News
Biotechnology: effective solutions for sustainable development
A micro-symposium on the role of biotechnology in the post-2015 development agenda took place at UNESCO on 13 February 2015. It was an opportunity to discuss promising biotechnology applications that can contribute to sustainable development and poverty eradication, as well as the need to develop capacity in Science, Technology and Innovation, so that these solutions can reach their full portential.
UNESCO’s work in this field was presented, particularly through the Regional Centre for Biotechnology – an education, training and research Category 2 Centre established in India under the auspices of UNESCO.
21st century 'hottest' on record as global warming continues - UN
Devastating weather patterns and increasing temperatures will last into the foreseeable future as global warming is expected to continue, the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed today as it explained that 2014's ranking as the “hottest year on record” is part of a larger climate trend.
“The overall warming trend is more important than the ranking of an individual year,” WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud clarified today in a press release. “Analysis of the datasets indicates that 2014 was nominally the warmest on record, although there is very little difference between the three hottest years.”
Biodiversity and climate change conference to be held at UNESCO
A conference on the links between biodiversity and climate change will be held at UNESCO Headquarters on 9 and 10 February (Room XI). It is one of the events held in preparation of the Paris Climate Conference (COP21) and is organized at the initiative of UNESCO and two French nongovernmental organizations, Association Humanité et biodiversité and the Institut Inspire.
The Assises du Vivant 2015 - Biodiversity and Climate Change in Interaction: Creating new life possibilities is the title of this 3rd edition of the “Assises” conferences.
“Let there be a Year of Light” – Launch of the International Year of Light 2015
Many people don't know that there’s more to scientist Isaac Newton than a certain apple falling from a tree. Holding a prism of glass in the path of sunlight, he showed that white light is actually made up of seven different colors – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Color comes from light – in fact, color is light.
Just as Newton revealed the spectrum of colors that makes up white light, we must reveal to the world the importance of light in building a more sustainable and peaceful future.
COP20: Ban Ki-moon hails delegates for paving way to 'meaningful' climate agreement
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has hailed the outcome of a United Nations-backed climate conference recently concluded in Lima, Peru, praising delegates for setting the groundwork for a more conclusive agreement to be reached in 2015, a spokesperson for the Organization today announced.
The UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC), known also as Conference of the Parties (COP 20), concluded its 12-day meeting last Friday having brought together the 196 Parties to the UNFCCC in an attempt to hammer out a new universal treaty which would enter force by 2020. The final agreement is expected to be hashed out in Paris at the end of next year.
UN report urges more funds for climate change adaptation, warns on temperature rise
“Debating the economics of our response to climate change must become more honest,” said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner in a press release on the challenges ahead, released as the first week of UN climate talks in Lima, Peru wrap up. That conference is set to conclude its work on 12 December.
“As world leaders meet in Lima to take the critical next step in realizing a global agreement on climate change, this report underlines the importance of including comprehensive adaptation plans in the agreement.”
Director-General in Saint Petersburg to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the State Hermitage Museum
From 6 to 8 December, UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, will undertake a visit to Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the State Hermitage Museum where the Director-General will highlight the longstanding support of UNERSCO to the State Hermitage and the importance of museums as spaces for dialogue and mutual understanding.
UNESCO is associated with the commemoration of the Hermitage’s anniversary by the resolution of the 37th session of the General Conference.
Road to Dignity by 2030: UN chief launches blueprint towards sustainable development
Calling for inclusive, agile and coordinated action to usher in an era of sustainable development for all, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today presented the United Nations General Assembly with an advance version of his so-called “synthesis report,” which will guide negotiations for a new global agenda centred on people and the planet, and underpinned by human rights.
“Next year, 2015, will herald an unprecedented opportunity to take far-reaching, long-overdue global action to secure our future well-being,” Mr. Ban said as he called on Member States to be “innovative, inclusive, agile, determined and coordinated” in negotiating the agenda that will succeed the landmark Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the UN-backed effort to reduce extreme poverty and hunger, promote education, especially for girls, fight disease and protect the environment, all by 2015.
