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News Archive


UN-Habitat and UNIFEM Join Efforts to Make Cities Free from Violence against Women and Girls
Released: 3 Jun 2009
The Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, Mrs. Anna Tibaijuka, and the Executive Director of UNIFEM, Mrs. Ines Alberdi, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to join efforts to make cities and towns free from violence against women and girls.
ILO Director-General calls for a global jobs pact to urgently tackle the employment and social protection consequences of the economic crisis
Released: 3 Jun 2009
GENEVA (ILO News) – Warning of a possible six to eight year employment and social protection crisis due to the economic downturn, International Labour Organization (ILO) Director- General Juan Somavia today called on delegates to the 98th International Labour Conference to adopt a “Global Jobs Pact.”
98th ILO Annual Conference
Released: 3 Jun 2009
GENEVA (ILO News) – The 98th Session of the International Labour Conference, which will run here till 19 June, opened today, electing as its President Mr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Minister of Labour and Employment and Expatriates of Bangladesh.
Japan makes first gift to food, animal and plant health standards facility
Released: 4 Jun 2009
Japan is giving US$ 278,368 (approximately 296,000 Swiss francs) for projects to help developing countries analyse and implement international standards on food safety and animal and plant health — so-called sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures.
Globalization and trade opening can promote human rights says WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy
Released: 5 Jun 2009
The University of Geneva during its celebration of its 450th anniversary on 5 June 2009 conferred the title of doctor honoris causa on Director-General Pascal Lamy along with Dr Lyndon Rees Evans, Mrs Mary Robinson and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In his speech, Mr Lamy said “globalization and the opening up of trade can work in favour of universal human rights, by which I mean civil and political rights as well as economic and social rights”. This is what he said:
Welcome to world trade week UK 2009
Released: 8 Jun 2009
World Trade Week, the first event of its kind in the UK, will take place this year from 8 to 12 June and will highlight the importance of global trade in creating jobs and growth in the current economic climate. The event showcases the critical role global trade can play in reducing world poverty.
UNCTAD discusses closer cooperation with Russia, EU
Released: 6 Jun 2009
UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General Petko Draganov, meeting on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum with Russian and EU officials, discussed the possibilities for closer cooperation with UNCTAD.
Lamy urges Doha deal for sustainable fishing
Released: 8 Jun 2009
Director-General Pascal Lamy, in a statement on the occasion of World Oceans Day (8 June 2009), said “today, we run the risk that over-fishing will so deplete fish stocks in our oceans that many species will disappear forever. This is not only bad news for the oceans, it is bad news for the world’s 43.5 million full time fishers.”
First report on work and the family in Latin America and the Caribbean
Released: 11 Jun 2009
The massive and irreversible inclusion of Latin American and Caribbean women in the workforce has highlighted the challenges of traditional interplay between work and family life.
Six Asian Countries Agree to Simplify Trade Procedures
Released: 11 Jun 2009
The six Participating States of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) have successfully concluded negotiations on simplifying cross-border trade procedures to reduce costs and improve trade efficiency.
Intergovernmental Agreement on the Trans-Asian Railway Network Enters into Force
Released: 11 Jun 2009
Bangkok (UN/ESCAP Information Services) – Countries throughout Asia committed to coordinate the development and operation of international rail routes linking 28 countries, as the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Trans-Asian Railway Network entered into force today.
Global Jobs Crisis Summit organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Released: 12 Jun 2009
GENEVA (ILO News) – Nine Heads of State and Government, six Vice-presidents, labour ministers and leaders from employers’ and workers’ organizations are to meet in Geneva from June 15-17 for a Global Jobs Crisis Summit organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Experts tackle challenges faced by small states in international negotiations
Released: 12 Jun 2009
Small nations’ limited “room for manoeuvre” subject of debate between scholars and policy-makers at Commonwealth Secretariat
UNCTAD´s Secretary General addresses the first UK World Trade Week
Released: 12 Jun 2009
An international conference on trade heard from UNCTAD that the effective use of openness can help developing countries exit from the global economic crisis.
Commonwealth Education Ministers stress importance of committing to Millennium Development Goals
Released: 16 Jun 2009
Meeting the Millennium Development Goals in education remains as good an investment as a country can make, agreed Commonwealth Education Ministers at the launch in Kuala Lumpur this morning of their 17th triennial conference since the first in Oxford exactly 50 years ago.
Gender Issues Gain Momentum at Climate Talks in Germany
Released: 16 Jun 2009
References to the human dimension of climate change and the policies needed to address it are increasingly common at the ongoing UNFCCC international climate change talks, expected to culminate in an agreement at the Conference of Parties (COP-15) in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December.
World Bank Supports Pakistan's Efforts to Strengthen Social Safety Nets, Eradicate Polio
Released: 18 Jun 2009
Washington, D.C., June 18, 2009 „Ÿ The World Bank today approved two projects totaling US$135 million to help the Government of Pakistan strengthen social safety nets and eradicate polio.
International Labour Conference concluded today after considering a wide range of issues, including HIV/AIDS, gender equality and the effect given to ILO labour standards and adopting a historic Global Jobs Pact
Released: 19 Jun 2009
GENEVA (ILO News) –The International Labour Organization (ILO) concluded its annual meeting here today after considering a wide range of issues, including HIV/AIDS, gender equality and the effect given to ILO labour standards and adopting a historic Global Jobs Pact (see Press release ILO/09/39).
ILO adopts “Global Jobs Pact” aimed at creating jobs, protecting workers and stimulating economic recovery
Released: 25 Jun 2009
GENEVA (ILO News) – Faced with the prospect of a prolonged global increase in unemployment, poverty and inequality and the continuing collapse of enterprises, the International Labour Organization (ILO) today adopted a Global Jobs Pact designed to guide national and international policies aimed at stimulating economic recovery, generating jobs and providing protection to working people and their families.
UNIFEM at the United Nations Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development, UN Headquaters, New York, 24-26 June
Released: 22 Jun 2009
The United Nations is convening a three-day summit of world leaders to assess the global economic crisis and its impact on development. The meeting was mandated at the Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development, held in December 2008 in Doha, Qatar.
The United Nations is convening a three-day summit of world leaders from 24 to 26 June 2009 at its New York Headquarters to assess the worst global economic downturn since the Great Depression
Released: 22 Jun 2009
The United Nations is convening a three-day summit of world leaders from 24 to 26 June 2009 at its New York Headquarters to assess the worst global economic downturn since the Great Depression.
Global Economic Turmoil Having Dramatic Effects on Capital Flows to Developing Countries
Released: 22 Jun 2009
SEOUL, Korea, June 22, 2009 – Amidst global economic recession and financial-market fragility, net private capital inflows to developing countries fell to $707 billion in 2008, a sharp drop from a peak of $1.2 trillion in 2007. International capital flows are projected to fall further in 2009, to $363 billion.
Commonwealth calls for holistic approach to addressing trade barriers
Released: 23 Jun 2009
Aid for Trade should not be viewed as a panacea in itself, says Ransford Smith For low income countries to reap maximum returns from the benefits of trade, there is need to address bottlenecks in a comprehensive and holistic manner, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Ransford Smith has said.
High-level officials to convene at UN to tackle global economic crisis
Released: 23 Jun 2009
A major high-level United Nations gathering aimed at tackling the global economic meltdown and its effects on the developing world is set to kick off on Wednesday at the world body’s Headquarters in New York.
Economic Stimulus Packages Must Factor in Differentiated Impact on Women Hardest Hit by the Financial Crisis, Says New UNIFEM Assessment
Released: 24 Jun 2009
Government plans need to reflect women’s realities as workers and shock absorbers of society to be truly effective
Global FDI flows halved in 1st quarter of 2009, UNCTAD data show; prospects remain low for rest of year
Released: 24 Jun 2009
Geneva, 24 June 2009 -- Global foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) - the main mode of FDI - drastically declined in the last quarter of 2008, and the fall has continued into 2009, UNCTAD data reveal.
Economic Development in Africa Report presented in New York
Released: 24 Jun 2009
The Secretary-General of UNCTAD launched at United Nations Headquarters in New York the UNCTAD annual Economic Development in Africa Report.
Governments Need to Ensure Women Do Not Bear the Brunt of the Economic Crisis
Released: 26 Jun 2009
“There cannot be economic recovery or sustainable development without the full empowerment and integration of women in all levels of economic, social and cultural activities,” said Alberto José Guevara Obregón, Nicaragua’s Minister of Finance and Public Credit.
WTO and UNEP launch new report on trade and climate change
Released: 26 Jun 2009
The world cannot continue with “business as usual” and there is a profound need for a successful conclusion to the current negotiations on both climate change and trade opening.
Seminar Teaches Green Growth Policy For Asia And The Pacific
Released: 26 Jun 2009
Bangkok (UN/ESCAP Information Services) -- ESCAP and partner organizations are leading efforts to help the region’s policy makers achieve sustainable development through low-carbon and green-growth means