Extra TVUN Archives

Improving the Al-Qaida Sanctions Regime

Germany, which assumed the chairmanship of the Al Qaeda & Taliban Sanctions Committees back in early 2011, has committed itself to strengthening international cooperation on counter-terrorism, especially within the framework of the United Nations.

Shashi Tharoor India’s New Minister of State For Human Resource Development

By an IPS Correspondent

Former UN Under-Secretary-General Shashi Tharoor, a member of the Indian Parliament, has been appointed the new Minister of State for Human Resource Development. (HRD).

Free Syria Faces Tough Times

By an IPS Correspondent

As the death toll in Syria tops 40,000 and some 400,000 have taken refuge beyond the country’s borders, a dearth of funding for civilian projects in areas under Free Syrian control risks undermining efforts to keep inhabitants united and the limited lines of communication flowing.

OPED: Toward a Conference on a Nuclear Weapon or WMD-Free Zone in the Middle East

By Jayantha Dhanapala and Paolo Cotta Ramusino

ROME Nov 30 -- Over the course of the past 18 months and more, Pugwash has held a series of consultations on regional security and nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. As states move closer to concretizing plans for a proposed conference on a Middle Eastern WMD Free Zone, some questions and points raised in these meetings might prove useful. This summary is not a comprehensive report, it is meant to stimulate further discussions on outstanding questions, and to highlight possible next steps that could contribute to a more positive and creative environment.

UN Women calls for leadership for inclusive peacebuilding

By an IPS Correspondent

Addressing an open debate in the Security Council Friday, on the 12th anniversary of resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet called on world leaders to provide determined leadership, dedicated resources and direct opportunities to enable women to contribute to the maintenance of peace and security.

“More prosperity means more democracy” for Africa

By an IPS Correspondent

“ There is both an enormous economic growth and growth potential in numerous countries in Africa, “ Ambassador Jim Mclay, permanent representative of New Zealand to the UN said during a discussion about the Africa’s coming economic revolution. The meeting was held at the Mission of New-Zealand to the UN.

UNAIDS Reports Successes But HIV Stigma Still Lingers

By an IPS Correspondent

“The Aids World Day report of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) shows that new HIV infection rates have decreased by 50 percent across 25 low- and middle-income countries,” Ambassador Dr. Mwaba Kasese-Bota, Permanent Representative of Zambia to the UN, told a panel on “Getting to zero: Strategies for addressing HIV-related stigma and discrimination”.

Cooperative Investment Fund Inaugurated in Canada

By an IPS Correspondent

A proposed new Co-operative Investment Fund has garnered support from three Canadian co-operative organisations. The Fund is expected to provide Canadian co-operatives with access to capital they need to expand and develop.

International Fellowship Programme Changes Face of Education in Brazil

By an IPS Correspondent

During the presentation “Affirmative action in Brazil: From 1990s to the Supreme Court decision 2012” at Columbia University, Joan Dassin, executive director of the International Fellowship Programme (IFP), highlighted the evaluation results of the Ford Foundation’s IFP in Brazil and its progress during the past decade.

Egypt’s Brutal Security Forces Also Victims of State Brutality

By an IPS Correspondent

Three people have been killed, more than 400 wounded and over 200 arrested as clashes between Egyptians protesting President Muhammad Morsi’s attempt to expand his presidential powers and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) and Egyptian security forces continue to rock the capital and enflame major cities around the country.

African Sun Prepares to Power Europe

By an IPS Correspondent

Solar thermal power plants are indispensable to meet Europe’s energy demands and to reduce greenhouse gases emissions substantially, according to a new study by a European scientific commission.

UNFPA & Indonesia to Host Global Youth Forum in Bali

By IPS Correspondent

About 900 youth leaders, government and civil society representatives from almost every country in the world, representing about 43% of the world’s population under age 25, will convene in Bali to participate in the “ ICPD Beyond 2014” Global Youth Forum to develop official recommendations for the United Nation’s development agenda. The meeting is scheduled to take place December 4-6.

East European War on Drugs Fails

By an IPS Correspondent

When the Global Commission on Drug Policy, which advocates an end to what it says has been a failed ‘war on drugs’, held its latest working meeting in Warsaw last month, the choice of venue was apt.

Guyana Seeks to Shield Gold Miners from Mercury Ban

By IPS Correspondent

As regional delegates meet to discuss a legally binding ban on the use of mercury this week, Guyanese officials are arguing that an exception should be made for the South American country’s lucrative gold mining sector until an acceptable alternative is found.

Nepal Unprepared for Imminent Earthquakes

By IPS Correspondent

Nepal now ranks 11^th on a list of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, yet it remains one of the least disaster-prepared nations globally. Two major earthquakes in the last two years, one on Sep. 18, 2011 and the other on Oct. 5 of this year, have failed to spur the government into action.