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UN officials stress investment, smart policies for sustainable future of world’s forests
The sustainable management and conservation of forests must be included in the sustainable development goals and climate change agreement to be adopted later this year, United Nations officials stressed ahead of the International Day of Forests, observed worldwide on 21 March.
“Forests are integral to the post-2015 development agenda,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his message for the Day. “To build a sustainable, climate-resilient future for all, we must invest in our world's forests.”
World Water Day 2015: UN calls for global unity in pursuit of better water access for all
As the perils of climate change increasingly threaten the planet, the international community must unite in “a spirit of urgent cooperation” to address the many water-related challenges facing humanity, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared today.
In his message marking the 2015 edition of World Water Day, observed annually on 22 March, the Secretary-General warned that access to safe drinking water and sanitation was among “the most urgent issues” affecting populations across the globe.
World Wildlife Day
"Getting serious about wildlife crime means enrolling the support of all sections of society involved in the production and consumption of wildlife products, which are widely used as medicines, food, building materials, furniture, cosmetics, clothing and accessories." Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that conservation provides to people.
“Education is a human rights imperative – it is a development imperative – it is a security imperative”
Despite the phenomenal growth of mobile technology, too many girls and women are still missing out on the opportunities it can deliver, especially in education. The need to bridge this gap is the key message of the 2015 edition of Mobile Learning Week, opened by UNESCO’s Director-General, Irina Bokova and UN Women’s Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris today.
“Education is a human rights imperative – it is a development imperative – it is a security imperative,” stated Irina Bokova in her opening address.
FEATURE: Climate change and sustainability key to future development agenda, says former UN official
As United Nations Member States come together to launch the future sustainable development agenda, 2015 seems set to be a year of momentous change for the international community.
This year marks the end of implementation of the landmark UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which world leaders agreed on 15 years ago in an effort to tackle poverty and climate change and to pave the way towards a more gender equal global society. The new targets, to be known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are defining the way forward on the world’s most pressing issues until the next critical deadline in 2030.
