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United Nations International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2012
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives, highlighting the contribution of cooperatives to socio-economic development, particularly their impact on poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration.
With the theme of “Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World”, the Year seeks to encourage the growth and establishment of cooperatives all over the world. It also encourages individuals, communities and governments to recognize the agency of cooperatives in helping to achieve internationally agreed upon development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals
The United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/64/136 encourages all member States, the United Nations and all relevant stakeholders to take advantage of the IYC to promote cooperatives and raise awareness of their contribution to social and economic development and promote the formation and growth of cooperatives.
For more information please visit the official website.
United Nations International Year of Sustainable Energy for All 2012
In December 2010, the UN General Assembly declared 2012 the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, in recognition that access to affordable modern energy services is essential for sustainable development and for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
The International Year of Sustainable Energy for All presents a valuable opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of increasing access to energy, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. It is a call to promote action on energy issues at the local, national, regional and international levels toward internationally agreed development goals.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made sustainable energy one of his five priorities that will guide his second 5-year term. Specifically, he will direct the United Nations to extend energy’s reach in order to combat endemic poverty. Universal access to energy, improved efficiency and enhanced deployment of renewable sources are ambitious goals, and the Secretary-General is leading a Sustainable Energy for All initiative to make them achievable.
This initiative will call for private sector and national commitments and attract global attention to the importance of energy for development and poverty alleviation. The goal is to meet three objectives by 2030:
• Ensuring universal access to modern energy services.
• Doubling the rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
• Doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
For more information please visit the official website.
