On Monday 24 February, Samoan Youth launched the Local Chapter of the Global Network for the Future of Small Islands at Robert Louis Stevenson Secondary School in Apia. During the event, students as well as young farmers from across the country, teachers, representatives from the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development and from UN agencies came together to highlight the importance of young people in the future of Samoa and its sustainable development. Continue reading
At its inaugural session this week, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Working Group on the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013-2022, adopted a five-year road map for the implementation of the Incheon Strategy to ‘Make the Right Real’ for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific. Continue reading
Inclusive economic integration in the Arab region would create six million new jobs by 2020 and increase regional gross domestic product by three per cent, the United Nations today reported arguing for a unified model like that of the European Union or other regional economic blocs. Continue reading
The United Nations launched the International Year of Small Islands Developing States on the 24th of February, celebrating the economic, social and cultural contributions that this group of countries has made to the world, as well as raise awareness of the challenges they face such as climate change and rising sea levels. Continue reading
Margareta Wahlström, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction has said in a statement on the launch of the International Year of Small Island Developing States that SIDS face some of the most extreme negative impacts of disaster and climate risk. But too often, the narrative fails to also capture the other side of the story: their strong will, leadership and ingenuity in tackling risk.
Creating the enabling conditions for a Green Economy transition in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) from improved public investment to reliable market instruments and better governance will help the estimated 50 million SIDS residents build climate resilience, achieve economic growth and enjoy better standards of living. Continue reading
UN Humanitarian Chief Valerie Amos will visit the Philippines from 26 to 27 February to assess the humanitarian response almost four months after Typhoon Haiyan struck the country, affecting an estimated 14 million people. Continue reading
The OCHA Asia-Pacific Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot for 18-24 February 2014 focuses on the volcano activity and flooding in Indonesia and the Dengue Fever outbreaks in the Pacific Islands. Continue reading
On the 19th of February nine young people from Cowra, a country town in regional NSW, traveled interstate to visit UNIC Canberra to learn about the work of the United Nations and how they can get their community involved. Continue reading
International Mother Language Day has been observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. Continue reading