New UN websites & publications
UN in General
Member States’ Contributions for 2019
ST/ADM/SER.B/992 (24 December 2018): Assessment of Member States’ contributions to the United Nations regular budget for the year 2019
English, French & Spanish: http://undocs.org/ST/ADM/SER.B/992
ST/ADM/SER.B/993 (24 December 2018): Assessment of contributions by non-member States towards the 2019 expenses of the United Nations for their participation in United Nations activities
English, French & Spanish: http://undocs.org/ST/ADM/SER.B/993
Security Council – redesigned website
English: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/en
French: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/fr
Spanish: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/es
Updated UN System Chart (January 2019)
English: http://www.un.org/en/pdfs/18-00159e_un_system_chart_17x11_4c_en_web.pdf
French: http://www.un.org/fr/aboutun/structure/pdf/UN_System_Chart_FR.pdf
Spanish: http://www.un.org/es/aboutun/structure/pdf/18-00159_un_system_chart_11x17_4c_sp_web.pdf
German and Netherlands translations in preparation.
The Chart of the UN System has undergone another round of updates since the last version published in March 2017. For this revision in 2019, a few minor changes have been made: – The four new Departments created by the Reform have been added under Secretariat: DMSPC, DOS, DPO, DPPA – they replace DM, DFS, DPKO and DPA, which have been removed; – The change of name of the Department of Public Information (DPI) to Department of Global Communications (DGC) is also reflected; – ICTY has been removed.
Economic Growth and Sustainable Development
Behind the numbers: ending school violence and bullying (UNESCO)
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000366483
The emotional and physical pain brought on by bullying can be excruciating, yet this behaviour continues to abound in schools globally, according to a new report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that is calling for all children to have access to a “safe, inclusive” learning environment. UNESCO’s report, released on 22 January 2019 at the 2019 Education World Forum in London, reveals that nearly one-in-three boys and girls have been bullied at least once at school over the last month, and a similar proportion have been affected by physical violence. Overall, says the report, physical bullying is the biggest problem in most regions, but in North America and Europe, psychological bullying is the most common, followed by sexually-related bullying. Online and smartphone bullying on the rise. Physical bullying is more common among boys, while psychological bullying is more prevalent among girls. Meanwhile, online and mobile phone bullying is on the rise. Children perceived as different in any way from the norm, are the most likely to be bullied, with physical appearance being the most common cause followed by race, nationality or skin colour. Bullying must be addressed because it significantly effects children’s mental health, quality of life and academic achievement, the report states.
Global Commission on the Future of Work: Work for a brighter future (ILO)
Report: https://bit.ly/2Hpoul7
Executive Summary in English, French, Spanish, German & Italian: https://bit.ly2FOmNvj
This landmark report by the ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work – released on 22 January 2019 – examines how to achieve a better future of work for all at a time of unprecedented change and exceptional challenges in the world of work. Co-chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, the independent 27-member Commission includes leading global figures from business, trade unions, think tanks, government and non-governmental organizations. It was established by the International Labour Organization in 2017 as part of the ILO’s Future of Work Centenary Initiative. The Organization marks its centenary in 2019. Among the key issues considered by the Commission are new forms of work, the institutional ramifications of the changing nature of work, lifelong learning, greater inclusivity and gender equality, the measurement of work and human well-being, and the role of universal social protection in a stable and just future of work.
Global Economic Prospects: Darkening Skies (World Bank)
http://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/global-economic-prospects
Global economic growth is projected to soften from a downwardly revised 3 percent in 2018 to 2.9 percent in 2019 amid rising downside risks to the outlook, the World Bank said on 8 January 2019. International trade and manufacturing activity have softened, trade tensions remain elevated, and some large emerging markets have experienced substantial financial market pressures. Growth among advanced economies is forecast to drop to 2 percent this year, the January 2019 Global Economic Prospects says. Slowing external demand, rising borrowing costs, and persistent policy uncertainties are expected to weigh on the outlook for emerging market and developing economies. Growth for this group is anticipated to hold steady at a weaker-than-expected 4.2 percent this year.
Hidden Champions: Smart solutions to impossible challenges (UNOPS)
https://content.unops.org/publications/UNOPS_Hidden-Champions_2019_EN.pdf
This publication – the first comprehensive account ever to be written about UNOPS – reveals unique stories from the organization. The book includes exclusive material on undercover and behind-the-scenes missions and projects in Syria, Yemen, Haiti and beyond. Launched on 23 January 2019 at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, the exclusive material featured in the book ranges from a ‘top secret’ mission that led to the destruction of 600 tons of Syrian chemical weapons to a $16 million rebuilding operation in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. It highlights the restoration of thousands of homes in Colombia and the ingenuity of providing clean, renewable energy to communities across rural Sierra Leone. By demonstrating how solutions can be delivered on the ground, UNOPS makes a meaningful contribution, bringing innovation to bear as we strive to build a better future for all.
Report on the health of refugees and migrants in the WHO European Region: no public health without refugee and migrant health (2018)
Report: http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/392773/ermh-eng.pdf
Summary: http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/392774/ermh-summary-eng.pdf
Migrants and refugees are likely to have good general health, but they can be at risk of falling sick in transition or while staying in receiving countries due to poor living conditions or adjustments in their lifestyle. This is the main conclusion of the first “Report on the health of refugees and migrants in the WHO European Region”, released by the WHO Regional Office for Europe on 21 January 2019. The report summarizes the latest available evidence on the health of refugees and migrants in the WHO European Region – from a review of more than 13 000 documents – and the progress countries have made to promote their health. It was developed in partnership with the Italian National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP).
World Economic Situation and Prospects 2019
Report in English, Executive Summary in English, French & Spanish:
https://bit.ly/2Hpy7Ar
The global economy will continue to grow at a steady pace of around 3 percent in 2019 and 2020 amid signs that global growth has peaked. However, a worrisome combination of development challenges could further undermine growth, according to the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2019, which was launched on 21 January 2019.
International Peace and Security
Highlights of Security Council Practice 2018
https://unite.un.org/sites/unite.un.org/files/app-schighlights-2018/index.html
Concept note for the Security Council open debate on “Addressing the impacts of climate-related disasters on international peace and security”
English, French & Spanish: http://undocs.org/S/2019/1
The Security Council held on open debate on 25 January 2019 on the theme “Addressing the impacts of climate-related disasters on international peace and security”. The Security Council President for January, the Dominican Republic, prepared a concept note for the debate.
https://cyberpolicyportal.org/
Introductory video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQbgZHYpWhA
The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) has just launched a Cyber Policy Portal that serves as an interactive, ‘at a glance’ tool for policymakers and experts. For the first time on a single site, users can access concise yet comprehensive cyber policy profiles of all 193 UN Member States, as well as regional and international organizations. Individual profiles summarize and link key cyber strategy documents, responsible agencies, legislation, and multilateral agreements.
United Nations Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA)
https://dpa.un.org/en/mission/unmha-hudaydah-agreement
Following the Stockholm Agreement, reached in Sweden on 13 December 2018, between the Government of Yemen and the Houthis under the auspices of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Mr. Martin Griffiths, the Security Council authorized via resolution S/RES/2451 (2018) the establishment and deployment, for an initial period of 30 days, of an advance team to begin monitoring and to support the immediate implementation of the ceasefire and redeployment of forces from the city of Hudaydah and the ports of Hudaydah, Saleef and Ras Isa.
Human Rights
Desperate and Dangerous: Report on the human rights situation of migrants and refugees in Libya, 20 December 2018 (UNSMIL / OHCHR)
Report: https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/LY/LibyaMigrationReport.pdf
Infographics: https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/LY/InfographicsMigrationReport.pdf
Migrants and refugees are being subjected to “unimaginable horrors” from the moment they enter Libya, throughout their stay in the country and – if they make it that far — during their subsequent attempts to cross the Mediterranean sea, according to a UN report released on 20 December 2018. The 61-page report, published jointly by the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the UN Human Rights Office, covers a 20-month period up to August 2018, and details a terrible litany of violations and abuses committed by a range of State officials, armed groups, smugglers and traffickers against migrants and refugees. These include unlawful killings, torture, arbitrary detention, gang rape, slavery, forced labour and extortion.
Who’s Responsible? Attributing Individual Responsibility for Violations of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law in United Nations Commissions of Inquiry, Fact-finding Missions and other Investigations (OHCHR)
https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/AttributingIndividualResponsibility.pdf
Foreword: “… a publication whose goal is to assist efforts to ensure accountability – at the individual level – for violations of international human rights and/or humanitarian law and/or for international crimes.”
Objectives and scope: “… The text is structured around two broad areas: 1. How to collect and analyse information on responsible individuals, and the legal and investigative challenges involved; 2. How to manage the information once collected, and maximize its use, including by reporting, sharing and safeguarding it. …”
Yearbook on Human Rights (1946-1988) – digitized version
https://bit.ly/2FxDY4f
Between 1946 and 1988 the United Nations published annual editions of the Yearbook on Human Rights. The Yearbooks serve as valuable reference books and give detailed historical accounts of the concerns and activities of the United Nations in the field of human rights during this time period. In honor of the 70th anniversary of the Declaration, the Library has digitized the historic annual editions in English and in French and made them available in the United Nations Digital Library. Each Yearbook is divided into three main parts reflecting on national and international developments, the work of specialized agencies, and activities of UN supervisory bodies. Part I reflects national measures submitted in government reports under the international human rights instruments. The material is arranged by country headings with subject headings as they relate to the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international instruments. Trust and Non-Self-Governing Territories also report their measures in this section. Part II reflects on the practice of United Nations supervisory bodies, while Part III gives an account of international developments and the work of United Nations organs who work in the field of human rights as well as the work of specialized agencies. The Yearbook on Human Rights combines topical human rights issues and Member States contributions, as they pertain to the realization of the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in a given year. Published under strict guidelines of impartiality and objectivity, the volumes represent the activities of the United Nations over the span of four decades.
Humanitarian Assistance
In Harm’s Way: International protection in the context of nexus dynamics between conflict or violence and disaster or climate change (UNHCR Legal and Protection Policy Research Series)
https://www.unhcr.org/5c1ba88d4.pdf
This overview sets out recommendations, based on the present study, to strengthen implementation of refugee law-based international protection when cross-border movements occur in the context of nexus dynamics. The recommendations are framed to advance reflection and discussion on legal, policy and practical solutions, against the backdrop of commitments in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Strategic Directions 2017–2021, the New York Declaration on Refugees and Migrants, and the Global Compact on Refugees, as well as priorities outlined in the Nansen Initiative Agenda for the Protection of Cross-Border Displaced Persons in the Context of Disasters and Climate Change. This overview first highlights the responses of the four destination States: Kenya, Ethiopia, Brazil and Mexico. Next, it identifies pertinent observations and their potential implications. In conclusion, it presents 12 recommendations for UNHCR, States and others on strengthening the implementation of refugee law-based international protection in the context of nexus dynamics.
Justice and International Law
Audiovisual Library of International Law – new lectures
- Inmunidad del Estado y Derechos Humanos / by Mr. Carlos Espósito: http://legal.un.org/avl/ls/Espósito_S.html
- Interpreting the Statute of the International Criminal Court / by Ms. Leila Nadya Sadat: http://legal.un.org/avl/ls/Sadat_CLP.html
- Antártica ante el Derecho Internacional / by Ms. María Teresa Infante Caffi: http://legal.un.org/avl/ls/Infante-Caffi_A.html
Nuclear, Chemical and Conventional Weapons Disarmament
Securing Our Common Future: An Agenda for Disarmament – Printable Outreach Material
https://www.un.org/disarmament/publications/more/securing-our-common-future/
The Secretary-General announced on 24 May 2018 his Agenda for Disarmament, which outlines a set of practical measures across the entire range of disarmament issues, including weapons of mass destruction, conventional arms and future weapon technologies. Printable posters, brochure and postcard about the Agenda are available for free download.
The Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons on the Dark Web: A Study (UNODA Occasional Paper, No. 32, October 2018)
https://s3.amazonaws.com/unoda-web/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/occasional-paper-32.pdf
The potential role of the dark web in facilitating trade in firearms, ammunition and explosives has gained increased public attention following recent terrorist attacks and other criminal activities worldwide. In fact, the hidden and obscured parts of the web are used by criminals and others to access a worldwide market where it’s possible to procure or sell a wide range of weapons and associated products through encrypted marketplaces and vendor shops. Following the outcomes of the Third United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, which acknowledged the importance of considering new challenges and opportunities arising from new forms of illicit trafficking, this Occasional Paper summarises the main findings and implications of the first empirical study investigating the scale and scope of arms trafficking on the dark web. The findings of this study shed light on the scale and scope of arms trafficking on the dark web, illustrating the range of weapons traded, their market price and most common transit routes. In addition, this Occasional Paper discusses the implications of this growing phenomenon for law enforcement agencies and policy makers, highlighting the key role that firearms control measures continue to play in the presence of new forms of trafficking.
Drug Control, Crime Prevention and Counter-terrorism
Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2018 (UNODC)
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/glotip.html
The number of human trafficking victims is on the rise, while armed groups and terrorists are trafficking women and children to generate funds and recruit, according to the latest Global Report on Trafficking in Persons launched on 7 January 2019 in Vienna. Drawing on information from 142 countries, the report examines trafficking trends and patterns, and puts the spotlight on human trafficking in armed conflict.
New information material
Single copies of the following titles can be ordered via e-mail: info(at)unric.org
Africa Renewal, December 2018-March 2019: “Migration – Making it safe and orderly.” 39 p.
https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/march-2019
Afrique Renouveau, décembre 2018 – mars 2019 : « Vers une migration sûre et ordonnée ».
39 p.
https://www.un.org/africarenewal/fr/magazine/march-2019
NEW TITLES
added to the library collection in January 2019
I General Information and Reference
Informe de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible 2018.
Naciones Unidas. Nueva York. 2018. 36 p.
Sales No. S.18.I.6. ISBN 978-92-1-363319-9.
Online version: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/files/report/2018/TheSustainableDevelopmentGoalsReport2018-ES.pdf
Rapport sur les objectifs de développement durable 2018.
Nations Unies. New York. 2018. 36 p.
Sales No. F.18.I.6. ISBN 978-92-1-363318-2.
Online version: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/files/report/2018/TheSustainableDevelopmentGoalsReport2018-FR.pdf
The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2018.
United Nations. New York. 2018. 36 p.
Sales No. E.18.I.6. ISBN 978-92-1-363317-5.
Online version: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/files/report/2018/TheSustainableDevelopmentGoalsReport2018-EN.pdf