Ambassador Brings a New Perspective to Economic Aid

Today, the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) elected Slovakian Ambassador Miloš Koterec as President of ECOSOC.  The new President has emphasized that given the current economic climate, ideas surrounding development must change. Furthermore, Mr.Koterec stressed that new methods have to be implemented to increase cooperation between donor and aid-recepient nations. 

                                                                                                                         

Mr.Koterec has said that, "Gone is the old binary division where rich nations dispense aid and poor ones receive it.” Traditional donors are no longer considered the most generous. New donors, as well as the private sector, have become increasingly involved in international aid and economic development. In an effort to create and support effective economic relationships between donor and aid-recepient nations, Mr.Koterec has called for greater discussion in the next Development Cooperation Forum (DFC).

                                                                                                                         

Sustainable development is a high priority for the new ECOSOC President. This past September, Mr.Koterec presented numerous sustainable development initiatives, as well as five global mandates to ECOSOC. These initiatives emphasized the empowerment of the youth, the prevention of natural disasters, and supporting transitioning countries. Mr.Koterec has stated that, “I strongly believe that ECOSOC is well placed and well equipped to become the central place for follow-up to Rio+20. We must deepen our efforts to achieve the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, our main framework for development to 2015."The slovakian Ambassador Miloš Koterec is ushering a new age of international aid and development.

                                                                                                                                        

-Akshika Patel 

SOURCE: UN News Centre

Tomorrow Is UN Peacekeepers Day!

On May 27th, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon paid tribute to the more than 120,000 military, police and civilian personnel who served in the numerous UN peacekeeping missions across the world. He honored those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace. "Their deployment is a manifestation of our collective conviction that people should not have to suffer through a period of insecurity, injustice and fear," was his message for the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, which is observed on May 29th every year.

When conflict strikes, violence erupts and people are forced from their homes, UN Peacekeepers are sent in to work to improve the rule of law, implement a system of rights and establish peace in an area. Peacekeeping in the 21st century is focused on building foundations for long term institution building and sustainability. UN peacekeepers send police forces to train and monitor the security systems within a collapsed country. They help restore and reform institutions and work with the court systems to become more accountable. This makes it possible for culture and the rule of law to re-develop in weak or collapsed states.

Sunday is the 9th observance day of UN Peacekeepers. It is a particularly sombre day since in early April 173 peacekeepers were lost in an attack on the UN compound in Afghanistan. Only a few days later, 32 more lives were lost in a plan crash in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Peacekeepers make heavy sacrifices, working towards peace in countries ranging from Southern Sudan to the Ivory Coast. There are nearly 85,000 military personnel, more than 14,000 police officers, around 5,700 international civilians and 13,700 national staff serving in 15 current operations in four continents, as stated by the UN.

"On this day of United Nations peacekeepers, focused on the rule of law, we thank the countries who contribute forces to the operations and honor the individuals who serve with such distinction and dedication," stated Ban.

On Sunday, let us all remember and honor those that have sacrificed in the name of peace and stability!

-Gabrielle Gurian

SOURCE: UN NEWS

World Population May Reach 10 Billion before 2100

If current fertility rates continue to rise at expected levels the world's population is estimated to increase past 9 billion before 2050. This astonishing jump is said to come from "high fertility countries" mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, but also in Asia, Oceana and Latin America. The 2010 Revision of World Population Prospects shows that a small variation in fertility may lead to extensive long term differences in the size of the international population.

While in many countries the populations are aging and will continue to do so as their fertility rates decline, the populations of countries classed as "low fertility" or intermediate fertility" are said to peak well before the end of the century. But at the same time, life expectancy in general is expected to rise across all categories of countries due to improved health care and treatment of HIV/AIDS. This cuts the probability of early death in many sub-Saharan countries. For example, Niger has one of the highest rates of population growth in the world. This is of course seen as a major improvement in global health access and is to be commended, but simultaneously is causing an enormous rise in the global population, which could possibly create further disparities in access to resources.

Currently, the number of people in the world is close to 7 billion and is believed to pass 8 billion in a mere twelve years, in 2023. By 2041 the global population will possibly have reached 9 million, and then 10 billion by 2081. But, the increase in fertility in the above countries could have major consequences and shoot the global population up to an astonishing 15.8 billion by 2100.

-Gabrielle Gurian

SOURCE: UN NEWS