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UN Daily News
Monday, 28 March 2016

Issue DH/7124

In the headlines:
At Security Council, UN Women chief urges greater

UN envoy welcomes Sudan's signing of action plan

UN health agency calls for funding, access to

In Baghdad, UN chief underlines extreme concern

In Tunisia, Ban welcomes country's democratic

UN chief visits Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan,

UN team sent to Central African Republic to

Major milestones reached on renewable energy

South-east Asia's children face 'double burden' of

UN Commission on the Status of Women ends with

Pakistan: Ban strongly condemns Sunday suicide

On International Day, Ban calls to bring all

input, visibility of women in peacebuilding

Yemenis as conflict rages for second year

about 'enormous' challenges Iraq faces

progress

meets Middle Eastern leaders in capital

investigate new allegations of sexual exploitation

obesity and undernutrition UN report
bombing in Lahore

to end use of child soldiers

investments, UN reports

agreement on foundations to accelerate action

perpetrators of heinous crimes to justice

More stories inside

At Security Council, UN Women chief urges greater input,

visibility of women in peacebuilding
28 March Emphasizing the consistent, dependable and universal
commitment of women to conflict prevention, the head of UN Women
today called for greater efforts to reach the goal of allocating at least
15 per cent of peacebuilding resources to gender equality and
women's empowerment.
Women need to be resourced so that they can do more, Phumzile
Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women told the Security
Council during an open debate on the role of women in conflict
prevention in Africa.

UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka address

Security Council meeting 'The role of women in conflict prevention
and resolution in Africa'. UN Photo/Loey Felipe

The commitment to allocate at least 15 per cent of peacebuilding

funds to gender equality and women's empowerment, must become a
reality. This must be extended to all efforts aimed at preventing and
countering violent extremism, she added.

She also stressed that women's organizations must receive the political and financial support needed to engage in violence
prevention, mediation and diplomacy, as investing in gender equality as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development is the best recipe for structural, long-term prevention.

For information media not an official record

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However, the role of women in conflict prevention is often missing in highest-level discussions about peace and security,
she pointed out, welcoming today's debate that focused on the relationship between the need to focus on prevention of
violence and paying attention to the critical importance of gender equality.
Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka went on to cite specific examples of conflict prevention led by women in Africa, including the
'Women's Situation Rooms,' a monitoring mechanism to support women candidates and fight discrimination of women in
electoral processes and gender-based electoral violence and harassment.
In the last five years, the mechanism has been established in Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone
and Uganda, and the model is being replicated in a growing list of countries across Africa with UN Women's support.
Our research also shows that women play a key role in de-escalating tensions and preventing radicalization in their
families. In Mali, the most important influence for the successful re-integration of many ex-combatants has been the women
in their families and communities, she said.
In the Sahel region, the income, status and resilience of women has been boosted by programmes that address the gender
gap in access to land and other productive assets, she said. In poor areas of Kenya, women's organizations are using mothers
to identify and prevent the spread of radicalization, and in Burundi, hundreds of women mediators are working tirelessly to
address local conflicts.
According to the Global Study on Women, Peace and Security, countries with lower levels of gender inequality are
less likely to resort to the use of force; security of women is one of the most reliable indicators of the peacefulness of a
State; and women's different spending patterns contribute directly to post-conflict social recovery, she noted.
She also presented some proposals. The UN's prevention work should include more frequent deliberations by the Security
Council informed by the perspective and analyses of women on the ground. The practice of hearing from civil society
should be extended to consultations on country-specific situations, to the work of the 15-nation body's subsidiary organs,
including the Counterterrorism Committee, as well as the Council's visiting missions, she added.
Council members should also demand a robust gender analysis in reports and in all atrocity-prevention efforts, she
continued, noting that UN Women serves as the Secretariat for the new Informal Expert Group on Women, Peace and
Security, which held its first meeting last month on Mali. This mechanism is an important step in ensuring consistent and
quality information flows to the Council, she added.
Women in conflict mediation
Also briefing the Council was Tay-Brook Zerihoun, Assistant-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, who said promoting
women's effective participation in conflict mediation and addressing their specific needs in peacemaking efforts had been a
priority of the Department of Political Affairs since 2010, when its conflict-prevention work had become increasingly
inclusive.
Since 2012, all UN mediation support teams had included women, and women made up half of the participants in the
Department's high-level mediation skills training, which focused on enhancing gender parity and the future character and
configuration of international peacemaking.
He said the Department also continued to implement, with UN Women, its Joint Strategy on Gender and Mediation, which
helped to build mediation capacity for envoys and mediation teams by providing gender expertise and training, while UN
Women strengthened the capacity of regional, national and local women leaders and peace coalitions, and supported access
opportunities for women in peace negotiations.
Nevertheless, unequal access and opportunities for women's participation in political decision-making processes persisted
worldwide. Prioritizing prevention and inclusive political solutions has never been more urgent, he emphasized.
Gender-focused peacebuilding strategy
Macharia Kamau, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, said that women remain a resource that has not been effectively
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utilized, citing such obstacles as cynical cultural practices that maintained patriarchal attitudes; insufficient political will to
implement Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security; militarized approaches to conflict
resolution that crowded out organic initiatives; and the absence of gender-sensitive economic recovery.
As such, the Commission had outlined its first gender strategy, which it expected to adopt before July, he said, adding that it
set out recommendations on strengthening the integration of gender perspectives in all country-specific and strategic
engagements. Going forward, the Commission would use its unique leverage to advocate for technical expertise on gender
equality and peacebuilding, as well as funding, he continued.
The combination of commitment on the part of senior leadership, specialized expertise and dedicated financial resources
would make a real difference, as had been seen in Burundi, where UN-Women supported a network of 534 women
mediators across all municipalities, he said.
Placing a personal emphasis on the gender issue, he said that he had seen the ruin that 100 years of colonial and postcolonial policies had wreaked upon women in the culture and society of his homeland, Kenya. Women remain firmly at the
bottom of the rungs of social progress and empowerment, he said, underlining that a more inclusive future would require
that countries respond forcefully to the condition of women in their midst.

UN health agency calls for funding, access to Yemenis as

conflict rages for second year
28 March As the conflict in Yemen this week enters its second year,
the United Nations health agency is calling for additional funding and
access to the more than 80 per cent of the population in urgent need of
humanitarian aid.
Despite our efforts so far, much more needs to be done to respond to
the health needs of people in Yemen, said Dr. Ala Alwan, World
Health Organization's (WHO) Regional Director for the Eastern
Mediterranean.
He voiced concern about the limited funding for the health sector,
which so far only received six per cent of its 2016 requirements.
Dr. Hussein Alawi, on his way to give free medical care to families
that can't make it to hospitals in Yemen. Intensive fighting and
bombing has cut off access to health care for many people across the
country. Photo: UNICEF/UNI187340/Alawi

Dr. Alwan also reminded all parties of their obligations under

international humanitarian law to facilitate humanitarian access to all
areas of Yemen, and respect the safety of health workers and health
facilities already working under extremely challenging conditions.
The health situation in Yemen had been challenging before the current conflict, but further deteriorated under the ongoing
violence which has forced one-quarter of all health facilities to shut down due to damages or shortages of staff, medicine or
other resources.
Some 19 million people lack access to clean water and sanitation, placing them at risk of infectious diseases such as dengue
fever, malaria and cholera, WHO cautioned.
In addition, more than 14 million Yemenis are in need of urgent health services, including more than 2 million acutely
malnourished children and pregnant or lactating women requiring treatment.
Calling the health needs in Yemen vast, Dr. Alwan highlighted some of the positive ways in which the UN agency and
partners have been able to reach people in need.
We sent life-saving medicines and supplies via boat when roads were blocked, and we transported safe water to health
facilities by animals due to lack of fuel, he said, noting that 450 tonnes of life-saving medicines and supplies were
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delivered, along with one million liters of fuel to hospitals and 20 million liters of water to health facilities and camps
hosting internally displaced persons.
The UN agency and partners were also able to provide mental health services through mobile medical teams and mobile
clinics. They also vaccinate some five million children under the age of five against polio and 2.4 million children under the
age of 15 against measles and rubella.

In Tunisia, Ban welcomes country's democratic progress

28 March While in Tunisia's capital today, Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon welcomed the country's democratic progress while
reaffirming the United Nations' support to its citizens and
Government.
[World Bank President] Kim and I are here to show our support to
Tunisia, where progress towards stability and prosperity are
advancing despite significant economic and security challenges, the
UN chief told reporters at a press conference in Tunis.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) meets with President Beji Caid

Essebsi of Tunisia, at the Presidential Palace in Carthage, Tunisia.
Photo: Dominic Chavez/World Bank

We've just met with his excellency President Beji Caid Essebsi. I
congratulated him for the democratic progress made in Tunisia. I also
lauded his efforts to reduce social and economic inequalities. I assured
him that the United Nations supports Tunisia's citizens and
Government at a time when the country is in transition, he added.

Mr. Ban noted that unemployment, especially among youth, is one of the biggest challenges affecting Tunisia. I am
impatient to hear young people tell me in person about their fears and the kind of help or support they need, indicated the
UN chief, who will be attending a national conference on employment tomorrow, organized by the Tunisian Prime Minister.
The United Nations I ready to continue its collaboration with the Government of Tunisia to build on programmes that
creates jobs and reduce inequalities, he stressed.
In addition to meeting the President, Mr. Ban and Mr. Kim are scheduled to meet Prime Minister Habib Essid, as well as the
President of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, Mohamed Ennaceur. Talks are expected to focus on
concrete proposals to generate economic results that benefit the Tunisian population, especially relating to job creation and
economic support.
At the press conference, the Secretary-General also expressed the global community's concern about the terrorist attacks that
recently targeted Tunisia.
The United Nations recognizes the impact of the situation in Libya on Tunisia, in particular on its economy and security.
We are working towards a political solution in Libya. This remains the only way to end the crisis and to stabilize both the
country and the region, he concluded.

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UN team sent to Central African Republic to investigate new

allegations of sexual exploitation
28 March The United Nations has reported that a delegation led by
the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative for the Central
African Republic visited Kemo prefecture to gather more information
on new allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as to
engage with local communities and authorities.
Delegation members included UN personnel from the conduct and
discipline team, the human rights unit, as well as representatives of
the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the Office of the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the UN Children's Fund
(UNICEF).
On Friday, the UN Mission in the Central African Republic
(MINUSCA) said it received new information of allegations of sexual
exploitation and abuse both by UN and non-UN forces and civilians in
the Kemo prefecture, said UN Spokesperson Stphane Dujarric, at a press briefing in New York today.

Blue helmets and uniforms of UN Peacekeepers. UN Photo/Marco

Dormino

These allegations reportedly refer to incidents that occurred in 2014 and 2015, he noted. The Mission said that its
primary concern was to ensure that victims have been assisted and all reports immediately investigated to ensure that any
perpetrator is appropriately sanctioned.
The integrated team will gather all available information and preserve evidence to the extent possible.
While more information from the Mission in expected in the next days, the Under-Secretary-General for the Department of
Peacekeeping Operations, Herv Ladsous, will be travelling to the country today to represent the Secretary-General at the
inauguration ceremony of the newly elected President, Faustin-Archange Touadera. The ceremony is expected to take place
on Wednesday.
During his visit, Mr. Ladsous will meet with the national authorities and discuss the political process as well as their views
on the country's relationship with the peacekeeping mission there, Mr. Dujarric informed reporters. He will also meet with
the mission's leadership as well as senior UN police and military commanders to address the issues of security, performance
and conduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse.

South-east Asia's children face 'double burden' of obesity and

undernutrition UN report
28 March A joint report released today by the United Nations
Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO)
and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has shed
new light on the nutrition situation of children across the region.
The report finds that several ASEAN countries are facing
simultaneous crises of over and undernutrition, with some children
overweight while their peers suffer from stunting and wasting.
This double burden of malnutrition is happening in middle income
countries such Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.
Family in Southeast Asia. Photo: UN OCHA

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Many countries in South-east Asia have seen impressive economic

gains in the last decade, lifting millions of children out of poverty,

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28 March 2016

said Christiane Rudert, Regional Nutrition Adviser for UNICEF East Asia and Pacific, in a press release.
However, at the same time we have seen the rise of conditions like obesity, previously associated with high income
countries. Asian children are now at risk of malnutrition from both ends of the spectrum, she added.
In Indonesia, the proportions are reportedly exactly the same: 12 per cent of children are overweight and 12 per cent are
wasted. In Thailand, child wasting and overweight are both on the rise: between 2006 and 2012, wasting increased from 5
per cent to 7 per cent, and overweight from 8 per cent to 11 per cent.
According to the findings, the causes of overweight and undernutrition are intertwined. A child whose growth was stunted in
early childhood is at greater risk of becoming overweight later in life. The risk for being overweight goes up with increased
access to junk food and drinks (those with high trans-fat or sugar content and low nutritional value), physical inactivity and
sedentary lifestyles. This is an increasing trend in many countries in the region, and contributes significantly to the growing
prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart conditions, the report highlights.
In addition to poverty, other contributing factors include traditional diets that lack nutritious foods, poor infant feeding
practices, inadequate clean water and sanitation, and farming a limited variety of crops. If children are stunted, this impacts
their development in other areas including health and education, affecting their chances in life.
The report finds that stunting prevalence is highest in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar, as well as in parts of Indonesia
and the Philippines.
Child malnutrition also has a significant impact on countries' economies, the study finds. It reduces parents' productivity and
creates a burden on health care systems. It can lead to non-communicable diseases, disability and even death, reducing the
potential workforce. The economic cost of non-communicable diseases in Indonesia much of which is diet-related is
estimated at $248 billion per year.
Meanwhile, UNICEF and the European Union recently completed a five-year partnership to tackle nutrition issues in five
Asian countries, including Indonesia, Lao PDR and the Philippines.
The objective of the partnership was to help governments develop a holistic approach to nutrition, looking beyond just the
health sector, Ms. Rudert said. For example, we worked to improve maternity leave for mothers, which is a labour issue,
and families' access to nutritious food sources an agriculture issue.

Pakistan: Ban strongly condemns Sunday suicide bombing in

Lahore
28 March United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has
strongly condemned the suicide bombing that targeted a park in
Pakistan on Sunday, killing at least 60 people and wounding over 100,
including many women and children.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr. Ban called for the
perpetrators of this appalling terrorist act, which took place at
Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park in Lahore, to be brought swiftly to justice,
consistent with human rights obligations.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. UN Photo/Amanda Voisard (file)

The UN chief urged the Government to do its utmost to put in place

protective measures to ensure the personal security of all individuals,
including religious minority communities living in the country.

Mr. Ban extended his heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families, and expressed his solidarity with the people
and Government of Pakistan.

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UN envoy welcomes Sudan's signing of action plan to end use

of child soldiers
28 March The United Nations envoy on children and armed conflict
has welcomed Sudan's signing of an action plan to prevent the
recruitment and use of children by national security forces as an
important milestone for child protection there.
The action plan sets out a series of measures to enhance the overall
protection of children affected by armed conflict, including the
cessation and prevention of child recruitment, and the release of
children from national security forces. The Sudanese Government also
committed to appoint a high-level focal point to coordinate the
implementation of the plan and to collaborate with the UN in
monitoring progress.
Parties sign Action Plan to end and prevent the recruitment and use
of children in national security forces in Khartoum, Sudan. Photo: UN
of for Children and Armed Conflict

With that signing yesterday, all seven countries whose national

security forces are listed by the UN Secretary-General for recruitment
and use of children have committed to the objective of Children,
Not Soldiers, a global campaign to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children by Government security forces in
conflict. The other six are Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen.
Twenty years after my mandate was created, governments around the world now agree that children should not be
associated with national security forces in conflict, said Leila Zerrougui, UN Special Representative for Children and
Armed Conflict in a press release .
The Action Plan signed today will bring about a more protected future for the country's children. I look forward to its full
implementation and reiterate my full support to the Sudanese authorities to reach this objective, she added.
Sudan's State Minister of Social Welfare Ibrahim Adam Ibrahim signed the action plan on behalf of the Government. We
will work to promote and protect children's rights in areas of armed conflict and displacement. We are also committed to
strengthen existing mechanisms that are included in the Child Act of 2010 and the Sudan Armed Forces law, he said.
Upon successful completion of all measures agreed to in the action plan, the Sudanese Government Security Forces will be
removed from the annexes of the Secretary-General's annual report on children and armed conflict. Chad completed the
requirements of its action plan and was delisted in July 2014.
In a joint declaration, the three co-chairs of the UN Country Task Force on monitoring and reporting pledged support for
Sudan. They are Bintou Keita, Deputy Joint Special Representative for the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur
(UNAMID); Marta Ruedas, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator; and Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Representative.

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In Baghdad, UN chief underlines extreme concern about

'enormous' challenges Iraq faces
26 March Visiting Iraq today for the eighth time as United Nations
Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon said he is impressed by the progress
made, particularly against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or
Da'esh, but warned that he remains extremely concerned about the
enormous challenges the country faces.
National reconciliation is an important part of the strategy to defeat
Da'esh, who have ruthlessly exploited divisions and targeted the
marginalized and disenfranchised, Mr. Ban said at a press
conference following a meeting with Iraq's Prime Minister Haider alAbadi, Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari and other government
representatives.
In Baghdad, (from left to right) the President of the Islamic
Development Bank, Ahmed Mohamed Ali Al-Madani, the United
Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, and the Prime Minister of
the Republic of Iraq, Haider Al-Abadi, arrive at a press conference.
26 March, 2016. UN Photo/Mark Garten

We have just held constructive talks [] on the security, political,

economic and social reforms, as well as humanitarian and human
rights situation in Iraq, he indicated.

The UN estimates that ten million people require some form of humanitarian assistance and 3.3 million are internally
displaced. Iraq is also among the most deadly countries in the world for civilians; last year, more than 7,500 people were
killed in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict.
Joined by the presidents of the World Bank Group and of the Islamic Development Bank, the UN chief said their visit is a
joint and combined demonstration of their support for the noble and at times difficult efforts of the Iraqi Government in
securing peace and stability through national reconciliation and socio-economic reforms.
I reiterate my call on Iraq's regional and international partners to lend their support to the Government and people of Iraq in
this fight. This support must be provided in full coordination and consultation with the Government of Iraq and with respect
for the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, he added.
Mr. Ban saluted the Iraqi people for their sacrifices, patience and resilience in the face of Da'esh's murderous campaign,
and offered them his sincere condolences for the countless lives lost. Yesterday, a terrorist attack in Iskanderiyeh, south of
Baghdad, targeted civilians who were playing in a football stadium.
That means these terrorists don't care where and when and whom. This is totally unacceptable and should be defeated in the
name of humanity, he warned, adding that Da'esh has subjected all Iraqis, but particularly minority communities, to
murder, abduction, rape and other sexual violence.
By destroying and looting property and places of religious and cultural significance, Da'esh are attempting to eradicate the
identity and unity of Iraq and its people. Some 3,500 women, mainly Yezidi, remain enslaved and subjected to horrific
violations on a daily basis, he reported.
Underlining that Iraq also faces enormous economic challengesincluding the falling price of oil, inefficiencies and
corruptionMr. Ban stated that the international community is ready to offer more support, but Iraqis themselves must
implement reforms that will put their country on the road to recovery. These reforms must include measures to empower
women and young people, and to bring [about] greater social cohesion, he insisted.
Meanwhile, in an address to Iraq's Council of Representatives, the Secretary-General highlighted how significant areas,
including Ramadi, have been liberated from the terrorist group.
The bravery of the Iraqi Security Forces, Peshmerga, Popular Mobilization Forces and tribal fighters is admirable. Da'esh is
losing its appeal to Iraq's communities, he declared.
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Mr. Ban also paid tribute to the Parliament for their part in stabilizing Iraq and building peace for the future. In the year
since my last visit, you have endorsed the important budget law for 2016 and other important legislation, he said.
He called on the political leaders to continue their efforts towards a single, unified vision to advance national reconciliation,
and urged them to base their response to Da'esh, and all other security operations, firmly on international law, particularly
human rights and humanitarian law.
He also reminded the Members of the Council that the United Nations and the World Bank are their partners in addressing
human development needs, including healthcare and education.
In a separate meeting with the President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Massoud Barzani, and the Prime Minister of the
Kurdistan Regional Government, Nechirvan Barzani, the UN chief expressed his appreciation for the generous support that
the Kurdistan Regional Government has provided to more than one million displaced Iraqis, and to the several hundred
thousand refugees from Syria.
He called on the Kurdistan Regional Government to do everything possible to ensure the safety and dignity of civilians
caught in conflict, and to encourage the voluntary and safe return of internally displaced persons to their homes while
preventing the rise of intercommunal tensions in liberated areas.

UN chief visits Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, meets Middle

Eastern leaders in capital
27 March United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
continued his trip to the Middle East today with a visit to Jordan
alongside World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, where they met with
refugees from the Zaatari camp, as well as with senior government
officials from Palestine, Turkey and Jordan, including King Abdullah
II.
I was here at the beginning of the establishment of Zaatari camp and
I saw a lot of difference: first of all, much more people, unfortunately,
are there without being able to return, Mr. Ban told reporters at a
press conference about his second visit to the camp since it opened in
2012.
In Jordans Zaatari camp, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks
with young refugees. 27 March, 2016. UN Photo/Mark Garten

I saw lots of activities, signs of life. I could find everything which

you may have in the centre of Amman city. Even a theatre was there,
not to mention shopping centres and restaurants and sports centres. However nice all those facilities may be, it is not the
same as what they could enjoy home in Syria, he added.

The Secretary-General's activities also included an open dialogue with youth in the capital, Amman, at the University of
Jordan. He said thanks to its strong institutions, he is confident the country will continue to play a principled role in the
region and the world.
Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the leaders of today. And you are part of the biggest generation
of young people in history, he told them.
In meetings earlier today, Mr. Ban expressed his appreciation to Jordan for hosting Syrian refugees, and applauded the
increased support by the international community to the countries most impacted by the Syrian crisis.
An international conference was recently convened in London by the UN, the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway and
Kuwait, where $5.5 billion in funding was mobilized for this year. Mr. Ban said it was the most successful one but
believes the global community needs to do much more.

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That is why we are going to convene this World Humanitarian Summit, which will be the first-ever in the history of the
United Nations, to discuss and to bring out some predictable sustainable framework to provide humanitarian assistance to
more than 120 million people around the world, including Syrian refugees, including many helpless, defenseless people
around the world, he underlined, referring to the upcoming meeting on 23 and 24 May in Istanbul.
In addition, he commended the Jordanian Government for launching the Jordan 2025 development strategy, based on the

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Secretary-General and King Abdullah II also discussed the Middle East Peace Process, stressing the importance of a
return to negotiations for a two-State solution. The Secretary-General thanked Jordan for its important role as custodian of
the Jerusalem holy sites, the readout further indicated.
Meanwhile, in a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the UN chief reiterated his deep concern over the
ongoing violence and the need for both sides to diffuse tensions.
The Secretary-General further underscored the need for making progress on Palestinian unity and for greater leadership on
the Gaza reconstruction. They also discussed the Middle East Peace Process, including the role of the Quartet, said the
readout.
Later with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, the UN chief commended Turkey for hosting Syrian refugees and
took note of its recent framework agreement with the European Union in this regard.

Major milestones reached on renewable energy investments,

UN reports
25 March Coal and gas-fired electricity generation last year drew
less than half the record investment made in solar, wind and other
renewables capacity - one of several important firsts for green energy
recently announced in a United Nations-backed report.
"Renewables are becoming ever more central to our low-carbon
lifestyles, and the record-setting investments in 2015 are further proof
of this trend, said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner in a
press release. Importantly, for the first time in 2015, renewables in
investments were higher in developing countries than developed."

Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2016, the

10th edition of the annual publication issued by the UN Environment
Programme (UNEP), says the annual global investment in new
renewables capacity, at $266 billion, was more than double the estimated $130 billion invested in coal and gas power
stations in 2015.

Village shop at dusk in Sri Lanka lit by solar panels. Photo: World
Bank/Dominic Sansoni

The report, launched today by the Frankfurt School-UNEP Collaborating Centre for Climate & Sustainable Energy Finance
and Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), highlights that all investments in renewables, including early-stage
technology and research and development as well as spending on new capacity, totalled $286 billion in 2015, some three per
cent higher than the previous record in 2011. Since 2004, the world has invested $2.3 trillion in renewable energy
(unadjusted for inflation).
Just as significantly, developing world investments in renewables topped those of developed nations for the first time in
2015, the report indicates.
Helped by further falls in generating costs per megawatt-hour, particularly in solar photovoltaics, renewables excluding
large hydro made up 54 per cent of added gigawatt capacity of all technologies last year. It marks the first time new installed
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renewables have topped the capacity added from all conventional technologies.
The 134 gigawatts (GW) of renewable power added worldwide in 2015 compares to 106GW in 2014 and 87GW in 2013.
Were it not for renewables excluding large hydro, annual global CO2emissions would have been an estimated 1.5
gigatonnes higher in 2015.
"Access to clean, modern energy is of enormous value for all societies, but especially so in regions where reliable energy
can offer profound improvements in quality of life, economic development and environmental sustainability. Continued and
increased investment in renewables is not only good for people and planet, but will be a key element in achieving
international targets on climate change and sustainable development," said Mr. Steiner.
"By adopting the Sustainable Development Goals last year, the world pledged to end poverty, promote sustainable
development, and to ensure healthier lives and access to affordable, sustainable, clean energy for all. Continued and
increased investment in renewables will be a significant part of delivering on that promise," he added.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Advisory Board at BNEF, Michael Liebreich, said global investment in renewables
capacity hit a new record in 2015, far outpacing that in fossil fuel generating capacity despite falling oil, gas and coal prices.
It has broadened out to a wider and wider array of developing countries, helped by sharply reduced costs and by the
benefits of local power production over reliance on imported commodities," he noted.
As in previous years, the report shows the 2015 renewable energy market was dominated by solar photovoltaics and wind,
which together added 118GW in generating capacity, far above the previous record of 94GW set in 2014. Wind added
62GW and photovoltaics 56GW. More modest amounts were provided by biomass and waste-to-power, geothermal, solar
thermal and small hydro.
In 2015, more attention was drawn to battery storage as an adjunct to solar and wind projects and to small-scale PV systems.
UNEP highlighted that energy storage is of significant importance as it is one way of providing fast-responding balancing to
the grid, whether to deal with demand spikes or variable renewable power generation from wind and solar. Last year, some
250MW of utility-scale electricity storage (excluding pumped hydro and lead-acid batteries) was installed worldwide, up
from 160MW in 2014.

UN Commission on the Status of Women ends with agreement

on foundations to accelerate action
25 March The 60th session of the United Nations
Commission on the Status of Women concluded today with UN
Member States committing to gender-responsive actions with
stronger laws, policies and institutions, better data and scaled-up
financing.
According to UN Women the UN entity tasked with promoting
gender rights the Commission recognized womens vital role as
agents of development. It acknowledged that progress on the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the heart of 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development will not be possible
without gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

International Women's Day celebration at the Nyakuron Cultural

Centre in Juba, South Sudan. 8 March 2016. UN Photo/JC McIlwaine

UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka welcomed

the agreement and the commitment of UN Member States to make the 2030 Agenda a reality in countries around the world.
Countries gave gender inequality an expiry date: 2030. Now it is time to get to work. These agreed conclusions entrench
and start the implementation of a gender-responsive agenda 2030 with which we have the best possibility to leave no one
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behind, Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka said in a press release.

UN Women reports that a growing global commitment was already in evidence with a record number of more than 80
government ministers from around the world attending the Commission. Around 4,100 non-governmental representatives
from more than 540 organizations participated as well, the highest number ever for one of the Commissions regular annual
meetings.
The agreed conclusions urge a comprehensive approach to implementing all 17 SDGs through thorough integration of
gender perspectives across all government policies and programmes. Eliminating all forms of gender-based discrimination
depends on effective laws and policies and the removal of any statutes still permitting discrimination, UN Women stressed,
adding that temporary special measures may be required to guarantee that women and girls can obtain justice for human
rights violations.
The Commission also endorsed significantly increased investment to close resource gaps for achieving gender equality and
the empowerment of all women and girls. Funds should be mobilized from all sources, domestic and international, ranging
from fulfilling official development assistance commitments to combatting illicit financial flows that shortchange public
resources for gender equality.
With humanitarian crises and other emergencies disproportionately affecting women and girls, the Commission underlined
the imperative of empowering women in leadership and decision-making in all aspects of responding to and recovering from
crisis. On the eve of the World Humanitarian Summit, it stressed prioritizing womens and girls needs in humanitarian
action and upholding their rights in all emergency situations.
Members of the Commission further united behind ensuring womens equal participation in leadership at all levels of
decision-making in the public and private spheres, encompassing governments, businesses and other institutions, and across
all areas of sustainable development. Depending on different circumstances, this may involve establishing temporary special
measures, setting and achieving concrete benchmarks and removing barriers to womens participation.
Given the major contributions to Agenda 2030 of civil society, including womens and community-based organizations,
feminist groups, human rights defenders and girls and youth-led organizations, the Commission welcomed open
engagement and cooperation with them in gender-responsive implementation. It emphasized fully engaging with men and
boys as agents of change and allies in the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls.
To guide systematic progress towards gender equality and womens empowerment throughout the 2030 Agenda, the
Commission also stressed enhanced national statistical capacity and the systematic design, collection and sharing of highquality, reliable and timely data disaggregated by sex, age and income. Members also agreed to bolster the role of national
mechanisms for women and girls in championing their equality and empowerment.

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On International Day, Ban calls to bring all perpetrators of

heinous crimes to justice
25 March On the International Day of Solidarity with
Detained and Missing Staff, United Nations Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon today urged for intensified efforts to bring all
perpetrators of heinous crimes to justice, and to end impunity.
Last month, we received the tragic confirmation of the killing of our
colleague Amer al-Kaissy in Iraq some nine months after he had been
abducted, Mr. Ban said in a message. I repeat my condemnation of
this despicable murder and my call on the Iraqi authorities to bring the
perpetrators to justice.
Last year, six United Nations personnel were abducted and held
hostage by non-State actors before being released. Twenty United
Nations civilian personnel remain in detention, and five personnel are
held by Member States without any reasons given for the arrests.

The UN flag flies at half-mast at the Organizations Headquarters in

New York, in memory of fallen colleagues who lost their lives in the
conflict in Gaza. UN Photo/Mark Garten

This unacceptable silence jeopardizes the individuals concerned while undermining the larger mission of the United
Nations. Personnel, especially those deployed under dangerous conditions, deserve full protection and rights. Some are local
staff striving to advance progress in their own countries. Others are far from their respective homes and families. All
represent the best of the United Nations, the UN chief stressed.
He called on all parties to respect the rights, privileges and immunities of United Nations personnel, and reminded national
authorities of their responsibility for protecting all UN personnel and preventing violations against them.
All States must also support the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel as well as the
2005 Optional Protocol to the Convention, which extends legal protection to other humanitarian workers, Mr. Ban added.
Among the many who were affected by the death of Mr. al-Kaissy, one friend wrote in tribute a pledge to carry on his vital
work. This moving response testifies to the tenacity and commitment of United Nations staff, who deserve full protection as
they strive to fulfil our mission to foster development, peace and human rights around the world, he concluded.

On slavery remembrance day, UN chief shines a light on African

diaspora's legacy
25 March United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today
highlighted the African diaspora's contributions to society, including
culture, medicine, science and spirituality, as the global community
gathered to honour the millions of Africans forcibly exploited by
slavery.
The dynamic culture and traditions of Africa continue to enrich life
in the countries that were once involved in the transatlantic slave
trade, he said in his annual message on the International Day of
Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave
Trade.
On 25 March every year since 2007, the UN observes the
International Day as a tribute to the more than 15 million men,
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Shackles used to bind slaves. UN Photo/Mark Garten

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women, and children who suffered and died during the more than 400-year transatlantic slave trade, the largest forced
migration in history.
This year's theme is Remember Slavery: Celebrating the Heritage and Culture of the African Diaspora and its Roots.
Africa's influence and legacy are plain to see in the vibrant music, bold art, rich foods and inspiring literature that infuse
modern culture, the UN chief said Less recognized, perhaps, are the contributions that the people of the African diaspora
have made to medicine, science, government and general leadership in society.
Tested to the limits of their spirit and endurance, slaves from Africa left their descendants a wide range of invaluable assets,
including fortitude, courage, strength, tolerance, patience and compassion, Mr Ban added.
The Day also shines a spotlight on prevailing racism and prejudice today.
It is imperative that we work together for equal opportunity, justice and sustainable development for people of African
descent, he stressed, explaining why the UN Remember Slavery Programme is reaching out to young and old alike to
create awareness, promote understanding and change attitudes.

In Lebanon, UN chief and World Bank President show

commitment to leaving 'no one behind'
25 March While in Lebanon today, United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon and World Bank Group President Jim Yong
Kim underlined the UN system's commitment to the country, calling
for additional funds for a refugee camp, inaugurating a new social
development centre, and announcing a new financing plan for
Lebanese schools.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre) and his wife Yoo Soon-taek

(behind, left) stand among a group of children from a Lebanese family
living in the Hay el Tanak settlement in Tripoli, Lebanon. 25 March
2016. UN Photo/Mark Garten

During a visit to the Nahr El-Bared camp in northern Lebanon, which

was reduced to rubble when fighting erupted in May 2007 between
the radical group Fatah al Islam and the Lebanese Army, the UN chief
highlighted that its reconstruction has been a top priority since
beginning his tenure that same year. Many of the 31,000 Palestine
refugees living there had to flee their homes.

Now after nine years, well, I'm seeing that almost half of the
reconstruction has been made, but still there are so many people
waiting to return to their homes, Mr. Ban told reporters in Tripoli. I just met some family members, the lady was crying, I
tried to sympathize and console her, but no words can satisfy her, and no words [are enough].
An international conference was recently convened in London by the UN, the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway and
Kuwait. They were able to mobilize a significant amount of fundingmore than $5.5 billion for this year. Mr. Ban said
some of these pledges will support the Nahr El-Bared camp reconstruction.
We have about 45 per cent of funding down, he indicated. I am urging the international community to provide remaining
funding, at least $200 million, so that these people can return. It has been too long overdue, it's been over nine years.
He added that supporting these refugees will be one of the top priorities at the upcoming World Humanitarian Summit,
taking place in Istanbul in May. The main thing is that nobody should be left behind, everybody should work together and
the people who are suffering should not be left alone, he stressed.
On Friday, the Secretary-General also partook in an inauguration ceremony for the new Qobbeh Social Development Centre
in northern Lebanon.

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Speaking to the press, he said he is happy to see that the UN system and its partners are working closely with community
leaders to provide people with education, vocational training, sanitation support and some psychological support.
[The centre] also provides an opportunity when people are suffering from deprivation, lack of opportunities, no education,
when they are isolated or left behind, Mr. Ban added. The UN, through its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development, [is pursuing the same goal]: the main thing is to have everybody on board, nobody should be left behind.
The Centre is also expected to provide support to adolescent boys and girls who are exposed to sexual gender-based
violence.
Meanwhile, the heads of the World Bank Group and the Islamic Development Bank were also in attendance, showing their
commitment to helping to provide quality education and job opportunities.
In his remarks, World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said the institution has been a long-standing partner of the
Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs, and is proud to have been supporting the National Poverty Targeting Program, which
has been operating since 2009.
We have helped scale up the program to help lessen the impact of the Syrian refugees on Lebanese families, and to help
reduce tensions between the refugees and host communities, said Mr. Kim.
He also announced a major new $100 million initiative aimed at supporting the Government of Lebanon's plan to improve
the quality of its education and to get all Lebanese and Syrian refugee children in schools by the end of the 2016-2017
school year.
The new financing was reportedly made possible thanks to a highly unusual decision by the Bank's Board of Directors to
offer Lebanon financing terms that had been reserved only for low-income countries.
We will not stand by when there's a danger of a lost generation of Syrian children as well as the potential for a reversal of
Lebanon's achievements in education, said Mr. Kim. We are here today to express solidarity and support to Lebanon as it
copes with the impact of the Syria crisis.
Later at a press conference in Beirut, the UN chief said important meetings on a range of subjects were held with Prime
Minister Salam and Speaker Berri, and the Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Samir Mokbel. He also met with
His Beatitude Patriarch Rai.

The UN Daily News is prepared at UN Headquarters in New York by the News Services Section
of the News and Media Division, Department of Public Information (DPI)