Friday 25 September 2015

World Tourism Day 2015, September 27




1 billion Tourist, 1 billion Opportunities - WTD2015.


2015年主题:“十亿名游客,十亿个机会”.





Message by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on World Tourism Day 2015.

This year´s World Tourism Day highlights the global potential of tourism for socio-economic development.  With more than one billion international tourists now traveling the world each year, tourism has become a powerful and transformative force that is making a genuine difference in the lives of millions of people.
The potential of tourism for sustainable development is considerable.  As one of the world’s leading employment sectors, tourism provides important livelihood opportunities, helping to alleviate poverty and drive inclusive development.
As tourism revolves around encounters between different peoples, the sector can foster multicultural understanding and raise awareness on the need to preserve cultural and natural heritage.
As the world prepares to adopt a new sustainable development agenda, tourism should be recognized for its ability to create jobs, promote local culture and products and champion the conservation and sustainable use of marine and terrestrial habitats.
Let us work together to maximize the immense potential of tourism to drive inclusive economic growth, protect the environment and promote sustainable development and a life of dignity for all.

Ban Ki-moon , UN Secreatary-General


Message by UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai on World Tourism Day 2015.

This year´s World Tourism Day is an opportunity to celebrate the transformative potential of one billion tourists.

Today, more than one billion tourists travel to an international destination every year. These billion tourists have made tourism a leading economic sector, contributing 10% of global GDP and 6% of the world´s total exports.

Yet these big numbers represent more than just economic strength – they reflect tourism´s vast potential and increasing capacity to address some of the world´s most pressing challenges, including socio-economic growth, inclusive development and environmental preservation.

As a sector behind as many as one in eleven jobs worldwide, tourism is a valuable source of livelihood for millions of people. Built around the millions of cross-cultural encounters happening every day in different corners of the world, tourism is also a gateway to greater understanding of the world beyond our borders, the first step in building peace and between communities and nations.

Tourism is more than just about reaching a destination – tourism has a global reach. Every time we travel, we become part of a global movement that has the power to drive positive change for our planet and all people.

This 27th of September, let us celebrate the value of the “One Billion Tourists” and work together in making tourism a true instrument of opportunity and inclusion. Let us all turn the power of one billion into a genuine force for good.
 

Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General


Message by Mr. Jean-Claude Dioma, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Burkina Faso  on World Tourism Day 2015.

In 2012, international tourist arrivals crossed the symbolic threshold of one billion for the first time, and forecasts estimate that the two billion mark will be reached by 2030.
These constantly increasing figures make tourism one of the global economy’s most dynamic sectors.
Tourism has demonstrated its capacity to increase competitiveness, create job opportunities, stem the rural exodus, generate revenues and reinforce the sense of pride and self-esteem within communities. 
With its cross-cutting nature, tourism affects virtually all areas of economic activity and has a strong influence on other sectors such as agriculture, construction, handicrafts, trade and especially transport services.
The theme of for this edition of World Tourism Day reminds us of the opportunities offered by the tourism sector for the promotion of new socioeconomic prospects and better livelihoods for communities.
The tourism sector, more than just an opportunity, is certainly a flourishing sector that harbours a billion opportunities for the economic and sociocultural development of our destinations. One billion tourists can become a major source of well-being and sustainable development for the entire planet—one billion opportunities for progress and poverty eradication, especially for developing countries.

Jean-Claude Dioma, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Burkina Faso



Statement by UNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on World Tourism Day, 27 September 2015.
This year's theme for World Tourism Day is "One Billion Tourists, One Billion Opportunities," which affirms tourism as a truly global movement that galvanizes development, enhances jobs and helps build better societies.
But, the journeys of one billion tourists across our planet, also provide one billion opportunities for us all to confront the crimes that devastate environments, and rob communities of their livelihoods: crimes such as human trafficking, migrant smuggling, drug trafficking, the theft and trafficking in cultural artefacts, corruption, terrorism, counterfeit goods, and wildlife crime.
These crimes steal from the vulnerable and the fragile and can hinder international efforts to deliver on the promise of the new development agenda.
That is why the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) works with its UN partners, Member States and civil society to encourage awareness among tourists of the illicit services and goods they might encounter on their journeys.
On World Tourism Day, I invite tourists, and everyone associated with the tourism industry, to recognize the situations where individuals may be exploited, or goods trafficked, and to act.
We have one billion opportunities to make the world a safer and fairer place; let us make each opportunity count.
 UNODC Executive Director



FORUM : World Tourism Day - 27 September


Join the conversation : #1billionTourists, #WTD2015


 The number of international tourist arrivals grew by 4% in the first half of 2015 according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Destinations worldwide received some 538 million international tourists between January and June 2015, an increase of 21 million compared to the same period of 2014.

Europe, Asia and the Pacific and the Middle East all recorded 5% growth in international arrivals and the Americas 4%. Limited data available for Africa points to an estimated 6% decrease in the number of international tourists in the region. At the subregional level, the Caribbean and Oceania (both +7%) were the best performers, together with Central and Eastern Europe and Central America (both +6%).
In spite of this overall growth, results by destination are rather mixed. Safety and security remain a global concern while the economic scenario is comparatively more volatile with the recovery of advanced economies contrasting with the slowdown of emerging economies. Tourism demand has also been impacted by lower oil prices and currency fluctuations.


International tourism in 2014 - key trends and outlook




Tourism Highlights 2015 edition - UNWTO
• International tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) increased by 4.3% in 2014, reaching a total 1133 million after topping the 1 billion mark in 2012.

• The Americas recorded the strongest growth with an 8% increase in
international arrivals, followed by Asia and the Pacific and the Middle East (both +5%). In Europe arrivals grew by 3%, while in Africa they were up by 2%.

• International tourism receipts reached US$ 1245 billion worldwide in 2014, up from US$ 1197 billion in 2013, corresponding to an increase of 3.7% in real terms (taking into account exchange rate fluctuations and inflation).

• France, the United States, Spain and China continue to top the rankings by both international arrivals and receipts. Mexico re-entered the Top 10 by arrivals at position 10. By receipts, China and the United Kingdom both moved up two places, to 3 and 7 respectively.

• China, the world’s top tourism source market, has continued its exceptional pace of growth, increasing expenditure abroad by 27% in 2014 to reach a total of US$ 165 billion.

• Forecasts prepared by UNWTO in January 2015 point to a 3% to 4% growth in international tourist arrivals in 2015 – in line with the Tourism Towards 2030 long-term forecast of 3.3% a year.

• By UNWTO region, prospects for 2015 are strongest for Asia and the Pacific and the Americas (both +4% to +5%), followed by Europe (+3% to +4%), the Middle East (+2% to +5%) and Africa (+3% to +5%)


EVENTSBurkina Faso will host the Official Celebration 2015. Find out more.

Your event on our map! Share with the global tourism community what you have planned for World Tourism Day 2015.

Created by UNWTO to remind us of the heartbeats behind the tourism statistics, the books capture voices of tourism from countries across the globe – the people who, each and every day, wake to work in the sector, playing their part, making their impact, and sharing their story. We invite you to join us on this journey and live each story with each storyteller, celebrated, one by one.




Tourism Stories Part I: How Tourism Enriched My Life?

Tourism Stories Part II  My Story, My Community, Our Future
LINKS




 The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2015 features the latest iteration of the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI). The TTCI measures “the set of factors and policies that enable the sustainable development of the Travel & Tourism (T&T) sector, which in turn, contributes to the development and competitiveness of a country.” Published biennially, the TTCI benchmarks the T&T competitiveness of 141 economies. It comprises four subindexes, 14 pillars, and 90 individual indicators, distributed among the different pillars:  

TRAVEL & TOURISM COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 

Enabling Environment 

1. Business Environment (12 indicators) 
2. Safety and Security (5 indicators) 
3. Health and Hygiene (6 indicators) 
4. Human Resources and Labour Market (9 indicators) 
5. ICT Readiness (8 indicators) T&T Policy and Enabling Conditions 
6. Prioritization of Travel and Tourism (6 indicators) 
7.International Openness (3 indicators) 
8. Price Competitiveness (4 indicators) 
9. Environmental Sustainability (10 indicators) Infrastructure 
10. Air Transport Infrastructure (6 indicators) 
11. Ground and Port Infrastructure (7 indicators) 
12. Tourist Service Infrastructure (4 indicators) Natural and Cultural Resources 
13. Natural Resources (5 indicators) 
14. Cultural Resources and Business Travel (5 indicators)  

    The Report provides a platform and a strategic benchmarking tool for business and governments to develop the T&T sector. By allowing cross-country comparison and benchmarking countries’ progress on the drivers of T&T competitiveness, it informs policies and investment decisions related to T&T development.
The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2015 - World Economic Forum

Tuesday 22 September 2015

World Maritime Day 2015, September 24


Maritime education and training - World Maritime Day 2015



 2015年世界海事日主题:“海事教育与培训
 Tema de 2015 : " Educación y formación marítima."
 Thème 2015 : « Éducation et formation maritimes »


United Nations Secretary-General's Message on World Maritime Day 2015.

Through the millennia, shipping has united the world by carrying the goods and commodities that underpin the global economy. Today, shipping is a modern, highly technical, professional discipline that requires a great deal of skill, knowledge and expertise from the maritime workforce. The mariner of today cannot learn the skills required for success simply through work experience or learning on-the-job. A safe, secure and clean shipping industry can only be built on effective standards of education and training, which is the theme for this year’s World Maritime Day.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN specialized agency for maritime safety and environmental protection, has a long and wide-ranging involvement in maritime education and training.
The basic requirements for seafarer training, certification and watch-keeping on an international level are contained in an IMO convention known as the STCW Convention. In addition model courses and a capacity-building framework, through affiliated educational institutions – the World Maritime University (WMU) and the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) — help maintain a flow of high-level managers, policymakers and other key personnel into the maritime professions and maritime administrations.
Looking ahead, the human element in shipping will be increasingly important as the industry moves towards ever higher standards of safety, environmental impact and sustainability, and seeks to do its part to implement the new Sustainable Development Goals.
All of which makes the importance of training for the ships’ crews of today and the seafarers of tomorrow greater than ever before. Maritime education holds the future of shipping in its hands.
 Ban Ki-moon, U.N Secretary-General.

A message from Koji Sekimizu, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, on the World Maritime Day 2015.

Shipping is vitally important to the global community, playing a key role in su stainable development . The world depends on a safe, secure and efficient shipping industry; and the shipping industry depends on an adequate supply of seafarers to operate the ships that carry the essential cargoes we all rely on. Shipping is highly techn ical, demanding considerable skill, knowledge and expertise from those who work in it. And it is impossible to learn everything on the job. As a truly international industry, shipping needs a global network of specialist education and training establishme nts to ensure a continuing stream of high - calibre recruits. 

Maritime education and training must be of a high and consistent quality, throughout the world. They must be skills based, competence - based and utilize the latest technology – such as simulators reflecting modern ships and up - to - date bridge layouts. But maritime education and training are not just for seafarers. M aritime education needs broad coverage . Naval architecture, marine engineering , maritime law and many other fields all require speciali st training. IMO has a long and wide - ranging involvement in the human element of shipping.

Maritime education and training are central to its work in this area. The 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers has set the international benchmark for seafarer training and education. Compliance with its standards is essential for serving on board ships. Significant amendments to the Convention were adopted in 2010 in Manila . Yet much remains to be don e by Parties to ensure effective implementation before the end of the transition period on 1 January 2017.

 Looking at the wider spectrum, IMO ' s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme provides a capacity - building framework to assist developing countries to enhance the skills and proficiencies needed for effective compliance with IMO instruments. This, together with IMO ' s global maritime training institutions, the World Maritime University and the International Maritime Law Institute, helps maintain a flow of high level managers, policymakers and other key personnel.

We are very proud of these institutions, and of the many graduates they have produced who now hold positions of responsibility and influence within the maritime community. In the future, the human element in shipping will be increasingly important, not just for the commercial reasons but also as the industry moves towards ever higher standards of safety, environmental impact and sustainability. It is the human element that will translate new objectives in these areas into solid actions. Further effort must be made to bring new generations into seafaring as a profession. Seafaring must be seen to appeal to new generations as a rewarding and fulfilling career. It is impossible to overstress ho w important this is. 
Without a quality labour force, motivated, trained and skilled to the appropriate international standards, shipping cannot thrive. Not only that, all the many advances that have been made, in terms of safety and environmental impact, a re at risk if personnel within the industry are unable to implement them properly. The importance of training and education for the maritime personnel of today and tomorrow is greater than ever before. Effective standards of training are the bedrock of a safe and secure shipping industry, and that is why this year, " Maritime Education and Training " is our theme for World Maritime Day.


A message from Koji Sekimizu, iMO Secretary-General, on the World Maritime Day 2015.





 Forum : World Maritime Day - Last week of September.

Related Documents :

° World Maritime Day 2015 Maritime Education and Training Background paper (184 KB)
° Symposium on "Shipping's future needs people: Is global maritime education and training on course?" Agenda (CL 3558) (190 KB)

Events : World Maritime Day open mornings
IMO is hosting two open mornings, at IMO Headquarters, to promote the 2015 World Maritime Day theme.  Member States' officer trainee cadets are encouraged to attend and serve as role models for those students considering a career at sea.
The first day (22 September)  was for primary school students. The pupils enjoyed an interactive session where they learned about ships, the cargoes they carry, regulations for ships and the whole range of careers in the maritime world. They then took turns on ship simulators, loaned by ARI World, and were interviewed about what they had learned. (See photos here.) 
The second day (23 September) is for secondary school students.
Symposium: "Shipping's future needs people: Is global maritime education and training on course?"

The Symposium has been scheduled to take place from 12.45 p.m. on Thursday, 24 September 2015 at IMO Headquarters. Speakers from the shipping and maritime industry and academia will address three sessions, covering:
Session 1:  Opportunities for the young generation in the maritime industry
Session 2:  Seafaring as a profession
Session 3:  Developing seafarer skills through quality maritime education and training
IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu will open and close the Symposium. 
Member Governments, inter-governmental organization and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO are invited to nominate delegates to attend the symposium.
Other events
Member Governments, the maritime industry and training centres are invited to organize their own events to support the theme.


FUTURE-READY SHIPPING 2015

Session 1: Enabling Technology Transfer
This session sets the scene by asking the fundamental questions: What is technology transfer? Is it simply giving direct technical assistance and know-how? Or can it be a more dynamic cooperation for joint innovation? What is the promise (or problem) behind technology transfer? How can we make legal or policy progress in the area of shipping? The session introduces participants to the hot topics of technology transfer.

Session 2: Technologies in Action
This session explores the current state of ship energy-efficiency measures, technologies and alternative energy sources. What are the latest environmentally sustainable technologies available? Which initiatives are leading the way in testing and implementing new technologies? The session looks at the current and potential role of private and public R&D.

Session 3: Perspectives on Green Ship Technology Trends
This session deals with market interests and trends that will shape technology deployment in recipient countries. Who is funding innovative maritime technologies? Will energy-efficient ships be in greater chartering demand? What are the key regulatory drivers influencing these trends? The session will provide perspectives from various stakeholders, including regulators, venture-capital firms and clean technology developers.

Session 4: The Future and How to Create it through Sustained Capacity Building
This session explores potential solutions to meeting countries’ needs in capacity-building and technology transfer. What are the future roles of governments, industry, maritime training institutions and multilateral networks for the increased take-up of maritime technologies for sustainable shipping
Parallel Event 2015
The World Maritime Day 2015 Parallel Event was held in Japan on 20 and 21 July 2015
 

Resources :


Review of Maritime Transport 2014 - United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Review of Maritime Transport 2014
Maritime transport is the backbone of international trade and the global economy. Around 80 per cent of global trade by volume and over 70 per cent of global trade by value are carried by sea and are handled by ports worldwide. These shares are even higher in the case of most developing countries.

UNCTAD's Review of Maritime Transport has since 1968 provided coverage of key developments affecting international seaborne trade, shipping, the world fleet, ports, freight markets, and transport-related regulatory and legal frameworks.

The Review of Maritime Transport 2014 has 6 distinct chapters:

Chapter 1: Seaborne Trade
Reflecting a stumbling growth in the world economy, the growth in world seaborne shipments decelerated over the previous year and averaged just 3.8 per cent in 2013. In line with this growth the volume of international seaborne trade totaled nearly 9.6 billion tons.

Chapter 2: The world fleet
The 2014 issue of the Review of Maritime Transport introduces a novel analysis regarding the ownership of the fleet which draws a distinction between the concept of the "nationality of ultimate owner" and the "beneficial ownership location".

Chapter 3: Freight rates
2013 was marked by another gloomy and volatile maritime freight rates market: all shipping segments suffered substantially. The general causes of freight rates' low performance were mainly attributable to the poor world economic development, weak or hesitant demand and persistent supply overcapacity.

Chapter 4: Seaports
With world container port throughput increasing by an estimated 5.6 per cent to 651.1 million TEUs in 2013, the share of port throughput for developing countries increased by an estimated 7.2 per cent. Asian ports continue to dominate the league table for port throughput and for terminal efficiency.

Chapter 5: The legal and regulatory developments
As regards regulatory developments relating to environmental and related issues, additional guidelines to support the implementation of a set of technical and operational measures to increase energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions from international shipping have been adopted by IMO.

Chapter 6: Small islands face special challenges
A special chapter of this year's Review of Maritime Transport focuses on challenges faced by the world's Small Island Developing States (SIDS), in line with the United Nations declaration of 2014 as the "Year of SIDS". The maritime transport services connecting SIDS to global trade networks face severe structural, operational and development obstacles. Remoteness from main global trade routes constitutes a major disadvantage in terms of cost and time, but also quality and frequency, of services that access international markets.

Safety and Shipping Review 2015 - Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty.

An annual review of trends and developments in shipping losses and safety;

° Shipping Losses : By location, type of vessel and cause
° In Review : Trends and developments affecting shipping safety
° Future challenges : Important issues and key risks

Safety and Shipping Review 2015 - Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty


UN System

Monday 21 September 2015

International Day of Peace 2015, September 21th

Международный день мира, 21 сентября.
 国际和平日, 9月21日.
International Day of Peace, September 21. 
Día Internacional de la Paz, 21 de Septiembre.


Partnerships for Peace, Dignity for All

Тема  2015 - « Партнерство ради мира – достоинство для всех ».
Theme 2015 - « Partnerships for Peace, Dignity for All ».
 Tema 2015 - «Alianzas para la paz, dignidad para todos».
                     “和平伙伴关系——人人享有尊严”
Thème 2015 : « Partenariats pour la paix – Dignité pour tous ».
 ’’حق الشعوب في السلم’






 This year’s International Day of Peace comes at a time of deadly violence and destabilizing conflicts around the world. Rather than succumbing to despair, we have a collective responsibility to demand an end to the brutality and impunity that prevail.
I call on all warring parties to lay down their weapons and observe a global ceasefire. To them I say: stop the killings and the destruction, and create space for lasting peace.
Although it may seem hopelessly distant, the dream of peace pulses in the lives of people everywhere.
There is no group more poised to help realize this dream than today’s young people. They are part of the largest generation of youth in history, more aware and connected than any before. I urge all governments to make greater investments in realizing the potentially massive contributions of the world’s young peacebuilders.
At the same time, we need to mobilize all partners who share the goal of peace. Non-governmental organizations, faith-based groups and corporations all have a role to play in fostering social progress, protecting the environment and creating a more just, stable and peaceful world. The value of this collaboration is our theme for the Day: “Partnerships for Peace – Dignity for All.”
We live at a moment of peril – but this is also an era of great promise. In a matter of days, leaders from across the globe will gather at the United Nations to adopt the 2030 agenda, our 15-year plan to achieve sustainable development. This is fundamental to ushering in a life of dignity for all, where poverty is history and peace is paramount. 
On the International Day, as we mark the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, let us seize the opportunity achieve the Organization’s founding purpose: to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.
Ban Ki-moon

 



Forum : International Day of Peace - September 21.

Resources :
 General Assembly resolutions on the International Day of Peace:
The Global Peace Index (GPI) is the world's leading measure of national peacefulness.

Global Peace Index Report 2015 - Institute for economics and peace

Wednesday 16 September 2015

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2015, September 16th.








Healing our ozone together



Not so long ago, humanity stood on the brink of a self-inflicted catastrophe. Our use of ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) had torn a hole in the ozone layer that protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.
But we tackled this challenge. Thirty years ago, the international community signed the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. Under its Montreal Protocol, the world united to slash the production and consumption of CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances.
Together, we have succeeded in putting the stratospheric ozone layer on the road to recovery by the middle of this century. As a result, up to 2 million cases of skin cancer may be prevented each year, along with even more avoided cases of eye cataracts.
As we look forward to the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the effort by governments later this year in Paris to forge a new, collective path forward on climate change, the Montreal Protocol’s success should inspire us.  It shows what we are capable of when nations act together on a global challenge.
But the work of the Montreal Protocol is not yet done. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) have been used as replacements for many ozone-depleting substances. While they do not deplete the ozone layer, they are extremely potent greenhouse gases and will contribute a great deal of warming to our already overheated planet in the coming decades unless we act now.
Many countries are now considering using the Montreal Protocol regime to phase down HFCs.  A political commitment to managing HFCs under the Montreal Protocol could be one of the biggest climate change wins in the lead-up to the Paris climate conference. It will also be another strong victory for multilateral efforts to safeguard our environment. On this International Day, let us ensure that we protect our climate the way we have preserved the ozone layer.

Ban Ki-moon


FORUM : International Day of the Ozone Layer - September 16.

Ozone, Allthere is between You and UV


EVENTS : 30th Anniversary of the Vienna Convention and International Ozone Day 2015.





LINKS :

Monday 14 September 2015

International Day of Democracy, September 15th







2015年主题:为公民社会创造空间.
 Тема 2015 года: «Пространство для гражданского общества».
2015 Theme: Space for Civil Society.
Tema de 2015: «Espacio para la sociedad civil ».
 Thème 2015 : Un espace pour la société civile.
موضوع عام 2015: توفير حيّز للمجتمع المدني



United Nations Secretary-General's Message for the International Day of Democracy 2015.

Civil society is the oxygen of democracy.
We see this clearly in the world’s most vibrant and stable democracies, where Government and civil society work together for common goals. Civil society acts as a catalyst for social progress and economic growth. It plays a critical role in keeping Government accountable, and helps represent the diverse interests of the population, including its most vulnerable groups.
The role of civil society has never been more important. Soon we will start to implement an inspiring new development agenda, agreed by all the world’s Governments.
Yet, for civil society, freedom to operate is diminishing — or even disappearing.
An alarming number of Governments have adopted restrictions that limit the ability of NGOs to work, or to receive funding, or both.
That is why the theme of this year’s International Day of Democracy is space for civil society.
On this Day, let us recall that progress and civic participation go hand in hand.
A confident nation gives citizens a say and a role in the development of their country.
As the United Nations continues to work towards a democratic, pluralistic future for all, the State and civil society can and should be partners in building the future people want.
Ban Ki-moon


 


EVENTS :
  
In 2007 the UN General Assembly decided that each year, 15 September should be observed as International Day of Democracy. Since then, hundreds of events for the day have been held in over 90 countries. 

New York

Tuesday, September 15, 2015
1:00pm – 2:45pm

"Space for Civil Society"
Organised by the United Nations Working Group on Democracy (a sub-group of the United Nations Executive Committee on Peace and Security), in cooperation with International IDEA (Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance)

Venue:

ExPress Bar
3rd floor, General Assembly Building
United Nations Headquarters
Visitor’s entrance on First Avenue at East 46th Street

Programme:

  • Video message by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
  • Remarks by the Permanent Representatives / Deputy Permanent Representatives of Bhutan, Chile, Poland, Sierra Leone and Sweden
  • Discussion with:
    Nilda Bullain, Vice-President, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law
    Arthur Larok, Co-Chair, ActionAid International Working Group on Civic and Political Space
  • Moderator: James Traub, Fellow, Center on International Cooperation; Columnist, ForeignPolicy.com
RSVP by 8 September to baja@un.org
Please advise in your email if you have no UN grounds pass.



The democracy ranking of the quallity of democracy 2014

Saturday 12 September 2015

United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation 2015, September 12th.






The United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation highlights the progress being made by the global South.
Despite ongoing challenges, developing countries have become critical actors in the global socioeconomic landscape. A majority have joined the middle-income club, and some have attained impressive economic growth, high savings and investment rates, and a larger share of trade in goods and services. The global South is also home to many high-quality enterprises, technological competencies and leading finance and banking institutions. The New Development Bank recently established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, as well as the proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, hold considerable promise to complement existing sources of finance for development.
South-South cooperation can therefore play a key role in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is to be adopted by world leaders at a summit later this month at UN Headquarters.  As we embark on efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we need to accelerate development momentum across the South, including by building resilience and mitigating risk. This will require attention to the needs of the most vulnerable by enhancing the productive capacities of Least Developed Countries and improving access to environmentally sound technologies, education, essential medicines and credit.
On this Day, let us recognize the great potential of South-South cooperation
to improve the well-being of the vast majority of the world’s people.
Ban Ki-moon

 ForumUnited Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, September 12th.

United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation
Links 


Additional Resources

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