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Monday, July 2, 2012
BAN STRESSES NEED FOR CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES IN TALKS WITH ISRAELI OFFICIAL
BAN STRESSES NEED FOR CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES IN TALKS WITH ISRAELI OFFICIAL
New York, Jul 2 2012 3:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed the need for meaningful confidence-building measures during his meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Israel, Ehud Barak.
Their discussion at United Nations Headquarters in New York focused on regional developments, as well as the ongoing efforts toward the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian dialogue, according to his spokesperson.
The Israelis and the Palestinians have yet to resume direct negotiations since talks stalled in September 2010 after Israel refused to extend its freeze on settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Mr. Ban also voiced concern over the situation in Gaza, and stressed the importance for sustained calm to be restored.
Jul 2 2012 3:10PM
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New York, Jul 2 2012 3:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed the need for meaningful confidence-building measures during his meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Israel, Ehud Barak.
Their discussion at United Nations Headquarters in New York focused on regional developments, as well as the ongoing efforts toward the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian dialogue, according to his spokesperson.
The Israelis and the Palestinians have yet to resume direct negotiations since talks stalled in September 2010 after Israel refused to extend its freeze on settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Mr. Ban also voiced concern over the situation in Gaza, and stressed the importance for sustained calm to be restored.
Jul 2 2012 3:10PM
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UN EXPERT CALLS ON TURKEY AND EUROPEAN UNION TO PRIORITIZE HUMAN RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS
UN EXPERT CALLS ON TURKEY AND EUROPEAN UNION TO PRIORITIZE HUMAN RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS
New York, Jul 2 2012 3:10PM
A United Nations independent expert today called on Turkey and the European Union (EU) to make the human rights of migrants a priority in their cooperation managing immigrants between territories.
"While the EU and Turkey have developed close cooperation on migration issues, which has led to some notable positive developments, the assistance offered to Turkey regarding migration management appears to focus largely on securitising the borders and decreasing irregular migration to the European common territory through focusing on the detention and removal of migrants in Turkey," said the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau, in a <"http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12312&LangID=E">news release.
"Often neglected from this equation is an equivalent emphasis on the human rights of those most vulnerable and most affected by the migration process: the migrants themselves," he added.
Mr. Crépeau, who just finished a five-day official visit to Turkey, noted that detention of migrants remains an issue of concern in the country, and that the Greek-Turkish border point remains one of the key passages of irregular migration in Europe.
"Despite the fact that Turkey is at the geostrategic juncture between Europe and Asia, the pressures on Turkish authorities to control irregular migration should not trump the human rights of migrants," Mr. Crépeau said, noting that the EU's focus on heightening border security has led to an increase in detention as a solution strategy for migration control, with more funding for new detention centres.
"The lack of safeguards for detainees in these centres is notable, and I insist that all centres of detention uphold human rights standards and organisations be provided full and free access to monitor them appropriately," Mr. Crépeau said.
"I am further troubled about the detention of some vulnerable migrants in an irregular situation, including families and children," he added, emphasizing that "alternatives to detention must always be explored."
Mr. Crépeau's visit to Turkey was the third stage of a special study on the management of the EU's external borders. He visited Brussels in May, and Tunisia earlier in June. Later in the year he will visit the two main entry points into the EU, Greece and Italy. The Special Rapporteur will present a report on his findings to the UN Human Rights Council in June next year.
Independent experts, or special rapporteurs, are appointed by the Geneva-based Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.
Jul 2 2012 3:10PM
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New York, Jul 2 2012 3:10PM
A United Nations independent expert today called on Turkey and the European Union (EU) to make the human rights of migrants a priority in their cooperation managing immigrants between territories.
"While the EU and Turkey have developed close cooperation on migration issues, which has led to some notable positive developments, the assistance offered to Turkey regarding migration management appears to focus largely on securitising the borders and decreasing irregular migration to the European common territory through focusing on the detention and removal of migrants in Turkey," said the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau, in a <"http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12312&LangID=E">news release.
"Often neglected from this equation is an equivalent emphasis on the human rights of those most vulnerable and most affected by the migration process: the migrants themselves," he added.
Mr. Crépeau, who just finished a five-day official visit to Turkey, noted that detention of migrants remains an issue of concern in the country, and that the Greek-Turkish border point remains one of the key passages of irregular migration in Europe.
"Despite the fact that Turkey is at the geostrategic juncture between Europe and Asia, the pressures on Turkish authorities to control irregular migration should not trump the human rights of migrants," Mr. Crépeau said, noting that the EU's focus on heightening border security has led to an increase in detention as a solution strategy for migration control, with more funding for new detention centres.
"The lack of safeguards for detainees in these centres is notable, and I insist that all centres of detention uphold human rights standards and organisations be provided full and free access to monitor them appropriately," Mr. Crépeau said.
"I am further troubled about the detention of some vulnerable migrants in an irregular situation, including families and children," he added, emphasizing that "alternatives to detention must always be explored."
Mr. Crépeau's visit to Turkey was the third stage of a special study on the management of the EU's external borders. He visited Brussels in May, and Tunisia earlier in June. Later in the year he will visit the two main entry points into the EU, Greece and Italy. The Special Rapporteur will present a report on his findings to the UN Human Rights Council in June next year.
Independent experts, or special rapporteurs, are appointed by the Geneva-based Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.
Jul 2 2012 3:10PM
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GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP KEY TO ACHIEVING MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS BY 2015 – UN REPORT
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP KEY TO ACHIEVING MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS BY 2015 – UN REPORT
New York, Jul 2 2012 2:10PM
With three important targets on poverty, slums and water having been met, a new United Nations report stresses the need for a true global partnership to achieve the remaining Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the 2015 deadline.
The 2012 MDG Report offers "the most comprehensive picture yet" on global progress towards the Goals, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said as he launched the report at the high-level segment of the annual session of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The eight MDGs, agreed by world leaders at UN summit in 2000, set specific targets on poverty alleviation, education, gender equality, child and maternal health, environmental stability, HIV/AIDS reduction, and a "Global Partnership for Development."
The report states that meeting the remaining targets, while challenging, is possible – but only if governments do not waiver from their commitments made over a decade ago. Further success depends on fulfilling MDG 8 – the global partnership for development, Mr. Ban notes in his foreword to the report.
"The current economic crises besetting much of the developed world must not be allowed to decelerate or reverse the progress that has been made. Let us build on the successes we have achieved so far, and let us not relent until all the MDGs have been attained," he said in the foreword.
The 2012 report says that, for the first time since poverty trends began to be monitored, both the number of people living in extreme poverty and the poverty rates have fallen in every developing region, including sub-Saharan Africa, where rates are highest.
Preliminary estimates indicate that in 2010, the share of people living on less than a $1.25 a day dropped to less than half of its 1990 value. This means that MDG 1 – cutting the extreme poverty rate to half its 1990 level – has been achieved at the global level, well ahead of 2015.
The report notes that the target of halving the proportion of people without access to improved sources of drinking water by 2010 has been achieved. The proportion of people using improved water sources rose from 76 per cent in 1990 to 89 per cent in 2010.
In addition, the share of urban residents in the developing world living in slums has declined from 39 per cent in 2000 to 33 per cent in 2012. More than 200 million have gained access to either improved water sources, improved sanitation facilities, or durable or less crowded housing. This achievement exceeds the target of significantly improving the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers.
The report also points out that the world has achieved another milestone: parity in primary education between girls and boys. Driven by national and international efforts, many more of the world's children are enrolled in school at the primary level, especially since 2000. Girls have benefited the most. There were 97 girls enrolled per 100 boys in 2010 – up from 91 girls per 100 boys in 1999.
The report says that enrolment rates of primary school age children have increased markedly in sub-Saharan Africa, from 58 to 76 per cent between 1999 and 2010. Also, at the end of 2010, 6.5 million people in developing regions were receiving antiretroviral therapy for HIV or AIDS, constituting the largest one-year increase ever.
"These results represent a tremendous reduction in human suffering and are a clear validation of the approach embodied in the MDGs," Mr. Ban said in his remarks at the launch. "But, they are not a reason to relax."
He noted that projections indicate that in 2015 more than 600 million people worldwide will still lack access to safe drinking water, almost one billion will be living on an income of less than $1.25 per day, mothers will continue to die needlessly in childbirth, and children will suffer and die from preventable diseases.
The report warns that the 2015 deadline is fast approaching and in order to achieve outstanding goals, governments, the international community, civil society and the private sector need to intensify their contributions.
"There is now an expectation around the world that sooner, rather than later, all these goals can and must be achieved. Leaders will be held to this high standard. Sectors such as government, business, academia and civil society, often known for working at cross-purposes, are learning how to collaborate on shared aspirations," said the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Sha Zukang.
Jul 2 2012 2:10PM
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New York, Jul 2 2012 2:10PM
With three important targets on poverty, slums and water having been met, a new United Nations report stresses the need for a true global partnership to achieve the remaining Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the 2015 deadline.
The 2012 MDG Report offers "the most comprehensive picture yet" on global progress towards the Goals, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said as he launched the report at the high-level segment of the annual session of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The eight MDGs, agreed by world leaders at UN summit in 2000, set specific targets on poverty alleviation, education, gender equality, child and maternal health, environmental stability, HIV/AIDS reduction, and a "Global Partnership for Development."
The report states that meeting the remaining targets, while challenging, is possible – but only if governments do not waiver from their commitments made over a decade ago. Further success depends on fulfilling MDG 8 – the global partnership for development, Mr. Ban notes in his foreword to the report.
"The current economic crises besetting much of the developed world must not be allowed to decelerate or reverse the progress that has been made. Let us build on the successes we have achieved so far, and let us not relent until all the MDGs have been attained," he said in the foreword.
The 2012 report says that, for the first time since poverty trends began to be monitored, both the number of people living in extreme poverty and the poverty rates have fallen in every developing region, including sub-Saharan Africa, where rates are highest.
Preliminary estimates indicate that in 2010, the share of people living on less than a $1.25 a day dropped to less than half of its 1990 value. This means that MDG 1 – cutting the extreme poverty rate to half its 1990 level – has been achieved at the global level, well ahead of 2015.
The report notes that the target of halving the proportion of people without access to improved sources of drinking water by 2010 has been achieved. The proportion of people using improved water sources rose from 76 per cent in 1990 to 89 per cent in 2010.
In addition, the share of urban residents in the developing world living in slums has declined from 39 per cent in 2000 to 33 per cent in 2012. More than 200 million have gained access to either improved water sources, improved sanitation facilities, or durable or less crowded housing. This achievement exceeds the target of significantly improving the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers.
The report also points out that the world has achieved another milestone: parity in primary education between girls and boys. Driven by national and international efforts, many more of the world's children are enrolled in school at the primary level, especially since 2000. Girls have benefited the most. There were 97 girls enrolled per 100 boys in 2010 – up from 91 girls per 100 boys in 1999.
The report says that enrolment rates of primary school age children have increased markedly in sub-Saharan Africa, from 58 to 76 per cent between 1999 and 2010. Also, at the end of 2010, 6.5 million people in developing regions were receiving antiretroviral therapy for HIV or AIDS, constituting the largest one-year increase ever.
"These results represent a tremendous reduction in human suffering and are a clear validation of the approach embodied in the MDGs," Mr. Ban said in his remarks at the launch. "But, they are not a reason to relax."
He noted that projections indicate that in 2015 more than 600 million people worldwide will still lack access to safe drinking water, almost one billion will be living on an income of less than $1.25 per day, mothers will continue to die needlessly in childbirth, and children will suffer and die from preventable diseases.
The report warns that the 2015 deadline is fast approaching and in order to achieve outstanding goals, governments, the international community, civil society and the private sector need to intensify their contributions.
"There is now an expectation around the world that sooner, rather than later, all these goals can and must be achieved. Leaders will be held to this high standard. Sectors such as government, business, academia and civil society, often known for working at cross-purposes, are learning how to collaborate on shared aspirations," said the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Sha Zukang.
Jul 2 2012 2:10PM
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FOUR DETAINED ICC STAFF MEMBERS RELEASED IN LIBYA
FOUR DETAINED ICC STAFF MEMBERS RELEASED IN LIBYA
New York, Jul 2 2012 2:10PM
Libyan authorities today released the four International Criminal Court (ICC) staff members who were detained in the country for nearly a month following their visit to Saif Al-Islam Qadhafi, who has been indicted by the court in relation to attacks against protesters and rebels during last year's pro-democracy uprising.
"The ICC is grateful to the Libyan authorities for their agreement today to release the Court's staff members so that they can be reunited with their families," the President of the ICC, Judge Sang-Hyun Song, <"http://www.icc-cpi.int/NR/exeres/88262EBD-A29B-450F-9B2D-C30D3D7F1DAB.htm">said at a press conference in the Libyan city of Zintan.
He also thanked the Zintan authorities for their cooperation and expressed his relief that the ICC staff members were well treated during their detention.
The four – Alexander Khodakov, Esteban Peralta Losilla, Melinda Taylor and Helene Assaf – were detained on 7 June after meeting with Mr. Qadhafi in Zintan, in part as a privileged visit by the ICC's Office of Public Counsel for the Defence, currently appointed to represent Mr. Qadhafi in the case brought against him.
The ICC is an independent, permanent court that investigates and prosecutes persons accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes if national authorities with jurisdiction are unwilling or unable to do so genuinely.
Libya is one of seven situations currently under investigation by the ICC, which is based in The Hague. The others are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, northern Uganda, the Darfur region of Sudan, the Central African Republic, Kenya, and Côte d'Ivoire.
Jul 2 2012 2:10PM
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New York, Jul 2 2012 2:10PM
Libyan authorities today released the four International Criminal Court (ICC) staff members who were detained in the country for nearly a month following their visit to Saif Al-Islam Qadhafi, who has been indicted by the court in relation to attacks against protesters and rebels during last year's pro-democracy uprising.
"The ICC is grateful to the Libyan authorities for their agreement today to release the Court's staff members so that they can be reunited with their families," the President of the ICC, Judge Sang-Hyun Song, <"http://www.icc-cpi.int/NR/exeres/88262EBD-A29B-450F-9B2D-C30D3D7F1DAB.htm">said at a press conference in the Libyan city of Zintan.
He also thanked the Zintan authorities for their cooperation and expressed his relief that the ICC staff members were well treated during their detention.
The four – Alexander Khodakov, Esteban Peralta Losilla, Melinda Taylor and Helene Assaf – were detained on 7 June after meeting with Mr. Qadhafi in Zintan, in part as a privileged visit by the ICC's Office of Public Counsel for the Defence, currently appointed to represent Mr. Qadhafi in the case brought against him.
The ICC is an independent, permanent court that investigates and prosecutes persons accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes if national authorities with jurisdiction are unwilling or unable to do so genuinely.
Libya is one of seven situations currently under investigation by the ICC, which is based in The Hague. The others are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, northern Uganda, the Darfur region of Sudan, the Central African Republic, Kenya, and Côte d'Ivoire.
Jul 2 2012 2:10PM
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UN EXPERTS CALL FOR ADVANCING WOMEN’S HUMAN RIGHTS DURING POLITICAL TRANSITIONS
UN EXPERTS CALL FOR ADVANCING WOMEN'S HUMAN RIGHTS DURING POLITICAL TRANSITIONS
New York, Jul 2 2012 2:10PM
A group of independent United Nations experts today called for urgent actions to advance women's human rights during political transitions, stressing that their equal participation is critical for any democratic and lasting change.
Political transitions "offer unprecedented opportunities for progress on women's human rights, despite there being a risk of regression and new forms of discrimination," according to the UN Working Group on discrimination against women in law and in practice.
"Good practice is evidenced where States take advantage of the opportunities to advance women's human rights and avoid any kind of regression," <"http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12311&LangID=E">said Kamala Chandrakirana, who currently heads the group and presented its first annual report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The group voiced concern at reports that women who have been active in the fight for democracy and justice find themselves excluded from decision-making in new state-building processes.
Countries in transition need to effectively take advantage of the ongoing legal, policy and institutional reforms to guarantee strong participation of women in all spheres of political and public life, especially at decision-making levels, and include them as equal partners in shaping the future of their country, they noted.
"Women's full and equal participation in ongoing political transitions in many regions of the world is a prerequisite for any democratic and lasting change, and is critical to sustainable development, peace, and progress," said Ms. Chandrakirana.
"There is a window of opportunity to consolidate women's involvement in politics as many have participated in and driven the civil movements in their countries and are poised to make further progressive contributions to their societies," she added.
The Working Group also regretted that there were still too few women in politics and in decision-making positions despite decades of efforts, and underscored the importance of affirmative action and of the guarantees of freedom of expression, assembly and association to rectify this.
The Human Rights Council, which is currently holding its 20th session, appoints experts to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The experts work in an independent and unpaid capacity.
Jul 2 2012 2:10PM
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New York, Jul 2 2012 2:10PM
A group of independent United Nations experts today called for urgent actions to advance women's human rights during political transitions, stressing that their equal participation is critical for any democratic and lasting change.
Political transitions "offer unprecedented opportunities for progress on women's human rights, despite there being a risk of regression and new forms of discrimination," according to the UN Working Group on discrimination against women in law and in practice.
"Good practice is evidenced where States take advantage of the opportunities to advance women's human rights and avoid any kind of regression," <"http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12311&LangID=E">said Kamala Chandrakirana, who currently heads the group and presented its first annual report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The group voiced concern at reports that women who have been active in the fight for democracy and justice find themselves excluded from decision-making in new state-building processes.
Countries in transition need to effectively take advantage of the ongoing legal, policy and institutional reforms to guarantee strong participation of women in all spheres of political and public life, especially at decision-making levels, and include them as equal partners in shaping the future of their country, they noted.
"Women's full and equal participation in ongoing political transitions in many regions of the world is a prerequisite for any democratic and lasting change, and is critical to sustainable development, peace, and progress," said Ms. Chandrakirana.
"There is a window of opportunity to consolidate women's involvement in politics as many have participated in and driven the civil movements in their countries and are poised to make further progressive contributions to their societies," she added.
The Working Group also regretted that there were still too few women in politics and in decision-making positions despite decades of efforts, and underscored the importance of affirmative action and of the guarantees of freedom of expression, assembly and association to rectify this.
The Human Rights Council, which is currently holding its 20th session, appoints experts to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The experts work in an independent and unpaid capacity.
Jul 2 2012 2:10PM
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UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL HIGH-LEVEL MEETING OPENS WITH FOCUS ON JOBS CRISIS
UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL HIGH-LEVEL MEETING OPENS WITH FOCUS ON JOBS CRISIS
New York, Jul 2 2012 1:10PM
The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) today opened its high-level meeting in New York with a focus on the global jobs crisis and the search for ways to stimulate the creation of decent and sustainable employment.
"For today's 205 million unemployed, work is worryingly difficult to find – and finding decent, meaningful work, harder still," the Council's President, Ambassador Milos Koterec of Slovakia, <"http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/president/statement_2012/statement_eocosc_president_opening-2_july.pdf">said at the opening of ECOSOC's <"http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/julyhls/index12.shtml">high-level segment.
"While failure to manage global job creation and sustain growth inflicts tremendous damage everywhere, it is the world's poorest who suffer the most, with women and youth typically the greatest victims," Mr. Koterec added.
A founding UN Charter body, ECOSOC is the venue where issues concerning the world's economic, social and environmental challenges are discussed and debated, and policy recommendations made. More than 500 delegates, including government ministers and heads of civil society groups, international institutions and the private sector, are attending the Council's high-level segment, which will focus on boosting productive capacity, strengthening development cooperation and creating decent, sustainable work.
In his remarks, Mr. Koterec emphasized that ECOSOC is scaling up its efforts to tackle youth unemployment and the creation of jobs that provide adequate conditions and social protection for workers, linking job creation with sustainable development.
"An effective post-2015 development agenda must be based upon streamlined development cooperation: targeted and improved financing, transparency, accountability, and much more," Mr. Koterec said.
<"http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocus/sgspeeches/statments_full.asp?statID=1590">Addressing the opening of the high-level segment, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasized that getting the global economy back on track will require decisive action, and underlined the need to pursue a "new model of growth within the framework of sustainable development and enhanced international cooperation."
The UN chief highlighted that the creation of decent jobs had been a priority during the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) last month in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with countries voicing their concern for adequate working conditions and incomes for city dwellers as well as small farmers.
"Only by generating decent – and decently paid – employment can we help the poor and vulnerable to escape poverty traps and build resilience," Mr. Ban said.
He also noted that this year's report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which was launched today, points to significant but uneven progress among and within countries, and more needs to be done to reduce poverty and hunger worldwide. The MDG's are a set of global anti-poverty targets which world leaders have pledged to achieve by 2015.
"The MDGs have given policy-makers a unifying framework for global development, a clear agenda with measurable goals and targets, and a common, inspiring vision. As we look beyond 2015 we must do the same," Mr. Ban said.
In his remarks to the opening of the high-session segment, the President of the General Assembly, Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, urged ECOSOC and General Assembly members to collaborate closely to tackle the world's pressing economic and financial issues, and find ways to promote inclusive, sustainable and equitable economic growth and employment.
Mr. Al-Nasser stressed that the high-level meeting should send out a message about "our commitment to the creation of quality jobs and decent work, productivity development, and the strengthening of international coordination and cooperation, plus well-managed environment."
The high-level segment is expected to conclude on 9 July with the adoption of a ministerial declaration that will be a road map on how to go forward in the achievement of full employment and decent work.
ECOSOC will also hold its operational activities segment and humanitarian affairs segment before concluding on 27 July. The 54-member Council coordinates the work of the 14 UN specialized agencies, 10 functional commissions and five regional commissions, receives reports from ten UN funds and programmes and issues policy recommendations to the UN system, as well as to Member States. It meets every year, alternating between New York and Geneva.
Jul 2 2012 1:10PM
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New York, Jul 2 2012 1:10PM
The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) today opened its high-level meeting in New York with a focus on the global jobs crisis and the search for ways to stimulate the creation of decent and sustainable employment.
"For today's 205 million unemployed, work is worryingly difficult to find – and finding decent, meaningful work, harder still," the Council's President, Ambassador Milos Koterec of Slovakia, <"http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/president/statement_2012/statement_eocosc_president_opening-2_july.pdf">said at the opening of ECOSOC's <"http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/julyhls/index12.shtml">high-level segment.
"While failure to manage global job creation and sustain growth inflicts tremendous damage everywhere, it is the world's poorest who suffer the most, with women and youth typically the greatest victims," Mr. Koterec added.
A founding UN Charter body, ECOSOC is the venue where issues concerning the world's economic, social and environmental challenges are discussed and debated, and policy recommendations made. More than 500 delegates, including government ministers and heads of civil society groups, international institutions and the private sector, are attending the Council's high-level segment, which will focus on boosting productive capacity, strengthening development cooperation and creating decent, sustainable work.
In his remarks, Mr. Koterec emphasized that ECOSOC is scaling up its efforts to tackle youth unemployment and the creation of jobs that provide adequate conditions and social protection for workers, linking job creation with sustainable development.
"An effective post-2015 development agenda must be based upon streamlined development cooperation: targeted and improved financing, transparency, accountability, and much more," Mr. Koterec said.
<"http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocus/sgspeeches/statments_full.asp?statID=1590">Addressing the opening of the high-level segment, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasized that getting the global economy back on track will require decisive action, and underlined the need to pursue a "new model of growth within the framework of sustainable development and enhanced international cooperation."
The UN chief highlighted that the creation of decent jobs had been a priority during the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) last month in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with countries voicing their concern for adequate working conditions and incomes for city dwellers as well as small farmers.
"Only by generating decent – and decently paid – employment can we help the poor and vulnerable to escape poverty traps and build resilience," Mr. Ban said.
He also noted that this year's report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which was launched today, points to significant but uneven progress among and within countries, and more needs to be done to reduce poverty and hunger worldwide. The MDG's are a set of global anti-poverty targets which world leaders have pledged to achieve by 2015.
"The MDGs have given policy-makers a unifying framework for global development, a clear agenda with measurable goals and targets, and a common, inspiring vision. As we look beyond 2015 we must do the same," Mr. Ban said.
In his remarks to the opening of the high-session segment, the President of the General Assembly, Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, urged ECOSOC and General Assembly members to collaborate closely to tackle the world's pressing economic and financial issues, and find ways to promote inclusive, sustainable and equitable economic growth and employment.
Mr. Al-Nasser stressed that the high-level meeting should send out a message about "our commitment to the creation of quality jobs and decent work, productivity development, and the strengthening of international coordination and cooperation, plus well-managed environment."
The high-level segment is expected to conclude on 9 July with the adoption of a ministerial declaration that will be a road map on how to go forward in the achievement of full employment and decent work.
ECOSOC will also hold its operational activities segment and humanitarian affairs segment before concluding on 27 July. The 54-member Council coordinates the work of the 14 UN specialized agencies, 10 functional commissions and five regional commissions, receives reports from ten UN funds and programmes and issues policy recommendations to the UN system, as well as to Member States. It meets every year, alternating between New York and Geneva.
Jul 2 2012 1:10PM
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