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The Sustainable Development Goals in Egypt
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Egypt:
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15 May 2023
مصر والأمم المتحدة تبدآن رحلة طموحة لتحقيق وعد 2030 بتوقيع إطار جديد للتعاون
برعاية وحضور رئيس مجلس الوزراء، د. مصطفى مدبولي، وقعت الحكومة المصرية وفريق الأمم المتحدة القطري في مصر اتفاقا في التاسع من مايو، لتدشين مرحلة جديدة من التعاون المشترك من أجل تحقيق وعد خطة 2030 للتنمية المستدامة في مصر.
يُمثل إطار الأمم المتحدة الأمم المتحدة للتعاون من أجل التنمية المستدامة الأداة الاستراتيجية التي تسترشد بها جهود تحقيق أهداف التنمية المستدامة. ومن خلال التركيز على أربع أولويات استراتيجية وطنية، تشمل تحقيق التماسك الاجتماعي وتحسين رأس المال البشر، والوصول إلى اقتصاد تنافسي وشامل ومستدام بيئيا، والإدارة المستدامة للموارد الطبيعية، والشفافية والحوكمة الرشيدة وسيادة القانون، تستهدف مصر والأمم المتحدة من خلال إطار التعاون الجديد إلى تحقيق تقدم كبير نحو تحقيق أهداف التنمية المستدامة بحلول 2027.
وفي فعالية تميزت بمشاركة حكومية وأممية رفيعة المستوى، قامت معالي د. رانيا المشاط، وزيرة التعاون الدولي، بالإنابة عن حكومة جمهورية مصر العربية، والسيدة إلينا بانوفا، المُنسقة المُقيمة للأمم المتحدة في مصر، بالإنابة عن فريق الأمم المتحدة القُطري في جمهورية مصر العربية، ليكون التوقيع بمثابة إعلان التزام من جانب فريق الأمم المتحدة القُطري في جمهورية مصر العربية والحكومة المصرية إزاء الأولويات والنتائج الاستراتيجية الواردة بإطار التعاون.
بدأت الفعالية بعرض فيلم وثائقي يُسلط الضوء على أوجه الشراكة بين مصر والأمم المتحدة والتي تعكسها مشروعات تنموية متنوعة تركز على محاور رئيسية هي الناس والكوكب والازدهار والحوكمة، إضافة إلى النساء والفتيات.
وقال الدكتور مصطفى مدبولي إن فعالية توقيع إطار التعاون الجديد "تعد بمثابة تتويج لعلاقات مصر الإنمائية مع أحد أهم شركاء التنمية وأكثرهم تنوعًا وتأثيراً، وهي منظمة الأمم المتحدة والوكالات الأممية المتخصصة، والتي تربطنا بها علاقات تاريخية تنظمها مبادئ راسخة للعلاقات الدولية نصّ عليها ميثاق الأمم المتحدة،" مؤكدا أن مصر تعتز بكونها إحدى الدول المؤسسة لهذه المنظمة العريقة عام 1945.
وقال مدبولي إنه لا يمكن تحقيق التنمية المستدامة بدون قطاع خاص ديناميكي وتنافسي، مضيفا أن مصر أحرزت تقدمًا كبيرًا خلال الأعوام الماضية بمشاركة شركائها في التنمية في معالجة العديد من التحديات الإنمائية على المستوى القُطري. كما أشار إلى أن مصر تنفذ برنامج إصلاح اقتصادي وفقا لمراحل متتالية بدعم من شركاء مصر في التنمية، تضمن تدابير للحماية الاجتماعية تستهدف الفئات الأكثر احتياجًا.
ويعكس إطار التعاون، كما قالت نائبة الأمين العام للأمم المتحدة، السيدة أمينة محمد، في كلمة بالفيديو إلى الاحتفالية، الطبيعة المتكاملة لأهداف التنمية المستدامة، مضيفة أن "العمل المناخي الذي يأتي في صميم (إطار التعاون) يظهر أن قيادة مصر على المسرح العالمي وفي المؤتمر السابع والعشرون للأطراف في اتفاقية الأمم المتحدة الإطارية بشأن تغير المناخ COP27 الأخير يسير جنبًا إلى جنب مع الطمح بداخله."
وشددت نائبة الأمين العام على الحاجة على تضافر جميع الجهود من أجل إحداث "تحول حقيقي"، قائلة، "يجب أن نطرح برامج واسعة النطاق لدفع التحولات الحاسمة في أهداف التنمية المستدامة - من الطاقة إلى أنظمة الغذاء، إلى التكنولوجيا الرقمية والحماية الاجتماعية والتعليم - وجعل التزامنا حقيقيًا بأهداف التنمية المستدامة."
وسيتحدد إحراز تقدم كبير بحلول 2027 نحو تحقيق التنمية المستدامة على ضوء استخدام العديد من مؤشرات الأداء والأهداف من خلال التعاون بين وكالات الأمم المتحدة والشركاء الحكوميين وأصحاب المصلحة المعنيين. يُعزز إطار التعاون المُسائلة ويهدف إلى زيادة الشفافية بشأن الجهود الإنمائية الجارية في مصر.
وقالت د. رانيا المشاط، وزيرة التعاون الدولي، إن "الإطار الاستراتيجي للشراكة مع الأمم المتحدة 2023-2027، ومراحل إعداده على مدار عامين بالشراكة مع مختلف الأطراف من الوزارات والهيئات الاقتصادية والقطاع الخاص والمنظمات غير الحكومية وشركاء التنمية، يعكس ملكية الدولة وشمول عملية تصميم الإطار، مما يمهد الطريق لمرحلة جديدة من الشراكة البناءة مع الأمم المتحدة."
ونبهت المشاط إلى أنه عبر دمج الأولويات الوطنية واتساقًا مع أهداف التنمية المستدامة 2030 يعمل الإطار الجديد على تعزيز الحماية الاجتماعية والتنمية الشاملة، والقدرة على التكيف مع التغيرات المناخية، وتعزيز الشفافية والحوكمة، والتمكين الاقتصادي والاجتماعي للمرأة. وإنني أتطلع لتنفيذ ناجح خلال السنوات المقبلة بالتعاون مع المنسق المقيم للأمم المتحدة".
وبدورها، قالت السيدة إلينا بانوفا، المُنسقة المُقيمة للأمم المتحدة في مصر، إن "إطار التعاون يرتكز على الأولويات التنموية الوطنية ورؤية مصر 2030. دقت ساعة العمل للوفاء بوعد أهداف التنمية المستدامة وعدم ترك أحد خلف الركب. ستقوم الأمم المتحدة ببناء الشراكات وتعبئة كامل مواردها بما في ذلك التحليل والمشورة السياساتية وتوجيه المساعدة إلى من يحتاجون إليها."
ويرتكز الجيل الجديد من أطر التعاون على التقييم والتحليل الجماعي لمنظومة الأمم المتحدة المعنى برصد مناحي التقدم والفجوات والفرص المتاحة مقارنة بالتزام الدولة بتحقيق أهداف التنمية المستدامة وقواعد ومعايير الأمم المتحدة ومبادئ ميثاق الأمم المتحدة. ويحدد هذا التحليل المجموعات الرئيسية المعرضة لخطر التخلف عن الركب والتي تم الحاقها بهذا الإطار.
وبهذه الطريقة، يمثل إطار التعاون التزامًا تجاه الشعب المصري، كما قالت السيدة بانوفا، ولا سيما الفئات الأكثر تهميشًا وضعفًا.
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18 July 2023
75th Anniversary of Peacekeeping celebrated in Egypt
Cairo, Egypt - The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UN in Egypt celebrated the 75th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping on Monday, 17 July, with a high-level event taking place at the Ministry’s premises in Cairo, reflecting high recognition of peacekeepers ’extraordinary contributions to international peace and security.
Attended by the Egyptian Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral Affairs and International Security Ambassador Ihab Badawi, the UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt, Elena Panova and a wide range of members of the diplomatic community in Egypt along with Egyptian female and male peacekeepers and their families, the event provided an opportunity to honor the service and sacrifice of Egyptian women and men in peacekeeping.
The celebration started with a screening of the UN Secretary-General’s message on Peacekeeping Day 2023, in which he honoured peacekeepers extraordinary contributions to international peace and security and expressed his sympathy and solidarity with their families, friends and colleagues. “United Nations peacekeepers are the beating heart of our commitment to a more peaceful world. For 75 years, they have supported people and communities rocked by conflict and upheaval across the globe,” the Secretary-General said. “Today, on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, we honour their extraordinary contributions to international peace and security.”
Egypt is among key supporters of the UN Secretary-General’s Action for Peace (A4P) initiative aimed at reforming peacekeeping and making the operations more effective. In November 2018, Egypt held a high-level international conference with the aim of improving the impact and performance of UN Peacekeeping operations. The first of its kind since the A4P launch, the conference resulted in the “Cairo Roadmap for Peacekeeping Operations” outlining a workplan as well as a balanced executive framework for shared commitments in relation to the UN Secretary-General’s initiative, and it was eventually adopted by the African Union in 2020.
“Egypt has a long-standing belief in the vital role of UN Peacekeeping in upholding international peace and security. Egypt’s contributions have increased incrementally overtime, making it one of the major peacekeeping contributors of military and police personnel. Since 1960, Egypt has contributed more than 30,000 of uniformed peacekeepers who served in 38 UN operations deployed in 24 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Furthermore, Egypt has been playing a key role and providing valuable contributions when it comes to developing conceptual aspects of peacekeeping and peacebuilding.”
The 6th largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping, Egypt currently deploys more than 2,800 military and police personnel to the UN peace operations in Abyei, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, South Sudan, and the Western Sahara.
These contributions were highlighted during the event through video documentaries by the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Interior and Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding.
The celebration also shed light on the need for more women in peacekeeping as key for more efficient peacekeeping operations, an area where Egypt has been an active player, with Egyptian female peacekeepers serving as role models in the peacekeeping missions where they serve.
“Egypt supports peacekeeping in the most direct way and in so doing it walks the talk. As per the end of April, Egypt was contributing more than 2,800 men and women peacekeepers in the line of duty. These brave women and men serve in some of the most challenging situations on this globe. And some of them pay the highest price, giving their life in the pursuit of peace,” said the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt, Elena Panova. “Indeed, today we remember the Egyptian Blue Helmets that made the ultimate sacrifice in service of humanity.”
The celebration recognized injured Egyptian peacekeepers for their dedication and selflessness and paid tribute to their fallen colleagues who made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of peace, while serving under the UN flag. 10 families of injured and fallen Egyptian peacekeepers received honorary certificates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UN in Egypt.
In 1948, the historic decision was made to deploy military observers to the Middle East to supervise the implementation of Israel-Arab Armistice Agreements, in what became the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization.
Since that time, more than two million peacekeepers from 125 countries have since served in 71 operations around the world. Today, 87,000 women and men are serving in 12 conflict zones across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
The theme of the 75th anniversary “Peace begins with me” recognizes the service and sacrifice of peacekeepers, past and present, including more than 4200 who have given their lives under the UN flag. It also pays tribute to the resilience of the communities that we serve, who continue to strive for peace despite many obstacles.
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20 October 2022
مصر.. مدينة القاهرة تكافح تغير المناخ بالدراجات
"لطالما حلمت بوجود مشروع كهذا في بلدنا،" يقول محمد العربي، 20 عاما، وقد ارتسمت على ملامحه مظاهر حماس وسعادة واضحين، بينما يتفقد دراجة هوائية في إحدى محطات مبادرة "كايرو بايك"، في ميدان التحرير، بالعاصمة المصرية القاهرة. محمد هو واحد من عشرات الشباب والشابات الذين قاموا بتجربة نظام مشاركة الدراجات، "كايرو بايك"، الأول من نوعه في مصر، والذي أطلقته محافظة القاهرة بالتعاون مع برنامج الأمم المتحدة للمستوطنات البشرية، الخميس، 20 أكتوبر، قبل أيام قليلة على انطلاق مؤتمر الأمم المتحدة للمُناخ COP27، في جهد يهدف إلى تقديم حل يُساهم في تنوع وسائل المواصلات في القاهرة، ويقلل من الازدحام المروري وصولا إلى خفض الانبعاثات الضارة وتحسين جودة الهواء في المدينة التي تُصنفها الأمم المتحدة من بين أكبر المدن الحضرية في العالم.
ونظام مشاركة الدراجات، الذي شهد رئيس الوزراء مصطفى مدبولي فعاليات تدشينه، يستهدف الشباب بشكل رئيسي، ويهدف إلى إتاحة شبكة من الدراجات في مناطق متعددة ويمكن استخدامها بشكل آمن بين المحطات المختلفة من خلال استخدام تطبيق على الهاتف المحمول وتوفير الأسعار التنافسية وباقات الاشتراك المختلفة.
تكلفة ميسورة لتشجيع استخدام الدراجات
تحتوي المرحلة الأولى من المشروع على 250 دراجة و25 محطة في وسط القاهرة والمناطق المجاورة، ومن المقرر أن تتضمن المرحلة الثانية من المشروع في الشهور القادمة تكثيف عدد الدراجات إلى 500 دراجة في 45 محطة بالمواقع الرئيسة في وسط القاهرة وجاردن سيتي وجزيرة الزمالك في القاهرة، حيث تشمل الدراجات نظام تحديد المواقع العالمي (GPS) لضمان الإدارة المُثلى والأمن. وستغطي المحطات المواقع الاستراتيجية والنقاط الهامة لتجمع الشباب، بالإضافة إلى العديد من محطات المترو والحافلات.
يبدأ السعر من جنيه مصري واحد في الساعة مع إتاحة العديد من باقات الاشتراك وطرق الدفع المختلفة لضمان شمول جميع الأطراف المعنية، بالإضافة إلى توفير طرق الدفع البديلة.
يقول محمد: "يُتيح لك النظام استخدام الدراجة عن طريق بطاقة ذكية، وتُعتبر التكلفة رمزية حتى إذا استخدمت الدراجة طوال اليوم. كما أن هذا المشروع صديق للبيئة ويُساهم في تقليل التكدس المروري من خلال تقليل استعمال السيارات." أما نورة طاهر، صاحبة الـ18 عاما، والتي حظيت هي الأخرى بفرصة لركوب الدراجة، فاتفقت مع محمد، قائلة، "المشروع ربما لا يكون له عائد مالي كبير في المدى القريب، لكنه يُقلل الكثير من الخسائر التي ستحدث نتيجة للزيادة المتوقعة في استخدام المركبات مع النمو السكاني في السنوات القادمة، وما يُمكن أن يصحبه ذلك من تلوث للهواء والبيئة. أتمنى أن يشجع هذا المشروع المزيد من الأشخاص على استخدام الدراجات."
من مدينة رمادية إلى مدينة خضراء
يطمح القائمون على مشروع "كايرو بايك"، إلى توسيع نطاق نظام مشاركة الدراجات ليغطي مزيدا من المناطق بمدينة القاهرة، وصولا إلى باقي المحافظات المصرية. وبحسب محافظ القاهرة، تسعى المبادرة إلى إحداث تغيير في ثقافة استخدام وسائل النقل المستدامة من أجل تحول أخضر في شوارع المدن المصرية، من خلال ترسيخ مفاهيم البنية التحتية الخضراء والحفاظ على المساحات الخضراء والاستثمار في الطاقة المتجددة ووسائل التنقل المستدامة لدعم بيئة حضرية صديقة للمشاة وراكبي الدراجات، بما يتفق ما رؤية مصر 2030 وأجندة التنمية المستدامة للأمم المتحدة. وقال: "المدن مسؤولة عن 70 في المائة من مسببات انبعاثات الاحتباس الحراري لذلك نحرص على العمل لتغيير الأنماط التي تعمل بها مدننا حتى لا تكون قضية التغير المناخ عائقا أساسيا لتنمية واستدامة مدننا. لذلك فنحن في محافظة القاهرة نتعجل في العمل سويا نحو خفض الانبعاثات وتحقيق أهداف اتفاق باريس لمكافحة التغيرات المناخية والتكيف مع آثارها، ومشروعنا اليوم خطوة هامة في هذا الاتجاه."
كما أشار محافظ القاهرة إلى أن المشروع يُمثل خطوة مهمة نحو تغيير ثقافي تدريجي ورحلة تعلم هدفها تشجيع الممارسات المستدامة وصولا إلى عالم خال من الكربون.
نحو تغيير في الرؤية التقليدية لشوارع المدينة
تُعد المُدن الكبرى، كالقاهرة، مكانا مثاليا لأنظمة مشاركة الدراجات، حيث تشهد أحياؤها تنوعا من حيث الكثافات التي تتفاوت من متوسطة إلى عاليا، مما يخلق طلبا على ركوب الدراجات، إذ تصبح الرحلات القصيرة والمتوسطة ممكنة وأكثر سهولة باستخدام الدراجة.
وتقول السيدة رانيا هداية، مديرة البرنامج القُطري لبرنامج الأمم المتحدة للمستوطنات البشرية في مصر، إن المشروع سيساهم في تغيير طريقة تفكيرنا وتناولنا وتخطيطنا لشوارع المدينة. وتوضح: "عادة ما يكون التفكير منصبا على السيارات إلى حد بعيد عند تخطيط المدن. نحن نرى أن الأولوية في التخطيط ينبغي أن تكون لتمكين الناس من استخدام وسائل مختلفة في تنقلاتهم اليومية من مكان لآخر. فبدلا من اللجوء إلى توسعة الشوارع، نقوم اليوم باستقطاع أجزاء منها وتخصيصها لراكبي الدراجات. وهذا يتماشى مع رؤية مصر 2030، والحوارات والمفاوضات التي سيشهدها مؤتمر الأطراف COP27."
وترى السيدة هداية أنه لا غنى عن منظومات النقل الجماعي عند الحديث عن مواجهة أزمة المناخ ومعالجتها. ولهذا بدأ برنامج الأمم المتحدة للمستوطنات البشرية، كما تقول، منذ نحو ست سنوات حوارا مع الحكومة المصرية، من خلال شراكات مختلفة، سواء مع المحافظات أو وزارة الإسكان، مُمثلة في هيئة المجتمعات العمرانية الجديدة، من أجل إدخال نظم تنقل مستدامة جديدة كالدراجات الهوائية، وربطها بوسائل النقل الجماعي التقليدية كشبكة مترو الأنفاق أو الحافلات، لتشجيع الناس على تقليل الاعتماد على سياراتهم الشخصية في تنقلاتهم.
ويُعد مشروع كايرو بايك نتاج شراكة بين محافظة القاهرة وشركاء التنمية منذ بداية مراحل التخطيط في عام 2016، حيث وُقعت مذكرة التفاهم في يوليو 2017 بين محافظة القاهرة وبرنامج الأمم المتحدة للمستوطنات البشرية، وعُقد التعاون في يوليو 2019، بدعم وتمويل من مؤسسة دروسوس السويسرية ودعم فني وإشراف من قِبل معهد سياسة النقل والتنمية وبرنامج الأمم المتحدة للمستوطنات البشرية.
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07 November 2022
COP27.. Special Coverage of UN Egypt Pavilion
To Review pavilion agenda, click here
To watch side events live, follow UN Egypt Facebook page
UN Egypt Pavilion at COP27 is key contribution by the UN Country Team in Egypt aimed at enhancing contributions to Climate Action in Egypt.
The Pavilion’s agenda has been designed in a way that matches the global COP27 thematic agenda, with a special focus on different activities, programs and initiatives taking place in Egypt.
Titled, “One UN Egypt Pavilion”, it sheds light on the principle of delivering as one and the UN system in Egypt’s comprehensive approach in addressing the climate issue, putting it at the heart of the key pillars of the UN in Egypt’s work:
Human Capital
Access to Social Services
Economic Development
Governance
Empowering women and girls
Stay updated with live coverage of the UN Egypt Pavilion.
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02 May 2024
Drive Ambition, Deliver Dignity: UN Deputy Chief at the Africa Regional Collaborative Platform
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed called for greater ambition and leadership from African countries at her annual dialogue with Regional Directors of UN entities, at the Africa Regional Collaborative Platform’s (RCP) meeting held last week in Addis Ababa.This year’s dialogue, held on the sidelines of the 10th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, aimed not only to discuss the challenges faced across the continent, but also to identify opportunities and forge clear pathways for accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Ms. Mohammed emphasized the need to ensure that every African can live a life of dignity, supported by a collective and transformative approach by the UN, tailored to the unique and diverse needs of countries.“People often say the 2030 Agenda is too ambitious and too much, but I look at it and think this is the basis that you should have to respond to a life of dignity,” she said. The Africa RCP serves as a continent-wide platform, where UN regional entities converge to address challenges that extend beyond individual mandates and national borders. Members of the Platform delved into a range of broader and more interconnected issues such as climate action, food systems, peace and security , aligning with the goal of crafting a more responsive UN to navigate the complexities of today’s world. The meeting was moderated by Yacoub El-Hillo, the Regional Director for Africa of the UN Development Coordination Office.Caption: The Africa RCP offers UN regional entities an opportunity to address challenges that extend beyond individual UN entity mandates and national borders to drive impactful SDG implementation.Photo: © UN / Daniel GetachewOne of the two Vice Chairs of the Africa RCP, Under-Secretary-General Claver Gatete, who is the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, highlighted that the RCP serves as an opportunity for internal reflection within the UN system, enabling us to collectively assess how we collaborate and prioritize actions that truly drive progress towards achieving the SDGs. One significant response that emerged was the role of data in streamlining SDG implementation. The availability and quality of data affect all aspects of sustainable development, as it helps make informed decisions, formulate effective policies, and design targeted interventions. The Deputy Secretary-General pointed out a noted delay in achieving the SDGs, due to the lack of reliable data. “We are falling behind on SDGs. It is difficult to know how far […] because the baselines - the data - are not here,” she said, highlighting the crucial role of the Africa RCP members in enhancing the availability of baseline data.The Africa RCP has already demonstrated notable progress in this area, as seen in Sudan, where disruptions to regular UN structures prompted a technical team, facilitated by the Africa RCP, to ensure continuity of data collection and availability for post-conflict development planning. Furthermore, discussions highlighted the importance of building the data analysis capacity of African countries, with an emphasis on engaging new actors.The imperative of “staying and delivering” was another significant theme. Regional Directors of UN entities emphasized the UN’s commitment to maintaining its presence and continuing its sustainable development efforts in crisis-affected regions, rather than withdrawing during challenging times.Caption: During the Africa RCP annual dialogue, DSG Ms. Amina Mohammed was joined by ECA Executive Secretary Claver Gatete, UNDP Regional Director Ahunna Eziakonwa, and DCO Regional Director for Africa Yacoub El-Hillo, on the sidelines of the Africa Regional Forum for Sustainable Development, that took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, between 23 and 25 April.Photo: © UN / Daniel GetachewThe other Vice Chair of the Africa RCP, Assistant Secretary-General Ahunna Eziakonwa, who is the Regional Director for Africa of the UN Development Programme, stressed the importance of ensuring that young people in particular are empowered to lead productive lives despite ongoing crises. “You cannot put a pause on development. We must do everything we can to continue engagement, even when politically delicate,” said Ms. Eziakonwa. To accelerate progress towards the SDGs and the AU Agenda 2063, robust investments are essential. Specifically, the discussion highlighted the critical importance of leveraging support from the private sector for the global goals. The participants discussed the need for increased financial support and resources for Africa to effectively address climate change, with a special focus on supporting women who are often more severely impacted by environmental changes.Under-Secretary-General for Policy Guy Ryder for Policy helped contextualize this in view of the upcoming Summit of the Future, which presents a unique opportunity to move towards a reinvigorated multilateral system. He sounded the alarm that Africa’s current involvement in the negotiation phase of the Pact for the Future falls short of what the issues warrant and what Africa stands to benefit from, advocating for a more action-oriented and ambitious Pact for the Future.This year’s meeting was also attended by Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Felipe Paullier, who emphasized the imperative of collaborative efforts across borders and mandates, with a keen focus on the voices of African youth.Africa RCP members underscored the importance of amplifying Africa’s voice both in the lead-up to the Summit and beyond, as an opportunity for the UN development system to unite and deliver impactful results.
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26 April 2024
UN deputy chief encourages RC solidarity with African youth for SDG acceleration
Africa's youth and women were at the heart of discussions during UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed’s annual meeting with Resident Coordinators from across the continent. The central focus was on accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring Africa’s voice is clearly heard in international negotiations at the upcoming Summit of the Future.
As the youngest continent on the planet, Africa faces unique challenges that slow down progress on the SDGs and fuel disillusionment with the effectiveness of current policies and their relevance to people. Ms. Mohammed emphasized the particular urgency to restore hope for young African men and women and make sustainable development a reality for them. “This is the continent that is the furthest behind, and so we have to pull it up,” she said.“We can turn that around, and we have six years [to do so], but we have to do that with youth. We have to do that with women.”This year’s strategic dialogue took place in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, on the margins of the tenth Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development between 23 and 25 April. The Regional Director for Africa of the UN Development Coordination Office Yacoub El-Hillo moderated the session.Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed emphasized the need for the UN to pool its expertise and support for African governments. She stressed that collaborative efforts should ensure political commitments to accelerate the SDGs translate into laws, policies and programmes that make societies resilient to crisis and able to anticipate and respond to their impact on the SDGs."We have to address the development emergency with the prevention tool, the recovery tool, the root cause tool and others [to know] what needs to happen to accelerate the SDGs," she stressed.Ms. Mohammed’s call to action was echoed by Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder for Policy, who stressed the imperative of amplifying African voices in global decision-making processes leading up to the Summit of the Future in September.Mr. Ryder outlined progress on the Pact for the Future, the outcome document of the Summit with five pillars: financing for development; international peace and security; science, technology and innovation; youth and future generations; and transforming global governance.“This Summit and the content of the pact matter very much to Africa.” However, Mr. Ryder warned that African narratives and priorities are insufficiently represented in the negotiating process in New York, and called for the support of the Resident Coordinators to make sure that Africa’s voice is heard.The Summit of the Future will build on last year's SDG Summit, where UN Secretary-General António Guterres presented world leaders with six transformative pathways. These pathways aim to tackle critical areas such as food systems, energy access, digital connectivity, education, jobs, and climate change – all interconnected challenges demanding a systemic shift to achieve the SDGs.ImageCaption: Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed emphasized the need for the UN to pool its expertise and support for African governments.Photo: © UN\ Daniel GetachewRCs Charting the Course towards the Summit of the FutureResident Coordinators shared insights with Ms. Mohammed on successes and challenges in implementing SDG acceleration and discussing strategic pathways to support governments and partners.Among many different flagships shared by the RCs, the Resident Coordinator for Ethiopia Ramiz Alakbarov, provided examples of initiatives that integrate agro-food systems with climate adaptation, and support the livelihoods of women and young people in marginalized communities. The Resident Coordinator in Egypt Elena Panova noted her efforts in bringing international financial institutions and the private sector in discussions with the government on the transformative pathways and preparations for the Summit of the Future.The Resident Coordinator for Lesotho Amanda Mukwashi said the government’s national budget allocations are aligned with its political pledge with respect to digital transformation and energy access and can be used as a successful practice at the Summit of the Future.Cabo Verde has also fully aligned its national development plan with accelerating the SDGs, focusing on jobs and social protection, climate change and digital connectivity. Similarly, Ghana has designed a national dialogue with the government, civil society groups and others that will help helped integrate accountability for SDG summit commitment in proposals for the Summit of the Future.The Resident Coordinator for Botswana Zia Choudhury emphasized underrepresentation of young people in African policy conversations and the need to re-engage them as strategic partners. "What we want to do is to encourage young people to see development as a marathon, not as just a quick sprint a couple of times a year," he said. ImageCaption: Resident Coordinators shared insights with Ms. Mohammed on successes and challenges in implementing SDG accelerationPhoto: © UN\ Abel TakeleDiscussions recognized the crucial role of the Joint SDG Fund for leveraging partnerships and catalytic funding for SDGs, reforming of the SDG financial architecture remains key and in reframing the dialogue with international financial Institutions on SDG financing.The meeting was attended by a number of senior United Nations decision-makers, including Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office to the African Union Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Adviser on Africa Cristina Duarte, Special Coordinator for development in the Sahel Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, Assistant Secretary-General for Development Coordination Oscar Fernandez-Taranco and Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Felipe Paullier.In closing, the Deputy Secretary-General reiterated the UN development system’s determination to achieve the ambitious targets set forth in the SDGs. "We have six years left to move this agenda really fast. We don’t relax; we don’t give up," she said.
ImageCaption: Assistant Secretary-General for Development Coordination Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder for Policy and Regional Director for Africa of the UN Development Coordination Office Yacoub El-Hillo are pictured with DSG MohammedPhoto: © UN\ Daniel Getachew
As the youngest continent on the planet, Africa faces unique challenges that slow down progress on the SDGs and fuel disillusionment with the effectiveness of current policies and their relevance to people. Ms. Mohammed emphasized the particular urgency to restore hope for young African men and women and make sustainable development a reality for them. “This is the continent that is the furthest behind, and so we have to pull it up,” she said.“We can turn that around, and we have six years [to do so], but we have to do that with youth. We have to do that with women.”This year’s strategic dialogue took place in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, on the margins of the tenth Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development between 23 and 25 April. The Regional Director for Africa of the UN Development Coordination Office Yacoub El-Hillo moderated the session.Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed emphasized the need for the UN to pool its expertise and support for African governments. She stressed that collaborative efforts should ensure political commitments to accelerate the SDGs translate into laws, policies and programmes that make societies resilient to crisis and able to anticipate and respond to their impact on the SDGs."We have to address the development emergency with the prevention tool, the recovery tool, the root cause tool and others [to know] what needs to happen to accelerate the SDGs," she stressed.Ms. Mohammed’s call to action was echoed by Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder for Policy, who stressed the imperative of amplifying African voices in global decision-making processes leading up to the Summit of the Future in September.Mr. Ryder outlined progress on the Pact for the Future, the outcome document of the Summit with five pillars: financing for development; international peace and security; science, technology and innovation; youth and future generations; and transforming global governance.“This Summit and the content of the pact matter very much to Africa.” However, Mr. Ryder warned that African narratives and priorities are insufficiently represented in the negotiating process in New York, and called for the support of the Resident Coordinators to make sure that Africa’s voice is heard.The Summit of the Future will build on last year's SDG Summit, where UN Secretary-General António Guterres presented world leaders with six transformative pathways. These pathways aim to tackle critical areas such as food systems, energy access, digital connectivity, education, jobs, and climate change – all interconnected challenges demanding a systemic shift to achieve the SDGs.ImageCaption: Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed emphasized the need for the UN to pool its expertise and support for African governments.Photo: © UN\ Daniel GetachewRCs Charting the Course towards the Summit of the FutureResident Coordinators shared insights with Ms. Mohammed on successes and challenges in implementing SDG acceleration and discussing strategic pathways to support governments and partners.Among many different flagships shared by the RCs, the Resident Coordinator for Ethiopia Ramiz Alakbarov, provided examples of initiatives that integrate agro-food systems with climate adaptation, and support the livelihoods of women and young people in marginalized communities. The Resident Coordinator in Egypt Elena Panova noted her efforts in bringing international financial institutions and the private sector in discussions with the government on the transformative pathways and preparations for the Summit of the Future.The Resident Coordinator for Lesotho Amanda Mukwashi said the government’s national budget allocations are aligned with its political pledge with respect to digital transformation and energy access and can be used as a successful practice at the Summit of the Future.Cabo Verde has also fully aligned its national development plan with accelerating the SDGs, focusing on jobs and social protection, climate change and digital connectivity. Similarly, Ghana has designed a national dialogue with the government, civil society groups and others that will help helped integrate accountability for SDG summit commitment in proposals for the Summit of the Future.The Resident Coordinator for Botswana Zia Choudhury emphasized underrepresentation of young people in African policy conversations and the need to re-engage them as strategic partners. "What we want to do is to encourage young people to see development as a marathon, not as just a quick sprint a couple of times a year," he said. ImageCaption: Resident Coordinators shared insights with Ms. Mohammed on successes and challenges in implementing SDG accelerationPhoto: © UN\ Abel TakeleDiscussions recognized the crucial role of the Joint SDG Fund for leveraging partnerships and catalytic funding for SDGs, reforming of the SDG financial architecture remains key and in reframing the dialogue with international financial Institutions on SDG financing.The meeting was attended by a number of senior United Nations decision-makers, including Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office to the African Union Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Adviser on Africa Cristina Duarte, Special Coordinator for development in the Sahel Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, Assistant Secretary-General for Development Coordination Oscar Fernandez-Taranco and Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Felipe Paullier.In closing, the Deputy Secretary-General reiterated the UN development system’s determination to achieve the ambitious targets set forth in the SDGs. "We have six years left to move this agenda really fast. We don’t relax; we don’t give up," she said.
ImageCaption: Assistant Secretary-General for Development Coordination Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder for Policy and Regional Director for Africa of the UN Development Coordination Office Yacoub El-Hillo are pictured with DSG MohammedPhoto: © UN\ Daniel Getachew
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21 April 2024
Bridging the Digital Divide in Egypt
Providing every child and adolescent equal access to the internet in a safe and responsible way can be a powerful tool for development. Building on the efforts led by the Government of Egypt to promote digital literacy, UNICEF is joining hands with partners such as Magnom Properties to create access to safe digital learning opportunities for all children and adolescents.Access to internet connectivity has increasingly become an integral part of human development and a right for everyone at any time.As we mark the International Day of the Girl Child 2023, the Government of Egypt and development partners are reaffirming commitments and investing in the actions needed to prioritize gender equality within the Sustainable Development Strategy 2030.When girls realize their rights and achieve their full potential, many of them champion solutions and bring about change in their communities.Technology can be a powerful tool for children and adolescents, particularly girls’ – for learning, making their digital environment safer, and empowering them to create digital content.UNICEF/Egypt 2023/Basma FathyTo’aa an 18-year-old girl from Upper Egypt said, “I really benefited from the digital literacy training.” In the training I learned not only how to search for internships; but also, how to protect myself online,” said To’aa.UNICEF/Egypt 2023/Basma FathyRo’aa Hussein and Nour Mohamed, 16 years old, are two best friends who received the digital literacy training provided by UNICEF in close cooperation with national partners. Studying and communicating with their friends is what Ro’aa and Nour mostly do online, “we study together through video calls, and we also take pictures and share entertaining moments on our social media platforms,” said Ro’aa. The internet offers many opportunities that were unimaginable a generation ago. It has the power to transform young people’s lives, enabling them to learn new things, develop new skills, earn money, safely navigate online, and have their voices be heard.UNICEF/Egypt 2023/Basma FathyMagnom Properties is supporting UNICEF in implementing Egypt’s vision to provide internet access to less connected communities across the country and facilitate their acquiring of essential skills and opportunities within the digital realm.Thanks to Magnom Properties’ contribution, UNICEF is facilitating access to information and digital training to young people, especially girls, to equip them with the necessary skills for better career opportunities and prospects of their choice.
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11 March 2024
Inspiring Inclusion for Collective Success: UN Joint Programme Empowers Women in Egypt through skills training
Inspiring Inclusion for Collective Success: UN Joint Programme Empowers Women in Egypt through skills training Inspired by the vibrant colours and intricate embroidery of Egyptian Khayamiya, Hanaa Redwan saw an opportunity to turn her passion into a business. Supported by ‘Rabeha’, a joint programme implemented by UNIDO and UN Women, Hanaa’s journey exemplifies determination, resilience and the transformative power of skills development. Hanaa Redwan, founder of Al Yasser Handicrafts, embarked on her entrepreneurial journey driven by the necessity to work while balancing familial responsibilities. "When I needed to find a job, but couldn’t work outside the home, I thought about making handmade products," shares Hanaa. "While researching ideas I discovered the ancient craft of Khayamiya. I loved the beautiful colours and embroidery work and was determined to learn the craft." Despite initial skepticism from relatives and neighbours, Hanaa persevered, taking courses to improve her Khayamiya skills and enhance product quality. Initially, she relied on intermediaries and traders for marketing, who often offered unfair prices. However, she overcame this challenge by showcasing her work at exhibitions, enabling direct interaction with customers. With support from the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA) she also participated in national exhibitions, providing valuable insights into customer preferences and increasing demand for her products. To meet growing orders and expand her business, Hanaa initiated Khayamiya training sessions for women in her village of Beni Suef. Faced with the absence of a workshop for collaborative work, she invested her earnings to establish a dedicated workspace. This initiative not only facilitated collaborative efforts among women but also fostered their economic empowerment. “At first, the societal culture made it difficult for the women to work outside their households,” explains Hanaa. “However, through training, employment opportunities and the income generated by these women, our community gradually embraced the idea and supported our collaborative efforts.” Hanaa's entrepreneurial journey intersected with Rabeha, a joint programme implemented by UNIDO and UN Women and funded by Global Affairs Canada, aimed at promoting women’s economic empowerment for inclusive and sustainable growth in Egypt. Through Rabeha, Hanaa received training in green and circular economy principles, enabling her to tackle rising raw material costs. "Rabeha’s circular economy training equipped me with strategies to reduce waste, recycle materials and maintain high-quality standards. Faced with increasing raw material costs, this training enabled me to save 70% on production costs by effectively utilising and recycling all materials from my work." Through Rabeha, Hanaa also honed her business acumen as well as her design skills, learning to create products from diverse materials like Khayamiya combined with crochet or leather. Design and product development training provided by Rabeha, facilitated collaboration among a network of women artisans, enhancing their collective skills and creativity. Together, they produce joint products that blend traditional Egyptian crafts with contemporary elements. "In the past, my primary focus was on ensuring product quality. However, through participating in Rabeha training, I’ve broadened my perspective to think more strategically about entrepreneurship, becoming a successful businesswoman and exploring market opportunities." In the future, Hanaa aspires to elevate Al Yasser Handicrafts onto the global stage. Her ambitions include exporting her creations, participating in international exhibitions, and training women from diverse backgrounds. As International Women's Day approaches[EC1] [KN2] , Hanaa reflects on her journey and advocates for inclusivity and collaboration. “I'm really proud of what I have achieved through my Khayamiya business," emphasises Hanaa. "I think it's crucial that organisations and communities support women to achieve their goals. Together, we can overcome challenges and achieve collective success." Rabeha (meaning “winner” in Arabic) aims to support the economic empowerment of more than 6,300 women in 7 governorates through increased access to employment and self-employment opportunities. The programme is implemented by UNIDO and UN Women in partnership with the National Council for Women (NCW), the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) and the Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA), with the generous support of Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
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05 March 2024
Egypt.. new podcast to inspire action for sustainable development
The United Nations Information Centre in Cairo announced the launch of its new podcast, "Voices of Impact: UN in Egypt", with the UN in Egypt Resident Coordinator, Elena Panoa, being its first guest. This flagship podcast is set to shed light on the significant work carried out by the United Nations in Egypt, marking an important milestone in the enduring and successful partnership between the United Nations and Egypt, as a founding member of the international organization. “Voices of Impact: UN in Egypt" serves as an inspiring platform to explore and highlight the impactful initiatives, programs, and collaborations led by the United Nations within the Egyptian context. Through engaging discussions, interviews, and narratives, the podcast aims to showcase the multifaceted efforts undertaken to address pressing global challenges while fostering development, sustainability, and peace in Egypt and beyond.A wide array of perspectives will be presented, including UN officials, governmental and non-governmental organization representatives, experts, influencers, beneficiaries, and community leaders. The podcast will provide a comprehensive and insightful overview of the United Nations' invaluable contributions to Egypt's development journey and its commitment to leaving no one behind.In the first episode, Ms. Panova sheds light on the role played by the UN to resolve and alleviate the severe impacts of world and regional crises. She also highlights the work of the UN family in Egypt to support the government's efforts to achieve national priorities and the sustainable development goals. Moreover, she provides young people with valuable advice for personal and career development, including the possibility for them to join the United Nations or contribute to its work in Egypt and around the world. As the world faces increasingly complex challenges, the podcast will underscore the significance of multilateralism and international cooperation in tackling global issues effectively, by highlighting success stories, innovations, and collaborative partnerships. "Voices of Impact: UN in Egypt" aims to inspire individuals, communities, and stakeholders to actively contribute to positive change and sustainable development efforts.
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Press Release
16 May 2024
Secretary-General's video message to the 2024 ECOSOC Operational Activities for Development Segment
Excellencies,This annual ECOSOC discussion is more important than ever.We stand at a pivotal moment in our journey towards the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals.And the UN development system, led by our Resident Coordinators, is critical to getting us there. Excellencies,The SDG Summit in September called for a rescue plan.And the UN is shifting gears to accelerate action.We are ensuring support across the six targeted areas where urgent transitions are most needed.We are supporting the capacity development of countries, including efforts to strengthen policy and regulatory environments.The development system is increasingly the last bastion of UN support when missions close or draw down, such as those in Mali, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.The UN continues to stay and deliver.And our Resident Coordinators are building new partnerships and tapping into innovative financing mixes to achieve results.My latest report on the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review clearly shows that our work across the system and with governments is becoming more joined-up and coordinated every year.96 per cent of governments agree that our Teams are aligned with their national priorities, and responding to their SDG-delivery needs through the Cooperation Frameworks.90 per cent have affirmed that the UN development system provides adequate support in securing SDG financing.And 94 per cent find that the UN provides adequate evidence-based policy support.Notably, our Resident Coordinators are now more diverse than ever —50 per cent are women and 54 per cent are from host countries.The report also shows a remarkable return on investment — $553 million in efficiency gains last year alone — an increase of 37 per cent over the previous year. We’re also enhancing our focus on results through the system-wide evaluation office, which is now up and running.But we must — and we will — continue seeking improvements.And we welcome your guidance in the resolution from this segment and in the fall.At the same time, I’m deeply concerned about the system’s funding — especially as we increase the pace and scale of our work to reach the SDGs.Core funding for development entities has plunged to 16.5 per cent of total funding, with some agencies declining to 12 per cent.Voluntary contributions for the Resident Coordinator system also fell short last year.This jeopardizes our ability to deliver at a critical moment.That’s why I submitted a proposal to the General Assembly to provide funding from the regular budget for the Resident Coordinator system.As I said to you last year, this is the only logical and principled solution.Securing sustainable and predictable funding is my main priority for the system this year. I count on Member States to consider my proposal and provide the system with the vital resources needed.Above all, we need solidarity — with countries more able to provide support helping those less able to do so.The re-energized Funding Compact I presented provides an important new push for Member States to raise and align their funding ambitions to meet countries’ needs.And it raises the bar for UN entities to report on greater impact and results like the ones we’re discussing today.Excellencies,As we embark on the next QCPR cycle, now is the time for ambition.In this new era of SDG acceleration, let’s redouble our efforts for all people and the world we share.Thank you for being part of this essential work.
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Press Release
16 May 2024
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- REMARKS AT THE SUMMIT OF THE LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES Manama, Bahrain, 16 May 2024
As salaam alaikum. Your Majesty, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, thank you for your kind invitation and your warm hospitality. Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Excellencies, Secretary-General Aboul Gheit, I was born in Lisbon – a city that for centuries was part of Al-Andalus. This was at a time when Cordoba was the centre of culture and civilization of the Iberian peninsula, just as Baghdad was the centre of culture and civilization of the world – reaching out from the Chinese border to the Atlantic coast. History moved on. And a number of transformations -- cultural, economic, technological and military -- changed the world to the detriment of the Arab people. The majority of Arab countries were colonized. It took decades of struggle for liberation – sometimes bloody wars – often with long periods of exploitation – and a legacy of lines arbitrarily drawn in the sand. But, today, once again, the world is changing and I see enormous potential in the Arab region. You have the resources. You have the culture. You have the people. But there is one core condition for success in today’s world: unity. Time and again, history has shown that divisions allow outsiders to intervene -- promoting conflicts, stoking sectarian tensions and inadvertently fueling terrorism. These are obstacles to peaceful development and the well-being of your peoples. Overcoming those obstacles requires breaking the vicious circle of division and foreign manipulation – and moving forward together to build a more peaceful and prosperous future for the people of the Arab world and beyond. Excellencies, We gather as hearts are breaking for Palestinians in Gaza. The war in Gaza is an open wound that threatens to infect the entire region. In its speed and scale, it is the deadliest conflict in my time as Secretary-General – for civilians, aid workers, journalists, and our own UN colleagues. Of course, nothing can justify the abhorrent 7 October terror attacks by Hamas. I reiterate my call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. Yet the toll on civilians continues to escalate. Entire families wiped out. Children traumatized and injured for life. People denied access to the very basics for human survival. A looming famine. Any assault on Rafah is unacceptable. It would inflict another surge of pain and misery when we need a surge in life-saving aid. It is time for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza. UNRWA remains the backbone of our operations in Gaza and a lifeline for Palestine refugees across the region. It needs full support and funding. I am also deeply troubled by tensions in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem, with a spike in illegal Israeli settlements, settler violence, excessive use of force by Israeli Defense Forces, demolitions and evictions. The only permanent way to end the cycle of violence and instability is through a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states. The demographic and historical character of Jerusalem must be preserved, and the status quo at the Holy Sites must be upheld, in line with the special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Excellencies, Turning to Sudan, a devastating war has thrown half the country’s population into a humanitarian freefall. One year on, thousands have been killed, and 18 million people are staring down the terrifying threat of famine. I urge the international community to intensify its push for peace, and call on the warring parties to agree on a lasting ceasefire. This should be followed by a political process that includes women’s and youth groups. I pledge the full support of the United Nations. We must also protect the fragile political processes in Libya and Yemen. As High Commissioner for Refugees, I witnessed the enormous generosity of the Syrian people. I am pained to see Syria now, with so much suffering and with parts of its territory occupied with several external actors involved. I call on all Syrians to come together in a spirit of reconciliation, honouring the diversity of the Syrian people and respecting the human rights of all. Excellencies, We face other serious global crises. The climate emergency; rising inequalities, poverty and hunger; crushing debt; and new technology – including artificial intelligence -- that is running ahead of governance and guardrails. We need deep reforms to the global multilateral system -- from the Security Council to the international financial architecture -- so they are truly universal and representative of today’s realities. The upcoming Summit of the Future is a pivotal opportunity to create momentum for a more networked and inclusive multilateralism. I look forward to welcoming you to the Summit in New York in September. Excellencies, There is no better moment for the Arab region to come together. Unity and solidarity throughout the Arab world would amplify the vital voice of the region and further boost your influence on the global stage. It can help this region find peace, make the most of its enormous potential, and further contribute to the global good. In all this work, you can count on the United Nations, and on me personally, for our support and partnership. Shukran.
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Press Release
10 May 2024
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- PRESS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF THE CLOSING UNITED NATIONS CIVIL SOCIETY CONFERENCE Nairobi, 10 May 2024
Dear members of the media, It is a pleasure to be back in Nairobi. Kenya is a critical partner of the United Nations, a powerful force on the global stage, and a pioneer of peace regionally and internationally. I am particularly grateful to Kenya for agreeing to lead international efforts to quell the violence in Haiti. But this visit comes at a very difficult time for the country. I extend my deepest condolences to all those affected by the devastating floods that have swept through Kenya and neighbouring countries. The United Nations stands in solidarity with the Kenyan people. And we will continue working hand-in-hand to support government relief efforts in any way that we can. Dear members of the media, I am here for the United Nations’ Civil Society Conference, focussed on September’s Summit of the Future in New York. Civil society is central to the Summit’s aims: advancing sustainable development; unlocking finance; and reshaping multilateralism for the 21st century. I am delighted by the diverse participation at this conference, including many young people and representatives from African countries. Their contribution is vital. Because our world is facing multiple crises. And Africa is suffering – disproportionately. This continent is being blasted by extreme weather, turbocharged by a climate crisis it has done next to nothing to create: From lethal floods in the East, to deadly droughts in the South. Africa could be a renewables giant. It is home to thirty percent of the minerals critical to renewables, and sixty percent of the world’s best solar resources. Yet, in this unfair world, in recent decades, it received just two percent of the investments in renewables. And too often, countries and communities with critical energy transition minerals are exploited, and relegated to the bottom of the value chain. Others take the profits somewhere else. The United Nations is fighting for climate justice: Our new Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals – co-chaired by Ambassador Nozipho Joyce Mxakato-Diseko of South Africa – will develop voluntary principles to ensure developing countries receive maximum benefit. We are calling for developed countries to honour their promises on climate finance – including funding to help countries prepare for the worst of climate chaos; For significant contributions to the new Loss and Damage Fund; For action to reform the multilateral development banks so that finance flows to climate action; And for the G20 to lead efforts to slash emissions and accelerate a just global phase-out of fossil fuels. I ask African leaders to support these efforts. And I urge all governments to create ambitious new national climate plans by next year. Plans that drive sustainable development, attract investment, and align with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid the worst of climate chaos. Africa’s fate rests on meeting that limit. Dear members of the media, Conflicts are raging around the world, causing enormous pain and suffering. The fate of Palestinians, Israelis and the entire region hangs in the balance. I reiterate my appeal for the Government of Israel and the leadership of Hamas to demonstrate political courage and spare no effort to reach agreement to stop the bloodshed – and to free the hostages. The situation in Rafah is on a knife’s edge, as airstrikes continue throughout southern Gaza. Over one million Palestinians, half of whom are children, have crowded in the Rafah Governate for shelter. We are actively engaging with all involved for the resumption of the entry of life-saving supplies – including desperately needed fuel – through the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings. Meanwhile, our health partners tell us that all the key medical facilities in Rafah could soon become inaccessible or inoperable – including the only dialysis department still operating in Gaza. Around 100,000 Palestinians are moving north from Rafah, yet humanitarian partners have no tents or food stores left in south Gaza. A massive ground attack in Rafah would lead to an epic humanitarian disaster and pull the plug on our efforts to support people as famine looms. International humanitarian law is unequivocal: civilians must be protected. In particular, vulnerable people unable to relocate from active fighting must be protected wherever they seek shelter – pregnant women, children, the injured, the sick, and older people, and people with disabilities. International humanitarian law is a must. It must be respected by all parties. And, of course, what happens in Gaza has profound repercussions in the occupied West Bank, where we see a deeply disturbing spike in settler violence, excessive use of force by the Israeli Defense Force, demolitions and evictions. All of this speaks to the need for the international community to speak with one voice for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and a massive surge in life-saving aid. Dear members of the media, The conflicts raging on African continent are tearing lives and communities apart. The United Nations fully supports the African Union’s work to silence the guns. We are ready to cooperate and mobilise the international community to support peace from the Sahel, to the Horn of Africa, the Great Lakes and beyond. I am particularly concerned about the ongoing war in Sudan where we are witnessing indiscriminate attacks against civilians, grotesque sexual violence against women and girls, and humanitarians blocked, attacked, and killed. Close to nine million people have fled their homes. And the World Food Programme warns that the window of time to prevent starvation in Darfur is closing rapidly. Violent clashes in El Fasher are preventing aid getting through. An attack on the city would have devastating consequences for civilians. And would likely see the conflict tear across Darfur. I am also very concerned by reports of escalating violence in North and South Kordofan and Al Jazirah States. I call on all parties to abide by international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and facilitate full and unrestricted humanitarian access. Ultimately, we know that there is no military solution to this conflict. We need an urgent, coordinated international effort to deliver a political process that can get Sudan back on track. I welcome the steps taken to end the conflict in including efforts by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development -IGAD-, the African Union, the League of Arab States, and through the Jeddah process. The United Nations – particularly my Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra – will continue working closely with all parties to advance coordinated efforts towards an inclusive and lasting peace: A peace spearheaded by the region, and owned by the Sudanese people. And I call on all countries to use their influence to get the warring parties to the negotiating table. Members of the media, The crises we face demand international solutions. The United Nations will never stop fighting to deliver – for Africa and for all humanity. And I thank you. Moderator: first question from The Standard. Question: Good evening, everyone. My name is Gatwiri Purity from the standard. And my question today is why was Kenya chosen to host this event? What is the significance of choosing Kenya to host this event for the very first time? Secretary-General: For a very simple reason. Kenya is today a fundamental partner of the United Nations. In Kenya, we have the only country that hosts two UN agencies: UN-Habitat and UNEP, the United Nations Environment Programme. Kenya is the country that has volunteered to assume responsibilities in one of the most dramatic situations we are living in the world, Haiti. And soon, Kenya police will be in Haiti protecting those that are victims of the most horrible violence of gangs. Kenya is a partner in all United Nations activities, from sustainable development to climate - I was here recently, in the African Climate Summit- from peace and security in the region, as a mediator, always available, to human rights and to all other aspects of our activity. We felt it was very important that the meeting will take place in Africa, because Africa is in the center of our concerns when we look into reforms of multilateralism. If the present multilateralism has failed anywhere in the world, it has failed in Africa. This must be corrected. So, we should do this in Africa. And doing it in Africa, it makes all sense to do it in Kenya as a privileged partner of the United Nations. Moderator: Thank you, [inaudible] from Nigeria. You can stand up. Question: Thank you Mr. SG. My question is beyond Nairobi, post Nairobi, what are you doing? What is your commitment towards ensuring that the various issues that have been discussed in this conference, there is a kind of meaningful engagement and follow up on the issues as we move towards the Summit of the Future, because oftentimes, we come to these kinds of conferences and we talk, but then, not much happens beyond the conference. Thank you. Secretary-General: I was following from far away, but following very closely the work in this conference. And I have to say that from this conference is coming a very strong message for the member states that will be in the Summit of the Future. And the message that is clear. The multilateral institutions that we have today are the multilateral institutions created after the second world war: The Security Council of the United Nations, the Bretton Woods system, and others. They reflect the world of that time, not the world of today. There is not one single African permanent member in the Security Council. That is unacceptable.And the Bretton Woods institutions still reflect the economy of the post second world war situation, and doesn't take into account that the large majority of the African countries were not even represented then because they were under still colonial domination. So, these institutions must be renewed in order to have justice, equity, and to have the capacity to respond to the dramatic needs of the peoples in Africa, with countries that are drowning in, not only with the floods, but drowning in debt, because the international financial system has not worked in favour of them. Countries that have not received the financial support that was needed in order to invest in adaptation to climate change. And we see the results in the impacts of devastating floods in different African countries. Countries in relation to which there is not enough support to investment in the sustainable development goals. There are many African countries that spend more, paying interest of their debt than paying for education and health. So, there is a basic unfairness in today's world. And our systems are outdated, are unfair, and are dysfunctional. And, there was a very strong voice from this conference, from the civil society saying this must change. And at the same time, we must be much better equipped to deal with the problems of peace and security, to invest much more on prevention of conflicts. And prevention of conflicts means development, human rights. This is where we must invest much more in the international community. A very strong message about the need for gender equality. A very strong message about the needs to support developing countries to create the emergency platforms able to respond to dramatic impacts, like the ones of the recent droughts. So, there is a lot that needs to be changed in our international multilateral system to make it equitable, to make it fair, to make it correspond to the needs of the people of the 21st century. And the voice of the civil society here was very clear, telling the government: time to move. We cannot go on postponing decisions. We cannot go on resisting change. We need to change dramatically. The skeleton of all the international community creates the force that is necessary to provide the support that developing countries require to face the enormous challenges of our time. At the same time, a very strong message on the use of digital technologies, not as a privilege of the rich, but as something that will help developing countries to catch up more quickly, and to be able to provide to their citizens the same rights that richer countries are able to provide. Moderator: Thank you, EFE? Secretary-General: In Spanish, if you want. Question: Yes, good afternoon, everybody, Secretary General, my name is Mercedes Ortuno, from the Spanish News agency EFE. Thank you for being here and answering our questions. I have two of them. After the recent unsuccessful negotiations about the ceasefire in Gaza, do you think we will see a ceasefire soon, at least a temporary one? And, is Israel committing a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza some countries and human rights organizations have denounced? Thank you very much. Secretary-General: First of all, we have been asking for a ceasefire, a humanitarian ceasefire, independently of any negotiations. We think that a ceasefire is necessary, as we think the release of hostages are necessary.And I strongly hope that it will be possible to go the extra mile and come to an agreement that would allow at least for an end of the bloodshed and for the release of the hostages, and for unimpeded humanitarian access. Now, it's for the courts to qualify the legal concepts. But I don't need, in relation to that, to say more than what I'm going to say. The number of civilians that were killed in Gaza is unprecedented. You have more civilians killed in Gaza during a few months, much more, more than double, than the civilians killed after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in more than two years. And there you have two of the most powerful armies in the world, using the most sophisticated weapons with bombardments all over. And this has caused much less civilian casualties than the civilians in Gaza, which means that something is fundamentally wrong in the way this military operation has been conducted. Question: Thank you, Secretary General. My name is Nyaradzo Mashayamombe. I am a gender advocate and a storyteller from Zimbabwe. My question is pertaining to the outcomes of the Civil Society conference with the feminist lens. As we speak, there is a petition from the global feminist that they are not happy with the with the outcome document. Which is it? The impact coalition. Yes. As we move forward, the impact coalition, they believe that they may not be as inclusive, they are not acknowledging what is already existing, the structures that have been existing, they may not be as inclusive, as I mentioned for everyone. So, I don't know what you think about that, is there a room to re-look, is the women speaking out? Secretary-General: Civil society is by nature diverse. This conference is not a conference in which we believe it would be possible that all members of the civil society would think exactly the same about all issues that are on the table. So, it's natural that different opinions exist in relation to several issues. But I must say that, beyond the questions that you raised, and others of the same nature, there was a fundamental movement in this civil society gathering, a fundamental movement claiming for justice and equity in the world, and for reforms of the international system to provide that justice and equity in the world. So, I fully respect that in some aspects, there are differences of opinion, we will take all into account. But, we are extremely encouraged by the very dynamic contribution that the civil society is giving in this conference. Question: Thank you very much, Secretary-General. My name is Injuruki Wanjiku, from the Mount Kenya Times. And my question for you, it's in light of the leave nobody behind in life, and the question is, what's your assurance to the being left behind African nations, where over 690 million people do not have access to water and sanitation. And 453 are living below the poverty line. And the speculation that gender equity could take about 300 years. Thank you. Secretary-General: Well, I cannot give you the assurance that I will solve that problem, because I have not the power to solve that problem. But I can give you the assurance that the United Nations will be fighting hard to make it happen, for all Africans to have access to energy, and for the impact of poverty in Africa to be dramatically reduced, with the extinction of extreme poverty. And that is the reason why we committed to the Sustainable Development Goals. That is the reason why we are claiming for the reform of international financial architecture. That is the reason why we are claiming for debt relief. That is the reason why we are claiming for fairness, in trade, and in other aspects of international economic relations. So, we have not the power to give those things to the African continent. But we have the convening power to bring together, as much as possible, governments and societies to claim for the needs, for those that are still in the strongest position in the international institutions to understand that things have to change, that power must be better distributed, that wealth must be better distributed, and that fairness and justice must prevail in international relations. Question: Thank you so much. My name is Enock Sikolia, from CGTN Africa. I know you've talked about your concerns on the issue in Sudan, but of concern to Africa is the level of attention. When you look at the attention that is given to other conflicts across the world -we're talking about the Gaza, the Russia-Ukraine conflict. But in Africa, we have decades-long conflicts where people are still dying: Democratic Republic of Congo, the Sahel region, and even the Sudan one that you've talked about. And yet, the attention that is being given by the United Nations, by the powerful nations that form the UN Security Council. So, the question is, and among Africans, is why little attention is given to African conflicts, as compared to other conflicts across the world? Secretary-General: The UN does not give less attention to the African conflicts. We have peacekeeping operations in Africa. We have practically no peacekeeping, or very small peacekeeping operations out of Africa. And we have had many, many UN members of those peacekeeping that have given their lives for peace in Africa. We have several political missions in Africa, we have regional offices in Africa dealing with conflicts, and we are permanently, permanently mobilizing the international community to be able to support populations victim of those conflicts, and at the same time to facilitate the capacity of these conflicts to ends. Let's be honest. Many of the conflicts are not only the responsibility of the Africans. Many of the conflicts are also the responsibility of those that, from outside Africa, have a negative influence in the way things are moving. And if you look at several situations that you've mentioned, you recognize that that is true. We give total priority to our engagement in the African conflicts, and they correspond to a permanent, central, concern of the United Nations. It is evident that the way the global media exists, and the different impact of the areas of the global media makes naturally stronger impact in relation to European media, or in relation to American media, or in relation to media conglomerates in the developed world, more attention to conflicts in the Global North than to conflict in the Global south. It is true. It is also true that many political leaders tend to look more to the conflicts that are close and forget those that are a little bit more far away, not being wise enough to understand that the conflicts that are more far away, can have a big influence in the peace and security situation of their own countries, even if they are in the Global North. And so, my appeal for the political leaders, and my appeal for the media organizations, is to give to the African conflicts of today the same level of priority that is given to other conflicts, because they represent the same kind of threat to global peace and security, and they are causing a volume of suffering that is unparalleled in the international community.
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Press Release
10 May 2024
Security Council Press Statement on mass graves in Gaza
The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern over reports of the discovery of mass graves, in and around the Nasser and Al Shifa medical facilities in Gaza, where several hundred bodies, including women, children and older persons, were buried. The members of the Security Council underlined the need for accountability for violations of international law and called for investigators to be allowed the unimpeded access to all locations of mass graves in Gaza to conduct immediate, independent, thorough, comprehensive, transparent and impartial investigations to establish the circumstances behind the graves. The members of the Security Council reiterated their demand that all parties scrupulously comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, in particular regarding the protection of civilians and civilian objects. The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the importance of allowing families to know the fate and whereabouts of their missing relatives, consistent with international humanitarian law.The members of the Security Council emphasized the imperative of all parties to immediately and fully implement resolutions 2728 (2024), 2720 (2023) and 2712 (2023). 10 May 2024
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Press Release
09 May 2024
Egypt faces mounting socio-economic strain from the Gaza war, says UNDP
Cairo, Egypt - May 8, 2024 - The Egyptian economy, which relies heavily on tourism, remittances, Suez Canal revenues, foreign debt, and capital flows, is experiencing the repercussions of the Gaza war in various areas, straining Egypt's economic reform and development trajectory, according to a new rapid assessment released today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The new analysis titled "Potential Socio-Economic Impact of the Gaza War on Egypt: A Rapid Assessment” sheds light on the multiple impacts of the ongoing Gaza war on the Egyptian economy and society and provides insights for policy makers and stakeholders to mitigate the risks. The assessment estimates the impacts with projections for low-intensity (six-months), medium-intensity (nine-months) and high-intensity (one-year) scenarios. The authors estimate that Egypt’s GDP would be lower by 2.6 percent than the business-as-usual levels in the fiscal year 2023–24 and 1.3 percent in the fiscal year 2024–25 in a medium-intensity scenario; and by 3.0 percent in fiscal year 2023–24 and 2.6 percent in fiscal year 2024–25 in a high-intensity scenario. Unemployment rate is expected to increase due to the Gaza war, with lasting effects, from 7.8 percent to 8.7 percent in the medium-intensity scenario and 9.1 percent in the high-intensity scenario. "The Gaza war is putting Egypt's resilience and its ability to deal with these turbulent times to test, particularly challenges associated with external shocks,” said Alessandro Fracassetti, UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the socio-economic impact of the Gaza war. “This study underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts to alleviate the adverse effects on the Egyptian economy and ensure a sustainable recovery." The study highlights the profound economic challenges facing Egypt where the country’s key sources of revenue, tourism and the Suez Canal, have been hit hard as a result of the attacks in the Red Sea and ensuing repercussions on maritime transit, exacerbating the economic distresses, and necessitating swift recovery measures. UNDP estimates the decline in tourism and the Suez Canal revenues in the two fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25 to be around $9.9 billion in a medium intensity scenario, and $13.7 billion if the war intensifies with the involvement of other regional actors (high intensity). In addition, the projections indicate possible setbacks in Egypt's Human Development Index (HDI), which would fall back to the levels of previous years and reverse progress made in the post-COVID period. The simulations show that the HDI would fall from 0.728 in 2022 to 0.726 in the low and medium-intensity scenarios while in the high intensity scenario, it would decrease to 0.720, pushing human development in Egypt back to the 2021 level in the first two scenarios and to the level observed in 2018 in the third scenario, representing a loss of up to five years in human development gains. The assessment highlights that there is an urgent need for targeted measures and policy reforms to ensure Egypt's socio-economic stability. To restore macro-financial stability, the Egyptian government has already signed several new agreements that have increased the inflow of foreign currency and capital. Along with the implementation of prudent macroeconomic policies and recovery measures, the government is working to mitigate the problems and smooth-out the negative impact of the Gaza war. The study proposes policy recommendations that include strengthening mechanisms to support vulnerable populations, implementing labour market reforms and promoting regional economic cooperation. The full report will be available online on May 15, 2024. For the executive summary, available now on: https://go.undp.org/ZGe For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact: UNDP | Fatma Elzahraa Yassin | Communication Lead | UNDP in Egypt | fatma.yassin@undp.org https://www.undp.org/egypt/press-releases/egypt-faces-mounting-socio-economic-strain-gaza-war-says-undpNote to Editors A team of economists, comprising experts from UNDP within the region and beyond, were involved in the preparation of this study. The CGE modelling exercise was conducted by Dr. City El Deep Radwan and Dr. Mariam Raouf. External peer review was provided by Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Dr. Alia El Mahdy, and Dr. Sara El Khishin. An early draft of the rapid assessment has been validated by key stakeholders from the Government of Egypt and various research institutions.
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