July 2023 – Page 3 – Career Meaning

Cambodia: UN rights chief regrets ‘severely restricted’ poll and opposition clampdown

In a news release issued by his Office, Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, denounced “constant shrinkage” in Cambodia’s democratic space in recent years, which he said is undermining citizen’s fundamental freedoms and their right to participate in the public square. In the lead up to the elections, Cambodia’s National Election Committee disqualified…

Ukraine: UN rights chief upholds need for justice one year after POW killings

The “tragic killing” at the penal colony at Olenivka in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, under temporary Russian military control, occurred overnight on 28 July 2022. Many of the POWs were Ukrainian soldiers who had surrendered at the stricken Azovstal steel plant in the city of Mariupol. Appeal for justice “The prisoners of war…

Africa’s food ‘transformation’ impossible without game changing solutions: FAO

Those were some of the takeaways from a high-level special event held on the sidelines of the UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment on Africa’s food sovereignty and resilience, organized by the Interdepartmental Task Force on African Affairs (IDTFAA). Representatives from governments, the UN, the African Union and others, exchanged views on how to seize momentum…

‘Real challenges’ must be addressed beyond polling day, urges UN West Africa envoy

In his first briefing to the Security Council since being appointed to the position, Leonardo Santos Simaõ recalled elections in Benin, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. He said they had “marked important steps towards democratic consolidation, offering opportunities for citizens to choose their leaders and representatives at the national and subnational level”.…

‘Disaster emergency’ underway in Asia-Pacific, warns ESCAP

According to a new report from the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in 2022 alone, over 140 disasters struck the region, leading to over 7,500 deaths. They impacted 64 million people, and caused economic damage estimated at $57 billion. Under a 2°C warming scenario, the ESCAP projects an increase…

Yemen: High stakes UN operation underway to avert catastrophic oil spill

The 19-day operation will pump more than one million barrels out of the rusting vessel, the Safer, which was abandoned over eight years ago, to a nearby replacement vessel. Secretary-General António Guterres said the UN has taken on the delicate operation as a spill would spell environmental catastrophe for the region. ‘Ticking time bomb’ “United…

Global food systems ‘broken’, says UN chief, urging transformation in how we produce, consume food

Addressing the UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment, in Rome, Mr. Guterres said that in a world of plenty, “it is outrageous that people continue to suffer and die from hunger.” Broken system “Global food systems are broken – and billions of people are paying the price.” According to UN estimates, over 780 million…

Syria still mired in division, top UN envoy tells Security Council

“I hope they will soon, because if not, it will be another missed opportunity to help the Syrian conflict to come to a negotiated end, at a time when the impact of the crisis is deepening,” Geir Pedersen said, briefing the Security Council. While there had been positive humanitarian gestures following the devastating earthquakes in…

Sudan: Child deaths rise, concern intensifies for refugees after 100 days of battle

The UN agency added that there have been more than 2,500 severe violations of children’s rights – an average of more than one an hour – in a country where 14 million youngsters need aid relief. “As we reach more than 100 days since the conflict in Sudan escalated, we know that it is taking…

WFP staffer shot and killed in Yemen

Moayad Hameidi, a Jordanian national, was working in Turbah, in the country’s southwest. He came under fire on Friday afternoon, and the identify of the assailants is not yet known. Head of Taiz office WFP released a statement expressing deep sadness at the news, noting that he had only recently arrived in Yemen to assume…