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Member states’ representatives (Coreper) approved today the Council’s position on one of the Commission’s proposals to simplify EU rules and thus boost EU competitiveness in the field of batteries. Source link
Tom Fletcher was speaking at the annual stock-take of his sector known as the ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment, which brings together UN Member States and organizations, humanitarian and development partners, as well as the private sector and affected communities.
He said this year’s theme – renew global solidarity for humanity – “could not be more urgent.”
“We need you right now,” he said. “We’re in a moment of conflict, of transactional politics, of selfishness, of division, of polarization. And global solidarity – the lifeblood of what we do – is in retreat.”
Moreover, “at this moment, when the needs are at their highest, the funding is also in retreat.”
Mr. Fletcher reminded participants of “some uncomfortable truths,” noting that the Middle East currently “teeters on the edge of a wider war.”
At the same time, people in Gaza are starving as food aid rots at border crossings, girls in Afghanistan are banned from school, women in war-torn Sudan are experiencing horrific violence, and gangs are terrifying families in Haiti.
This is happening amid the climate crisis “which will drive more humanitarian needs in the coming years than any other factor that we discuss today,” he said.
“Meanwhile, our teams, our humanitarian staff, the bravest of us, are not hesitating to go towards the sound of gunfire, the sound of danger to drive those convoys through those checkpoints and they are being killed in record numbers, while those responsible for killing them roam free.”
Just six months ago, Mr. Fletcher launched a $44 billion appeal to reach 190 million people worldwide this year.
In the wake of the deepest cuts ever to humanitarian operations globally, the plan was this week “hyper-prioritized” to focus on the most critical areas, with $29 billion in funding to support 114 million.
He acknowledged that “we’re left with the cruelest of equations when we make those life and death decisions, literally, about who to save.”
Humanitarians “will save as many lives as we can with the resources that you give us,” and they are asking world leaders to give only one per cent of what they spent on defense last year.
“This isn’t just a call for money, of course. It is a call for global responsibility, for a shared commitment to end the suffering,” he said.
“We also make this call that all of us find a moment to come off our talking points and to find the individual moment of courage and creativity to support this effort.”
Mr. Fletcher said the humanitarian movement will continue and is being re-designed from the ground up.
“We’ll find new allies, we’ll find new sources of funding, we’ll find new ideas, we won’t just patch up the old model. We will also forge a new one. A bold humanitarian pact with the people we serve,” he said.
The pact will be “more local, more lean, more green,” and will include people on the frontlines of crisis who “know better than anyone what they need.”
Furthermore, the UN’s highest-level humanitarian coordination forum – the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) – has voiced unequivocal commitment that women and girls will lead this humanitarian reset and will back women humanitarian leaders in this work.
“These leaders, the real leaders of our movement, don’t work for the UN or international NGOs. They are not part of the logos, and egos, and silos of our systems,” he said.
“They have something much more powerful – they are rooted in their communities with the trust of their communities and an unshakeable belief that even in these darkest moments we can choose to help each other. They are there for us and we must be there for them.”
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six main UN organs.
Since 1998, it has held the Humanitarian Affairs Segment to strengthen the coordination and effectiveness of UN humanitarian efforts.
Previous meetings have focused on issues such as addressing food security and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This major milestone strengthens the EU’s competitiveness by equipping its workforce with the advanced skills needed to lead in emerging technologies.
Under the Initiative, the EIT and its Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), together with partner organisations, are delivering training and skills programmes across Europe. These are open to learners of all ages – from school pupils through higher education students to professionals and entrepreneurs. The EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative provides funding for learning materials, while the EIT leverages its network of partners to build a strong alliance of training providers, companies, universities, public authorities, and financiers.
Training the talents behind tomorrow’s innovations is central to our mission. By connecting people and organisations across Europe, we are building a community that will give us the skills to boost Europe’s competitiveness and tackle major challenges.
Martin Kern, Director of the EIT
To reach the goal of training one million talents, the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative worked with over 600 partner organisations who signed the Pledge, alongside the KICs and other EIT Community initiatives offering courses. Among the top contributors in terms of talent trained are Pledgers such as JA Europe, Intel Corporation, Generation Italy, Generation UK, UiPath, Helixconnect Europe, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, MinnaLearn, Kodluyoruz (We Code), and Generation Spain. The countries with the highest number of talents trained include Norway, Austria, Greece, Ukraine, and France.
The Initiative has built a catalogue of over 210 deep tech courses, with 16% focused on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Other popular topics include Advanced Computing and Quantum Computing, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Deep Tech, Advanced Materials, and Advanced Manufacturing. Most courses are geared towards professional training and academic programmes, with an average duration of 705 hours. Women make up 36% of all trained talents.
Driving impact for 30 years: How is the Beijing Platform for Action advancing gender equality? | European Institute for Gender Equality Skip to main content Cookie Preferences Cookies Source link
At least 975 people were executed in Iran in 2024, the highest number reported since 2015, according to a report Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, presented to the Geneva-based Council on Wednesday.
Of the total executions, just over half were for drug-related offenses, 43 per cent for murder, two per cent for sexual offenses, and three per cent for security-related charges. At least four executions were carried out publicly.
“These cases are marked by serious allegations of torture and due process violations, including lack of access to a lawyer,” said Ms. Al-Nashif.
At least 31 women were reportedly executed in Iran last year, up from 22 in 2023. Of the 19 women executed for murder, nine had been convicted of killing their husbands in cases involving domestic violence or forced or child marriage, areas in which Iranian women have no legal protections.
Some executions were reportedly linked to protests that began in September 2022 under the banner “Women, Life, and Freedom.”
Beyond executions, femicide cases surged, with 179 reported in 2024 compared to 55 the year before. Many stemmed from so-called “honour” crimes or family disputes, often involving women and girls seeking divorce or rejecting marriage proposals.
Ms. Al-Nashif also warned that the suspended Chastity and Hijab Law, if enacted, would pose a serious threat to women’s rights. Penalties for violations such as improper dress could include heavy fines, travel bans, long-term imprisonment, or even the death penalty.
In addition, of the 125 journalists prosecuted in 2024, 40 were women, many reporting on human rights and women’s rights issues.
“In 2024, the death penalty continued to have a disproportionate impact on minority groups,” Ms. Al-Nashif told the Council.
At least 108 Baluchi and 84 Kurdish prisoners were executed in 2024, representing 11 and 9 per cent of the total, respectively.
The report also raised concerns over the lack of official data on the socioeconomic conditions of ethnic and ethno-religious minorities and non-citizens, which hampers efforts to assess their situation and measure the impact of targeted policies and programmes.
While Iran continued engagement with the Office of the UN High Commissioner and other human rights mechanisms, it denied access to the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“Our Office remains ready to continue and build on its engagement with the Iranian authorities on the range of issues highlighted in the report of the Secretary-General for the promotion and protection of all human rights,” Ms. Al-Nashif concluded.
In the Council’s afternoon session, Gina Romero, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, presented her report on how the 2023–2025 “super election” cycle has affected civic space around the world.
In 2024, half of the world’s population elected their local, national and international representatives. While Ms. Romero’s report on this cycle does not assess the integrity of the elections, it identifies troubling global patterns of systematic repression of the exercise of peaceful assembly and association.
“The misuse of restrictive laws, smear campaigns, disinformation targeting civil society intensified globally in the super electoral cycle, undermining electoral participation and freedom of association,” she said.
As criminal justice systems are used to repress the opposition, leaders and members of political parties faced undue restrictions and political persecution. Civil society activists and election observers have also faced harassment, arbitrary detention, torture and murder.
“When political parties, civil society, and peaceful assemblies are suppressed, genuine political pluralism and competition cannot exist,” argued Ms. Romero. “I stress that these conditions are incompatible with free and genuine elections and risk legitimising undemocratic rule.”
Ms. Romero also underscored that women’s political leadership remains severely underrepresented, while LGBTIQ individuals and their organizations faced attacks during the super electoral cycle.
Both groups experienced physical and online political violence, restricting their electoral participation and accelerating the decline of their rights after the elections.
Amid global crises and a rapid democratic decline, Ms. Romero emphasized the urgent need to protect the rights to peaceful assembly and association throughout the entire electoral cycle.
She outlined key recommendations, including strengthening legal protections before elections, ensuring accountability afterward, regulating digital technologies and promoting non-discriminatory participation throughout.
“Dissent is a fundamental element of democratic societies,” she concluded in Spanish. “Rather than being suppressed, it should be welcomed and permanently protected.”
With the support of the United Nations, the electrical network on the central islands of Java, Madura and Bali – which house more than 160 million people – is now improved and modernized to adapt to fluctuating energy and wind energy loads.
“Due to our cooperation with the UN, we now have a plan for an intelligent grid and we work to allow it to transparently integrate electricity from renewable energies in accordance with national priorities,” said Evy Haryadi, director of transmission and planning of the system to the public company Public Pt Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN). “This will represent a huge step forward in the decarbonization energy system of Indonesia. »»
As pointed out during a recent visit to Jakarta by the Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General on Climate Action and the Transition, Selwin Hart, the Smart Grid initiative – supported by the United Nations Office for Project Services (Peoples) – is an integral part of the broader assistance of the United Nations in Indonesia to ensure a fair energy transition.
Solar energy is widely used on the islands of Java, Madura and Bali.
This includes the work of the United Nations Development Program (Predict) Bring renewable energies to the distant islands not linked to the national network and the International Labor Organization (Ilo) to support the government in the development of green skills.
“The UN in Indonesia works in close partnership with the government to support its energy transition objectives in accordance with the Sustainable development objectives (SDD)), “Said Gita Sabharwal, coordinator of United Nations residents for Indonesia.” We provide rapid response solutions and technical expertise to help accelerate progress towards government objectives in green energy. »»
The country’s supply of electricity supply 2025-2034, launched in May, describes a strategic transition to a cleaner and investment-oriented energy future. It targets 42.6 GW of new renewable energy capacity and 10.3 GW of storage, while limiting a new Fossil fuel capacity to 16.6 GW. The plan is designed to align the climate commitments of Indonesia with the SDGs and improve national energy resilience.
The intelligent network and, at the base, the control center which manages the supply and demand for electricity, are crucial for this effort. The country expects an increase in the construction of renewable productions after the modernization of the Jamali control center is completed.
Historically, the electrical networks have been designed to receive electricity from sources with relatively constant production, such as coal, natural gas or hydroelectricity. However, some renewable sources work differently: solar plants only generate electricity when the sun shines and wind energy only when the wind blows. In a so-called “smart network”, the control center must be able to adjust the electricity supply of renewable energies and balance it with stable sources such as coal, depending on real-time weather conditions and consumption models. He will also use large -scale batteries to store excess electricity, for example, solar energy generated for particularly sunny periods.
Created in the early 1980s, Jamali Grid Control Center covered 79% of Indonesia’s production capacity. The design of the intelligent network system, delivered by UNOPS, allows the control center to incorporate renewable energy forecasting capacities and network analysis tools to support stability and safety, among other advanced features.
The detailed engineering design of the Jamali Main Control Center includes plans to consolidate five regional control centers in two to improve efficiency while maintaining redundancy. UNOPS has also completed the tender process and the selection of suppliers for the implementation of the design and strengthens the capacity of the PLN staff involved in the operations of the control center to effectively manage the new technology.
Construction workers and engineers are now working hard on the PLN campus in Depok, just outside Jakarta, implementing the design provided by UNOPS. The completion of the control center is expected by the end of 2025. During this phase, UNOPS is responsible for monitoring the selected suppliers who build, install, configure and ultimately the commissioning of the new center.
Indonesia modernizes its electricity network.
“UNOPS has expertise and project management know-how to continue supporting us and ensuring the transparent and opportune delivery of the project, in accordance with original specifications,” said Haryadi de Pln. “At the same time, we strengthen our internal capacity to possibly resume the task.”
The work progresses on time. The new buildings are widely completed and the installation of the industrial surveillance system – central to the operation of the control center – is completed at around 40%. Based on the success of the initiative, discussions are underway to reproduce the design of the four control centers which manage the supply of electricity on other islands across the country.
UNOP supports this modernization as part of the Energy Transition Partnership of Southeast Asia (FTE), which provides technical expertise to the partner countries in the region to help their national energy commitments comply with Paris Agreement and the ODDs. FTE is a multi-donator partnership, supported by the governments of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and philanthropic donors. FTE operates in Indonesia, the Philippines and Viet Nam, as well as at the regional level of the Anase, and works in collaboration to mobilize and coordinate resources to facilitate a fair energy transition in the region.
“The upgrading of the control center promises to change the situation for the energy mixture of Indonesia,” said Sabharwal. “Our support is a striking example of United Nations assistance in intermediate income countries: working behind the scenes and providing basic technical expertise, we support the government of energy security by accelerating green transformation.”
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
The UN human rights office (OHCHR) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory on Wednesday called on the Israeli military to cease the use of lethal force near aid convoys and food distribution sites.
It cited “repeated incidents” of Palestinians being shot or shelled while seeking food, warning that such attacks could constitute war crimes under international law.
“We are horrified at the repeated incidents, continuously reported in recent days across Gaza, and we call for an immediate end to these senseless killings,” the office said in a statement.
Since 27 May, when the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an initiative backed by Israel and the United States began food distribution in southern Gaza – bypassing the established UN-led system – hundreds have been killed and many more wounded near four distribution points or while waiting to pick up aid.
In one of the deadliest recent incidents, Israeli military reportedly shelled a crowd waiting for UN food trucks in southern Gaza on 17 June, killing at least 51 people and injuring some 200 others, according to Gazan health authorities.
A day earlier, three Palestinians were reportedly killed and several injured in a similar incident in western Beit Lahiya.
“There is no information to suggest that the people killed or injured were involved in hostilities or posed any threat to the Israeli military or to staff of GHF distribution points,” OHCHR said.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP), which has managed to dispatch only 9,000 metric tons of food within Gaza over the past month – a fraction of what is required for the 2.1 million people in need – echoed calls for immediate protection of civilians and aid workers.
“Far too many people have died while trying to access the trickle of food aid coming in,” the agency said in a separate statement.
“Any violence resulting in starving people being killed or injured while seeking life-saving assistance is completely unacceptable.”
The UN emergency food relief agency said the fear of starvation and desperate need for food is causing large crowds to gather along well-known transport routes, hoping to intercept and access humanitarian supplies while in transit.
“Only a massive scale-up in food distributions can stabilize the situation, calm anxieties and rebuild the trust within communities that more food is coming,” it said, calling urgently for safer convoy routes, faster permissions, restored communication channels and additional border openings.
“The time to act is now. Delays cost lives. We must be allowed to safely do our jobs,” the agency said.
On Tuesday, the member states of the UN headquarters approved the finalized result document, known as Seville compromiso (Seville’s commitment), after months of intensive intergovernmental negotiations.
It is designed as the cornerstone of a renewed global framework to finance sustainable development, especially in the middle of a The expansion of 4 billions of dollars in annual funding faced with developing countries.
The co-facilitators of the result document-Mexico, Nepal, Zambia and Norway-praised the agreement as an ambitious and balanced compromise which reflects a large support base through the members of the UN.
“This project reflects the dedication, perseverance and constructive commitment of all members,” said Ambassador Alicia Buenrosro Massieu, permanent deputy representative of Mexico.
“Seville is not a new program. It is a strengthening of what already exists. He renews our commitment to the Addis Abeba Action Action And aligns fragmented efforts in a single invigorated frame, ”she added.
The Nepal ambassador, Lok Bahadur Thapa, described the result as a “historic possibility” to deal with urgent funding challenges.
“He recognizes the financing gap of $ 4 billion and launches an ambitious set of reforms and actions to fill this gap with the emergency,” he said, highlighting commitments to increase tax / GDP ratios and improve the sustainability of debt.
Opening of the third international conference on development for development in 2015, which adopted the Historical Action Program of Addis Ababa.
The agreement came despite clear divisions on several disputed questions, culminating in the decision of the United States to leave the process entirely.
“Our commitment to international cooperation and long -term economic development remain firm,” said Jonathan Shrier, American representative of the management of the Economic and social council.
“However, the United States regrets that the text of which we are seized today does not offer a way to consensus.”
Mr. Shrier expressed his country’s objection to proposals in the project, which, according to him, interfered with the governance of international financial institutions, introduced duplication mechanisms and has failed to align themselves with American priorities on trade, tax and innovation.
He also opposed the proposals calling for a tripling of the capacity and the loan language of the multilateral development bank on a UN framework convention on international tax cooperation.
The general under-secretary for economic and social affairs Li Junhua praised the adoption of the document, calling it as clear demonstration that “multilateralism works and delivers for all”.
He congratulated the Member States for their flexibility and their political will to finalize the agreement, despite the challenges.
” THE FFD4 conference presents a rare opportunity to prove that multilateralism can provide tangible results. A successful and solid result would help rebuild trust and confidence in the multilateral system by forging a renewed funding framework, “said Mr. Li.
A woman sells vegetables on a Seychelles market. Despite continuous efforts, progress towards the realization of several SDGs – including those of women’s empowerment – remain off -track for 2030.
The Seville conference, which will be held from June 30 to July 3 Fourth major United Nations Conference on Development FinancingAccording to Monterrey (2002), Doha (2008) and Addis Ababa (2015).
It should produce concrete commitments and guide international financial cooperation in the period before and beyond the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable development objectives (ODD).
“We firmly believe that this result will meet the main challenges we face today and will offer a real boost to sustainable development,” said Nepal ambassador Thapa.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
While the World Cup of the Football Club starts in the United States, on the other side of the world, the Japanese club Gamba Osaka reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development by becoming the first team of the country’s professional league to join the United Nations ” Football for goals initiative.
The initiative provides a platform to the world football community to engage with and promote the agreed international Sustainable development objectives (SDG).
The UN Maher Nasser (left) (on the left) and the Shinji of Gamba Osaka mark the membership of the Japanese club on the football initiative for goals.
Shinji Ito, director of external affairs of the football team, Gamba Osaka, said UN News at the United Nations Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka which supports the Sustainable development objectives (ODD) is important for his club.
“As a football club, we can work with supporters to change attitudes and behavior on issues such as the environment, climate, sustainability, health and disability, which are part of the SDGs.”
The multicolored ODD logo is in a good place displayed at the club stadium in Osaka, the second largest city in Japan, it appeared on the team kit and the players visited local schools to explain why the SDGs are important.
At the stage, efforts are made to encourage fans to separate recycling waste, a behavior which, according to Japan, must be highlighted and intensified. The paper cups have replaced plastic cups and the player’s team shirts are made from more sustainable and environmentally friendly materials.
“We see an increased awareness of the importance of the SDGs,” said Ito. “We recognize that this is a long -term commitment and that a significant change takes place over 10 years or more.”
Gamba Osaka is now listed on the Football initiative for the UN goals, making it a first for the professional game of Japan.
Taro Shinzato (left) visited the UN pavilion with Satoka Shinzato.
The initiative aims to inspire and guide all the people involved in sport who see the value of sustainability, confederations, national associations, leagues and clubs to players’ associations, groups of organized fans, as well as media and business partners.
This encourages them to rely on existing sustainability approaches and to implement strategies that lead to a change in behavior.
Launched in 2022, at a time when progress towards the SDGs was and continue to weaken, there are now some 370 entities registered.
“The world football industry is extremely influential and has the power to communicate with billions of people around the world,” said Maher Nasser, United Nations Commissioner at Expo 2025.
“Our members will inspire action by demonstrating how sustainable practices can be integrated into any business model, including sport,” he added.
SDGs are part of the Japanese school program, so many young people are aware of their importance.
Taro Shinzato, who supports the Nagoya Grampus 8 rival team, visited the United Nations Pavilion at Expo 2025, saying: “When we think of the SDGs, we focus on the environment and lasting life in Japan. We may not think enough of SDGs in other countries, which is very important because we all share the same land. ”
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
