM,' in the state capital Bhubaneshwar. With this machine, also known as Annapurti (Hindi for “fulfiller of food”), Odisha becomes the first state to provide access to public distribution system beneficiaries 24 hours a day. The machine was inaugurated by Krushna Chandra Patra, Minister of Food Supplies, Consumer Welfare, Science and Technology of the Odisha Government, and Nozomi Hashimoto, Deputy Country Director for WFP in India, at a launch event on 9 August.
“This is a significant initiative in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme to achieve nutritional security in the state, which is focused on food security. The ATMs will be set up across the state to provide food grains to beneficiaries with 24/7 access under the National Food Security Act,” the minister said. The Annapurti provides universal access: anyone with a public distribution system ration card valid in India, regardless of their state or union territory, can access their entitlement. It can dispense up to 50 kilograms of grain in five minutes, reducing waiting time by 70 per cent. Once biometric authentication is completed, it provides consistent access to the full ration. The modular design allows easy assembly based on available space. Annapurti is energy-efficient and can be connected to solar panels for automatic refilling. “Odisha presents a success story with global relevance. We are humbled to see the Annapurti, a made-in-India globally awarded solution operational in many states, evolving to add more functionalities and features based on a year-long pilot and testing,” said Ms. Hashimoto. The technology behind the Annapurti, developed by WFP India, is a significant step towards improving food security and ensuring people receive full rations efficiently and accurately. India operates one of the world’s largest food-based safety nets, under which subsidized grains are provided to roughly 813 million people every month through a network of over 500,000 last-mile outlets called Fair Price Shops (FPS). Under the current set-up, FPS operators manually weigh and distribute grain. However, this process is not without problems. It requires recipients to queue for hours, there is a high possibility of spillage and waste, and it can lead to people not receiving their share of food assistance.
Watch here
“This is a significant initiative in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme to achieve nutritional security in the state, which is focused on food security. The ATMs will be set up across the state to provide food grains to beneficiaries with 24/7 access under the National Food Security Act,” the minister said. The Annapurti provides universal access: anyone with a public distribution system ration card valid in India, regardless of their state or union territory, can access their entitlement. It can dispense up to 50 kilograms of grain in five minutes, reducing waiting time by 70 per cent. Once biometric authentication is completed, it provides consistent access to the full ration. The modular design allows easy assembly based on available space. Annapurti is energy-efficient and can be connected to solar panels for automatic refilling. “Odisha presents a success story with global relevance. We are humbled to see the Annapurti, a made-in-India globally awarded solution operational in many states, evolving to add more functionalities and features based on a year-long pilot and testing,” said Ms. Hashimoto. The technology behind the Annapurti, developed by WFP India, is a significant step towards improving food security and ensuring people receive full rations efficiently and accurately. India operates one of the world’s largest food-based safety nets, under which subsidized grains are provided to roughly 813 million people every month through a network of over 500,000 last-mile outlets called Fair Price Shops (FPS). Under the current set-up, FPS operators manually weigh and distribute grain. However, this process is not without problems. It requires recipients to queue for hours, there is a high possibility of spillage and waste, and it can lead to people not receiving their share of food assistance.
Watch here
1 of 5
Story
14 August 2024
Get Muddy With Us: 2,500 Students Plant Futures
Bringing together 2,500 students from across the Telangana region for a day dedicated to environmental conservation and land restoration, the G20 Global Land Initiative at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, in collaboration with the Heartfulness Institute, successfully concluded the “Youth Acts - Planting for a Sustainable Future” event at Kanha Shanti Vanam, the global headquarters of the Heartfulness Institute in Hyderabad.caption: Group photo of students and organizers at the event
The day featured hands-on tree planting, with students asking practical questions like, “How tall will this tree grow?” and “Can we visit our trees later?” A highlight was when three-year-old Renuka planted a sapling alongside Dr. Muralee Thummarukudy, Director of the G20 Global Land Initiative Coordination Office at UNCCD.
caption: Muralee Thummarukudy, Director, G20 GLI, with little Renuka planting a sapling
Following the planting, the students gathered at the meditation hall to listen to expert talks, where Dr. Thummarukudy emphasized how many of us do not realize where our food, medicines, and clothes come from and highlighted the importance of understanding these essentials to appreciate the need to protect our land.The event also included a quiz on UNCCD and G20 GLI. Dr. V. Ramakantha, IFS (Retd), Chairman of Forests by Heartfulness, said: "The Heartfulness Institute is thrilled to partner with the G20 Global Land Initiative and UNCCD for this pivotal event. Our goal is to inspire and equip young minds with the knowledge and passion needed to restore and protect our natural environment. Through initiatives like these, we can collectively work towards a greener, healthier world." The event was not just about planting trees; it aimed to inspire young people to engage in environmental conservation. By involving youth in meaningful activities, it sought to plant the seeds of a sustainable future.
The day featured hands-on tree planting, with students asking practical questions like, “How tall will this tree grow?” and “Can we visit our trees later?” A highlight was when three-year-old Renuka planted a sapling alongside Dr. Muralee Thummarukudy, Director of the G20 Global Land Initiative Coordination Office at UNCCD.
caption: Muralee Thummarukudy, Director, G20 GLI, with little Renuka planting a sapling
Following the planting, the students gathered at the meditation hall to listen to expert talks, where Dr. Thummarukudy emphasized how many of us do not realize where our food, medicines, and clothes come from and highlighted the importance of understanding these essentials to appreciate the need to protect our land.The event also included a quiz on UNCCD and G20 GLI. Dr. V. Ramakantha, IFS (Retd), Chairman of Forests by Heartfulness, said: "The Heartfulness Institute is thrilled to partner with the G20 Global Land Initiative and UNCCD for this pivotal event. Our goal is to inspire and equip young minds with the knowledge and passion needed to restore and protect our natural environment. Through initiatives like these, we can collectively work towards a greener, healthier world." The event was not just about planting trees; it aimed to inspire young people to engage in environmental conservation. By involving youth in meaningful activities, it sought to plant the seeds of a sustainable future.
1 of 5
Story
09 August 2024
Innovative chess game promotes humane management in prisons
Effective prison management is essential for safe and humane conditions within correctional facilities. By implementing fair practices, addressing systemic problems, and fostering a positive environment, prisons can reduce reoffending and improve the overall justice system.This year, the UNODC Regional Office for South Asia, in partnership with Project Second Chance, introduced a new initiative at Sudhowala Prisons in Dehradun – a unique chess game designed to educate prison staff about the Nelson Mandela Rules, formally known as the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.Named Mandela Chess, this game is more than just a strategic board game, combining traditional gameplay with important lessons on prison management. It serves as an educational tool to instill the core principles of the Nelson Mandela Rules into the daily workings of prison management. These rules, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015, outline international standards for humane and effective prison governance. The chessboard has special squares that can only be accessed by answering scenario-based questions inspired by a UNODC e-learning course on the Nelson Mandela Rules. This transforms the classic chess game into an educational experience that engages players in real-life dilemmas and encourages them to find solutions aligned with these international standards.Developed in Hindi by former inmates, Mandela Chess transforms the classic game into a learning tool, challenging players with real-world prison dilemmas and encouraging solutions aligned with international standards.The game's inclusive design encourages participation from all levels of prison staff, fostering a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives can contribute to improved management practices. This hands-on learning allows staff to actively engage with the principles of the NMR, leading to better rehabilitation strategies and more humane treatment of prisoners. Mandela Chess aligns with the spirit of Nelson Mandela International Day, celebrated annually on 18th July, which honours Mandela's legacy of justice and human rights.
1 of 5
Story
06 August 2024
International Youth Day
This International Youth Day, United Nations agencies in India are coming together for a digital campaign in line with the theme of IYD -- From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development. The campaign aims to put a spotlight on digital initiatives and solutions led by youth and those that engage with youth.Young people are digital natives. Through their digital networks they are not just connecting to millions but bringing social change and benefiting the disadvantaged in society. To highlight such stories, the UN in India is inviting young people to share videos of themselves or young people they know who use digital solutions to bring positive change. In the campaign, you are expected to submit videos that help us to showcase: Young people using tech to drive inclusive sustainable developmentDigital inclusion – access to digital technologies, services, and associated opportunities for everyone, everywhereTech that bridges the gaps across the digital divideSafe online spaces for youth,, especially women and girls and youth belonging to marginalized populationsDigital initiatives that tackle misinformation and disinformation GuidelinesVideo can be simple, shot and recorded on your mobile phoneLength of video should be between 1 and 1.5 minutesVideo should, as best possible, showcase the initiative/innovationStart the video with your name and locationUse the hashtag #YouthForChange SubmissionPlease share the video from your handles tagging the UN in India platforms. Select videos will be shared and reposted by social accounts of UN India and UN agencies in India.UN India social media handles:
X: https://x.com/UNinIndia
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedNationsIndia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uninindia/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-nations-in-indiaSocial media handles of UN agencies in India: https://india.un.org/en/about/un-entities-in-country
X: https://x.com/UNinIndia
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedNationsIndia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uninindia/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-nations-in-indiaSocial media handles of UN agencies in India: https://india.un.org/en/about/un-entities-in-country
1 of 5
Press Release
28 August 2024
UN Secretary-General's Press Conference on Sea Level Rise in Tonga, on 27 August 2024
OPENING REMARKS:Secretary-General: I am in Tonga to issue a global SOS – Save Our Seas – on rising sea levels.A worldwide catastrophe is putting this Pacific paradise in peril.Global average sea levels are rising at rates unprecedented in the past 3,000 years.The ocean is overflowing.The changes here in the Pacific region are visible since my last visit.And around the world, rising seas have unparallelled power to cause havoc to coastal cities and ravage coastal economies.The reason is clear: greenhouse gases – overwhelmingly generated by burning fossil fuels – are cooking our planet.And the sea is taking the heat – literally.It has absorbed more than 90 percent of global heating in the past fifty years.Water expands as it gets hotter.And glaciers and ice sheets are melting into the sea – adding to its volume.In other words – more water is taking up more space.Two papers released today by the United Nations throw the situation into sharp relief:The World Meteorological Organization’s report on the State of the Climate in the South West Pacific;And the UN Climate Action Team’s new report summarizing the science: Surging seas in a warming world.Taken together, they show that changes to the ocean are accelerating, with devastating impacts.Month after month, sea temperatures shatter records.Marine heatwaves are more intense and longer-lasting – doubling its frequency since 1980.And rising seas are amplifying the frequency and severity of storm surges and coastal flooding.These floods swamp coastal communities. Ruin fisheries. Damage crops. And contaminate fresh water.All this puts Pacific Islands in grave danger.Today’s reports confirm that relative sea levels in the Southwestern Pacific have risen even more than the global average – in some locations, by more than double the global increase in the past thirty years.Ocean temperatures are increasing at up to three times the rate worldwide.And Pacific islands are uniquely exposed.This is a region with an average elevation just one to two meters above sea level;Where around 90 percent of people live within 5 kilometers of the coast;And where half the infrastructure is within 500 metres of the sea.Without drastic cuts in emissions, the Pacific Islands can expect at least 15 centimeters of additional sea level rise by mid-century, and more than 30 days per year of coastal flooding in some places.Today’s reports show that the average rate of sea level rise has more than doubled since the 1990s.But a doubling in speed shows that the phenomenon is accelerating in an unusual and uncontrolled way.Global-mean sea level has already risen over 10cm since 1993. It is as I said worse in the Pacific, with some locations exceeding 15cm.Emerging science suggests that a two-degree temperature rise could potentially lead to the loss of almost all the Greenland ice sheet, and much of the West Antarctica ice sheet.This would mean condemning future generations to unstoppable sea level rise up to 20 meters – over a period of millennia.But at three degrees of warming – our current trajectory – the rise in sea level would happen much more quickly – over centuries.That spells disaster: wide-ranging and brutal impacts, coming far thicker and faster than we can adapt to them – destroying entire coastal communities.Can you imagine the impact on this beautiful capital city of Nuku’alofa?But what happens in Tonga did not start in Tonga, and it doesn’t end here.Surging seas are coming for us all – together with the devastation of fishing, tourism, and the Blue Economy.Across the world, around a billion people live in coastal areas, from low-lying islands to megacities; from tropical agricultural deltas to Arctic communities.Coastal megacities including Dhaka, Los Angeles, Mumbai, Lagos and Shanghai are threatened by our swelling ocean.Rising seas will increase the frequency of extreme events like coastal floods.If global temperatures rise by 2.5 degrees, that frequency could increase from once in 100 years to once in five years by the end of this century.Without new adaptation and protection measures, economic damage from coastal flooding could amount to trillions of dollars.Around 1 meter of future sea level rise is already locked in. But its future scale, pace, and impact are not.That depends on decisions we take now.Global leaders must step up:To drastically slash global emissions;To lead a fast and fair phase-out of fossil fuels;And to massively boost climate adaptation investments, to protect people from present and future risks.Only by limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius do we have a fighting chance of preventing the irreversible collapse of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets – and the catastrophes that accompany them.That means cutting global emissions by 43 percent compared to 2019 levels by 2030, and 60 percent by 2035.We need governments to honour the promise made at COP28 – and deliver new national climate action plans – or Nationally Determined Contributions – by next year.And these must be aligned with the 1.5 degree limit, and cover all emissions and the whole economy.They must put the world on track to phase out fossil fuels fast and fairly – including ending new coal projects and new oil and gas expansion now.And they must keep the promises made at COP28 to triple renewables capacity, double energy efficiency and end deforestation by 2030.The G20 – the biggest emitters, with the greatest capacity and responsibility to lead – must be out in front.And the world must massively increase finance and support for vulnerable countries.We need a surge in funds to deal with the surging seas.At COP29, countries must agree to boost innovative financing and a strong new finance goal.And developed countries must deliver on their finance commitments – including the commitment to double adaptation funding to at least $40 billion a year by 2025.And we need significant contributions to the new Loss and Damage Fund as a step towards climate justice – in support of vulnerable countries like the Pacific Islands: And the same applies to the Pacific initiatives that were announced once again during this Summit of the Pacific funds to protect the Pacific Islands.Finally, we need to protect every person on Earth with an early warning system by 2027.That means building up countries’ data capacities to improve decision-making on adaptation and coastal planning.The world must look to the Pacific and listen to science.This is a crazy situation:Rising seas are a crisis entirely of humanity’s making.A crisis that will soon swell to an almost unimaginable scale, with no lifeboat to take us back to safety.But if we save the Pacific, we also save ourselves.The world must act, and answer the SOS before it is too late.And I thank you.[END]
QUESTION AND ANSWERS: Question: How frustrated are you by the lack of action from G20 and other developed nations, particularly as they continue to expand oil and gas production?Secretary-General: I'm extremely concerned. G20 countries represent 80% of emissions, and it is obvious that without a drastic reduction of emissions of all of them, we will not be able to keep the 1.5 degree, and we might risk even to go over the two degrees, which will be absolutely devastating. And there is a dialogue that we need to dismount. Sometimes developed countries say, well we have already done a programme to reduce our emissions, so it's emerging economies that now will do the same. And emerging economies say, but you have polluted during decades, and now we also need some margin in relation to the development of our country. And if we count by consumption instead of by production, then the emissions in developed countries are much higher. This kind of dialogue leads nowhere. We cannot go on blaming each other. We absolutely need all G20 countries to come together, to use the best technologies available within the G20 to use the financial resources that exist within the G20 and in multilateral development institutions, and to have a concerted global action to have a drastic reduction of emissions in until 2030; if that does not happen, we will be in an irreversible situation with absolutely devastating consequences.Question: In a similar way, Secretary-General, you called for a fast phase out of fossil fuels. Is it fair or acceptable for a country like Australia to continue to improve new coal and gas projects?Secretary-General: Well, what we say is that we need to have a phase out of fossil fuels that is done through a just transition, and that means that fossil fuels need to be phased out, that I believe is today scientific evidence. But obviously the situation in different countries is different, and the justice in the way this is done means that there are different reasons and there are different ways to do it, but let's have no illusion: without phase out of fossil fuels in a fair and just way, there is no way we can keep the 1.5 degrees alive.Question: Are hoping to have leaders agree to a sea level rise declaration by the end of the week, and for it to be presented at the UNGA later next month. Do you think PIF and the General Assembly should support the declaration? And also, how are your plans for a pledging conference on climate change and how's it coming about. I understand your target is $500 million.Secretary-General: I have a lot of confidence in the determination of Pacific Islands to speak loud and clear in the next General Assembly. We have seen that with sea level rise, the impact is particularly dramatic in Pacific Islands. And Pacific Islands do not contribute to Climate Change, so they have a moral authority to ask those that are creating this in accelerating the sea level rise to reverse these trends. And we count on the leadership of Pacific Islands and will be fully supportive of their declaration.Question: I just have a question, because you see the building so climate change here in Tonga, are we seeing any technical or financial assistance soon from the office?Secretary-General: I am totally committed to mobilize the new capacity that the UN has in the Pacific, to support Tonga, and to support all islands of the Pacific. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to see the inauguration of a meteorological radar that is part of the first line of protection, and it's financed by, essentially by New Zealand. And Tonga will be equipped from now on to have an effective early warning system. So, we are very much willing to cooperate with the Government of Tonga to strengthen their capacity.***END***
QUESTION AND ANSWERS: Question: How frustrated are you by the lack of action from G20 and other developed nations, particularly as they continue to expand oil and gas production?Secretary-General: I'm extremely concerned. G20 countries represent 80% of emissions, and it is obvious that without a drastic reduction of emissions of all of them, we will not be able to keep the 1.5 degree, and we might risk even to go over the two degrees, which will be absolutely devastating. And there is a dialogue that we need to dismount. Sometimes developed countries say, well we have already done a programme to reduce our emissions, so it's emerging economies that now will do the same. And emerging economies say, but you have polluted during decades, and now we also need some margin in relation to the development of our country. And if we count by consumption instead of by production, then the emissions in developed countries are much higher. This kind of dialogue leads nowhere. We cannot go on blaming each other. We absolutely need all G20 countries to come together, to use the best technologies available within the G20 to use the financial resources that exist within the G20 and in multilateral development institutions, and to have a concerted global action to have a drastic reduction of emissions in until 2030; if that does not happen, we will be in an irreversible situation with absolutely devastating consequences.Question: In a similar way, Secretary-General, you called for a fast phase out of fossil fuels. Is it fair or acceptable for a country like Australia to continue to improve new coal and gas projects?Secretary-General: Well, what we say is that we need to have a phase out of fossil fuels that is done through a just transition, and that means that fossil fuels need to be phased out, that I believe is today scientific evidence. But obviously the situation in different countries is different, and the justice in the way this is done means that there are different reasons and there are different ways to do it, but let's have no illusion: without phase out of fossil fuels in a fair and just way, there is no way we can keep the 1.5 degrees alive.Question: Are hoping to have leaders agree to a sea level rise declaration by the end of the week, and for it to be presented at the UNGA later next month. Do you think PIF and the General Assembly should support the declaration? And also, how are your plans for a pledging conference on climate change and how's it coming about. I understand your target is $500 million.Secretary-General: I have a lot of confidence in the determination of Pacific Islands to speak loud and clear in the next General Assembly. We have seen that with sea level rise, the impact is particularly dramatic in Pacific Islands. And Pacific Islands do not contribute to Climate Change, so they have a moral authority to ask those that are creating this in accelerating the sea level rise to reverse these trends. And we count on the leadership of Pacific Islands and will be fully supportive of their declaration.Question: I just have a question, because you see the building so climate change here in Tonga, are we seeing any technical or financial assistance soon from the office?Secretary-General: I am totally committed to mobilize the new capacity that the UN has in the Pacific, to support Tonga, and to support all islands of the Pacific. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to see the inauguration of a meteorological radar that is part of the first line of protection, and it's financed by, essentially by New Zealand. And Tonga will be equipped from now on to have an effective early warning system. So, we are very much willing to cooperate with the Government of Tonga to strengthen their capacity.***END***
1 of 5
Press Release
29 August 2024
International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
Ninety-nine per cent of humanity breathes polluted air – leading to an estimated 8 million premature deaths – including more than 700,000 children under five.Pollution is also choking economies and heating up our planet, adding fuel to the fire of the climate crisis. And it disproportionally affects those most vulnerable in society, including women, children, and older persons.Yet pollution is a silent killer that can be stopped. Investing in clean air requires actions by both government and businesses – to phase out fossil fuels, strengthen air quality monitoring, enforce air quality standards, boost renewable energy, transition to clean cooking, build sustainable transport and sustainable waste management systems, clean up supply chains, and reduce harmful emissions, including methane.It is also critical to put a price on carbon.At the same time, development organizations, financial institutions and philanthropies can redirect financial capital behind clean air technologies to tackle the triple planetary crisis. Above all, we must work together at the regional and global levels. Investing in clean air saves lives, combats climate change, strengthens economies, builds fairer societies, and advances the Sustainable Development Goals. On International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, let’s invest now so we can breathe easy knowing we are securing a healthier planet for all. [END]
1 of 5
Press Release
29 August 2024
Secretary-General: Raging conflicts; an escalating climate crisis; inequalities and injustices everywhere
It is a great pleasure to address the Pacific Islands Forum. And allow me to express my deep gratitude to the government and the people of Tonga for their incredible hospitality. We meet at a turbulent time for our world. Raging conflicts; an escalating climate crisis; inequalities and injustices everywhere and the 2030 Agenda is faltering. But this region is a beacon of solidarity and strength, environmental stewardship and peace. The world has much to learn from the Pacific and the world must also step up to support your initiatives. This is a region of fearless seafarers, expert fishers, and deep ancestral knowledge of the ocean. But humanity is treating the sea like a sewer. Plastic pollution is choking sealife. Greenhouse gases are causing ocean heating, acidification, and a dramatic and accelerating rise in sea levels. Pacific islands are showing the way to protect our climate, our planet and our ocean: By declaring a Climate Emergency and pushing for action. And with your Declarations on Sea Level Rise, and aspirations for a just transition to a fossil-fuel-free Pacific. The young people of the Pacific have taken the climate crisis all the way to the International Court of Justice. You have also rightly recognized that this is a security crisis – and taken steps to manage those risks together. I want to express my full support to the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and I will do my best to help mobilize international resources for the Pacific Resilience Facility and to engage with all the relevant initiatives the Pacific Island Forum.The survival plan for our planet is simple:Establishing a just transition for the phaseout of the fossil fuels that are responsible for 85 per cent of the emissions of greenhouse gases. All countries must produce national climate plans – Nationally Determined Contributions – by next year, aligning with the 1.5-degree upper limit of global heating. The G20 – the biggest emitters responsible for 80 per cent of those emissions – must step up and lead, by phasing out the production and consumption of fossil fuels and stopping their expansion immediately.When governments sign new oil and gas licenses, they are signing away our future. The Pacific Island states’ ambition for a fossil-fuel-free Pacific is a blueprint for the G20 and for the world. But the region urgently needs substantial finance, capacities and technology to speed up the transition and to invest in adaptation and resilience. That is why we have been calling for the reform of the international financial architecture, for a massive increase in the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks, for debt relief programmes that work, including for middle income countries that are in distress, and an enhanced redistribution of Special Drawing Rights, to benefit developing countries and in particular Small Islands Developing States. The decisions world leaders take in the coming years will determine the fate, first of Pacific Islanders – but also of everyone else. In other words: If we save the Pacific, we save the world. Pacific Island States have a moral and practical imperative to take your leadership and your voice to the global stage. You demonstrated this leadership once again with the General Assembly’s endorsement of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index. We must now make sure that international financial institutions include them in their criteria for operations. The Summit of the Future in New York next month will be an opportunity to reform and update global institutions, so they are fit for the world of today and tomorrow. Across the board, the Summit aims to provide developing countries with a greater voice on the global stage, including at the UN Security Council and in international financial institutions. I urge Pacific Island States to make your voices heard and heard loudly because the world needs your leadership. Thank you very much.[END]
1 of 5
Press Release
29 August 2024
International Day for People of African Descent
On the International Day for People of African Descent, we honour the immense and diverse contributions of people of African descent to the vast spectrum of human achievements, and their tireless efforts to create a better world.The leadership, courage, and activism of people of African descent have helped overcome profound injustices, saved lives, improved societies, and brought crucial issues to the world’s attention. Yet the intolerable legacies of enslavement and colonialism endure. Systemic racism is rife and continues to mutate into new forms – including in new technologies, where algorithms can amplify discrimination. We must build on the work of people of African descent with global action to eradicate the scourge of racism and racial discrimination. At the United Nations, this is a priority, and we have established a new Anti-Racism Office. This will drive implementation of our strategic plan to address racism in the workplace. We also need governments to take the lead – by advancing and implementing policies and laws to tackle systemic racism and ensure inclusion. We need the private sector to step up – including rooting out bias in technology and other dimensions of working life. And we need reparatory justice to address the crimes of enslavement. Building on the success of the last decade, I hope States will proclaim a second International Decade for People of African Descent, to help to accelerate global efforts for true change.Together, let’s do our part to vanquish racism and discrimination, and build a world of equality, opportunity, and justice for all. [END]
1 of 5
Press Release
29 August 2024
International Day against Nuclear Tests
Across nearly eight decades, more than 2,000 nuclear tests were conducted at more than 60 sites around the world. These tests left a legacy of destruction, rendering lands uninhabitable and creating long-term health problems for people. Recent calls for the resumption of nuclear testing demonstrate that the terrible lessons of the past are being forgotten -- or ignored. On the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, the world must speak with one voice to end this practice once and for all.The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is the only prohibition on all nuclear testing, and an essential, verifiable security tool. But it is not yet in force.In the name of the victims of nuclear tests and future generations, I call on all countries whose ratifications are needed for the Treaty to enter into force to do so -- immediately and without conditions. Let’s pass the test for humanity -- and ban nuclear testing for good. [END]
1 of 5
Latest Resources
1 / 11
1 / 11