GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

ACP Can Become a Political Force to Encourage Multilateralism

By Reinhard Jacobsen

BRUSSELS (IDN | ACP) – Ambassadors of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States held on October 4 a Special Session of the ACP Committee of Ambassors (CoA) at ACP House in honour of the visit of Mr Christophe Joseph Marie Dabire. During the Session, the Prime Minister reminded the CoA that “The latest developments on the international scene with the attempts to challenge the question of multilateralism and the tendency towards nationalism…, indicate that if we want to survive on our own, it is in our interest to strongly defend a multipolar world where our states, small or large, will have a voice.”

: Reinhard Jacobsen; GLOBAL GOVERNANCE; ACP Group of States; 04 October 2019

ACP Countries Leading by Example in Supporting ‘1.5’

By Reinhard Jacobsen

BRUSSELS (IDN) – “We are most vulnerable, have contributed the least to climate change, yet are most ambitious towards the 1.5 C goal,” said Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr., President of Palau.

The sentiment was echoed by the other high-level speakers emphasizing that enhanced nationally determined contributions (NDCs) would require enhanced support and enhanced partnerships.

“We are committed to champion ambitious action on climate change,” reaffirmed Wilfred P. Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belize.

: Reinhard Jacobsen; GLOBAL GOVERNANCE; ACP Group of States; 01 October 2019

Photo: Secretary-General António Guterres (fourth from left) and Tijjani Muhammad-Bande (left), President of the seventy-fourth session of the General Assembly, attend the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Credit: UN Photo/Rick Bajornas. 26 September 2019.

UN Chief Warns of Nuclear Disarmament Going Reverse

By Shanta Roy

NEW YORK (IDN) – As the United Nations commemorated its annual International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons September 26, Secretary-General António Guterres underlined two political realities facing the world community.

Firstly, not only has progress on nuclear disarmament come to a halt, but “it is going in reverse,” he warned. Secondly, relations between nuclear-armed States are mired in mistrust while dangerous rhetoric about the utility of nuclear weapons is on the rise, he noted.

: Shanta Roy; ARMAMENTS; Nuclear Weapons; 29 September 2019

Photo: Opening Ceremony of Annual Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Group of 77. A wide view of the room as Secretary-General António Guterres (on screen) addresses the forty-third annual meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77. 27 September 2019. United Nations, New York. Credit: UN Photo/Kim Haughton

Concern About UN’s Smooth Functioning but Kudos for ‘G-77’

Viewpoint by António Guterres

Following are extensive excerpts from UN Secretary-General’ remarks to the opening ceremony of the forty-third annual meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the 134-nation Group of 77 developing countries and China, in New York on 27 September 2019.

NEW YORK (IDN) – The Group of 77 and China are on the frontlines of multilateralism and of support for a strong United Nations, consistent with your founding principles. I thank the State of Palestine for its effective Presidency of the Group.

: UN Bureau; GLOBAL GOVERNANCE; The Group of 77; 28 September 2019

Photo: UN Chief António Guterres (centre) speaks with Mohammad Shtayeh, Chair of the Group of 77 and Prime Minister of the State of Palestine, at the forty-third annual meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Group of 77. At left is Riyad H. Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations. At right is Mourad Ahmia, G77 Executive Secretary. 27 September 2019. United Nations, New York. Credit: UN Photo/Kim Haughton

Palestine-Led G-77’s Work Pertinent to 80% of the UN Agenda

Viewpoint by Mohammad Shtayyeh

Following are extensive excerpts from statement by Mohammad Shtayyeh, Prime Minister of The State of Palestine, at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Ministers For Foreign Affairs of the 134-nation Group of 77 in New York on 27 September 2019.

NEW YORK (IDN) – Our Group was created 55 years ago to confront the imbalances in the global economy and inequalities in the trading and financial system, including by enhancing our negotiating capacity within the UN. Since then, it has been a force to be reckoned with. Our unity and solidarity have prevailed over all circumstances and continue to do so.

: UN Bureau; GLOBAL GOVERNANCE; The Group of 77; 28 September 2019

ACP Ministers of Culture Meet in Niger to ‘Strengthen and Diversify Partnerships’

BRUSSELS (ACP Press) – Cultural Ministers throughout the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States will meet at the Palais des Congrès in Niamey, Niger from October 19 to 20 for the 5th Meeting of ACP Ministers of Culture. The Ministerial meeting will be preceded by a two-day preparatory technical meeting of ACP Senior Officials in charge of Culture.

The main theme of the meeting will be Strengthening and Diversifying Partnerships for ACP Cultures. The meetings will help to assess the implementation of the commitments made by ACP Ministers in Brussels in 2017 and to reach a strong ACP Group position on culture's contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

: Reinhard Jacobsen; GLOBAL GOVERNANCE; ACP Group of States; 25 September 2019

Collage with images from SDGs, ACP and EU websites. Credit: INPS-IDN.

ACP, EU Point to Crucial Linkages Between Sustainable Development and Climate Action

By J Nastranis

NEW YORK (IDN) – More than half of the UN members have issued a joint declaration in support of the 2030 Agenda, 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) endorsed by the international community in September 2015, and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change adopted three months later.

The joint declaration by the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and the European Union (EU) carries significant weight in terms of demonstrating a commitment to Agenda 2030 by countries which together account for over 1.5 billion people, one-fifth of the global population.

: J Nastranis; GLOBAL GOVERNANCE; ACP Group of States; 25 September 2019

Photo: Screenshot of joint ACP-EU press conference on 23 September at the UN. From left to right: Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica; Neven Mimica, European Union Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development; Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Gambia; Patrick I. Gomes, Secretary General of the ACP Group of States. Source: UN Web TV

EU Joins 79 ACP States in Calling for ‘Bold Decisions’ to Achieve SDGs

By J. Tuyet Nguyen

NEW YORK (IDN) – Governments from Africa, Caribbean, Pacific and the European Union issued on September 24 a joint declaration calling for “bold decisions” to implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate change agreements, saying that the two programs are closely linked.

“Recognizing that the linkages between sustainable development and climate action, we reiterate our strong commitment to implement the Paris Agreement on Climate Change fully and effectively,” the groups said in a Joint Declaration issued in New York.

: UN Bureau; GLOBAL GOVERNANCE; ACP Group of States; 24 September 2019

UN Reviews the SAMOA Pathway for Most Vulnerable Countries

By J Nastranis

NEW YORK (IDN) – Progress made in addressing the priorities of the highly vulnerable small island developing States (SIDS) will draw the focus of the United Nations General Assembly when it conducts a high-level review of the SAMOA Pathway on September 27 as part of the ACTION FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET that kicked off a week earlier at the UN headquarters.

Fifty two countries and territories are presently classified as SIDS by the UN OHRLLS (UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States). 38 are UN members and 14 are non-UN Members or Associate Members of the Regional Commissions.

: Ramesh Jaura; SUSTAINABILITY; Climate Action; 24 September 2019

Image credit: Dominic Chavez, World Bank.

Up to 5 Billion People Could Miss Out on Health Care in 2030

By Santo D. Banerjee

NEW YORK (IDN) – Time is running out for countries to achieve the global goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). A new report warns that if current trends continue, up to 5 billion people will still be unable to access health care in 2030 – the deadline world leaders have set for achieving universal health coverage. Most of those people are poor and already disadvantaged.