2019 New Year’s Video Message
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News Release
Timor-Leste’s Commitment to Customary Justice and Conservation Sets Examples For Other Countries
DILI/GENEVA (16 April 2019) – The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, says Timor-Leste’s drive to promote indigenous customary practices has contributed to the progress in building the nation since the restoration of independence less than 20 years ago.
“I am impressed by the pride the Timorese take in their cultural heritage and how indigenous practices have translated into important gains in environmental protection and biodiversity,” she said. “These can serve as inspiring examples for other countries.”
For most Timorese, customary practices are an integral part of everyday life and play a central role in resolving disputes between individuals and communities, such as land disputes, conflict between communities and natural resources management. These practices focus on maintaining community and environmental harmony, in contrast to the formal justice system, which is perpetrator focused.
“Ensuring justice for all is a key objective of Sustainable Development Goal 16 and Timor-Leste could provide important lessons for other countries,” Tauli-Corpuz said.
“International Engagement Around Indigenous Issues Is So Absolutely Critical”
2019 is International Year of Indigenous Languages.
“In 1788, before white settlement there was between two hundred and 300 Indigenous languages spoken in Australia and close to 600 to 800 dialects within those languages. Jump ahead 230 years, and the situation is not quite so good, with very few of those languages spoken or about 120 in fact of those are spoken in the country and of those about 90 per cent of that 120 are considered at risk.”
We spoke with Mr Craig Ritchie Co-Chair, Steering Committee for the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages. He is also Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies which is based in Canberra. Listen here.
Hundreds of youth to gather at United Nations, demanding progress on sustainable development
ECOSOC Youth Forum, New York City, 8 to 9 April 2019
New York, 8 April—Nearly 1,000 youth advocates from around the world are expected to meet with government ministers and officials at the United Nations this month to advance the role of young people in implementing of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Youth Forum, hosted by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and co-organized by the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, is the largest gathering of young people at the organization. It is taking place as today’s generation of young people, the largest the world has ever known, are leading changes all over the world, demanding that their leaders take action to make the world more sustainable.
Today, there are 1.2 billion young people, between the ages of 15 and 24, making up 16 per cent of the global population. Most of them live in developing countries. Millions of them do not have access to quality education, decent work or other opportunities to realize their full potential. Many continue to face uncertainties due to conflicts, economic variability, climate change, and rising inequalities.
Message From The Secretary-General
World Health Day
7 April 2019
This World Health Day focuses on universal health coverage and the crucial role primary health care plays in making such coverage a reality.
Half the world’s population is still unable to obtain the essential health services they need. Universal Health Coverage is about changing this and ensuring equitable access to health services for all, without people experiencing financial hardship as a result.
This is central to building healthy societies and economies and to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. And it is not just about improving health services. It is about policies and action across many sectors. We need to address the broader determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors.
And we must invest in people. We need highly trained and skilled health workers who can educate and advocate for their patients. We need empowered individuals who know how to take care of their health and that of their families. And we need communities to have access to health care when and where they need it. We must also highlight the importance of mental health, so often stigmatized and forgotten.
Primary health care is the key to achieving these goals and universal health coverage. Last year’s Astana Declaration has paved the way for the world to prioritize the investments we need. Now it is time to implement the commitments made.
Health is a human right. Political commitment and partnerships will be crucial in bringing it to life. Let us show the world that we are ready to bridge the gaps in health coverage worldwide and deliver health for all.
Ends.
New UN Global Climate report ‘another strong wake-up call’ over global warming: Guterres
The increasing number of natural disasters and dangers linked to climate change, highlighted in a major UN report released on Thursday, represents “another strong wake-up call” to the world, which must be countered by finding sustainable solutions quickly, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said. More
Press Conference
Launch of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Statement on the State of the Global Climate 2018 and an update on Extreme Weather in 2019, with UN Secretary-General, António Guterres; President of the General Assembly, María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, and the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, Petteri Taalas.
Deputy Secretary-General’s Remarks at the Opening Session of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development
2019 will be a defining year for the 2030 Agenda; and the regional forums will pave the way for our first stocktaking on the SDGs in the General Assembly in September.
Asia-Pacific is a region like no other. This is an incredibly diverse group of countries.
Deputy Secretary- General Amina J. Mohammed
From large economies to the small island states, from G20 economies to countries facing long-lasting crises and seeking a transition back into development. From middle to low income countries – this region is a microcosm of our global community. More
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
21 March 2019
Racism: UN experts condemn mosque attacks, urge action against nationalist populism and supremacist ideologies
GENEVA (21 March 2019) – States must take urgent, concerted action to achieve racial equality and stop using nationalist populist rhetoric to stoke discrimination, says a group of UN human rights experts*. The appeal comes on the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination:
“Less than a week ago, a white supremacist committed an Islamophobic terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, killing 50 people and injuring many others. This tragic event reminds us that racism, xenophobia and religious hatred are deadly and that the result of ethno-nationalist populism and supremacist ideologies is racial violence, exclusion and discrimination.
Encouraging progress made in 2018, in ‘zero tolerance’ effort to end sexual exploitation and abuse across UN
The United Nations recorded a total of 259 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) during 2018, according to the latest report by Secretary-General António Guterres presented to the General Assembly. Although the figures rose compared with the previous two years, the report shows increased awareness among UN and UN-related staff, and improved and harmonized reporting tools across the Organization. More
United Nations Secretary-General Statement On The Attack At Two Mosques In New Zealand
The Secretary-General is shocked and appalled at the terrorist attack at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. He extends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of New Zealand.
The Secretary General recalls the sanctity of mosques and all places of worship. He calls upon all people on this holy day for Muslims to show signs of solidarity with the bereaved Islamic community.
The Secretary-General reiterates the urgency of working better together globally to counter Islamophobia and eliminate intolerance and violent extremism in all its forms.
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General
New York, 15 March 2019
Statement: Ethiopian Airlines Crash
The Secretary-General was deeply saddened at the tragic loss of lives in the airplane crash today near Addis Ababa. He conveys his heartfelt sympathies and solidarity to the victims’ families and loved ones, including those of United Nations staff members, as well as sincere condolences to the Government and people of Ethiopia.
The United Nations is in contact with the Ethiopian authorities and working closely with them to establish the details of United Nations personnel who lost their lives in this tragedy.
Stephane Dujarric
Spokesman for the Secretary-General
New York
10 March 2019