Monday 30 July 2012

World Water Week 2012 in Stockholm

This year the World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden will address the theme "Water and Food Security". UN-Water will jointly organize and contribute to a series of seminars and events and also expects you throughout the week at the UN-Water Pavilion in the exhibition Hall B.




27 August Seminar | 15.45 to 18.45: The UN International Year and World Water Day 2013: Water Cooperation" The UN International Year 2013 and the World Water Day, 22 March 2013, will be devoted to the theme of Water Cooperation. The Seminar will officially launch and introduce the preparations for both, the Year and the Day, and will allow participants to exchange their views and perspectives on the essence of water cooperation. Seminar | 12.00 to 13.45: Tracking National Financial Flows to Sanitation, Hygiene and Drinking-water UN-Water GLAAS proposed a standard approach for tracking national financial flows for sanitation and drinking-water. It is proposed that this method be globally tested in 2012/13 and then used as the methodology to collect the GLAAS 2014 financial data. Participants will discuss how it could be further developed and adopted. Read more on GLASS


28 August Side event | 17.45 to 18.45: UN-Water project on the "Safe Use of Wastewater in Agriculture" Wastewater is a resource in urban and peri-urban areas which can alleviate pressure on (fresh) water sources and improve food security. To ensure that its use is safe, national policies and strategies need to be in place. This UN-Water capacity development project brings together expertise in UN agencies to focus on the issue.



30 August Seminar | 9.00 to 12.30: "Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene – Preparing the Next Generation of Goals, Targets and Indicators" Current global monitoring of drinking-water and sanitation does not provide a detailed assessment of service coverage, nor covers hygiene. JMP and partners are developing post-2015 indicators taking into account the Human right to water and sanitation. The seminar will present first results and invite participants to contribute.





World Water Week in Stockholm, 26-31 August 2012








World Water Week in Stockholm
26-31 August 2012 - Stockholm, Sweden


 
2012-07-26 | See more while in Stockholm!
Explore World Water Week's field trips and excursions! Learn about how Stockholm havs applied technologies for wastewater reuse and treatment and strategies for sustainable city planning.
2012-07-24 | Looming conflicts on transboundary waters?
Conflict Resolution & Transboundary Water is one of the themes this year. Check out the seminars and side events exploring transboundary water issues.
2012-07-16 | Climate and Energy events at World Water Week
This year we continue the discussion on the connections between water and energy. Also, with natural climate variability and human induced climate change risk worsening, water related climate change remains strong on our agenda.
2012-07-16 | Ecosystems role to be discussed in a workshop
This workshop will discuss the impact of food production on water and ecosystems on the context of food security and how to address solutions for managing the trade-offs between human needs and healthy ecosystems.
2012-07-12 | World Water Week launches mobile website
The World Water Week now also has its own mobile website!
2012-07-10 | Land and Water Aqusition themed events
During the 2012 World Water Week in Stockholm, there are a number of Land and Water Aqusition themed events, to learn more, please click on the events below or use our interactive Event Finder.
2012-07-09 | Financial instruments for food security and water resource use
Are there creative financial tools to support poor people in their development and coping capacity following increased natural catastrophes?
2012-07-09 | Closing the Yield Gap Workshop
The workshop will address ways to increase water productivity and close yield gaps. How can soil and water management be improved?
2012-07-03 | Gender aspects on food security and water
Why women matter to the food security? At this year's week, there are a number of events covering gender aspects on food security and water.
2012-07-02 | Water efficiency in food supply chain
A more productive use of limited, highly demanded and unreliable water resources is necessary. In most debates, an increase in water productivity is associated with a more efficient supply chain. See this year's events on this issue.
2012-07-02 | The role of Blue Water workshop
By participating in this workshop you will discuss the actual, and potential, role of the blue water resources for food security.
2012-06-29 | Welcome new and longstanding sponsors!
The World Water Week in Stockholm is pleased to present the 2012 sponsors.

" What's in Blue " - Insights on the work of the UN Security Council

whatsinblue
Insights on the work of the UN Security Council

When The United Nations Security Council approaches the final stage of negotiation of a draft resolution the text is printed in blue... What's in Blue helps interested UN readers keep up with what might soon be "in blue".

Security Council Reports Publications on:

Africa
Americas
Asia
Europe
Middle East
Thematic & General Issues
Security Council Statistics

 

 

 

 

 

United Nations Observances in July

Sunday 29 July 2012

International Day of Friendship 2012

30 July - International Friendship Day To mark the
The UN encourages governments, international organizations and civil society groups to hold events, activities and initiatives that contribute to the efforts of the international community towards promoting a dialogue among civilizations, solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation.

Thursday 26 July 2012

World Trade Report 2012


Non-tariff measures (NTMs) can serve legitimate public policy goals, such as protecting the health of consumers, but they may also be used for protectionist purposes. The Report reveals how the expansion of global production chains, climate change and the growing importance of consumer concerns in richer countries affect the use of NTMs. It also reports that such measures represent the main source of concerns for exporters. The focus of the Report is on technical barriers to trade (TBT) regarding standards for manufactured goods, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures concerning food safety and animal/plant health, and domestic regulation in services. The Report looks at the availability of information on NTMs and the latest trends concerning usage. It discusses the impact that NTMs have on trade and examines how regulatory harmonization and/or mutual recognition of standards may help to reduce any trade-hindering effects. Finally, the Report looks at international cooperation on NTMs.

World Trade Report 2012 - Trade and public policies: A closer look at non-tariff measures in the 21st century Published in 2012

 
I- World trade in 2011(18 pages; 456KB)
  
II- Trade and public policies: A closer look at non-tariff measures in the 21st century
> A. Introduction(14 pages; 238KB)
> F. Conclusions(4 pages; 101KB)


    

Wednesday 25 July 2012

“It’s closer than you think” is the theme of World Hepatitis Day 2012


“It’s closer than you think” is the theme of this year’s World Hepatitis Day, which takes place on ?  2012.

The campaign focuses on raising awareness of the different forms of hepatitis: what they are and how they are transmitted; who is at risk; and the various methods of prevention and treatment.

Despite its staggering toll on health, hepatitis remains a group of diseases that are largely unknown, undiagnosed and untreated.

Wednesday 18 July 2012

Nelson Mandela International Day - 18 July

Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July 2012) - Secretary-General's Video Message
13 Jul 2012 - Every year since 2010, on 18 July individuals around the world are encouraged to devote 67 minutes to helping others – by volunteering in a hospital, tutoring a child, providing food for the homeless, or any other community service.

The United Nations International Year on Water Cooperation

Events
. .
© FAO Mediabase










In December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2013 as the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation (Resolution A/RES/65/154). In reflection of this declaration, the 2013 World Water Day, which will take place on 22 March 2013, also will be dedicated to water cooperation. Therefore, UN-Water has called upon UNESCO to lead the 2013 United Nations International Year on Water Cooperation, in particular because of the Organization’s unique multidisciplinary approach which blends the natural and social sciences, education, culture and communication. Given the intrinsic nature of water as a transversal and universal element, the United Nations International Year on Water Cooperation naturally would embrace and touch upon all these aspects.

© FAO Mediabase








The objective of this International Year is to raise awareness, both on the potential for increased cooperation, and on the challenges facing water management in light of the increase in demand for water access, allocation and services. The Year will highlight the history of successful water cooperation initiatives, as well as identify burning issues on water education, water diplomacy, transboundary water management, financing cooperation, national/international legal frameworks, and the linkages with the Millennium Development Goals. It also will provide an opportunity to capitalize on the momentum created at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), and to support the formulation of new objectives that will contribute towards developing water resources that are truly sustainable.



Celebrations throughout the Year will include featured events at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, as well as many other events organized by various stakeholders around the world. Such events will seek to promote actions at all levels in relevant areas including education, culture, gender, the sciences, conflict prevention and resolution, as well as ethics, among others.





2013
To know more about the 2013 UN International Year of Water Cooperation please contact Lucilla Minelli at: l.minelli@unesco.org.


Tuesday 17 July 2012

International Justice Day 2012

International Justice Day 2012, themed "Improving Capabilities, Strengthening Society," has given the Justice Ministry the opportunity to reflect on a year and a half of challenges and achievements.
 

On 6 July 2012, the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) held an event and symbolic flag-raising ceremony, calling other parties to join in celebrations of 17 July, International Criminal Justice Day. The event began with speeches by Ambassador of Luxembourg, H.E. Mr Jean-Marc Hoscheit, representing the States parties to the Rome Statute, and the ICC President, Judge Sang-Hyun Song. More information: www.icc-cpi.int

Wednesday 11 July 2012

Remarks by Secretary Clinton: July 2012 - World Population Day

World Population Day


Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
July 11, 2012


This year as we mark World Population Day, leaders from around the globe are meeting in London for the Family Planning Summit hosted by the Government of the United Kingdom and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. They are working to find new ways to support the rights of women and young people to decide whether, when, and how many children to have.

Reproductive rights are among the most basic of human rights. But too often, in too many places, these rights are denied. Millions of women and young people in developing countries don't have access to information to plan their family. They don't have health services and modern methods of contraception. This is not only a violation of their right to decide the number, timing, and spacing of their children, it's also a question of equity as women everywhere should have the same ability to determine this fundamental part of their lives.
Voluntary family planning programs represent more than just an investment in health and human rights. Family planning is one of the most successful development interventions and one of the strongest and most cost-effective investments available. It reduces poverty, and it allows governments to invest in infrastructure, schooling, and healthcare. For over 40 years the U.S. government, through the work of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has been committed to supporting effective and sustainable family planning programs. During this current fiscal year the U.S. contributed over $640 million through USAID for bilateral family planning and reproductive health programs, and $35 million to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the largest multilateral provider of life-saving family planning and reproductive health information and services. The partnership between the U.S. government and UNFPA is critical to advancing sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights for women, men, adolescents and youth around the world.
We must continue to build on this solid foundation and advance solidarity within the international community for the right of women and young people to make decisions about their own bodies. Our efforts are critical to improving the status of women and upholding these basic human rights around the world.


PRN: 2012/1137

Tuesday 10 July 2012

World Population Day - 11 July

Secretary-General’s Message for 2012

 The world’s population has more than tripled since the United Nations was created in 1945, and keeps growing. With more than 7 billion people now inhabiting the planet, we face ever greater demands on shared resources and significant challenges to the achievement of internationally agreed development goals.

 Multiple crises — food, fuel and financial — have caused significant suffering and served as a wake-up call about the need to pay far more attention to the building blocks of sustainable development. Reproductive health is an indispensable part of the sustainable development equation. Women and young people who are in good health, and who have the power and means to make their own decisions about how many children to have — and when to have them — are better able to contribute to the development of their societies.

 Yet only one in three rural women in developing countries receives adequate care during pregnancy. Teenage pregnancies are still commonplace in most parts of the world, often driven by poverty and a lack of education. More than 200 million women and adolescent girls have no access to contraceptives. And voluntary family planning programmes are starved for resources almost everywhere.

 We can — and must — do better. On this World Population Day, I call for urgent concerted action by Member States to bridge the gap between demand and supply for reproductive health care. Reproductive health and rights are integral to sustainable development and poverty reduction. Investing in universal access to reproductive health is a crucial investment in healthy societies and a more sustainable future.

 Ban Ki-moon

Friday 6 July 2012

How co-operatives provide an ethical alternative to business across the world in many different sectors from small shops to global organisations.

This first eBook looks at how co-operatives contribute to the world through food production. Co-operative Enterprises Build A Better World Through Food

International Co-operative Day 2012



The International Day of Co-operatives is celebrated annually on the first Saturday of July.


Message of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) - 90th ICA International Co-operative Day - 18th UN International Day of Co-operatives - 7th July 2012 - English

Message de l’Alliance Coopérative Internationale (ACI) 90ème Journée internationale des coopératives de l’ACI - 18ème Journée internationale des coopératives des NU - 7 juillet 2012 - Français

Mensaje de la Alianza Cooperativa Internacional (ACI) - 90° Día Internacional del Cooperativismo de la ACI - 18° Día Internacional del Cooperativismo de las Naciones Unidas - 7 de julio de 2012 - Español 

第90回ICA国際協同組合デー及び - 第18回国連国際協同組合デーに向けたICAメッセージ - 2012年7月7日 - 日本語




The aim of the day is to increase awareness of co-operatives and promote the movement's successes and ideals of international solidarity, economic efficiency, equality, and world peace.

ICA first celebrated the International Day in 1923. The International Day is now run in partnership with the UN and the UN asks all member governments to participate in the celebrations each year.
The International Day has a different theme each year. Themes in recent years have included ‘Youth, the future of co-operative enterprise’ in 2011 and ‘Co-operative enterprise empowers women’ in 2010. Co-operatives around the world celebrate the Day in many different ways, seeking to gain press and publicity at a local and national level.

The ICA wants to make the International Day in 2012 something that we will all remember – one in which one billion co-operators can get involved in order to raise public awareness about the co-operative business model. The theme for the International Day 2012 is the same as the International Year of Co-operatives: "Co-operative enterprises build a better world".

UN International Day of Co-operatives, 7 July 2012 "Cooperative enterprises build a better world" - "Les coopératives, des entreprises pour un monde meilleur" - "Las empresas cooperativas ayudan a construir un mundo mejor".

This year's theme links to the observance of the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives. It seeks to encourage the growth and establishment of cooperatives all over the world, and to recognize the actions of cooperatives in helping to achieve internationally agreed upon development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals.

How to celebrate the International Day?

Co-operatives around the world celebrate the Day in many different ways. Below are examples of some of the activities organised by co-operatives around the world:
• The messages of the ICA and United Nations are translated into local languages and widely disseminated to co-operators, media, and government officials at all levels.
• Co-operatives use the media to create awareness on their movements and contributions.
• Co-operative Fairs, exhibits, contests, and campaigns are held.
• Meetings with government officials, United Nations agencies and other partner organisations are held.
• Co-operatives partner with community agencies to champion economic, environmental, social and health challenges.
• Cultural events are sponsored - theatre, concerts, etc.
Whatever you are doing, we have various ways you can promote your activity