UN Insider

Photo: Final working session of the G7 summit. Credit: Federal Government/Steins.

G7 Carped for Failure to Tackle Hunger Crisis

By Jutta Wolf

BERLIN (IDN) — "Faced with the worst hunger crisis in a generation, the G7 have simply failed to take the action that is needed. Many millions will face terrible hunger and starvation as a result," declared Max Lawson, head of inequality policy at Oxfam International. "Instead of doing what is needed, the G7 are leaving millions to starve and cooking the planet," he added.

Lawson was responding to news of the $4.5 billion pledge made by the summit meeting of the Group of 7 (G7) consisting of Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States, concluded on June 28 in Elmau in the Bavarian Alps.

: Jutta Wolf; SUSTAINABILITY; Food security, nutrition & sustainable agriculture; 30 June 2022

Photo: A cargo crane and grain dryer in Odessa port, Ukraine. Credit: Shutterstock/Unkas

War in Ukraine Raises Global Shipping Costs, Stifles Trade

Jaya Ramachandran with UNCTAD Report

GENEVA (IDN) — UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) says the war in Ukraine is stifling trade and logistics of the country and the Black Sea region, increasing global vessel demand and the cost of shipping around the world.

In a report entitled “Maritime trade disrupted: The war in Ukraine and its effects on maritime trade logistics” published on June 28, UNCTAD says Ukraine’s trading partners now have to turn to other countries for the commodities they import.

: Jaya Ramachandran; UN INSIDER; 28 June 2022

‘Ocean Action’ Vital for the Asian and Pacific Countries

Viewpoint by Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana

Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana is an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

BANGKOK (IDN) — As the Second Global Ocean Conference opens today in Lisbon, governments in Asia and the Pacific must seize the opportunity to enhance cooperation and solidarity to address a host of challenges that endanger what is a lifeline for millions of people in the region.

: Asia Editor; SUSTAINABILITY; Oceans, seas and marine resources; 27 June 2022

Myanmar Military Junta's War Crimes

Viewpoint by Jan Servaes

BRUSSELS (IDN) — During decades of internal conflict, the Myanmar military has been repeatedly accused of atrocities and war crimes. Except between 1948-1958 and 2010-2021, the army ruled Myanmar with absolute control for 73 years. Thanks to social media, the international community is now better informed about the atrocities perpetrated by this military.

: Asia Editor; OPINION; 26 June 2022

Image: Swedish FFV 028 anti-tank-mines of the German Bundeswehr (inert versions). CC BY-SA 4.0

US Declares an Exception to Its New Policy Against the Use of Landmines

By Thalif Deen

UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — The anti-landmine treaty, which came into force in 1999, has more than 160 signatories who pledged to ban the use of these weapons, along with the destruction of remaining stocks, and clearance of mined areas, and assistance to victims.

But at least seven key countries—including the US, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, South Korea and North Korea —opted out of the treaty, also known as the Ottawa Convention.

: Thalif Deen; ARMAMENTS; Other WMDs; 25 June 2022

Photo: Underwater Seascapes, Anders Nyberg

Addressing the Challenges Confronting the Oceans

Viewpoint by Dr Palitha Kohona

BEIJING (IDN) — I was the co-chair, along with Dr Liesbeth Lijnzaad of the Netherlands, of the United Nations ad hoc Working Group on Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). Since handing over our conclusions and recommendations in 2015, a negotiating process has begun with a view to finalizing a Treaty on Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, also referred to as a High Seas Treaty.

: UN Bureau; OPINION; 24 June 2022

Photo credit: Katsuhiro Asagiri. IDN-INPS Multimedia Director

SGI Amplifies Voices of Youth, Faith Communities and Nuclear Victims

By IDN-INPS Team

VIENNA | TOKYO (IDN) — From June 21–23, at the historic First Meeting of States Parties (1MSP) to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), held in Vienna, Austria, the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) joined civil society groups calling for universalization of the Treaty, cohosting workshops highlighting perspectives of affected communities and youth.

: Ramesh Jaura; NEWSBRIEFS; 24 June 2022

Photo: A few seconds was all it took for an atomic bomb to wipe out thousands of lives in Hiroshima, Japan in 1945. Credit: ICRC

ICRC Accentuates the Vital Importance of Nuclear Disarmament

Following are excerpts from the text of ICRC President Peter Maurer's statement at the TPNW MSP1 on January 21, 2022.

VIENNA (IDN) — A decade ago, this may have seemed illusory. Today, a global, unequivocal, comprehensive prohibition of nuclear weapons—the most catastrophic weapons ever created—is a reality. We owe this reality to the tireless efforts of many:

: Opinion Editor; OPINION; 23 June 2022

Photo: Kazakh Minister addressing High-level Session of the First Meeting of the States Parties (MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Credit: Katsuhiro Asagiri, IDN-INPS Multimedia Director

Kazakhstan Calls for Universalization of the TPNW

Following are excerpts from the text of the statement by Kazakh's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi, at the High-Level Opening Session of TPNW MSP1 on February 21, 2022.

VIENNA (IDN) — The First Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW is a remarkable historic achievement following a nearly decade-long collective effort to advance the universal objective of complete nuclear disarmament.

: Ramesh Jaura; OPINION; 23 June 2022

Photo: First Meeting of the States Parties (MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Credit: Seikyo Shimbun

Faith Communities Greet First Nuclear Weapons Ban Conference

By IDN-INPS Team

VIENNA (IDN) — Faith communities "from a diversity of traditions and located all over the world" have joined together "with one voice to mark" the first meeting of the States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)."