What does success look like for next WTO ministerial?
19/11/2023: Prospects seem slim for even a low-ambition outcome at the ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization due in February 2024. Recent developments suggest that there is no political will among the major players to restore genuine multilateralism, let alone to address the long list of outstanding promises to developing countries.
Source: AfronomicsLaw
Health needs to be embedded in national climate change plans
23/11/2023: Ahead of COP-28, the World Health Organization has published its 2023 review of actions needed to ensure that people’s health is fully integrated into national plans to fight climate change. 91% of countries' nationally determined contributions now include health considerations, compared to 70% of those reporting in 2019.
Source: World Health Organization
Rights concerns over Ugandan license plate tracking
14/11/2023: Uganda’s new surveillance system allows the government to track the real time location of all vehicles in the country. Human Rights Watch has called for the system to be scrapped, on grounds of privacy and rights to freedom of association.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Global refugee indicators show progress on improving lives
17/11/2023: The world has made tangible progress in laying the groundwork for improving refugees’ lives, according to a report by the UN Refugee Agency. Four key indicators focus on easing pressure on host countries; enhancing refugee self-reliance; expanding access to third-country solutions; and supporting conditions in countries of origin.
Source: UN Refugee Agency
UNHCR welcomes UK judgement on transfer of asylum-seekers
15/11/2023: The UN Refugee Agency has welcomed the UK's Supreme Court ruling that transfers of asylum-seekers from the UK to Rwanda would breach international and UK law. The Agency advised the Court under its mandate to supervise the application of the 1951 Refugee Convention worldwide.
Source: UN Refugee Agency
Australia’s offer of climate migration to Tuvalu is groundbreaking
11/11/2023: ~The Australia–Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty will provide migration pathways for people from Tuvalu facing the existential threat of climate change. It will allow up to 280 Tuvaluans to migrate to Australia each year and is the world’s first bilateral agreement on climate mobility.
Source: The Conversation
UN Refugee Agency sets out obligations for asylum seeker transfers
7/11/2023: In light of Italy's announcement that asylum-seekers will be transferred to Albania, the UN Refugee Agency has reiterated the legal standards that should be applied to such arrangements. In particular that transfers to safe third party countries should share the responsibility for refugees equitably among participating nations, rather than shifting it.
Source: UN Refugee Agency
Amnesty petitions for ceasefire in Gaza and Israel
10/11/2023: More than a million signatures from people around the world have been gathered for an Amnesty International petition demanding an immediate ceasefire to end hostilities in Gaza and Israel. A ceasefire would allow aid to reach those in desperate need and provide opportunities to secure the release of hostages.
Source: Amnesty International
Call to suspend arms to Israel and Palestinian groups
6/11/2023: Human Rights Watch has called on allies of Israel and backers of Palestinian armed groups to suspend the transfer of arms to the warring parties. The campaign group says that both Israel and Palestinian armed groups have committed serious abuses amounting to war crimes during the current hostilities.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Countries clinch loss and damage fund agreement
6/11/2023: Recommendations on how to operate a new fund to help vulnerable nations recover from climate disasters are now ready for approval at COP 28 next month, despite US opposition. The committee has recommended that the fund be hosted by the World Bank — a previous red line for developing countries.
Source: Devex