International Day on the fight against IUU fishing 2021; June 5th

 FORUM: Sustainable fishing Starts with us. International Day on the fight against IUU fishing 2021.

 IUU fishing includes all fishing that breaks fisheries laws or occurs outside the reach of fisheries laws and regulations. What are the most critical gaps that must be addressed to end illegal fishing? The most critical gaps to be addressed are the lack of required, internationally recognized unique vessel identification numbers on fishing vessels; the lack of a sound, uniform system for tracking fishing vessels; and poor sharing of information on suspected illegal fishing activity among national and international bodies and agencies.

- Four reasons illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing affects us and what we can do about it.
- Our oceans are haunted.
- Fighting three words is changing the fisheries sector.

Join the conversation on twitter:  #FightIUUFishing and #SaveOurOcean.

heries sector

Fighting three words is changing the fisheries sector

FAO’s commitment through the years

1982 - United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (available in all languages here).

1993 - FAO Compliance Agreement

1995 - Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries

1995 - United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement

2014 - Global Record of Fishing Vessels, Refrigerated Transport Vessels and Supply Vessels | is a State-certified repository of vessels involved in fishing operations.

2014 - FAO Voluntary Guidelines on Flag State Performance | provides a comprehensive checklist and guidelines for flag States to implement their internationally agreed responsibilities in relation to flagging and controlling their fishing vessels.

2016 - 2009 FAO Agreement on Port State Measures (entry into force)| It prevents illicitly caught fish from entering the value chain through foreign ports.

2017 - FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Catch Documentation Schemes | It provides better and more harmonized traceability of fish along the value chain.

2018 - FAO Voluntary Guidelines on the Marking of Fishing Gear | are international guidelines for the marking of fishing gear, aimed at mitigating the problem of abandoned, lost or discarded gear, as well as combatting IUU fishing.

 

Closing the net on IUU fishing

4 June 2021, 15:00–16:00 CEST
Agenda | Zoom | Webcast

On the occasion of the fourth observance of the International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, FAO is organizing a digital talk on the impacts of IUU fishing, on the sustainability of fisheries, on our oceans, as well as on consumers who often don’t know where the fish and seafood they buy comes from and how it is caught. When IUU-caught fish ends up on our plates, we are unwitting accomplices in unsustainable, and often criminal practices, that are damaging for our future well-being and the sustainability of our planet.

As consumers, we can contribute to stop IUU fishing with the greatest tool we have: our personal choice. Join us as we discuss this most interesting theme with an incredible line-up of experts and ocean lovers. 

World Bicycle Day 2021; June 3rd

The purpose of the World Bicycle Day observed on 3 June is to draw attention to the benefits of using the bicycle — a simple, affordable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation. The bicycle contributes to cleaner air and less congestion and makes education, health care and other social services more accessible to the most vulnerable populations. A sustainable transport system that promotes economic growth, reduces inequalities while bolstering the fight against climate change is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

 FORUM: Promoting Cycling, World Bicycle Day 2021; June 3rd.

Meeting the needs of people who walk and cycle continues to be a critical part of the mobility solution for helping cities de-couple population growth from increased emissions, and to improve air quality and road safety. The COVID-19 pandemic has also led many cities to rethink their transport systems

EVENTS

The United Nations Sustainable Transport Conference will take place from 14 to 16 October 2021 in Beijing, China and will focus on the central role that sustainable transport plays in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change. The Forum will also highlight opportunities, challenges and solutions in achieving a sustainable transport system worldwide.



Green Lake 100. Ride Schedule and Information. Friday June 4, 2021. 9:00 am.

If bicyclists are looking for a challenging, yet fun ride featuring numerous routes of scenic beauty throughout the area, they need to look no further than the third.

Global Day of Parents 2021; June 1st

Designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, Global Day of Parents on 1 June to provides an opportunity to appreciate all parents for their "selfless commitment to children and their lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing this relationship."

FORUM: Greater support needed for working parents as COVID-19 takes hold; Global Day of Parents 2021.

Interaction with Students & their Parents. Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Families bear the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the anchors of the family and the foundation of our communities and societies, parents have the responsibility of sheltering their families from harm, caring for out-of-school children and, at the same time, continuing their work responsibilities. Without support from parents, children’s health, education and emotional well-being is at risk. By introducing family-friendly workplace policies and practices, companies and organizations will be in a better position to promote children’s safety and wellbeing and provide systematic support to employees.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its exponential growth, a technical note from UNICEF, ILO and UN Women on family-friendly policies and other good workplace practices in the context of COVID-19 shows that it is essential to support working families to minimize negative consequences for children.

World No-Tobacco Day 2021; May 31

FORUM: Commit to Quit. World No-Tobacco Day 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to millions of tobacco users saying they want to quit. 

Commit to quit today and sign the pledge. Pledge to quit today!

Cerimônia virtual em alusão ao prêmio do Dia Mundial Sem Tabaco.

 The World Health Organization’s 'Commit to Quit’ tobacco campaign has made resources from its Quitting Toolkit freely available to more than a billion tobacco users, less than 5 months into the year-long campaign. WHO launched the campaign to support those millions of tobacco users who are actively taking steps to save their lives, but still need help to succeed. The campaign is currently working directly with 29 focus countries. 

Each country agreed with WHO on selected activities, including, running national awareness campaigns, releasing new digital tools, revising policies, engaging youth, training health workers, opening new cessation clinics, supporting nicotine replacement therapies through WHO partners, establishing national toll-free quit lines, making quitting courses available, and more.

“Smokers have up to a 50% higher risk of developing severe disease and death from COVID-19, so quitting is best thing smokers can do to lower their risk from this coronavirus, as well as the risk of developing cancers, heart disease and respiratory illnesses,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “We urge all countries to play their part by joining the WHO campaign and creating tobacco-free environments that give people the information, support and tools they need to quit, and quit for good.”

“To help tobacco users to commit to be quitters and winners, we are using digital aids to release the WHO Quit Challenge chatbot and Artificial Intelligence digital health worker Florence, and making advocacy material available in 30 languages,” added Dr Rüdiger Krech, Director Health Promotion, WHO. The Quit Challenge gives daily notifications of tips and encouragement for up to 6 months to help people remain tobacco free. It is available for free on WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook Messenger and WeChat. Globally, roughly 39% of men and 9% of women use tobacco. The highest tobacco use rates among men are currently found in the Western Pacific region at 49%, and among women in Europe at 19%.

Director-General’s Tobacco Control Awards

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has given special recognition awards for tobacco control to the Minister of Health and Family Welfare of India, Dr Harsh Vardhan and to the Tobacco Control Research Group at the University of Bath, UK. Dr Harsha Vardhan was instrumental in the 2019 national legislation that bans E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) in India. The Tobacco Control Research Group in UK has worked relentlessly to expose tobacco industry attempts and tactics to weaken, block or delay tobacco control, thereby helping secure policy change nationally and globally.

CAMPAIGN: The World Health Organization supports people quitting tobacco to reduce their risk of severe COVID-19. WHO would like to thank our partners that supported the campaign: Allen Carr’s EasyWay, Amazon Web Services, Cipla, Facebook and WhatsApp, Google, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health, Praekelt.org, Soul Machines Limited, and Viber.

 The campaign focus countries are:  

• Arab Republic of Egypt
• Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
• Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
• Federal Republic of Germany                             
• Federal Republic of Nigeria
• Federative Republic of Brazil
• Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
• Islamic Republic of Iran 
• Islamic Republic of Pakistan
• Kyrgyz Republic
• People’s Republic of Bangladesh
• People’s Republic of China, 
• Republic of India
• Republic of Indonesia
• Republic of Kazakhstan
• Republic of Kenya
• Republic of the Philippines, 
• Republic of Poland
• Republic of Senegal
• Republic of South Africa
• Republic of Suriname
• Republic of Turkey
• Republic of Uzbekistan
• Republic of the Sudan
• Russian Federation
• Socialist Republic of Viet Nam
• United Mexican States
• United States of America
• Ukraine

 

Events

World No Tobacco Day 2021: Awards 2021 Brazil
1 June 2021 14:00 – 15:00 Brazil Time

World No Tobacco Day 2021 Brazil: Commit to Quit Smoking
31 May 2021 13:00 – 14:00 Brazil Time

Commit to Quit: 100 reasons to quit tobacco. 100 reasons to adopt tobacco legislation
31 May 2021 11:00 – 12:30 CET

World No Tobacco Day 2021: Launch of “Commit to Quit!” Marathon

28 May 2021 11:00 – 12:30 CET

International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2021, May 29th

 

FORUM: Leveraging the power of youth for peace and security; International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2021.  

This year, the challenges and threats faced by our peacekeepers are even greater than ever as they, like people around the world, are having to cope not only with the COVID-19 pandemic but also the continued requirement to support and protect the people in the countries in which they are based.
The theme for this year’s Day is "The road to a lasting peace: Leveraging the power of youth for peace and security."
Today, tens of thousands of young peacekeepers (between the ages of 18 and 29 years) are deployed around the world and play a major role in helping the missions implement their mandated activities including the protection of civilians.  And UN peace operations -- in line with a series of Security Council resolutions (2250, 2419 and 2535) -- are increasing their collaboration with youth and youth groups to help build sustainable peace and implement their mandates on the ground.

Follow the conversations #ServingForPeace .

Are you interested in becoming a peacekeeper? Our peacekeepers come from the 193 U.N. Member States and are recruited with a broad range of backgrounds.

Statement by the U.N.Secretary-General on International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2021

The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers honors the more than one million women and men who have served on the frontlines of conflict and the more than 4,000 who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Their service and sacrifices will never be forgotten.

I express my deep gratitude to the 85,000 civilian, police and military personnel currently deployed in some of the world’s most challenging hotspots to protect the vulnerable and help to build peace. Despite the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, as well as the risk of infection, these men and women have pursued their mission while also supporting local authorities in the fight against COVID-19. I offer sincere condolences to the families of peacekeepers who have fallen victim to this terrible disease.

This year’s observance focuses on the central question of youth, peace and security. In every country where our peacekeepers work, peace can only be achieved with the active participation of young people. The world needs to do far more to address their needs, amplify their voices and ensure their presence at decision-making tables.

Our Missions play an important role in protecting and supporting young people, in particular young women and girls, to reduce violence and sustain peace. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, MONUSCO is working with youth who are vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups, to provide viable and sustainable alternatives to violence. In South Sudan, the inclusion of youth groups in peace processes has helped strengthen relations between subnational and national actors. In the Central African Republic and in Mali, MINUSCA and MINUSMA have worked closely with youth representatives to increase voter turnout in recent elections.

One of our greatest strengths is our own young peacekeepers, in particular young women peacekeepers who contribute every day to debunking deeply entrenched gendered stereotypes and inspire young women and girls to seek non-traditional paths and opportunities.

United Nations peacekeeping helps nurture peace in some of the world’s most dangerous places. Today and every day, we salute the dedication and bravery of our peacekeepers in helping societies turn away from war and towards a safer, more stable future.

António Guterres

 

Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Awards

• List of Personnel to be Posthumously Awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal on 27 May 2021

International Day of Vesak 2021; May 26rd

 Forum: ''May it bring peace and happiness to all' International Day of Vesak 2021.

"Vesak", the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world. It was on the Day of Vesak two and a half millennia ago, in the year 623 B.C., that the Buddha was born. It was also on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha attained enlightenment, and it was on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha in his eightieth year passed away.

The United Nations General Assembly, by its resolution 54/115 of 1999, recognized internationally the Day of Vesak to acknowledge the contribution that Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has made for over two and a half millennia and continues to make to the spirituality of humanity.

 This day is commemorated annually at the UN Headquarters and other UN offices, in consultation with the relevant UN offices and with permanent missions, which also wish to be consulted.

International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2021, May 23th

 FORUM: Women's rights are human rights! End fistula now! International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2021.

it is important to call on the international community to use the Day to significantly raise awareness and intensify actions towards ending obstetric fistula, as well as urging post-surgery follow-up and tracking of fistula patients.

The so-called “orange manual” has long been the only authoritative, gold-standard guide to the holistic, comprehensive and “bigger picture” aspects of eliminating obstetric fistula (including programming, policy, prevention, treatment, social reintegration and more). The original (2006) version of the manual has now been updated with the latest evidence, strategies, tools and resources.MANUAL