Africa and India push rich nations to phase out fossil fuels
16/10/2023: Noting the key principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” in UN climate conferences, the African Group of negotiators wants rich countries to stop greenlighting new fossil fuel production projects by 2030. Major nations like the US, UK, Australia and Norway have continued to approve oil and gas pumping and have not set end dates for fossil fuel production.
Source: Climate Home News
Ignoring water crisis could cost global economy
16/10/2023: Research by WWF suggests that governments would take more action on water scarcity if they were more aware of the economic value of freshwater systems. Already, half the global population experiences water scarcity on a monthly basis and 55 million people are affected by droughts each year.
Source: Devex
Bjørn Lomborg: The climate contrarian who puts poverty first
16/10/2023: Under political pressure, the World Bank has unequivocally added climate change to its anti-poverty mandate. Bjørn Lomborg speaks out for those who believe that limited resources should be prioritised to tackle poverty and hunger.
Source: Devex
Israel-Gaza crisis: US vetoes Security Council resolution
18/10/2023: The US has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have called for “humanitarian pauses” to deliver lifesaving aid to millions in Gaza. The US Ambassador explained her country’s veto saying “this resolution did not mention Israel’s right of self-defence.”
Source: UN News
Why donors hesitate over Kenya’s refugee reform plan
21/10/2023: Kenya’s refugee reform programme could see the Kakuma and Dadaab camps converted into formal towns whose residents will no longer be restricted in movement. But potential development partners seek more direct benefits to refugees as the basis for committing funds.
Source: The East African
Power for Africa: The boom of nuclear energy?
19/10/2023: Many African countries are eyeing nuclear power to solve electrification challenges, often in partnership with energy companies from China and Russia. Experts say this is the wrong direction, pointing to solar energy as a welcome alternative for the sunny continent.
Source: DW
Has the UN been letting the people of Myanmar down?
10/10/2023: In almost three years since the military coup in Myanmar, the UN system has been ineffective in responding to the excesses of the junta, according to a report by the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar. Resolutions denouncing atrocities adopted by the UN Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council have failed to end the bombing and burning of villages.
Source: The New Humanitarian
Pakistan threatens to deport Afghan refugees
12/10/2023: Over 700,000 Afghans fled to Pakistan after the Taliban takeover in August 2021, of which only 200,000 have been resettled. Human Rights Watch calls on the Pakistan government to withdraw its demand that all migrants living without legal status in Pakistan must leave voluntarily within 28 days or face deportation.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Ethiopia: Victims ‘left in limbo’ as rights probe mandate ends
13/10/2023: The final report of the UN-mandated Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia presents a detailed account of potential war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Tigray, Amhara, Afar and Oromia, pointing a finger at all parties involved. The Commission's mandate has now ended, leaving victims in limbo.
Source: UN News
China or US: Who’s delaying debt relief to developing world
11/10/2023: Today, 3.3 billion people live in countries that spend more on interest payments than on education or health, according to the UN. China has been widely blamed for the delay in a global debt relief programme. Beijing disagrees and puts the onus on the US and lenders backed by it.
Source: DW