New UN websites & publications
UN in General
United Nations Network on Migration
http://migrationnetwork.un.org/
The UN Network on Migration was established by the UN Secretary-General to ensure coordinated UN system-wide support to States in implementing the GCM. It is comprised of 38 entities of the UN system working collectively to support states in addressing their migration priorities, including as regards upholding the rights and wellbeing of migrants and their communities. The Network operates with an Executive Committee of 8 UN entities giving overall guidance and setting priorities. The Executive Committee includes ILO, IOM, OHCHR, UNDESA, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF and UNODC, with IOM as the Coordinator and secretariat to the Network.
UN at the Country Level
https://undg.org/about/un-country-level/
At the country level, UN Resident Coordinators and UN country teams (UNCTs) implement the UNDG strategic priorities by identifying the national policies, programmes and capacity development gaps and challenges, to which the UN system can best contribute under national ownership and leadership by mobilizing the full range of mandates and expertise of the UN development system. The United Nations has country teams in 131 countries, covering all of the 165 countries where there are United Nations programmes. The UN country teams encompass all the entities of the UN system that carry out operational activities for development, emergency, recovery and transition in programme countries. The UNCT ensures inter-agency coordination and decision-making at the country level. The main purpose of the Country Team is for individual agencies to plan and work together, as part of the Resident Coordinator system, to ensure the delivery of tangible results in support of the development agenda of the Government. The UNCT is led by the UN Resident Coordinator, who is the designated representative of the UN Secretary-General. The Resident Coordinator reports to the UN Secretary-General through the Chair of the UNDG.
For contact details, click on a country on the map:
https://undg.org/about/un-country-level/country-level-map/
UN Library News – Need help finding UN budget documents ?
https://library.un.org/library-news-by-blog
As part of the management reforms proposed by Secretary-General António Guterres, the UN is switching from a biennial to an annual budget on a trial basis, beginning with the programme budget for 2020. Since budget documents can be hard to find, the Dag Hammarskjöld Library has put together some tips on locating documents related to the proposed programme budget for 2020. The tips are part of our popular Ask DAG service, a continuously growing collection of frequently asked questions about all things UN. Not only has the budget cycle changed, but so has the format of the proposed programme budget. According to the report of the Secretary-General on improving and streamlining the programme planning and budgeting process, the new format “would present, for the first time in one document, the previous year’s original programme plan, the measurement of the previous year’s performance, the lessons learned and the programme plan for the proposed budget year. Performance would be measured not only in quantitative, but also in qualitative, terms. It is anticipated that information on results would be more meaningful and would more effectively communicate the added value of the Organization’s work” (A/72/492/Add.1). For more in-depth information, check out our extensive budget research guide, which documents major changes to the budget process, explains the principal budgeting bodies and their role in the process, provides links to all the resolutions on the programme budget, and helps you find all relevant documents in the UN Digital Library. The guide also includes a special section on the financing of UN peacekeeping operations.
Economic Growth and Sustainable Development
Addressing Climate-Fragility Risks
Toolkits, manuals and guides: https://bit.ly/2OkMCHf
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the European Union (EU) are joining forces to assist crisis-affected countries tackle the destabilizing effects of climate change. The project is designed as a response to the recommendations of the ‘A New Climate For Peace: Taking Action on Climate Fragility Risks’ report (2015) commissioned by members of the Group of 7. It is one of the first initiatives to take concrete action on climate-security risks at country and community levels.
Global Roadmap of Action toward Sustainable Mobility (GRA)
http://www.sum4all.org/GRA
The Sustainable Mobility for All (SuM4All) initiative launched on 23 October 2019 the Global Roadmap of Action toward Sustainable Mobility (GRA), a tool to guide country decision-makers on “how to” achieve mobility that is efficient, accessible, safe and green. The event brought together global leaders in the sector to discuss country and city actions for achieving greener, safer, more efficient, and equitable mobility. The GRA follows the 2017 launch of Global Mobility Report, the first-ever global assessment of the transport sector across all modes.
Least Developed Countries Report 2019: The present and future of external development finance – old dependence, new challenges (UNCTAD)
Report in English, Overview in English, French & Spanish:
https://unctad.org/en/pages/PublicationWebflyer.aspx?publicationid=2571
Least developed countries (LDCs), the world’s most impoverished nations, should proactively ensure external finance from all sources is directed to national development priorities. This approach is the best way to manage their aid dependency and eventually escape it, says UNCTAD’s Least Developed Countries Report 2019. LDCs account for 15 of the 20 most aid-dependent countries in the world due to persistent shortfalls in their domestic savings, among other factors, according to the report. “For LDCs to attain the Sustainable Development Goals and escape aid dependency, they need external finance that is targeted at the structural transformation of their economies,” UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi said. To make this possible, LDCs should take ownership of their development agenda and manage the allocation of external development finance in alignment with their national development priorities. The international community also needs to step up its support towards this common goal, the report states.
The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment 2019 Progress Report
https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/30609/plastics_eco.pdf
The positive scale of global efforts to prevent plastic pollution has been revealed in a new report published by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on 24 October 2019. This new annual report is being released 12 months after the launch of the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, which sets out a circular economy vision for plastic. Launched in October 2018, the Global Commitment now has over 400 organisations committed to eliminating problematic and unnecessary plastic packaging, and undertaking innovations so that all plastic packaging is 100 per cent reusable, recyclable, or compostable, as well as safely and easily circulated without becoming waste or pollution. This report aims to provide an unprecedented level of transparency on how almost 200 businesses and governments are changing their plastic production and use to achieve this. It shows promising early progress.
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: An Essential Element of Universal Health Coverage (UNFPA)
https://bit.ly/33hqDVL
The Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 provided an opportunity to complete the unfinished business of the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action and also a chance to commit to a forward-looking sexual and reproductive health and rights agenda to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and targets by 2030. This background document for the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 was conceived from the international commitments of several governments and organizations and in the context of the adoption of the Political Declaration of the High-Level Meeting on universal health coverage (A/RES/74/2) in 2019. Its purpose is to define and describe the key components of a comprehensive life course approach to sexual and reproductive health and rights. Furthermore, the ambition is to describe how countries can move towards universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights as an essential part of universal health coverage and to provide inspiring examples from countries that have moved in this direction.
Status report on prison health in the WHO European Region (2019)
Report: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/329943/9789289054584-eng.pdf
Fact sheets for 38 European countries:
http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/397915/Health_in_prisons_report_online.pdf
The “WHO status report on prison health in the WHO European Region” presents an analysis of data collected on the health status of people in prison and prison health systems for 39 countries in the Region (including Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom). The WHO survey collected data from Member States between 2016 and 2017 to enable monitoring and surveillance of health in prisons. The report reveals that the general state of monitoring and surveillance systems for health in prisons is poor. This affects the development of evidence-based policies that effectively target the needs of the prison population.
Trade and trade diversion effects of United States tariffs on China (UNCTAD Research Paper No. 37)
https://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/ser-rp-2019d9_en.pdf
US tariffs on China are hurting both countries economically. They have resulted in a sharp decline in bilateral trade, higher prices for consumers and trade diversion effects – increased imports from countries not directly involved in the trade war. A new UNCTAD study finds that consumers in the US are bearing the heaviest brunt of the US tariffs on China, paying higher prices for imported goods, though Chinese firms have recently started absorbing part of the costs of the tariffs by reducing the prices of their exports. While China is losing billions in the raging trade war, some economies are gaining. The study lists these beneficiaries of the trade diversion effects of US tariffs on China and how much they have each gained.
What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review (WHO)
Report: https://bit.ly/32F3I6x
Factsheet: https://bit.ly/2pUKj4m
Over the past two decades, there has been a major increase in research into the effects of the arts on health and well-being, alongside developments in practice and policy activities in different countries across the WHO European Region and further afield. This report synthesizes the global evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being, with a specific focus on the WHO European Region. Results from over 3000 studies identified a major role for the arts in the prevention of ill health, promotion of health, and management and treatment of illness across the lifespan. The reviewed evidence included study designs such as uncontrolled pilot studies, case studies, small-scale cross-sectional surveys, nationally representative longitudinal cohort studies, community-wide ethnographies and randomized controlled trials from diverse disciplines. The beneficial impact of the arts could be furthered through acknowledging and acting on the growing evidence base; promoting arts engagement at the individual, local and national levels; and supporting cross-sectoral collaboration.
International Peace and Security
Concept note for the Security Council open debate on the role of reconciliation in maintaining international peace and security
English, French & Spanish: http://undocs.org/S/2019/871
The Security Council held a debate on the role of reconciliation in maintaining international peace and security on 19 November 2019. The United Kingdom, the Security Council President for November, has prepared this concept note for the debate.
Integrated Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Standards (IDDRS), revised version
UN News, 19 November 2019: https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1051701
Coming soon at https://unddr.com/
Increasing hurdles which prevent former combatants from returning to a peaceful civilian life have prompted the UN to update its standard practices, in an effort to ensure they remain “fit-for-purpose for years to come”. In recent years, the practitioners of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) have faced increasing challenges, particularly where armed conflict is ongoing and where multiple and diverse armed groups continue to thrive. The new standards are aligned with the UN’s Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative, launched last year to help strengthen peacekeeping for today’s challenges.
Parliamentary Handbook on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (UNDP)
Handbook & Summary: https://bit.ly/2oUzwXb
Recognizing the value of the UNSCR 1325 to ongoing efforts to protect and promote of women’s rights and gender equality, this Handbook provides guidance to parliamentarians on their role in supporting the WPS agenda. It is intended to equip them and those interested in working with MPs with tools to progress the WPS agenda with ideas for action, by showcasing real-life examples from other countries. The Handbook consolidates the lessons learned from UNDP’s Global Project on Parliaments and Civil Society as Partners Supporting the WPS Agenda and complements them with international best practice and evidence on the ways in which parliaments can support women’s participation in peacebuilding and security.
Strengthening protection: 20 years of Protection of Civilians in UN Peacekeeping
https://bit.ly/2WIx5U9
For 20 years, UN Peacekeeping has been guided by the Protection of Civilians mandate. UN Peacekeepers have responded to, prevented & deterred threats of violence against civilians, which has helped save countless lives around the world.
Human Rights
The Convention on the Rights of the Child at a Crossroads (UNICEF)
https://www.unicef.org/reports/convention-rights-child-crossroads-2019
There have been historic gains overall for the world’s children since the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted 30 years ago. However, many of the poorest children are yet to feel the impact, according to “The Convention on the Rights of the Child at a Crossroads”, a new report released on 18 November 2019. Part of commemorations marking the 30th anniversary of the CRC, the report looks at the undeniable achievements of the past three decades, proof that where there is political will and determination, children’s lives improve.
OHCHR Library – new research guide on Human Rights Special Procedures
https://libraryresources.unog.ch/specialhumanrights/
Explanatory video: https://youtu.be/ZyVpyzSUGhk
The guide compiles a wide variety of resources to provide you with the fullest possible information on this central piece of the United Nations human rights system. It includes historical and current information for all mandates – from special procedures mandates established by the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in 1952 to the latest mandates established by the Human Rights Council.
Special Rapporteurs
Speaking truth to power: the UN experts fighting for global human rights (UN News Centre Story, 8 November 2019)
Fearless. Plain-speaking. Critical. Courageous. Unflinching. Unfair. Biased. Manipulative. These are some of the adjectives used to describe the Human Rights Council experts who fan out across the world to research, hold consultations and gather information on a vast range of human rights violations.
Full article: https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1050931
Ending child labour, forced labour and human trafficking in global supply chains (ILO, OECD, IOM and UNICEF)
Report & Executive Summary:
English: https://www.ilo.org/ipec/Informationresources/WCMS_716930/lang–en/index.htm
French: https://www.ilo.org/ipec/Informationresources/WCMS_716931/lang–fr/index.htm
Spanish: https://www.ilo.org/ipec/Informationresources/WCMS_716932/lang–es/index.htm
A new report indicates that a significant share of child labour and human trafficking in global supply chains occurs at their lower tiers, in activities such as raw material extraction and agriculture, making due diligence, visibility and traceability challenging. The report provides the first ever estimates of child labour and human trafficking in global supply chains. The report outlines several key areas in which governments and businesses can do more. It underscores the critical role of States in addressing gaps in statutory legislation, enforcement, and access to justice (which creates space for non-compliance) and in establishing a framework for responsible business conduct. It also examines how Governments can lead by example by integrating due diligence considerations into their own activities as procurers of goods and services, owners of enterprises and providers of credit and loans.
Humanitarian Affairs
At a crossroad: Unaccompanied and separated children in their transition to adulthood in Italy; November 2019 (UNICEF / UNHCR / IOM)
https://italy.iom.int/sites/default/files/news-documents/Report_ENG.pdf
United Nations agencies highlighted on 8 November 2019 the dire needs of thousands of unaccompanied and separated children who have arrived in Italy as refugees, lacking the proper support to transition through to adulthood. Between 2014 and 2018, around 60,000 of them arrived in Italy by sea, 90 per cent of whom were between the ages of 15 and 17, according to a new report issued by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The report highlights the ‘triple transition’ young refugees and migrants face when they turn 18 – from adolescence to adulthood, from living in one country to another, and through the emotional pain and trauma experienced when leaving home and during dangerous journeys.
Drug Control, Crime Prevention and Counter-terrorism
Reporting Mechanisms in Sport: A Practical Guide for Development and Implementation (UNODC / IOC)
https://bit.ly/2NEs3nz
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) launched this publication on 28 October at the third edition of the International Forum for Sports Integrity (IFSI). Developed with the support of over 40 experts, the publication seeks to assist sports organizations, governments, and relevant stakeholders in the development and implementation of effective reporting mechanisms for use in sport. Ultimately the aim is to enhance the detection of threats to sport and promote effective ways to report them.