Why the South China Sea was turbulent in 2023
26/12/2023: Through 2023 both China and the Philippines have been taking greater risks over disputed islets and shoals in the South China Sea. Their competing claims are considered a real threat to security and stability in waterways that carry trillions of dollars in global trade.
Source: DW
New UN resolution aims to fix health facilities worldwide
19/12/2023: Water, waste disposal, and electricity are the basic services a functioning health care center requires – yet thousands are forced to operate without, impacting health workers’ ability to save lives. A new U.N. resolution hopes to change that.
Source: Devex
Key COP28 takeaways for Africa
20/12/2023: The UN’s annual climate summit concluded with a mixed bag of results for Africa. This summary of progress includes the Loss and Damage Fund, adaptation, climate finance and a just energy transition. — issues that directly relate to African countries’ ability to meet their climate change and development goals.
Source: World Resources Institute
UN resolution on war in Gaza is an important but insufficient step
22/12/2023: The UN Security Council has adopted a compromise resolution calling for “expanded humanitarian access” to Gaza. Amnesty welcomes the humanitarian commitment but warns that nothing short of an immediate ceasefire is enough to alleviate the mass civilian suffering.
Source: Amnesty International
EU’s Migration Pact is a disaster for migrants and asylum seekers
20/12/2023: Human Rights Watch says that new “political agreement” to overhaul the European Union’s asylum and migration system contains provisions that move closer to legalizing the denial of the right to asylum. The changes are based on deterrence, an approach proven to be both ineffective and abusive.
Source: Human Rights Watch
IMF rules continue to be rigged against the world’s poorest
19/12/2023: Two development economists explain why they believe that the latest review of quotas that determine the IMF's decision-making powers shows exactly how unfair the rules are for developing countries. It is now over ten years since the richer countries committed to rebalance the formula.
Source: Devex
Taliban’s return to international norms is non-negotiable
20/12/2023: The head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has briefed the UN Security Council that lack of progress in resolving human rights issues continues to prevent the country obtaining a seat at the United Nations. Meanwhile, Afghanistan remains one of the countries with the highest levels of humanitarian needs, with more than 29 million people requiring assistance.
Source: UN News
Despite violence in Sudan, pro-democracy groups won’t give up
22/12/2023: As the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces take control of Sudan's second-largest city, there is little hope that violence will subside soon. Experts fear the Sudanese conflict is devolving into a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Civilian pro-democracy activists are struggling for resources and logistical space.
Source: DW
Can the US force Taliban to lift ban on girls’ education?
19/12/2023: The US has imposed sanctions on two influential Taliban ministers over their stance on girls' education. Afghanistan is the only country in the world with restrictions on female education. While the immediate impact of US sanctions on key Taliban leaders is uncertain, experts hope that persistent international pressure could contribute to reforms.
Source: DW
New loss and damage fund means many things to many people
12/12/2023: The next year or two will decide what exactly the new climate Loss and Damage fund responds to, how it will raise money, and how it will give it out. Answers to these difficult policy questions will be a crucial expression of climate justice.
Source: The New Humanitarian