New UN websites & publications
UN in General
Election of the 76th President of the General Assembly – new website
https://www.un.org/pga/75/pga76-election/
The election of the President of the seventy-sixth session of the General Assembly will take place in the General Assembly Hall on 7 June 2021 at 10 a.m., in line with Rule 30 of the Rules of Procedure. In accordance with the established regional rotation, the President of the seventy-sixth session of the General Assembly is to be elected from the Group of Asia-Pacific States.
https://unric.org/en/unric-library-backgrounder-sg-appointment/
We have added information on the upcoming selection process and revised and updated the links on the appointment process in 2016.
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
In the wake of the pandemic: Preparing for long COVID (2020) (WHO/Europe Policy Brief 39)
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/339629/Policy-brief-39-1997-8073-eng.pdf
Some 1 in 10 people still experience persistent ill health 12 weeks after having COVID-19, termed “long COVID” or post-COVID conditions. A new policy brief from the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies documents responses to post-COVID conditions in different countries of the WHO European Region and looks at how sufferers, including medical professionals, are driving some of those responses. Written for decision-makers, this brief summarizes what is known about the conditions, who and how many people suffer from them, diagnosis and treatment, and how countries are addressing the issue.
https://www.covid19infovaccines.com/
Videos and podcasts for health workers and the public to address common questions about COVID-19 vaccines, produced by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Vaccine Safety, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago
Accountability and COVID-19: A guidance note on inclusive processes and institutions (UNDP)
https://bit.ly/3kVNOzm
COVID-19: A threat to progress against child marriage (UNICEF)
https://data.unicef.org/resources/covid-19-a-threat-to-progress-against-child-marriage/
COVID-19 and School Closures: One year of education disruption (UNICEF)
https://data.unicef.org/resources/one-year-of-covid-19-and-school-closures/
Schools for more than 168 million children globally have been completely closed for almost an entire year due to COVID-19 lockdowns, according to new data released on 2 March 2021 by UNICEF. Furthermore, around 214 million children globally – or 1 in 7 – have missed more than three-quarters of their in-person learning. The analysis on school closures report notes that 14 countries worldwide have remained largely closed since March 2020 to February 2021. Two-thirds of those countries are in Latin America and the Caribbean, affecting nearly 98 million schoolchildren. Of the 14 countries, Panama has kept schools closed for the most days, followed by El Salvador, Bangladesh, and Bolivia.
COVID-19, culture and cultural rights: Report of the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Karima Bennoune (A/HRC/46/34, 17 February 2021, Advance edited version)
https://bit.ly/3v8d0Y3
“Summary: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is a cataclysm for cultural rights, threatening a global “cultural catastrophe” with severe, long-lasting consequences for human rights if effective action is not taken immediately. In the present report, the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights surveys the negative impacts of COVID-19 on culture and cultural rights worldwide, and the positive potential of culture and cultural rights, and the right to science, to enhance rights-respecting solutions and build resilience. The report also contains relevant recommendations for action.”
Health Cluster Guide: A Practical Handbook
https://www.who.int/health-cluster/resources/publications/hc-guide/en/
Impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on the enjoyment of human rights around the world, including good practices and areas of concern: Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (A/HRC/46/19, 18 January 2021)
English, French & Spanish: https://undocs.org/A/HRC/46/19
In her report, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presented an update on the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on human rights and highlighted the extent to which it has exposed systemic gaps in human rights protection that have undermined resilience. The High Commissioner also presented select good practices of Member States as they attempt to deal with the worst global health crisis in over a century. In her recommendations, the High Commissioner underscores the need for addressing human rights throughout the response and recovery to the pandemic in order to build a more sustainable, equitable and secure future for people and for the planet.
The likely impact of COVID-19 on the achievement of SDG 8-The role of Trade Unions (ILO)
https://bit.ly/3rN10Jc
This report presents the findings of a global survey on the likely impacts of COVID-19 on the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Agenda. Through an online survey, it captured the views of 130 trade union leaders from Asia-Pacific (41 respondents), Sub-Saharan Africa (39), Europe (24), the Americas (17), and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) (9).
Protecting Women’s Livelihoods in Times of Pandemic: Temporary Basic Income and the Road to Gender Equality (UNDP)
https://bit.ly/3ejE0y3
A temporary basic income (TBI) given specifically to hundreds of millions of women in the world’s developing countries could prevent rising poverty and widening gender inequalities during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report out on 4 March 2021. Women have been harder hit than men by the pandemic, losing income and leaving the labour market at a greater rate and taking on a greater share of care work. A temporary basic income could provide financial security in the short-term paving the way for future investments that address systematic gender inequality, according to the UNDP findings released ahead of International Women’s Day. The large-scale TBI scheme proposed by UNDP shows that a monthly investment of 0.07 percent of developing countries’ GDP, or $51 billion PPP (purchase power parity), could provide reliable financial security to 613 million working-aged women living in poverty, providing them with much needed income and alleviating the economic pressures they face day-to-day. A nominal budgetary allocation for the next six months towards helping women who are in desperate situations will also contribute to give them more financial control over their own lives.
Report on the UN Women global response to COVID-19
https://bit.ly/3qYQ1w6
SARS-CoV-2 in animals used for fur farming: GLEWS+ risk assessment, 20 January 2021
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-fur-farming-risk-assessment-2021.1
Economic Growth and Sustainable Development
BeHe@lthy BeMobile: A handbook on how to implement mDementia (WHO / ITU)
WHO’s new mDementia handbook, launched on 26 February 2021, will help countries to introduce and scale up dementia mHealth programmes (delivered through mobile devices, such as phones and tablets). The handbook and accompanying mHealth programme content includes a module on reducing the risk of dementia and another on support for carers of people with dementia. The handbook was developed by the WHO Mental Health and Substance Use Department and BeHe@lthy BeMobile (BHBM), a joint initiative between the World Health Organization and the International Telecommunications Union.
Carbon Capture, Use and Storage (CCUS) (UNECE Technology Brief)
https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/CCUS%20brochure_EN_final.pdf
Engineering for Sustainable Development: Delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals
Report in English (French pending), Executive Summary in English, French & Spanish: https://en.unesco.org/reports/engineering
Financial Integrity for Sustainable Development: Final report of the High Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity for Achieving the 2030 Agenda
English, French & Spanish: https://www.factipanel.org/report
Gender & Creativity: Progress on the Precipice (UNESCO)
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000375706
Gender dimensions of disaster risk and resilience: Existing Evidence (GFDRR / World Bank)
https://www.preventionweb.net/publications/view/76308
GEO-6 for Youth (UNEP)
Full interactive report: https://content.yudu.com/web/2y3n2/0A2y3n3/GEO-6-for-Youth/html/index.html
PDF version: https://www.unep.org/resources/geo-6-youth
International Good Practice Principles for Sustainable Infrastructure (UNEP)
https://www.unep.org/resources/publication/international-good-practice-principles-sustainable-infrastructure
https://www.unep.org/resources/making-peace-nature
The world can transform its relationship with nature and tackle the climate, biodiversity and pollution crises together to secure a sustainable future and prevent future pandemics, according to a new report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) that offers a comprehensive blueprint for addressing our triple planetary emergency. The report lays out the gravity of these three environmental crises by drawing on global assessments, including those from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, as well as UNEP’s Global Environment Outlook report, the UNEP International Resource Panel, and new findings on the emergence of zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19. The authors assess the links between multiple environmental and development challenges, and explain how advances in science and bold policy-making can open a pathway towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and a carbon neutral world by 2050 while bending the curve on biodiversity loss and curbing pollution and waste. Taking that path means innovation and investment only in activities that protect both people and nature. Success will include restored ecosystems and healthier lives as well as a stable climate.
Nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement: Synthesis report by the secretariat (FCCC/PA/CMA/2021/2)
https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/nationally-determined-contributions-ndcs/nationally-determined-contributions-ndcs/ndc-synthesis-report
UN Climate Change published on 26 February 2021 a synthesis of climate action ambition as contained in countries’ new or updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), indicating that nations must redouble their climate efforts if they are to reach the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global temperature rise by 2C—ideally 1.5C—by the end of the century. The NDC Synthesis Report covers submissions up to 31 December 2020 and includes new or updated NDCs by 75 Parties, which represent approximately 30 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The majority of these countries increased their levels of ambition to reduce emissions. Nevertheless, the level of ambition communicated through these NDCs indicates that changes in these countries’ total emissions would be small, less than -1%, in 2030 compared to 2010.
Book for download: https://bit.ly/3d6sd5t
Digital flip book: https://bit.ly/2MZ4hpZ
Rural women and men are at the heart of our sustainable future. They are the foundation of the food systems that provide nutritious food for us all. The people you will meet in this virtual coffee table book are all participants in IFAD projects, and come from some of the world’s most fragile and remote communities. Their stories are unique, but they will resonate because they speak of challenges we all share as we seek to build a more sustainable future for ourselves, our families and our world. The book is organized around the “5 Ps” of people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnerships. The work that rural people do, including growing food and taking care of precious natural resources, is at the heart of the 2030 Agenda. The Sustainable Development Goals outline 17 areas for eliminating poverty and hunger, protecting the planet, and promoting peace and prosperity. These priorities are fundamental to the transformation of rural areas. These stories show how IFAD is investing in rural people to support their efforts, knowledge and skills, as they help to solve some of the world’s most urgent challenges.
State of School Feeding Worldwide 2020 (WFP)
Report in English & French, Executive Summary in English, French & Spanish: https://www.wfp.org/publications/state-school-feeding-worldwide-2020
Technology and Innovation Report 2021: Catching technological waves: Innovation with equity (UNCTAD)
Report in English, Overview in English, French & Spanish: https://unctad.org/webflyer/technology-and-innovation-report-2021
https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/tobacco/publications/2021/through-a-gender-lens-women-and-tobacco-in-the-who-european-region-2021
A new report by WHO/Europe about women and the tobacco epidemic has been launched. The report has revealed that, although tobacco use among women is decreasing overall, the rate is going down at a much slower pace than in men, and in some countries it is increasing.
To be smart, the digital revolution will need to be inclusive: excerpt from the UNESCO science report
English: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000375429
French: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000375429_fre
Despite a shortage of skills in most of the technological fields driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution, women still account for only 28% of engineering graduates and 40% of graduates in computer science and informatics, according to the UNESCO Science Report, whose chapter on gender in science, entitled To be Smart the Digital Revolution will Need to be Inclusive, was published on 11 February 2021 to mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
Turning the Tide: How to Finance a Sustainable Ocean Recovery; A practical guide for financial institutions (UNEP)
https://www.unepfi.org/publications/turning-the-tide/
New, pivotal guidance published on 2 March 2021 by the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) provides a market-first, practical toolkit for financial institutions to take immediate action on their lending, investment and underwriting activities which negatively impact ocean health. Banks, insurers and investors have a major role to play in financing this transition to a sustainable blue economy, helping to rebuild ocean prosperity and restore biodiversity to the ocean. Through their activities, and client relationships, financial institutions have a major impact on ocean health and hold the power to accelerate and mainstream the sustainable transformation of ocean-linked industries. They thereby play essential roles in wider ocean governance, engaging in public-private partnerships, and propelling local-to-global actions for sustainability.
UN-Water Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 Summary Progress Update 2021
https://www.unwater.org/publications/summary-progress-update-2021-sdg-6-water-and-sanitation-for-all/
UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2021
https://www.unep.org/resources/report/unep-food-waste-index-report-2021
https://whc.unesco.org/en/blue-carbon-report/
At the end of February, UNESCO released the first global scientific assessment of its World Heritage marine sites’ blue carbon ecosystems, highlighting the critical environmental value of these habitats. While these sites represent less than 1% of the world’s ocean, they host at least 21% of the world’s blue carbon ecosystem area, and 15% of the world’s blue carbon assets. Over the last decade, scientists have discovered that seagrass meadows, tidal marshes, and mangroves, known as “blue carbon” ecosystems, are among the most intensive ‘carbon sinks’, meaning a natural environment which can absorb carbon dioxide in the biosphere. They help mitigate climate change by sequestering and storing significant amounts of carbon from the atmosphere and ocean.
https://bit.ly/3bbwBO9
This document seeks to guide trade unions and encourage them to take on more assertive roles in processes shaping development policy at national, regional, and global levels. Trade unions can use this manual to more effectively contribute to the implementation, monitoring, and outcomes of the 2030 Agenda process, focusing particularly on Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) as well as regional and global sustainable development platforms, such as the High-Level Political Forum.
World Employment and Social Outlook 2021: The role of digital labour platforms in transforming the world of work (ILO)
Report, Summary & Interactive Infostory: https://bit.ly/3kevIIs
World Report on Hearing (WHO)
https://www.who.int/activities/highlighting-priorities-for-ear-and-hearing-care
WTO trade-related training activities
https://tamis.wto.org/public/activities-catalogue
The World Trade Organization (WTO) launched on 10 February 2021 an online portal to allow individuals to apply online for trade-related technical assistance and training activities. The courses are designed to help government officials and others, such as parliamentarians, strengthen their understanding of trade-related issues. The new online tool is available via the WTO’s Technical Assistance Management System, which contains information on the targeted audience for each activity and the eligible candidates.
International Peace and Security
Concept note for the Security Council open debate on ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines in contexts affected by conflict and insecurity
English, French & Spanish: http://undocs.org/S/2021/138
The Security Council held on 17 February 2021 a high-level open debate on the theme “Maintenance of international peace and security: implementation of resolution 2532 (2020)”. In order to guide the discussions on this topic, the United Kingdom, Security Council President in February 2021, has prepared this concept note.
Concept note for the Security Council open debate on addressing climate-related risks to international peace and security
English, French & Spanish: http://undocs.org/S/2021/155
The Security Council held on 23 February 2021 a high-level open debate on the theme “Maintenance of international peace and security: climate and security. In order to guide the discussions on this topic, the United Kingdom, Security Council President in February 2021, has prepared this concept note.
Concept note for the Security Council high-level open debate on conflict and food security
English, French & Spanish: http://undocs.org/S/2021/217
Security Council will hold a briefing on conflict and food security on 11 March 2021. In order to help to steer the discussion on the subject, the United States, Security Council President in March 2021, has prepared this concept note.
Constitutions and Peace Processes: A Primer (DPPA / Berghof Foundation)
https://peacemaker.un.org/sites/peacemaker.un.org/files/2021_ConstitutionsPeaceProcessesPrimer_EN.pdf
The Mediation Support Unit (MSU) has developed a Primer (together with the Berghof Foundation) which provides in-depth examination of the linkages between constitution making and conflict mediation. The Primer identifies the challenges and opportunities at the nexus of peace processes and constitutions and constitution making, including lessons learned, policy options and their implications for sustaining peace.
see also: Constitution Making and Conflict Mediation: New Report Examines the Links (In: DPPA Politically Speaking , 26 February 2021): https://dppa-ps.atavist.com/constitution-making-and-conflict-mediation-new-report-examines-the-links
Dynamics of Support and Engagement: Understanding Malian Youths’ Attitudes towards Violent Extremism (ICCT / UNICRI)
http://unicri.it/sites/default/files/2021-02/MERIT.pdf
Human Rights
Afghanistan: Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict – Annual Report 2020 (UNAMA / OHCHR)
Executive Summary: https://bit.ly/3kgISog
Monitoring by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, UNAMA, and the UN Human Rights Office has revealed that despite a drop in civilians killed and injured overall in 2020 there was a rise in civilian casualties following the start of peace negotiations in September. The Afghanistan Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict Annual Report 2020 documents the appalling level of harm inflicted on civilians and traces the disturbing spike in violence against them in the last quarter of the year.
Countering Islamophobia/Anti-Muslim Hatred to Eliminate Discrimination and Intolerance Based on Religion or Belief Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief (A/HRC/46/30, 25 February 2021, Advance unedited version)
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session46/Documents/A_HRC_46_30.docx
Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and other horrific acts of terrorism purportedly carried out in the name of Islam, institutional suspicion of Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim has escalated to epidemic proportions, a UN expert told the Human Rights Council on 4 March 2021. The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed, said numerous States ¬¬¬— along with regional and international bodies ¬— have responded to security threats by adopting measures which disproportionately target Muslims and define Muslims as both high-risk and at risk of radicalization. In a report to the Council, Shaheed said widespread negative representations of Islam, fear of Muslims generally and security and counterterrorism poli¬cies have served to perpetuate, validate and normalize discrimination, hostility and violence towards Muslim individuals and communities. The report cites European surveys in 2018 and 2019 that show an average of 37 percent of the population held unfavourable views of Muslims. In 2017, some 30 percent of Americans surveyed viewed Muslims in a negative light.
https://bit.ly/2NRqAOI
This publication calls on the European Commission to situate its efforts within the broader human rights framework, building on the EU’s stated commitment to lead the way in supporting the rules-based international order. The commitment to multilateralism must start at home, with a human rights based approach to the Action Plan for the Social Pillar.
Human rights and the global water crisis : water pollution, water scarcity and water-related disasters: Report of the Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment (A/HRC/46/28, 19 January 2021)
English, French & Spanish: https://undocs.org/A/HRC/46/28
“Summary: In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, David R. Boyd, describes safe and sufficient water as one of the substantive components of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. He describes the causes and consequences of the global water crisis, focusing on the negative impacts of water pollution, water scarcity and water-related disasters on the enjoyment of many human rights, with disproportionate effects upon vulnerable and marginalized groups. He highlights procedural and substantive State obligations related to ensuring safe and sufficient water. He identifies good practices that have helped to reduce or prevent water pollution, alleviate water scarcity, reduce risks associated with water-related disasters and protect or restore aquatic ecosystems. The Special Rapporteur provides a seven-step process for States to employ a rights-based approach to water governance, as well as recommendations for actions. Finally, he urges businesses, in order to fulfil their rights-related responsibilities, to contribute to and support efforts to ensure safe and sufficient water for all.”
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Thomas H. Andrews (A/HRC/46/56, 4 March 2021)
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session46/Documents/A_HRC_46_56.pdf
The UN’s human rights expert on Myanmar said on 4 March 2021 the military junta in the country is illegal, illegitimate and responsible for widespread and systematic human rights violations against nonviolent, peaceful protesters, and should be held accountable. In a report to the Human Rights Council, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, details how the Myanmar military illegally overthrew the civilian government and proceeded to attack the people of Myanmar by committing the crimes of murder, assault and arbitrary detention. he junta also systematically and illegitimately dismantled the people of Myanmar’s legal protections, installing new laws that remove basic protections of freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, and privacy. Additionally, the report describes how the military has forcibly displaced several thousand members of ethnic nationalities from their homes since the coup.
Special report: Killing of human rights defenders, journalists and media workers in Afghanistan 2018-2021 (UNAMA)
https://bit.ly/3baWfm3
Humanitarian Affairs
Global Cost of Inclusive Refugee Education (UNHCR / World Bank)
http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/159281614191477048/The-Global-Cost-of-Inclusive-Refugee-Education
Local Inclusion of Migrants and Refugees – A Gateway to existing ideas, resources and capacities for cities across the world
https://unhabitat.org/local-inclusion-of-migrants-and-refugees-a-gateway-to-existing-ideas-resources-and-capacities-for
Reimagining Girls’ Education: Solutions to Keep Girls Learning in Emergencies (UNICEF)
https://www.unicef.org/reports/reimagining-girls-education
Reimagining Girls’ Education: Solutions to Keep Girls Learning in Emergencies presents an empirical overview of what works to support learning outcomes for girls in emergencies. Research shows that girls in emergencies are disadvantaged at all stages of education and are more likely to be out-of-school than in non-emergency settings. Girls are also struggling to learn. This solutions book seeks to highlight promising evidence-based actions in education for decision makers who are designing and implementing interventions to support girls’ education in low and middle-income country humanitarian settings and settings where education has been interrupted by the COVID 19 pandemic. It documents practical examples of approaches that have been or are being tested, and from which lessons can be drawn. The overarching aim is that this evidence be used to inform programming in crises and support diverse stakeholders in mitigating the impact of emergencies on girls’ education.
With us & for us: IASC Guidelines on Working with and for Young People in Humanitarian and Protracted Crises
https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/events/iasc-guidelines-working-and-young-people-humanitarian-and-protracted-crises
Justice and International Law
Seventy Years of the International Law Commission: photo exhibit / Soixante-dix ans de la Commission du droit international
https://legal.un.org/ilc/publications/pdfs/ilc_exhibit_book.pdf
This publication examines past and present efforts to progressively develop and codify international law. It has been prepared by the Codification Division of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs to mark the seventieth anniversary of the first session of the International Law Commission in 1949. Its contents are based on a photo exhibit that has been on display in New York, Geneva, The Hague, Bangkok and Washington, D.C., among other places, in 2018 and 2019.
Seventy Years of the International Law Commission: Drawing a Balance for the Future
https://legal.un.org/ilc/publications/pdfs/ilc_seventy.pdf
Newsletter Archive: https://unric.org/en/unric-info-point-library-newsletter-archive