Culprit behind massive shrimp die-offs in Asia unmasked
FAO – 03 May 2013
Bacterium responsible for Early Mortality Syndrome of Shrimp – Crucial first step in finding effective ways to combat the disease
Governments focus on concrete solutions to build new global climate agreement
UNFCCC – 03 May 2013
The second session of the international negotiation to build a new global climate agreement and drive greater immediate climate action ended on Friday after a week in which governments focused on concrete solutions.
Asia-Pacific governments adopt development agenda for inclusive and resilient growth
UN ESCAP – 02 May 2013
Representatives of governments from across Asia and the Pacific have wrapped up a three-day development policy forum at the regional United Nations headquarters here endorsing an agenda to lay the foundations of a future of equitable, resilient and sustainable prosperity for all.
New Omani sea level stations strengthen tsunami warning systems in the Western Indian Ocean
UNESCO – 02 May 2013
The Directorate General of Meteorology and Air Navigation/Public Authority for Civil Aviation (DGMAN/PACA) of Oman has installed seven new sea level stations along the coast of Oman with the assistance of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC-UNESCO). The stations are functional and providing data streams through the IOC-UNESCO Sea Level Station Monitoring Facility via GTS (Global Telecommunication System), a monitoring service for real time sea level measuring stations that contributes to several international programmes, such as the Global Sea Level Observing System Core Network and the regional tsunami warning systems.
Protecting forests, rivers and oceans a top priority for Australians as voting in MY World survey co
UNIC Canberra – 01 May 2013
Almost 8000 Australians have voted in the United Nations MY World Global Survey for a better world! The results so far show that the top three issues of concern are ‘Protecting forests, rivers and oceans’, ‘Access to clean water and sanitation’ and ‘Affordable and nutritious food’. The survey which will run until 2015 aims to capture people’s voices, priorities and views, so that global leaders can be informed as they begin the process of defining the new development agenda for the world.
Preparedness is key to resilience, say top Asia-Pacific crisis managers
UN ESCAP – 01 May 2013
Preparedness for multiple shocks, particularly natural disasters and economic crises, must be central to development planning in Asia and the Pacific which confronts the growing threat of increasingly severe natural calamities and economic crises, top disaster managers told countries from the region gathered at a United Nations forum here this week.
Kiwi of the year mobilizes world youth for disaster resilience
UNISDR – 01 May 2013
When college sophomore Sam Johnson started a Facebook page following the September 2010 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, to rally his peers to help affected communities, he never imagined that his idea would eventually mobilize an 'army' of young people across the country to take up similar efforts.
Measuring Progress Toward Sustainability: Workshop on the Inclusive Wealth Report Project
UNESCO – 26 April 2013
A workshop on the Inclusive Wealth Report (IWR) will take place on 29-30 April 2013 at UNESCO Headquarters. The objective is to promote the report presented during the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20, Brazil) in June 2012. This report puts forward a new index to measure the economic and social progress of nations. Sometimes called the “Green GDP”, the Inclusive Wealth Index assesses economies and social progress in an inclusive way, considering not only manufactured capital but also human and natural capital.
Asia’s soaring consumption of raw materials unsustainable, UN warns
UN News Centre – 24 April 2013
The Asia-Pacific region, which has overtaken the rest of the world in consumption of raw materials as affluence and manufacturing increase, must boost its resource efficiency or risk losing ground in lifestyle, economic growth and environmental sustainability, according to a UN report released today.
Debt crises hitting both rich and poor countries threaten UN development agenda, officials say
UN News Centre – 23 April 2013
Debt distress, no longer just the province of poor countries, is a drag on development programmes as well as on the world economy, United Nations leaders said today as economic experts and representatives of international financial institutions met to discuss practical and equitable mechanisms for restructuring sovereign debt.
UN to support China in ending production of ozone-depleting substances by 2030
UN News Centre – 23 April 2013
With United Nations support, the Government of China has agreed to completely eliminate its industrial production of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by 2030, the world Organization announced today.
UN-backed Asian forum highlights transportation’s role in sustainable development
UN News Centre – 23 April 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed efforts by Asian countries meeting at a United Nations-backed regional forum to address transportation as part of the effort to fight climate change and achieve sustainable development.
Today is International Mother Earth Day
UN – 22 April 2013
Earth Day 2013: The Face of Climate Change
Stronger joint action of UN, international financial institutions urged at development forum
UN News Centre – 22 April 2013
Poverty reduction, trade growth and job creation require greater coordination between the United Nations and the Bretton Woods institutions, the head of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) today urged at the opening of a special high-level meeting on sustainable development and the post-2015 development agenda.
On Mother Earth Day, UN Member States urged to promote harmony with nature
UN News Centre – 22 April 2013
Top United Nations officials today urged the 193 Member States to renew their pledges to honour and respect Mother Earth marking the day selected by the world body to promote harmony with nature and sustainable development.
FORESTS: UN forum endorses measures to improve sustainable forest management
UN News Centre – 20 April 2013
The United Nations Forum on Forests concluded its tenth session in Istanbul in the early hours of Saturday after agreeing on a series of measures to improve the sustainable management of forests, and deciding to consider setting up a voluntary global fund to support this endeavour.
Energy, climate change and poverty top Ban’s agenda on sidelines of World Bank-IMF meeting
UN News Centre – 19 April 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is meeting today with public and private donors on the sidelines of the World Bank-International Monetary Fund meeting in Washington DC to discuss financing energy, poverty and sustainable development projects to boost progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
UN-backed partnership helps Kenyans protect forests, improve livelihoods
UN News Centre – 19 April 2013
A United Nations-backed project in Kenya is protecting forests and wildlife, as well as providing alternative livelihoods, and offers valuable lessons on how governments and the private sector can successfully work together for the betterment of communities and the environment.
IAEA and UNCCD Join Forces to Strengthen Good Soil Management Practices in Dryland Areas
IAEA – 18 April 2013
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on 18 April 2013, signed an agreement to collaborate in the use of nuclear technologies to strengthen the assessment of soil erosion and monitor improvements over time.
FORESTS: Amazon treaty body hailed as model for regional conservation efforts
UN News Centre – 18 April 2013
An eight-member grouping of countries working to ensure sustainable development and improve the lives of local communities in South America’s Amazon – home to the world’s largest tropical rainforest – has been hailed as a model for regional cooperation at the tenth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF10).