Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 24 November 2020
UNIC Pakistan
24 November 2020
________________
ITC
PRESS RELEASE
Balochistan Regulatory Reform Committee holds first meeting
Quetta, November 23, 2020: The first meeting of the Balochistan Regulatory Reform Committee (BRRC) was held today in Quetta. Formed with the support and technical assistance of the International Trade Centre (ITC) under the European Union funded Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP) project, the Planning and Development Department notified the constitution of Balochistan Regulatory Reform Committee (BRRC) on 8th September 2020.
Mr. Ghulam Farooq, Secretary Planning and Development Department, chaired the meeting attended by BRRC members, which included representatives from key provincial government departments, private sector organizations and academia. Secretary Livestock Mr. Tayyab Lahry expressed his interest in the project, and gave his valuable inputs on ways the committee could be mutually beneficial to the GRASP, government institutions, and SME’s in the province. Mr. Dawood Bazai, DG Small Industries, Mr. Imran, Additional Secretary Agriculture, representatives from Women Development Department, ITC GRASP staff and other key stakeholders from the agriculture and development sector also joined the event.
GRASP Deputy Coordinator Mr. Owais Khattak gave a detailed overview of the functions and purpose of BRRC. He explained that the objective of the BRRC is to advance policy dialogue among public sector, private sector and academia to take a holistic view of the regulatory environment and build consensus among the stakeholders for new laws and policies. Inter-Departmental coordination realized through BRRC will ensure that different laws and policies developed by different Departments of the government are mutually supportive.
Mr. Ghulam Farooq, Secretary Planning and Development Department while concluding the session acknowledged the efforts of all stakeholders and stated that establishment of this forum is a significant step for policy coherence. All key stakeholders are required to work in close liaison in regulatory reforms to address common challenges in the area of policy design and its implementation. A conducive regulatory regime and effective implementation of business-friendly policies are important prerequisites for the growth and sustainability of MSMEs and the competitiveness of the value chains, added Mr. Jahanzeb Khan, GRASP lead for Balochistan.
GRASP is a six-year project designed to reduce poverty in Pakistan by strengthening small-scale agribusinesses in Balochistan and Sindh, and is implemented with active participation from local partners. It will help small and medium-sized enterprises in horticulture and livestock become more competitive by making improvements at all levels of the value chain.
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UNHCR
PRESS RELEASE
EU provides €10 million support for refugees and Pakistanis impacted by COVID-19
Assistance will help UNHCR mitigate short-term and medium-term impact of COVID-19 pandemic on refugees and Pakistani host communities
ISLAMABAD, 24 November 2020: The European Union (EU) is providing €10 million to significantly boost UNHCR’s assistance for Afghan refugees and their host communities in Pakistan. The funding will focus on mitigating the short and medium-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With this funding, UNHCR will expand its health response as well as improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in refugee and host communities. Another important component of the new project will be implementing activities that help protect and empower vulnerable Afghan refugees and host communities, including through livelihood opportunities.
The three-year project will be implemented across the country and is expected to benefit some 370,000 Afghan refugees and Pakistani host communities.
The Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Pakistan, H.E. Ms. Androulla Kaminara, and UNHCR’s Representative in Pakistan, Ms. Noriko Yoshida, signed the agreement at a ceremony on Monday.
The agreement coincides with the quadrennial Afghanistan Conference held in Geneva, which is intended to present an important opportunity for the Afghan Government and the international community to commit to common objectives for promoting sustainable development, prosperity and peace in Afghanistan.
At the signing ceremony, Ms. Kaminara said: “As the world faces a second surge of COVID-19, it is clearer than ever that we must assist the most vulnerable and the most in need. We are glad to partner with UNHCR in assisting the Afghan refugee community, which is generously hosted in Pakistan, as well as the Pakistani host communities.”
Placing the support for refugees in a larger political context, the Ambassador underlined: “The European Union has reaffirmed its strong support to an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process which ultimately would ensure safety, fundamental rights and prosperity for all Afghans and allow refugees to return to their homeland in safety and dignity.”
The UNHCR Representative in Pakistan, Ms. Yoshida, welcomed the EU’s contribution and said such support amid the current COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the EU’s commitment to “leaving no one behind”. “This support is truly significant. At a time when it is most urgently needed, the EU will help make a difference in the lives of so many refugees and Pakistani host communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.
She said that UNHCR’s overall emergency response is in support of efforts by the Government of Pakistan to prevent and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. She added that UNHCR has been advocating for the inclusion of refugees in the Government’s COVID-19 Prevention and Response Plan.
Since July 2018, the EU has contributed €37 million from its development budget and €10 million from its humanitarian resources to support Afghan refugees and their host communities, in particular through UNHCR’s regional programmes.
In May 2020, the EU announced a €150 million package to support Pakistan’s efforts in addressing the short-term and long-term public health and socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including this new funding of €10 million for UNHCR. This funding will be channelled towards three sectors: health, WASH and social protection.
In the health sector, it will boost health initiatives by helping to provide personal protective equipment, medical supplies and other relief items to health facilities in support of refugees and host communities. Community outreach on the prevention and response to COVID-19 will also be strengthened.
In the WASH sector, the EU’s contribution will help enable UNHCR to upgrade or construct facilities such as toilets, handwash basins and water pumps in schools, health centres and communal facilities in or close to refugee villages – benefitting both refugees and Pakistanis.
In terms of social protection, the assistance will contribute to UNHCR’s emergency cash programme for the most vulnerable registered Afghan refugees in Pakistan. The one-time cash assistance mitigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by helping refugees meet their basic needs.
In addition, the project – covering a three-year period – aims to support the COVID-19 recovery through medium-term interventions, such as income-generating activities and technical and vocational skills training. This will ultimately help provide new skill sets to both refugees and their host communities.
ENDS
Media contact
Qaiser Khan Afridi, UNHCR Spokesperson - +92 300 5018696 - afr...@unhcr.org
Saad Yusuf Mustafa, EU Press Information Officer - +92 0300 1101801,
Photo caption:
The UNHCR Representative in Pakistan, Ms. Noriko Yoshida and the Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Pakistan, H.E. Ms. Androulla Kaminara, signing an agreement in Islamabad. © The EU Delegation to Pakistan
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UNICEF
MEDIA ADVISORY
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is hosting a webinar to commemorate the World Prematurity Day 2020 - Together for Babies Born Too Soon
Dr. Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, will be the Guest of Honour.
Other eminent speakers include:
Dr. Nausheen Hamid, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of National
Health Services R&C
Ms. Aida Girma, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan
Prof. Dr. Khawaja A. Irfan Waheed, Head of Neonatology Children’s Hospital
Lahore
Prof. Dr. Syeda Batool Mazhar, Head of Gynaecology and Paediatrics, PIMS
Islamabad
Prof. Dr. Rubina Sohail, Head of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, SIMS Lahore
Media representatives are cordially invited to join the webinar on-line.
Date: November 25, 2020
Time: 12 pm - Islamabad
Link: https://unicef.zoom.us/j/94294621371?pwd=UzFVY1FJY2tXSk52dk83UU1UREZIQT09
Passcode: Passcode:
251120
For
further information, please contact:
A. Sami Malik, UNICEF
Email: asm...@unicef.org
Phone: 03008556654
UNIC Pakistan
24 November 2020
________________
UN Women
STATEMENT
Statement by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Women Executive Director, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
With the will, there’s a way to end violence against women
25 November 2020
We’ve seen the close connection between the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in reported violence of all kinds. We called it the Shadow Pandemic.
We have also seen the difference between the way that our societies and our
public services respond to citizens who present with a life-threatening
illness, and those who come for help with a life- or health- threatening
partner.
We have seen the whole world respond to the coronavirus pandemic, with all hands on deck, with responsive investment and protocols backed by determination. Every continent has recognized the health pandemic’s disastrous consequences and the need to stop it in its tracks. Men’s violence against women is also a pandemic – one that pre-dates the virus and will outlive it. It too needs our global, coordinated response and enforceable protocols. It too affects vast populations of all ages. Last year alone, 243 million women and girls experienced sexual or physical violence from their partner. This year, reports of increased domestic violence, cyberbullying, child marriages, sexual harassment and sexual violence have flooded in.
If you take a test to see if you have a coronavirus infection, no one asks you what you were wearing when you caught it, or if you’d been drinking. You can expect with certainty that your test will be laboratory processed, and with reasonable probability that you will get medical attention. The response won’t depend on whether you are believed. You won’t feel such shame that you probably won’t even try to go to the authorities. You can expect care and support.
If only ending men’s violence against women was as simple as vaccinating
against it. If only responding to it was as well funded as our response to the
virus and its impacts on our societies and economies. Imagine if we invested
the same amount of expertise and energy in finding a sustainable, global
solution. If all leaders including heads of state dropped everything to
lead the fight, if front-line workers like prosecutors, judges and policemen
worked to save lives of women and girls as the health workers have done,
and if ministers of finance allocated funds and provided forensic laboratories
and rape kits like they provided personal protective equipment (PPE) and
testing services. Imagine if everyone did this until we flattened the curve of
violence against women. Imagine the impact.
We are at the beginning of a promising response that could be expanded
to be proportionate to the challenge. Already 146 countries have
undertaken measures to make the prevention and redress of violence against
women and girls a key part of their national response plans for COVID- 19 in
response to the UN Secretary-General’s call for ‘peace
in the home’ and as a key part of the UN’s next decade of action. But it is
not yet at the heart of agendas, and change is not yet at the scale required.
The collaboration between scientists, governments, civil society and industry has been a game changer in the COVID-19 pandemic. That, and more, is the scale and nature of the collaboration needed to end violence against women and girls, across all sectors, and at societal, community, family and individual levels. The Generation Equality Forum and its multi-stakeholder Action Coalitions reflect this consistent, holistic approach with a five-year plan to engage on change that is systematic and lasting.
Civil society is a key partner in this. To play its role fully, it must be flexibly resourced and the funding cuts limiting women’s organizations, crisis centres, helplines and shelters reversed. The EU-UN Spotlight Initiative is leading the way on this – and others need to join in order to build the response that will truly make a difference. Women are currently being failed by their elected representatives, and under-capacitated nongovernmental organizations are unable to fill the void. Every country’s fiscal stimulus packages should include provisions for ending violence against women, and for well-funded social services – crucially including sexual and reproductive health provisions – that support survivors and enable recovery.
Women must have full access to justice, with reliable prosecution of perpetrators of violence and effective prevention of these crimes. One of the reasons that women report less than 40 per cent of serious violent crimes against them or seek help of any sort, is their lack of faith in the system’s response. The turn-around starts with law schools and police academies that teach their cohorts to recognize and respond to abuse and be alert to discrimination. It means ending impunity, with strong legal and policy frameworks, and data to monitor progress and help us hold ourselves and authorities to account.
Equally important are the cultural changes that help prevent violence against women and girls in the first place. For this, we have to shift the stereotypes and attitudes that shame survivors and normalize and excuse the perpetrators. And we must engage allies in this, including men and boys. After all, while a virus is indiscriminate, a man or boy can choose not to be violent and society can guide him not to be violent and hold him accountable if he is.
All these interventions must occur concurrently, continuously, in
collaboration, and at scale to succeed.
The economics
of violence are simple and devastating. No one gains. Everyone
loses, and we have to turn this around. As we face COVID-19’s devastation,
there has never been a more important moment to resolve to put our combined resources
and commitment behind the biggest issues, and to end violence against women and
girls, for good. We know what it takes to fight a pandemic. Now we need
the will to do it, and with Generation Equality, lead the way.
***
UN Women
PRESS RELEASE
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
As impact of COVID-19 intensifies, UN Women calls for concrete actions to respond to the concurrent shadow pandemic
Galvanizes partners to fund organizations, respond to survivors’ needs, prevent violence and collect data to build a post-pandemic “new normal” as the 16 days of Activism campaign kicks off
New York, November 25 – As the COVID-19 pandemic and a prevailing culture of impunity threatens progress achieved on gender equality and ending violence against women and girls, UN Women is calling for robust and decisive action in response to this unprecedented crisis on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. In the run up to the 2021 Generation Equality Forum – where global actors will step up to make bold new commitments to eradicate violence against women – governments, civil society, youth, influencers and the private sector will lend their voices for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global mobilization campaign that runs from today until 10 December. Together, they will demand a reset and to build a “new normal” that delivers a future without violence for all women and girls.
Even before COVID-19, violence against women was one of the most widespread violations of human rights, with almost 18 per cent of women and girls experiencing physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner over a 12-month period. As the pandemic raged on, an alarming upsurge of the “shadow pandemic” of violence against women became evident, with increased rates of reporting on domestic violence, as well as in the streets, online and in a variety of settings. Calls to helplines increased up to five-fold in some countries during the first weeks of the coronavirus outbreak – while in others, they decreased given the inability of women to seek help through the regular channels, while sheltered in place with their perpetrators. Projections show that for every three months the lockdown continues, an additional 15 million women are expected to be affected by violence.
“We have seen the whole world respond to the coronavirus pandemic, with all hands on deck, and with responsive investment and protocols backed by determination. Violence against women is also a pandemic – one that pre-dates the virus and will outlive it. As we face COVID-19’s devastation, there has never been a more important moment to resolve to put our combined resources and commitment behind the biggest issues, and to end violence against women and girls, for good,” said UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
In response to a “cease-fire at home” called by the UN Secretary-General earlier this year, almost 150 countries agreed to make ending violence against women and girls a key part of their response plans for COVID-19. Many have followed through with stronger essential services, such as shelters, helplines and other reporting mechanisms. Yet, only 48 countries, less than a quarter of the 206 analysed in a recent study, treated violence against women and girls-related services as an integral part of their national and local COVID-19 response plans, with very few adequately funding these measures.
Addressing the pervasive under-resourcing of this critical issue, UN Women has convened the Action Coalition on Gender-based Violence, an innovative partnership of governments, civil society, youth leaders, private sector and philanthropies to develop a bold agenda of catalytic actions and leverage funding to eradicate violence against women. These bold actions and investments will be announced at the Generation Equality Forum in 2021, in Mexico and France, along with those of other five Generation Equality Action Coalitions.
Orange the World: Fund, Prevent, Respond, Collect!
The 16 Days of Activism, which is powered by grassroots organizations globally, is an opportunity to leverage the renewed sense of urgency COVID-19 has created and propel concrete action against gender-based violence. In the lead up to the International Day commemoration, UN Women has appealed to Member States to make concrete, tangible commitments during the 16 Days of Activism.
This year’s theme, “Orange the World: Fund, Prevent, Respond, Collect!”, announced by the UNiTE campaign, bolsters the UN Secretary-General’s appeal and UN system-wide rapid response to the alarming surge in violence against women and girls seen this year.
“Together, we must tackle male violence that affects and damages everyone – families and communities, societies and economies – and holds back all our efforts for peace and security, human rights and sustainable development. We need to increase accountability and question attitudes and approaches that enable violence. And we must provide resources for women’s civil society organizations on the front lines," said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
In that vein, this year’s campaign urges all governments and partners to accelerate concrete policy responses within four areas:
o FUND essential services on gender-based violence and women’s organizations working on the issue in all COVID-19 response efforts
o PREVENT gender-based violence though mobilization campaigns and a zero-tolerance policy
o RESPOND to survivors’ needs for services like hotlines, shelters and justice response, even during lockdowns
o COLLECT data to improve services, programmes and policies
Addressing gender-based violence in humanitarian contexts
Signaling the increasing needs for financial resources to address this, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today announced a contribution of USD 8 million to UN Women to fight gender-based violence in emergency contexts.
This new allocation, from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) will provide much needed boost to help local women-led and women's organizations working in humanitarian emergencies to prevent gender-based violence, to facilitate access to justice, and to provide survivor-centred services to women and adolescent girls. It will also support women, including survivors of violence, to develop and lead transitional justice processes (i.e. measures to redress legacies of massive human rights abuse), at the local and national level. The funding will be channeled into two year-programmes in five countries where interventions specific to women’s needs are currently underfunded.
Around the world
The UN official commemoration of the International Day will take place for the first time in a virtual format and will be an opportunity for Member States to strengthen and advance their commitments to end violence against women and girls. The event will count on the participation of the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, representatives from UN Member States, Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Under-Secretary-General and UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem. UN Women Goodwill Ambassadors Nicole Kidman and Cindy Bishop; SDG Advocate, UNODC Goodwill Ambassador and Nobel Peace Prize, Nadia Murad; and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee and Founder of Rise, Amanda Nguyen, among others, will participate via video.
As in previous years, iconic buildings and monuments all over the world will be lit in orange to call for a brighter future where women and girls can live free from violence, including the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx in Egypt; the Moai statues in Eastern Island, Chile; the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova; the Kuwait Towers; and the Brussels Town Hall in Belgium. In the Netherlands, over 200 municipalities will be lighted up in orange in solidarity with survivors and to mark the 16 Days of Activism.
Hundreds of events around the world will also shine a light on this shadow pandemic, including a TV-show style event in Thailand focused on leaders’ commitments to end gender-based violence during COVID-19; and a series of discussions, debates, art exhibitions in universities in Jordan on the role of men and youth in combating violence against women. In Bonn, Germany, there will be a feminist tour in which participants can discover a new side of the city’s past and present, learn about famous daughters of the city and about feminism, using GPS coordinates.
A human chain in Bangladesh; an online flash-mob with popular young video bloggers in Tajikistan; a video competition addressing violence against women migrant workers and trafficking in Indonesia; a training on self-defense to service providers and women's organizations in Albania; and a high-level virtual event in Panama with representatives from Member States in the region, are also among the many events planned during the 16 Days.
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For interview requests, please contact media...@unwomen.org.
Share UN Women’s stickers and GIFs on social media and use the Instagram filter to take a stand against gender-based violence, using the hashtags #orangetheworld, #GenerationEquality and #16days, and follow the conversation @UN_Women and @SayNO_UNiTE on Twitter. More content available in this social media package.
UN Women handed over the mic to survivors and those on the front lines. To read the personal testimonies, stories and multimedia content,
visit: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/end-violence-against-women.
UNIC Pakistan
25 November 2020
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United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
--
MESSAGE ON THE
INTERNATIONAL DAY
FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
25 November 2020
Violence against women and girls is a global human rights challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed this issue as a global emergency requiring urgent action at all levels, in all spaces and by all people. The social and economic fallout from the pandemic is disproportionately pushing women and girls into poverty, and the risk of violence against them is rising.
In April this year, I urged the international community to work to end the shadow pandemic of gender-based violence once and for all. I reiterate and relaunch that appeal today.
The global community needs to hear the voices and experiences of women and girls and take into account their needs, especially survivors and those who face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. We must also prioritize women’s leadership in finding solutions and engage men in the struggle.
Action must involve predictable and flexible funding for women’s rights organizations, who so often act as first responders during crises. It is critical that services for survivors of violence remain open, with adequate resources and measures in place to support health, social and justice responses.
These measures should not only focus on intervening once violence against women has occurred. They should work to prevent violence occurring in the first place, including through addressing social norms and power imbalances, and police and judicial systems need to increase accountability for perpetrators and end impunity.
On this international day, let us redouble our efforts to eradicate gender-based violence forever.
UNIC Pakistan
25 November 2020
________________
UNDP
PRESS RELEASE
Second Provincial Project steering committee held to review the progress of UNDP’s Scaling up of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Risk Reduction in Northern Pakistan (GLOF-II) Project
Islamabad, November 24, 2020— UNDP in Pakistan held the second Provincial Project Steering Committee (PPSC) for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to review the progress of the Scaling up of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Risk Reduction in Northern Pakistan (GLOF-II) Project. Chaired by Nauman Afridi, Chief Economist, Planning and Development Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the agenda of the meeting was to review the progress of the Annual Work Plan (AWP) 2020, endorse the most vulnerable valleys under the project, and to review the AWP for 2021, in consultation with the Provincial PSC members.
Attendees of the meeting included Chief Foreign-Aid, Representatives of line Departments, PDMA, PMD, Agriculture, Forest and Environment, and GLOF-II Project members. Following the welcome remarks by the Chair, and Office In-charge GLOF II project, a progress update on the AWP 2020 was provided by relevant line department of KP. Since project activities started in KP after transfer of funds in June 2020, the aim of the PPSC is to review and discuss the progress achieved against each agreed activity. The implementation status and consolidated progress to date of the approved activities under AWP 2020 in notified valleys was presented along with challenges, and lesson learnt to set basis for the AWP 2021.
PPSC approved all the activities proposed for the year 2021 including the three valleys remaining for KP for National PSC to notify. Key activities in 2021 would include development of small-scale infrastructure, irrigation channel repairs, slope stabilization activities, community-based interventions by establishing safe-havens, safe access routes, and kitchen gardening. PPSC members also discussed the provincial planning for disaster risk reduction including mock drills to be conducted in the vulnerable valleys, particularly GLOFs, to be incorporated in the provincial contingency planning.
As a pre-requisite to the National PSC, all future activities under AWP 2021 must be endorsed at the provincial level. As of now, the five-year project, funded by the Green Climate Fund is extensively working in the northern areas of the country to strengthen the technical capacity of sub-national decision-makers to integrate climate change, and disaster risk management into medium- and long-term development planning, to help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change particularly GLOFs.
For additional information, please contact Ayesha Babar at ayesha...@undp.org or +92 (51) 835 5650
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UNHCR
PRESS RELEASE
UNHCR organizes activities to mark 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
ISLAMABAD, 25 November 2020: UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency organizes a number of activities across Pakistan in collaboration with UN agencies, its partners and refugees to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence – an international campaign that runs from 25 November through 10 December every year.
Individuals, institutions and organizations across the world plan activities to highlight that violence against women is a breach of human rights, calling for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
To support this initiative, started by the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991, the United Nations Secretary-General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign by 2030 (UNiTE campaign) calls for global action to increase awareness, galvanize advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations. This year’s theme is "Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!" which focuses on the COVID-19 crisis.
While keeping in mind COVID-19 SOPs, UNHCR’s offices across Pakistan have planned activities that focus on combating violence against women and girls, including to emphasize the positive role of individuals.
The UNHCR Representative in Pakistan, Ms. Noriko Yoshida, said that arranging such activities are aimed at expressing solidarity with survivors of violence and raising awareness about discriminatory practices against women. “Everyone has a role to play to end violence against women and make the world a safer and prosperous place to live in,” she said.
She further said that COVID-19 has exacerbated the risks of gender-based violence for women and girls, including those forcibly displaced, adding that prevention and response are life-saving, and this must be maintained as essential during COVID-19 lockdowns.
In Islamabad, UNHCR, together with its partners, aims to hold a virtual power talk event in December. It will be an opportunity for refugee youth and academics to discuss and shed light on the voices of women during the COVID-19 crisis and their resilience and efforts to act as agents of change in their communities.
In Peshawar, UNHCR and UN Women held an opening ceremony on Wednesday to mark the start of the 16 Days of Activism. On the occasion, the speakers, including female parliamentarians, called for collective efforts to prevent and address the issues of gender-based violence.
Students also performed a role play underlining the risks of gender-based violence in the COVID-19 pandemic. Female Afghan refugees also narrated their stories and shed light on how they pursued their ambitions amid challenges.
In Quetta, a seminar was held on Wednesday in Pishin City on the theme of “Ending violence against women”. The speakers included religious scholars and other notable community members.
To mark the last day of the 16 Days of Activism on 10 December – Human Rights Day – UNHCR will also hold an event in Quetta with refugees and Pakistani host community members. The event will include experience-sharing by female social change promoters from the refugee community.
Photo caption:
UNHCR staff in Peshawar stand in solidarity of survivors of gender-based violence. © UNHCR/Zikrea Saleah/Nov. 2020
***
UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
320,000 children and adolescents newly infected with HIV in 2019, 1 every 100 seconds – UNICEF
UNICEF warns of COVID-19 disruptions to HIV service delivery in one third of high burden countries
NEW YORK/JOHANNESBURG, 25 November 2020 – Approximately every minute and 40 seconds, a child or young person under the age of 20 was newly infected with HIV last year, bringing the total number of children living with HIV to 2.8 million, UNICEF said in a report released today.
The report, Reimagining a resilient HIV response for children, adolescents and pregnant women living with HIV, warns that children are being left behind in the fight against HIV.
Prevention efforts and treatment for children remain some of the lowest amongst key affected populations. In 2019, a little more than half of children worldwide had access to life-saving treatment, significantly lagging behind coverage for both mothers (85 per cent) and all adults living with HIV (62 per cent). Nearly 110,000 children died of AIDS that year.
Despite some progress in the decades-long fight against HIV and AIDS, deep regional disparities persist among all populations, especially for children, the report says. Paediatric coverage of antiretroviral treatment is highest in the Middle East and North Africa, at 81 per cent, followed by South Asia (76 per cent), Eastern and Southern Africa (58 per cent), East Asia and the Pacific (50 per cent), Latin America and the Caribbean (46 per cent) and West and Central Africa (32 per cent).
“Even as the world struggles in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic, hundreds of thousands of children continue to suffer the ravages of the HIV epidemic,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “There is still no HIV vaccine. Children are still getting infected at alarming rates, and they are still dying from AIDS. This was even before COVID-19 interrupted vital HIV treatment and prevention services putting countless more lives at risk.”
The COVID-19 crisis has further exacerbated inequities in access to life-saving HIV services for children, adolescents and pregnant mothers everywhere.
In a recent UNICEF survey of 29 HIV priority countries, one third responded that service coverage for children, adolescents and women living with and vulnerable to HIV is lower by 10 per cent or more compared with pre-pandemic numbers.
UNAIDS’ HIV service disruption data, cited in the report, further illustrate the impact of necessary control measures, supply chain disruptions, lack of personal protective equipment, and the redeployment of healthcare workers on HIV services.
In the months of April and May, coinciding with partial and full lockdowns, paediatric HIV treatment and viral load testing in children in some countries declined between 50 to 70 per cent, and new treatment initiation fell by 25 to 50 per cent.
Similarly, health facility deliveries and maternal treatment were also reported to have reduced by 20 to 60 per cent, maternal HIV testing and ART initiation declined by 25 to 50 per cent, and infant testing services declined by approximately 10 per cent.
Though the easing of control measures and the strategic targeting of children and pregnant mothers have successfully led to a rebound of services in recent months, challenges remain, and the world is still far from achieving the global 2020 paediatric HIV targets.
Additional 2019 data included in the report:
· 150,000 children aged 0-9 years were newly infected with HIV, bringing the total number of children in this age group living with HIV to 1.1 million.
· 170,000 adolescents aged 10-19 were newly infected with HIV, bringing the total number of adolescents living with HIV to 1.7 million.
· 130,000 adolescent girls were newly infected with HIV in 2019, compared with 44,000 adolescent boys.
· The total number of AIDS-related deaths of children and adolescents was 110,000; 79,000 aged 0-9 years and 34,000 aged 10-19.
· Mothers’ access to antiretroviral therapy to prevent the transmission of the virus to their babies increased globally to 85 per cent and early infant diagnosis reached 60 per cent.
· The number of pregnant women living with HIV was 1.3 million; an estimated 82,000 children under the age of five were infected during pregnancy or birth and 68,000 were infected during breastfeeding.
The report calls on all governments to protect, sustain and accelerate progress in fighting childhood HIV by maintaining essential health services and strengthening health systems.
#####
Notes to editors:
Multimedia content available to download here.
UNICEF Global Snapshot of Children, HIV and AIDS available here.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org. Follow UNICEF on Twitter and Facebook.
For more information, please contact:
Sara Alhattab, UNICEF New York, +1 917 957 6536, salh...@unicef.org
Patsy Nakell, UNICEF Johannesburg, +27 76 872 2147 / +27 79 495 5938, pna...@unicef.org
UNIC Pakistan
25 November 2020
________________
UN Women
PRESS RELEASE
National Assembly, Presidency turn orange to launch 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in Pakistan
Speaker, parliamentarians pledge actions to free Pakistan from violence against women
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly of Pakistan and President House buildings went orange on Wednesday to show solidarity with the global 16 Days of Activism campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and officially launch it in Pakistan.
Women parliamentarians from several political parties as well as representatives from the government, UN agencies and civil society also participated in the event and pledged to put in efforts for ending violence against women and girls in Pakistan. They promised to play an active role in freeing the country from all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination and stand with and support survivors.
The event was jointly arranged by the Federal Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) and UN Women Pakistan to kick off the 16 Days of Activism against GBV, a global campaign that takes place each year from 25th of November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10th of December, International Human Rights Day, indicating that violence against women is the most pervasive violation of human rights worldwide. The 16 Days campaign is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.
With the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, this year’s theme for the 16 Days of Activism against GBV is “Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!” The theme calls for prioritizing support and funding to essential services for GBV prevention and response especially in the COVID-19 situation, supporting women’s rights organizations working at the nexus of COVID-19 and GBV, declaring a national policy of zero tolerance for GBV with a concrete action plan, launching behavior change social mobilization campaigns, undertaking explicit measures to maintain services for survivors of GBV as essential during COVID-19 lockdowns, ensuring a continuum of adequate criminal justice response mechanisms, and collecting data with the aim to inform and improve GBV services and interventions.
Speaker National Assembly, Mr. Asad Qaiser graced the event as the Chief Guest. Secretary WPC Ms. Munaza Hassan gave the welcome remarks at the start of the event. Resident Coordinator United Nations in Pakistan, Mr. Julien Harneis addressed the event that was attended by parliamentarians, representatives of the government, UN agencies, civil society and media, both virtually and in-person at the National Assembly.
Speaker National Assembly, Mr. Asad Qaiser while addressing the event, said: “The Government is committed to end violence against women as a topmost priority. It’s time to recognize the role of women and take substantial steps for ensuring equal participation of women in legislation. Gender equality cannot be achieved without ending violence against women and girls. Women need to be encouraged and motivated and the present government was committed for the protection of women’s rights and providing them safe environment. In order to give women their due status, we also need to change the mindset and behavior. Joint efforts are needed to bring them into mainstream.”
While giving welcome remarks, Secretary Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, Munaza Hassan said: “The world is undergoing significant social, political, economic and environmental development, which leaves a deep mark on our people – especially women of every household. With Covid-19 resurgence, the world retreats inside homes due to lockdowns, making situation even worse for women. Escalation in already existing pandemic of violence against women is quite visible. The Constitution of Pakistan negates any discrimination on the basis of gender. Its Articles 25(3) and 34 are the two most significant articles in favor of women. Article25(3) states that nothing shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the protection of women. The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus has been at the forefront of improving legislations for the rights of women and we will continue our efforts along with our trusted partners.”
“The fact that we have women in key decision-making roles of national importance, leading portfolios of human rights, social safety, health, and climate change, guarantees women protection and representation at all levels,” she remarked.
Mr. Harneis appreciated the pledge taken by all participants during the event, and expressed the hope that each person would follow through on this pledge in their lives to prevent gender-based violence from happening in all public and private settings.
He also commended the WPC’s role in promoting the agenda of women’s rights and leadership in the country. While acknowledging that Pakistan has made great progress especially in the area of legislative and policy reform, the RC highlighted that there was a lot left to do for effective implementation of existing pro-women laws. “The World Economic Forum places Pakistan at 151 out of 153 countries in its latest Global Gender Gap Report. But a positive sign is that women have around 24 percent representation in both houses of the Parliament, and women parliamentarians contributed 33 percent of the parliamentary business. With more women in power and decision-making, we can make great strides in advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls,” he stated.
***
UNIC Pakistan
26 November 2020
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UN Women
PRESS RELEASE
KP government committed to ending violence against women in province
PESHAWAR: Advisor to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Information Technology Zia Ullah Bangash along with members of Women Parliamentary Caucus KP (WPC-KP) on Thursday unveiled the Code of Conduct for Protection of Women against Harassment at Workplace displayed at the Provincial Assembly KP to express commitment for fighting harassment and violence against women. The Advisor and WPC members on the occasion said that the KP government was committed to take all necessary actions and accelerate efforts to end all forms of gender-based violence (GBV) in the province. The event was organized at the Provincial Assembly to mark the commencement of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign at provincial level. The building of the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was also illuminated in orange to express solidarity with the global campaign. The event was jointly organized by WPC-KP, Office of the Ombudsperson KP and UN Women.
The 16 Days of Activism against GBV is a global campaign that takes place each year from 25th of November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10th of December, International Human Rights Day, indicating that violence against women is the most pervasive violation of human rights worldwide.
Given the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, this year’s theme for the 16 Days of Activism against GBV is “Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!” that call for global actions to bridge funding gaps, ensure essential services for survivors of violence during the COVID-19 crisis, focus on prevention, and collection of data that can improve life-saving services for women and girls.
During the event, WPC-KP also presented a resolution to the Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly for re-emphasizing the importance and need for collaborative efforts to deal with the issue of violence against women and girls in the province.
“This gesture of displaying the Code of Conduct in the Provincial Assembly sends out a strong message that our legislators are committed to ensure compliance of laws against harassment and deal with this issue at all levels,” said Rukhshanda Naz, Ombudsperson KP, while underlining government’s commitment for ensuring the implementation of the Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010.
Zainab Qaisar Khan, Head of Provincial Office UN Women, in her
remarks said that the 16 Days Campaign has been used as an organized strategy
for raising awareness about gender-based violence as a human rights issue at
the local, national, regional and international levels. She thanked the
parliamentarians and government partners for reiterating their commitment to
tackle the issue of GBV head-on and advancing gender equality in the province.
“UN Women stands committed to work with all partners to achieve this goal and
contribute to the sustainable development agenda,” she remarked.
***
UNIC Pakistan
27 November 2020
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ITC
PRESS RELEASE
Sindh and Balochistan government pledge support to GRASP
Islamabad, 27 November: Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP) a project funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Trade Centre, held Project Steering Committee (PSC) meetings for Sindh and Balochistan on 25 and 27 November respectively. Comprising of key influencers in the government, development, and agriculture and livestock sector, the PSCs will provide guidance to GRASP as it works to improve the business environment of small and medium enterprises in the country. The provincial government representatives pleadged their support to the project, and acknowledged the rapid response by the GRASP team on mitigating the effects of COVID-19 on small and medium enterprises in the Sindh and Balochistan.
Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development Department Balochistan, Mr. Abdul Rehman Buzdar chaired the meeting for Balochistan, and Mr Muhammad Waseem, Chairman Planning and Development Department Sindh chaired the meeting in Sindh. Representatives attended the meeting from the European Union Delegation, Planning and Development department, ITC team from Geneva, the department of Livestock, Fisheries and Dairy Development, the department of Industries and Commerce, the department of Women Development and investment departments, as well as representatives from the provincial horticulture, livestock agriculture, and dairy sectors.
GRASP team provided updates to the committee members on the implementation of project activities, COVID-19 response strategy, and future work plan. After conducting rapid assessment of SMEs in the provinces, COVID-19 response was implemented in four high-risk districts of Balochistan and Sindh both. Awareness raising on government finance schemes to farmers and SME’s has been completed, capacity building of market committees is being carried out, and businesses are being processed for grant support. Market opportunities gave been identified for top products in both the provinces, including women from rural areas in value chain development and kitchen garden trainings.
GRASP will work to increase economic opportunity and contribute to sustainability of small and medium enterprises. The project aims to contribute to the economic growth, and increase agricultural productivity in select districts of Sindh and Balochistan.
The committee chairs expressed their gratitude to the European Union for their ongoing support to uplift the horticulture and livestock sectors in the provinces, which is the main source of livelihood for many. They pledged their support to GRASP for the implementation of activities, and its work on policy development, bringing a positive change in the lives of farmers and SME’s, while creating jobs in the country.
Visit our website:
http://www.intracen.org/GRASP/
***
UNIC Pakistan
28 November 2020
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United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
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MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY
WITH THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE
29 November 2020
As the United Nations marks its 75th anniversary, the question of Palestine remains distressingly unresolved.
The COVID-19 pandemic has decimated the Palestinian economy and undermined the already fragile humanitarian, economic and political situation in Gaza, further entrenched by crippling restrictions on movement and access.
Meanwhile, prospects for a viable two-State
solution are growing more distant. A
host
of factors continue to cause great misery, including: the expansion of illegal settlements, a
significant spike in the demolition of Palestinian homes and structures,
violence and continued militant activity.
Israeli and Palestinian leaders have a responsibility to explore every opening to restore hope and achieve a two-State solution.
I remain committed to supporting Palestinians and Israelis to resolve the conflict and end the occupation in line with relevant UN resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements in pursuit of the vision of two States - Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous and sovereign Palestine - living side by side in peace and security, within secure and recognized borders, on the basis of the pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States.
I hope that recent developments will encourage
Palestinian and Israeli leaders to
re-engage in meaningful negotiations, with the support of the international
community, and will create opportunities for regional cooperation.
We must also do all we can to ease the suffering of the Palestinian people.
I am extremely concerned by the financial situation facing UNRWA.
The agency plays an essential role as the main provider of direct and often life-saving assistance to many of the 5.7 million Palestine refugees.
I appeal to all Member States to urgently contribute to enable UNRWA to meet the critical humanitarian and development needs of Palestine refugees during the pandemic.
On this International Day of Solidarity, I also extend my heartfelt condolences on the tragic passing of Dr. Saeb Erakat, Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Secretary-General and Chief Negotiator for Palestinians in the Middle East Peace Process.
Let us together resolve to renew our commitment to the Palestinian people in their quest to achieve their inalienable rights and build a future of peace, dignity, justice and security.
***
UNAIDS
PRESS RELEASE
UNAIDS calls on countries to step up global action and proposes bold new HIV targets for 2025
As COVID-19 pushes the AIDS response even further off track and the 2020 targets are missed, UNAIDS is urging countries to learn from the lessons of underinvesting in health and to step up global action to end AIDS and other pandemics
GENEVA, 26 November 2020—In a new report, Prevailing against pandemics by putting people at the centre, UNAIDS is calling on countries to make far greater investments in global pandemic responses and adopt a new set of bold, ambitious but achievable HIV targets. If those targets are met, the world will be back on track to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The global AIDS response was off track before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, but the rapid spread of the coronavirus has created additional setbacks. Modelling of the pandemic’s long-term impact on the HIV response shows that there could be an estimated 123 000 to 293 000 additional new HIV infections and 69 000 to 148 000 additional AIDS-related deaths between 2020 and 2022.
“The collective failure to invest sufficiently in comprehensive, rights-based, people-centred HIV responses has come at a terrible price,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Implementing just the most politically palatable programmes will not turn the tide against COVID-19 or end AIDS. To get the global response back on track will require putting people first and tackling the inequalities on which epidemics thrive.”
New targets for getting back on track
Although some countries in sub-Saharan Africa, such as Botswana and Eswatini, have done remarkably well and have achieved or even exceeded the targets set for 2020, many more countries are falling way behind. The high-performing countries have created a path for others to follow. UNAIDS has worked with its partners to distil those lessons into a set of proposed targets for 2025 that take a people-centred approach.
The targets focus on a high coverage of HIV and reproductive and sexual health services together with the removal of punitive laws and policies and on reducing stigma and discrimination. They put people at the centre, especially the people most at risk and the marginalized—young women and girls, adolescents, sex workers, transgender people, people who inject drugs and gay men and other men who have sex with men.
New HIV service delivery targets aim at achieving a 95% coverage for each sub-population of people living with and at increased risk of HIV. By taking a person-centred approach and focusing on the hotspots, countries will be better placed to control their epidemics.
The 2025 targets also require ensuring a conducive environment for an effective HIV response and include ambitious antidiscrimination targets so that less than 10% of countries have punitive laws and policies, less than 10% of people living with and affected by HIV experience stigma and discrimination and less than 10% experience gender inequality and violence.
Prevailing against pandemics
Insufficient investment and action on HIV and other pandemics left the world exposed to COVID-19. Had health systems and social safety nets been even stronger, the world would have been better positioned to slow the spread of COVID-19 and withstand its impact. COVID-19 has shown that investments in health save lives but also provide a foundation for strong economies. Health and HIV programmes must be fully funded, both in times of plenty and in times of economic crisis.
“No country can defeat these pandemics on its own,” said Ms Byanyima. “A challenge of this magnitude can only be defeated by forging global solidarity, accepting a shared responsibility and mobilizing a response that leaves no one behind. We can do this by sharing the load and working together.”
There are bright spots: the leadership, infrastructure and lessons of the HIV response are being leveraged to fight COVID-19. The HIV response has helped to ensure the continuity of services in the face of extraordinary challenges. The response by communities against COVID-19 has shown what can be achieved by working together.
In addition, the world must learn from the mistakes of the HIV response, when millions in developing countries died waiting for treatment. Even today, more than 12 million people still do not have access to HIV treatment and 1.7 million people became infected with HIV in 2019 because they did not have access to essential HIV services.
Everyone has a right to health, which is why UNAIDS has been a leading advocate for a People’s Vaccine against COVID-19. Promising COVID-19 vaccines are emerging, but we must ensure that they are not the privilege of the rich. Therefore, UNAIDS and partners are calling on pharmaceutical companies to openly share their technology and know-how and to wave their intellectual property rights so that the world can produce successful vaccines at the huge scale and speed required to protect everyone.
UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
CONTACT
UNAIDS Geneva
Sophie Barton-Knott
tel. +41 79 514 68 96
UNAIDS Media
tel. +41 22 791 4237
UNIC Pakistan
29 November 2020
________________
UNAIDS
PRESS RELEASE
UNAIDS and UNFPA launch the fourth annual progress report of the Global HIV Prevention Coalition
GENEVA, 23 November 2020—The latest progress report of the Global HIV Prevention Coalition shows that despite observed declines in new HIV infections among adults in several countries, overall progress in HIV prevention efforts remains variable and is too slow to reach the 2020 targets committed to at the 2016 United Nations High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS.
“We can’t end AIDS if year after year people continue to become newly infected with HIV,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “This year is a milestone for taking stock of a decade of progress towards ending AIDS by 2030. Sadly, the world has come up short against the commitments made to drastically reduce new HIV infections.”
In 2016, United Nations Member States committed to reach a worldwide HIV prevention target of fewer than 500 000 new HIV infections among adults by 2020, a 75% reduction from 2010. By the end of 2019, the reduction was just 23%, with 1.7 million people becoming infected with HIV last year.
Launched in 2017, the Global HIV Prevention Coalition aims to bring fresh momentum and clarity to HIV prevention programmes in 28 focus countries—the 28 countries worldwide with the greatest burden of new HIV infections. The 28 coalition countries have identified and promoted priority programme approaches and interventions, rekindled political commitment for HIV prevention and guided and supported programme implementation.
Progress in reducing new HIV infections in coalition countries is varied. In Eswatini, for example, new HIV infections declined by 64% between 2010 and 2019. In Pakistan, on the other hand, there was a 74% increase. But in 26 coalition countries new HIV infections declined.
The report notes that there has been significant progress in implementing 10 strategic actions set out in the Global HIV Prevention 2020 Road Map, but a number of countries still have difficulties in changing underlying factors that hold back effective HIV prevention programmes, including shortfalls in financing, insufficient action on addressing the obstructive legal, policy and structural barriers that hinder programmes for key and vulnerable populations and the slow adoption of guidance on social contracting.
“To drastically reduce new HIV infections, we have to bridge the gaps and dismantle barriers that deny adolescent girls, young women and key populations access to quality, respectful sexual and reproductive health services. It’s time to end, once and for all, all forms of stigma, discrimination and marginalization that stand in their way,” said Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund.
The COVID-19 pandemic is an additional challenge to maintaining progress in HIV prevention this year. Of particular concern are disruptions in HIV prevention services such as voluntary medical male circumcision, interrupted access to prevention commodities, including safe injection supplies, the effects of lockdowns on educational and social support services and the interplay between economic downturns and heightened HIV risk behaviours and vulnerability. This year’s report therefore begins to document adaptations that countries are taking to mitigate the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The progress report was launched at a virtual meeting of ministers of health from Global HIV Prevention Coalition focus countries at which members took stock of the progress to date, with the aim of charting a way forward for the next five years on the road to ending AIDS by 2030.
“HIV prevention will be at the core to the new global AIDS strategy for the next five years,” added Ms Byanyima. “Together with the United Nations Population Fund and the rest of the UNAIDS Joint Programme, we will support the Global HIV Prevention Coalition to reach our ultimate goal of zero new HIV infections.”
UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
CONTACT
UNAIDS Geneva
Sophie Barton-Knott
tel. +41 79 514 68 96
barton...@unaids.org
CONTACT
UNIC Pakistan
30 November 2020
________________
United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
--
MESSAGE ON WORLD AIDS DAY
1 December 2020
With the world’s attention focused on the COVID-19 crisis, World AIDS Day is a reminder of the need to maintain focus on another global pandemic that is still with us nearly 40 years after it emerged.
Despite significant successes, the AIDS emergency is not over. HIV still infects 1.7 million people each year and kills some 690 000. And inequalities mean that those who are the least able to stand up for their rights are still the most affected.
COVID-19 has been a wake-up call to the world. Inequalities in health affect all of us. No one is safe unless we all are safe.
The HIV response has much to teach the fight against COVID-19. We know that to end AIDS and defeat COVID-19 we must eliminate stigma and discrimination, put people at the centre and ground our responses in human rights and gender-responsive approaches.
Wealth should not determine whether people get the health care they need. We need a COVID-19 vaccine and HIV treatments and care that are affordable and available to everyone, everywhere.
Health is a human right. Health must be a top investment priority to achieve universal health coverage. On this World AIDS Day let us recognize that, to overcome COVID-19 and end AIDS, the world must stand in solidarity and share responsibility.
***
UN Women
PRESS RELEASE
BRT Peshawar joins call for ending violence against women to commemorate 16 Days of Activism campaign
Peshawar: Trans Peshawar, the operating company of the Peshawar’s BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) service, offers the Office of the Ombudsperson against Sexual Harassment at Workplace Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and UN Women in Peshawar to promote awareness messages and sensitize passengers on the issue of harassment at public places and violence against women through BRT buses and terminals as we continue to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign in Pakistan and worldwide.
To create awareness on the law for protection of women against harassment at public place, hundreds of posters on the Section 509 of Pakistan Penal Code were displayed in all the buses of the modern mass transit system in Peshawar city, on Monday. The Section 509 says, “Whoever, intending to insult the modesty of any woman, utters any word, makes any sound or gesture, or exhibits any object, intending that such word or sound shall be heard, or that such gesture or object shall be seen, by such woman, or intrudes upon the privacy of such woman, shall be punished.”
This year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign is focusing on the emergence as the shadow pandemic of violence against women amid Covid-19. The global theme “Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!” calls for global actions to bridge funding gaps, ensure essential services for survivors of violence during the COVID-19 crisis, focus on prevention, and collection of data that can improve life-saving services for women and girls.
Shah Muhammad Khan, Provincial Minister for Transport and Technical Education, was the Chief Guest of the event. “BRT Peshawar is a convenient and successful travel facility for citizens. Men and boys should avoid sitting on seats designated for women. Respecting women is a collective responsibility,” said Mr. Shah.
Rukhshanda Naz, Ombudsperson KP, said “The objective of this activity is to increase awareness of general public on the Section 509 of Pakistan Penal Code and enhance their access to the services offered by Ombudsperson Office.”
Audio visuals messages, both in Urdu and Pashtu languages, will also be played on BRT terminals and in buses. This initiative will help in warning the harassers about repercussion and give confidence to women passengers so that they feel safe and secure while using public transport.
“Survivors, activists, decision-makers, the UN system, and people from all walks of life must collectively voice for funding for women organizations, essential services, and prevention from violence,” said Zainab Qaiser Khan, Head of Provincial Office UN Women in KP. She said that ending violence against women is everyone’s responsibility, so including stakeholders like Transport Department shows the commitment of the government to fulfill the shared responsibility. “Safe transportation means freedom of mobility for women with comfort which contributes towards women empowerment. Empowered women not only raise voice for themselves but also for other vulnerable women,” she remarked.
***
United Nations Pakistan
Media Update
1 December 2020
_____________
United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
--
MESSAGE
ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY
FOR THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY
2 December 2020
This year’s global protests against systemic racism have brought renewed attention to a legacy of injustices all over the world whose roots lie in the dark history of colonialism and slavery.
But slavery is not simply a matter of history.
Today, more than 40 million people are still victims of contemporary slavery.
Women and girls account for over 71 per cent.
Slavery manifests itself today through descent-based servitude, forced labour, child labour, domestic servitude, forced marriage, debt bondage, trafficking in persons for the purpose of exploitation, including sexual exploitation, and the forced recruitment of children in armed conflict.
Poor and marginalized groups, in particular racial and ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples and migrants, are disproportionally affected by contemporary forms of slavery.
Gender inequality further reinforces patterns of discrimination.
Today, I call on Member States, civil society and the private sector to strengthen their collective efforts to end these abhorrent practices.
I also call for support to identify, protect and empower victims and survivors, including by contributing to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery.
Next year is the 20th Anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference against Racism and Racial Discrimination.
This milestone document defines slavery and slavery-like practices as flagrant violations of human rights.
We cannot accept these violations in the 21st century.
***
UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
Eighty eight percent of South Asia’s school-age children have no internet access at home, new UNICEF-ITU report says
The International Telecommunication Union and UNICEF call for urgent investment to bridge a digital divide currently preventing children and young people from accessing quality digital learning and opportunities online
NEW YORK/GENEVA/ISLAMABAD, 1 December 2020 – Eighty eight percent of South Asia’s school-age children do not have internet connection in their homes, according to a new joint report from UNICEF and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The report How Many Children and Youth Have Internet Access at Home? notes that globally two-thirds of school-age children have no internet access at home. There is a similar lack of access among young people aged 15-24 years old, with 759 million or 63 per cent of young people unconnected at home.
“That so many children and young people have no internet at home is more than a digital gap –it is a digital canyon,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director. “Lack of connectivity doesn’t just limit children and young people’s ability to connect online. It prevents them from competing in the modern economy. It isolates them from the world. And in the event of school closures, such as those currently experienced by millions due to COVID-19, it causes them to lose out on education. Put bluntly: Lack of internet access is costing the next generation their futures.”
In Pakistan, around 40 million children are affected by COVID-19 school closures forcing students to rely on virtual learning. For those with no internet access, education can be out of reach. Even before the pandemic, a growing cohort of young people needed to learn foundational, transferable, digital, job-specific and entrepreneurial skills to compete in the 21st century economy.
The digital divide is perpetuating inequalities that already divide countries and communities, the report notes. Children and young people from the poorest households, rural and lower income states are falling even further behind their peers and are left with very little opportunity to ever catch up.
Globally, among school-age children from richest households, 58 per cent have internet connection at home, compared with only 16 per cent from the poorest households. The same disparity exists across country income level as well. Less than 1 in 20 school-age children from low-income countries have internet connection at home, compared with nearly 9 in 10 from high-income countries.
There are also geographic disparities within countries and across regions. Globally, around 60 per cent of school-age children in urban areas do not have internet access at home, compared with around three-quarters of school-age children in rural households. School-age children in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are the most affected, with around 9 in 10 children unconnected.
|
Region |
School-age children 3-17 years old unconnected at home |
|
West and Central Africa |
95% - 194 million |
|
East and Southern Africa |
88% - 191 million |
|
South Asia |
88% - 449 million |
|
Middle East and North Africa |
75% - 89 million |
|
Latin America and the Caribbean |
|
49% - 74 million |
|
|
Eastern Europe and Central Asia |
42% - 36 million |
|
East Asia and the Pacific |
|
32% - 183 million |
|
|
Global |
67% - 1.3 billion |
Last year, UNICEF and ITU launched Giga, a global initiative to connect every school and its surrounding community to the Internet. Working with governments, Giga has now mapped over 800,000 schools in 30 countries. With this data, Giga works with governments, industry, civil sector, and private sector partners to craft compelling investment cases for blended public-private funding to build the connectivity infrastructure needed to deploy digital learning solutions and other services.
The initiative is now collaborating under the Reimagine Education initiative and in coordination with Generation Unlimited. Through its Reimagine Education initiative, UNICEF aims to address the learning crisis and transform education by giving children and young people equal access to quality digital learning. A key to achieving this is universal internet connectivity.
Building on these efforts and on the importance of youth engagement, Generation Connect is an initiative launched by ITU to empower young people to engage and participate in the digital world.
Although the numbers in the UNICEF-ITU report present an alarming picture, the situation is likely worse due to compounding factors, such as affordability, safety and low levels of digital skills. According to the latest ITU data, low digital skills remain a barrier to meaningful participation in a digital society, while mobile telephony and internet access remain too expensive for many in the developing world as the result of vast disparities in purchasing power.
Even when children have a connection at home, they may not be able to access it because of the pressure to do chores or to work, lack of sufficient devices in the households, girls being permitted less or no internet access, or a lack of understanding of how to access opportunities online. There are also issues related to online safety since parents may be inadequately prepared to keep their children safe.
###
Notes to editors:
The report uses a globally representative analysis on the availability of internet connection in households with children and young people aged between 0-25 years old, with data from more than 85 countries.
Download multimedia content here.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
Follow UNICEF on Twitter and Facebook
About ITU
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), driving innovation in ICTs together with 193 Member States and a membership of over 900 companies, universities, and international and regional organizations. Established over 150 years ago in 1865, ITU is the intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to cutting-edge wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, oceanographic and satellite-based earth monitoring as well as converging fixed-mobile phone, internet and broadcasting technologies, ITU is committed to connecting the world. For more information, visit www.itu.int.
About Generation Unlimited
Generation Unlimited (GenU) is a global multi-sector partnership to meet the urgent need for expanded education, training and employment opportunities for young people, aged 10 to 24, on an unprecedented scale.
About Giga
Launched by
ITU and UNICEF in 2019, Giga is a global initiative to connect every
school to the internet and every young person to information, opportunity and
choice. It aims to ensure that every child is equipped with the digital public
goods they need, and empowered to shape the future they want. For more
information, visit www.gigaconnect.org.
For more information please contact:
Georgina Thompson, UNICEF New York, Tel: +1 917 238 1559, gtho...@unicef.org
Monika Gehner, Head of Strategic Communication Division (SCD), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Tel.: +41 22 730 5459, Press lines: +41 22 730 6039 & +41 79 337 4615, pres...@itu.int
United Nations Pakistan
2 December 2020
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UNDP
PRESS RELEASE
President of Pakistan and UNDP to work together on extending Pakistan’s Digital Transformation agenda
Islamabad, 2 December, 2020— The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan aims to improve governance through digital interventions and formally develop its growing Digital Transformation portfolio. To expand this agenda, UNDP met Mr. Arif Alvi, President of the Republic of Pakistan to discuss future collaboration on Digital Transformation between the Government of Pakistan and UNDP.
Mr. Tariq Malik, Chief Technical Advisor on Digital Governance from UNDP’s Headquarters in New York is leading the mission to create the first formal and strategic portfolio on Digital Transformation, which will aim to drive the agenda with the Government of Pakistan. The meeting with the President served as an important step towards the aspired transformation.
During the meeting, the need to digitalize the parliament for efficient management and decision making in the secretariat and standing committees was discussed extensively. It was agreed that incorporation of information technology (IT) in both the Houses of Parliament was necessary to ensure effective monitoring and control over legislative business. UNDP outlined its ongoing support to the Parliament via technical assistance on Business Continuity and conducting a Digital Readiness Assessment of the Parliament. Malik informed the President that UNDP is also supporting in developing a citizens’ engagement platform that can be used to understand citizens views on public policy and on upcoming bills in the parliament.
In wake of the pandemic, UNDP Pakistan has already been working towards digitalization to ensure continuation of interventions with greater efficiency and inclusion. In the Digital Health space, UNDP has supported the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination in partnership with Sehat Kahani to set up 45 tele-ICUs across the country. This initiative aims to optimize quality clinical care by digitally connecting ICU Specialists with ICU Medical Physicians.
Apart from providing technical assistance to the Ministry to further the digital health agenda, UNDP is also supporting various government ministries and departments in digitizing their organizational processes, data and knowledge management, complaints mechanism, and monitoring and evaluation including support for digital courts. Additionally, UNDP is providing virtual trainings on advanced digital skills to young Pakistanis and connecting them to relevant platforms for job placements to economically empower the youth.
President Alvi started off the meeting by extending a warm welcome to UNDP for its support in accelerating the implementation of the Digital Pakistan initiative. “The People of Pakistan thank Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of United Nations, and Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, the UNDP Governance Team, especially Mr. Tariq Malik, for making Pakistan a priority country for their support in development of our digital transformation portfolio,” said the President.
UNDP Chief Technical Advisor for Digital Governance, Mr. Tariq Malik added: “Natural disasters or crises expose state fragility, but also present a valuable opportunity for change. The Covid-19 pandemic presents a creative moment, for all of us, to transform governance as well as strengthen the social contract between state and citizen through experimenting with innovative digital interventions. Pakistan shouldn’t waste this opportunity.”
Mr. Tariq Malik also thanked the President’s patronage and project sponsorship on e-Parliament and other digitalization initiatives supported by UNDP. After the success of this meeting, UNDP will be partnering with other government ministries and departments to offer new and innovative digital services.
United Nations Pakistan
2 December 2020
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THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
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ADDRESS AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY: “THE STATE OF THE PLANET”
President Bollinger,
Dear friends,
I thank Columbia University for hosting this gathering — and I welcome those joining online around the world.
We meet in this unusual way as we enter the last month of this most unusual year.
We are facing a devastating pandemic, new heights of global heating, new lows of ecological degradation and new setbacks in our work towards global goals for more equitable, inclusive and sustainable development.
To put it simply, the state of the planet is broken.
Dear friends,
Humanity is waging war on nature.
This is suicidal.
Nature always strikes back -- and it is already doing so with growing force and fury.
Biodiversity is collapsing. One million species are at risk of extinction.
Ecosystems are disappearing before our eyes.
Deserts are spreading.
Wetlands are being lost.
Every year, we lose 10 million hectares of forests.
Oceans are overfished -- and choking with plastic waste. The carbon dioxide they absorb is acidifying the seas.
Coral reefs are bleached and dying.
Air and water pollution are killing 9 million people annually – more than six times the current toll of the pandemic.
And with people and livestock encroaching further into animal habitats and disrupting wild spaces, we could see more viruses and other disease-causing agents jump from animals to humans.
Let’s not forget that 75 per cent of new and emerging human infectious diseases are zoonotic.
Today, two new authoritative reports from the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme spell out how close we are to climate catastrophe.
2020 is on track to be one of the three warmest years on record globally – even with the cooling effect of this year’s La Nina.
The past decade was the hottest in human history.
Ocean heat is at record levels.
This year, more than 80 per cent of the world’s oceans experienced a marine heatwave.
In the Arctic, 2020 has seen exceptional warmth, with temperatures more than 3 degrees Celsius above average – and more than 5 degrees in northern Siberia.
Arctic sea ice in October was the lowest on record – and now re-freezing has been the slowest on record.
Greenland ice has continued its long-term decline, losing an average of 278 gigatons a year.
Permafrost is melting and releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Apocalyptic fires and floods, cyclones and hurricanes are increasingly the new normal.
The North Atlantic hurricane season has seen 30 storms, more than double the long-term average and breaking the record for a full season.
Central America is still reeling from two back-to-back hurricanes, part of the most intense period for such storms in recent years.
Last year such disasters cost the world $150 billion.
COVID-19 lockdowns have temporarily reduced emissions and pollution.
But carbon dioxide levels are still at record highs – and rising.
In 2019, carbon dioxide levels reached 148 per cent of pre-industrial levels.
In 2020, the upward trend has continued despite the pandemic.
Methane soared even higher – to 260 per cent.
Nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas that also harms the ozone layer, has escalated by 123 per cent.
Meanwhile, climate policies have yet to rise to the challenge.
Emissions are 62 per cent higher today than when international climate negotiations began in 1990.
Every tenth of a degree of warming matters.
Today, we are at 1.2 degrees of warming and already witnessing unprecedented climate extremes and volatility in every region and on every continent.
We are headed for a thundering temperature rise of 3 to 5 degrees Celsius this century.
The science is crystal clear: to limit temperature rise to 1.5-degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the world needs to decrease fossil fuel production by roughly 6 per cent every year between now and 2030.
Instead, the world is going in the opposite direction — planning an annual increase of 2 per cent.
The fallout of the assault on our planet is impeding our efforts to eliminate poverty and imperiling food security.
And it is making our work for peace even more difficult, as the disruptions drive instability, displacement and conflict.
It is no coincidence that seventy per cent of the most climate vulnerable countries are also among the most politically and economically fragile.
It is not happenstance that of the 15 countries most susceptible to climate risks, eight host a United Nations peacekeeping or special political mission.
As always, the impacts fall most heavily on the world’s most vulnerable people.
Those who have done the least to cause the problem suffer the most.
Even in the developed world, the marginalized are the first victims of disasters and the last to recover.
Dear friends,
Let’s be clear: human activities are at the root of our descent toward chaos.
But that means human action can help solve it.
Making peace with nature is the defining task of the 21st century. It must be the top, top priority for everyone, everywhere.
In this context, the recovery from the pandemic is an opportunity.
We can see rays of hope in the form of a vaccine.
But there is no vaccine for the planet.
Nature needs a bailout.
In overcoming the pandemic, we can also avert climate cataclysm and restore our planet.
This is an epic policy test. But ultimately this is a moral test.
The trillions of dollars needed for COVID recovery is money that we are borrowing from future generations. Every last penny.
We cannot use those resources to lock in policies that burden them with a mountain of debt on a broken planet.
It is time to flick the “green switch”. We have a chance to not simply reset the world economy but to transform it.
A sustainable economy driven by renewable energy will create new jobs, cleaner infrastructure and a resilient future.
An inclusive world will help ensure that people can enjoy better health and the full respect of their human rights, and live with dignity on a healthy planet.
COVID recovery and our planet’s repair can be two sides of the same coin.
Dear friends,
Let me start with the climate emergency. We face three imperatives in addressing the climate crisis:
First, we need to achieve global carbon neutrality within the next three decades.
Second, we have to align global finance behind the Paris Agreement, the world’s blueprint for climate action.
Third, we must deliver a breakthrough on adaptation to protect the world – and especially the most vulnerable people and countries -- from climate impacts.
Let me take these in turn.
First, carbon neutrality – net zero emissions.
In recent weeks, we have seen important positive developments.
The European Union has committed to become first climate neutral continent by 2050 – and I expect it will decide to reduce its emissions to at least 55 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030.
Japan, the Republic of Korea and more than 110 countries have committed to carbon neutrality by 2050.
The future United States administration has announced the same goal.
China has committed to get there before 2060.
This means that by early next year, countries representing more than 65 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions and more than 70 per cent of the world economy will have made ambitious commitments to carbon neutrality.
We must turn this momentum into a movement.
The central objective of the United Nations for 2021 is to build a truly Global Coalition for Carbon Neutrality.
I firmly believe that 2021 can be a new kind of leap year — the year of a quantum leap towards carbon neutrality.
Every country, city, financial institution and company should adopt plans for transitioning to net zero emissions by 2050 -- and take decisive action now to put themselves on the right path towards achieving this vision, which means cutting global emissions by 45 percent by 2030 compared with 2010 levels.
Every individual must also do their part -- as consumers, as producers, as investors.
Technology is on our side.
Sound economic analysis is our ally.
More than half the coal plants operating today cost more to run than building new renewables.
The coal business is going up in smoke.
The International Labour Organization estimates that, despite inevitable job losses, the clean energy transition will result in the net creation of 18 million jobs by 2030.
But a just transition is absolutely critical.
We must recognize the human costs of the energy shift.
Social protection, temporary basic income, re-skilling and up-skilling can help to support workers and ease the changes caused by decarbonization.
Dear friends,
Renewable energy is now the first choice not just for the environment, but for the economy.
But there are worrying signs.
Some countries have used the crisis to roll back environmental protections.
Others are expanding natural resource exploitation and retreating from climate ambition.
The G20 members, in their rescue packages, are spending 50 per cent more on sectors linked to fossil fuel production and consumption, than on low-carbon energy.
And beyond announcements, all must pass a credibility test.
Let me take the example of shipping.
If the shipping sector was a country, it would be the world’s sixth biggest greenhouse gas emitter.
At last year’s Climate Action Summit, we launched the Getting to Zero Shipping Coalition to push for zero emissions deep sea vessels by 2030.
Yet current policies are not in line with those pledges.
We need to see enforceable regulatory and fiscal steps so that the shipping industry can deliver its commitments.
Otherwise, the net zero ship will have sailed.
Exactly the same applies to aviation.
Dear friends,
The Paris signatories are obligated to submit their revised Nationally Determined Contributions with their 2030 emissions cut targets.
Ten days from now, along with France and the United Kingdom, I am convening a Climate Ambition Summit to mark the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement.
Less than a year from now, we will all meet in Glasgow for COP26.
These moments are opportunities for nations to detail how they will build forward and build better, acknowledging the common but differentiated responsibilities in the light of national circumstances – one of the main principles that underpin all our efforts to meet the climate challenge.
Second, let me now turn to key question of finance.
The commitments to net zero emissions are sending a clear signal to investors, markets and finance ministers.
But we need to go further.
We need all governments to translate these pledges into policies, plans and targets with specific timelines. This will provide certainty and confidence for businesses and the financial sector to invest for net zero.
It is time:
To put a price on carbon.
To phase out fossil fuel finance and end fossil fuel subsidies.
To stop building new coal power plants -- and halt coal power financing domestically and overseas.
To shift the tax burden from income to carbon, and from taxpayers to polluters.
To integrate the goal of carbon neutrality into all economic and fiscal policies and decisions.
And to make climate-related financial risk disclosures mandatory.
Funding should flow to the green economy, resilience, adaptation and just transition programmes.
We need to align all public and private financial flows behind the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Multilateral, regional and national development institutions, and private banks, must all commit to align their lending to the global net zero objective.
I call on all asset owners and managers to decarbonize their portfolios and to join key initiatives and partnerships launched by the United Nations, including the Global Investors for Sustainable Development Alliance and the Net-Zero Asset Owners Alliance.
Companies need to adjust their business models – and investors need to demand information from companies on the resilience of those models.
The world’s pension funds manage $32 trillion dollars in assets, putting them in a unique position to move the needle. They are still far from doing so.
I appeal to developed countries to fulfill their long-standing promise to provide
$100 billion dollars annually to support developing countries in reaching our shared climate goals.
We are not there yet.
This is a matter of equity, fairness, solidarity and enlightened self-interest.
And I ask all countries to reach a compromise on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, as they prepare for COP26, to get us the clear, fair and environmentally sound rules carbon markets need to fully function.
I also welcome the work of the task force launched in September, with members representing 20 sectors and 6 continents, to develop a blueprint for large-scale private carbon offset markets.
Third, we need a breakthrough on adaptation and resilience.
We are in a race against time to adapt to a rapidly changing climate.
Adaptation must not be the forgotten component of climate action.
Until now, adaptation represents only 20 per cent of climate finance, reaching only $30 billion on average in 2017 and 2018.
This hinders our essential work for disaster risk reduction.
It also isn’t smart.
The Global Commission on Adaptation found that every $1 invested in adaptation measures could yield almost $4 in benefits.
We have both a moral imperative and a clear economic case for supporting developing countries to adapt and build resilience to current and future climate impacts.
Before COP 26, all donors and the Multilateral Development Banks should commit to increase the share of adaptation and resilience finance to at least 50 per cent of their climate finance support.
Early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, improved dry land agriculture, mangrove protection and other steps can give the world a double dividend: avoiding future losses and generating economic gains and other benefits.
We need to move to large-scale, preventive and systematic adaptation support.
This is especially urgent for small island developing states, which face an existential threat.
The race to resilience is as important as the race to net zero.
Dear friends,
Let’s remember: there can be no separating climate action from the larger planetary picture. Everything is interlinked – the global commons and global well-being.
That means we must act more broadly, more holistically, across many fronts, to secure the health of our planet on which all life depends.
Nature feeds us, clothes us, quenches our thirst, generates our oxygen, shapes our culture and our faiths and forges our very identity.
2020 was to have been a “super year” for nature. The pandemic has had other plans for us.
Now we must use 2021 to address our planetary emergency.
Next year, countries will meet in Kunming to forge a post-2020 biodiversity framework to halt the extinction crisis and put the world on a pathway to living in harmony with nature.
The world has not met any of the global biodiversity targets set for 2020. And so we need more ambition and greater commitment to deliver on measurable targets and means of implementation, particularly finance and monitoring mechanisms.
This means:
◼ More and bigger effectively managed conservation areas, so that our assault on species and ecosystems can be halted;
◼ Biodiversity-positive agriculture and fisheries, reducing our overexploitation and destruction of the natural world,
◼ Phasing out negative subsidies -- the subsidies that destroy healthy soils, pollute our waterways and lead us to fish our oceans empty.
◼ Shift from unsustainable and nature-negative extractive resource mining, and to broader sustainable consumption patterns
Biodiversity is not just cute and charismatic wildlife; it is the living, breathing web of life.
Also in 2021, countries will hold the Ocean Conference to protect and advance the health of the world’s marine environments.
Overfishing must stop; chemical and solid waste pollution – plastic in particular -- must be reduced drastically; marine reserves must increase significantly; and coastal areas need greater protection.
The blue economy offers remarkable potential. Already, goods and services from the ocean generate $2.5 trillion each year and contribute over 31 million direct full-time jobs – at least until the pandemic struck.
We need urgent action on a global scale to reap these benefits and protect the world’s seas and oceans from the many pressures they face.
Next year’s global conference on sustainable transport in Beijing must strengthen this vital sector while addressing its negative environmental footprint.
The Food Systems Summit must aim to transform global food production and consumption. Food systems are one of the main reasons we are failing to stay within our planet’s ecological boundaries.
At the beginning of 2021, we will launch the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration focused on preventing, halting and reversing the degradation of forests, land and other ecosystems worldwide. The Decade is a rallying cry for all who want to tackle the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change with practical and hands-on action.
The International Conference on Chemicals Management will establish a post-2020 framework on chemicals and waste. According to the World Health Organization, sound chemicals management could prevent at least 1.6 million deaths per year.
2021 will also be critical in advancing the New Urban Agenda. The world’s cities are fundamental frontlines on sustainable development – vulnerable to disaster yet
vectors of innovation and dynamism. Let us not forget that more than 50 per cent of humankind already lives in cities – and this number will be 68 per cent in 2050.
Next year, in short, gives us a wealth of opportunities to stop the plunder and start the healing.
One of our best allies is nature itself.
Drastically reducing deforestation and systemically restoring forests and other ecosystems is the single largest nature-based opportunity for climate mitigation.
Indeed, nature-based solutions could provide one third of the net reductions in greenhouse gas emissions required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The World Economic Forum has estimated that business opportunities across nature could create 191 million jobs by 2030.
Africa’s Great Green Wall alone has created 335,000 jobs.
Indigenous knowledge, distilled over millennia of close and direct contact with nature, can help to point the way.
Indigenous peoples make up less than 6 per cent of the world’s population yet are stewards of 80 per cent of the world’s biodiversity on land.
Already, we know that nature managed by indigenous peoples is declining less rapidly than elsewhere.
With indigenous peoples living on land that is among the most vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation, it is time to heed their voices, reward their knowledge and respect their rights.
Let’s also recognize the central role of women.
The impacts of climate change and environmental degradation fall most heavily on women. They are 80 per cent of those displaced by climate change.
But women are also the backbone of agriculture and key stewards of natural resources. They are among the world’s leading environmental human rights defenders.
And women’s representation in national parliaments is linked directly to the signing of climate action agreements.
As humankind devises strategies for natural resource governance, environmental preservation and building a green economy, we need more women decision-makers at the table.
Dear friends,
I have detailed an emergency, but I also see hope.
I see a history of advances that show what can be done – from rescuing the ozone layer to reducing extinction rates to expanding protected areas.
Many cities are becoming greener.
The circular economy is reducing waste.
Environmental laws have growing reach.
At least 155 United Nations Member States now legally recognize a healthy environment as a basic human right.
And the knowledge base is greater than ever.
I was pleased to learn that Columbia University has launched a Climate School, the first new school here in a quarter of a century. This is a wonderful demonstration of scholarship and leadership.
I am delighted to know that so many members of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network are with us today as special guests – university presidents, chancellors, deans, faculty and other scholars.
The United Nations Academic Impact initiative is working with institutions of higher education across the globe. The contributions of universities are essential to our success.
Dear friends,
A new world is taking shape.
More and more people are recognizing the limits of conventional yardsticks such as Gross Domestic Product, in which environmentally damaging activities can count as economic positives.
Mindsets are shifting.
More and more people are understanding the need for their own daily choices to reduce their carbon footprint and respect planetary boundaries.
And we see inspiring waves of social mobilization by young people.
From protests in the streets to advocacy on-line…
From classroom education to community engagement…
From voting booths to places of work…
Young people are pushing their elders to do what is right.
This is a moment of truth for people and planet alike.
COVID and climate have brought us to a threshold.
We cannot go back to the old normal of inequality, injustice and heedless dominion over the Earth.
Instead we must step towards a safer, more sustainable and equitable path.
We have a blueprint: the 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
The door is open; the solutions are there.
Now is the time to transform humankind’s relationship with the natural world – and with each other.
And we must do so together.
Solidarity is humanity. Solidarity is survival.
That is the lesson of 2020.
With the world in disunity and disarray trying to contain the pandemic, let’s learn the lesson and change course for the pivotal period ahead.
Thank you.
***
United Nations Pakistan
3 December 2020
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ILO
PRESS RELEASE
COVID-19 drives wages down, new ILO report finds
Even before the COVID pandemic hit, hundreds of millions of workers worldwide were being paid less than the minimum wage.
GENEVA (ILO News) – A new report by the
International Labour Organization (ILO) has found that monthly wages fell or
grew more slowly in the first six months of 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic , in two-thirds of
countries for which official data was available, and that the crisis is likely
to inflict massive downward pressure on wages in the near future.
The wages of women and low-paid workers have been disproportionately affected
by the crisis.
Furthermore, while average wages in one-third of the countries that provided
data appeared to increase, this was largely as a result of substantial numbers
of lower-paid workers losing their jobs and therefore skewing the average,
since they were no longer included in the data for wage-earners.
In countries where strong measures were taken to preserve employment, the effects
of the crisis were felt primarily as falls in wages rather than massive job
losses.
The Global Wage Report 2020/21 shows that
not all workers have been equally affected by the crisis. The impact on women
has been worse than on men. Estimates based on a sample of 28 European
countries find that, without wage subsidies, women would have lost 8.1 per cent
of their wages in the second quarter of 2020, compared to 5.4 per cent for men.
The crisis has also affected lower-paid workers severely. Those in
lower-skilled occupations lost more working hours than higher-paying managerial
and professional jobs. Using data from the group of 28 European countries the
report shows that, without temporary subsidies, the lowest paid 50 per cent of
workers would have lost an estimated 17.3 per cent of their wages.
Without subsidies, the average amount of wages lost across all groups would
have been 6.5 per cent. However, wage subsidies compensated for 40 per cent of
this amount.
“The growth in inequality created by the COVID-19 crisis threatens a legacy of
poverty and social and economic instability that would be devastating,” said
ILO Director-General Guy Ryder. “Our recovery strategy must be human-centred.
We need adequate wage policies that take into account the sustainability of
jobs and enterprises, and also address inequalities and the need to sustain
demand. If we are going to build a better future we must also deal with some
uncomfortable questions about why jobs with high social value, like carers and
teachers, are very often linked to low pay.”
The report includes an
analysis of minimum wage systems, which could play an important role in
building a recovery that is sustainable and equitable. Minimum wages are
currently in place in some form in 90 per cent of ILO Member States. But even
before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic the report finds that, globally, 266
million people – 15 per cent of all wage earners worldwide – were earning less
than the hourly minimum wage, either because of non-compliance or because they
were legally excluded from such schemes. Women are over-represented among
workers earning the minimum wage or less.
“Adequate minimum wages can protect workers against low pay and reduce
inequality,” said Rosalia Vazquez-Alvarez, one of the authors of the report.
“But ensuring that minimum wage policies are effective requires a comprehensive
and inclusive package of measures. It means better compliance, extending
coverage to more workers, and setting minimum wages at an adequate, up-to-date
level that allows people to build a better life for themselves and their
families. In developing and emerging countries, better compliance will require
moving people away from informal work and into the formal sector”.
The Global Wage Report 2020/21 also looks at wage trends in 136
countries in the four years preceding the pandemic. It found that global real
wage growth fluctuated between 1.6 and 2.2 per cent. Real wages increased most
rapidly in Asia and the Pacific and Eastern Europe and much more slowly in
North America and northern, southern and western Europe.
***
UNDP
PRESS RELEASE
KP Government looks at UNDP’s Amn-o-Insaf programme as flag bearer of rule of law interventions
Peshawar, 3 December 2020: – Despite the many challenges faced due to the Covid-19 pandemic, UNDP’s Amn-o-Insaf (AOI) Programme has been able to achieve its outputs and make significant progress in 2020. The Programme supports both the supply and demand sides of rule of law. This is made possible by strengthening justice institutions and citizen rights as well as deepening ongoing efforts to secure peace and stability in the country. The same was highlighted by UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative (a.i.) Ms. Aliona Niculita in her welcome remarks at AOI’s Annual Progress Review Board (PRB) Meeting held virtually yesterday.
Co-chaired by Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Mr. Shakeel Qadir Khan and UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative (a.i.) Aliona Niculita, the PRB was attended by representatives from KP Home Department, KP Police, KP Prosecution Department, Economic Affairs Division, KP Bar Council and donors including Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and Government of Japan.
Mr. Shakeel Qadir Khan welcomed the participants and said that rule of law in the development sector is a new area for international assistance and the UNDP AOI is the flag bearer to attract more international support in the area.“In the past three years, I have seen UNDP AOI make major strides. What makes this programme unique is that it is a good blend of soft activities with infrastructural support”, he highlighted while mentioning the importance of the sector to Government of KP and stressing on the significance of development efforts in the Merged Areas (MAs). He also offered the support of Planning & Development Department to take the work further.
UNDP AOI Manager Mr. Jakhongir Khaydarov delivered a detailed presentation and highlighted areas of success for the programme during 2020. He mentioned that UNDP will be supporting PHC to establish 14 virtual courts in KP and MAs. Among achievements, digitization of case file record has been completed and the next phase is also anticipated, and UNDP has provided necessary institutional support to courts in MAs for their functionality.
Throughout this year, AOI has been working on the capacity building of judges and courts staff, which will continue next year as well.
In spite of the restrictions imposed due to Covid-19, 6731 persons, including 2204 women were made aware of their legal rights through legal awareness campaigns in MAs with the support of KP Bar Council and Civil Society Organization partner. The programme provided law libraries and bar room furniture to three bar associations in districts of the MAs namely Khyber, Mohmand and Bajaur and digitized KA Bar Council’s record room.
Mr. Jakhongir further highlighted that 100% of the original construction work at the Joint Police Training Center Nowshera under the INL Pakistan funding has been completed and savings of US $1.6 million that occurred are being used to build additional facilities. This is expected to be completed in 2021.
Looking forward to 2020, another successful year for UNDP and AOI, Mr. Jakhongir said that in addition to completion of several ongoing projects, five Model Police Stations will be constructed in the MAs with support from Government of Japan and support KP Police in training of 500 MAs police personal.
Moreover, four training centres to eradicate poppy cultivation will be constructed in KP and MAs with funding from Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
Ms. Aliona Niculita appreciated the support of partners and said this meeting has given a great opportunity to identify gaps on where to direct additional efforts. The meeting successfully concluded with a vote of thanks.
For additional information, please contact Ayesha Babar at ayesha...@undp.org or +92 (51) 835 5650
### ### ###
UNDP
is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of
poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of
experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated,
lasting solutions for people and planet.
Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP
***
UNIC Islamabad
4 December 2020
_______________
United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
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MESSAGE ON INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY
5 December 2020
Every year on 5 December, the world observes International Volunteer Day.
This year, we
are highlighting the important contributions of volunteers to the response
to COVID-19.
Around the world, volunteers have been assisting vulnerable groups, correcting misinformation, educating children, providing essential services to the elderly, and supporting front-line health workers.
As we gradually recover from the pandemic, volunteers will have a key role to play in accelerating the transition to green, inclusive and just economies.
Indeed, volunteering is the backbone of our societies.
Often working with the United Nations, volunteers build a sense of togetherness.
They strengthen social cohesion.
And they help to protect communities, especially by reaching those most at need.
That is why, on International Volunteer Day, I appeal to all governments to promote volunteering, support volunteer efforts and recognize volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Volunteers deserve our heartfelt thanks.
***
Embargoed: 7 PM Pakistan Standard Time - 4 December 2020
UNICEF
STATEMENT
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore on occasion of UN General Assembly Special Session on COVID-19
NEW YORK, 4 December 2020 – “COVID-19 is the first truly global crisis we have seen in our lifetimes. No matter where we live, the pandemic affects every one of us. Children have been seriously impacted. However, with more news about promising vaccines, and as we begin to imagine a day when COVID-19 is behind us, our guiding principle must be that the light at the end of the tunnel needs to shine for all.
“This is why UNICEF has enthusiastically joined the Advance Market Commitment of the COVAX Facility to allow low- and lower-middle income countries access to COVID-19 vaccines. It is the best way to make sure that, as vaccines become available, no country is pushed to the back of the line. This would not only be fundamentally unfair, it would be unwise. The whole world will remain vulnerable to the virus until countries with the weakest health systems are protected from it as well.
“In order for the COVAX Facility to work and guarantee equitable and affordable access to low- and lower-middle income countries, we need a global commitment to support and capitalize it, but also to finance the delivery of vaccines and associated supplies such as syringes and safety boxes. Governments must work together to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are affordable and accessible to all countries. High-income countries should invest financially in the Advance Market Commitment and in UNICEF’s COVID-19 vaccine delivery efforts. All countries should take a strong stand against export controls on – and unnecessary stockpiling of – commodities for the COVID-19 response.
“UNICEF is also leveraging our unique strengths in community engagement and vaccine supply to make sure that countries participating in the COVAX Facility have safe, fast and equitable access to the vaccine. This is an enormous undertaking and many challenges still lay ahead. As the largest vaccine buyer in the world, procuring more than 2 billion doses annually for routine immunization and outbreak response on behalf of nearly 100 countries, UNICEF is coordinating and supporting the procurement, international freight, and in-country distribution of COVID-19 vaccines for the COVAX Facility.
“Together with WHO, PAHO, GAVI and other partners at the global and regional levels, UNICEF is also working to support countries to ‘ready’ their immunization programmes for this historic roll-out. This includes assessing capacity and helping countries to strengthen their cold and supply chains so that they have adequate infrastructure to transport and store the vaccines for delivery to the frontlines.
“However, the existence of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine alone will not end the pandemic. We need a diverse set of tools to help slow the spread of COVID-19, including diagnostics and treatments, as well as a continuance of preventive measures such as hand washing, physical distancing and mask wearing. UNICEF is providing governments with access to personal protective equipment, validated testing approaches, and proven treatments. In addition, UNICEF continues to work with multilateral partners to support governments with infection prevention control, water, sanitation and hygiene supplies, physical distancing, surveillance, contact tracing, case identification and community referral systems to stem the pandemic.
“Lastly, we continue to help countries ensure the continuity of key essential services for women, children and young people – especially the most vulnerable. COVID-19 related disruptions have had a heavy impact on children: on their safety, their well-being, their future. Even as the fight against the disease enters into a hopeful new phase, we must not forget the work ahead of us to respond, recover and reimagine a better world for children.”
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About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org. For more information about COVID-19, visit www.unicef.org/coronavirus. Find out more about UNICEF’s work on the COVID-19 vaccines here, or about UNICEF’s work on immunization here.
Follow UNICEF on Twitter and Facebook.
About the Reimagine Campaign
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF has launched Reimagine — an urgent appeal to governments, the public, donors and the private sector to support UNICEF’s efforts to respond, recover and reimagine a world currently besieged by COVID-19. Together, we can prevent this pandemic from becoming a lasting crisis for children—especially the most vulnerable—and Reimagine a fairer world for every child.
For more information, please contact:
Sabrina Sidhu, UNICEF New York, +1 917 4761537, ssi...@unicef.org
UNIC Islamabad
4 December 2020
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FAO
PRESS RELEASE
16-Days Activism against Gender-Based Violence in Merged Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
04.12.2020 Gender-based violence prevails as one of the most inhuman exploit throughout the world, it has no boundaries either national, social or economic. In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the gendered implications have highlighted the unequal impact of the pandemic. In Pakistan, women being essential contributors to economic and social sectors have been faced with less access to necessary resources, services, and time– factors that are hindering their productivity. With COVID-19 and other socio-economic and cultural factors, the multidimensional gender inequalities and gender gaps have exacerbated, giving rise to massive challenges across the country, striking on societies, economies and political systems. Women are immensely affected, as they are more exposed to health risks, loss of income, take on a larger share of unpaid care work and face a heightened threat of gender-based violence during social confinement measures. The pandemic has also overwhelmed the activity lists of women farmers, who run household obligations while ensuring a safe and sufficient food supply for their families and communities despite of being victims of violence and all kind of harassments.
Raising awareness against gender-based violence has become more important than ever especially women living in rural areas are particularly vulnerable to violence because of their relatively weaker social position and lack of awareness about their legal rights.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Pakistan has taken part in the global 16 days campaign to end violence against women by conducting awareness campaign through its Farmer Field Schools in the rural areas of the country. The campaign has been started in North Waziristan and Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Like many other remote areas, these districts are known to be the most conservative area where there is heavy restriction on mobility of women even though the area depends heavily on women for agriculture activities. This is the first time that women and young girls in the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are participating in an awareness campaign to stop gender based violence.
Disseminating messages related to gender based violence has been a big challenge in the rural areas due to a less literate population. FFS approach by FAO in raising awareness against gender based violence is proving an effective tool in reaching out to rural women where 68% of them are associated with agriculture.
FAO in Pakistan is striving to reduce the inequality gap between rural women and men in access to productive resources, services and rural institutions; and increasing their access to economic opportunities that can improve their individual and household well-being is of vital importance for a sustainable change. FAO works with both women and men, institutions and other partners in Pakistan to address GBV in the food security and agriculture sector.
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UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
7 December 2020
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UNDP
PRESS RELEASE
UNDP and Unilever Pakistan to work together to make Rahim Yar Khan a Zero Plastic Waste City
Islamabad, 7 December 2020— UNDP Pakistan and Unilever Pakistan announced their partnership today to test solutions in an effort to minimize plastic waste in Rahim Yar Khan city.
Through this partnership, Unilever and UNDP will work together to enable the plastic waste management ecosystem in Rahim Yar Khan. This initiative will test solutions to reduce plastic waste, and potentially turn waste into resource. The key goal is to create a circular economy system for plastics waste management in Pakistan— by testing new economic models, industrial, and consumer behavior, policy shift and, engaging private sector, and other non-traditional partners.
A virtual event was held today to commemorate this partnership. Present at the event were Ms. Aliona Niculita, Resident Representative a.i., UNDP Pakistan; Mr. Amanullah Khan, Assistant Resident Representative, and Head of Environment and Climate Change Unit (ECCU), UNDP Pakistan; and Mr. Amir Paracha, CEO Unilever Pakistan Ltd, along with relevant representatives of UNDP Pakistan, Unilever Pakistan Ltd, and local government of Rahim Yar Khan City.
Rahim Yar Khan city is home to Unilever’s first and largest factory in Pakistan, and is of key strategic importance to the company’s national footprint. Unilever recently announced a multipronged ambition to reduce its plastic footprint and to play its role towards a circular economy. The company has pledged to collect more plastic than it sells as part of its environmental responsibility.
This vision is also inline of UNDP’s global commitment to work with governments worldwide on business solutions for waste management. UNDP Pakistan is part of the regional cohort of five Countries (Pakistan, Maldives, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Philippines) that are working on the challenge of plastic waste management with the Regional Innovation Center in Bangkok. UNDP is also a regional partner to Unilever, and has been actively engaging with the company on its plastics waste management agenda.
“UNDP is committed to promote public private partnership through innovative solutions to tackle complex development challenges,” stated Ms. Aliona Niculita, Resident Representative a.i. UNDP Pakistan. “UNDP’s plastic waste management portfolio is building a movement towards creating a circular economy for plastics in Pakistan. Through our partnership with Unilever Pakistan, we are working on creating innovative business solutions to turn waste into resource.”
Amir Paracha, Chairman & CEO, Unilever Pakistan added “Unilever has been a part of Pakistan since 1948, and we started that journey in the city of Rahim Yar Khan seven decades ago. This initiative is a means of giving back to our home city and to provide an economic model that can then be replicated across our country. We are confident that this partnership will identify a solution that will not only reduce plastic waste but also provide an opportunity for livelihoods to thousands of people across the country.”
The results from testing these solutions will provide field-tested and holistic insights on effective solutions to develop a larger programme and policy on plastic waste and circular economy.
For additional information, please contact
Ayesha Babar at ayesha...@undp.org or +92 (51) 835 5650
Hussain Ali Talib at Hussai...@unilever.com or +92 301 8229546
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UNDP
PRESS RELEASE
Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and UNDP start week-long public awareness on human rights ahead of International Human Rights Day 2020
Peshawar, December 7, 2020—The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa together with UNDP Pakistan celebrated International Human Rights Day in Peshawar, under the slogan “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands for Human Rights and Inclusive Recovery”. Due to recent spike in COVID-19 cases, the event was attended by limited number of people who strictly observed all SOPs.
The objective of the event was to raise public awareness on human rights principles and Pakistan’s national and international commitments of human rights, particularly the rights of marginalized communities including women, people with disabilities and transgender persons who have faced additional rights-based challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at the event Mr. Masood Ahmad, Secretary for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said: “The Provincial Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is taking all possible measures to ensure human rights of its citizens are protected, especially those who are vulnerable and marginalized”. He further said, that “although International Human Rights Day is celebrated on 10th December each year, we in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are taking the opportunity to observe and celebrate human rights progress and International Human Rights Day for the entirety of this week”.
UNDP’s Representative Mr. Ejaz Mustafa congratulated the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on their ongoing commitment to the protection, promotion and enforcement of human rights, of all those living in the province, while recognizing the emerging rights-based challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He iterated that “UNDP looks forward to continued collaboration with the Department of Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights, including support to strengthening human rights policy implementation at all levels of governance, coordination and collection of human rights data and implementation of the Business and Human Rights National Action Plan.”
Secretary Masood Ahmed and representatives of the Social Welfare Department jointly distributed relief packages to the transgender community whose incomes were affected by the prevailing COVID-19 crisis. In the current situation, the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with facilitation from UNDP has taken several steps to ensure the protection and promotion of the rights of vulnerable populations who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic i.e. women, children, transgender persons and persons with disabilities.
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update-2
7 December 2020
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ITC
PRESS RELEASE
Building institutional Capacity to make Pakistani products market competitive
Sindh: Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP) conducted trainings for the Sindh Food Authority officials on the safety standards of meat in Karachi and Hyderabad from 30 November till 5 December 2020. Funded by the European Union Delegation in Pakistan, and implemented by the International Trade Centre, GRASP is a six-year project working to improve the small and medium enterprises in Sindh and Balochistan, ultimately creating jobs and reducing poverty.
It is important for Pakistani produce to be clean, packaged properly, and be up to date with the market standards as national and international trade is promoted. The Sindh Food Authority officials were trained in international best practises, licencing, compliance, and food surveillance among other topics.
Secretary Food Mr. Haleem Shaikh expressed his appreciation for European Union and ITC for the capacity building support for Sindh Food Authority. He said that ‘’this is a wonderful initiative taken by GRASP in Sindh. It marks the beginning of a new era of enhancing and strengthening SFA staff capacity in professional performance and execution of their duties, followed by an overall institutional capacity assessment of SFA, also supported by GRASP’’. Mr. Shaikh said that collaboration between public and private sectors was vital for sustainable progress.
While speaking to the participants, Mr. Aftab Bhatti of World Food Programme appreciated GRASP efforts, and stressed on the need to have food safety standards and SPS compliance ensured at all levels, in order for the people to have safe, healthy, and nutritious food.
GRASP Provincial Lead for Sindh Ms. Shabnam Baloch acknowledged the participants for their enthusiastic participation, and accentuated the significance of ITC’s partnership with Sindh Food Authority to improve the quality of processed food and awareness among consumers, retailers and processors.
GRASP is working to build the capacity of Pakistan's institutions by training its officials to be equipped with all the knowledge to make them market competitive. The training on food safety standards will enhance the technical and professional capacities of the officials, and enable them to follow internationally recognized food safety standards to ensure SPS compliance.
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
8 December 2020
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United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
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MESSAGE on International Anti-Corruption Day
New York, 9 December 2020
In recent years, anger and frustration have erupted at corrupt leaders and governments. In some countries, people have taken to the streets with demands for social justice and accountability.
Amidst these deep concerns, the COVID-19 crisis creates additional opportunities for corruption. Governments are spending rapidly to get economies back on track, provide emergency support and procure medical supplies. Oversight may be weaker. And the development of vaccines and treatments adds to the risk of bribery and profiteering.
Corruption drains resources from people who need them, undermines trust in institutions, exacerbates the vast inequalities exposed by the virus, and hinders a strong recovery. We cannot allow stimulus funds and vital emergency resources to be diverted.
Recovery from the pandemic must include measures to prevent and combat corruption and bribery. We need broad partnerships to strengthen oversight, accountability and transparency, building on the global anti-corruption tools provided by the United Nations Conventions against Corruption.
Action against corruption should be part of broader national and international reforms and initiatives to strengthen good governance, tackle illicit financial flows and tax havens, and return stolen assets, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. We must take the opportunity for ambitious reforms and initiatives at the first-ever General Assembly special session against corruption next year.
On International Anti-Corruption Day, all of us – governments,
businesses, civil society and all stakeholders – must resolve to work together
to promote accountability and end corruption and bribery for a more just and
equal world.
***
UNODC
Message by Executive Director (UNODC), Ms Ghada Waly
Message for International Anti-Corruption Day
9 December 2020
VIENNA, 9 December (UN
Information Service) — The 2020 International Anti-Corruption Day comes as our
world has been shattered by a global pandemic that continues to unfold.
The COVID-19 crisis threatens to push more than 100 million people into extreme poverty this year alone.
To save lives and livelihoods, governments are spending and fast-tracking economic stimulus packages. Corruption is targeting these emergency measures, weakening vital health and social systems, with lethal consequences.
People have lost jobs and social protection in the crisis, giving rise to dangerous frustrations and turmoil. In our time of greatest need, corruption is fuelling even greater instability.
Now more than ever, governments need to use the tools provided by the UN Convention against Corruption to further strengthen anti-corruption bodies, improve oversight over stimulus investments, and increase transparency and accountability.
As guardian of the Convention, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime has supported 179 countries to date to implement this global framework, and we are working with governments to promote anti-corruption action in the COVID response and recovery.
A world made poorer and more fragile by the pandemic cannot afford to let corruption compromise our efforts to build forward, or our hopes for a fairer future.
We need to stand up for justice, and stand united against corruption.
Countries of destination and origin need to work as partners, to deny safe haven to the corrupt, stop illicit financial flows and return stolen assets.
Together, we can unleash the power of diversity and inclusion by engaging all actors – women and youth, the private sector, civil society and academia – to protect our systems against corrupt networks and practices, and end impunity.
In advancing anti-corruption action, we can build more resilient societies, and get back on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
On this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day, let us commit to recovering better by recovering with integrity.
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UN Women
PRESS RELEASE
Ending gender-based violence crucial for peaceful and just society, say religious scholars
PESHAWAR: Religious leaders and scholars from different faith groups on Tuesday emphasized ending all forms of violence against women and girls terming it critical to building a peaceful society and maintaining and promoting interfaith harmony. They were invited for a dialogue by UN Women, Provincial Office Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and EVAW Alliance KP as part of commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV), a global campaign that runs from 25 November – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – to 10 December, the International Human Rights Day. The event was attended by religious scholars, members of EVAW Alliance, UN officials and civil society.
Religious scholars discussed the issue of GBV in detail and jointly signed a declaration condemning gender-based violence and pledging to play their role in sensitizing communities in order to prevent and eliminate GBV. They observed that, women, being the most vulnerable segment of the society and deprived of their basic rights, were more prone to violence followed by transgender community. “There is a need to strengthen state-run social protection networks and ensure the provision of required support to the vulnerable groups,” the scholars underlined.
“For prevention of gender-based violence, the State has primary responsibility to protect its citizens and religious leaders have a strong potential to influence the lives and behaviour of those who follow their faith and share their beliefs,” stressed the participating scholars.
Zainab Qaisar Khan, Provincial Head UN Women KP, said that like other parts of the world, GBV was also rampant in Pakistani society. “It can happen anywhere, anytime and across all classes irrespective of education level and income status. It can happen against boys, men, elderly and transgender but mostly the target are women and girls,” she remarked, while adding that GBV included, but was not limited to, domestic abuse, sexual violence including rape and honour crimes.
Qamar Naseem, Co-Chair EVAW/G Alliance, threw some light on the role of religious leaders, while stating that religious leaders had great influence and could play a significant role in shaping the behaviours of local communities. He said, “It is essential to engage religious scholars from different faith groups, as a practical strategy, to raise awareness on gender-based violence and address the issue.”
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UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
9 December 2020
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UNAIDS
PRESS RELEASE
INCLUDING HIV PREVENTION AND TREATMENT SERVICES IN PAKISTAN’S ESSENTIAL PACKAGE OF HEALTH SERVICES: A PIONEERING INITIATIVE
Islamabad, 9 December 2020: The Government of Pakistan has recently launched another landmark initiative, the Essential Package of Health Services—its national version of universal health coverage. Universal health coverage is a globally promoted initiative and is in line with Pakistan’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly target 3 on health for all and leaving no one behind.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said: “Pakistan has adopted an essential list of health services, which, once implemented, will put into action a set of preventive and curative interventions without stigma, delivered at the primary and secondary levels, that directly impact upon the health of vulnerable populations and marginalized communities; will help to achieve our human development goals; and will reduce the burden of many diseases and conditions, including HIV and AIDS.”
The Essential Package of Health Services will benefit everyone, including the furthest marginalized populations in geographically far-flung areas, and will improve access to lifesaving and life-prolonging services.
Pakistan has also recognized pro-poor health strategies for responding to the HIV epidemic and the need to significantly increase public-sector investment at the federal and provincial levels to enhance primary health-care services.
This comprehensive package, which includes HIV prevention and treatment services, is a compelling vision of a future in which everyone, including people at the grassroots level, has access to health services that are responsive to their needs and are provided in a timely manner.
Dr Faisal Sultan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health, emphasized: “The provision of many health-promotive, preventive and curative services is effectively possible only if woven into the normal delivery of care at the primary level. HIV is not an exception, and its quality of care will benefit greatly once it is part of a universal package.”
The Essential Package of Health Services includes specific services for people living with or affected by HIV, including:
- Community-based HIV testing and counselling, with appropriate referral and linkages to care and immediate antiretroviral therapy initiation.
- Provision of condoms to key populations, including female sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, transgender people, and people in prison.
- Provision of disposable syringes to people who inject drugs.
- Partner notification and expedited treatment for common sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
- Provider-initiated testing and counselling for HIV, sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis for all people in contact with the health system in high-prevalence settings, including prenatal care, with appropriate referral and linkages to care, including immediate antiretroviral therapy initiation for people who test positive for HIV.
- Screening of HIV in all people with a diagnosis of active TB.
- Immediate antiretroviral therapy initiation for all people living with HIV, with regular monitoring of viral load.
- Use of mass media to encourage the use of comprehensive prevention methods.
- Post-gender-based violence care, including counselling, provision of emergency contraception, and rape-response referral.
The 90,000
community-based Lady Health Workers (LHW) all over the country mandated to
provide primary, preventive, promotive and curative care services mainly in
remote rural and urban slum communities will now play a stronger role in
providing HIV education and referral services at the community level. Comprehensive
HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services will now be an integral
part of LHW Programme, thus normalizing HIV and reducing HIV related stigma. In
the long run, it is expected to increase the uptake of HIV services and improve
the quality of lives of people living with and affected by HIV.
Highlighting equitable access to health services, Dr Zafar Mirza, former
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health and now WHO Advisor on
Universal Health Coverage, said: “Pakistan is well on its way in advancing
universal health coverage. Steady expansion of social health insurance for poor
people and vulnerable groups and launching of the national essential services
package are major milestones. Universal health coverage promotes equity and
promotes affirmative action for marginalized and vulnerable people, including
people living with HIV, people who use drugs, transgender people and other
vulnerable populations.
Aware of the limited resources available, the Government of Pakistan is carefully calibrating decisions to ensure it can bring the greatest impact for people in need. Its success depends on the delivery of all interventions that are critical for good health, including prevention and other non-medical interventions, such as awareness-raising, advocacy, treatment adherence support, and linking key populations to friendly health services.
“I am so glad this is happening now, and I am excited not only for myself but for my brothers and sisters living with HIV, to benefit from this government program. This programme will help normalize the HIV response in the country along with addressing stigma and discrimination and capacity strengthening of health care providers”, said Asghar Satti, National Coordinator, Association of People Living with HIV and AIDS
UNAIDS strongly believes that ensuring access to good-quality services for all, at the time and place where they are needed, is critical to the success of universal health coverage. Dr Maria Elena Filio Borromeo, UNAIDS Country Director for Pakistan, reiterated: “The inclusion of HIV prevention and treatment services in the Essential Package of Health Services is a positive step towards improving access to comprehensive HIV services—not for some but for all. With its effective implementation, Pakistan could sustain its HIV response and potentially end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.”
Contact details
Dr Maria Elena G Filio Borromeo, UNAIDS Country Director Pakistan and Afghanistan, Tel: +92 51 835 5780, Email: borr...@unaids.org
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update-2
9 December 2020
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United Nations
Secretary-General Message
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
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VIDEO MESSAGE ON HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2020
“RECOVER BETTER: STAND UP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS”
New York, 10 December 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced two fundamental truths about human rights.
First, human rights violations harm us all.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups including frontline workers, people with disabilities, older people, women and girls, and minorities.
It has thrived because poverty, inequality, discrimination, the destruction of our natural environment and other human rights failures have created enormous fragilities in our societies.
At the same time, the pandemic is undermining human rights, by providing a pretext for heavy-handed security responses and repressive measures that curtail civic space and media freedom.
The second truth highlighted by the pandemic is that human rights are universal and protect us all.
An effective response to the pandemic must be based on solidarity and cooperation.
Divisive approaches, authoritarianism and nationalism make no sense against a global threat.
People and their rights must be front and centre of response and recovery. We need universal, rights-based frameworks like health coverage for all, to beat this pandemic and protect us for the future.
My Call to Action for Human Rights spells out the central role of human rights in crisis response, gender equality, public participation, climate justice and sustainable development.
On Human Rights Day and every day, let’s resolve to act collectively, with human rights front and centre, to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and build a better future for all.
UNIC Islamabad
9 December 2020
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FAO
PRESS RELEASE
FAO highlights the situation of landless women, marking the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence
Women’s economic status and the gender-based violence (GBV) experienced by landless women in Sindh was the topic of a virtual panel discussion organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to mark the 16 Days of Activism to end Gender Based Violence under the global theme of this year: “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”. Representatives from Government of Sindh, academia, civil society, UN agencies and activists, participated in the discussion.
The event highlighted some of the many ways in which women in Sindh experience violence as part of their roles in the food system and rural society, and how this has been exacerbated during the COVID-19 response. Women can face violence when they attempt to obtain equal access to land, water, information, credit and other resources to produce food and earn income, and yet this access is a necessary condition to end hunger and address food insecurity. The event particularly highlighted the initiatives in better land tenure governance that are being trialed in Sindh to empower landless women farmers, and how a rights-based approach can improve the distribution of resources.
Hussan Banu, from district Jamshoro, Sindh, shared her story by video, on how her rights are now protected after the introduction of a Village Grievances Redressal Committee (VGRC) and informal tenancy agreements under FAO’s Improved Land Tenancy in Sindh project, funded by the European Union. “Thanks to informal tenancy agreements and VGRC, our landlord now cannot evict us at the time of harvest, and we are paid on a timely basis”, she said.
Nuzhat Shirin, Chairperson, Sindh Commission on the Status of Women, while highlighting the role of commission, said that the commission is making efforts to pass the bill on the inclusion of women in water resource management. “We are also engaged in different capacity building programs to sensitize women on their rights, especially property rights,” she informed.
Wali Muhammad Qureshi, Director, Women Development Department Sindh, while congratulating the efforts of FAO to organize an informative discussion, said that women being half the population need a special focus to bring them on a par with men in all walks of life, and this includes rural and hari women. The main problem, he opined, is that in most cases women do not own lands because of non-transfer of family assets to women. This needs to addressed, because when women own the land, they will be more productive as growers, he added.
Genevieve Hussain, FAO Policy Officer, said, “The full participation of rural women in decision-making and dispute resolution, without fear for their safety, is crucial for the efficient and fair use of land and water resources in an agriculture-based economy.’ She added, ‘we must prioritize equality of women’s access to economic resources, if we want to end hunger and poverty”.
Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), Aamer Irshad, stated education as the key to empower women in any society, for which land assets then generate income to invest in human development.
FAO has been conducting series of awareness campaigns against gender based violence in food security and agriculture sector. FAO in Pakistan is striving to reduce the inequality gap between rural women and men in access to productive resources, services and rural institutions; and increasing their access to economic opportunities that can improve their individual and household well-being is of vital importance for a sustainable change.
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UNIC Islamabad
10 December 2020
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UN Women
PRESS RELEASE
International Human Rights Day
Balochistan launches Gender Equality & Women Empowerment Policy 2020-2024 on Human Rights Day
QUETTA: Women Development Department (WDD) Balochistan, in collaboration with UN Women Pakistan, launched the Provincial Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Policy (2020-2024) here on Thursday. The policy was approved by the Provincial Cabinet earlier in the month of October. Addressing the launching ceremony, which coincided with the commemoration of International Human Rights Day and culmination of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV), the Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan said that the approval and launch of the policy reaffirms the commitment of the provincial government towards advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women in the province.
The launch event was attended by parliamentarians, provincial government officials, members of civil society, representatives from UN and donor agencies and media.
The Chief Minister said, “Today is an important day for the women of Balochistan. Effective implementation of this policy, which provides a guideline to all departments, will help uplift the status of women in the province.”
Jam Kamal added that anti-harassment cells have been established at district level across the province to ensure women work in harassment free environment. “For the first time in the history of Balochistan, numerous Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) schemes have been initiated to empower women of Balochistan,” he said while adding, “The provincial government is committed to ensure equal rights for women and we are in the process of finalizing the Heirship Law and other pro-women legislations.”
Addressing the launch event, Chief Secretary Balochistan Capt. (r) Fazeel Asghar, said “I want to congratulate the Women Development Department for the formal launch of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Policy, and hope that this policy will contribute to the social, economic and political empowerment of women as well as enhancing the leadership role of women in humanitarian crisis.”
Secretary WDD, Bilal Jamali said, “Women Development Department endeavours to protect women from violence and provides them with the opportunities to contribute in the development of the province. The GEWE Policy has been re-aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with an extensive review by the WDD and technical expertise provided by UN Women.”
He informed the audience that work on approved PSDP schemes for the year 2020-21 was underway including women business incubation centres, women bazars in Quetta, Khuzdar, Kharan, Loralai, and Gwadar, and working women hostel for single women and women with families at divisional headquarters of Balochistan, while already established shelter homes in Quetta, Khuzdar and Sibi were providing services for women survivors of violence. “Through Women Economic Empowerment Council, WDD is extending and creating avenues for women to take advantage of economic opportunities.”
Addressing the event, Head of UN Women Sub Office Balochistan, Ayesha Wadood highlighted the significance of the pro-women Legislative reforms for Balochistan province and also briefed the audience about the normative work of UN Women Pakistan to help federal and provincial governments deliver on country’s national and international commitments towards advancing gender equality.
She said, “Gender equality and women’s rights are fundamental to global progress, peace and security, human rights and sustainable development. We can only re-establish trust in institutions, rebuild global solidarity and reap the benefits of diverse perspectives by challenging historic injustices and promoting the rights and dignity of all,” she stated.
The event concluded with the commitment that the provincial government will ensure that the policy guidelines and improved coordination mechanism will be followed in implementation of the policy at the provincial level.”
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UN Women
PRESS RELEASE
International Human Rights Day
Overcoming gaps in legislation and implementation critical to protect and uphold human rights, says Shireen Mazari
ISLAMABAD: It is important to take stock of the critical advancements that have been made towards the promotion and protection of human rights in Pakistan, as well as the barriers and obstacles that we have to overcome at an institutional and societal level to ensure that every citizen can live a life in which their integral human dignity and their rights are respected, said the Federal Minister for Human Rights, Shireen Mazari at an event to mark the International Human Rights Day and culmination of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign in Pakistan. The event was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Human Rights and UN Women at the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Crisis Centre (SBBCC) in Islamabad on Thursday, where survivors of violence shared their experiences and gave suggestions on how institutions and duty-bearers can be more responsive to them.
Representatives from legal fraternity, police, civil society, government officials, and UN and diplomatic community attended the event which was held both online and in-person. A video of an acid survivor’s journey and her struggle to get the perpetrator behind bars was also shown during the event to highlight the plight of survivors as well as shine light on their courage and resilience.
“With an emphasis on overcoming gaps in legislation, strengthening implementation, and increasing awareness about human rights, the Ministry of Human Rights is committed to upholding the human rights enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan,” remarked the Minister.
The Minister also inaugurated a computer lab at SBBCC, established with support from UN Women Pakistan, where residents will be taken through several computer skills with an objective to rehabilitate and enable them to fight poverty and become independent citizens.
16 Days of Activism against GBV is a global campaign that takes place each year from 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10th December, International Human Rights Day, highlighting the continued prevalence of violence against women worldwide and the need to take concerted action to prevent and respond to it. The campaign is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.
Given the COVID-19 pandemic situation, this year’s theme for the 16 Days of Activism against GBV was “Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!” that called for global actions to bridge funding gaps, ensure essential services for survivors of violence during the COVID-19 crisis, focus on prevention, and collection of data that can improve life-saving services for women and girls.
“Today’s event brought together diverse stakeholders impacted by, and working to end, violence against women in Pakistan,” stated Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Wendy Gilmour. “It was a valuable exchange and will help ensure that ongoing efforts to strengthen systems and services are informed by, and responsive to, survivors and their needs”.
Joanne Frederiksen, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia in Pakistan, said, “Gender-based violence is a barrier to lasting peace, a burden on economies and a violation of human rights. It is a global challenge, that while serious at any time, is particularly devastating during COVID-19 when access to help is limited. Today may mark the end of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign to eliminate gender-based violence, but Australia’s advocacy and support in Pakistan will continue year-round. After all, to live free from violence is a basic human right.”
Country Representative UN Women Pakistan Sharmeela Rassool in her remarks deliberated on the issue of increasing incidence of GBV in Pakistan especially an escalation during the pandemic. She said, “Women face numerous problems, and among the most serious is violence, which is a grave violation of human rights. The problem of gender-based violence that is affecting Pakistan is global, and of pandemic nature. One in three women experience violence in their lives. We need to have a holistic approach and it should be business of everybody to deal with it,” said Sharmeela, who was attending the event from Violence Against Women Centre in Multan, where a similar activity was hosted by UN Women and both events were interconnected to share best practices in order to help women survivors living in shelters rehabilitate and reintegrate in the society and explore their potentials.
Sharmeela stressed the need for robust coordination mechanisms across sectors and between the provinces and the federation to help GBV survivors access speedy justice as well as quality essential services to face the challenges. She informed the audience that during this year’s campaign, UN Women adopted a different approach and not only involved all stakeholders including legislators, judiciary, police, religious leaders, private sector, civil society and academia to identify collaborative and coordinated solutions to reform and strengthen the justice system but also took pledges to advance efforts for effective and sustainable measures to address the issue of violence.
“UN Women will continue to monitor progress made on the commitments by all stakeholders and help strengthen processes and services for survivors’ access to justice as well as undertake awareness-raising and advocacy for both the promulgation and implementation of laws in order to ensure that survivors are rehabilitated and reintegrated in society and lead a better life with respect and dignity,” she remarked.
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پریس ریلیز
انسانی حقوق کا عالمی دن
قانون سازی اور عملدرآمد کے درمیان خلاء کو دور کرنا انسانی حقوق کے تحفظ اور پاسداری کے لئے ناگزیر ہے: شیریں مزاری
اسلام آباد: انسانی حقوق کی وفاقی وزیر، شیریں مزاری نے کہا ہے کہ انسانی حقوق کے تحفظ اور فروغ کے سلسلے میں پاکستان نے جو نمایاں بہتری دکھائی ہے، اس کے ساتھ ساتھ اداروں اور معاشرے کی سطح پر ان رکاوٹوں اور بندشوں کو پیش نظر رکھنا بھی ضروری ہے جن پر قابو پا کر ہم اس امر کو یقینی بنا رہے ہیں کہ ہر شہری ایسی زندگی بسر کر سکے جس میں اس کے انسانی وقار اور حقوق کا احترام کیا جائے۔ وہ انسانی حقوق کے عالمی دن اور پاکستان میں صنفی تشدد کے خلاف 16 روزہ سرگرمیوں کے اختتام کے موقع پر منعقد کی گئی ایک تقریب سے خطاب کر رہی تھیں جس کا اہتمام انسانی حقوق کی وزارت اور یو این ویمن پاکستان نے مشترکہ طور پر شہید بے نظیر بھٹو کرائسس سنٹر، اسلام آباد میں جمعرات کو کیا۔ اس موقع پر تشدد کا مقابلہ کرنے والی کئی خواتین نے شرکاء کو اپنی روداد سنائی اور اپنی تجاویز بھی پیش کیں کہ مختلف ادارے اور ذمہ داران اس سلسلے میں اپنی سرگرمیوں کو کس طرح زیادہ موثر بنا سکتے ہیں۔
شعبہ قانون، پولیس، سول سوسائٹی، حکومتی اداروں، اقوام متحدہ کے اداروں اور سفارتی برادری کے نمائندوں کی بڑی تعداد نے اس تقریب میں شرکت کی جس کا انعقاد براہ راست آن لائن بھی کیا گیا۔ تیزاب گردی کا شکار ہونے والی ایک خاتون کی کہانی پر مبنی ایک وڈیو بھی اس موقع پر دکھائی گئی جس میں بتایا گیا کہ کس طرح اس خاتون نے مجرم کو قانون کے کٹہرے میں لانے کے لئے جدوجہد کی۔یہ وڈیو اس مقصد کے تحت تیار کی گئی کہ نہ صرف متاثرہ افراد کی حالت زار پر روشنی ڈالی جائے بلکہ ان کی ہمت، حوصلے اور پختہ عزم کو بھی اجاگر کیا جائے۔
اپنے خیالات کا اظہار کرتے ہوئے وفاقی وزیر نے کہا کہ انسانی حقوق سے متعلق قوانین میں موجود خلاء کو دور کرنے، ان پر عملدرآمد کو مضبوط بنانے، اور ان کے بارے میں آگاہی میں اضافہ پر زور دیتے ہوئے وزارت انسانی حقوق نے آئینِ پاکستان کی روشنی میں انسانی حقوق کی مکمل پاسداری کا تہیہ کر رکھا ہے۔
وفاقی وزیر نے اس موقع پر یو این ویمن پاکستان کی مدد سے شہید بے نظیر بھٹو کرائسس سنٹر میں قائم کی گئی کمپیوٹر لیب کا افتتاح بھی کیا جس کی بدولت اس مرکز کی رہائشی خواتین کمپیوٹر کی مختلف مہارتیں حاصل کر سکیں گی جو ان کی بحالی ، غربت سے نجات اور آزاد شہری بننے کی کوششوں میں انہیں مدد دیں گی۔
صنفی تشدد کے خلاف 16 روزہ سرگرمیاں، ایک عالمی مہم ہے جن کا آغاز ہر سال 25 نومبر کو خواتین پر تشدد کے خاتمہ کے عالمی دن سے ہوتا ہے اور 10 دسمبر کو انسانی حقوق کے عالمی دن تک جاری رہتی ہیں۔ اس دوران دنیا بھر میں خواتین پر تشدد کے مسلسل رجحان اور اس کی روک تھام کے سلسلے میں بھرپور کارروائیوں کی ضرورت کو اجاگر کیا جاتا ہے۔ اس مہم کو دنیا بھر کے افراد اور ادارے ایک ایسی تنظیمی حکمت عملی کے طور پر استعمال کرتے ہیں جس کے ذریعے لوگوں سے خواتین اور لڑکیوں پر ہر طرح کے تشدد کے خاتمہ اور روک تھام میں اپنا کردار ادا کرنے کی اپیل کی جاتی ہے۔
کرونا وائرس کے باعث موجودہ حالات کے پیش نظر، رواں سال، صنفی تشدد کے خلاف 16 روزہ سرگرمیوں کا انعقاد "فنڈ کریں، جوابی اقدام کریں، روک تھام کریں، جمع کریں" کے مرکزی پیغام کے تحت کیا گیا جس کا مقصد فنڈز کی کمی کو دور کرنے، کرونا وائرس کے بحران کے دوران تشدد سے متاثرہ افراد کے لئے لازمی خدمات کی فراہمی یقینی بنانے، روک تھام ، اور ایسے اعدادوشمار جمع کرنے پر زور دینا تھا جن کے ذریعے خواتین اور لڑکیوں کے لئے جان بچانے والی خدمات کو بہتر بنایا جا سکے۔
پاکستان میں کینیڈا کی ہائی کمشنر، وینڈی گلمور نے تقریب سے خطاب کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ آج کی تقریب کی بدولت پاکستان میں خواتین پر تشدد سے متاثر ہونے والوں اور اس کے خاتمہ کے لئے سرگرم مختلف شعبہ ہائے زندگی کے متعلقہ فریقوں کو یکجا کرنے کا موقع ملا۔ اس طرح انہوں نے نہ صرف آپس میں خیالات کا تبادلہ کیا بلکہ اس بات کو یقینی بنانے میں بھی مدد ملے گی کہ متعلقہ نظام اور خدمات کو مضبوط بنانے کی کوششوں میں متاثرہ افراد سے معلومات لی جائیں اور ان کی روشنی میں ان کی ضروریات کو پورا کیا جائے۔
پاکستان میں آسٹریلیا کی ڈپٹی ہائی کمشنر جوان فریڈرکسن کا کہنا تھا کہ صنفی تشدد پائیدار امن میں ایک رکاوٹ ہے، معیشت پر ایک بوجھ ہے اور انسانی حقوق کے منافی ہے۔ یہ ایک عالمی چیلنج ہے جو کسی بھی حال میں ایک طرف تو سنگین ہے اور دوسری جانب کرونا وائرس کی وباء جیسے حالات میں جب مدد تک رسائی محدود ہوتی ہے، خاص طور پر تباہ کن ثابت ہوتا ہے۔ انہوں نے مزید کہا کہ آج صنفی تشدد کے خاتمہ کی 16 روزہ سرگرمیاں اپنے اختتام کو پہنچ رہی ہیں لیکن آسٹریلیا کی جانب سے پاکستان میں اس سے متعلق ایڈووکیسی سرگرمیوں اور معاونت کا سلسلہ جاری رہے گا کیونکہ کسی بھی صورت میں تشدد سے پاک زندگی گزارنا ایک بنیادی انسانی حق ہے۔
یو این ویمن پاکستان کی کنٹری ریپریزنٹیٹو، شرمیلا رسول نے اپنے خیالات کا اظہار کرتے ہوئے پاکستان میں بالخصوص وباء کے دوران صنفی تشدد کے واقعات میں اضافے کے مسئلے پر روشنی ڈالی۔ ان کا کہنا تھا کہ خواتین کو لاتعداد مسائل درپیش ہیں جن میں تشدد سب سے سنگین ہے جو انسانی حقوق کی سنگین خلاف ورزی ہے۔ انہوں نے مزید کہا کہ صنفی تشدد کا مسئلہ محض پاکستان کا نہیں بلکہ پوری دنیا کا مسئلہ ہے اور یہ وبائی نوعیت کا حامل ہے۔ شرمیلا رسول نے بتایا کہ اوسطاً ہر تیسری خاتون کو اپنی زندگی میں تشدد کا سامنا کرنا پڑتا ہے۔ ہمیں اس سے نمٹنے کے لئے کلی سوچ پر مبنی لائحہ عمل اپنانا ہو گا اور یہ کسی ایک فرد کی نہیں بلکہ ہر فرد کی ذمہ داری ہونی چاہئے۔ خیال رہے کہ شرمیلا رسول نے ملتان کے 'وائلنس اگینسٹ ویمن سنٹر' سے آن لائن طریقے سے تقریب میں شرکت کی جہاں یو این ویمن کی جانب سے اسی طرح کی ایک تقریب کا انعقاد کیا گیا تھا اور ان دونوں تقاریب کو آپس میں جوڑنے سے نہ صرف شرکاء کو پناہ گاہوں اور خصوصی مراکز میں رہنے والی متاثرہ خواتین کی مدد کے بہترین طریقوں پر باہمی تبادلہ خیالات کا موقع ملا بلکہ امید ہے کہ ان کی بحالی اور انہیں دوبارہ معاشرے کا حصہ بنانے اور ان کی صلاحیتوں کو بروئے کار لانے میں بھی مدد ملے گی۔
شرمیلا رسول نے اپنے خطاب میں زور دیا کہ صنفی تشدد کے متاثرین کو انصاف تک فوری رسائی میں مدد دینے اور مشکل حالات کا مقابلہ کرنے کے لئے ضروری معیاری خدمات کی فراہمی یقینی بنانے کے لئے مختلف شعبوں کے درمیان اور وفاق اور صوبوں کے درمیان کوآرڈینیشن کے مضبوط نظام وضع کرنے کی ضرورت ہے۔ انہوں نے شرکاء کو بتایا کہ رواں سال کی مہم کے دوران یو این ویمن نے ایک نیا لائحہ عمل اپنایا اور مقننہ، عدلیہ و پولیس کے ارکان، مذہبی رہنماؤں، نجی شعبے، سول سوسائٹی اور شعبہ تدریس سمیت تمام متعلقہ فریقوں کو ساتھ ملا کر نہ صرف نظام عدل کی اصلاح اور استحکام کے لئے اشتراک عمل پر مبنی طریقے وضع کرنے پر کام کیا بلکہ ان سے وعدے بھی لئے کہ وہ تشدد کے مسئلے کے ازالے کے لئے موثر اور پائیدار اقدامات کو آگے بڑھانے کی کوششیں کریں گے۔
شرمیلا رسول نے کہا کہ یو این ویمن تمام متعلقہ فریقوں کی طرف سے کئے گئے وعدوں پر ہونے والی پیشرفت کی مسلسل نگرانی کرے گا اور نہ صرف متاثرہ افراد کو انصاف تک رسائی دینے کے طریقوں اور خدمات کو مستحکم بنانے میں مدد دے گا بلکہ قوانین کے نفاذ اور عملدرآمد پر آگاہی اور ایڈووکیسی سرگرمیوں کے ذریعے اس امر کو یقینی بنانے کی کوشش بھی کرے گا کہ متاثرہ افراد کی بحالی اور انہیں دوبارہ معاشرے کا حصہ بنانےکے لئے اقدامات کئے جائیں تاکہ وہ ایک باوقار اور باعزت زندگی گزار سکیں۔
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UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
11 December 2020
_______________
WFP
STATEMENT
10 December 2020
WFP CHIEF URGES WORLD TO USE ITS WEALTH TO PREVENT FAMINE IN NOBEL ACCEPTANCE SPEECH
Transcript as delivered of the speech given by UN World Food Programme Executive Director David Beasley during today’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance ceremony.
ROME:
Waking up this morning in the beautiful city of Rome, it is hard to
imagine that in about 400 AD this city experienced a massive famine, that ended
up killing almost 90% of its population. Students of history associate
something else with that ancient date: the beginning of the Fall of the
Roman Empire. Now, did the famine cause the fall? Or did the fall
cause the famine? I think the answer is yes — both.
Waking up in this wealthy, modern, technologically advanced world, it’s hard to imagine us going through a famine like that. But my tragic duty today is to tell you: famine is at humanity’s doorstep. For millions and millions of people on earth.
Failure to prevent famine in our day will destroy so many lives and cause the fall of much we hold dear.
On behalf of Secretary-General Guterres of the United Nations, our Board, our sister agencies, our incredible partners and donors and most importantly on behalf of 19,000 peacemakers at the World Food Programme, and for all those who came before us, especially those who died in the line of duty and their families who carry on, and on behalf of the 100 million hungry people we serve, to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, thank you, for this great honour.
Also, thank you for acknowledging our work of using food to combat
hunger, to mitigate against destabilization of nations, to prevent mass
migration, to end conflict and… to create stability and peace.
We believe food is the pathway to peace.
I wish today that I could speak of how working together we could end world hunger for all the 690 million people who go to bed hungry every night. But, today we have a crisis at hand.
This Nobel Peace Prize is more than a thank you. It is a call to
action. Because of so many wars, climate change, the widespread use of hunger
as a political and military weapon, and a global health pandemic that makes all
of that exponentially worse —270 million people are marching toward
starvation. Failure to address their needs will cause a hunger pandemic
which will dwarf the impact of COVID.
And if that’s not bad enough, out of that 270 million, 30 million depend on us 100% for their survival.
How will humanity respond?
Let me tell you why what we do at the World Food Programme works.
First, food is sacred. Anyone who has sat down to a Thanksgiving or a holiday meal, or taken communion, attended a Seder, fasted for Ramadan or made a food offering at a Buddhist temple knows that.
And every human, whether they are people of faith or not, knows the power of food not only to sustain us, but bring us together in our common humanity.
Here’s the second reason the World Food Programme works: because what the 19,000 of us are doing is an act of love. Dr. King, Nobel Laureate in 1964 said, “Love is the most durable power in the world.”
And, like Dr. King, from a very young age, I learned this teaching
from Jesus of Nazareth, as he taught from the Torah: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”
I have come to understand that a better translation of what Jesus actually said
was “Love your neighbour as your equal.” Think for a moment
what that really means.
Imagine every woman, man, girl and boy we share this planet with is our equal … and if we would just love them as such. Imagine what that would do to war, to conflict, to racism, to division, and to discrimination of every kind.
What warms my heart is this: 100 million of my equals – my neighbours - received food from the World Food Programme this last year and we averted famine.
What tears me up inside is this: this coming year, millions and millions and millions of my equals – my neighbours, your neighbours - are marching to the brink of starvation.
We stand at what may be the most ironic moment in modern history. On the one hand — after a century of massive strides in eliminating extreme poverty, today those 270 million of our neighbours are on the brink of starvation. That’s more than the entire population of Western Europe.
On the other hand, there is $400 trillion dollars of wealth in our world today. Even at the height of the COVID pandemic, in just 90 days, an additional $2.7 trillion dollars of wealth was created. And we only need $5 billion dollars to save 30 million lives from famine.
What am I missing here?
A lot of my friends and leaders around the world have
said to me, “You’ve got the greatest job in the world, saving the lives of
millions of people.”
Well, here is what I tell them: “I
don’t go to bed at night thinking about the children we saved, I go to bed
weeping over the children we could not save. And, when we don’t have enough
money, nor the access we need, we have to decide which children eat and which
children do not eat, which children live, which children die. How
would you like that job?”
Please don’t ask us to choose who lives and who dies.
In the spirit of Alfred Nobel, as inscribed on this medal - “peace
and brotherhood” - let’s feed them all.
Food is the pathway to peace.
For journalists:
Broadcast quality footage of the ceremony and speech will be released later this afternoon. Please contact jonatha...@wfp.org or wfp....@wfp.org for more details.
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. We are the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
Follow us on Twitter @wfp_media
For more information please contact (email address: Mahira...@wfp.org)
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UNDP
PRESS RELEASE
UNDP and JAZZ to work together for promoting youth-led social innovation in Pakistan
Islamabad, 10 December 2020: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan and JAZZ, the country’s number one 4G operator and the largest internet and broadband service provider, signed a funding agreement worth USD 400,000 to promote youth-led social innovation in Pakistan through a series of SDG Bootcamps all across Pakistan.
The training bootcamps engage 800 social entrepreneurs in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and ICT/GB/AJK. Given the current COVID-19 crisis, one of the key focuses would be to find innovative solutions to address the challenges posed by the pandemic. The most promising social ventures ideas will be provided seed money to start their initiatives.
During the event, Amir Goraya, Assistant Resident Representative of Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit, UNDP Pakistan said, “There is a need to enhance the ecosystem of social entrepreneurship in Pakistan as it creates employment, addresses societal issues and contributes towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. The partnership between UNDP and Jazz presents an exciting opportunity to promote economic empowerment of vulnerable youth. Together, UNDP and Jazz will facilitate young entrepreneurs to enter this space and launch their creative ideas.”
According to Syed Fakhar Syed, Chief Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Officer at Jazz, “Jazz supports various sustainable initiatives to strengthen the digital ecosystem and empower young people to make a positive difference through increased access to education, digital skills and social entrepreneurship. This partnership is aligned with Pakistan’s 2025 Vision with Jazz continuing its commitment to developing digital skills and literacy among the youth. Through this initiative, we are aiming to further strengthen the startup ecosystem and provide young people with opportunities to lead societal change and increase employment avenues.”
UNDP, through its Kamyab Jawan – Youth Empowerment Programme, is supporting the Government of Pakistan in developing innovative and sustainable entry points for social engagement and economic empowerment of young Pakistanis. One of the key components of the Programme is to support youth entrepreneurship which not only empowers young people economically, but also spurs change and ensures inclusive development of the country.
UNIC Islamabad
12 December 2020
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UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
UNICEF and PSDF sign partnership agreement for research on youth skills development and job placement
Model linking non-formal education and job
placement to be developed
as part of the ‘Generation Unlimited’ partnership
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, 12 December 2020 – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) signed a partnership agreement yesterday, to implement a research and development project in support of adolescent and youth education, skills development and job placement as part of the ‘Generation Unlimited’ partnership in Pakistan.
The agreement will help research, design and pre-test an accelerated and cost-effective ‘Non-Formal Education to Job Placement’ model to help improve the skills and employability of the most vulnerable and economically, socially disadvantaged adolescents and youth. It targets adolescents and young people who have never attended formal education or who dropped out of the formal education system without achieving primary school competencies, and who do not have access to education and economic opportunities.
PSDF will work with UNICEF, federal and provincial governments, and partners from civil society organizations and the private sector to design and pre-test the ‘Non-Formal Education to Job Placement’ model in Punjab. It aims at offering a unique, integrated solution by simultaneously (1) providing adolescents and young people age 10-19 who are outside the formal education system with the opportunity to enroll in an Accelerated Learning Program so they can achieve foundational skills in literacy and numeracy at primary school; (2) equipping those who have achieved grade 5 competency level with job and entrepreneurial skills through training to enhance their capacities to access non-hazardous income generational opportunities; and (3) linking young people who have successfully graduated from the program to the labour market.
““We are proud that UNICEF has partnered with PSDF in Pakistan for this landmark initiative to educate and skill out-of-school adolescents,” said Mr. Jawad Khan, CEO of PSDF. “This is recognition of PSDF as the most innovative and progressive development sector organization in Pakistan. PSDF has deep knowledge in skills training gained through managing large evidence-based and demand-driven programs, operational excellence achieved through working with largest international donors, and unmatched ability to deliver results as PSDF graduates generate annual incomes of PKR 20 Billion.”
The project is part of the ‘Generation Unlimited’ (GenU) partnership in Pakistan, which aims at creating a movement to help young people, particularly adolescent girls and boys between the ages of 10 and 19, acquire the education and skills training required to access employment opportunities. The GenU multi-sector partnership platform brings together government, private sector, civil society organizations and development partners, and forges innovative collaboration with young people, with a view to expand and link formal education and skill development.
“Pakistan has the largest generation of young people in its history, which provides unique challenges as well as opportunities,” said Ms. Aida Girma, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. “This new model aims to expand opportunities for and with young people, in particular out-of-school adolescent girls and boys, to access quality education, skills training and employment. It supports the Vision of ‘Generation Unlimited’, which is to gather public and private partners around the goal of investing in young people to help them achieve their potential while supporting economic and social growth.”
The model will be developed and pre-tested in Punjab as a first phase. The goal is to start similar programs in other provinces in the future to reach millions of young people who lack opportunities.
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For more information, please contact:
PSDF
communi...@psdf.org.pk, +92 423 575 2408-10.
About PSDF
A Success Story of Public-Private Partnerships: PSDF is the largest skills development fund in Pakistan set up by the Government of Punjab (GoPb) in collaboration with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It plays a leadership role in skills training by collaborating with over 500+ training partners, including 200+ businesses across 10 sectors. PSDF delivers trainings in 2,400+ locations and 40% of its beneficiaries are women. PSDF also leads the National Accelerator on Closing the Skills Gap in Pakistan in partnership with the World Economic Forum. Website: www.psdf.org.pk, LinkedIn: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF), Facebook:/punjabskillsdevelopmentfund, Twitter: @PSDF_official, YouTube://punjabskillsdevelopmentfund.
UNICEF
Catherine Weibel, UNICEF Pakistan, cwe...@unicef.org, +92 300 500 2592
Sana’a Zuberi, UNICEF Pakistan, szu...@unicef.org,
+92 332 8564 233
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org and www.unicef.org/pakistan. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Generation Unlimited
Founded in September 2018, Generation Unlimited (GenU) aims to transform education, employment and entrepreneurial outcomes for young people around the world by bringing together stakeholders from the private sector, government, UN agencies, civil society and young people to scale up solutions and attract investment.
UNIC Islamabad
14 December 2020
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UNDP
INVITATION
GLOBAL LAUNCH
Human Development Report 2020
‘The next frontier: Human development and the Anthropocene’
Tuesday, 15 December 2020, 10:30 PM (PST) RSVP HERE
For the first time in a relationship spanning 300,000 years, instead of the planet shaping humans, humans are shaping the planet. This is the Anthropocene: the age of humans. The 30th anniversary Human Development Report 2020 looks at how humanity can navigate this new age, unpacking the relationships between people and the planet and where we go from here, to transform pathways to human progress.
 High-Level Segment - The next frontier for human developmentOPENING REMARKS HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden STATEMENTS Stefan Löfven, Prime Minister of Sweden, co-host of the launch event Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator REPORT’S KEY FINDINGS Pedro Conceição, Director of the Human Development Report Office, UNDP VIDEO MESSAGES Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, actor, UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Yemi Alade, singer-songwriter, UNDP GoodwillAmbassador Jayathma Wickramanayake, UN Envoy on Youth Featuring appearances by UNDP Turkey Life Below Water Advocate Şahika Ercümen, UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador for Pakistan Samina Baig and UNDP Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Arab States Michael Haddad. REFLECTIONS Peter Eriksson, Minister for International Development Cooperation of Sweden Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme
Leaders Dialogue - Expanding human freedom in balance with the planet – Mechanisms for changeTharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, Singapore; Co-Chair of the 2020 HDR Advisory Board Andrea Meza Murillo, Minister for Energy and the Environment, Costa Rica Roberto Marques, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors for Natura &Co Belinda Reyers, Professor and Research Chair in Sustainability Science, Future Africa, University of Pretoria, and Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University
Event moderated by Femi Oke, Journalist and founder of Moderate the Panel
For more details contact: Ayesha Babar, Head of Communications Unit, UNDP Pakistan ***
UNICEF PRESS RELEASE
UNICEF & Facebook launch a digital campaign to promote life-saving immunizations
Islamabad, December 14, 2020 - The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted life for many, including children in need of lifesaving, routine immunizations. In countries like Pakistan, additional roadblocks as a result of the pandemic have been compounded by an existing hesitancy in some communities to vaccinate children as well as global disruptions to the delivery of immunizations.
That’s why Facebook’s Data for Good team recently worked in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to better understand constraints to vaccine adoption in Pakistan with the objective to help the development sector have better insights for effective, local outreach.
The campaign reached 7.2 million people in Pakistan, with post-campaign survey results showing that those exposed to the campaign were more inclined to vaccinate their children at a healthcare center.
“Interruption of health services due to COVID-19, has resulted in a large number of children missing out on their routine immunization increasing the risk of outbreaks of diseases in Pakistan, says Aida Girma,” UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. As the services have now resumed, collaboration with Facebook is helping us reach the most vulnerable children and those who were missed, through improved data services and an aggressive awareness campaign, she adds.”
Working with the UNICEF Pakistan Country Office, Facebook leveraged its Insights to impact and amplify the immunization campaign from the Government of Pakistan’s Facebook Page. The project was conducted in three stages and featured a campaign with the hashtag #VaccinesWork, which sought to promote the continuation of vaccinations for children during COVID-19, particularly at health care centers. An accompanying video campaign also featured easy-to-understand animations with guidelines on how to encourage vaccinations during the pandemic.
“To support UNICEF in their effort to increase routine immunization, we leveraged insights from the Facebook platform and tested the effectiveness of various types of content. Overall, the results of this effort demonstrate the Facebook platform’s potential to disseminate public health information as well as the importance of working with partners like UNICEF to achieve positive health outcomes for communities” said Kadeem Khan, Associate Research Manager, Facebook Data for Good.
About UNICEF UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org.
For more information or any queries please contact: Abdul Sami Malik, 03008556654, Email: asm...@unicef.org ***
WHO/UNICEF JOINT NEWS RELEASE
Almost 2 billion people depend on health care facilities without basic water services – WHO, UNICEF Lack of water puts health care workers and patients at higher risk of COVID-19 infection
14 December 2020 | Geneva, New York – Around 1.8 billion people are at heightened risk of COVID-19 and other diseases because they use or work in health care facilities without basic water services, warn WHO and UNICEF.
“Working in a health care facility without water, sanitation and hygiene is akin to sending nurses and doctors to work without personal protective equipment” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Water supply, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities are fundamental to stopping COVID-19. But there are still major gaps to overcome, particularly in least developed countries.”
The report, Fundamentals first: Universal water, sanitation, and hygiene services in health care facilities for safe, quality care, comes as COVID-19 is exposing key vulnerabilities within health systems, including inadequate infection prevention and control.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are vital to the safety of health workers and patients yet provision of these services is not prioritized Worldwide, 1 in 4 health care facilities has no water services, 1 in 3 does not have access to hand hygiene where care is provided, 1 in 10 has no sanitation services*, and 1 in 3 does not segregate waste safely.
“Sending healthcare workers and people in need of treatment to facilities without clean water, safe toilets, or even soap puts their lives at risk,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “This was certainly true before the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year has made these disparities impossible to ignore. As we reimagine and shape a post-COVID world, making sure we are sending children and mothers to places of care equipped with adequate water, sanitation and hygiene services is not merely something we can and should do. It is an absolute must.”
The situation is worst of all in the world’s 47 Least Developed Countries (LDCs): 1 in 2 health care facilities does not have basic drinking water, 1 in 4 health care facilities has no hand hygiene facilities at points of care; and 3 in 5 lack basic sanitation services.
But this can be fixed. The report’s preliminary estimates indicate that it would cost roughly USD 1 per capita to enable all 47 LDCs to establish basic water service in health facilities. On average, USD 0.20 per capita is needed each year to operate and maintain services.
According to the report, immediate, incremental investments in WASH have big returns: improving hygiene in health care facilities is a “best buy” for tackling antimicrobial resistance. It reduces health care costs because it reduces health-care associated infections (which are costly to treat). It saves time as health workers do not have to search for water for hand hygiene. Better hygiene also increases uptake of services. This all adds up to a return of USD 1.5 for every dollar invested.
These services are especially critical for vulnerable populations, including pregnant mothers, newborns and children. Improving WASH services in health care facilities is particularly important around childbirth when far too many mothers and newborns suffer and die, including from preventable conditions like sepsis. Better WASH services could save a million pregnant women and newborns’ lives and reduce still-births.
The report provides four main recommendations:
Global WASH and health partners have shown their support for meeting global and country WASH in health care facility targets. By 2020, over 130 partners have committed resources, of which 34 have made dedicated financial commitments totaling USD125 million.
Nevertheless, implementation of the 2019 World Health Assembly Resolution on WASH in health care facilities is uneven. Of the nearly 50 countries for which WHO and UNICEF have data, 86 per cent have updated standards and 70 per cent have conducted initial assessments which show that these areas are generally on track. Yet just a third of countries have costed national WASH in health care facility roadmaps and only 10 per cent have included WASH indicators in national health systems monitoring.
More catalytic global funding, technical support, and domestic resourcing is needed to keep health care workers and patients safe and protected. Now, an opportunity exists to build on existing efforts and commitments and integrate WASH in health care facilities in all national COVID-19 plans, vaccine distribution and economic recovery packages.
“For millions of healthcare workers across the world, water is PPE”, said Jennifer Sara, Global Director for Water at the World Bank Group. “It is essential that financing keeps flowing to bring water and sanitation services to those battling the COVID crisis on the frontlines. Funding WASH in healthcare facilities is among the most cost-effective investments that governments can make.”
Data published by WHO in October indicates that COVID-19 infections among health care workers are far greater than those in the general population: Health care workers represent less than 3 per cent of the population, but account for 14 per cent of global COVID-19 cases reported to WHO. Ensuring health care workers have the basic WASH necessities to keep themselves, their patients, their families and children safe - is imperative.
Note to Editors: The data in this year’s report include statistics for 165 countries, from surveys representing 760,000 facilities. Compared to last year’s baseline report, estimates were available for 125 countries with data from surveys representing 560,000 facilities. The data on county progress in implementing the World Health Assembly Resolution represent 47 countries. It is the first time these data have been compiled and analyzed.
Sanitation services are measures taken to ensure the hygienic management of excreta along all stages of the sanitation chain: capture, containment, emptying, transport, treatment and safe disposal.
Related links: The full report, press release and infographics will be available at the following links:
WHO:
UNICEF: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/wash-healthcare-facilities-2020
About the World Health Organization
Visit www.who.int and follow WHO on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat, YouTube.
About UNICEF UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. |
For more information please contact: In Geneva: Hedinn Halldorsson, Department of Communications, WHO, Mobile: +41 79 596 5716 Whatsapp: +354 867 8609, Email: halldo...@who.int.
In New York: Sara Al Hattab, UNICEF New York, Tel: +1 917 957 6536, Email: salh...@unicef.org |
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
15 December 2020
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United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
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MESSAGE ON LAUNCH OF
THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR
OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 2021
15 December 2020
Fruits and vegetables are the cornerstone of a healthy and varied diet. They provide the human body with an abundance of nutrients, strengthen immune systems and help lower risks for a number of diseases. Yet, despite these tremendous benefits, we do not consume enough of them.
By declaring 2021 as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, we are taking a closer look at a critical sector and urging the adoption of a more holistic approach to production and consumption that benefits human and environmental health.
A key moment in the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables will be the Food Systems Summit where we will call on all stakeholders to intensify efforts to make food systems more inclusive, resilient and sustainable.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the role our food systems play in fighting hunger, ending poverty and protecting our planet. Yet, today, rising populations, increased urbanization, the growing scarcity of natural resources, agricultural pollution and land use change, high levels of food loss and waste and the impacts of climate change are all highlighting the fragility of our food systems.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the health and livelihoods of people across the world, we must come together to ensure that nutritious food, including fruits and vegetables, reaches the most vulnerable, leaving no one behind.
Let us use this International Year to rethink our relationship with how we produce and consume food. Let us re-examine our food systems and commit to a healthier, more resilient and sustainable world where everyone can access and afford the diverse nutrition they need.
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UNDP
PRESS RELEASE
Broken societies put people and planet on collision course, says UNDP
An experimental global index offers a new measurement of human progress that illustrates the challenge of tackling poverty and inequality while easing planetary pressure.
New York, 15 December 2020 – The COVID-19 pandemic is the latest crisis facing the world, but unless humans release their grip on nature, it won’t be the last, according to a new report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which includes a new experimental index on human progress that takes into account countries’ carbon dioxide emissions and material footprint.
The report lays out a stark choice for world leaders - take bold steps to reduce the immense pressure that is being exerted on the environment and the natural world, or humanity’s progress will stall.
“Humans wield more power over the planet than ever before. In the wake of COVID-19, record- breaking temperatures and spiraling inequality, it is time to use that power to redefine what we mean by progress, where our carbon and consumption footprints are no longer hidden,” said Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator.
“As this report shows, no country in the world has yet achieved very high human development without putting immense strain on the planet. But we could be the first generation to right this wrong. That is the next frontier for human development,” he said.
The report argues that as people and planet enter an entirely new geological epoch, the Anthropocene or the Age of Humans, it is time to for all countries to redesign their paths to progress by fully accounting for the dangerous pressures humans put on the planet, and dismantle the gross imbalances of power and opportunity that prevent change.
To illustrate the point, the 30th anniversary edition of the Human Development Report, The Next Frontier: Human Development and the Anthropocene, introduces an experimental new lens to its annual Human Development Index (HDI).
By adjusting the HDI, which measures a nation’s health, education, and standards of living, to include two more elements: a country’s carbon dioxide emissions and its material footprint, the index shows how the global development landscape would change if both the wellbeing of people and also the planet were central to defining humanity’s progress.
With the resulting Planetary-Pressures Adjusted HDI – or PHDI - a new global picture emerges, painting a less rosy but clearer assessment of human progress. For example, more than 50 countries drop out of the very high human development group, reflecting their dependence on fossil fuels and material footprint.
Despite these adjustments, countries like Costa Rica, Moldova, and Panama move upwards by at least 30 places, recognizing that lighter pressure on the planet is possible.
“The Human Development Report is an important product by the United Nations. In a time where action is needed, the new generation of Human Development Reports, with greater emphasis on the defining issues of our time such as climate change and inequalities, helps us to steer our efforts towards the future we want,” said Stefan Löfven, Prime Minister of Sweden, host country of the launch of the report.
The next frontier for human development will require working with and not against nature, while transforming social norms, values, and government and financial incentives, the report argues.
For example, new estimates project that by 2100 the poorest countries in the world could experience up to 100 more days of extreme weather due to climate change each year- a number that could be cut in half if the Paris Agreement on climate change is fully implemented.
And yet fossil fuels are still being subsidized: the full cost to societies of publicly financed subsidies for fossil fuels - including indirect costs - is estimated at over US$5 trillion a year, or 6.5 percent of global GDP, according to International Monetary Fund figures cited in the report.
Reforestation and taking better care of forests could alone account for roughly a quarter of the pre-2030 actions we must take to stop global warming from reaching two degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.
“While humanity has achieved incredible things, it is clear that we have taken our planet for granted,” said Jayathma Wickramanayake, the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy Youth. “Across the world young people have spoken up, recognizing that these actions put our collective future at risk. As the 2020 Human Development Report makes clear, we need to transform our relationship with the planet — to make energy and material consumption sustainable, and to ensure every young person is educated and empowered to appreciate the wonders that a healthy world can provide.”
How people experience planetary pressures is tied to how societies work, says Pedro Conceição, Director of UNDP’s Human Development Report Office and lead author of the report, and today, broken societies are putting people and planet on a collision course.
Inequalities within and between countries, with deep roots in colonialism and racism, mean that people who have more capture the benefits of nature and export the costs, the report shows. This chokes opportunities for people who have less and minimizes their ability to do anything about it.
For example, land stewarded by indigenous peoples in the Amazon absorbs, on a per person basis, the equivalent carbon dioxide of that emitted by the richest 1 percent of people in the world. However, indigenous peoples continue to face hardship, persecution and discrimination, and have little voice in decision-making, according to the report.
And discrimination based on ethnicity frequently leaves communities severely affected and exposed to high environmental risks such as toxic waste or excessive pollution, a trend that is reproduced in urban areas across continents, argue the authors.
According to the report, easing planetary pressures in a way that enables all people to flourish in this new age requires dismantling the gross imbalances of power and opportunity that stand in the way of transformation.
Public action, the report argues, can address these inequalities, with examples ranging from increasingly progressive taxation, to protecting coastal communities through preventive investment and insurance, a move that could safeguard the lives of 840 million people who live along the world’s low elevation coastlines. But there must be a concerted effort to ensure that actions do not further pit people against planet.
“The next frontier for human development is not about choosing between people or trees; it’s about recognizing, today, that human progress driven by unequal, carbon-intensive growth has run its course,” said Pedro Conceição.
“By tackling inequality, capitalizing on innovation and working with nature, human development could take a transformational step forward to support societies and the planet together,” he said.
To learn more about the 2020 Human Development report and UNDP’s analysis on the experimental Planetary Pressures-Adjusted HDI, visit http://hdr.undp.org/en/2020-report
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UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.
Media Contacts:
Human Development Report Office | Anna Ortubia, Communications Specialist | anna.o...@undp.org
UNDP | Lesley Wright, Media & Advocacy Advisor | lesley...@undp.org
UNDP Pakistan | Ayesha Babar, Head of Communications Unit | ayesha...@undp.org
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Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
MEDIA ADVISORY
The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health, Dr. Faisal Sultan, will be the main speaker at ‘Reinforcing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during Second Wave of COVID-19’, an online event jointly organized by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The objective of the event is to urge people to continue practicing the Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) and follow all preventive measures rigorously to mitigate the spread of coronavirus during the 2nd wave of COVID-19.
Video messages from provincial health ministers and officials will be aired during the event besides comments by UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, Ms. Aida Girma; impressions by COVID-19 survivors and adolescents. A mobilization video about following the SoPs will also be aired.
All representatives of the print, electronic and social media are cordially invited to join the event as per details given below:
Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Time: 1500 hours (3 pm)
Zoom link to connect:
https://unicef.zoom.us/j/94210497331
Web links to connect:
For further information:
A. Sami Malik, UNICEF, Ph: +92 300 8556654
Arsalan Khalid, Ph: +92 333 5251175
UNIC Islamabad
16 December 2020
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ILO
PRESS RELEASE
81 million jobs lost as COVID-19 creates turmoil in Asia-Pacific labour markets
Pandemic leads to huge reduction in working hours, reverses job growth and pushes millions into working poverty.
BANGKOK (ILO
News) – Massive drops in working hours due to the COVID-19 crisis have had a devastating effect on jobs and
incomes in Asia and the Pacific according to a new report by the International
Labour Organization (ILO).
According to Asia–Pacific
Employment and Social Outlook 2020: Navigating the crisis towards a
human-centred future of work estimates, the economic backlash of the
COVID-19 pandemic wiped out some 81 million jobs in 2020. In nearly all
economies with available quarterly data for 2020, employment levels contracted
compared to 2019.
The impact of the crisis has been far-reaching,
with underemployment surging as millions of workers are asked to work reduced
hours or no hours at all. Overall, working hours in Asia and the Pacific
decreased by an estimated 15.2 per cent in the second quarter and by 10.7 per
cent in the third quarter of 2020, relative to pre-crisis levels.
Working-hour losses are also influenced by the
millions of persons moving outside the labour force or into unemployment as job
creation in the region collapsed. Using available quarterly data, the report
provides a preliminary estimate that the regional unemployment rate could
increase from 4.4 per cent in 2019 to somewhere between 5.2 per cent and 5.7
per cent in 2020.
“COVID-19 has inflicted a hammer-blow on the
region’s labour markets, one that few governments in the region stood ready to
handle. Low levels of social security coverage and limited institutional
capacity in many countries have made it difficult to help enterprises and
workers back on their feet, a situation compounded when large numbers remain in
the informal economy. These pre-crisis weaknesses have left far too many
exposed to the pain of economic insecurity when the pandemic hit and inflicted
its toll on working hours and jobs,” said Ms Chihoko Asada Miyakawa, ILO
Assistant Director General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.
Women and young people are disproportionately hit
According to the
report, most countries in the region saw a larger decline in working hours and
employment for women than men. Also, women were more likely to move into
inactivity than men. Young people have also been especially affected by
working-hour and job losses. The youth share in overall employment loss was 3
to 18 times higher than their share in total employment.
“The report shows a clear picture of young people
and women being pushed out of work compared to other workers,” says Ms Sara
Elder, Senior Economist at the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and
lead author of the report. “With increased unemployment, young workers are
likely to find it difficult to compete for new jobs. When they do find work, it
may well be a job that does not match to their aspirations. Millions of women
have also paid a high price and it could take years for those who have exited
the labour force to return to full employment.”
Labour income as another crisis victim
With fewer paid
hours of work, median incomes are falling. Overall, labour income is estimated
to have fallen by as much as 10 per cent in the Asia–Pacific region in the
first three quarters of 2020, equivalent to a 3 per cent loss in gross domestic
product. A further consequence is the increase in working poverty levels. In
absolute numbers, preliminary estimates in the report find an additional 22
million to 25 million persons could fall into working poverty, which would push
the total number of working poor (living on less than $1.90 a day) in the Asia–Pacific
region to between 94 and 98 million in 2020.
The report also warns that given the scope of the
damage to labour markets, the overall size of the fiscal response in the region
has been insufficient, especially in the region’s developing economies. As a
result of fiscal expenditure gaps, the crisis is likely to exacerbate
inequalities among countries in the Asia and the Pacific.
“On the more positive side,” says Ms Elder, “we
are able to show in this report that government efforts to help enterprises
retain workers, albeit on reduced hours, have worked to prevent what would
otherwise be larger job losses. Given the mounting evidence that social
protection and employment policies save jobs and incomes, the hope is that the
crisis brings about a more permanent and increased investment in elements
needed to boost resilience and promote a more people-centred future of work.”
For further
information and media enquiry, please contact AsiaP...@ilo.org
***
MoNHS,R&C and UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
Strict Adherence to SoPs Imperative for Countering Second Wave of
COVID-19
Government of Pakistan and UNICEF Urge People to Continue Taking Precautions
ISLAMABAD, 16 December 2020 – The Ministry of
National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSRC),
provincial health departments and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) urged
the public to strictly adhere to COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs)
in the wake of increasing number of infections in the country during the second
wave of COVID-19.
While chairing an online event about Reinforcing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during Second Wave of COVID-19, organized jointly by MoNHSRC and UNICEF, Dr. Faisal Sultan said, “The second wave of COVID-19 is rapidly spreading and the virus is reaching areas in the country where the virus did not reach during the first wave. The number of positive cases is increasing at a rapid pace and we have had to increase the capacity of treating COVID-19 cases in our hospitals.”
“COVID-19 is deadly virus but we can control it just as we controlled it by following the SoPs during the first wave. The Government of Pakistan is seeking your full cooperation in adhering to the SoPs. We can save precious lives including those of our near and dear ones by taking preventive measures. Wear a mask, maintain social distance, wash hands with soap frequently and avoid crowded places. Do celebrate on Christmas and wedding events but please keep the gatherings limited and take all precautions by following the SoPs. We are a strong nation and can defeat COVID-19 but for that cooperation from the provincial government is imperative, he added.”
Referring to the incident of the Army Public School on this day in 2014, the SAPM said, “We shall always remember our martyrs from the tragic event of APS in Peshawar and they shall always be alive in our hearts”.
With over 440,000 confirmed cases in the country till date, the Government of Pakistan is once again taking strict measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus infection in the country. Provincial governments are following suit with health departments and administrative services enforcing necessary preventing measures at public places and encouraging people to protect themselves and others from the virus by adhering to the SoPs.
“With increase in number of coronavirus infections, the number of patients in the hospitals has also increased, said Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Health Minister Punjab. “This has happened because we did not continue to practice SoPs. We must wear a mask when going out as it reduces transmission of infection by 70 per cent. Proper handwashing with soap is very beneficial and so is social distancing. If we continue to practice all SoPs, I assure you that we will counter the second wave of COVID-19 just as successfully as we managed the first time.”
In his message for the occassion, Mr. Taimur Saleem Jhagra, Minister for Finance and Health, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said, “It is after 102 years that a pandemic such as COVID-19 has hit the world. Pakistan countered the first wave very well but now the second wave has hit the country and it can be even more dangerous. I request people to alter their social behaviour in terms of following the SoPs strictly so that neither our health system is overburdened, nor is the economic development affected. We must also follow the instructions of the NCOC for avoiding mass gatherings. And within our families, we must adhere to the SoPs and take special care of the elderly and those showing symptoms.”
“Despite all difficulties, the first wave of COVID-19 was tackled by Pakistan in a very efficient manner, “said Ms. Rubaba Khan Buledi, Parliamentary Secretary Health, Balochistan. “Responsible civic behaviour of the general public made it possible. Now that the second wave of COVID-19 has hit Pakistan and we need the people to follow the SoPs very diligently. Please ensure that you wash your hands frequently, wear the mask properly when going out, do not go out unnecessarily and maintaining social distance with others. We in Balochistan are taking all possible measures to curb and curtail this disease.”
Dr. Irshad Memon, Director General Health Services Sindh said, “In Sindh, we managed to control the situation well during the first wave of COVID-19, however, just as the number of cases started to decrease, we became complacent in taking precautions against the virus. The positivity rate that had come down to around 2.5 percent has now gone up to 14 percent in the province, but we can control this by practicing the SoPs”
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Pakistan, UNICEF has been on the forefront supporting the Government of Pakistan to help prevent the spread of the virus. It has supported the national response in Risk Communication and Community Engagement by ensuring timely and accurate information to families and communities and promoting positive behavior towards following of SoPs.
“As we are now receiving positive news about COVID-19 vaccines, we must realise that the existence of a safe and effective vaccine alone will not end the pandemic,” said UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, Ms. Aida Girma. “We need a diverse set of tools to help slow the spread of COVID-19, including continuation of preventive measures such as hand washing, physical distancing and mask wearing, diagnostics and treatments. We can’t be complacent; we can’t let our guards down and we must continue to adhere to SOPs.”
“UNICEF has joined the Advance Market Commitment of the COVAX Facility to allow low- and lower-middle income countries access to COVID-19 vaccines. In Pakistan, UNICEF will be leveraging its unique strengths in community engagement and vaccine supply to make sure that COVAX facility have safe, fast and equitable access to the vaccine. This is an enormous undertaking and many challenges still lay ahead, but we are determined to make sure that Pakistan receives sufficient number and citizens have access to it”.
During the online event, a COVID-19 survivour shared her experience of suffering and recovering from the infection and the importance of practicing SoPs, young adolescents talked about safe behaviour inside and outside their homes and a video was aired encouraging people to:
· Avoid public gatherings
· Wear a mask when they leave their house, including when shopping at the market and if praying at the mosque
· Wash their hands with soap for 20 seconds, or with a sanitizer, regularly
· Refrain from touching their eyes, nose, mouth and ears with unwashed hands
· Stay at least six feet away from other people
· Stay at home in case they develop COVID-19 symptoms.
######
For further information, please contact:
Sajid Shah, MoNHSRC, Sajids...@gmail.com, Tel: +92 301 5103069
Sami
Malik, UNICEF Pakistan, asm...@unicef.org, Tel: +92 300 855 6654
Arsalan Khalid, UNICEF Pakistan, arsal...@hotmail.com, Tel: +92
333 525 1175
***
پریس ریلیز
کووِڈ- 19 کی دوسری لہر کا مقابلہ کرنے کے لئے ایس او پیز پر سختی سے عمل کرنے کی
ضرورت ہے
حکومتِ پاکستان اور یونیسف کا زور کہ لوگ حفاظتی اقدامات پر سختی سے عمل جاری رکھیں
اسلام آباد، 16 دسمبر 2020 – وزارتِ صحت حکومت پاکستان، صوبائی محکمہ جاتِ صحت اور اقوام متحدہ کے بچوں کے فنڈ (یونیسف) نے عوام پر زور دیا ہے کہ وہ کووِڈ- 19 کی دوسری لہر کا مقابلہ کرنے کے لئے ایس او پیز پر سختی سے عمل کریں کیونکہ دوسری لہر کے دوران ملک بھر میں کورونا سے متاثر ہونے والے لوگوں کی تعداد میں خطرناک حد تک اضافہ دیکھنے میں آرہا ہے۔
وزارتِ صحت حکومتِ پاکستان اور یونیسف کے منعقد کردہ مشترکہ آن لائن سیمنار کی صدارت کرتے ہوئے وزیرِ اعظم کے مشیرِ خصوصی ڈاکٹر فیصل سلطان نے اس موقع پر کہا: کورونا کی دوسری لہر تیزی سے پھیل رہی ہے یہاں تک کہ ان علاقوں تک پہنچ چکی ہے جو پہلی لہر کے دوران وائرس سے بچ گئے تھے۔ مثبت کیسز کا تناسب بہت تیزی سے بڑھ رہا ہے۔ ہسپتال پر بوجھ بھی بڑھ رہا ہے ۔ کورونا وبا مہلک ہے لیکن اس پر قابو پایا جا سکتا ہے۔ ایس او پیز پر عمل کرنے کی وجہ سے ہم نے پہلی لہرکوقابوکرلیا تھا۔ وبا کے خلاف ہمارا بروقت ردعمل اور احتیاطی تدابیر پرعمل کرنا دنیا کے لئے ایک مثال بنی تھی۔
انہوں نے مزید کہا: حکومت کو ایک بار پھر آپ سے تعاون درکار ہے۔ سب سے گزارش ہے کہ احتیاطی تدابیر پر عمل کریں۔ صرف چند احتیاطی تدابیر اختیار کرکے آپ اپنے پیاروں اور ہم وطنوں کی زندگیوں کو بچا سکتے ہیں۔ ماسک پہنیں،دوسروں 6 فٹ کا فاصلے رکھیں، ہاتھ دھوتے رہیں، اور بڑے اجتماعات سے اجتناب کریں۔ کرسمس اور شادی تقریبات کے دوران احتیاط لازمی کریں۔ آئیے اس بات کو یقینی بنائیں کہ ہماری خوشیاں کسی کے لیے پریشانی یا دکھ کا باعث نہ بنیں۔ کورونا کا مقابلہ کرنے کے لیے ایک اہم بات یہ ہے کہ ہم اس بات کو یاد رکھیں کہ یہ وبا ابھی ختم نہیں ہوئی۔ آج کے دن اے پی ایس کے شہدا کو ہم اپنی دعاوں میں یاد رکھیں اور وہ ہمیشہ ہمارے دلوں میں زندہ رہیں گے۔
اس وقت تک ملک بھر میں کورونا کے 440,000 سے زیادہ مصدقہ کیسز منظر عام پر آچکے ہیں اور حکومتِ پاکستان ایک مرتبہ پھر وائرس کے پھیلاؤ میں کمی لانے کے لئے سخت اقدامات اٹھا رہی ہے۔ صحت کے صوبائی محکمہ جات اور انتظامیہ عوامی مقامات پر تمام ضروری اقدامات اٹھاتے ہوئے لوگوں کی حوصلہ افزائی کررہی ہے کہ وہ ایس او پیز پر سختی سے عمل درآمد یقینی بنائیں تاکہ وائرس سے بچا جاسکے۔
اس موقع پر بات کرتے ہوئے صوبہ پنجاب میں وزیر برائے صحت ڈاکٹر یاسمین راشد نے کہا کہ ـ’’ کورونا وائرس کے متاثرین میں اضافہ کی وجہ سے ہسپتالوں میں مریضوں کی تعداد میں کئی گنا اضافہ ہوچکا ہے‘‘۔
انہوں نے مزید کہا:
’’ مریضوں کی تعداد میں اضافے کی وجہ یہ ہے کہ ہم نے ایس او پیز پر عمل جاری نہیں رکھا۔ ہمیں چاہیے گھر سے باہر نکلتے وقت ماسک کا استعمال کریں تاکہ وائرس کے پھیلاؤ کو 70 فی صد تک کم کیا جاسکے۔ صابن سے باقاعدہ سے ہاتھ دھونا اور سماجی دُوری قائم رکھنا بھی وائرس سے بچنے کے لئے بے حد فائدہ مند ہے۔ اگر ہم تمام ایس او پیز پر عمل جاری رکھیں، میں آپ کو یقین دلاتی ہوں کہ ہم کووِڈ- 19 کی دوسری لہر کا بھی اسی طرح کامیابی سے مقابلہ کرسکتے ہیں جیسے ہم نے پہلی مرتبہ اس کی پہلی لہر کا کیا تھا‘‘۔
اس موقع پر اپنا پیغام میں وزیر صحت و مالیات خیبر پختونخواہ جناب تیمور سلیم جھگڑا نے کہا کہ دنیا کو تقریباً سو برس بعد کووِڈ- 19 جیسی عالمی وبا کا سامنا ہے۔ پاکستان نے کووِڈ- 19 کی پہلی لہر کا اچھی طرح مقابلہ کیا مگر اب ہمیں اس کی دوسری لہر کا سامنا ہے جو کہ پہلی لہر سے زیادہ خطرناک ثابت ہوسکتی ہے۔ میں آپ سے درخواست کرتا ہوں کہ وہ اپنے سماجی رویوں میں ضروری تبدیلیاں لاکر ایس او پیز پر سختی سے عمل کریں تاکہ ہمارے صحت کے نظام پر زیادہ بوجھ نہ پڑے اور نہ ہی معاشی ترقی کا عمل متاثر ہو۔ ہمیں چاہیے کہ ہم نیشنل کمانڈ آپریشن سنٹر کی ہدایات پر سختی سے عمل کریں اور عوامی اجتماعات سے پرہیز کریں۔ ہم اپنے خاندان کے ساتھ رہتے ہوئے گھر پر بھی ایس او پیز پر سختی سے عمل کریں اور بزرگ افراد کے ساتھ ساتھ ان لوگوں کا بھی خاص خیال کریں جن میں بیماری کی علامات ظاہر ہوچکی ہوں‘‘۔
پارلیمانی سیکرٹری صحت بلوچستان محترمہ رباب خان بلیدی نے اس موقع پر کہا کہ مشکلات کے باوجود پاکستان نے کووِڈ- 19 کی پہلی لہر کا بے حد موثر انداز میں مقابلہ کیا اور اس کی بنیادی وجہ عوام کا ذمہ دارانہ رویہ تھا۔ اب جبکہ پاکستان کووِڈ- 19 کی دوسری لہر کی لپیٹ میں آچکا ہے لوگوں کا ایس او پیز پر مستقبل مزاجی اور سختی سے عمل کرنا نہایت ضروری ہے۔ براہ مہربانی باقاعدگی سے ہاتھ دھونا یقینی بنائیں، گھر سے باہر جاتے ہوئے ماسک ضرور پہنیں، اگر ضروری نہ ہو تو گھر سے باہر ہرگز نہ جائیں اور سماجی دُوری کے اصول پر سختی سے عمل کریں۔ ہم بلوچستان میں اس بیماری کی روک تھام اور اس کا پھیلاؤ روکنے کے لئے ہر ممکنہ کوشش کررہے ہیں۔
صوبہ سندھ کے ڈائریکٹر جنرل ہیلتھ سروسز ڈاکٹر ارشاد میمن نے اس موقع پر بات کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ ہم صوبہ سندھ میں کووِڈ- 19 کی پہلی لہر کے دوران حالات پر قابو پانے میں بہت حد تک کامیاب رہے۔ تاہم جب کیسز کی تعداد میں بہت حد تک کمی آگئی تو ہم نے غیر ذمہ دارانہ رویہ اپنایا اور وائرس سے بچاؤ کے لئے ضروری حفاظتی اقدامات پر عمل کرنا ترک کردیا۔ اس کا نتیجہ یہ نکلا کہ جو کیسز میں 2.5 فی صد تک کم ہوگئے تھے ان کی تعداد بڑھتے ہوئے اب صوبہ بھر میں 14 فی صد ہوچکی ہے۔ اگر ہم ایس او پیز پر سختی سے عمل یقینی بنائیں تو ہم اب بھی اس صورت حال پر قابو پاسکتے ہیں۔
پاکستان میں کووِڈ- 19 کی وبا پھیلنے سے لے کر اب تک یونیسف حکومت پاکستان کے ساتھ مل کر وائرس کے پھیلاؤ کا عمل روکنے میں کلیدی کردار ادا کرتا رہا ہے۔ اس ادارے نے خطرات سے آگاہی اور روک تھام کے عمل میں لوگوں کی شمولیت کو یقینی بنانے کے لئے نہایت اہم کردار ادا کیا ہے۔ ادارہ بروقت درست معلومات فراہم کرتا رہا ہے تاکہ لوگ ایس او پیز پر عمل کریں۔
پاکستان میں یونیسف کی نمائندہ محترمہ عائدہ گِرما نے کہا کہ ہم اس وقت یہ مثبت خبریں سن رہے ہیں کہ کووِڈ- 19 کی ویکسین تیار ہوچکی ہے لیکن ہمیں یہ بات ذہن میں رکھنی چاہیے کہ صرف ویکسین اس عالمی وبا پر قابو پانے کے لئے ہرگز کافی نہیں ہے۔ ہمیں اس پر مکمل طور پر قابو پانے کے لئے مختلف طریقہ ہائے کار پر عمل کرنا ہوگا تاکہ ہم وائرس کے پھیلاؤ کے عمل میں خاطر خواہ کمی لاسکیں۔ ہمیں حفاظتی اقدامات پر عمل جاری رکھنا ہوگا جن میں باقاعدگی سے ہاتھ دھونا، سماجی دُوری کا اصول اپنانا ، ماسک پہننا، تشخیص اور علاج کرانا شامل ہیں۔ ہم غفلت کا رویہ نہیں اپنا سکتے، ہم اپنے تحفظ سے دستبردار نہیں ہوسکتے اس لئے ضروری ہے کہ ہم ایس او پیز پر سختی سے عمل جاری رکھیں۔
انہوں نے مزید کہا:
’’ یونیسف درمیانے اور کم آمدنی کے ممالک کو کووِڈ- 19 کی ویکسین (کو ویکس) فراہم کرنے کے لئے ایڈوانس مارکیٹ کمٹمنٹ کا حصہ بن چکا ہے۔ پاکستان میں یونیسف اپنی مثالی صلاحیت سے فائدہ اٹھاتے ہوئے ویکسین کے تک تیز اور محفوظ رسائی کے عمل کو یقینی بنائے گا۔ یہ ایک بہت بڑا اقدام ہے جس کی راہ میں اب بھی کچھ مشکلات حائل ہیں مگر ہم اس بات کو یقینی بنائیں گے کہ پاکستان کو مناسب مقدار میں ویکسین فراہم کی جائے اور یہ لوگوں کی اس تک رسائی ہو‘‘۔
اس موقع پر کووِڈ- 19 سے صحت یاب ہونے والے لوگوں نے بیماری میں مبتلا ہونے اور تندرست ہونے کے تجربات سے آگاہ کیا۔ انہوں نے بیماری سے بچنے کے لئے ایس او پیز پر سختی سے عمل کرنے کی تاکید کی۔ اس موقع پر نوجوانوں اور نو بالغوں نے گھر کے اندر اور گھر سے باہر محفوظ رویوں پر عمل کرنے کے بارے میں بات کی اور ایک ویڈیو کے ذریعے لوگوں کو درج ذیل رویے اپنانے کا پیغام بھی دیا :
· عوامی اجتماعات سے دُور رہیں
· گھر سے باہر نکلتے ہوئے، یہاں تک کہ خریداری اور مسجد میں جاتے وقت ماسک پہنیں۔
· 20 سیکنڈز تک ہاتھ دھوئیں یا پھر سینیٹائزر کی مدد سے ہاتھوں کو باقاعدگی سے صاف کریں۔
· دھوئے بغیر اپنے ہاتھوں سے آنکھیں، ناک اور کان چھونے سے اجتناب کریں۔
· دوسرے لوگوں سے کم از کم چھ فٹ کا فاصلہ رکھیں۔
· کووِڈ- 19 کی علامات ظاہر ہونے کی صورت میں گھر پر رہیں۔
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مزید معلومات کے لئے رابطہ کریں:
ساجد شاہ، وزارتِ صحت
ای میل: Sajids...@gmail.com
فون: +92 301 5103069
سمیع ملک، یونیسف پاکستان
ای میل: asm...@unicef.org
فون: +92 300 855 6654
ارسلان خالد، یونیسف پاکستان
ای میل: arsal...@hotmail.com
فون: +92 333 525 1175
UNODC
PRESS RELEASE
Fourth steering committee meeting convened to advance Rule of Law roadmap in Balochistan
16 December 2020, Quetta – The Steering Committee on the Rule of Law (RoL) Roadmap Balochistan convened its fourth stock take meeting on 16 December 2020 in Quetta. The session concluded with a firm commitment made by Mr. Ziaullah Langove, Minister Home & Tribal Affairs, GoB towards advancing the criminal justice sector reforms envisioned under the Rule of Law roadmap in Balochistan.
Balochistan has achieved significant milestones under the RoL Roadmap Project since its inception to date. This project is being implemented by UNODC and supported by the British High Commission. Balochistan has succeeded to establish a fully functional governance mechanism that drives evidence-based and cross institutional RoL Reform which was possible due to the commitment and dedication of the government of Balochistan and all stakeholders to make this reform meaningful and sustainable.
The progress made under the roadmap was applauded by all the stakeholders despite the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19. The participants took stock of the achievements, lessons and exchanged views on next prospects for cooperation. Mr. Hafiz Abdul Basit, Additional Chief Secretary, Home & Tribal Affairs, GoB appraised the SC members of another major milestone, which is the final approval of the PC-1 by the Government, committing the amount PKR 500 million for the RoL reform in the province under the Roadmap. He further thanked all those who have been working relentlessly to get this approval.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Jeremy Milsom, Representative, UNODC Pakistan emphasized that through the coordination efforts with the Government of Balochistan, considerable progress under the Rule of Law reforms has been achieved. However, the time is now to continue pushing forward and move the needle on implementing a robust set of reforms to align the criminal justice institutions to reinforce human rights and address underlying challenges of gender-based violence through promoting the rule of law and democracy in Balochistan.
Key findings from the assessment survey on citizens’ perception regarding the performance of criminal justice institutions and the baseline study in Balochistan were presented. While the findings of the survey and baseline provide a benchmark to use a demand-driven approach through citizens’ perspectives to enhance legitimacy, fairness, efficiency and transparency of the criminal justice sector towards ensuring safety and security of the citizens, the baseline also provides a yardstick for criminal justice institutions to measure their performance and progress against RoL provincial set targets.
The Delivery Unit apprised the forum further on the progress made to date, particularly on the digital platforms through a demonstration of the website which is continuously being updated to project the dynamic nature of the criminal justice reforms led by the RoL roadmap. The digital interface of the roadmap is powered by a dashboard that provides a convergence platform through evidence-led data analytics to inform both policy and practice of criminal justice institutions.
The Roadmap project is recognized as a groundbreaking and innovative approach to drive evidence-based policy and reform through a robust governance structure and regular stock takes.
The organizers of the steering committee meeting thanked all stakeholders for their participation and acknowledged UNODC’s efforts and the British High Commission for their continued and generous support.
For further information, please contact:-
Ms. Rizwana Rahool, Communications Officer, UNODC Pakistan, cell: 0301 8564255, email: rizwan...@un.org
***
پریس ریلیز
'بلوچستان قانون کی حکمرانی روڈمیپ'
پر پیشرفت کے جائزہ کے لئے سٹیرنگ کمیٹی کا چوتھا اجلاس
کوئٹہ: (16 دسمبر 2020)
'بلوچستان قانون کی حکمرانی روڈمیپ' کی سٹیرنگ کمیٹی کا چوتھا جائزہ اجلاس 16 دسمبر 2020 کو کوئٹہ میں منعقد ہوا۔ بلوچستان کے وزیر داخلہ و قبائلی امور جناب ضیاء اللہ لنگوو نے اس روڈمیپ کے تحت فوجداری نظام انصاف کے لئے وضع کی گئی اصلاحات کو آگے بڑھانے کے پختہ عزم کا اظہار کیا۔
'قانون کی حکمرانی روڈمیپ' پراجیکٹ کے تحت بلوچستان نے نمایاں پیشرفت دکھائی ہے۔ یو این او ڈی سی اس پراجیکٹ پر برٹش ہائی کمیشن کی معاونت سے عملدرآمد کر رہا ہے۔ صوبے نے طرزحکمرانی کا ایک مضبوط اور فعال نظام تشکیل دینے میں کامیابی حاصل کر لی ہے جس کے تحت اس میدان میں مختلف اداروں کی شمولیت سے، شواہد پر مبنی اصلاحات کے عمل کو آگے بڑھایا جا رہا ہے۔ حکومت بلوچستان اور تمام متعلقہ فریقوں کے پختہ عزم اور لگن کی بدولت ان اصلاحات کو بامعنی اور پائیدار شکل ملی ہے۔
کووڈ -19 کے باعث شدید مشکلات کے باوجود روڈمیپ پر پیشرفت کا عمل جاری رہا جسے تمام متعلقہ فریقوں نے سراہا ہے۔ شرکاء نے اس سلسلے میں حاصل کی گئی کامیابیوں اور سبق آموز تجربات کا جائزہ لیا اور تعاون کے آئندہ امکانات پر تبادلہ خیالات کیا۔ بلوچستان کے داخلہ و قبائلی امور کے آڈیشنل چیف سیکرٹری جناب حافظ عبدالباسط نے سٹیرنگ کمیٹی کے ارکان کو ایک اور اہم سنگِ میل کے بارے میں آگاہ کرتے ہوئے بتایا کہ حکومت نے پی سی ون کی حتمی منظوری دے دی ہے اور روڈمیپ کے تحت صوبے میں قانون کی حکمرانی اصلاحات کے لئے 500 ملین روپے کی رقم رکھی گئی ہے۔ انہوں نے اس منظوری کے سلسلے میں انتھک کام کرنے والے تمام لوگوں کا شکریہ ادا کیا۔
اس موقع پر اظہار خیال کرتے ہوئے یو این او ڈی سی پاکستان کے ریپریزنٹیٹو جناب جیریمی مِلسم نے کہا کہ حکومت بلوچستان کی مربوط کوششوں کی بدولت قانون کی حکمرانی اصلاحات پر پیشرفت خاطرخواہ رہی ہے۔ تاہم وقت کا تقاضا ہے کہ ان کو آگے بڑھانے کا سلسلہ جاری رکھا جائے اور ایسی مضبوط اصلاحات کو عملی جامہ پہنانے پر زور دیا جائے جو فوجداری انصاف کے اداروں کو انسانی حقوق کے تقاضوں سے پوری طرح ہم آہنگ بنائیں اور صنفی تشدد جیسی مشکلات کو دور کرنے کے لئے صوبے میں قانون کی حکمرانی اور جمہوریت کو فروغ دیں۔
اس موقع پر شرکاء کو صوبے میں فوجداری انصاف کے اداروں کی کارکردگی کے بارے میں شہریوں کے خیالات کے تجزیہ سروے اور بیس لائن سٹڈی سے حاصل ہونے والی اہم معلومات سے بھی آگاہ کیا گیا۔ یہ معلومات ایک بنیادی معیار کا کام دیتی ہیں جنہیں استعمال کرتے ہوئے شہریوں کے خیالات اور صورتحال کے تقاضوں کے مطابق ایک لائحہ عمل اپنایا جا سکتا ہے جس سے شہریوں کا تحفظ اور سلامتی یقینی بنانے میں ایک طرف فوجداری نظام انصاف کی جائز و منصفانہ حیثیت، کارکردگی اور شفافیت میں بہتری آئے گی جبکہ دوسری جانب بیس لائن سٹڈی ان اداروں کی کارکردگی اور قانون کی حکمرانی کے سلسلے میں صوبے کے طے شدہ اہداف پر ہونے والی پیشرفت کا اندازہ لگانے کے لئے ایک پیمانے کا کام بھی دیتی ہے۔
ڈلیوری یونٹ نے اجلاس کو بالخصوص ڈیجیٹل پلیٹ فارمز کے شعبے میں ہونے والی پیشرفت سے آگاہ کیا۔ اس سلسلے میں ویب سائٹ کے ڈیمو کے ساتھ بتایا گیا کہ ویب سائٹ کو مسلسل بنیاد پر اپ ڈیٹ کیا جا رہا ہے تاکہ 'قانون کی حکمرانی روڈمیپ' کے تحت فوجداری نظام انصاف کی اصلاحات کو بھرپور انداز میں اجاگر کیا جا سکے۔ روڈمیپ کے بارے میں ڈیجیٹل طریقے سے معلومات مہیا کرنے کے لئے ایک ڈیش بورڈ ترتیب دیا گیا ہے جہاں شواہد پر مبنی تجزیاتی معلومات کو یکجا کیا گیا ہے اور فوجداری نظام انصاف کے اداروں کو پالیسی اور عملی دونوں طرح کی معلومات بآسانی مل سکتی ہیں۔
یہ روڈمیپ پراجیکٹ اپنی نوعیت کا پہلا اور جدت آمیز طریقہ ہے جو گورننس کے مضبوط ڈھانچے اور باقاعدہ جائزوں کی شکل میں شواہد پر مبنی پالیسی اور اصلاحات کے عمل کو آگے بڑھانے میں مدد دیتا ہے۔
سٹیرنگ کمیٹی کے منتظمین نے اجلاس میں شرکت پر تمام متعلقہ فریقوں کا شکریہ ادا کیا اور پراجیکٹ کے سلسلے میں یو این او ڈی سی کی کوششوں اور برٹش ہائی کمیشن کی مسلسل اور بھرپور معاونت پر انہیں خراج تحسین پیش کیا۔
مزید معلومات کے لئے رابطہ: -
محترمہ رضوانہ راہول، کمیونیکیشن آفیسر، یو این او ڈی سی پاکستان، موبائل:0301 8564255، ای میل:rizwan...@un.org
16 دسمبر 2020
کوئٹہ
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فیس بک: |
ٹوئٹر: |
یوٹیوب: |
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
17 December 2020
_____________
UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
New report makes the case for investing in adolescents and youth in Pakistan
New report released during online event with Minister of Federal Education and Professional Training, SAPM on Youth Affairs and UNICEF Representative as part of ‘Generation Unlimited’ partnership
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, 17 December 2020 – Today Minister of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT) Shafqat Mahmood, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Youth Affairs, Usman Dar and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Pakistan Aida Girma attended the online release of ‘Investing in Pakistan’s Young People’, a study showcasing how public and private sector investment in adolescents’ and youth’s education, skills training and employment has the potential to reap immense benefits for Pakistan.
The study clearly demonstrates that public and private sector investment in young Pakistanis’ education, skills training, employment, entrepreneurship and engagement would result in high returns on investment. It makes the case for further investment and action, calling upon a range of stakeholders, including the public and the private sectors and development partners, to further ramp up investments in Pakistan’s adolescents and youth.
For instance, increasing development expenditure on education by 10 per cent every year would add 1 percentage point to GDP growth. Investments in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) could lead to a 7 per cent gain in worker productivity and better employment prospects. Employment-related training would yield a 200 per cent overall return on investments and expanding decent work would help Pakistan slash inequality and result in significant economic growth.
“The future of work is changing, and new sectors demand higher-value skills. If Pakistan is to prepare all its young people for the future world of work, it needs major public and private investments in education and skills development and scaled-up solutions. Partnerships like Generation Unlimited will help the country build and enrich the ecosystem around skills, education and employment and support young girls and boys to innovate. It will help leverage Government, public and private sector funds into our common goal: helping young people so they can help build the future'’, said Mr. Shafqat Mahmood, Minister of Federal Education and Professional Training. “I urge both the public and private sector to cooperate and share all your knowledge and resources to help our young people realize their potential. I applaud the findings of the study and hope that these will be translated into a road map for Pakistan.”
The Government, recognizing the importance, talents and aspirations of Pakistan’s youth, is already making key investments in its youth cohort between the ages of 15 and 29, through Kamyab Jawan and other programmes promoting skills development, entrepreneurship, and access to micro-credit. Generation Unlimited complements these efforts by promoting investment in the critical cohort aged 10-19 so that adolescent girls and boys can acquire the education and skills training required to access employment opportunities.
Consistent, tailored investments for adolescents’ and youth’s development are more critical than ever as Pakistan and the world face the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, skills training and employment.
"The study that is being launched today highlights that 1.2 million adolescents enter the youth bracket every year. The Government is engaging multisectoral stakeholders under Kamyab Jawan, producing an Adolescent Index and partnering on Adolescent development with UNICEF. Alongside the youth agenda, it is important that we invest in adolescents, so they have the skills they need to transition to youth and employment,” said Mr. Usman Dar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Youth Affairs. “This cannot be possible without partnerships. Generation Unlimited will open more doors for collaboration and pooling of resources -- both technical and financial, and with the involvement of the public and the private sectors. Government investment in small and medium enterprises is critical to expand employment opportunities for young people. The Government has the full ownership of this initiative which reflects the model we have adopted for youth development in Pakistan. With the support of GenU, we will initiate programs for Adolescent development connecting skills development with education and engage adolescents to shape their future and that of Pakistan – a kind of ‘Kamyab Jawan Junior’.”
With more than 65 million young people between 10 and 24 years old, Pakistan has one of the largest young populations in South Asia. It is one of 16 front-runner countries establishing a GenU country-level partnership platform that brings together government, private sector, civil society organizations and development partners, and forges innovative collaboration with young people with a view to scale up and link formal education and skill development.
“Adolescents and youth represent the economic future of Pakistan, which has the largest generation of young people in its history,” said Ms. Aida Girma, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. “This new study clearly demonstrates how critical it is to continue investing in adolescent girls and boys so they can achieve their full potential. This will in turn help Pakistan to take advantage of the youth dividend to support economic and social growth, close the gender gap and reduce exclusion and inequalities. This is a first step for the public-private Generation Unlimited platform in the country. It aims to provide youth, in particular out-of-school adolescents, with the quality education and skills training which they need, while helping them to access employment.”
Last week, UNICEF and the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) signed a partnership agreement to research, design and pre-test an accelerated and cost-effective ‘Non-Formal Education to Job Placement’ model as part of ‘Generation Unlimited’. It aims to improve the skills and employability of adolescent girls and boys who have never attended formal education, or who dropped out of the formal education system, in link with job placement.
Syed Javed Hassan, Chairman of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (Navttc) which hosts the GenU Secretariat in Pakistan and Muhammad Usman Khan, Economics Faculty at Lahore University of Management Sciences who conducted research and analysis for the study, also participated in the event.
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Note to Editors:
You can download the new Generation Unlimited (GenU) study, ‘Investing in Pakistan’s young people’ here: https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/reports/investing-pakistans-young-people. It showcases the potential benefits and returns on investment if we invest in young Pakistanis now. These returns are immense in each of GenU’s five thematic areas: education, skills training, employment, entrepreneurship and engagement. For example:
· The right investments in education could lead to a return on investment of 19 per cent for girls and 2 per cent for boys.
· Increasing development expenditure on education by 10 per cent per year would add 1 percentage point to GDP growth.
· Investments in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) could lead to a 7 per cent gain in worker productivity and better employment prospects.
· Employment-related training would yield a 200 per cent overall return on investments and expanding decent work would help Pakistan slash inequality – a major triumph, since reducing inequality by just 1 Gini point would produce economic growth of 5 per cent over the next five years.
· Investing in entrepreneurs has the potential to create high-growth firms and prompt knowledge spillover to the wider economy. Immense gains are expected if Pakistan ensures young people’s engagement, participation and inclusion.
Founded in September 2018, Generation Unlimited (GenU) is a new global partnership which aims to transform education, employment and entrepreneurial outcomes for young people around the world by bringing together stakeholders from the private sector, government, UN agencies, civil society and young people to scale up solutions and attract investment.
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For more information, please contact:
UNICEF
Catherine Weibel, UNICEF Pakistan, cwe...@unicef.org, +92 300 500 2592
Sana’a Zuberi, UNICEF Pakistan, szu...@unicef.org,
+92 332 8564 233
About UNICEF: UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org and www.unicef.org/pakistan. Follow us on and Instagram.
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
18 December 2020
_____________
United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
--
MESSAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY
18 December 2020
On this International Migrants Day, we reflect on a year in which, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions upon millions of people have experienced the pain of separation from friends and family, the uncertainty of employment and the need to adapt to a new and unfamiliar reality.
These are emotions felt by migrants around the world every day.
Across this challenging year, we have also come to appreciate our dependence on those who are too often invisible within our communities. Migrants have played an outsized role on the frontlines of responding to the crisis – from caring for the sick and elderly to ensuring food supplies during lockdowns – highlighting their broader contributions to societies around the world.
Just as migrants are integral to our societies, they should remain central to our recovery.
We must ensure that migrants, irrespective of their legal status, are included in every country’s pandemic response, particularly in health and vaccination programming. We must reject hate speech and acts of xenophobia. And we must find solutions for those migrants who have been left stranded, without income or legal status, and without means to return home.
On this International Migrants Day, let us seize the opportunity of the recovery from the pandemic to implement the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, reimagine human mobility, enable migrants to reignite economies at home and abroad and build more inclusive and resilient societies.
***
UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
UNICEF outlining plans to transport up to 850 tonnes of COVID-19 vaccines per month on behalf of COVAX, in ‘mammoth and historic’ logistics operation
UNICEF – in partnership with Gavi and WHO – is also helping low- and lower-middle-income countries prepare to receive COVID-19 vaccines in 2021
NEW YORK/Islamabad, 18 December 2020 – UNICEF could potentially transport up to 850 tonnes of COVID-19 vaccines per month in 2021, should such quantities become available, according to a new assessment. This is more than double the average weight of vaccines UNICEF transports every month.
The assessment is part of UNICEF’s work to lead on the procurement and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines for 92 low- and lower middle-income countries on behalf of the COVAX Facility, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
“This is a mammoth and historic undertaking,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director. “The scale of the task is daunting, and the stakes have never been higher, but we are ready to take this on.”
“With the imminent arrival of globally approved COVID-19 vaccines, we can begin to see signs of hope. But hope will not be restored by the vaccine alone. Countries need urgent technical and financial support to strengthen their capacities for cold and supply chains, to train health workers, and to work with communities in combatting misinformation and building trust in vaccines. Without urgent funding and support, many of the poorest countries still risk being left behind, said Fore.”
The
UNICEF assessment looked at global airfreight capacity and transport routes to
better understand the challenges of delivering COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. It
found that commercial airlines will be able to deliver vaccines to almost all
92 low- and lower-middle-income countries, which are among the 190 economies
participating in the COVAX Facility, at an estimated cost of up to US$70
million.
“The day is not far when we start receiving COVID-19 vaccines in Pakistan,” said UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, Ms. Aida Girma. “As the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination leads the formation of a comprehensive and effective strategy for in-country supply and administering of the vaccine prioritizing frontline health workers and patients in urgent need, UNICEF will use its strengths in community engagement and vaccine supply to make sure that COVAX facility have safe, fast and equitable access to the vaccine.”
“It is, however, important to realise that strict adherence to the preventive SoPs such as hand washing, physical distancing and mask wearing, is equally important besides having a safe and effective vaccine, diagnostics and treatments,” she added.
Comparing vaccine volume estimates against commercial and cargo routes across the globe, the assessment also found that current air cargo capacity would be sufficient to make deliveries covering 20 per cent of the population for most of the 92 countries. COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be primarily shipped using existing passenger and cargo flight capacity, although charters or alternative transport options may still be needed for some small countries and others with access issues. UNICEF is working with airlines and the wider logistics industry to prioritise the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines around the world.
One major challenge in the COVID-19 vaccine operation is local cold chain capacity for vaccine storage within some low- and lower-middle-income countries. UNICEF, WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, developed a guidance note on supply and logistics to help countries develop their supply chain strategies to receive, store, distribute and manage COVID-19 vaccines and related products. Given the range of storage temperatures required for COVID-19 vaccines, countries will continue to train logisticians and health workers on how to keep COVID-19 vaccines at the right temperatures.
As part of a programme that started in 2017, with support from Gavi, UNICEF continues to procure and support the installation of 70,000 cold-chain fridges in lower-income countries by the end of 2021, which will help in the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines that need to be stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. Almost half of these will be solar powered.
UNICEF, WHO and Gavi are also working to help countries prepare and develop national deployment and vaccination plans for the large-scale roll out of COVID-19 vaccines. Currently, countries are continuing to monitor their readiness against key milestones, which include expediting regulatory approvals and putting in place ways to monitor vaccine safety.
In addition, a UNICEF meeting this week with more than 300 vaccine procurement experts globally, including government officials, looked at ways to procure and roll-out COVID-19 vaccines and strengthen regulatory systems and supply chains.
Funding is critical. UNICEF has
called for US$410 million to help countries with the delivery of vaccines,
therapeutics and diagnostic tools in 2021. Further, UNICEF estimates a funding
gap of US$133 million to cover in-country vaccine logistics and the required
cold chain equipment for the poorest 92 countries.
######
Download photos and broll here: https://weshare.unicef.org/Package/2AM408J6YP9G
About COVAX
COVAX is the vaccines pillar of the ACT-Accelerator. It is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the World Health Organization (WHO) – working in partnership with developed and developing country vaccine manufacturers, UNICEF, the World Bank, Civil Society Organisations and others. COVAX is the only global initiative that is working with governments and manufacturers to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are rapidly available worldwide to economies of all financial means.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works
in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged
children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child,
everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about
UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org. For more information about COVID-19, visit www.unicef.org/coronavirus. Find out more about UNICEF’s work on the
COVID-19 vaccines here, or about UNICEF’s work on
immunization here.
For more information, please contact:
Sabrina Sidhu, UNICEF New York, +1 917 4761537, ssi...@unicef.org
Anne Sophie Bonefeld, UNICEF Supply Division, +45 24694676, abon...@unicef.org
A Sami Malik, UNICEF Pakistan, +92 300 8556654 asm...@unicef.org
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update-2
18 December 2020
_______________
UNDP
PRESS RELEASE
Prime Minister of Pakistan and UNDP commit to accelerate Pakistan’s Digital Transformation agenda
Islamabad, 17 December 2020 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aims to improve governance through digital interventions and formally develop its growing Digital Transformation portfolio. To expand this agenda, a UNDP delegation met Imran Khan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Pakistan to discuss future collaboration on Digital Transformation between the Government of Pakistan and UNDP. Mr. Tariq Malik, Chief Technical Advisor on Digital Governance from UNDP’s Headquarters in New York and former chairman of NADRA, is leading the mission to create the first formal and strategic portfolio on Digital Transformation. Accompanying him was Ms. Aliona Niculita, UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative a.i.
During the meeting, UNDP discussed five priority digital interventions with the Prime Minister which emerged after briefings with 15 Government Ministries, departments, agencies and over 50 key stakeholders from the government, private sector and the development community. These priority interventions include supporting NADRA's digital registration; development of Digital ID stack to extend the digital infrastructure of Pakistan which includes digital payments system and more; supporting Ehsaas's introduction of a One-Window Portal for integrated social protection services; digitization of Police Investigation Manual and establishing a national emergency helpline with National Police Bureau; and development of Pakistan Business Portal (PBP), with the Board of Investment, an online platform for ease of doing business within the country. UNDP is also conducting a digital maturity assessment in parallel to prioritize digital interventions using read data driven approach.
The Prime Minister appreciated UNDP’s partnership in development of a digital transformation roadmap for the country. He reiterated the importance of digital solutions for improved governance and that Pakistan is committed to using digital technologies for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It will, he added, help the vulnerable sections of the society, in particular, to get maximum benefit from the social welfare and social protection policies of the government at the grassroots level.
Ms. Aliona Niculita, UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative a.i. said at the occasion that “UNDP is supporting various government ministries and departments in digitizing their organizational processes, data and knowledge management, complaints mechanism, and monitoring and evaluation including support for digital courts.”
“Digital Pakistan must be about alleviating poverty, strengthening social contract and reforming governance. Leapfrog towards achievement of Sustainable Development goals (SDGs) would then be digital dividend of such transformation. The portfolio of five key digital interventions will enable digital society as well as introduce value-based digital government.”said Mr. Tariq Malik.
After the success of this meeting, UNDP will be partnering with other government ministries and departments to offer new and innovative digital services.
For additional information, please contact
Ayesha Babar at ayesha...@undp.org
or +92 (51) 835 5650
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
21 December 2020
_______________
FAO
PRESS RELEASE
Balochistan farmers increase yield and incomes with support from government and FAO
ISLAMABAD/QUETTA: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, in collaboration with the Government of Balochistan, and financial support from the Australian Government have assisted farmers from six districts of Balochistan increase the gross yield and value of their agricultural produce under the ‘Australia Balochistan Agribusiness (AusABBA) programme.
Representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Government of Balochistan and the Australian High Commission held a closing ceremony to celebrate the successful completion and achievements of the Australian Government funded Australia Balochistan Agribusiness Programme - AusABBA , in Quetta. The AusABBA programme during its two phases (Phase I, 2014 - 2017 and Phase II, 2017 - 2020) improved the household incomes for more than 23,000 households in south west Balochistan by working with households to improve water, food and economic security.
The programme was implemented in collaboration with Government of Balochistan, UN agencies and other stakeholders, with the objective of improving the resilience and living conditions of male and female small holder farmers people in the province. The programme has assisted agriculture-based households to adopt sustainable, profitable and diversified agriculture livelihoods that have increased their household income and food and nutrition security. The programme achieved at least a 25% increase in crop yield. The programme has also enhanced the capacities of farming communities to utilize innovative agriculture practices, market their goods, develop and sustain businesses, strengthened supply chains and has connected farmers to markets across Pakistan. The programme worked in specific commodities such as onions, fruit trees, livestock, wool shearing, certified seed production, poultry, dates and household food production.
During this period, the AusABBA ensured that at least 25% of the farmers engaged in the programme were women. This was achieved through the introduction of specific supply chain activities, which are now carried out by women (grading, packaging, seedling production) and by the enhanced development of womens’ Farmer Marketing Collectives (FMCs) and Mutual Marketing Organizations (MMOs). The programme also helped establish 21 MMOs register with the Agriculture Cooperatives Department as cooperatives/legal entities. Registration of these MMOs has helped farmers to upscale their businesses at the national and international level, providing them access to financial facilities from financial institutes such as banks, microfinance institutes.
Speaking on the occasion, FAO Representative a.i. in Pakistan, Ms. Rebekah Bell applauded the efforts of AusABBA and stated that over the course of time and with the support of AusABBA Phases I and II, the programme supported male and female farmers in developing their farming businesses and improving their production yields, while simultaneously working with the agriculture supply and market businesses so as to increase their access to the farmer producers. Additionally, AusABBA provided technical advisory support to the Government of Balochistan for policy reforms in livestock and agriculture sectors, she said.
She further stated that FAO under the
AusABBA programme has responded to the increased levels of food insecurity in
Balochistan due to Covid19 by initiating a household food production and
experiential nutrition education intervention through which families that have pregnant and/or lactating
women are trained under Integrated Household Food Systems (IHFS). This
activity has provided support to women improve the production of diversified
and nutritious food at the household level as well as improving knowledge and
practice of good nutrition for women children and the broader household, she
added.
The First Secretary Development at Australian High Commission Ms. Nazia Nur, addressing the audience virtually stated that Austalia has been a long standing supporter of Balochistan in livestock and agriculture sector. Our aid programme has strong focus on food security, promoting sustainable and inclusive agriculture and better nutritional outcomes. Australia has a long term commitment to the rural sector through our Centre for Agriculture Research that has been working in Balochistan for several years on water management, efficient irrigation system and diary in Balochistan, she said.
She further added that, at the policy level, Australia has supported the livestock strategy development which also includes women empowerment. There is a great potential in agriculture and livestock sectors in Balochistan, without empowering farmers and women who are important in agriculture and livestock, this potential cannot be reached, she said.
On behalf of Government of Balochistan, Mr. Mitha Khan Kakar, Minister Livestock, Balochistan expressed his gratitude’s to the DFAT and people of Australia on the successful completion of AusABBA II programme. He stated that government of Balochistan applauds the project’s achievements and welcomes other development partners to continue the work of this important and impactful programme. He continued and said that based on achievements of the project in providing assistance in economic growth, food security and poverty alleviation, the government of Balochistan looks forward to future collaboration and would like to recommend the further dissemination of the best practices of the programme.
The ceremony was virtually attended by the Australian High Commission officials and programme farmers, as well as by officials from FAO and the Government of Balochistan.
Finally, after thanking the Australian Government for its support to people of Balochistan and congratulating the stakeholders and partners on the conclusion of a successful project, the FAO Head of Provincial Office, Balochistan a.i. Mr. Ahmed Jan Essa, reiterated that AusABBA had been a flagship programme for FAO in Balochistan. The programme was able to attract other donors to invest in Balochistan, with the USAID funded THAzA programme and the EU funded GRASP programme implemented by ITC, replicating and building on the many of the successes of developed in AusABBA. He continued to thank Australia for their commitment to reduce poverty, improve food security and enhance the nutrition status of families in Balochistan and was thankful for the generous contribution of the people of Australia.
****
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
23 December 2020
_______________
UN-Habitat
PRESS RELEASE
UN-Habitat launched project to adapt to climate change impacts for vulnerable communities in Pakistan
23 December 2020, Pakistan: Reducing the impact of flooding and droughts is becoming one of the top priorities of the Government of Pakistan. The flood and drought impacts are often severe in urban areas, a national approach to address this situation in cities doesn’t exist in Pakistan. This is critical, considering that 36.4% of Pakistan’s population lives in urban areas.
The project developed by UN-Habitat in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan and other stakeholders funded by the adaptation fund was formally launched on 22 December 2020 with an Inception Workshop attended by 37 relevant members from the local, provincial and federal government ministries and line agencies of Pakistan. The Adaptation Fund of USD 6.094 million project aims to enhance resilience to water scarcity, caused by floods and droughts at community level, district/city and national/provincial level in Rawalpindi and Nowshera cities.
The project will install rainwater harvesting units both at household level and public buildings to demonstrate cost-effective solution to adapt to both floods and droughts. To scale the project’s approach, a national urban strategy will be developed, focusing on climate change impacts, particularly floods and water scarcity (and resulting public health problems), while also employing a spatial planning approach. The project will be implemented by UN-Habitat, Ministry of Climate Change, National Disaster Management Authority, Pakistan Council for Research on Water Resources, Shehrsaaz and communities. In light of the current Covid-19 crisis, the rainwater harvesting units are extremely relevant as these interventions will improve the hygienic conditions of the local communities. The needs of the most vulnerable will be considered at all stages of the process.
At the inception worshop, Mr. Jawed Ali Khan, UN Habitat Programme Manager,UNHabitat, Pakistan after welcoming the acting Acting Resident Coordinator UN, DG MOCC, Human Settlements Officer ROAP, and delegates, highlighted that today’s event marks the launch of the urban flooding and drought management intervention in Pakistan that poses a serious threat to our economic growth and development as well as lives and livelihood of the people living in the urban areas of the country.
Ms. Mio Sato, Acting Resident Coordinator UN appreciated the efforts of MOCC and UN Habitat for launching the climate change adaptation project. Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability has been one of the priority of United Nations. She emphasized UN common approach mainstreaming in projects and programming to pave the way for a sustainable flood and drought management at all levels and create a model for climate resilient urban development and management in Pakistan.
Mr. Irfan Tariq, DG MOCC explained that Pakistan is one of the severely climate change impacted country although its GHG emissions are low. Climate Change adaptation is the priority of Government of Pakistan. In this context this project is important and would be curtain raiser for adaptation activities and will be instrumental in building climate change-related resilience in Rawalpindi and Nowshera. districts. He reaffirmed the commitment of local authorities to provide support for a successful implementation.
Mr. Laxman Perera, HSO ROAP while thanking the participants remarked that the launched adaptation fund project will be the benchmark in the region of how climate change issues are addressed to enhance the capacity at national, provincial, district and community level. The components are aligned with national policies as well as UN Habitat global flagship programmes to promote climate resilience.
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
24 December 2020
_______________
WFP
PRESS RELEASE
EU FUNDING ALLOWS WFP TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES DEVASTATED BY FLOODS IN SINDH PAKISTAN
ISLAMABAD – Thanks to a contribution of € 500,000 from the European Union (EU), tens of thousands of families in Sindh Province have received food and cash assistance from WFP in the aftermath of the devastating floods that hit the country in August.
Support from committed donors like the EU allowed WFP to reach over 71,000 people, who were most affected by the disaster, with in-kind food assistance by early September. The second phase of the response is currently underway, aiming to support 117,000 people. Each family will receive PKR 15,000 (EUR 76) in cash that will help them meet their food and other essential needs.
“The unconditional cash support from the EU has enabled the most vulnerable families to cover their essential food and non-food needs such as medicine, water and shelter repairs,” said WFP Pakistan Representative and Country Director Chris Kaye.
Apart from the food and cash assistance, the EU’s support has allowed WFP to produce and disseminate information packages on nutrition and hygiene among mothers and children across Sindh Province. Another awareness-raising initiative has sensitised communities to the importance of precautionary measures preventing the spread of COVID-19 and dengue.
# # #
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies, building prosperity and supporting a sustainable future for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
Follow us on Twitter @wfp_media, @WFPPakistan
For more information please contact:
UNIC Islamabad
29 December 2020
_______________
United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
--
NEW YEAR’S VIDEO MESSAGE 2021
Dear Friends,
2020 has been a year of trials, tragedies and tears.
COVID-19 upended our lives and plunged the world into suffering and grief.
So many loved ones have been lost — and the pandemic rages on, creating new waves of sickness and death.
Poverty, inequality and hunger are rising. Jobs are disappearing and debts are mounting. Children are struggling.
Violence in the home is increasing, and insecurity is everywhere.
But a New Year lies ahead. And with it, we see rays of hope:
- People extending a helping hand to neighbors and strangers;
- Frontline workers giving their all;
- Scientists developing vaccines in record time;
- Countries making new commitments to prevent climate catastrophe.
If we work together in unity and solidarity, these rays of hope can reach around the world.
That’s the lesson of this most difficult year.
Both climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic are crises that can only be addressed by everyone together – as part of a transition to an inclusive and sustainable future.
The central ambition of the United Nations for 2021 is to build a global coalition for carbon neutrality - net zero emissions - by 2050.
Every government, city, business and individual can play a part in achieving this vision.
Together, let’s make peace among ourselves and with nature, tackle the climate crisis, stop the spread of COVID-19, and make 2021 a year of healing.
Healing from the impact of a deadly virus. Healing broken economies and societies. Healing divisions. And starting to heal the planet.
That must be our New Year’s Resolution for 2021.
I wish you all a happy and peaceful New Year, from the United Nations.
Video Download Link: https://s3.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/MSG+SG+New+Year+2021/MSG+SG+NEW+YEAR+MESSAGE+2021+CLEAN.mp4
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
30 December 2020
_______________
United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE - URDU
سیکرٹری جنرل اقوامِ متحدہ کا سال 2021ء کے لیے ویڈیو پیغام
عزیز دوستو!
2020ء آزمائشوں اور سختیوں کا سال رہا۔
کووڈ-19 نے ہماری زندگیوں کو بری طرح متاثر کیا اور اس کی وجہ سے دنیا کو دکھ اور تکالیف دیکھنا پڑیں۔
بہت سی قیمتی جانیں ضائع ہوئیں—اور یہ وباء اب بھی پھیل رہی ہے،بیماری اور موت نئی نئی شکلوں میں سامنے آ رہی ہے۔
غربت، عدم مساوات اور بھوک بڑھ رہی ہے۔ ملازمتیں ختم ہو رہی ہیں اور قرضے بڑھ رہے ہیں۔ بچوں کو مسائل کا سامنا کرنا پڑ رہا ہے۔
گھریلو تشدد بڑھ رہا ہے اور ہر طرف عدم تحفظ پایا جاتا ہے۔
لیکن ایک نیا سال آ رہا ہے جس کے ساتھ ہمیں امید کی کرنیں نظرآ رہی ہیں:
- لوگ اپنے آس پاس والوں اور حتیٰ کہ اجنبی افراد کی مدد میں پیش پیش ہیں؛
- اگلی صفوں میں کام کرنے والے تن من دھن کی بازی لگائے ہوئے ہیں؛
- سائنس دان قلیل ترین مدت میں ویکسین تیار کرنے کے لیے کوشاں ہیں؛
- ماحولیاتی تباہی سے بچاؤ کے لیے ممالک نئے عہد کر رہے ہیں۔
اگر ہم مل کر اور یگانگت سے کام کریں تو امید کی یہ کرنیں پوری دنیا پر چھا سکتی ہیں۔
سب سے مشکل ترین سال کا یہی سبق ہے۔
ماحولیاتی تبدیلی اور کووڈ-19 کی وباء ایسے بحران ہیں جن سے صرف اسی صورت میں نمٹا جا سکتا ہے جب ہر کوئی متحد ہو جائے –تاکہ ایک پائیدار اور ہر ایک کی شرکت پر مبنی مستقبل کی طرف بڑھا جا سکے۔
2021ء کے لیے اقوام متحدہ کا بنیادی عزم یہ ہے کہ2050ء تک کاربن سے پاک گیسوں کے اخراج کے ہدف کو حاصل کرنے کے لیے عالمی اتحاد قائم کیا جائے۔
ہر حکومت، شہر، کاروباری ادارہ اور ہر فرد اس مقصد کو حاصل کرنے کے لیے اپنا کردار ادا کر سکتا ہے۔
آئیے مل کر ایک دوسرے کے ساتھ اور ماحول کے ساتھ امن کا رشتہ قائم کریں، ماحولیاتی بحران کا مقابلہ کریں، کووڈ-19 کے پھیلاؤ کو روکیں اور 2021ء کو تندرستی کا سال بنائیں۔
تباہ کن وائرس کے اثرات سے تندرستی، ٹوٹ پھوٹ کا شکار معیشتوں اور معاشروں کی تندرستی، اور اس کرہ ارض کی تندرستی۔
نئے سال 2021ء کے لیے ہمارایہی عزم ہونا چاہیے۔
میں اقوام متحدہ کی طرف سے آپ سب کو نئے سال کی مبارکباد پیش کرتا ہوں۔
Video – URDU Subtitles: https://youtu.be/vPms0SAYdTg
UNIC Islamabad
31 December 2020
_______________
United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
--
NEW YEAR’S VIDEO MESSAGE 2021
Dear Friends,
2020 has been a year of trials, tragedies and tears.
COVID-19 upended our lives and plunged the world into suffering and grief.
So many loved ones have been lost — and the pandemic rages on, creating new waves of sickness and death.
Poverty, inequality and hunger are rising. Jobs are disappearing and debts are mounting. Children are struggling.
Violence in the home is increasing, and insecurity is everywhere.
But a New Year lies ahead. And with it, we see rays of hope:
- People extending a helping hand to neighbors and strangers;
- Frontline workers giving their all;
- Scientists developing vaccines in record time;
- Countries making new commitments to prevent climate catastrophe.
If we work together in unity and solidarity, these rays of hope can reach around the world.
That’s the lesson of this most difficult year.
Both climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic are crises that can only be addressed by everyone together – as part of a transition to an inclusive and sustainable future.
The central ambition of the United Nations for 2021 is to build a global coalition for carbon neutrality - net zero emissions - by 2050.
Every government, city, business and individual can play a part in achieving this vision.
Together, let’s make peace among ourselves and with nature, tackle the climate crisis, stop the spread of COVID-19, and make 2021 a year of healing.
Healing from the impact of a deadly virus. Healing broken economies and societies. Healing divisions. And starting to heal the planet.
That must be our New Year’s Resolution for 2021.
I wish you all a happy and peaceful New Year, from the United Nations.
Video Links:
International clean version
Audio file mp3,
English sub-title,
***
***
UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
EMBARGOED UNTIL 00.01am GMT 1 JANUARY 2021
New Year’s Babies: Over 14,000 children will be born in Pakistan on New Year’s Day - UNICEF
With the calendar flipping to 2021, UNICEF dedicates its 75th year to reimagining a better world for children.
ISLAMABAD, 1 January 2021 – An estimated 14,161 babies will be born in Pakistan on New Year’s Day, according to UNICEF.
As the calendar turns to 2021, UNICEF is again celebrating the new lives being brought into the world on January 1. Fiji in the Pacific will welcome 2021’s first baby. The United States, its last. Globally, over half of these births are estimated to take place in 10 countries: India (59,995), China (35,615), Nigeria (21,439), Pakistan (14,161), Indonesia (12,336), Ethiopia (12,006), the United States (10,312), Egypt (9,455), Bangladesh (9,236), and Democratic Republic of the Congo (8,640)
Pakistani babies will account for nearly 3.8 per cent of the estimated 371,504 babies to be born on New Year’s Day. Their average life expectancy is expected to be around 73 years.
“This has been a difficult year for all of us, and there is perhaps no better way to turn the page than to welcome new young lives into the world,” said Aida Girma, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. “With the challenges of 2020 behind us, and the opportunities of 2021 before us, now is the time to begin to build a better world. Children born today will inherit the world we begin to build for them—today.”
2021 marks the 75th anniversary of UNICEF. Over the course of the year, UNICEF and its partners will be commemorating the anniversary with events and announcements celebrating three-quarters of a century of protecting children from conflict, disease and exclusion and championing their right to survival, health and education.
Today, as the world faces unprecedented challenges caused by the pandemic, economic slowdown, rising poverty and inequality, we are reminded that the need for UNICEF’s work is as great as ever.
“There is no more appropriate year than this - the year of UNICEF’s 75th Anniversary - to renew our commitment to end preventable newborn and child deaths, and give every child, the best start in life. We owe it to the young lives who will inherit the world we leave,” said Aida Girma.
#####
Notes to Editors
For complete estimates on births for 236 countries and territories, click here.
For the estimates, UNICEF used vital registration and nationally representative household survey data to estimate the monthly and daily fractions of births in countries. UNICEF used the annual live births numbers and period life expectancy from the latest revision of the UN’s World Population Prospects (2019) to estimate the babies born on 1 January 2021 and their cohort life expectancy.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.org.
For more information, please contact:
A. Sami Malik, UNICEF Pakistan, +92 300
8556654, asm...@unicef.org
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
4 January 2021
_____________
United Nations
STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on Pakistan
The Secretary-General strongly condemns the terrorist attack and killing of at least 11 coal miners in the Balochistan province of Pakistan yesterday. He extends his sincere condolences to the families of the miners and the people and government of Pakistan.
He trusts the Pakistani authorities will do everything possible to bring the perpetrators of this terrorist act to justice.
Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
New York, 4 January 2021
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update-2
4 January 2021
_____________
FAO
PRESS RELEASE
FAO enhances GIS professionals capacities for effective land monitoring in Pakistan
Land cover or land use
information plays an important role for many
environmental and monitoring tasks, including climate change, ecosystem
dynamics analysis, food security, and others. Accurate information about
land cover affects the accuracy of all subsequent applications, therefore
accurate and timely land cover information is in high demand. In land cover
classification studies over the past decade, higher accuracies were produced
when using time series satellite images than when using single date images.
Recently, the availability of the Google Earth Engine (GEE), a cloud-based
computing geospatial platform, has gained
the attention of remote sensing based applications designed to process large data sets for global applications, analysis and ultimate decision making.
In this regard, to develop the expertise and capacities of GIS
professionals in Pakistan, FAO conducted a virtual course on Google Earth
Engine and its applications for agricultural mapping and for land monitoring.
This 10-days training was held in collaboration with the Geospatial Unit at FAO
headquarters. Around 20 GIS professionals were able to complete the
training, which will be shared online with a wider audience. The training aimed
to provide essential skills on innovative topics related to the use of
satellite images: from selection, process, manipulation and thematic
classification required to assess and monitor natural and agricultural
resources. While traditional desktop GIS and Remote Sensing (RS) tools are
currently being used in Pakistan, the Google Earth Engine will provide users with
a web-based application for the selection, access and analysis of satellite
imageries such as Landsat, Copernicus, and Modis.
Speaking at the closing day of the training, Rebekah Bell, FAO
Representative a.i. in Pakistan,
defined the usage of GIS tools as beneficial for decision makers. “Timely and
reliable data is important and with improved capacities and upgraded tools like
GEE, constant access to up-to-date time-series information will allow us to
monitor through specific indicators (e.g. vegetation indices) and algorithms
the land dynamics so as to detect land use changes, land degradation and
restoration”, she added.
FAO will continue to provide support to the country by enhancing remote sensing capacities and by providing innovative algorithms to monitor land dynamics. Capacity development of GIS professionals will help in mapping forest cover, detecting deforestation, classifying land cover, estimating forest biomass and carbon, mapping urban area expansion, population mapping, and changes in agricultural production and forecasting, and rangeland dynamics.
****
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
7 January 2021
_____________
UNHCR
PRESS RELEASE
Thanks to Japan, UNHCR supported thousands of vulnerable families impacted by COVID-19
ISLAMABAD, 7 January 2021: While the COVID-19 pandemic has prevailed throughout the year and posed serious humanitarian challenges, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency stayed and delivered by supporting Afghan refugees and their host communities as well as contributing to the Government’s COVID-19 prevention and response in Pakistan.
Thanks to the generous contribution of USD 1 million made by the Government of Japan earlier this year, UNHCR was able to strengthen its own response to the urgent needs of the most vulnerable families impacted by COVID-19.
With the support of the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), the Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees (CAR) and other partners, UNHCR – through the Japanese funding – carried out emergency health, water and sanitation, and cash-based interventions that benefitted an estimated 135,000 Afghan refugees and Pakistanis.
Health facilities were provided with personal protective equipment and medical supplies. Water and sanitation facilities were improved in refugee villages and refugee-hosting areas through the provision of sanitation products. UNHCR’s emergency cash program alleviated the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic on Afghan refugees, most of whom are daily wage earners.
“The people and the Government of Japan’s generous and timely contribution helped us provide much-needed relief to the most vulnerable refugees and host communities during the pandemic,” said UNHCR Representative in Pakistan, Ms. Noriko Yoshida.
The Government of Japan is one of UNHCR’s key donors and supporters in Pakistan and across the globe.
ENDS
Photo caption:
An Afghan refugee woman receives the cash assistance at a Post Office in Islamabad.
© UNHCR/A. Shahzad
Media contact
Qaiser Khan Afridi - +92 300 5018696 - afr...@unhcr.org
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
14 January 2021
_____________
ILO
NEWS RELEASE
Homeworkers need to be better protected, says the ILO
The dramatic increase in working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the poor working conditions experienced by many homeworkers who, prior to the crisis, numbered an estimated 260 million people worldwide.
GENEVA (ILO News) – Those working from home, whose number has greatly increased due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, need better protection, says the International Labour Organization (ILO) in a new report.
Since homeworking occurs in the private sphere it is often “invisible”. In low- and middle-income countries for instance, almost all home-based workers (90 per cent) work informally.
They are usually worse off than those who work outside the home, even in higher-skilled professions. Homeworkers earn on average 13 per cent less in the United Kingdom; 22 per cent less in the United States of America; 25 per cent less in South Africa and about 50 per cent in Argentina, India and Mexico.
Homeworkers also face greater safety and health risks and have less access to training than non-home-based workers, which can affect their career prospects.
The report, Working from home. From invisibility to decent work , also shows that homeworkers do not have the same level of social protection as other workers. They are also less likely to be part of a trade union or to be covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Renewed urgency
According to ILO estimates, prior to the COVID-19 crisis , there were approximately 260 million home-based workers worldwide, representing 7.9 per cent of global employment; 56 per cent of them (147 million) were women.
They include teleworkers who work remotely on a continual basis, and a vast number of workers who are involved in the production of goods that cannot be automated, such as embroidery, handicrafts, electronic assembly. A third category, digital platform workers, provide services, such as processing insurance claims, copy-editing, or data annotation for the training of artificial intelligence systems.
In the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 an estimated one-in-five workers found themselves working from home. Data for the whole of 2020, once it is available, is expected to show a substantial increase on the previous year.
The growth of homeworking is likely to continue in the coming years, the report says, bringing renewed urgency to the need to address the issues facing homeworkers and their employers.
Poorly regulated with lack of compliance
Homeworking is often poorly regulated and compliance with existing laws remains a challenge. In many instances, homeworkers are classified as independent contractors and therefore excluded from the scope of labour legislation.
“Many countries around the world have legislation, sometimes complemented by collective agreements, that addresses various decent work deficits associated with homework. Nonetheless, only 10 ILO Member States have ratified Convention No. 177 , that promotes equality of treatment between homeworkers and other wage earners, and few have a comprehensive policy on homework,” said Janine Berg, ILO senior economist and one of the report’s authors.
Recommendations
The report includes concrete recommendations to make homeworking more visible and thus better protected.
For industrial homeworkers, the report underlines the importance of facilitating their transition to the formal economy by extending legal protections, improving compliance, generalizing written contracts, providing access to social security and making homeworkers aware of their rights.
For home-based, digital platform workers, whose activities raise particular challenges for compliance as they cross multiple borders, the report advocates the use of data generated by their work to monitor working conditions and tools to set fair wages.
For teleworkers, the report calls on policymakers to put in place specific actions to mitigate psychosocial risks and introduce a “right to disconnect”, to ensure respect for the boundaries between working life and private life.
Homeworking is likely to take on greater importance in the years to come, the report says. Governments, in cooperation with workers’ and employers’ organizations, should work together to ensure that all homeworkers – whether they are weaving rattan in Indonesia, making shea butter in Ghana, tagging photos in Egypt, sewing masks in Uruguay, or teleworking in France – move from invisibility to decent work.
Link: https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_765901/lang--en/index.htm
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
15 January 2021
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FAO
MEDIA ADVISORY
UN Agencies in Asia-Pacific to announce widening impact of unaffordable diets - fears COVID-19 will worsen situation for mothers, children
ONLINE LAUNCH & DISCUSSION: 20 January 2021, 11am (Bangkok – GMT+7)
ASIA AND THE PACIFIC REGIONAL OVERVIEW OF FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION 2020
- Joint report by FAO, UNICEF, WFP, WHO
- Publication reveals new figures on the lack of an affordable diet that impacts nutrition for hundreds of millions of additional people in Asia-Pacific
- Maternal and child diets most vulnerable
- Fears that COVID-19 economic impact will worsen the situation
With 350 million people in Asia and the Pacific already undernourished before COVID-19 struck, the economic impact of the pandemic on the world’s most populous region is threatening to further undermine efforts to improve nutrition and diets in the region, says a new report jointly published by four specialized agencies of the United Nations. The publication reveals new figures on the lack of an affordable diet that impacts nutrition for hundreds of millions of additional people in Asia-Pacific, particularly maternal and child diets.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), UNICEF, World Food Programme and World Health Organization are pleased to invite media and other interested parties to attend this year’s virtual launch and online discussion about the Asia and Pacific Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2020 #SOFI2020
The report’s findings will be presented followed by a virtual panel event including these speakers:
- Honourable Senley Levi Filualea, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Solomon Islands
- Emorn Udomkesmalee, adjunct associate professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
- Sania Nishtar, special assistant to the prime minister of Pakistan on poverty alleviation and social safety nets.
This event is free and open to all and will take place online on Wednesday, 20 January 2021 from 11 am until 12:30 pm Bangkok time (GMT+7)
To join, register at this link: https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZOVF6C4nSkuOqs75YhgjDg
Interview requests for specialists at any of the four UN agencies can be requested by contacting the focal point: alla...@fao.org
***
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
16 January 2021
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United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
Secretary-General’s video message on the Two Millionth death
from the COVID-19 pandemic
15 January 2021
Our world has reached a heart-wrenching milestone: the COVID-19 pandemic has now claimed two million lives.
Behind this staggering number are names and faces: the smile now only a memory, the seat forever empty at the dinner table, the room that echoes with the silence of a loved one.
Sadly, the deadly impact of the pandemic has been made worse by the absence of a global coordinated effort.
In the memory of those two million souls, the world must act with far greater solidarity.
Now is the time.
Safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out — and the UN is supporting countries to mobilize the largest global immunization effort in history.
We are committed to making sure that vaccines are seen as global public goods — people’s vaccines.
That requires full funding for the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator and its COVAX facility – which is dedicated to making vaccines available and affordable to all.
The world’s leading economies have a special responsibility.
Yet today we are seeing a vaccine vacuum.
Vaccines are reaching high income countries quickly, while the world’s poorest have none at all.
Science is succeeding — but solidarity is failing.
Some countries are pursuing side deals, even procuring beyond need.
Governments have a responsibility to protect their populations, but “vaccinationalism” is self-defeating and will delay a global recovery.
COVID-19 cannot be beaten one country at a time.
We need manufacturers to step up their commitment to work with the COVAX facility and countries around the world to ensure enough supply and fair distribution.
We need countries to commit now to sharing excess doses of vaccines.
This would help vaccinate all health care workers around the world on an urgent basis and protect health systems from collapse.
Others on the frontline, including humanitarian workers and high-risk populations, must be prioritized.
To gain public trust, we must boost vaccine confidence and knowledge with effective communication grounded in facts.
As the science continues to blaze new trails of hope, let’s also remember the simple and proven steps we can all take to keep each other safe: wearing masks, physically distancing and avoiding crowds.
Our world can only get ahead of this virus one way — together.
Global solidarity will save lives, protect people and help defeat this vicious virus.
*****
Watch the video here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/MSG+SG+COVID+TWO+MILLIONTH+DEATH+14+JAN/MSG+SG+COVID+TWO+MILLIONTH+DEATH+14+JAN+21.mp4
UNIC Islamabad
21 January 2021
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JOINT PRESS RELEASE
FAO, WFP AND IFAD JOIN HANDS TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN’S CONTRIBUTION TO FOOD SYSTEM SUMMIT 2021
Islamabad: The United Nations will host a Food Systems Summit in October 2021 to identify the problems we must solve so that no one goes hungry, and to radically transform the way we manage food on the planet. The Summit will be the turning point in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. With only 10 years remaining, many of the 17 SDGs remain distant. Unsafe or unsustainable food systems are part and parcel of the development challenge.
Rebuilding the food systems of the world enables us to answer the UN Secretary-General António Guterres call to “build back better” from COVID-19 and to leave no one behind.
As part of Pakistan’s commitment to achieve SDGs by 2030, the Government is keen to amplify its participation in the Food Systems Summit in close consultation with the UN organizations. With this aim, a consultative meeting was held by the Secretary of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) Ghufran Memon and attended by the Representatives and Country Directors of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations a.i. Rebekah Bell, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Chris Kaye and the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) Mohammad Fida.
Under the convenorship of the Secretary Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the partners discussed how to organize dialogues at the provincial and national levels based on five identified action tracks i.e. ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all; shift to sustainable consumption patterns; boost nature-positive production; advance equitable livelihoods and build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks and stress. The recommendations generated through these dialogues will be presented in a pre-Summit in July in Rome, Italy and final recommendations will be presented in the Summit in October in New York.
The Summit actions and commitments will be informed by the best evidence, ideas, initiatives and alliances from around the world. The Summit will develop principles to guide the national and local governments, companies and citizens seeking to leverage their food systems to support sustainable development. These principles will set an optimistic and encouraging vision in which food systems play a central role in building a fairer, more sustainable world. The Food System Summit also aims to create a system of follow-up and review to ensure that the Summit’s outcomes continue to drive new actions and progress across all member states.
With the call to build back better, transforming our food systems is among the most powerful ways to change course and make progress towards all 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
---
For further information, pls contact:
Mahira Afzal, WFP/Communications Officer. mahira...@wfp.org
Seema Ghazi, FAO/Head of Communications a.i. Seema...@fao.org
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
26 January 2021
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United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
--
VIDEO MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF COMMEMORATION IN MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST
27 January 2021
Today we honour the memory of the six million Jews and millions of others who were systematically murdered in the Holocaust by the Nazis and their collaborators.
This year’s anniversary takes place under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has revealed longstanding fractures and injustices in our societies and contributed to a resurgence in antisemitism and xenophobia.
The Holocaust was the culmination of two millennia of discrimination, attacks, expulsions and periodic mass killings of Jews. It should have ended antisemitism for good. But it did not.
Antisemitism unfortunately remains alive and well.
Today, white supremacists and neo-Nazis are resurgent, organizing and recruiting across borders, intensifying their efforts to deny, distort and rewrite history including the Holocaust.
The COVID-19 pandemic has given them new opportunities to target minorities, based on religion, race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, disability and immigration status.
We must make urgent joint efforts to stop them.
As we consider the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, we must address the fragilities and gaps exposed by the pandemic and strengthen our mutual bonds, based on our common humanity.
This year must be a year of healing. Healing from the pandemic, and healing our broken societies in which hatred has all too easily taken root.
As we remember those who died in the Holocaust and honour the survivors, our best tribute is the creation of a world of equality, justice and dignity for all.
***
ILO
PRESS RELEASE
ILO: Uncertain and uneven recovery expected following unprecedented labour market crisis
The latest analysis of the labour market impact of COVID-19 by the ILO, records massive damage to working time and income, with prospects for a recovery in 2021 slow, uneven and uncertain unless early improvements are supported by human-centred recovery policies.
GENEVA (ILO News) – Tentative signs of recovery are emerging in
global labour markets, following unprecedented disruption in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest report from the
International Labour Organization.
New annual estimates in the seventh edition of the ILO Monitor: COVID-19 and the
world of work confirm the massive impact that labour
markets suffered in 2020. The latest figures show that 8.8 per cent of global
working hours were lost for the whole of last year (relative to the fourth
quarter of 2019), equivalent to 255 million full-time jobs1. This is approximately four times greater than
the number lost during the 2009 global financial crisis.
These lost working hours are accounted for either
by reduced working hours for those in employment or “unprecedented” levels of
employment loss, hitting 114 million people2. Significantly, 71 per cent of these employment
losses (81 million people) came in the form of inactivity, rather than
unemployment, meaning that people left the labour market because they were
unable to work, perhaps because of pandemic restrictions, or simply ceased to
look for work. Looking at unemployment alone drastically understates the impact
of COVID-19 on the labour market.
These massive losses resulted in an 8.3 per cent
decline in global labour income (before support measures are included),
equivalent to US$3.7 trillion or 4.4 per cent of global Gross Domestic Product
(GDP).
Impact by groups and sectors
Women have been more affected than men by the pandemic’s labour
market disruptions. Globally, employment losses for women stand at 5 per cent,
versus 3.9 per cent for men. In particular, women were much more likely than
men to drop out of the labour market and become inactive.
Younger workers have also been particularly hard
hit, either losing jobs, dropping out of the labour force or delaying entry
into it. The employment loss among youth (15-24 years old) stood at 8.7 per
cent, compared to 3.7 per cent for adults. This “highlights the all too real
risk of a lost generation”, the Monitor says.
The report shows the uneven impact on different
economic, geographic, and labour market sectors. It highlights concerns of a
“K-shaped recovery”, whereby those sectors and workers hit hardest could be
left behind in the recovery, leading to increasing inequality, unless
corrective measures are taken.
The worst affected sector has been accommodation
and food services, where employment declined by more than 20 per cent, on
average, followed by retail and manufacturing. In contrast, employment in
information and communication, and finance and insurance, increased in the
second and third quarters of 2020. Marginal increases were also seen in mining,
quarrying and utilities.
Looking ahead
While there is still a high degree of uncertainty, the latest
projections for 2021 show that most countries will experience a relatively
strong recovery in the second half of the year, as vaccination programmes take
effect.
The Monitor puts forward three scenarios for
recovery; baseline, pessimistic and optimistic. The baseline scenario (which
draws on International Monetary Fund forecasts from October 2020), projects a 3
per cent loss of working hours globally in 2021 (compared to Q4 2019),
equivalent to 90 million full time jobs.
The
pessimistic scenario, which assumes slow progress on vaccination in particular,
would see working hours drop by 4.6 per cent, while the optimistic scenario
forecasts a 1.3 per cent decline. This would depend on the pandemic being under
control and an upsurge of consumer and business confidence.
In all scenarios the Americas, Europe and Central
Asia would experience around twice the working hour losses of other regions.
The Monitor includes a series of policy
recommendations for recovery:
- Macroeconomic policies to remain accommodative in 2021 and beyond, including fiscal stimulus where possible, and measures to support incomes and promote investment.
- Targeted measures to reach women, young people, low-skilled and low paid workers, and other hard-hit groups.
- International support for low and middle-income countries – which have fewer financial resources to roll out vaccines and promote economic and employment recovery.
- Focusing support on the hardest-hit sectors while creating jobs in fast growing ones.
- Social dialogue to implement the recovery strategies necessary to create more inclusive, fair, sustainable economies.
“The
signs of recovery we see are encouraging, but they are fragile and highly
uncertain, and we must remember that no country or group can recover alone,”
said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.
“We are at a fork in the road. One path leads to
an uneven, unsustainable, recovery with growing inequality and instability, and
the prospect of more crises. The other focuses on a human-centred recovery for
building back better, prioritizing employment, income and social protection,
workers’ rights and social dialogue. If we want a lasting, sustainable and
inclusive recovery, this is the path policy-makers must commit to.”
For interviews,
please contact news...@ilo.org.
UNIC Islamabad
27 January 2021
______________
FAO
PRESS RELEASE
FAO and Sindh Agriculture University join hands to promote the agricultural innovations and SDGs in Pakistan
Tandojam, Sindh: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) have agreed to set up a Resource Centre at SAU to develop and strengthen the capacity of the university, enhance their technical advisory and to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and agricultural innovations in Pakistan.
A letter of agreement was signed between FAO and SAU by Rebekah Bell, FAO Representative in Pakistan a.i. and Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Marri, Vice Chancellor SAU at an agreement signing ceremony held at the Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam. The event was attended by FAO and SAU officials.
Vice-Chancellor Sindh Agriculture University Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Marri while appreciating the efforts of FAO said that exchange of information and access to the online platforms of FAO will provide the students an international exposure to the latest and scientific information and this information will help them to excel in their careers and ultimately enrich the agricultural sector in Pakistan.
While speaking at the ceremony, FAO Representative in Pakistan a.i. Ms. Rebekah Bell said that the transformation of Pakistan’s food systems and the achievement of the SDGs requires strong partnership with academia. This partnership with SAU will not only improve the research agenda of the university, but it will also add more value to the food systems globally.
The agreement between FAO and SAU will enable the exchange of knowledge on tools and technologies and share expertise for developing project designs, technical notes, policy briefs and studies relevant to FAO and SAU. FAO Resource Centre will also host a Repository Library at SAU campus to facilitate the students, faculty and researchers and FAO official publications will be available at the Repository Library. Access to world's leading academic journals through AGORA (Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture), an online database launched by FAO in 2003, will also be provided to SAU students and faculty to fulfill their research needs. FAO and SAU will run knowledge sharing activities which will lead to improved agricultural practices and will create value in the agriculture sector.
Partnerships with academia and research institutions greatly enhance FAO's ability to eliminate hunger and malnutrition and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). FAO actively collaborates with higher education and research institutions to mobilize knowledge and innovations, strengthen capacities, provide evidence-based solutions to policy processes and share its own experience from the ground with the academic community.
***
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
2 February 2021
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FAO
PRESS RELEASE
Fisheries action plan presented for public consultation in Sindh
Karachi 02/02/2021: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations held a public consultation workshop under the Sindh Agriculture Policy 2018-2030 to validate a proposed Fisheries Action Plan for Sindh province. The workshop was attended by Secretary Livestock and Fisheries, Director General Marine Fisheries, representatives of International Trade Centre, World Wildlife Fund, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, private fisheries businesses, seafood processors and exporters.
FAO Pakistan, through European Union-assisted Food Security and Nutrition Impact, Resilience, Sustainability and Transformation (FIRST) programme, is seeking to help deepen the dialogue between different sectors with a stake in food security, through its policy assistance service, supporting evidence-based decision making and analysis of proposed policy frameworks and action plans. In Sindh, it has helped build capacity of the government officials of the Livestock & Fisheries Department over 2019-2021 in formulating its action plan with a view to making the case for more targeted investment in the fisheries and aquaculture sector to meet modern requirements for quality, efficiency and profitability.
FAO Policy Officer Ms. Genevieve Hussain highlighted that the government is keen, through the policy, to create an efficient, prosperous and resilient food production sector that can provide good incomes and decent employment to those involved in fisheries and aquaculture sector, and at the same time provide safe and nutritious food to urban and rural populations. “Fisheries is indeed an industry where there are complex trade-offs between sustainability, growth, inclusion of smaller fisherfolk and conservation of natural resources” she said. Country and provincial governments need to arrive at compromises that meet the desires of different size fishing operations, nutritional needs of the people, and economic aspirations of the fishing communities.
Secretary Sindh Livestock & Fisheries Department, Mr. Aijaz Ahmed Mahesar, expressed appreciation for the efforts of FAO in both the formulation of policy and development of action plans under it, saying, “without an Action Plan there can be no budgetary allocation, so it is essential that we have this plan agreed and in place so that the policy is implemented properly”. The Government of Sindh will facilitate strategy by working with industry to restructure the sector and create a regulatory framework to encourage finance institutions and private sector to invest in fisheries and aquaculture and to adopt technological improvements along the value chain, he added. He further added that the Government of Sindh is strongly committed to the Sindh Agriculture Policy and wants to leverage public resources in a smart way to support the fisheries and aquaculture industries.
FAO Fisheries Policy Specialist, Mr Khawar Parvez Awan, explained that the overall process of implementation of the Fisheries Action Plan and the corresponding plans for livestock, forestry and agriculture sectors will be overseen by the Sindh Agriculture Policy Implementation Commission (SAPIC) comprising concerned government institutions, farmers’ associations, private sector and academia and headed by the Minister of Agriculture, Supply and Prices, Sindh. The draft fisheries action plan was discussed today at length with the participants who actively articulated their considered views in plenary and group sessions. After today’s public consultation, the Fisheries Action Plan will be presented before Sindh Agriculture Policy Implementation Commission (SAPIC) for approval.
***
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
3 February 2021
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UNDP
PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Human Rights & UNDP launch report on Covid-19 and Disaster Vulnerability in Pakistan
Islamabad, 3rd February 2020 – The Ministry of Human Rights in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan launched a detailed report on “Covid-19 and Disaster Vulnerability in Pakistan: A Human Rights Based Analysis” in Islamabad today. The report presents a comprehensive framework to analyze and strengthen Pakistan’s official response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the report, Pakistan’s national Covid-19 response has been analysed according to the eight key thematic priority areas identified by the UN Secretary General in April 2020 Guidance Note, “COVID-19 and Human Rights: We are all in this together”. These priority areas are health; livelihoods and unemployment; education; food; security; gender-based violence; child rights protection; refugees and migrants; and prisons and detention centres. The report outlines government initiatives in each thematic area; gaps and opportunities; and rights-based recommendations to facilitate and ensure a human rights-based approach to Covid-19 and disaster vulnerability in Pakistan.
Each chapter identifies population groups that face a high degree of risk and vulnerability. It also offers a set of short and medium-term recommendations for relevant Pakistani authorities at both national and provincial levels to prioritize and protect human rights. The report also attempts to examine the methodologies and practices of developed nations in order to perform a comparative analysis and provide a robust roadmap and strategy to address potential gaps and shortcomings.
Speaking at the launch of the report, Federal Minister for Human Rights, Dr Shireen Mazari said, “The Government of Pakistan is cognizant of the multifaceted impacts of Covid-19 on the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in the country and across the globe. Our report approaches the crisis through a human rights lens to encourage and facilitate a people-centred approach to the pandemic. The proposed recommendations are integral not only in terms of ensuring that human rights are protected during the current pandemic, but have the far-reaching potential to serve as a roadmap for protecting human rights in a plethora of future emergency situations that Pakistan could face.”
Federal Secretary for Human Rights, Mr. Inamullah Khan said, “Our research report highlights integral achievements, unintended impacts, and short-comings of Pakistan’s national response to the Covid-19 pandemic. It adopts a medium to long term perspective for guidance and recommendations that seek to ensure that the rights of the vulnerable, based on their sex, socioeconomic status, geographic location, age and disability, are protected.”
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Ms. Aliona Niculita said at the occasion that, “UNDP is pleased to have supported the Ministry of Human Rights in undertaking this groundbreaking research on COVID-19 and disaster vulnerability in Pakistan from a human rights perspective. We hope that the recommendations outlined in this report will guide the Government of Pakistan, UN Agencies, and other development partners in their response to COVID-19, including the roll out of the vaccination campaign, and future emergencies, with the aim of ensuring that no one is left behind in emergency response and recovery.
The report can accessed here.
For additional information, please contact Ayesha Babar at ayesha...@undp.org or +92 (51) 835 5650
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
4 February 2021
______________
United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
--
MESSAGE UPON RECEIPT OF
THE HUMAN FRATERNITY AWARD
Abu Dhabi, 3 February 2021
It is an honour to receive the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. I know this is also recognition of the work of the United Nations to advance peace and human dignity every day and everywhere.
I also congratulate this year’s other awardee, Latifa Ibn Ziaten of France. Her dedicated efforts to support young people and promote mutual understanding, arising out of immense personal tragedy, have won admirers at home and beyond.
Discrimination, racism and extremist violence are surging across the globe.
As the world faces the COVID-19 pandemic, an economic crisis, a climate emergency and threats to peace, unity and solidarity are more important than ever. There must be no room for hatred in the future we are striving to build.
That is also very much the spirit of the pathbreaking efforts of His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb to advance inter-faith dialogue and promote our common humanity.
This award will inspire us as we continue that vital work.
In that spirit, I have decided to donate the prize money -- $500,000 -- to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to buttress its indispensable efforts to protect the most vulnerable members of the human family – the forcibly displaced.
Thank you again for this recognition.
***
UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
Remarks by Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director, at briefing on COVAX publishing interim distribution forecast
NEW YORK, 4 February 2021 – “UNICEF is proud to be part of today’s release of an indicative distribution plan by the COVAX facility.
“This release will help countries continue their preparations for vaccine distribution by providing them with details of the type of vaccine each country will receive in the first and second quarters.
“This is, of course, just an initial tranche of COVAX vaccines. More will follow. We will continue to work on the supply agreements to meet the needs of the COVAX vaccine requirements for the first half of 2021.
“With these indicative allocations, governments and public health experts can now initiate the steps needed for a successful initial roll-out of COVID vaccines to frontline healthcare workers—the first part of the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation ever mounted.
“For our part, UNICEF stands ready to fully support the roll-out of the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines as the drive against this deadly virus shifts into a higher gear. Our country offices will support governments as they move forward with this first wave to ensure that they are ready to receive the vaccines that require ultra cold chain. This includes ensuring that health workers are fully trained in how to store and handle the vaccines. We must get this right. Many of these doses will go to health workers in urban areas, who are at the highest risk of exposure to COVID-19 infections.
“This work has already begun. For example, Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the countries that will be an early recipient of the Pfizer vaccine, which requires ultra cold chain storage. UNICEF is providing Bosnia and Herzegovina with 8 refrigerators that will be able to store vaccines in temperatures as low as -80° Celsius. The first two refrigerators recently arrived and will be distributed to locations agreed with the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The rest will follow as soon as possible.
“Over recent months, UNICEF has also been preparing for this moment by stockpiling half a billion syringes, along with safety boxes to dispose them. We have worked closely with airlines and other partners to make sure that all the necessary logistical and planning arrangements are in place. And we are supporting governments and partners in developing national plans to assess their logistics. This includes helping to plan, coordinate, budget, and prepare their health facilities and cold chain ahead of vaccine delivery. Along with WHO and Gavi, we are also advising countries to help improve their vaccine roll-out plans, every step of the way.
“Today’s release of these plans represents an important next step. For the countries receiving initial tranches of vaccines, preparatory work can now pivot to implementation and delivery.
“For countries which have already initiated vaccination drives, and those yet to begin, this information is a hopeful marker on the winding path out of a pandemic that will not be truly over, until it is over for us all.”
###
Download photos and broll here. The interim distribution forecast is available here.
Under this plan, 18 countries will be the first to receive 1.2 million doses of the Pfizer/Biontech vaccines under the COVAX Facility: Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cabo Verde, Colombia, El Salvador, Georgia, Maldives, Moldova, Mongolia, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, South Africa, Tunisia, Ukraine and the West Bank and Gaza.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org. For more information about COVID-19, visit www.unicef.org/coronavirus. Find out more about UNICEF’s work on the COVID-19 vaccines here, or about UNICEF’s work on immunization here.
For more information, please contact:
Sabrina Sidhu, UNICEF New York, +1 917 4761537, ssi...@unicef.org
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
5 February 2021
______________
UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
UNICEF Hands Over ADB Funded Oxygen Concentrators to the Government
Islamabad, 5 February 2021 – Funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), 220 Oxygen Concentrators worth $331,000 were handed over by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MoNHS,R&C), in Islamabad yesterday.
An Oxygen Concentrator is a life-saving device used for treating patients suffering from coronavirus infection, birth asphyxia and complicated pneumonia. Recently procured Oxygen Concentrator have been shipped to seven major cities in the country including Islamabad, to be installed in public health facilities.
“Our nationally coordinated efforts have indeed helped Pakistan to effectively tackle the Pandemic so far. I am thankful to all stakehokders and partners including ADB and UNICEF who joined hands been since the pandemic landed in Pakistan,” said Dr. Rana Muhammad Safdar, Director General (Health), MoNHS,R&C. “We are vigilantly monitoring the evolving disease patterns as well as our health systems capacity and have mechanisms in place to best use the available resources for the purpose. Oxygen Concentrators shall upbuild the capacity of our health facilities to effectively manage moderately symptomatic patients close to their place of residence and thus help in reducing load on major hospitals.
In addition to the initial grant of $500,000 which has been utilized for acquiring Personal Protective Equipment and Oxygen Concentrators, ADB has also provided an additional $20,00,000 to help Pakistan strengthen its efforts to combat COVID-19 pandemic. These funds will be used to acquire life-saving medical supplies, diagnostic and laboratory facilities, and other critical equipment for communities affected by the pandemic.
“Since the outbreak of COVID-19, ADB moved swiftly to support the people and the government of Pakistan in responding to the challenge,” said ADB Country Director Xiaohong Yang. “The provision of oxygen concentrators to health centers across the country will help save lives and support the poor and vulnerable, who are particularly dependent on public sector health facilities. We will continue to work closely with UNICEF and other development partners to help Pakistan overcome the challenges.”
Since the outbreak of COVID19 in Pakistan, ADB and UNICEF have been collaborating to support the MoNHS,R&C by providing funds and technical assistance in procurement of PPEs and other medical supplies to counter the spread of coronavirus in the country.
“Funds from ADB have helped us provide the most needed assistance to the Government of Pakistan in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Aida Girma, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. “Realising the importance of Oxygen Concentrators as lifesaving devices, UNICEF had earlier provided 525 Oxygen Concentrators worth over $1 million to the MoNHS,R&C.”
“As the largest single vaccine buyer in the world, UNICEF has a unique and longstanding expertise in procurement and logistics. Besides procurement of PPE, UNICEF and its COVAX partners – Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and CEPI – are now procuring COVID-19 vaccine doses as the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in world history. We are determined to work with EPI and MoNHSRC to quickly acquire adequate COVID-19 vaccine for people on Pakistan and roll out inoculation to priority populations in phased manner, said UNICEF Chief”
For further Information, please contact:
Sajid Shah, PRO Ministry of NHS,R&C, Email: sajids...@gmail.com, Phone: 0301
5103069
M. Ismail Khan, Asian Development Bank, Email: mik...@adb.org,
Phone: 0301 8554764
A. Sami Malik. UNICEF, Email: asm...@unicef.org, Phone: 0300 8556654
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
9 February 2021
______________
UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
Growing concern for well-being of children and young people amid soaring screen time – UNICEF
Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore on Safer Internet Day
NEW YORK, 9 February 2021 – “Under the shadow of COVID-19, the lives of millions of
children and young people have shrunk to just their homes and their screens.
For many, being online quickly became the only way to play, socialize and
learn.
“While technology and digital solutions provide significant
opportunities to keep children learning, entertained and connected, these same
tools may also increase their exposure to a myriad of risks. Even before the
pandemic, online sexual exploitation, harmful content, misinformation and
cyberbullying all threatened children’s rights, safety and mental wellbeing.
“For children already experiencing harm or hurt – online or offline – the rise in screen time may have exacerbated their anguish. School closures, physical distancing, decreased services, and increased strain on already vulnerable families disrupted and reduced some of the protective measures available to them.
“At the same time, concern is mounting for children’s physical and
emotional health, with some evidence suggesting that more time online is
leading to less outdoor activity, reduced sleep quality, increased symptoms of
anxiety and unhealthy eating habits.
“As the pandemic enters its second year, there’s no doubt that the
Internet and technology will continue to play an elevated role in the lives of
millions of children. This Safer Internet Day, we have an opportunity to
reimagine a safer world for children online, and one that prioritizes and
protects their physical and mental well-being. Here’s how:
· By working with governments to train health, education and social service workers about the impact of COVID-19 on child well-being, including increased online risks, as well as bolstering core child protection and mental health services to make sure they remain open and active throughout the pandemic and beyond.
· By ensuring the tech industry, including social networking sites, guarantees that online platforms have enhanced safety and safeguarding measures that are clearly accessible to teachers, parents and children.
· By working with public and private sector partners to increase investments in safe technologies and content that promote quality learning and skills building, including through the Reimagine Education initiative and GIGA.
· By supporting parents to help their children understand the risks presented by the Internet and digital technologies as well as being alert to signs of distress that may arise with online activity.
· In schools, by granting children continued access to school-based counselling services – including virtually – and policies that respond to mental health and child protection concerns.
“For children and young people themselves, preparing for a kinder, more connected world post-COVID means helping strike a balance between their online and offline worlds, nurturing safe, positive relationships with those around them, and having access to the support they need.
Helen Wylie, UNICEF New York, Tel: +1 917 244 2215, hwy...@unicef.org
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.org
Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
10 February 2021
______________
United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
--
VIDEO MESSAGE FOR THE
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE
11 February 2021
Advancing gender equality in science and technology is essential for building a better future.
We have seen this yet again in the fight against COVID-19.
Women, who represent 70 per cent of all healthcare workers, have been among those most affected by the pandemic and among those leading the response to it.
Gender inequalities have increased dramatically in the past year, as women bear the brunt of school closures and working from home.
Many women scientists are facing closed labs and increased care responsibilities, leaving less time for critical research.
For women in scientific fields, these challenges have exacerbated an already difficult situation.
According to UNESCO, women account for only one third of the world’s researchers, and occupy fewer senior positions than men at top universities.
This disparity has led to a lower publication rate, less visibility, less recognition and, critically, less funding.
Meanwhile, artificial Intelligence and machine learning replicate existing biases.
Women and girls belong in science.
Yet stereotypes have steered women and girls away from science-related fields.
It is time to recognize that greater diversity fosters greater innovation.
Without more women in STEM, the world will continue to be designed by and for men, and the potential of girls and women will remain untapped.
We must ensure that girls have access to the education they deserve and that they can see a future for themselves in engineering, computer programming, cloud technology, robotics and health sciences.
This is critical for our work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Increasing women’s participation in STEM can close the gender pay gap and boost women’s earnings by $299 billion over the next ten years.
STEM skills are also crucial in closing the global Internet user gap.
Together, let’s end gender discrimination, and ensure that all women and girls fulfill their potential and are an integral part in building a better world for all.
***
UNDP
PRESS RELEASE
Canadian High Commissioner’s visit to GLOF-II office in Gilgit
The Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Wendy Glimour and the First Secretary Emilie Milroy visited GLOF II Gilgit office on 9th Feb 2021.
The Provincial Coordinator GLOF-II briefed her about the project and its objectives and background; the Scaling-up of GLOF risk reduction in Northern Pakistan (GLOF-II) project is a continuation of the four-year ‘Reducing Risks and Vulnerabilities from GLOF in Northern Pakistan’ (GLOF-I) project. GLOF-II aims to help vulnerable communities to prepare for and mitigate GLOF risks through early warning systems, enhanced infrastructure and community-based disaster risk management.
Ms. Gilmore appreciated the efforts of project team, and the implementing units for incorporation and documentation of indigenous knowledge like glacial grafting and community engagement. The First Secretary inquired youth engagement in the interventions proposed under the project. GLOF-II Provincial Coordinator emphasised on the opportunities given to the youth under the internship program, where the local youth from different districts are involved to enhance knowledge of the professional world. GLOF-II is also supporting research students working on climate change resilience.
The early warning systems were of immense interest to the ambassador and she wanted to learn how communities receive the alerts to safeguard against such catastrophise. She was fascinated to learn about the use of drone technologies to monitor GLOF events.
Possible avenues of collaboration between Canada and GLOF II were also discussed. The team was apprised on the selection of only 24 valleys for the project and talked about the need for more financial resources and technological access to upscale the project in future, and to expand its horizons in upcoming years to all the valleys vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Ms Gilmore inquired about the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as the funding body for the project and appreciated the timely provision of resources from GCF and project team’s active collaboration with the donor for various project activities.
The High Commissioner and First Secretary were given project souvenirs as a token of thanks and an invitation was extended for visiting the project management unit in Islamabad to know further about GLOF-II and GCF partnership.
***
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
11 February 2021
_______________
UNESCO
PRESS RELEASE
UNESCO and Government of Pakistan Launch Coffee Table Book ‘From Landi Kotal to Wagah: Cultural Heritage Along the Grand Trunk Road’
Islamabad: UNESCO and the Government of Pakistan launched a new joint publication titled ‘From Landi Kotal to Wagah: Cultural Heritage Along the Grand Trunk Road’ on February 10, 2021 at the Pakistan National Council of Arts.
The result of a collaboration of more than two years, the coffee table book explores the built and intangible heritage along the Grand Trunk Road (GT Road) in Pakistan, combining a thoroughly researched narrative with a wealth of photos that illustrate the diverse and rich panorama of this 2500-year-old historical trade road. Over the centuries, the road has been extensively travelled by traders, pilgrims and great civilizations like the Greeks, Turks and Mughals who left their marks, perpetuating the mythical status of this legendary road. The aim of the book is to foster tourism, promote awareness and ultimately protect the little known historic sites (largely non-Muslim) along the GT road that spans over 2400km from Bangladesh to Afghanistan.
The development and publication of the book was supported by the Embassy of Switzerland, the European Union and the World Bank. The author is Mr. Salman Rashid, a preeminent travel writer and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. The book is richly illustrated with photographs taken by Mr. Asad Zaidi. It is distributed in a co-publishing arrangement with Sang-E-Meel Publishers.
At the book launch, Ms. Patricia McPhillips (Country Representative and Director, UNESCO) welcomed the guests and thanked all partners for their support and contribution. She stated that, ‘through this book, UNESCO hoped to highlight the vast potential cultural development in various parts of Pakistan, and the pressing need to preserve and protect heritage sites, in order to further our shared cause of encouraging cultural pluralism and social cohesion.’
Welcoming the publication of the book, Mr. Bénédict de Cerjat (Ambassador of Switzerland) highlighted the rich and impressive cultural heritage of Pakistan. He emphasized that the Grand Trunk Road is one of Asia’s oldest and longest major roads, which has linked Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent, facilitated trade for centuries and is still used for transportation. He commended UNESCO for its valuable initiative and encouraged the guests to follow the author’s journey and discover the many fascinating places along the historical road.
In her speech, Ms. Androulla Kaminara (Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan) emphasized: “Over the centuries, along the Grand Trunk Road not only goods but cultures, ideas, religions and languages were exchanged, leaving a permanent trace on the societies along the road today. This rich heritage is an important manifestation of cultural diversity that needs to be protected and promoted, especially for its key role in attracting tourism and boosting economic growth – which are both priorities of the Government of Pakistan.”
The author of the book Mr. Salman Rashid spoke about the many years he has spent traveling along the GT Road, and the fascinating history and culture he has experienced in his travels, which can now be shared with readers through this book.
The Chief Guest, Mr. Shafqat Mahmood (Federal Minister for the National Heritage and Culture Division) appreciated the role this book will play in fostering tourism, while also preserving the history and heritage of Pakistan for generations to come.
All partners emphasized that this unique book serves to encourage the people and government of Pakistan to protect and preserve the heritage which forms an integral part of the history of the land that is now Pakistan.
The book will be available for sale online and in major bookstores after February 10, 2021.
***
UNICEF-WHO
Joint Statement
In the COVID-19 vaccine race, we either win together or lose together
Joint statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
NEW YORK/GENEVA, 10 February 2021 – “Of the 128 million vaccine doses administered so far, more than three quarters of those vaccinations are in just 10 countries that account for 60% of global GDP.
“As of today, almost 130 countries, with 2.5 billion people, are yet to administer a single dose.
“This self-defeating strategy will cost lives and livelihoods, give the virus further opportunity to mutate and evade vaccines and will undermine a global economic recovery.
“Today, UNICEF and WHO – partners for more than 70 years – call on leaders to look beyond their borders and employ a vaccine strategy that can actually end the pandemic and limit variants.
“Health workers have been on the frontlines of the pandemic in lower- and middle-income settings and should be protected first so they can protect us.
“COVAX participating countries are preparing to receive and use vaccines. Health workers have been trained, cold chain systems primed. What’s missing is the equitable supply of vaccines.
“To ensure that vaccine rollouts begin in all countries in the first 100 days of 2021, it is imperative that:
·
Governments that have
vaccinated their own health workers and populations at highest risk of severe
disease share vaccines through COVAX so other countries can do the same.
·
The Access to COVID-19
Tools (ACT) Accelerator, and its vaccines pillar COVAX, is fully funded so that
financing and technical support is available to lower- and middle-income
countries for deploying and administering vaccines. If fully funded, the ACT
Accelerator could return up to US$ 166 for every dollar invested.
· Vaccine manufacturers allocate the limited vaccine supply equitably; share safety, efficacy and manufacturing data as a priority with WHO for regulatory and policy review; step up and maximize production; and transfer technology to other manufacturers who can help scale the global supply.
“We need global leadership to scale up vaccine production and achieve vaccine equity.
“COVID-19 has shown that our fates are inextricably linked. Whether we win or lose, we will do so together.”
#####
Note to Editors
Dr. Tedros will be addressing the UNICEF Executive Board today at 10:00 am EST. Watch it live on http://webtv.un.org/
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org. For more information about COVID-19, visit www.unicef.org/coronavirus. Find out more about UNICEF’s work on the COVID-19 vaccines here, or about UNICEF’s work on immunization here.
For further information, please contact:
Najwa Mekki, UNICEF New York, +1917 209 1804, nme...@unicef.org
Farah Dakhlallah, WHO Geneva, +41795006566, dakhl...@who.int
***
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update-2
12 February 2021
_____________
UNAIDS
PRESS RELEASE
UNAIDS welcomes the United States of America’s decision to support women’s health, safety and rights
GENEVA, 3 February 2021—UNAIDS warmly welcomes the announcement by the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, that he has rescinded the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance Policy (PLGHA, previously known as the Mexico City Policy). The policy required foreign nongovernmental organizations to certify that they would not perform or actively promote abortion using funds from any source (including non-United States funds) as a condition of receiving United States Government funding.
“Rescinding the PLGHA is a strong demonstration of the new United States Administration’s commitment to supporting women to claim their rights and to access sexual and reproductive health and rights information and services,” said Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director. “We look forward to working closely with the new United States Administration to ensure that all women and girls can exercise their human rights and get the sexual and reproductive health information and services they want and need.”
The former United States Administration took previous restrictions established by the Mexico City Policy to a new level by applying the policy to global health assistance provided by all executive departments and agencies. This severely limited access to critical sexual and reproductive health-care services and stifled local advocacy efforts, in turn undermining human rights in general and sexual and reproductive health and rights in particular worldwide.
UNAIDS welcomes the White House’s call to waive conditions related to the PLGHA in any current grants with immediate effect, to notify current grantees, as soon as possible, that these conditions have been waived and to cease imposing these conditions in any future assistance awards.
“Women and girls having full access to their sexual and reproductive health and rights is closely connected to their overall safety, health and well-being. We hope that this will inform the passage of the Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act—legislation designed to permanently repeal the PLGHA,” added Ms Byanyima.
UNAIDS also warmly welcomes the announcement by the President that the United States will restore funding to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), a key UNAIDS cosponsoring organization working around the world to provide reproductive health care for women and young people. UNAIDS appreciates the commitment by the United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, to appropriate US$ 32.5 million in support for UNFPA this year.
UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
CONTACT
UNAIDS Geneva
Sophie Barton-Knott
tel. +41 79 514 6896
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
15 February 2021
_______________
WHO
MEDIA ADVISORY
Invitation to the media
WHO Virtual Press Conference
Monday, 15 February 2021, 12: 30 to 13:30 p.m. Cairo time (GMT+2)
What:
WHO’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO/EMRO) invites all media outlets to a virtual press conference on the latest updates on COVID-19 in the Region.
The media briefing will include:
· Update on COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
· Humanitarian needs and priorities in Lebanon and Pakistan
· Questions from the media
Who:
· Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean
· Dr Najat Rochdi, UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon
· Dr Julien Harneis, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Pakistan
· Dr Abdinasir Abubakar, Manager, Infectious Hazards Preparedness, WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office
When:
Monday, 15 February 2021, 12: 30 p.m. to 13:30 p.m. Cairo time (GMT+2)
How:
To submit questions please fill in the form at: http://www.emro.who.int/askemro.html
Please send only one question per journalist/media outlet.
The press conference will be streamed on Zoom in both Arabic and English.
https://who.zoom.us/j/97523296062?pwd=dGJsdnRmNnhGV0dubWh1M0w2TTFwdz09
Password: EMVP2021-2
The event will be livestreamed on:
· Facebook [Arabic]: www.facebook.com/WHOEMRO
· YouTube [Arabic]: www.youtube.com/whoemr
· Twitter [English]: www.twitter.com/WHOEMRO
-------
For more details, contact:
Mona
Yassin yassinm@WHO.int WhatsApp:
+201006019284
Mai Maamoun maam...@who.int WhatsApp: +201277492267
UNIC Islamabad
16 February 2021
_______________
UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
Leading airlines commit to helping UNICEF in its historic mission of transporting COVID-19 vaccines around the world
COPENHAGEN, 16 February 2021 – UNICEF is today launching the Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative. Under this landmark initiative, over 10 leading airlines are signing agreements with UNICEF to support the prioritization of delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, essential medicines, medical devices and other critical supplies to respond to the pandemic. The Initiative will also act as a global logistics preparedness mechanism for other humanitarian and health crises over the longer term.
“Delivery of these life-saving vaccines is a monumental and complex undertaking, considering the sheer volumes that need to be transported, the cold chain requirements, the number of expected deliveries and the diversity of routes” said Etleva Kadilli, Director of UNICEF Supply Division. “We are grateful to these airlines for joining forces with the UNICEF Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative to support the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines.”
The UNICEF Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative brings together the airlines covering routes to over 100 countries, in support of the COVAX Facility – the global effort aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. Based on the COVAX Facility’s indicative distribution and first round allocation plan, 145 countries will receive doses to immunize around three per cent of their population, on average, starting in the first half of 2021, subject to all requirements being met and final allocation plans.
In addition to prioritizing shipments of these life-saving supplies, the airlines will take measures such as temperature control and security, while also adding freight capacity to routes where needed. Their commitments are critical to the timely and secure delivery of vaccines and critical supplies.
Safe, timely and efficient transportation of life-saving supplies is critical to supporting access to essential services for children and families. COVAX deliveries and the subsequent vaccination of frontline workers will support health and social care systems to safely resume these critical services.
######
About UNICEF
UNICEF
works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most
disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every
child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information
about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org. For
more information about COVID-19, visit www.unicef.org/coronavirus . Find out more about UNICEF’s work on the COVID-19 vaccines here, or about UNICEF’s work on immunization here.
For more information, please contact:
Sabrina Sidhu, UNICEF New York, +1 917 4761537, ssi...@unicef.org
Anne Sophie Bonefeld, UNICEF Supply Division, +45 2469 4676, abon...@unicef.org
UNIC Islamabad
17 February 2021
_______________
UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
Building trust in vaccines, addressing the youth mental health crisis, and bridging the digital divide among key opportunities for the world’s children post-pandemic - UNICEF
In an open letter about reimagining the world after COVID-19,
UNICEF’s Executive Director highlights five lessons from the global pandemic
NEW YORK, 17 February 2021 – Renewing
global confidence in vaccines, addressing challenges to youth mental health and
wellbeing, fighting discrimination, tackling climate change, and bridging the
digital divide are the biggest opportunities for children that the COVID-19
pandemic has presented the international community, UNICEF’s Executive Director
Henrietta Fore said in her annual open letter today.
In the letter, released as UNICEF launches worldwide commemorations of its 75th anniversary, Fore outlines how, while the world continues its fight against the global pandemic, we need to seize the key opportunities it presents to reimagine a world more fit for children.
“As we kick off UNICEF’s 75th anniversary, we are reminded that this organization was created in the midst of another historic crisis in the aftermath of World War II,” writes Fore. “Back then, it would have been easy to be overwhelmed by the scale of the problems facing children in a war-ravaged world. But we reimagined what was possible. We built new health and welfare systems around the world. We defeated smallpox and wild polio. We built the United Nations. History is calling upon us once again.”
On vaccines, Fore warns that vaccine hesitancy will have a profound effect on our ability to overcome COVID-19. Even while we work with governments, partners and donors to help procure, transport and deliver vaccines around the world, Fore writes, we must also build confidence in the vaccines in order for the public to accept them. “Without trust, vaccines are just expensive vials in a doctor’s cabinet.”
On mental health, Fore says that COVID-19 has added to a worrying rise in mental health disorders among children and young people, and urges the international community to do more. “Countries need to give this issue the investment it deserves, dramatically expand mental health services and support for young people in communities and schools, and build on parenting programmes to ensure that children from vulnerable families get the support and protection they need at home,” she writes.
On bridging the digital divide, Fore points out how global lockdowns have exposed the inherent inequity of the digital divide. During the peak of school closures in 2020, about 30 per cent of the world’s schoolchildren were unable to access remote learning – some of the same children who are already unlikely to have access to quality education. The letter calls for reimagining education and bridging the digital divide so that digital tools can be leveraged to reimage education and leapfrog into the future.
Finally, the letter points out how critical this moment of opportunity is. “The international community must support an inclusive recovery that prioritizes investments for children,” Fore writes. “This year, as UNICEF celebrates 75 years of reimagining the future for every child, let’s gather behind children and young people with a new spirit of urgency, as we create opportunities, ignite their dreams, and support them across every part of their lives.”
###
Notes to Editors:
To access the full letter: http://uni.cf/five-opportunities-children-letter
For photos, video and multimedia: https://weshare.unicef.org/Package/2AMZIFB4L05P
To read about UNICEF’s six-point plan to protect children in the COVID-19 crisis: https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/six-point-plan-protect-children
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the
world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we
work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For
more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org
For more information, please contact:
Kurtis Cooper, UNICEF New York, + 1 917 476 1435, kaco...@unicef.org
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
18 February 2021
_______________
UN Habitat
PRESS RELEASE
(Project Commencement and Advocacy Workshop)
Improvement of Disaster Resilient School Infrastructure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
17 February, 2021: Project Commencement and Advocacy Workshop of the Project for improvement of Disaster Resilient School Infrastructure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan was held in Peshawar, which was attended by Mr. Furuta Skigeki, Chief Representative JICA; Mr. Qaiser Humayun, Economic Advisor, Embassy of Japan; High level officials of Education Department, KP; Mr.Laxman Perera, Human Settlements Officer, UN Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific; Mr. Jawed Ali Khan, Habitat Programme Manager, and other officials from UN Habitat; District Education officers, KP, Engineers and other stakeholders.
Mr. Jawed Ali Khan, Habitat Programme Manager, UN Habitat Pakistan welcomed the participants and explained that the project will undertake retrofitting and repairing of 150 schools and construction of 15 new school buildings; and improve sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools; as well as, the capacity building of relevant institutions in earthquake affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Mr. Laxman Perera, Human Settlements Officer, UN Habitat ROAP while thanking the participants appreciated JICA for providing support and Education Department for their collaboration. He explained that UN Habitat is working in Pakistan with National and Provincial governments and cities in order to promote resilient communities through interventions both at policy and ground level. UN Habitat is committed to support member countries to enhance their capacity in responding to emerging challenges due to natural disasters. This project will create resilience of educational infrastructure and contribute to the national agenda of increasing resilience and will enhance capacity of government and skill of technical staff and provide safety to children.
Mr. Furuta Shigeki, Chief Representative JICA highlighted the role of JICA in improving resilience of educational infrastructure and appreciated the efforts of UN Habitat in implementation of activities to improve resilience. He added that like Japan, Pakistan has been suffering from natural disasters such as landslide, floods and earthquake, these experiences are suggesting importance of prior investment in disaster risk reduction for mitigation of damage caused by natural disaster and human security. The project will contribute to the implementation of the Sendai Framework targets based on the concept of “Build Back Better”, aiming to reduce lives lost, numbers of people affected, and economic damage from natural disasters and human security of the region through knowledge and know-how of UN Habitat.
Mr. Qaiser Humayun, Economic Advisor ,Embassy of Japan remarked that Education and Disaster preparedness is always a top priority of Government of Japan and hoped that this project will help students to learn safely and be an active part of the society.
Mr. Ikhlaq Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Elementary and Secondary Education Department thanked Government of Japan, JICA and UN Habitat for providing support to the Elementary and Secondary Education Department, Government of KP and assured that they will provide all necessary support to ensure smooth implementation of the project to achieve its objectives. He also highlighted that the demand for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of schools is enormous compared to the available budgetary resources of the government. Hence, there is still a great need for support from the international development partners in order to improve the quality of the education system and ensure safety and health of the school children.
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update-2
18 February 2021
_______________
FAO
PRESS RELEASE
FAO presents Forest and Wildlife Action Plan for Sindh to fight climate change, food insecurity and malnutrition
Hyderabad (18/2/2022): A public consultation jointly organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Forest and Wildlife Department, Government of Sindh, saw participants from government, the conservation movement, academics, researchers, progressive farmers, and representatives from national and international organizations discussing the way forward for the fragile forests sector under the Sindh Agriculture Policy 2018-2030.
The government’s draft Action Plan for Forests and Wildlife aims to help address all four objectives of the Sindh Agriculture Policy. It highlights the major challenges faced by the sector, which include extensive loss of forested lands to other uses, and reduced water availability in a changed climate scenario. Recommendations are included that aim to grow the forest products industry in Sindh; contribute to poverty reduction, food security and nutrition; and sustain natural resources in the province, including protecting and rebuilding biodiversity.
FAO Pakistan, through European Union-assisted Food Security and Nutrition Impact, Resilience, Sustainability and Transformation (FIRST) programme, is seeking to help deepen the dialogue between different sectors with a stake in food security, through its policy assistance service, supporting evidence-based decision making and analysis of proposed policy frameworks and action plans. In Sindh, it has helped build capacity of the government officials of the Forest and Wildlife Department over 2019-2021 in formulating its action plan, with a view to making the case for more targeted investment in the forest and wildlife sector to meet modern requirements for sustainably produced forest products and ecosystem services, including clean water and well-managed wildlife reserves.
Head of FAO’s Sindh Provincial Program, Ms. Genevieve Hussain, pointed out that forests can strongly contribute to food security and nutrition through their provision of edible forest and wildlife products. She said that good tenure governance for forested areas was important for providing secure forest-based livelihoods. She highlighted that forests generate income for local people and provide essential ecosystem services that support agriculture by regulating water flows, stabilizing soils, maintaining soil fertility, regulating local climates and providing habitat for both pollinators and predators of agricultural pests.
Additional Secretary (Technical) Sindh Forest and Wildlife, Dr. Abdul Jabbar Qazi, expressed his appreciation for the efforts of FAO in providing policy assistance to formulate an Action Plan for forests and wildlife in Sindh. As Chief Conservator Riverine and Inland Forest Sindh, he said that more appropriate use and care of the riverine forest zones was badly needed, for both commercial and environmental reasons.
Mr. Hyder Raza Khan, Conservator of Social Forestry, explained the current status of Sindh forests and wildlife, while Mr Khawar Parvez Awan, FAO Policy Specialist, presented the proposed Action Plan for the Sindh Forest and Wildlife sector. After today’s public consultation, the Forest and Wildlife Action Plan will be presented before the Sindh Agriculture Policy Implementation Commission (SAPIC) for its endorsement, and will inform budgetary priorities in the coming year, they said.
***
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
22 February 2021
_______________
UNEP
PRESS RELEASE
Pakistan to host World Environment Day 2021
World Environment Day 2021 will also mark the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
Nairobi, 22February2021 – Pakistan announced today that it will host World Environment Day 2021 in partnership with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). This year’s observance of World Environment Day will be on the theme of ‘ecosystem restoration’ and focus on resetting our relation with nature. It will also mark the formal launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021 – 2030.
World Environment Day takes place every year on 5 June. It is the United Nations’ flagship day for promoting worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world.
Making the announcement on the margins of the virtual 5thUN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5), Pakistan’s Adviser to Prime Minister and Minister of Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam joined UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen to acknowledge the urgency of preventing, halting and reversing the degradation of ecosystems worldwide.
Led by Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Government of Pakistan – in one of the world’s most ambitious afforestation efforts – plans to expand and restore the country’s forests through a '10 Billion Tree Tsunami' spread over 5 years. The campaign includes restoring mangroves and forests, as well as planting trees in urban settings, including schools, colleges, public parks and green belts. Pakistan has launched Eco-System Restoration Fund for supporting nature based solution to climate change, facilitating transition towards environmentally resilient ecologically targeted initiatives covering afforestation and biodiversity conservation.
Recently, Prime Minister of Pakistan has launched “Protected Area Initiative” to develop 15 model Protected Areas across country to conserve over 7300. Sq km of land area as well as Green Stimulus with creation of over 5,500 green jobs
“The Government of Pakistan is fully committed to playing a leadership role in addressing the issue of climate change, including through the "10 Billion Trees Tsunami” initiative, which will restore and enhance over 1 million hectares of forest across the country," said Malik Amin Aslam, Adviser to the Pakistani Prime Minister and Minister of Climate Change. "We are honoured to host this year's World Environment Day and lend our support to global restoration efforts."
As Host of World Environment Day, Pakistan will highlight environmental issues and showcase the country’s own initiatives and its role in global efforts. The day will be celebrated across the world through various events and activities, in line with latest COVID 19 regulations.
“2020 was a year of reckoning, facing multiple crises, including a global pandemic and the continued crises of climate, nature and pollution,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “In 2021, we must take deliberate steps to move from crisis to healing: and in so doing, we must recognize that the restoration of nature is imperative to the survival of our planet and the human race.”
“Pakistan has shown real leadership in efforts to restore the country’s forests; we are grateful for their commitment to host World Environment Day 2021 and lead the charge for all nations to restore our damaged ecosystems through the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration,” she added.
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is intended to massively scale up the restoration
of degraded and destroyed ecosystems to fight the climate crisis, prevent the
loss of a million species and enhance food security water supply and
livelihoods.
Reviving natural carbon sinks – such as
forests and peatlands – could help close
the climate emissions gap by 25% by 2030.
Replanting with native tree species can also help buffer some of the expected
devastating effects of a warming planet, such as increased risk of forest
fires. Currently, 3.2 billion people – 40%
of the world’s population– suffer from the
continued degradation of ecosystems, for example by losing access to fertile
soil or safe drinking water.
The UN Decade runs from 2021 through 2030, which is also the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals and the timeline scientists have identified as the last chance to prevent catastrophic climate change.
To achieve restoration at the required scale, incentives and financial investments must be made in changing the way lands and oceans are exploited, in research and education, and in inspiring a movement of people, businesses and governments through celebrating success stories.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Ministry of Climate Change is the highest federal institution in the country mandated to address issues related to environment and climate change. The Ministry has developed policy documents including National Climate Change Policy, National Forest Policy and Electric Vehicle Policy
About World Environment Day
World Environment Day is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Held annually since 1974, the Day has also become a vital platform for promoting progress on the environmental dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals. With the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) at the helm, over 150 countries participate each year. Major corporations, non-governmental organizations, communities, governments and celebrities from across the world adopt the World Environment Day brand to champion environmental causes.
About the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
The United Nations General Assembly has declared the years 2021 through 2030 the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations together with the support of partners, it is designed to prevent, halt, and reverse the loss and degradation of ecosystems worldwide. It aims at reviving hundreds of millions of hectares, covering terrestrial as well as aquatic ecosystems. A global call to action, the UN Decade draws together political support, scientific research, and financial muscle to massively scale up restoration. Under the motto of #Generation Restoration the UN Decade is galvanizing a global movement, in which everyone can contribute to the mission. Visit www.decadeonrestoration.orgto learn more
About the UN Environment Programme
UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
For more information, please contact:
Keishamaza Rukikaire, Head of News & Media, UNEP, +25471708
UNIC Islamabad
22 February 2021
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UNICEF
PRESS STATEMENT
UNICEF condemns killing of four women in North Waziristan
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, 22 February 2021 : UNICEF is saddened and shocked at the reported killing of four women who were reportedly staff members of Bravo College Bannu, and were travelling to North Waziristan, one of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Merged Districts, earlier today. Their driver was reportedly injured in the attack after unidentified assailants fired at their vehicle.
“UNICEF condemns in the strongest possible terms this senseless attack on women and aid workers and joins the families in mourning this tragic loss of lives. The perpetrators must be brought to justice,” said Ms. Aida Girma, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan.
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For more information, please contact:
UNICEF
Catherine
Weibel, UNICEF Pakistan, cwe...@unicef.org,
+92 300 500 2592
Abdul Sami Malik, UNICEF Pakistan, asm...@unicef.org, +92 300 855 6654
About UNICEF: UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org and www.unicef.org/pakistan. Follow us on
UNIC Islamabad
22 February 2021
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UNHCR
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
Japan donates USD 3.7 million to support refugees, host communities
ISLAMABAD, 22 February 2021: The Government of Japan has announced on Monday a contribution of USD 3.7 million to support UNHCR’s programmes and activities for Afghan refugees and host communities in Pakistan.
This three-year project will focus on education, livelihoods assistance and community structures in the provinces of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, benefitting over 240,000 individuals.
The announcement was made at a ceremony in Islamabad. On this occasion, the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, His Excellency Mr. MATSUDA Kuninori, and UNHCR Representative, Ms. Noriko Yoshida, signed an agreement. The Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees, Mr. Saleem Khan, was also present.
“Acquiring education and vocational skills is vital for the social inclusion of Afghan refugees. In this project, we will continue to provide financial support, which will greatly contribute to the stability and peace of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Peace and stability are the precondition for achieving voluntary repatriation and sustainable reintegration in Afghanistan,” said Ambassador MATSUDA.
Ms. Yoshida thanked the people and Government of Japan for their generosity towards refugees and host communities. “This funding will go a long way to empowering young refugees and Pakistanis through skills development and education.”
The UNHCR Representative further said that given the protracted Afghan refugee situation in Pakistan, Japan is supporting sustained investments easing the burden on host communities.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees said that Pakistan has been hosting Afghan refugees for over 40 years and called on the international community to step up their support for large refugee-hosting countries.
“Japan has always played its part in supporting humanitarian efforts in Pakistan,” commended Mr. Khan.
Japan is playing an important role in
burden- and responsibility-sharing, as set out in the Global Compact for
Refugees adopted at the United Nations General Assembly in December 2018.
The Government of Japan is one of UNHCR’s largest donors and supporters of many years.
ENDS
Media contact
UNHCR: Qaiser Khan Afridi, Spokesperson, UNHCR Pakistan, +92-300-5018696 or email afr...@unhcr.org
Embassy of Japan: Sajid Abbasi, Senior Press, Information and Political Advisor, + 92-51-907-2500 or email: sajid....@ib.mofa.go.jp
Photo caption:
The Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, His Excellency Mr. MATSUDA Kuninori, and UNHCR Representative, Ms. Noriko Yoshida, signing an agreement. © UNHCR
The Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, His Excellency Mr. MATSUDA Kuninori, and UNHCR Representative, Ms. Noriko Yoshida, holding the signed agreement. © UNHCR
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update-4
22 February 2021
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FAO
PRESS RELEASE
FAO and Forest Department Join Hands on Sustainable Management of Pine Nut Forest in Balochistan
Quetta - A letter of agreement (LoA) was signed between Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and Balcohistan Forest and Wildlife Department by Ms. Rebekah Bell, FAO Representative a.i in Pakistan and Mr. Mohammad Siddique Mandokhel, Secretary Forest and Wildlife Department, held in Civil Secretariat Quetta on 22nd February 2021.
The LoA aims to support the restoration and sustainable management of Chilgoza pine forest under the Global Environment Facility funded (GEF) project “Reversing Deforestation and Degradation in High Conservation Value Chilgoza Pine Forests in Pakistan”.
Speaking on the occasion, FAO Representative a.i. in Pakistan, Ms. Rebekah Ball said that the project focuses on the improved and sustainable management of pine nut forests, as well as improving livelihoods through pine nut value additions, value chain development, and strengthening the peace process by generating job opportunities through multiple services and livelihood interventions.
Highlighting the significance of the project she said, “For the first time in Sherani district, the pine nut growers are able to earn higher prices in local markets as they have already provided with pine nut processing unit for cleaning, grading, roasting, packing and labelling of their produce. This initiative has allowed the local community to sell a finished product at a higher price and increased the shelf life of roasted pine nuts up to six months. She also mentioned that for the first time FAO will be supporting olive production in Balochistan and it is the need of the hour to look at what are the opportunities and challenges in olive production. She further added that FAO will be happy to assist Forest Department in restoration of pine nut forests and olive production in Balochistan and hoped that the economic benefits would increase the efforts and engagement of the communities in chilgoza forest conservation.
Mr. Mohammad Siddique Mandokhel, Secretary Forest and Wildlife Balochistan said the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and provincial Forest Departments aims to reverse deforestation and land degradation of chilgoza pine forests of Koh e Suleman, in Zhob district.
He further added that due to absence of technical guidance, increase in population coupled with lack of alternate livelihood opportunities, pine nut forests are under constant pressure for timber. He further called for collective efforts to develop the pine nut value chain. This agreement will help promote a common understanding of the project objectives and planned activities as well as the role and responsibilities of the partners, which requires collective efforts for improved forest governance and sustainable productivity, he said.
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UNIC Islamabad
23 February 2021
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United Nations
Secretary-General's Remarks
Secretary-General's Message to the Opening of the 46th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council - as delivered
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UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
UNICEF begins shipping syringes for the global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines under COVAX
100,000 syringes will arrive in Maldives, with more countries to receive imminent deliveries for rollout of COVAX Facility vaccines
NEW YORK, 23 February 2021 – UNICEF has sent 100,000 syringes and 1,000 safety boxes for COVID-19 vaccinations to the Maldives by air freight from UNICEF’s humanitarian warehouse in Dubai—part of the first wave of COVID-19-related syringe shipments to begin rolling out in the coming days. Others in the first wave of shipments include Côte d'Ivoire and São Tomé and Príncipe.
The 0.5 ml syringes and safety boxes are expected to arrive in Malé, Maldives on Tuesday. Over the next few weeks, UNICEF will ship more than 14.5 million 0.5 ml and 0.3 ml auto-disable syringes to more than 30 countries. While the 0.5 ml syringes are meant for use with the Serum Institute of India/AstraZeneca vaccine, the 0.3 ml ones are to be used with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
“In this global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, syringes are as vital as the vaccine itself,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “It is critical to have adequate supplies of syringes already in place in every country before the vaccine arrives so that the vaccine can be administered safely. This would allow immunization to start immediately and help turn the tide on this terrible virus.”
The countries that will receive syringes in this initial tranche are from those included in the COVAX indicative distribution and that have put in requests to UNICEF to supply syringes. These shipments will support the country rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, and is part of work by the COVAX Facility to provide vaccines to all participating countries.
The 0.5 ml syringes are being dispatched from UNICEF’s humanitarian warehouse in Dubai, while the 0.3 ml & 2 ml syringes will be transported directly from a manufacturer in Spain. The consignments will also include safety boxes for the safe disposal of syringes.
Both syringes are of the auto-disable type, which means they cannot be used again after a single dose of vaccine has been administered. This reduces the risk of infection from blood-borne diseases as a result of syringe re-use.
In all, UNICEF will be supplying up to 1 billion syringes and 10 million safety boxes to countries in 2021 to ensure they are ready for COVID-19 vaccinations. In order to meet the demand for these vital supplies, UNICEF created a stockpile of almost half a billion syringes in its warehouses in Copenhagen and Dubai in preparation for the broader rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in 82 low- and lower middle-income countries.
UNICEF has been working with airlines, logistics operators and freight forwarders to ensure the syringes are treated as priority freight, whether they are being shipped direct from a manufacturer or from UNICEF warehouses to the destination country’s port of entry. Although the first deliveries will be transported by air, most of the syringes and safety boxes will be transported by sea due to the large amount of space they take up as cargo.
UNICEF is aiming to make 2 billion COVID-19 doses available for delivery in 2021. Even before COVID-19, UNICEF was already the largest single vaccine buyer in the world, procuring over 2 billion vaccines annually in order to reach almost half of the world’s children under 5. In addition, the agency procures and supplies around 600-800 million syringes for regular immunization programmes annually.
COVAX is a global collaboration co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and WHO, and includes UNICEF, which leads on procurement and delivery, as well as getting countries ready to receive vaccines.
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Notes to editors:
Download photos and broll here, including special syringe broll from the warehouse in Dubai, and en route from Dubai to the Maldives.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org. For more information about COVID-19, visit www.unicef.org/coronavirus . Find out more about UNICEF’s work on the COVID-19 vaccines here, or about UNICEF’s work on immunization here.
For more information, please contact:
Sabrina Sidhu, UNICEF New York, +1 917 4761537, ssi...@unicef.org
Anne Sophie Bonefeld, UNICEF Copenhagen, +4524694676, abon...@unicef.org
Joe English, UNICEF New York, +1 917 893 0692 jeng...@unicef.org
UNIC Islamabad
24 February 2021
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United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL REMARKS
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REMARKS TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON “ADDRESSING CLIMATE-RELATED SECURITY RISKS TO INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY THROUGH MITIGATION AND RESILIENCE BUILDING”
23 February 2021
[As delivered]
Mr. President, Excellencies,
I thank the British Presidency for convening this debate and for your invitation to brief on a subject of grave concern.
The climate emergency is the defining issue of our time.
The last decade was the hottest in human history. Carbon dioxide levels are at record highs, and wildfires, cyclones, floods, and droughts are the new normal. These shocks not only damage the environment on which we depend; they also weaken our political, economic and social systems.
The science is clear: we need to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.
And our duty is even clearer: we need to protect the people and communities that are being hit by climate disruption.
We must step up preparations for the escalating implications of the climate crisis for international peace and security.
Mr. President,
Climate disruption is a crisis amplifier and multiplier.
Where climate change dries up rivers, reduces harvests, destroys critical infrastructure, and displaces communities, it exacerbates the risks of instability and conflict.
A study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute found that eight of the ten countries hosting the largest multilateral peace operations in 2018 were in areas highly exposed to climate change.
The impacts of this crisis are greatest where fragility and conflicts have weakened coping mechanisms; where people depend on natural capital like forests and fish stocks for their livelihoods; and where women – who bear the greatest burden of the climate emergency – do not enjoy equal rights.
In Afghanistan, for example, where 40 percent of the workforce is engaged in farming, reduced harvests push people into poverty and food insecurity, leaving them susceptible to recruitment by criminal gangs and armed groups.
Across West Africa and the Sahel, more than 50 million people depend on rearing livestock for survival. Changes in grazing patterns have contributed to growing violence and conflict between pastoralists and farmers.
In Darfur, low rainfall and recurrent droughts are increasing food insecurity and competition for resources and we are seeing the result. The consequences are particularly devastating for women and girls, who are forced to walk farther to collect water, putting them at greater risk of sexual and gender-based violence.
Vulnerability to climate risks is also correlated with income inequality.
In other words, the poorest suffer most.
Unless we protect those most exposed and susceptible to climate-related impacts, we can expect them to become even more marginalized, and their grievances to be reinforced.
High levels of inequality, that climate change enhances, can weaken social cohesion and lead to discrimination, scapegoating, rising tensions and unrest, increasing the risk of conflict.
Those who are already being left behind will be left even farther behind.
Climate disruption is already driving displacement across the world.
In some small island nations in the Pacific, entire communities have been forced to relocate, with terrible implications for their livelihoods, culture and heritage.
The forced movement of larger numbers of people around the world will clearly increase the potential for conflict and insecurity beyond their suffering.
When I was High Commissioner for Refugees, I spent time with people who had been uprooted by the impact of climate change, in the Horn of Africa, Darfur, the Sahel and elsewhere.
Listening to their stories, I understood the deep suffering and trauma of families forced to abandon homes and land that had been theirs for generations.
Mr. President,
Much more needs to be done to address the specific risks the climate crisis poses to peace and security.
I see four priority areas.
First, we need a greater focus on prevention through strong, ambitious climate action.
We must get the world on track to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and avoid climate catastrophe.
We must create a truly global coalition to commit to net-zero emissions by the middle of the century.
And we must mobilize a decade of transformation through a successful COP26 in Glasgow. That requires all Member States to present, well before November, ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions with targets that will allow us to cut global emissions by 45 percent by 2030 from 2010 levels.
We are also asking all companies, cities and financial institutions to prepare concrete and credible decarbonization plans.
We still have a long way to go, and we look to the major emitters to lead by example in the coming months. This is a credibility test of their commitment to people and planet.
It is the only way we will keep the 1.5-degree goal within reach.
Second, we need immediate actions to protect countries, communities and people from increasingly frequent and severe climate impacts.
We need a breakthrough on adaptation and resilience, which means dramatically raising the level of investments.
All donors and multilateral and national Development Banks must increase the share of adaptation and resilience finance to at least 50 per cent of their climate finance support. And we must make these funds accessible to those on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
Developed countries must keep their pledge of channeling $100 billion annually to the Global South. They have already missed the deadline of 2020.
We need to scale up early warning systems and early action on climate-related crises, from droughts and storms to the emergence of zoonotic diseases.
We also need stronger social protection to support those impacted.
These actions must start now, with transformative policies as we emerge from the pandemic.
Economic and financial systems must incorporate climate risk into financial analysis, so that it is captured in business models and investment decisions.
We must invest in renewable energy and green infrastructure.
In short, we must close the finance gap by increasing support to the countries and communities that are suffering the worst impacts of the climate crisis.
That support must reach women and girls, who bear the brunt of the climate crisis; and constitute eighty percent of those displaced by climate change.
Third, we need to embrace a concept of security that puts people at its centre.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the devastation that so-called non-traditional security threats can cause, on a global scale.
Preventing and addressing the poverty, food insecurity and displacement caused by climate disruption contributes to sustaining peace and reducing the risk of conflict.
The Nobel Committee recognized this when it awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to the World Food Programme last year.
Respect for human rights, particularly women’s rights, the rule of law, inclusion and diversity, are fundamental to solving the climate crisis and creating more peaceful and stable societies.
The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals are the global blueprint for action.
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
25 February 2021
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UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped by the COVAX Facility head to Ghana, marking beginning of global rollout
· COVAX announces 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine licensed to Serum Institute of India have arrived in Accra, Ghana; further deliveries to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire are expected this week
· Final first round of allocations for doses of AstraZeneca/Oxford and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, to the majority of countries and economies participating in the COVAX Facility, anticipated to be published in the coming days
· Beginning of global rollout means that, as readiness criteria are met and doses produced, vaccines will be shipped to Facility participants on a rolling basis
GENEVA/NEW YORK/OSLO, 24 February 2021 – Today, Ghana became the first country outside India to receive COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped via the COVAX Facility. This is a historic step towards our goal to ensure equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally, in what will be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history. The delivery is part of a first wave of arrivals that will continue in the coming days and weeks.
On 23 February, COVAX shipped 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca/ Oxford vaccine, from the Serum Institute of India (SII) from Pune, India to Accra, Ghana, arriving on the morning of 24 February. The arrival in Accra is the first batch shipped and delivered in Africa by the COVAX Facility as part of an unprecedented effort to deliver at least 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021.
COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), working in partnership with UNICEF as well as the World Bank, civil society organisations, manufacturers, and others.
“COVAX’s mission is to help end the acute phase of the pandemic as quickly as possible by enabling global equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. Today’s delivery takes us another step closer to this goal and is something the whole world can be proud of. Over the coming weeks, COVAX must deliver vaccines to all participating economies to ensure that those most at risk are protected, wherever they live. We need governments and businesses now to recommit their support for COVAX and help us defeat this virus as quickly as possible,” said Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
"We will not end the pandemic anywhere unless we end it everywhere," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "Today is a major first step towards realizing our shared vision of vaccine equity, but it's just the beginning. We still have a lot of work to do with governments and manufacturers to ensure that vaccination of health workers and older people is underway in all countries within the first 100 days of this year."
Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI said: “This is a landmark moment in our efforts to get life-saving vaccine to the world. The fact that we now have multiple safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19 developed in record time is testament to the scientific community and industry rising to the challenge of this pandemic. With this shipment we also see the global community, through COVAX, responding to the challenge of delivering these vaccines to those who need them most. Let us celebrate this as a moment of global solidarity in the struggle against the pandemic. But there is still much to do. With the increased spread of COVID-19 variants, we have entered a new and less predictable phase of the pandemic. It is crucial that the vaccines we have developed are shared globally, as a matter of the greatest urgency, to reduce the prevalence of disease, slow down viral mutation, and bring the pandemic to an end.”
“Today marks the historic moment for which we have been planning and working so hard. With the first shipment of doses, we can make good on the promise of the COVAX Facility to ensure people from less wealthy countries are not left behind in the race for life-saving vaccines,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director. “In the days ahead, frontline workers will begin to receive vaccines, and the next phase in the fight against this disease can begin – the ramping up of the largest immunization campaign in history. Each step on this journey brings us further along the path to recovery for the billions of children and families affected around the world.”
The vaccines arrived on a flight from Mumbai, via Dubai, where the flight also collected a shipment of syringes from a Gavi-funded stockpile at UNICEF’s regional Supply Hub.
Over the past several months, COVAX partners have been supporting governments and partners, particularly for AMC-eligible participants, in readiness efforts, in preparation for this moment. This includes assisting with the development of national vaccination plans, support for cold chain infrastructure, as well as stockpiling of half a billion syringes and safety boxes for their disposal, masks, gloves and other equipment to ensure that there is enough equipment for health workers to start vaccinating priority groups as soon as possible.
In order for doses to be delivered to Facility participants via this first allocation round, several critical pieces must be in place, including confirmation of national regulatory authorisation criteria related to the vaccines delivered, indemnification agreements, national vaccination plans from AMC participants, as well as other logistical factors such as export and import licenses.
As participants fulfil the above criteria and finalise readiness preparations, COVAX will issue purchase orders to the manufacturer and ship and deliver doses via an iterative process. This means deliveries for this first round of allocation will take place on a rolling basis and in tranches.
Building on the interim distribution forecast published earlier this month, final information on the first round allocations, covering the majority of Facility participants, is expected to be communicated in the coming days.
COVAX has built a diverse portfolio of vaccines suitable for a range of settings and populations, and is on track to meet its goal of delivering at least 2 billion doses of vaccine to participating countries around the globe in 2021, including at least 1.3 billion donor-funded doses to the 92 lower-income Facility participants supported by the Gavi COVAX AMC. Said.
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
26 February 2021
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United Nations
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary‑General
The Secretary-General is encouraged by the joint statement issued by the militaries of India and Pakistan on their agreement to observing the ceasefire at the Line of Control in Kashmir and engaging through established mechanisms. He hopes that this positive step will provide an opportunity for further dialogue.
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UNIC Islamabad
Media Update-2
26 February 2021
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UNAIDS
PRESS RELEASE
UNAIDS welcomes the United Nations General Assembly decision to hold a high-level meeting on HIV and AIDS in 2021
GENEVA, 25 February 2021—UNAIDS welcomes the United Nations General Assembly decision for a high-level meeting on HIV and AIDS to take place between 8 and 10 June 2021. The high-level meeting will review the progress made in reducing the impact of HIV since the last United Nations General Assembly high-level meeting on HIV and AIDS in 2016 and the General Assembly expects to adopt a new political declaration to guide the future direction of the response. The high-level meeting will take place as the world marks 40 years since the first case of AIDS was reported and 25 years of UNAIDS.
“World leaders must seize the opportunity offered by this new United Nations General Assembly high-level meeting on HIV and AIDS to maintain their focus and commitment on ending AIDS as a public health threat as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” said Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director. “The AIDS epidemic is unfinished business and must be ended for everyone everywhere, including for young women and adolescent girls and for other groups of people disproportionately affected by HIV. The right to health belongs to all of us.”
Progress towards ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals has been highly uneven and the global goals for 2020 adopted in the 2016 United Nations Political Declaration on Ending AIDS were not met. Stigma and discrimination, the marginalization and criminalization of entire communities and a lack of access to health, education and other essential services continue to fuel the epidemic. Women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa and key populations (gay men and other men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people, people who inject drugs and people in prison) and their partners globally continue to be disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic.
UNAIDS is currently developing a new global AIDS strategy for 2021–2026 through a process that is inclusive of all stakeholders in the AIDS response. The final draft strategy will be considered for adoption by the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board in March 2021. The new global AIDS strategy will include new targets to ensure that no one is left behind in ending AIDS, wherever they live and whoever they are. By achieving these targets, the number of people newly infected with HIV would fall to 370 000 by 2025, and the number of people dying from AIDS-related illnesses would be reduced to 250 000 in 2025.
Even the gains already made against HIV are threatened by the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The high-level meeting creates an opportunity to ensure that the world bolsters the resiliency of the HIV response to date, commits to rapid recovery post-COVID-19 and applies the lessons learned from the colliding epidemics of HIV and COVID-19 to create more resilient societies and health systems that are ready to meet future health challenges.
“The AIDS response has taught us that global solidarity is critical to making sustained progress against the impact of health threats like COVID-19,” said Ms Byanyima. “There must be concerted international efforts to reduce inequalities between countries and within them to strengthen the world’s capacity to absorb and defeat future global health challenges that put lives and livelihoods at risk everywhere.”
UNAIDS expresses its appreciation for the hard work of the high-level meeting co-facilitators, the permanent missions to the United Nations of Australia and Namibia, in the adoption of the resolution as well as to the President of the General Assembly for leading the process.
Given the constraints imposed by measures taken to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, it has not yet been decided if the high-level meeting will be in-person, virtual or a hybrid of the two. In line with the resolution, UNAIDS encourages the highest level of participation of United Nations Member States and the inclusion of civil society organizations and people living with or at risk of HIV in delegations to the high-level meeting. UNAIDS also looks forward to the multistakeholder hearing as a key opportunity to hear the voices of people living with, at risk of and affected by HIV, including key populations.
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UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
CONTACT
UNAIDS Geneva
Michael Hollingdale
tel. +41 79 500 2119
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UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
UNICEF signs COVID-19 vaccine supply agreement with AstraZeneca
COPENHAGEN/NEW YORK, 26 February 2021 – UNICEF and AstraZeneca this week signed a long-term agreement for the supply of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca on behalf of the COVAX Facility.
Through the supply agreement, UNICEF, along with procurement partners including the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), will have access to up to 170 million doses of vaccines for around 85 countries. This is the third such agreement for COVID-19 vaccines, following previously announced agreements with Pfizer and the Serum Institute of India.
The AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine received WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL) on 15 February.
Deliveries of the vaccine are planned to begin in the first quarter of 2021, in line with the COVAX Allocation Framework that take into consideration several factors including country readiness, national regulatory authorizations and completed contractual provisions, as well as operating and supply considerations.
The goal of the COVAX Facility is to ensure that safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines are rapidly available and affordable to all countries around the world, regardless of income level.
The supply agreement will enable access to 170 million doses secured under the COVAX Facility’s Advance Purchase Agreement (APA) with AstraZeneca, which will be available throughout 2021.
On 11 February, UNICEF announced the signing of an agreement with Pfizer for the supply of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine through 2021, following on from an agreement with the Serum Institute of India to access two vaccines through technology transfer from AstraZeneca which has been granted WHO EUL and Novavax, which is subject to the approval of the vaccine by WHO.
The COVAX Facility, co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and WHO, together with UNICEF, aims to provide at least 2 billion doses of approved COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021, enabling the protection of frontline health care and social workers, as well as other high-risk and vulnerable groups.
#####
Notes for editors:
Sharing pricing information is a reflection to UNICEF’s commitment to transparency, which the organization has been demonstrating for the past ten years by publishing all negotiated prices for a range of commodities. As these supply agreements are concluded, UNICEF will continue to make public relevant details of the agreements, subject to the consent of the suppliers.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest
places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries
and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world
for everyone.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org
For more information about COVID-19, visit www.unicef.org/coronavirus. Find out more about UNICEF’s work on the COVID-19 vaccines here, or about UNICEF’s work on immunization here. Follow UNICEF on Twitter and Facebook.
About the COVAX Facility
COVAX is the vaccines pillar of the Access
to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, a ground-breaking global collaboration to
accelerate the development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests,
treatments, and vaccines. COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for
Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and WHO. Its aim is to accelerate
the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, and to guarantee fair and
equitable access for every country in the world. www.who.int/initiatives/act-accelerator/covax
UNICEF, in collaboration with the PAHO Revolving Fund, is leading efforts to procure and supply doses of COVID-19 vaccines on behalf of the COVAX Facility
For more information please contact:
Anne Sophie Bonefeld, UNICEF Copenhagen, +45 24 69 46 76, abon...@unicef.org
Sabrina Sidhu, UNICEF New York, +1 917 4761537, ssi...@unicef.org
UNIC Islamabad
26 February 2021
_______________
ITC
PRESS RELEASE
Food Authority Institutional Capacity Assessment
Islamabad:Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress project conducted a Capacity Assessment Report of Sindh Food Authority (SFA) and Balochistan Food Authority (BFA), which were presented to stakeholders. Stakeholder consultative Workshops were organized by Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP) project, in collaboration with Sindh and Balochistan Food Authority on 22 and 26 February in Hyderabad and Quetta respectively.
The purpose of the workshops was to present the report on institutional capacity assessment of the Food Authorities to stakeholders. The report was prepared by Dr. Zafar Mehmood, who conducted a comprehensive institutional assessment of the Food Authorities, in order to identify areas and activities for technical assistance, and to develop a plan for the strengthening of the SFA and BFA as per best international practices.
The study outlines the need for SOPs for determining the standards of various edible commodities, harmonization of food regulations, field visits, storage, and display of foods. One of the key findings of the report was the need for harmonization of national and provincial food regulations. This can be achieved by registration and licensing of food premises and food products originating from other provinces, and revenue sharing between national and provincial government.
Director General SFA Mr. Zubair Pervez Ahmed stressed the need for use of smart technology, transparent procedures, public awareness campaign and ease of managing safe food supply chain for sustainable growth. Stating a food and water nexus, he referred to the UN report regarding 40% water scarcity by 2030, and advised the experts to develop a comprehensive plan for ensuring the food supply with safety and international standards.
In Balochistan, Secretary Food Mr. Noor Ahmed Pirkani lauded the efforts of EU funded project GRASP for conducting a comprehensive institutional assessment of Balochistna Food Authority. He emphasized the need for interdepartmental coordination among various stakeholders to province safe and hygienic food to the consumers. He also highlighted the progress BFA has made in a short span of time after its establishment.
GRASP national coordinator Mr. Azher Choudhry stated ‘The Food Authority objective is consumer welfare, and if we educate them on what foods are safe to consume, it will make the job effective. It is encouraging to see that the Food Authorities in Sindh and Balochistan are very dynamic, and at the forefront to ensure food availability and safety for all. The report presented today serves as a roadmap to support, and provide technical inputs to improve their work in their respective provinces’’.
Officials
from Food department, Balochistan and Sindh Food Authority, Planning &
Development Department, livestock
department, Information Department, agriculture department, industries
department, local government, International Organizations, Academia and private
sector took part in the workshops.
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
1 March 2021
_______________
UNDP
PRESS RELEASE
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) and Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) with UNDP’s support
Islamabad, 1 March, 2021— A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC), Government of Pakistan and Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission Pakistan (SUPARCO) with support from UNDP, in Islamabad today. Mr. Joudat Ayaz, Additional Secretary (MoCC)/National Project Director (GLOF-II Project) and Brig. Tahir Islam, Director SUPARCO signed the MoU, for the use of satellite imagery, received by SUPARCO from various satellites, in mutually agreed areas of application for climate change impacts in Pakistan. The idea is to get an overall clearer picture of the current glacial lakes and associated threats.
A management committee comprising of members from MoCC and SUPARCO was also formulated, which has representation from UNDP’s GLOF-II Project. Supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), UNDP’s GLOF-II Project is working to strengthen public services, and to empower communities to identify and manage risks associated with Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and related impacts of climate change.
The MoU covers promotion of joint activities of mutual interest and future collaboration in accordance with the respective needs and objectives addressed in the MoU. It also covers cooperation in joint projects as well as envisaging technical capacity building in on-ongoing programs such as—monitoring of glaciers surging and GLOFs; the 10 Billion Tsunami Project; GIS systems management; forest resource assessment in the context of REDD+; environmental impact assessment of conditions along CPEC route and air, and water quality monitoring in major cities of the country. This MoU will remain in force for a period of three years from the signing date.
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update-2
1 March 2021
_______________
FAO
PRESS RELEASE
FAO Empowering Rural Women to Achieve Food Security and Nutrition
Quetta – Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Pakistan a.i. Ms. Rebekah Ball and Minister for Livestock and Environment, Mr. Mitta Khan Kakar inaugurated water facilities in district Zhob, Balochistan. The inauguration ceremony was also attended by government officials from agriculture and livestock departments and the farming communities of district Zhob.
While speaking at the inauguration ceremony, FAO Representative in Pakistan a.i. Ms. Rebekah Bell said that these water facilities are the integral part of the Integrated Household Food Systems (IHFS), this also includes kitchen gardening, homestead poultry production and homestead dairy production. These IHFS are serving as nutrition education intervention, which are especially designed for the pregnant and/or lactating women and will help tackle child stunting and wasting through nutrition sensitive agriculture interventions.
She further said that contribution of women to agricultural development should be maximized by implementing solutions to the specific social, economic, legal and cultural problems they encounter, attention should be paid to strengthen the economic dimension of women’s work in rural areas. FAO is playing a significant role to promote gender equality and elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, she said.
The Minister for Livestock and Environment, Mr. Mitta Khan Kakar appreciated the efforts of FAO in providing guidance and support to the communities for the upscaling of proper nutrition education and awareness at all levels. He said that this particular intervention will also provide a source of clean drinking water and will decrease the burden of rural women who fetch water from far-flung areas. He further stated that the government of Balochistan is committed to invest on economic and social empowerment of women and ensures their rights in decision-making, access to resources and equal participation in employment opportunities.
FAO team also appraised the government officials and farmers on USAID funded horticulture and the European Union funded GRASP projects which aim to reduce poverty, enhance sustainability and strengthening small scale agribusiness in horticulture and livestock sectors.
***
FAO
PRESS RELEASE
FAO and Forest Department Improving Livelihoods through Restoration of Chilgoza Pine Forest in Balochistan
Quetta – Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Pakistan a.i. Ms. Rebekah Bell and Secretary Forest and Wildlife Mr. Mohammad Siddique Mandokhel inaugurated plantation campaign by planting chilgoza pine saplings under the project “Reversing Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Chilgoza Pine Forest in Pakistan” in District Sherani, Balochistan. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented under the oversight of the Ministry of Climate Change. Furthermore, the project is additionally contributing 23 million trees to the Ten Billion Trees Programme of MoCC.
The Chilgoza project in Balochistan is working to restore and protect a unique and threatened ecosystem – chilgoza pine forests –situated in district Sherani along Takht e Suleman range at elevations of 6000 to 7000 feet above sea level. These forests, which include a mix of chilgoza pine trees as well as other species of coniferous trees hold tremendous importance from both ecological and economic perspectives.
FAO Representative a.i in Pakistan, Rebekah Bell said that the FAO under GEF funded Chilgoza project, with the support of forest department is working to support sustainable management of the pine nut ecosystem through number of initiatives to conserve pine nut forest in Pakistan. She said that the Chilgoza project is working with local communities to enable them to capture a greater share of the revenue from post-harvest processing of the chilgoza nuts. Provision of Chilgoza processing unit, harvesting toolkits and development of local processing and value-added capacity will provide further incentives to sustainably manage the chilgoza ecosystem in Balochistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Forest and Wildlife Mr. Mohammad Siddique Mandokhel said that for centuries, our ancestors have protected the natural ecosystems by sustainably using and managing natural resources, but it is unfortunate that we are losing our precious natural resources due to our negligence. He further stated that the Forest Department is working on conservation and development of natural resources and sustainable usage through stakeholders participation to ensure healthy environment, this includes management of existing forests, management of watershed to conserve soil and water, management of rangelands to boost production of forage and livestock, and education of public and other departments for tree plantation and provision of technical & advisory services.
Assistant FAO Representative Program, Aamir Irshad said that the project will continue to contribute by improving the environment, enhance resilience and creating livelihoods opportunities in Balochistan. He also urged the local community to plant maximum saplings to make the country green and said that it is a responsibility of everyone to restore the sustainable action needed to protect our natural resources and make the tree plantation campaign successful.
Natural Resource Management Advisor of FAO, Faizul Bari said that FAO with the support of Forest Department is conserving pine nut forests in Balochistan. He said that the Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) sites are being conserved with the help of local communities by signing terms of partnerships with them. Together with the Forest Department, FAO has employed care takers for ANR sites. These care takers ‘Nighebans” are taking appropriate actions to guard their assigned ANR sites from grazing and controlling illicit cutting of trees.
The GEF funded project contributes to the restoration, protection and sustainable management of Chilgoza pine forests to provide global environmental benefits as well as enhanced resilience and livelihoods to local stakeholders. The project focuses on the improved and sustainable management of Chilgoza forests while strengthening the National and Provincial Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) Policies and Legal Framework.
***
UNIC Islamabad
2 March 2021
___________
United Nations Pakistan
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad, 1st March 2021: The United Nations Pakistan Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, Julien Harneis, visited Peshawar in the context of recent incident in North Waziristan where four female trainers were shot and killed, and their driver injured. He met with the Additional Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mr. Shakeel Qadir Khan, to express his deepest condolences to the families and the Government and people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He also met with representatives of Non-Government Organisations and the United Nations.
In his meeting with the Additional Chief Secretary the Resident Coordinator was updated on the continuing work of the government to improve the development and rule of law in the Newly Merged Districts. Julien Harneis condemned the killings of the four trainers, reiterated the support of the UN country team in this effort, and to continue to do so in a coordinated way that enhances the safety of all.
Julien Harneis met with the National Non-Government Organizations and expressed his appreciation and understanding for their difficult work in a challenging context. The representatives made proposals on how to better ensure the duty of care of their staff and how to improve staff safety through improved coordination with the government and the United Nations, training and information sharing.
With the heads of United Nations agencies in Peshawar, Julien Harneis reviewed their development work in the Newly Merged Districts and in particular the work to improve the situation of women and girls together with communities.
The RC was accompanied by other senior officials from the FAO, OCHA and DSS.
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update-2
2 March 2021
___________
UNHCR
PRESS RELEASE
Government to issue smartcards for Afghan refugees under verification exercise
ISLAMABAD, 2 March 2021 – The Government of Pakistan announced the issuance of new smartcards for Afghan refugees who are Proof of Registration (PoR) cardholders.
The Chief Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees (CCAR)/Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), with the support of UNHCR, will start the exercise, “Document Renewal and Information Verification Exercise” (DRIVE), from 1 April 2021.
During this six-month exercise, NADRA will verify and update the data of registered Afghan refugees who are in possession of a PoR card with an expiry date of 31 December 2015. The initiative takes place within the framework of the Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees, fostering renewed partnerships and stronger strategic linkages between humanitarian and development investments.
In addition to validating existing data, the verification will record Afghan refugees’ skill sets, level of education, socio-economic circumstances and sources of income, allowing better targeted health, education and livelihood support in Pakistan and in the Priority Areas of Return and Reintegration in Afghanistan.
As many as 40 DRIVE centres are being set up across Pakistan. Upon verification of their data, these Afghan refugees will receive new PoR smartcards. The new smartcards will provide Afghan refugees with renewed proof of their identity, enhancing their protection in Pakistan, and will help facilitate identity authentication making access to services faster, safer and more effective.
“This is a long-overdue exercise. It’s been 10 years since the last such initiative. It’s crucial at this juncture to update the data of Afghan refugees. I commend the international community for supporting this important exercise,” said Mr. Saleem Khan, the Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees in Pakistan.
The UNHCR Representative in Pakistan, Ms. Noriko Yoshida, appreciated the Government for this initiative to help improve the lives of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
The designated NADRA Spokesperson said that the multi-biometric PoR cards will be issued as part of this exercise. Specialized staff and state-of-art infrastructure will be utilized.
Pakistan hosts 1.4 million Afghan refugees who hold PoR cards.
ENDS
Media contact
Qaiser Khan Afridi - +92 300 5018696 - afr...@unhcr.org
UNIC Islamabad
3 March 2021
___________
UNDP
PRESS RELEASE
UNDP, United States Government, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government strengthen justice sector capacity
Islamabad, 2 March 2021—Successful governance institutions have systems and processes in place that contribute greatly towards their success. For this reason, on March 2-3, 2021, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan organized a two-day consultative workshop in Islamabad on Standard Operating Procedures(SOPs) for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Prosecution Academy.
Funded by the United States Government through U.S.
Embassy Pakistan’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement
(INL) section, with 50-kanal land allocated by
the KP Government, the KP Prosecution Academy will
train prosecutors, lawyers, and staff of other rule of law institutions on
various criminal laws and procedures. Additional training
topics will focus on women and juvenile protection laws and procedures,
criminal trials, the right to a fair trial, anti-terrorism laws, anti-fraud laws, and cybercrimes, among
others. Simultaneously, participants will also be trained
on developing a work ethic, communication, and advocacy skills
integral to their roles.
The KP Prosecution Academy will have a dedicated women’s wing with a hostel and a daycare facility to create an enabling environment for women prosecutors and encourage more women’s representation in the legal profession. Established in Peshawar District at Mira Kachori, the academy will have a training facility, administration block, and a residential compound. It will be fully functional by May 2021 with training and meeting halls, monitoring and research rooms, auditorium, library and computer labs, a dedicated residential area, gymnasium, and recreational lounges.
In addition to its construction, UNDP, with INL funding, is providing support to set up a structured training system, which includes developing a training policy and implementation plan, comprehensive training curriculum for the basic and specialized training, e-learning centre, and SOPs.
The two-day consultative workshop allowed senior prosecutors to learn about the functions of the KP Prosecution Academy, personnel roles and responsibilities, various communication protocols, and the criteria and mechanisms to ensure a safe and healthy working environment.
Director- General of Prosecution Mr. Mukhtiar Ahmad, INL Pakistan Program Officer Ms. Cristian Martinez-LuSane, and UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Knut Ostby delivered remarks on the first day of the workshop. Mr. Ahmad thanked INL and UNDP and said this initiative would play a monumental role in strengthening the criminal justice system in the region: “I am certain that this academy will build the capacity and skills of KP prosecutors and enable them to play their part in strengthening the rule of law in Pakistan.”
UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Knut Ostby thanked INL Pakistan for being a consistent partner and the KP Government for its continued support: “With the right infrastructural support, enhanced capacity within the rule of law sector, and more gender-inclusive institutions, the rule of law sector in Pakistan is headed in the right direction.”
Acting INL Pakistan Director Ms. Erika Zielke appreciated
UNDP Pakistan’s efforts to make this project a success: “INL is
proud to partner with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Prosecution Service and UNDP to
strengthen the rule of law in the province. We are certain that the
Prosecution Academy will play a significant role in building capacity and
skills of prosecutors in the years ahead.”
Director of Administration Prosecution Directorate Mr. Atiq-ur-Rehman, a participant in the workshop said that the experience has helped him understand how institutions are made and how they operate successfully. “This understanding and knowledge will be useful throughout the course of my career as I leave it with a better understanding of my line of work.”
For additional information, please contact
Ayesha Babar
Communications Analyst, UNDP Pakistan
+92 (51) 835 5650
Cristian Martinez-LuSane
INL-Pakistan Program Officer
Counternarcotics, Corrections, Rule of Law
***
UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
COVID-19: Schools for more than 168 million children globally have been completely closed for almost a full year, says UNICEF
UNICEF unveils ‘Pandemic Classroom’ at United Nations Headquarters in New York to call attention to the need for governments to prioritise the reopening of schools
NEW YORK, 3 March 2021 – Schools for more than 168 million children globally have been completely closed for almost an entire year due to COVID-19 lockdowns, according to new data released today by UNICEF. Furthermore, around 214 million children globally – or 1 in 7 – have missed more than three-quarters of their in-person learning.
The analysis of school closure report notes that 14 countries worldwide have remained largely closed since March 2020 to February 2021. Two-thirds of those countries are in Latin America and the Caribbean, affecting nearly 98 million schoolchildren. Of the 14 countries, Panama has kept schools closed for the most days, followed by El Salvador, Bangladesh, and Bolivia.
|
Table 1: Number of countries/children where schools have remained closed since March 2020* |
|
|
Schools have remained closed almost an entire year (# of countries) |
School children affected |
|
|
Number (in millions) |
Per centage |
||
|
East Asia & the Pacific |
1 |
25 |
15% |
|
Middle East & North Africa |
3 |
9 |
5% |
|
East & Southern Africa |
0 |
n.a. |
n.a. |
|
Western & Central Africa |
0 |
n.a. |
n.a. |
|
Europe & Central Asia |
0 |
n.a. |
n.a |
|
Latin America & the Caribbean |
9 |
98 |
58% |
|
South Asia |
1 |
37 |
22% |
|
TOTAL |
14 |
168 |
100% |
|
*Note: Countries were identified based on the number of instruction days since 11 March 2020, the reference date for when schools were fully closed, to February 2021. The data reflect school closure status over the past 11 months. In cases where countries had less than 10 days of fully opened schooling and less than 12 days of partially open schooling, they were deemed as remaining closed for almost a year of instruction time. The analysis covers from the pre-primary education to the upper secondary education. |
School closures have devastating consequences for children’s learning and wellbeing. The most vulnerable children and those unable to access remote learning are at an increased risk of never returning to the classroom, and even being forced into child marriage or child labor. According to latest data by UNESCO, more than 888 million children worldwide continue to face disruptions to their education due to full and partial school closures.
The majority of schoolchildren worldwide rely on their schools as a place where they can interact with their peers, seek support, access health and immunization services and a nutritious meal. The longer schools remain closed, the longer children are cut off from these critical elements of childhood.
“This classroom represents the millions of centers of learning that have sat empty—many for almost the entire year. Behind each empty chair hangs an empty backpack—a placeholder for a child’s deferred potential,” said Fore. “We do not want shuttered doors and closed buildings to obscure the fact that our children’s futures are being put on indefinite pause. This installation is a message to governments: we must prioritize reopening schools, and we must prioritize reopening them better than they were before.”
As students return to their classrooms, they will need support to readjust and catch up on their learning. School reopening plans must incorporate efforts to recover children’s lost education. UNICEF urges governments to prioritise the unique needs of every student, with comprehensive services covering remedial learning, health and nutrition, and mental health and protection measures in schools to nurture children and adolescents’ development and wellbeing. UNICEF’s Framework for Reopening Schools, issued jointly with UNESCO, UNHCR, WFP and the World Bank, offers practical advice for national and local authorities.
#####
Notes to editors
Download multimedia content here.
Access the report and database here.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
For more information please contact:
Sara Alhattab, UNICEF New York, Tel: +1 917 957 6536, salh...@unicef.org
Georgina Thompson, UNICEF New York, Tel: +1 917 238 1559, gtho...@unicef.org
***
UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
COVAX PUBLISHES FIRST ROUND OF ALLOCATIONS
Geneva/Oslo/New York, 3 March 2021 – The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as co-leads of the COVAX initiative for equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines, alongside key delivery partner UNICEF, are pleased to publish COVAX’s first round of allocations.
Following from the publication of an interim distribution forecast, and based on current knowledge of supply availability, this first round of allocations provides information on provision of doses of the AstraZeneca(AZ)/Oxford vaccine to COVAX Facility participants, through May 2021.
This list will be updated by the end of the week to provide indicative timelines for the supply of these doses, split into Feb-March and April-May. These timelines are dependent on a variety of factors including national regulatory requirements, availability of supply, and fulfilment of other criteria such as validated national deployment and vaccination plans (NDVPs) from AMC participants, indemnification & liability agreements, and export and import authorisations.
Deliveries for this round of allocations has already begun, with India, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire receiving doses of the SII/AZ vaccine. Both Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire began vaccination campaigns utilising these doses on Monday. Further deliveries are underway for this week, and as readiness criteria are fulfilled and doses become available, will continue on a rolling basis over the coming months.
In addition to this first round of allocations, an exceptional distribution of 1.2 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, anticipated for delivery in Q1 2021, was announced in early February.
Further allocation rounds for vaccines in the COVAX portfolio will be announced in due course.
The list of first round allocations is available here.
Notes to editors
About COVAX
COVAX, the vaccines pillar of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Gavi) and the World Health Organization (WHO) – working in partnership with UNICEF as key implementing partner, developed and developing country vaccine manufacturers, the World Bank, and others. It is the only global initiative that is working with governments and manufacturers to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are available worldwide to both higher-income and lower-income countries.
CEPI is focused on the COVAX vaccine research and development portfolio: investing in R&D across a variety of promising candidates, with the goal to support development of three safe and effective vaccines which can be made available to countries participating in the COVAX Facility. As part of this work, CEPI has secured first right of refusal to potentially over one billion doses for the COVAX Facility to a number of candidates, and made strategic investments in vaccine manufacturing, which includes reserving capacity to manufacture doses of COVAX vaccines at a network of facilities, and securing glass vials to hold 2 billion doses of vaccine. CEPI is also investing in the ‘next generation’ of vaccine candidates, which will give the world additional options to control COVID-19 in the future.
Gavi is focused on procurement and delivery for COVAX: coordinating the design, implementation and administration of the COVAX Facility and the Gavi COVAX AMC and working with its Alliance partners UNICEF and WHO, along with governments, on country readiness and delivery. The COVAX Facility is the global pooled procurement mechanism for COVID-19 vaccines through which COVAX will ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines for all 190 participating economies, using an allocation framework formulated by WHO. The COVAX Facility will do this by pooling buying power from participating economies and providing volume guarantees across a range of promising vaccine candidates. The Gavi COVAX AMC is the financing mechanism that will support the participation of 92 low- and middle-income countries in the Facility, enabling access to donor-funded doses of safe and effective vaccines. Gavi is coordinating and fundraising for the COVAX AMC and its no-fault compensation mechanism, and funding UNICEF procurement of vaccines as well as partners’ and governments work on readiness and delivery, including support cold chain equipment, technical assistance, syringes, vehicles, and other aspects of the vastly complex logistical operation for delivery. UNICEF and the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) will be acting as procurement coordinators for the COVAX Facility, helping deliver vaccines to COVAX AMC participants and others.
WHO has multiple roles within COVAX: It provides normative guidance on vaccine policy, regulation, safety, R&D, allocation, and country readiness and delivery. Its Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization develops evidence-based immunization policy recommendations. Its Emergency Use Listing (EUL) / prequalification programmes ensure harmonized review and authorization across member states. It provides global coordination and member state support on vaccine safety monitoring. It developed the target product profiles for COVID-19 vaccines and provides R&D technical coordination. WHO leads, together with UNICEF, the Country Readiness and Delivery workstream, which provides support to countries as they prepare to receive and administer vaccines. Along with Gavi and numerous other partners working at the global, regional, and country-level, the CRD workstream provides tools, guidance, monitoring, and on the ground technical assistance for the planning and roll-out of the vaccines. Along with COVAX partners, WHO has developed a no-fault compensation scheme as part of the time-limited indemnification and liability commitments.
UNICEF is leveraging its experience as the largest single vaccine buyer in the world and working with manufacturers and partners on the procurement of COVID-19 vaccine doses, as well as freight, logistics and storage. UNICEF already procures more than 2 billion doses of vaccines annually for routine immunization and outbreak response on behalf of nearly 100 countries. In collaboration with the PAHO Revolving Fund, UNICEF is leading efforts to procure and supply doses of COVID-19 vaccines for COVAX. In addition, UNICEF, Gavi and WHO are working with governments around the clock to ensure that countries are ready to receive the vaccines, with appropriate cold chain equipment in place and health workers trained to dispense them. UNICEF is also playing a lead role in efforts to foster trust in vaccines, delivering vaccine confidence communications and tracking and addressing misinformation around the world.
About CEPI
CEPI is an innovative partnership between public, private, philanthropic, and civil organisations, launched at Davos in 2017, to develop vaccines to stop future epidemics. CEPI has moved with great urgency and in coordination with WHO in response to the emergence of COVID-19. CEPI has initiated ten partnerships to develop vaccines against the novel coronavirus. The programmes are leveraging rapid response platforms already supported by CEPI as well as new partnerships.
Before the emergence of COVID-19, CEPI’s priority diseases included Ebola virus, Lassa virus, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus, Nipah virus, Rift Valley Fever and Chikungunya virus. CEPI also invested in platform technologies that can be used for rapid vaccine and immunoprophylactic development against unknown pathogens (Disease X).
About Gavi
Gavi,
the Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership that helps vaccinate half
the world’s children against some of the world’s deadliest diseases. Since its
inception in 2000, Gavi has helped to immunise a whole generation – over 822
million children – and prevented more than 14 million deaths, helping to halve
child mortality in 73 developing countries. Gavi also plays a key role in
improving global health security by supporting health systems as well as
funding global stockpiles for Ebola, cholera, meningitis and yellow fever
vaccines. After two decades of progress, Gavi is now focused on protecting the
next generation and reaching the unvaccinated children still being left behind,
employing innovative finance and the latest technology – from drones to
biometrics – to save millions more lives, prevent outbreaks before they can
spread and help countries on the road to self-sufficiency. Learn
more at www.gavi.org and connect with
us on Facebook and Twitter.
The Vaccine Alliance brings together developing country and donor governments,
the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry,
technical agencies, civil society, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and
other private sector partners. View the full list of donor governments and
other leading organizations that fund Gavi’s work here.
About WHO
The World
Health Organization provides global leadership in public health within the
United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO works with 194 Member States,
across six regions and from more than 150 offices, to promote health, keep the
world safe and serve the vulnerable. Our goal for 2019-2023 is to ensure that a
billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more
people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with
better health and wellbeing.
For updates on COVID-19 and public health advice to protect yourself from
coronavirus, visit www.who.int and follow WHO on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat, YouTube
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places,
to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and
territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for
everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org. For more information about
COVID-19, visit www.unicef.org/coronavirus . Find out more about UNICEF’s work on the COVID-19 vaccines here, or about UNICEF’s work on immunization here.
About the ACT-Accelerator
The Access to COVID-19 Tools ACT-Accelerator, is a new, ground-breaking global collaboration to accelerate the development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines. It was set up in response to a call from G20 leaders in March and launched by the WHO, European Commission, France and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in April 2020.
The ACT-Accelerator is not a decision-making body or a new organisation, but works to speed up collaborative efforts among existing organisations to end the pandemic. It is a framework for collaboration that has been designed to bring key players around the table with the goal of ending the pandemic as quickly as possible through the accelerated development, equitable allocation, and scaled up delivery of tests, treatments and vaccines, thereby protecting health systems and restoring societies and economies in the near term. It draws on the experience of leading global health organisations which are tackling the world’s toughest health challenges, and who, by working together, are able to unlock new and more ambitious results against COVID-19. Its members share a commitment to ensure all people have access to all the tools needed to defeat COVID-19 and to work with unprecedented levels of partnership to achieve it.
The ACT-Accelerator has four areas of work: diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines and the health system connector. Cross-cutting all of these is the workstream on Access & Allocation.
Media Contacts
Meg Sharafudeen, Gavi
Iryna Mazur, Gavi
Evan O’Connell, Gavi
+33 6 17 57 21 26
Laura Shevlin, Gavi
CEPI Press Office
WHO Press Office
Sabrina Sidhu, UNICEF New York
***
UNOPS
PRESS RELEASE
ECHO, Aga Khan Development Network and UNOPS partner to provide critical medical equipment to support the COVID-19 response in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral
Urgently needed medical and laboratory equipment will be provided for patients and medical staff.
● Funded by the European Commission Directorate
General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO), The Aga Khan
Foundation, Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan and UNOPS are working on the
emergency procurement of medical supplies to provide critical medical supplies and equipment to support the
response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
● Vital medical supplies, including laboratory equipment, consumables,
personal protective equipment (PPEs) and oxygen generators, are being
provided through UNOPS’ efficient emergency procurement procedures to ensure
that hospitals can provide life-saving treatment to patients.
Funded by ECHO, the Critical Preparedness and Response Actions for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral project is being implemented by AKDN agencies, with a focus on health system strengthening and awareness raising. Through a partnership agreed in February 2021 by The Aga Khan Foundation and UNOPS, the Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan agreed to deliver approximately $600,000 worth of essential equipment and medical supplies for six months. The quick and safe delivery of these items will be done through UNOPS’ emergency procurement procedures, which have been utilized to effectively support countries across the globe in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under this project, laboratory equipment, consumables, PPEs and oxygen generators will be supplied to hospitals for the treatment and management of patients and PPEs will be provided to doctors and medical staff to reduce their risk of infection.
Marysia Zapasnik, Country Manager, UNOPS
Pakistan said:
“Through our emergency procurement procedures, UNOPS is procuring essential
medical supplies and PPEs so that patients can receive critical medical care
and medical staff at the frontline of this pandemic can safely provide care to
patients. We are committed to working with our partners to support the COVID-19
response and safeguard the health and well-being of the women, men, girls and
boys of Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral.”
Akhtar Iqbal, Chief Executive Officer, AKF(Pakistan) remarked:
“AKDN is complimenting Government efforts to contain the transmission of COVID-19 pandemic and provide optimized care for all patients, especially for the severely and critically ill. To this end, AKDN is working to equip health care facilities with essential medical supplies and equipment and this partnership with UNOPS will enable us to procure critical medical equipment and supplies. AKDN appreciates the support of UNOPS at this critical time.”
Syed Nadeem Husain Abbas, Chief Executive Officer of AKHS,P said:
“Although the number of COVID-19 cases have decreased as of late, which is a good sign, we must keep in mind that the pandemic is far from over and we could see another surge. It is essential to be always prepared so that we can offer the best possible care to our patients and communities we serve. This is why we see this partnership as particularly well-timed.”
ENDS
Notes to the editors:
Press contact details:
Rabail Habib
Communications Focal Point, UNOPS Pakistan
About UNOPS
UNOPS mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. We help the United Nations, governments, and other partners to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement in an efficient way. Read more: www.unops.org
About Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan)
The Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan) [AKF(P)] an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a private, non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967. It brings together human, financial and technical resources to address the challenges faced by the poorest and most marginalised communities in the world. Special emphasis is placed on investing in human potential, expanding opportunity and improving the overall quality of life).
https://www.akdn.org/our-agencies/aga-khan-foundation/about-aga-khan-foundation
About Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan
Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan (AKHS,P), an ISO 9001:2015 certified organisation, provides equitable, service oriented, innovative and community-based health services through four strategic objectives: supporting government health policies and plans; supporting health needs of catchment and target populations; increasing sustainability of operations; and contributing to global standards in health and health care. For more information visit: https://www.akdn.org/our-agencies/aga-khan-health-services
***
UNIC Islamabad
4 March 2021
___________
INVITATION
***
ILO
PRESS RELEASE
International Labour Standards Training for Pakistani Labour and Industrial Relations Court Judges
ISLAMABAD (ILO News): Speedy and fair justice for workers who are the real builders of the nation, wealth and growth, should be a priority of the judicial system, particularly the labour courts. This was said by Honourable Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan during the concluding ceremony of the workshop for judges of the labour courts and members of the National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC). Speaking at the same event, Justice Shah added that, “as dispute settlement managers, labour court judges should wear a human rights cap while adjudicating cases and make full use of the whole corpus of guarantees and rights articulated in the country’s constitution, national, international and case laws. This would protect the social, economic and human rights of workers and achieve industrial peace, rapid economic and social growth in the country”.
He called for continued training of judges particularly in alternate Labour Dispute Resolution (LDR), International Labour Standards (ILS), labour laws and Information and Communication (ICT) technologies to promote an adroit, robust and dynamic labour jurisprudence system. Deploring the absence of a celebrated judgements and little public interest litigation (PIL) around the settlement of labour disputes in the country, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah wished that the labour justice system could produce something that could be celebrated. He also expressed dissatisfaction that only thirty functional labour courts in Pakistan were catering to dispute settlement and violation of workers’ rights for a workforce of 65 million. Referring to ten thousand cases so far filed in the labour courts, he expressed the concern that either everything was well or there was something very alarming.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah also highlighted the need to safeguard the rights of workers in the backdrop of Pakistan’s international cooperation for mega infrastructure development and trade as well as the challenges posed to the world of work by the COVID pandemic. He thanked the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Union (EU) for their cooperation and collaboration with the Federal Judicial Academy (FJA) and desired that the cooperation will be deepened to cultivate a better world of work in Pakistan. He also suggested that a joint sitting of the judiciary, executive and legislature should be planned to plan a corresponding way forward.
Mr Hayat Ali Shah, Director General of the FJA in his concluding remarks thanked the ILO and EU for their generous support towards organizing the workshop and hoped to continue the process to create a sustainable labour dispute resolution system in Pakistan.
Mr Ulrich Thiessen, First Secretary, Development Advisor – Rural Development & Economic Cooperation, European Union Delegation to Pakistan in his speech highlighted the trade incentives that Pakistan is benefiting from under its GSP+ status since January 2014. He gladly noted the significant increase of Pakistan’s exports to EU under the GSP+ and the corresponding growth of its export revenues. He hoped the Pakistan would intensify its efforts towards improved compliance and reporting of the twenty-seven UN treaties including the eight fundamental labour standards to the better compliance and reporting of which the GSP+ continuity is conditioned. He further hoped that sensitization of labour court judges to the international labour standards will result in improved compliance and enforcement of the fundamental labour standards.
Ms Ingrid Christensen, Director, ILO Country Office for Pakistan said that an effective judicial system not only benefitted Pakistan’s 65 million workforce, but their dependent families. Therefore, the fundamental rights of the workers, if not provided, had an adverse effect on a larger segment of society, thus hampering socio-economic growth and hindered progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. She appreciated the Supreme Court’s resolve to improve the world of work in Pakistan by including all the organs of the state, employers and workers in this effort. Ms Christensen highlighted the need for the judicial system to understand Pakistan’s international obligations so that the court judgements repugnant to the fundamental rights of the workers are averted.
The workshop was held under the ILO’s EU funded project on ‘Trade for Decent Work’ in collaboration with the FJA and ILO International Training centre, Turin from 22 to 23 February 2021. Nineteen judges/presiding officers of the labour courts from all provinces of Pakistan, along with two members of the NIRC and research officers from the Supreme Court of Pakistan participated in the workshop. The workshop included presentations on ILS and best practices in terms of their use in labour jurisprudence. Workshop participants were also introduced to self-learning modules developed by the International Training Centre (ITC)-ILO. Moreover, a session reflected on work of the labour judiciary in Pakistan and the scope of international law in improving the labour jurisprudence.
***
UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
As we approach the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, UNICEF urges greater investment in mental health services
NEW YORK, 4 March 2021 – At least 1 in 7 children – or 332 million globally – has lived under required or recommended nationwide stay-at-home policies for at least nine months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, putting their mental health and well-being at risk, UNICEF warned today.
While almost all children worldwide have lived under some form of intermittent lockdowns for the last year, the new analysis by UNICEF, which uses data from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker, identifies some of the most enduring lockdown conditions worldwide.
According to the analysis, 139 million children globally have lived under required nationwide stay-at-home orders for at least nine months since COVID-19 was characterized as a pandemic on 11 March 2020 – meaning they are required to stay at home with few exceptions – including children living in countries such as Paraguay, Peru and Nigeria. The rest of the 332 million – or 193 million – have lived under recommended nationwide stay-at-home policies for the same amount of time.
“With nationwide lockdowns and pandemic-related movement restrictions, it has been a long year for all of us, but especially for children,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “When – day after day – you are away from your friends and distant loved ones, and perhaps even stuck at home with an abuser, the impact is significant. Many children are left feeling afraid, lonely, anxious, and concerned for their future. We must emerge from this pandemic with a better approach to child and adolescent mental health, and that starts by giving the issue the attention it deserves.”
As the pandemic enters its second year, the impact on children and young people’s mental health and psychosocial well-being is taking a toll. In Latin America and the Caribbean, a recent UNICEF U-Report poll of young people generated more than 8,000 responses and found that more than a quarter had experienced anxiety, and 15 per cent depression.
Even before the pandemic, children and young people carried the burden of mental health risks, with half of all mental disorders developing before age 15, and 75 per cent by early adulthood. The majority of the 800,000 people who die by suicide every year are young people, and self-harm is the third leading cause of death among 15–19-year-olds, with higher rates among adolescent girls. It is estimated that globally 1 in 4 children live with a parent who has a mental disorder.
For children experiencing violence, neglect or abuse at home, lockdowns have left many stranded with abusers and without the support of teachers, extended families and communities. Children in vulnerable population groups – such as those living and working on the streets, children with disabilities, and children living in conflict settings – risk having their mental health needs overlooked entirely.
According to WHO, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93 per cent of countries worldwide, while the demand for mental health support is increasing. A study from 194 cities in China found that 16 per cent of respondents reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms during the pandemic, and 28 per cent moderate to severe anxiety symptoms.
In response, UNICEF is supporting governments and partner organizations to prioritize and adapt services for children. For example, in Kazakhstan, UNICEF launched a platform for individual online counselling services for children, alongside distance training in schools for mental health specialists. In China, UNICEF and social media company Kuaishou launched an online challenge to help reduce anxiety in children.
Later this year, UNICEF will dedicate its biennial flagship report, State of the World’s Children, to child and adolescent mental health, in an effort to increase awareness of the global challenge and provide solutions, and to encourage governments to place heightened focus on the issue.
“If we did not fully appreciate the urgency prior to the COVID-19 pandemic – surely we do now,” added Fore. “Countries must dramatically invest in expanded mental health services and support for young people and their caregivers in communities and schools. We also need scaled-up parenting programmes to ensure that children from vulnerable families get the support and protection they need at home.”
#####
Notes to Editors
The data presented are derived from UNICEF’s Dashboard on government responses to COVID-19 and the affected populations based on data from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker and UN DESA Population Division, and are collated between 11 March 2020 – 22 February 2021.
Stay-at-home policies are categorized as follows:
0 – no measures.
1 - recommend not leaving house.
2 - require not leaving house with exceptions for daily exercise, grocery shopping, and ‘essential’ trips.
3 - Require not leaving house with minimal exceptions (for example, allowed to leave only once a week, or only one person can leave at a time).
332 million children represent the minimum estimate and refer to children living in countries with both recommended and required nationwide stay-at-home policies (1-3). 139 million children represent the minimum estimate and refer to children living in countries with required nationwide stay-at-home policies (2-3). Countries where policies have been implemented on regional or local levels are not included – an unknown number of children under lockdown conditions in these countries will come on top of the cited numbers.
Helen Wylie, UNICEF New York, Tel: +1 917 244 2215, hwy...@unicef.org
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.org
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
6 March 2021
___________
FAO
MEDIA ADVISORY
Webinar Invitation: International Women’s Day - Food Systems and Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World
Online: 08 March 2021, PKT Time
n Keynote speech by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and BISP Chairperson, Dr. Sania Nishtar
n Speakers: FAO, UN Women, WFP, FCDO, DFAT, PARC, PODA, CIMMYT, JICA
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is pleased to invite media and other interested parties to attend the webinar about food systems and women in leadership- marking the International Women’s Day. This event is free and open to all and will take place online on Monday, 08 March 2021 from 9.00 am until 10: 10 am Pakistan time.
To join, register at this link: https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Xd92q_G2S9Ww7YDFT54e6w
For media inquiries, please contact at Seema...@fao.org
***
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
7 March 2021
___________
United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
--
VIDEO MESSAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
8 March 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has erased decades of progress towards gender equality.
From high job losses to exploding burdens of unpaid care, from disrupted schooling to an escalating crisis of domestic violence and exploitation, women’s lives have been upended and their rights eroded.
Mothers – especially single mothers – have faced acute anxiety and adversity.
The consequences will far outlast the pandemic.
But women have also been on the frontlines of pandemic response.
They are the essential workers keeping people alive and holding economies, communities and families together.
They are among the leaders who have kept prevalence rates lower, and countries on track for recovery.
This year’s International Women’s Day highlights the transformative power of women’s equal participation.
We are seeing it ourselves at the United Nations, where I am proud that we have achieved gender parity in UN leadership posts for the first time in history.
The evidence is clear.
When women lead in government, we see bigger investments in social protection and greater inroads against poverty.
When women are in parliament, countries adopt more stringent climate change policies.
When women are at the peace table, agreements are more enduring.
And with women now serving in equal numbers at the top leadership posts at the United Nations, we are seeing even more concerted action to secure peace, sustainable development and human rights.
In a male-dominated world with a male-dominated culture, gender equality is essentially a question of power.
Males are an essential part of the solution.
I call on countries, companies and institutions to adopt special measures and quotas to advance women’s equal participation and achieve rapid change.
As we recover from the pandemic, support and stimulus packages must target women and girls specifically, including through investments in women-owned businesses and the care economy.
Pandemic recovery is our chance to leave behind generations of exclusion and inequalities.
Whether running a country, a business or a popular movement, women are making contributions that are delivering for all and driving progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
It is time to build an equal future. This is a job for everyone – and for the benefit of everyone.
Thank you.
Download Link:
Int’l clean,
English sub-title,
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update-2
7 March 2021
___________
UN Women
STATEMENT
Statement by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Women Executive Director, on International Women’s Day 2021
Change up the pace: women at the table
International Women’s Day this year comes at a difficult time for the world and for gender equality, but at a perfect moment to fight for transformative action and to salute women and young people for their relentless drive for gender equality and human rights. Our focus is on women’s leadership and on ramping up representation in all the areas where decisions are made - currently mainly by men - about the issues that affect women’s lives. The universal and catastrophic lack of representation of women’s interests has gone on too long.
As we address the extraordinary hardship that COVID-19 has brought to millions of women and girls and their communities, we also look ahead to the solid opportunities of the Generation Equality Forum and Action Coalitions to bring change.
During the pandemic, we have seen increased violence against women and girls and lost learning for girls as school drop-out rates, care responsibilities and child marriages rise. We are seeing tens of millions more women plunge into extreme poverty, as they lose their jobs at a higher rate than men, and pay the price for a lack of digital access and skills. These and many other problems cannot be left to men alone to solve. Yet, while there are notable exceptions, in most countries there is simply not the critical mass of women in decision-making and leadership positions to ensure that these issues are tabled and dealt with effectively and this has affected the pace of change for women overall.
There are breakthroughs to celebrate, where women have taken the helm of organizations such as the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank and we look forward to more such appointments that help to change the picture of what a leader looks like. Yet this is not the norm. In 2020, as a global average, women were 4.4 per cent of CEOs, occupied just 16.9 per cent of board seats, made up only 25 per cent of national parliamentarians, and just 13 per cent of peace negotiators. Only 22 countries currently have a woman as Head of State or Government and 119 have never experienced this – something that has important consequences for the aspirations of girls growing up. On the current trajectory, we won’t see gender parity in the highest office before 2150.
This can and must change. What is needed is the political will to actively and intentionally support women’s representation. Leaders can set and meet parity targets, including through appointments for all executive positions at all levels of government, as has occurred in the few countries with gender equal cabinets. Special measures can work; where countries have put in place and enforced quotas, they have made real progress on women’s leadership, as have those that have policies to address representation. Where these measures do not exist, progress is slower or even nonexistent and easily reversed.
No country prospers without the engagement of women. We need women’s representation that reflects all women and girls in all their diversity and abilities, and across all cultural, social, economic and political situations. This is the only way we will get real societal change that incorporates women in decision-making as equals and benefits us all.
This is the vision of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals and the vision of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. It is the vision of civil society and multitudes of young people who are already leading the way and of all those who will join us in the Generation Equality Action Coalitions. We need bold decisive action across the world to bring women into the heart of the decision-making spaces in large numbers and as full partners, so that we can make immediate progress on a greener, equitable and inclusive world.
***
UNHCR
PRESS RELEASE
UNHCR organizes activities to mark International Women’s Day
ISLAMABAD, 7 March 2021 – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency marks International Women’s Day in Pakistan with a number of activities jointly organized with refugees, UN Women and other partners. March 8 is a day celebrating the achievements of women globally and raising awareness about the importance of gender equality.
In recognition of the important role that women have played in the response to COVID-19, the theme of International Women’s Day in 2021 is “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”.
UNHCR’s Representative in Pakistan, Noriko Yoshida, expressed her solidarity with all women, but particularly with refugee women in Pakistan, who are active in the service of their communities and bravely making a difference for all.
“Since the outbreak of COVID-19 last year, until now, I have seen daily examples of women leading the way to deliver care in our communities. Women working as doctors and nurses, and also in other critical response services. Their bravery in the face of personal danger was and is inspiring. Women not only play important roles in our communities, they are real heroes,” she said.
In Islamabad, UNHCR is holding a virtual event on the importance of mental health support during the COVID-19 pandemic and in response the multiple ways it has impacted individuals and families. A psychologist, female refugees and local youth will participate as speakers. An Afghan community elder is also delivering remarks to advocate for girls’ education and for greater participation of women in community roles.
In Haripur, UNHCR, in cooperation with GIZ and IMC, is presenting ‘change-maker’ certificates and gifts to women and men who have made important contributions to their communities, including community Outreach Volunteers, teachers, health workers and entrepreneurs.
In Quetta, UNHCR, UN Women and FAO are co-organizing an event, in collaboration with the Women Development Department, to highlight stories of different initiatives and efforts that made a difference in the response to COVID-19 in Balochistan.
In Chaghi, UNHCR and its partner WESS, are holding an open forum together with the participation of male community members to discuss how community awareness can be successful in preventing and ending violence against women. In Saranan, Pishin and Loralai, WESS will also be holding seminars led by religious leaders and prominent community members to promote women’s rights.
In Islamabad, Lahore, Mianwali, Karachi and Peshawar, another UNHCR partner, SHARP, will be holding student debates and sports events to promote girl’s education.
UNHCR’s partner ICMC will be hosting a poster competition for children and art therapy classes.
ENDS
Media contact
Qaiser Khan Afridi - +92 300 5018696 - afr...@unhcr.org
***
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
8 March 2021
___________
United Nations Pakistan
PRESS RELEASE
International Women’s Day Message from the Resident Coordinator, United Nations Pakistan
This International Women’s Day comes one year after the declaration of Corona Virus as a global pandemic. The Covid pandemic has been hard on everyone but has weighed doubly on women. The pandemic has deepened economic and social stress, women have lost their incomes, working mothers have born the extra burden of educating children at home and caring for older family members, and restrictions in movement have exacerbated intimate partner violence.
One of the most heartening experiences during this hard year has been to witness the vital leadership role of women in Pakistan, including my United Nations colleagues, in fighting this disease. And on this eighth of March 2021, International Women’s day, it is to them I wish to pay tribute.
Across this great country I have been privileged to meet women leading and contributing in a myriad ways, Federal and Provincial ministers leading the socio economic and medical response, local administrators running districts, scientists, doctors, nurses, midwives, business women, Policewomen caring for the abused, women working in NGOs and the countless women looking after their families and trying to make ends meet in difficult times.
Over this last year the United Nations worked closely in support of the government of Pakistan in the response against the disease, in every area of our work, medical and socio economic, women were in a leading role. Women have led in bringing the COVAX vaccination initiative to Pakistan; I have seen female colleagues working on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) to keep health professionals and facilities safe, and others increasing testing services across the country through technical support in Laboratories and Diagnostics, and initiatives on disabilities and assistive technology. In the socioeconomic area female colleagues have led on social protection, and working to make schools safe to reopen and in supporting to homebased workers.
And at times I have glimpsed and heard the daily challenges that their choice to serve brings; juggling a zoom call with a toddler that needs attention right now, being on the other side of the world from their children as they start out at university, and the worries for a sick parent in another city maybe another country.
This last year has been hard for all of us, and during this time women have once again led and contributed to the response and to our society, as the women of Pakistan and my female colleagues have demonstrated. But we have to recognize that society puts many obstacles in their path, girls are not offered the same chance to go to school, many careers and profession remain dominated by men and sometimes family pressure holds women back. In the coming year we must continue to remove these obstacles, we need to see more girls in primary school, in secondary school and in tertiary education, women need to have the same access to internet and all the benefits of the information age, wherever a woman lives she must have the same access to health services, and we all need to work towards equal job and career opportunities for women.
As we work together to help our society recover from COVID19 our efforts must also aim to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
***
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update-2
8 March 2021
___________
FAO
PRESS RELEASE
Food Systems and Women in Leadership: International Women’s Day 2021
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations organized a webinar to mark the International Women’s Day; addressing food systems and women in leadership while achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world. The evet was attended by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety and Chairperson of Benazir Income Support Progarm, Dr. Sania Nishtar and speakers from WFP, IFAD, UN Women, Japan International Cooperation Agency, CIMMYT, Foreign Commonwealth Development Office and Pakistan Agriculture Research Council.
Food systems are gaining importance globally and in Pakistan, especially with the upcoming Global Food Systems Summit during this year. Transforming our food systems is central to our efforts for achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the fragility and inequalities of our food system, which is affecting women and girls.
Dr. Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, in her keynote address presented the Ehsaas program vision which is benefiting millions across the country with special focus on women and girls. She said that more than 50% Ehsaas programs are benefiting women and girls. A new initiative is also approved under Ehsaas to give graduation stipends to girls who graduate from fifth grade which aims at improving retention of girls in schools. Talking about Ehsaas ecosystem and how it deals with agriculture and food systems, she stated that the Ehsaas policy framework and strategy explicitly recognizes the work of rural women involved in agriculture. There are specific welfare initiatives to improve the livelihoods of tenant farmers. There is another policy under the Ehsaas framework that aims to build agriculture value chain that was prepared in consultation with FAO, she said.
FAO Representative a.i in Pakistan stated that communities within food systems are critical to global development and development within Pakistan. Financial equality, equality of empowerment, equality of opportunity and the equality of the right to benefit from the outputs of food systems is necessary for development impact and achievement of the SDGs. She further stated that 2021 is the year of transformation and we need collective efforts to empower women socially, financially, economically and nutritionally. We need support to throughout this year to champion women’s role in food systems within the country and globally as well, she said.
FAO together with partners is marking the International Women’s Day by highlighting the role of rural women in agriculture Sector in Pakistan, the systems set in place that support them, and the policy work that needs to be done to ensure implementation of policies and reforms.
For queries, please contact at Seema...@fao.org
***
FAO
PRESS RELEASE
Japan International Cooperation Agency and FAO join hands to enhance food and nutrition security of locust-affected smallholder farmers and control operations
ISLAMABAD 08 March 2021: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has announced a contribution of USD 1.3 million to work by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to not only support pest control operations but also enhance the food and nutrition security of locust-affected smallholder farmers.
The announcement was made at a ceremony held in Islamabad. JICA Chief Representative in Pakistan, Furutu Shigeki, and ad interim Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative, Rebekah Bell, signed the project agreement.
To support the livelihoods of desert locust-affected farming communities and enhance the food security of smallholder farmers’ households, the project will work in Kharan district in Balochistan and Umerkot district of Sindh province. These districts were identified based on consultation with provincial agriculture departments and findings of Food Security and Livelihood Assessments.
This 13-month project will focus on enhancing food and nutrition security of vulnerable rural households with pregnant and lactating women through an integrated approach, which seeks to increase the quantity, quality and diversity of household food production, and includes an experiential nutrition education programme. About 18,370 people will directly benefit.
Meanwhile, locust surveillance and control activities will focus on building the capacity of the Department of Plant Protection to help it identify and control future locust outbreaks.
“As have East Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, Pakistan too has suffered the damage caused by desert locust swarms. JICA recognizes the need for immediate assistance to Pakistan and implemented an emergency support to livelihoods of farmers affected by locust in October last year. In order to continue its assistance, JICA endeavors to restore livelihood support for farmers. We expect to strengthen locust control capacity and resilience in the medium to long term and the collaboration with FAO will contribute to achieving that goal,” said Furutu Shigeki.
JICA is currently promoting cooperation with development partners, and this project will further strengthen the FAO-JICA Memorandum of Cooperation, which was concluded in 2017. JICA is currently implementing agricultural and livestock technical cooperation project in Balochistan and Sindh provinces. Also, JICA has funded an agriculture and livelihood project being implemented by FAO in ex-FATA (Federally Administrated Tribal Areas) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. JICA intends to continue its work with FAO and other development partners to contribute to the development of the Pakistani agricultural sector by taking the best of its strengths.
Thanking JICA for its financial assistance and long-term partnership, FAO Representative a.i in Pakistan, Rebekah Bell said: "Through our collaboration with the governments of Balochistan and Sindh, this project will make a significant contribution to address food and nutrition insecurity of vulnerable rural households. Our research suggests that by increasing the quantity, quality and diversity of household food production that families are able to consume a healthier diet that will hopefully, in the longer term, contribute to the prevention of child stunting and wasting and improved food security. FAO has remained at the forefront of support to the Government of Pakistan in combating the desert locust invasion and strengthening the capabilities and capacities of institutions in desert locust surveillance and control operations.”
For queries, please contact at Seema...@fao.org
***
UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
10 million additional girls at risk of child marriage due to COVID-19 – UNICEF
With 25 million child marriages averted in the last decade, UNICEF issues warning on International Women’s Day that these gains are now under serious threat
Photos and video available to download here
NEW YORK, 8 March 2021 – Ten million additional child marriages may occur before the end of the decade, threatening years of progress in reducing the practice, according to a new analysis released by UNICEF today.
COVID-19: A threat to progress against child marriage – released on International Women’s Day – warns that school closures, economic stress, service disruptions, pregnancy, and parental deaths due to the pandemic are putting the most vulnerable girls at increased risk of child marriage.
Even before the COVID-19 outbreak, 100 million girls were at risk of child marriage in the next decade, despite significant reductions in several countries in recent years. In the last ten years, the proportion of young women globally who were married as children had decreased by 15 per cent, from nearly 1 in 4 to 1 in 5, the equivalent of some 25 million marriages averted, a gain that is now under threat.
“COVID-19 has made an already difficult situation for millions of girls even worse. Shuttered schools, isolation from friends and support networks, and rising poverty have added fuel to a fire the world was already struggling to put out. But we can and we must extinguish child marriage,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “International Women’s Day is a key moment to remind ourselves of what these girls have to lose if we do not act urgently – their education, their health, and their futures.”
Girls who marry in childhood face immediate and lifelong consequences. They are more likely to experience domestic violence and less likely to remain in school. Child marriage increases the risk of early and unplanned pregnancy, in turn increasing the risk of maternal complications and mortality. The practice can also isolate girls from family and friends and exclude them from participating in their communities, taking a heavy toll on their mental health and well-being.
COVID-19 is profoundly affecting the lives of girls. Pandemic-related travel restrictions and physical distancing make it difficult for girls to access the health care, social services and community support that protect them from child marriage, unwanted pregnancy and gender-based violence. As schools remain closed, girls are more likely to drop out of education and not return. Job losses and increased economic insecurity may also force families to marry their daughters to ease financial burdens.
Worldwide, an estimated 650 million girls and women alive today were married in childhood, with about half of those occurring in Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, India and Nigeria. To off-set the impacts of COVID-19 and end the practice by 2030 – the target set out in the Sustainable Development Goals – progress must be significantly accelerated.
“One year into the pandemic, immediate action is needed to mitigate the toll on girls and their families,” added Fore. “By reopening schools, implementing effective laws and policies, ensuring access to health and social services – including sexual and reproductive health services – and providing comprehensive social protection measures for families, we can significantly reduce a girl’s risk of having her childhood stolen through child marriage.”
#####
The
projections presented are the result of a statistical model that is built on
existing information on the rates and demographics of child marriage, as well
as historical information on the effects of educational disruption, economic
shocks, and programme efficacy in countries where most child marriages
worldwide occur. For further details on the data, see the technical notes in
the report here.
For further information, please contact:
Helen Wylie, UNICEF New York, Tel: +1 917 244 2215, hwy...@unicef.org
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.org
Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
***
UNODC
PRESS RELEASE
Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ghada Waly:
Message for International Women’s Day
8 March 2021
KYOTO, 8 March (UN Information Service) – To achieve justice for women, we need more women in justice.
Increases in women’s representation and leadership in law enforcement and the judiciary have been linked to more investigations into crimes against women, better policing outcomes, and successful victim-centred approaches. They have also enabled systemic changes, including lower rates of violence, and greater integrity through diversity, which is key to disrupting corrupt practices.
These are major victories for public trust and effective institutions. When women lead, we all win.
But around the world, women are outnumbered by men in the justice and security sectors, accounting for as little as 6 per cent of law enforcement officers in some regions.
The COVID pandemic has shown us that entrenched inequalities make our societies more vulnerable in a crisis.
It is time for a reset. We need to empower more women to lead.
In the UN Crime Congress Kyoto Declaration, governments have pledged to remove impediments to the advancement of women within criminal justice systems.
To put this commitment into action, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime is working with women judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officers in close to 60 countries, helping build networks of women professionals and supporting their growth.
We provide targeted training and mentoring to the next generation of women leaders in criminal justice institutions.
UNODC also assists Member States in addressing challenges that are holding women and girls back, from gender-based violence and human trafficking risks, to a lack of access to drug use prevention and treatment. We promote gender-responsive approaches in tackling organized crime and corruption, preventing terrorism, and ensuring the rights and rehabilitation of people in prison.
Within our own Office, I am proud that we achieved overall gender parity last year, and are working towards parity at all staff levels, in line with my personal commitment as an International Gender Champion.
On International Women’s Day, I stand with women, and fight for women, so they can rise and lead in all areas, to build forward from the COVID crisis, for justice, and a fairer future for all.
* *** *
For further information please contact:
Sonya Yee
Speechwriter and Spokesperson, UNODC
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-4990
Email: sonya.yee[at]un.org
***END***
For further information or media enquiries please contact:
Ms Rizwana Rahool
Communication Officer
Telephone: +92-301-8564255
Fax: + 92-51-2601469
Email: rizwan...@unodc.org
***
WFP
PRESS RELEASE
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME AND THE GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Lasbela, Balochistan – To celebrate the International Women’s Day, WFP, in partnership with the Government, is organizing more than 20 events across Pakistan under this year’s theme, Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.
In Balochistan, in collaboration with the government, partners and communities, WFP has been supporting the most vulnerable people to get through the pandemic. In districts Lasbela and Panjgur, WFP has assisted 6,987 vulnerable households, out of which 4,937 households have received Rs. 7,500 per month for six months under the unconditional cash transfer programme; and 2,050 households have received an essential food basket. The support has helped poor households, especially women and children, meet the basic food and nutritional needs.
During a visit to projects in Lasbela District, WFP Country Director Chris Kaye observed; “Hunger and malnutrition is on the rise across the world as COVID-19 is compounding vulnerability of the most marginalized. The situation in Pakistan is no different and it is women who are disproportionately affected and are expected to carry the burden. In 2020, WFP assisted 2 million Pakistani people suffering from hunger and malnutrition, 55% of whom were women/girls.”
Addressing the frontline female health workers at the site a newly established Nashonuma Facilitation Centre at Jam Ghulam Qadir Government Hospital Hub Lasbela in Balochistan, the WFP Country Director applauded the tireless efforts of the female doctors and nurses in the COVID-19 pandemic response. “The contributions made by frontline health workers have been instrumental in the country’s fight against the pandemic. While serving their communities, they put their own health and wellbeing at risk. This Women’s Day, let’s recognize their sacrifices and applaud their dedication and achievements” he declared.
As the implementing partner for the Government’s Ehsaas Stunting Prevention Project, WFP is supporting the establishment of Nashonuma Facilitation Centers to help combat chronic malnutrition (stunting) in women and children. By the end of February 2021, 50 facilitation centers will be operational across 10 districts in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Punjab. The centers will provide pregnant and lactating women training on breast feeding, hygiene practices, immunization, antenatal/postnatal care and the importance of diversified and nutritious diets. The woman will receive locally produced specialized nutritious food to boost the nutritional status for themselves and for their babies.
The WFP team also met with the local women beneficiaries in Uthal Village in district Lasbela. The women spoke about how WFP’s assistance had helped them overcome the burden caused by COVID-19 and enabled them to access the food needed to support their families.
Supporting women is essential element in the fight against hunger and poverty. When women and girls have better access to education, information, resources, services, decision-making and economic opportunities, the result is increased food security and improved nutrition for themselves, their families, their communities and their country. WFP is committed to playing a role in promoting equal and meaningful participation of women in decision-making processes at all levels.
***
The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. We are the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
Follow us on Twitter @WFPPakistan
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Mahira Afzal, WFP Communications Officer. Islamabad, Mobile: +92 345 8559333, mahira...@wfp.org
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update-3
8 March 2021
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ITC
PRESS RELEASE
Recognizing female farmers on International Women’s Day
A panel discussion was held in Karachi to celebrate International Women’s Day 2021 in Karachi. Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP) with Sindh Research and Development Foundation organized the event. Agriculture Minister Sindh Mr. Ismail Rahoo, Minister Women Development Ms. Shehla Raza, and women’s rights activist Ms. Nazo Dharejo were some of the attendees along with rural women, and representatives from government, development sector, academia, and think tanks.
GRASP, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Trade Centre, is working to improve the business environment of small and medium enterprises, and small holder farmers in Sindh and Balochistan.
Rural women in Sindh have been a particular focus of GRASP for its COVID-19 emergency response, with trainings aiming to furnish their skills in agriculture, horticulture and livestock, enterprise development, and e-commerce. Their linkages with local markets are being developed through trainings, connecting them to buyers for value added products of milk, dates, and tomatoes.
Female farmers presented the by-products they developed, and received cell phones from GRASP project during the event, which will be used to connect them to wholesale buyers, markets, and enable them to sell their produce online.
The three panels discussed government focus on enterprise development of women and the development of grants for them. The role of men in supporting women was highlighted, where they can be allies and create spaces for women at workplaces. Making up 67 percent of the labor force, women farmer’s skills need to be enhanced. Currently, women in agriculture are in labor only, their representation in policy making and at decisions is needed.
GRASP is working to create gender-inclusive employment and income opportunities in the rural areas through targeted support to both the public and private sectors. Gender inclusiveness in value chain development will foster economic opportunities for women in horticulture and livestock.
***
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
9 March 2021
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UN Women
PRESS RELEASE
Health, education, and financial independence vital for women empowerment, says President Alvi at national commemoration of International Women’s Day 2021
8th March 2021, Islamabad – UN Women Pakistan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Rights and the EU in Pakistan, commemorated International Women’s Day at the Presidency today. The event served as an occasion to celebrate progress made towards the protection and promotion of women’s rights in Pakistan, and evaluate future steps required to foster and ensure greater female empowerment and gender equality in the country. President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi attended the event as Chief Guest.
The event acknowledged the achievements of female trailblazers from diverse backgrounds, who were invited to speak about their experiences, accomplishments, and the obstacles that they have faced as women in various career fields in Pakistan. This included Dr. Fehmida Mirza, currently serving as Federal Minister of Inter-Provincial Coordination. Dr. Mirza has the distinction of being the first and only woman Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan between March 2008 and June 2013, as well as the first female speaker from the Muslim World. The other female trailblazers who participated at the event included Zubaida Jalal, Minister for Defence Production; Rukhshanda Naz, Ombudsperson for KP Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace; Reem Sharif, the first Transgender police officer in Pakistan; Zara Naeem, the ACCA exam topper; and Erum Baloch, youngest Pakistani female hockey player from Jacobabad in Sindh.
The event also included a musical folk performance by Shamu Bai and Vishnu, a brother-sister duo from rural Sindh. The Ministry of Human Rights also showcased several films that delved into pro-women legislation, women’s rights, and the Ministry’s 1099 National Human Rights Helpline. Sar Buland, a music video tribute to daughters and inspirational women in Pakistan, developed by Samar Minhallah was also showcased at the event.
Federal Secretary for Human Rights, Inamullah Khan gave the welcoming remarks at the event. He spoke about the theme for International Women’s Day this year, “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.” He appreciated the central role that women have played in combating the pandemic, featuring prominently at the front lines as health care workers, caregivers, innovators, and community organizers.
Speaking at the event, Sharmeela Rassool, Country Representative UN Women, said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that inclusivity and diversity of leadership styles make a difference. When more women are in decision-making positions, different voices are heard, and innovative solutions are created. Both the process and the outcomes are for a more just, equitable and prosperous society.”
H.E. Androulla Kaminara, Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, acknowledged the significance of the collaboration between Pakistan and the EU in developing key areas of cooperation geared towards gender mainstreaming, women empowerment and elimination of all forms of violence against women, under the Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP).
Dr. Shireen Mazari, Federal Minister for Human Rights informed the audience about the work of the Ministry of Human Rights in supporting the cause of female empowerment and gender equality in Pakistan. “MoHR has focused on strengthening legislation, improving institutional mechanisms for implementation, and increasing awareness amongst the general population about relevant laws, to promote and protect the rights of women and girls in Pakistan. The Anti-Rape Ordinance and the Enforcement of Women’s Property Rights Act in 2020 are two such critical recent advancements in this regard. MoHR has also been working towards upgrading its National Human Rights Helpline to strengthen grievance redressal mechanisms, which are critical for victims of GBV and domestic violence.”
Addressing the event as Chief Guest, President Dr. Arif Alvi called upon the women of the country to be aware of their rights as guaranteed by the Constitution. He emphasized economic empowerment of women to help them thrive in society with dignity, adding that ‘without financial independence, there is hardly any independence’. With regard to the healthcare sector, the President suggested the launch of Tele Health services for women and marginalized groups to provide them accessible, prompt and free medical advice.
The President acknowledged the services rendered by the country’s women during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly doctors and paramedics. However, he expressed concern that a large number of trained doctors left the profession after marriage, compared with the 70 percent ratio of enrolment in medical colleges. He stressed the need for a change in the country’s employment structure to support professional women and help them advance in their careers and contribute to the progress of the nation.
For Media Queries:
Hassan Ali Abbasi
Communications Assistant
UN Women Pakistan
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
11 March 2021
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UNDP
PRESS RELEASE
UNDP’s GLOF II project concludes four trainings for Government of Pakistan on Disaster Risk Management
Islamabad, 11 March 2021: A set of four trainings on “Disaster Risk Management” (DRM) concluded today in Islamabad, organized by the GLOF-II Project, a joint initiative [MB1] of Ministry of Climate Change and UNDP. Over 150 government officials and community members from targeted districts and provincial line departments participated in the trainings. The trainings, conducted by DRM experts, from Empowerment thru[MB2] Creative Integration, were attended by representatives from provincial Disaster Management Authorities, Forest departments, Agriculture Department, Planning and Development Department, Pakistan Metrological Department, Environmental Protection Agencies, and Rural Support Programs.
The main objective of the training was to build capacities of the participants by improving their skills and knowledge on DRM, with a specific focus on an introduction to all components of community resilience. The content focused on the basic concepts and terminologies related to DRM along with the pro-active implementation of DRM framework, mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into different sectors, outlining policy guidelines for vulnerable groups, integrating gender concerns in disaster planning, response and use of assessment tools i.e., hazard, vulnerability, risk and capacity assessment.
Honorable C[MB3] hief Minister, Gilgit Baltistan, Muhammad Khalid Khurshid Khan, when attending the closing session, acknowledged Pakistan Metrological Department and GLOF -II Project’s work for their immediate attention towards Shisper Glacier Surge in Hasanabad, Hunza and the completion of the Automated Weather Station installation. He appreciated PMD’s constant monitoring of the situation and expressed the significance of such initiatives for empowering the local community against climate change induced threats.
Chief Secretary[MB4] , Gilgit Baltistan, Muhammad Khuram Agha thanked all government representatives for their participation and hoped that the sessions had produced productive and insightful discussions and paved way towards ensuring an integrated disaster risk management system for the Northern areas of Pakistan.
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change, Mr. Joudat Ayaz appreciated the successful completion of the trainings and emphasized on the need for capacity building of provincial governments, line departments, and relevant stakeholders. Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP, Amanullah Khan was also present at the event and appreciated the team on conducting such a fruitful training.
Funded by Green Climate Fund, GLOF-II project aims to empower communities to identify and manage risks associated with GLOFs and related impacts of climate change. It also works to strengthen public services to lower the risk of disasters, and improve community preparedness and disaster response capacities. Trainings like these are an important component of the project in order to build capacities of government departments to tackle climate change induced disasters.
For additional information about UNDP, please contact Ayesha Babar at ayesha...@undp.org or +92 (51) 835 5650
* * *
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
16 March 2021
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ILO
PRESS RELEASE
Karachi (12th March) The Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP), with the technical support of the ILO Pakistan Office, Organized ‘National Employers Meeting on Decent Work and Sustainable Development and 8th Employers of the Year Award,2020. Dr. Arif Alivi, The President, Islamic Republic of Pakistan was the Chief Guest, presided over the meeting, and distributed awards in the ceremony. Ms. Ingrid Christensen, Country Director, ILO Pakistan Office, represented the ILO in the event. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Arif Alivi, President of Pakistan, reiterated the need for the employers to boost the exports by value addition which results in enhancing not only the exports but also in broadening the export market. Ms. Ingrid Christensen, Country Director, ILO Pakistan, highlighted the effects of COVID-19 globally which posed challenges to the employers and workers alike. But different countries and Pakistan endevaoured and came out of this pandemic through smart lock down and other initiatives. Mr. Ismail Suttar, President Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP) said that 25 companies had been given awards under different categories and this will motivate other employers and companies also and he said that these awards play a significant role in recognizing the good initiatives of the companies and the employers.
The Employer of the Year Award is an initiative by the EFP that is geared towards promoting, encouraging and highlighting best practices in the areas of Management, HR Management, OSH&E, Skill Enhancement, Sustainable development, etc. Companies are invited to participate in the Contest and based on their evaluation, the winning companies are recognized by conferring upon them “EFP’s Employer of the Year Award” and “CEO of the Year Award”.
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update-2
16 March 2021
___________
UNHCR
PRESS RELEASE
UNHCR expressed appreciation for international support for Afghan refugees and host communities
HARIPUR, 16 March 2021 – UNHCR expressed appreciation on Tuesday for the commitment of the international community to continue supporting Afghan refugees and host communities in Pakistan.
“Pakistan has been hosting Afghan refugees for forty long years, many of them hoping to return home when they see conditions improve inside Afghanistan,” said UNHCR Representative, Noriko Yoshida. “But Pakistan deserves more of our support. Today’s visit to a refugee village in Haripur shows the international community’s resolve and solidarity to meet the needs of Afghan refugees and their host communities.”
Yoshida made the remarks during a field visit in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as she accompanied a delegation of several European countries – including Belgium, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland as well as the European Union.
UNHCR and the delegation met with Afghan refugees and Pakistani host community members in Haripur to hear about their stories and how they live together side by side as communities, as well as their outlook on the future.
In Kalabat Township, the delegation also visited a vocational and technical training centre. Countries within the delegation have been contributing to technical and vocational training as part of UNHCR’s sustainable livelihoods programmes for Pakistani host community and Afghan refugee youth.
Yoshida said that the field visit was an opportunity for the delegation members to see how their support was being translated into tangible benefits for host communities and refugees in Pakistan.
The Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees was also represented during the field visit. They helped provide further information about the local reality that Afghan refugees face, and the impact of both humanitarian and development assistance.
Yoshida welcomed the European Union’s participation in the field. The European Union will take a lead role in 2021 as the inaugural chair of a group of countries – the Core Group – that will join their common efforts to help renew international support to a Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees.
The Strategy was devised first in 2012 by the Islamic Republics of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, and UNHCR. Its aim is to foster support for Pakistan and its effort to protect and assist refugees, as well as ensure support for host communities. The Strategy also focuses on the support needed for voluntary repatriation and the sustainable reintegration of refugees in Afghanistan.
A Support Platform, which includes all three countries and UNHCR, was established in 2019 at a Global Refugee Forum in Switzerland to better guide sustained efforts to drive forward the Strategy. The Core Group, which the European Union will chair in 2021, is composed of donors who are committed to working with the Support Platform as part of a common agenda to find solutions for Afghan refugees.
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
16 March 2021
___________
ILO
PRESS RELEASE
Karachi
(12th March) The Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP), with the technical
support of the ILO Pakistan Office, Organized ‘National Employers Meeting on
Decent Work and Sustainable Development and 8th Employers of the Year
Award,2020.
Dr.
Arif Alvi, The President, Islamic Republic of Pakistan was the Chief Guest who
presided over the meeting, and distributed awards in the ceremony. Ms. Ingrid
Christensen, Country Director, ILO Pakistan Office, represented the ILO in the
event.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan, reiterated the need for the employers to boost the exports by value addition which results in enhancing not only the exports but also in broadening the export market. Ms. Ingrid Christensen, Country Director, ILO Pakistan, highlighted the effects of COVID-19 globally which posed challenges to the employers and workers alike. But different countries and Pakistan endevaoured and came out of this pandemic through smart lock down and other initiatives. Mr. Ismail Suttar, President Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP) shared that that 25 companies had been awarded under different categories and this will pave the path in motivating other employers and companies in promoting best practices related to OSH, skills enhancement, sustainable development etc.
The Employer of the Year Award is an initiative by the EFP that is geared towards promoting, encouraging and highlighting best practices in the areas of Management, HR Management, OSH&E, Skill Enhancement, Sustainable development, etc. Companies are invited to participate in the Contest and based on their evaluation, the winning companies are recognized by conferring upon them “EFP’s Employer of the Year Award” and “CEO of the Year Award”.
Pictures courtesy (By Umar Shah Diplomatic (Aroo Aree Studio )
UNIC Islamabad
17 March 2021
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UNDP
PRESS RELEASE
UNDP Pakistan builds Gilgit Baltistan Judiciary’s capacity with Human Rights and Rule of Law trainings
Gilgit, 17 March 2021— Amid many other responsibilities, justice sector professionals are responsible for ensuring citizen’s their basic human rights. It is for this reason that UNDP Pakistan’s Amn-o-Insaf Programme organized two five-day trainings on Human Rights and Rule of Law for the District Judiciary of Gilgit Baltistan at the Judicial Academy, Gilgit. Held between 8 March to 17 March 2021 while observing strict Covid SOPs, the first round of the training was for judges from Gilgit Division while the second round will be held for judges from Skardu Division. Led by Professor Niaz. A. Shah from University of Hull and trained as a barrister at the Lincoln’s Inn, London, the target of these trainings was to strengthen the capacity of Gilgit Baltistan’s entire district judiciary.
Honourable Chief Justice GB Chief Court inaugurated the training and also the GB Judicial Academy. This will be the first training in the newly established Judicial Academy of Gilgit Baltistan. Judges from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judiciary also delivered guest lectures via zoom/team.
The training focused on sensitising the District Judiciary on human rights and the rule of law and to enable judges to deliver human rights–based judgements protecting fundamental rights of people. The purpose was to sensitize judges on implementation of international human rights laws, independence of judiciary, the right to fair trial, children and women human rights and equality and non-discrimination in the justice system.
While highlighting the importance of Human Rights and a strong Rule of Law, Professor Niaz said countries and communities with strengthened rule of law give their citizens the stability of knowing that all rights are respected and protected. “Human Rights and Rule of Law are intertwined. There is no rule of law within societies if human rights are not protected and vice versa; human rights cannot be protected in societies without a strong rule of law. The rule of law is the implementation mechanism for human rights, turning them from a principle into a reality”.
This training on Human Rights and Rule of Law for Gilgit’s senior judiciary is a key component of UNDP Pakistan’s Amn-o-Insaf Programme that works with the government, rule of law & justice institutions and communities in promoting rule of law through provision of support to the justice and security sectors in four provinces of Pakistan, Islamabad Capital Territory, Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and AJ&K
The programme aims to promote an enabling environment, which will deepen the on-going efforts to secure peace and stabilization. Amn-o-Insaf is also assisting institutional and capacity development of rule of law institutions to ensure effective and speedy provision of justice and security services.
For additional information, please contact Ayesha Babar at ayesha...@undp.org or +92 (51) 835 5650
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UNICEF - WHO - UNFPA
JOINT
PRESS RELEASE
Health services must urgently be restored and strengthened to contain the pandemic’s impact on the most vulnerable families
Kathmandu/Islamabad, 17 March 2021: Drastic cuts in the availability and use of essential public health services across South Asia due to COVID-19 may have contributed to an estimated 228,000 additional child deaths in 2020, according to a new United Nations report. Around 11,000 additional maternal deaths are also expected.
The report calls for making essential health services for pregnant women, adolescents and young infants a topmost priority. Strengthening supply chains for the delivery of vaccines and other essential childhood medicines is also vital.
“Maintaining essential health services is an important pillar of WHO’s COVID-19 response strategy,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of the WHO South-East Asia Region. “Countries in the region have been focusing efforts on continuation and restoration of essential services, as disruption would only increase the risk of deaths from preventable causes.”
Some 420 million children in South Asia remain out of school due to pandemic control measures. The report warns that 4.5 million girls are likely to never return to school and are at particular risk due to deteriorating access to sexual and reproductive health and information services.
“Given the cultural and social context of South Asia, the suspension of these services is deepening inequalities and is likely to lead to an increase in the number of maternal and neonatal deaths,” said Bjorn Andersson, Asia-Pacific Regional Director of UNFPA. “There are also likely to be an additional 3.5 million unintended pregnancies in this region.”
Focusing on South Asia’s six most populous countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka), the report notes that the increased levels of unemployment, poverty and food insecurity caused by the pandemic have further undermined public health.
“It is crucial that we ensure the continuity of essential services for women and children in Pakistan -- especially the most vulnerable and the hardest-to-reach,” said Aida Girma, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. “COVID-19-related disruptions have had a heavy impact on children’s access to essential services. UNICEF will continue to support the Government to respond to the pandemic and to build more resilient health and education systems that can reach all children.”
The report calls for cash transfer programmes for the poorest families. It welcomes the various national social safety net programmes put in place since the start of the pandemic, but notes that their full impact still needs to be evaluated.
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Access Full Report and the 4-page summary from here. Download multimedia here.
About WHO
WHO South-East Asia is home to over a quarter of the world’s population. Committed to building a better, healthier future for the nearly two billion people in the Region, WHO is working with the 11 Member States to address persisting and emerging epidemiological and demographic challenges. The Region has eight flagship priority programmes: Reducing maternal, under-five and neonatal mortality; measles and rubella elimination; preventing non-communicable diseases; universal health coverage with a focus on human resources for health and essential medicines; combating antimicrobial resistance; scaling up capacities for emergency risk management; eliminating neglected tropical diseases and accelerating efforts to end TB.
About UNFPA
The United Nations Population Fund is the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, working in over 150 countries to end maternal deaths, unmet need for family planning, and gender-based violence and harmful practices against women and girls. UNFPA’s mandate is grounded in gender equality and human rights, guided by the Programme of Action forged at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). UNFPA’s Asia-Pacific Regional Office covers 22 countries in Asia and 14 countries in the Pacific. For more on our COVID-19 response, visit www.unfpa.org/COVID19. Follow our Asia-Pacific Regional Office on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Join our multimedia initiative Humans of ICPD on Facebook and Instagram.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
For media inquiries, please contact:
· Catherine Weibel, Chief of Advocacy & Communication, UNICEF Pakistan, cwe...@unicef.org, +92 300 500 2595
· Eliane Luthi, Regional Chief of Communication, UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia elu...@unicef.org, +977 98010 30076
· Roy Wadia, Regional Communications Advisor, UNFPA Asia and the Pacific Regional Office, wa...@unfpa.org, +66 (0) 84 875 2634
· Shamila Sharma, Public Information and Advocacy Officer, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, shar...@who.int, +91 98182 87256
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
18 March 2021
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United Nations
PRESS RELEASE
Italy to set the stage for UN Food Systems Summit with three-day event that will deliver bold new ambitions
Wednesday 17 March, ROME - The United Nations and the Government of Italy announced today that the Pre-Summit gathering for the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit will be in Rome, Italy from July 19 to July 21, 2021.
Under the leadership of UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Prime Minister of Italy Mario Draghi, the Pre-Summit event will bring together the efforts and contributions of a global engagement process to shape ambition to transform food systems. The three-day event will bring together youth, smallholder farmers, indigenous peoples, researchers, private sector, policy leaders and ministers of agriculture, environment, health, and finance among others to deliver the latest evidence-based and scientific approach from around the world, launch a set of new commitments through coalitions of action, and mobilize new financing and partnerships. The Food Systems Summit will take place in September alongside the UN General Assembly in New York.
“The Pre-Summit in Italy will be a key moment for mobilizing the bold commitments we need to build sustainable food systems that work for people, planet, and prosperity. Through accelerated action, we can help the world recover better from COVID-19, combat rising hunger and address the climate crisis,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
As hosts of the Pre-Summit, the Italian Government will make a national food system commitment to set the tone and a high ambition ahead of the Summit.
“Italy is ready to welcome this key appointment of the Food Systems Summit in Rome. We want to address the issue of food security within our broad agenda as President of the G20. Together with the UN and its agencies based in Rome, Italy will engage with its partners to promote better agriculture, sustainable value chains and healthy lifestyles. I expect everyone to join us in a global effort to protect the environment with meaningful actions,” said Italy Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
The Pre-Summit event is expected to take place in a “hybrid” virtual format over three days, during which many people will participate in person at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, while others from around the world will be engaged on a vast virtual platform. Global leaders are expected to step up and launch bold new actions, solutions, partnerships, and strategies to “recover better” from Covid-19 and deliver progress on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), each of which relies to some degree on nutritious, sustainable and equitable food systems.
The Pre-Summit will take place in Rome while Italy is chairing the G20 process and co-hosting the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in November. The role of food systems in achieving global goals and climate targets is expected to serve as a central priority of these other events and continue to carry forward momentum from the Food Systems Summit.
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Press Inquiries:
Katie Taft - katie...@un.org
About the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit
The UN Food Systems Summit was announced by the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres on World Food Day in October, 2019 as a part of the Decade of Action for delivery on Agenda 2030. The aim of the Summit is to deliver progress on all 17 of the SDGs through a food systems approach, leveraging the interconnectedness of food systems to global challenges such as hunger, climate change, poverty and inequality. More information about the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit and list of Advisory Committee and Scientific Group members can be found online: www.un.org/en/food-systems-summit
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UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
One in five children globally does not have enough water to meet their everyday needs – UNICEF
UNICEF launches new initiative, Water Security for All, to mobilize global support and
resources to reach children in water vulnerable hotspots
NEW YORK, 18
March 2021 – Globally, more than 1.42 billion people, including 450 million
children, live in areas of high, or extremely high, water vulnerability,
according to a new analysis released by UNICEF. This means that 1 in 5 children
worldwide does not have enough water to meet their everyday needs.
The analysis, part of the Water
Security for All initiative, identifies areas where physical
water scarcity risks overlap with poor water service levels. Communities living
in these areas depend on surface water, unimproved sources, or water which can
take more than 30 minutes to collect.
"The world's water crisis is
not simply coming, it is here, and climate change will only make it
worse," said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. "Children are
the biggest victims. When wells dry-up, children are the ones missing school to
fetch water. When droughts diminish food supplies, children suffer from
malnutrition and stunting. When floods hit, children fall ill from waterborne
illnesses. And when water resources decline, children cannot wash their hands
to fight off diseases."
The data shows that children in more than 80 countries live in areas with high or extremely high water vulnerability. Eastern and Southern Africa has the highest proportion of children living in such areas, with more than half of children – 58 per cent – facing difficulty accessing sufficient water every day. It is followed by West and Central Africa (31 per cent), South Asia (25 per cent), and the Middle East (23 per cent). South Asia is home to the largest number of children living in areas of high or extremely high water vulnerability – more than 155 million children.
Children in 37 ‘hotspot’ countries face especially dire circumstances in terms of absolute numbers, the proportions of children affected, and where global resources, support and urgent action must be mobilized. This list includes Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Haiti, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sudan, Tanzania and Yemen.
Demand for water continues to increase dramatically while resources are dwindling. In addition to rapid population growth, urbanization, water misuse and mismanagement, climate change and extreme weather events reduce available quantities of safe water, exacerbating water stress. According to a UNICEF report from 2017, almost 1 in 4 children globally will live in areas of extremely high water stress by 2040.
While the impact of water scarcity
can be felt by all, no one suffers more than the most vulnerable children.
Children and families living in vulnerable communities face the double-edged
sword of coping with high water scarcity levels while having the lowest water
services, making access to sufficient water especially susceptible to climate
shocks and extreme events.
In response, UNICEF is launching the Water Security for All initiative to ensure every child has access to sustainable and climate-resilient water services. The initiative aims to mobilize resources, partnerships, innovation and global response to identified hotspots where the need for safe, resilient and sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services is the greatest and most urgent.
UNICEF is working to provide:
1. Safe and affordable drinking water services: Access to safe and affordable water services that are sustainable, close to home, and managed professionally.
2. Climate-resilient water, sanitation and hygiene services and communities: Water, sanitation and hygiene services that withstand climate shocks, operate using low carbon energy sources, and strengthen communities' resilience and adaptive capacities.
3. Early action to prevent water scarcity: Resource assessments, sustainable water withdrawal, efficient use, and early warning and early preventative measures.
4. Water cooperation for peace and stability: Support to communities and key stakeholders so that equitable management of water, sanitation and hygiene services increase social cohesion, political stability and peace; and in conflict zones to prevent attacks on water and sanitation infrastructure and personnel.
"We have to act now both to address the water crisis and to prevent it from getting any worse,” said Fore. “We can only achieve water security for every child through innovation, investment and collaboration, and by ensuring services are sustainable and resilient to climate shocks. For our children and our planet, we have to act.”
#####
Notes to editors
* Countries designated as ‘hotspots’ meet any of the
following criteria: At least 60% of
children live in areas of high water vulnerability; at least 40% of children
live in areas of extremely high water vulnerability; at least 40% of children
live in high and extremely high water vulnerability; and at least 2 million
children in high and extremely high water vulnerability. These range of factors
ensure that even smaller countries with high percentages of children affected
also get prioritised.
Water scarcity: Water scarcity exists where the demand for water exceeds supply and where
available water resources are approaching or have exceeded sustainable limits.
Water scarcity can either be physical or economic.
Water stress:
Water stress is an outcome of water scarcity and refers to scarcity in terms of
quality and accessibility of water. Water stress may manifest in conflict over
water resources, over-extraction, or poor health and disease.
Extreme water vulnerability: Extreme water vulnerability is the combination of the highest levels of physical water scarcity and lowest levels of drinking water service that affects a given population (surface water, unimproved or limited water service).
Water security: The capacity of a population to safeguard sustainable access to adequate quantities of and acceptable quality water for sustaining livelihoods, human well-being, and socio-economic development, for ensuring protection against water-borne pollution and water-related disasters, and for preserving ecosystems in a climate of peace and political stability. Water insecurity occurs when any or all of these needs cannot be met.
Download multimedia content here
Read more about Water
Security for All
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of
the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children.
Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child,
everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
UNIC Islamabad
19 March 2021
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United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
--
MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY
FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
21 March 2021
Last year, people around the globe took to the streets to protest the vicious global pandemic of racism.
They recognized racism for what it is.
Dangerous. Abhorrent. Ugly. And everywhere.
Racism is a deeply rooted global evil.
It transcends generations and contaminates societies.
It perpetuates inequality, oppression and marginalization.
We see racism in the pervasive discrimination suffered by people of African descent.
We see it in the injustices and oppression endured by indigenous peoples and other ethnic minorities.
We see it in the repugnant views of white supremacists and other extremist groups.
Wherever we see racism, we must condemn it without reservation, without hesitation, without qualification.
This year, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination highlights the important role of youth, who have been in the forefront of the fight against racism.
Young people’s attitudes and behaviour will dictate the future shape and look of our societies.
So, I appeal to young people everywhere, as well as educators and leaders, to teach the world that all people are born equal.
Supremacy is an evil lie.
Racism kills.
On this day, and every day, let us work together to rid the world of the pernicious evil of racism so all may live in a world of peace, dignity and opportunity.
[END]
Download Link
Clean version
Audio file
English subtitles
***
United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
--
MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS
21 March 2021
Humanity’s well-being is inextricably linked to the health of our planet. Forests play a crucial role.
Forests filter the air we breathe and the water we drink. They regulate our climate, absorbing one-third of the global greenhouse gases emitted each year.
Forests provide habitat to 80 per cent of all known terrestrial species, many of which are under threat. Today, more than 1 million of the planet’s estimated 8 million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction.
Some 1.6 billion people depend directly on forests for food, shelter, energy, medicines and income.
Despite all that they provide, forest loss continues at an alarming rate. We continue to lose 10 million hectares of forests, an area roughly the size of Iceland, every year.
Deforestation also increases the risks of infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics.
This year marks the beginning of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which calls for action to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of forests and other ecosystems.
If we fail to act now, we risk a point of no return. But it is not too late to undo some of the damage we have caused.
The crises our planet faces require urgent action by all — governments, international and civil society organizations, the private sector, local authorities and individuals.
Indigenous peoples are leading the way. They care for the Earth’s biodiversity and achieve conservation results with very few financial resources and little support.
On this International Day of Forests let us plant the seeds for a sustainable future by committing to restore and conserve our forests for the benefit of people and the planet.
***
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
22 March 2021
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United Nations
SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
--
MESSAGE ON WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY
23 March 2021
The ocean and the atmosphere are two titans of the Earth system.
Carefully balanced and inextricably connected, the relationship between air and sea dictates weather and climate around the globe.
Climate change is disrupting this delicate equilibrium.
Carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels has heated our ocean to record temperatures, making it more acidic and increasingly depriving it of oxygen.
These changes are harming marine ecosystems and reducing the ocean’s ability to sustain the hundreds of millions of people who depend on it.
Sea-level rise has accelerated because of melting glaciers and ice caps, threatening coastal megacities and small island nations alike.
Science is also revealing how melting could affect mighty ocean currents, further exacerbating climate disruption.
Scientific research and better ocean observations are increasing our understanding of the changes taking place.
But, as we embark on the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, big gaps remain.
That is why this year’s World Meteorological Day highlights the theme of the “Ocean, our Climate and Weather”.
Only by understanding and protecting our planet can we ensure a sustainable future for humanity.
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FAO
PRESS RELEASE
FAO marks International Water and Forest Day 2021
ISLAMABAD 22 March 2021: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations marked World Water and Forest day in a joint event held with IUCN and Arid Agriculture University. The event was attended by experts from NGOs, INGOs , academia and Ministry of Climate Change.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, Mr. Malik Amin Aslam speaking at the event highlighted the government’s efforts in forest restoration in the country. He stated that the government has started ten-billion trees tsunami project in twelve ecological zones of the country, which is targeting over a million hectare of forest restoration. He said that the initiatives are people centered projects, which has created half a million green jobs. The restoration of forests go hand in hand with the development and wellbeing of the people living in those areas. This vision of Pakistan of planting ten billion trees is not just about timber, it’s about the people who live in these areas and befitting from these initiatives in various ways, he added. A recent example is Mangroves in the south of Pakistan, which has increased by 300%, under this project, which is employing rural women folk along the coastlines, are getting jobs as protectors of these mangroves. He further stated that forest in Pakistan is not only necessary but they are essential for the wellbeing of the locals living there.
Speaking at the event, FAO Representative a.i Pakistan, Rebekah Bell stated that forest play important role in the environment; preventing climate change and improving local livelihoods. However, in many countries including Pakistan, the forest resource and related ecosystem are under a serious threat of degradation. The situation demands a business as usual approach is no longer an option for managing forests and related resources in the current climate change context. The paradigm shift requires the identification, scaling up best practices and knowledge sharing by all partners. Pakistan is the fifth most climate-impacted country in the world and this is negatively affecting the livelihoods of the communities especially those living in the mountain areas of the country and who rely on forest ecosystems for their livelihoods. The density of the majority of Pakistan’s forest is under 70% and requires efforts from all to bring these forests back to their potential by applying global best practices of Natural Resource Management, she said.
She further stated that FAO Pakistan is implementing number of projects, which contribute significantly to the government of Pakistan’s efforts for forest restoration. The Chilgoza GEF funded project jointly implemented by FAO and the Ministry of Climate Change seeks to reverse forest degradation and deforestation in high conservation Chilgoza pine forest. The project have engaged the local communities in the provinces to improve forest protection, conservation and find new value addition outcomes of the forest products. An innovative approach of using the GIS based monitoring for the forestry resources through FAO collect earth tool is a significant step in introduction of advances tools and systems in forest management. For a successful natural resource management, integrated participatory approach is required to achieve sustainable results, she said.
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UNIC Islamabad
29 March 2021
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ILO
PRESS RELEASE
Music competition launched to raise awareness of child labour
GENEVA - The Music Against Child Labour Initiative, which brings together musicians to raise awareness of child labour, is launching a song competition on 3 February 2021 to mark the UN International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour.
Musicians of all genres are invited to submit a song to inspire governments and stakeholders to take action to eliminate child labour, which affects nearly 1 in 10 children worldwide.
While child labour has decreased by almost 40 per cent over the last two decades, the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to reverse that progress.
The
global Music Against Child Labour Initiative, launched in 2013 by the ILO, JM
International and the International Federation of Musicians (FIM), together
with renowned musicians and key partners from the world of music has two key
aims: raising awareness of child labour through music, and empowering children,
including children formerly in child labour, through music.
This
first edition of the song competition is taking place with the support of the
CLEAR Cotton project co-funded by the European Commission and implemented by
the ILO in collaboration with the FAO.
Musicians can submit their competition entries to one of three categories: a global category for all artists; a grassroots category for music projects involving children affected by child labour; and a CLEAR Cotton project category for national competitions run in Burkina Faso, Mali, Pakistan and Peru, where the project works with partners to combat child labour and forced labour in the cotton, textile and garment value chains.
Winners will be selected by a panel of technical and music experts, based on musical quality, the relevance of the message, song originality, and the inclusion of a call to action. Entries will be reviewed by the award-winning composer AR Rahman and other artists from the musical world.
Winners will be awarded a cash prize, a professional music-video recording of their song; and the opportunity for their song to be part of the global World Day Against Child Labour event in June 2021. The competition deadline is 12 April 2021.
The competition is being run by the global youth music organization Jeunesses Musicales International in collaboration with the International Labour Organization, under the umbrella of the Music Initiative.
For information about the competition and how to enter, visit: www.musicagainstchildlabour.com
UNIC Islamabad
Media Update
30 March 2021
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UNAIDS
PRESS RELEASE
UNAIDS Board adopts new global AIDS strategy which paves the way to end AIDS by 2030
The new Global AIDS Strategy 2021–2026, End Inequalities, End AIDS, is a bold approach that uses an inequalities lens to close the gaps preventing progress to end AIDS
GENEVA, 25 March 2021—The UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) has adopted by consensus a new Global AIDS Strategy 2021–2026 to get every country and every community on track to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The strategy was adopted by the PCB during a special session, chaired by the Minister of Health of Namibia, held on 24 and 25 March 2021.
The Global AIDS Strategy 2021–2026, End Inequalities, End AIDS, uses an inequalities lens to close the gaps preventing progress to end AIDS and sets out bold new targets and polices to be reached by 2025 to propel new energy and commitment to ending AIDS. The UNAIDS Secretariat and its 11 Cosponsors worked to develop the new strategy, which received inputs from more than 10 000 stakeholders from 160 countries.
“This year marks 40 years since the first cases of AIDS were reported and 25 years since the establishment of UNAIDS. We are at a critical moment in our historic effort to end AIDS,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Like HIV before it, COVID-19 has shown that inequality kills. COVID-19 has widened existing inequalities that block progress to ending AIDS. That’s why I’m proud that our new strategy places tackling inequalities at its heart. We must seize this moment to ensure health equality for all in order to beat COVID-19 and end AIDS.”
The strategy puts people at the centre and aims to unite all countries, communities and partners across and beyond the HIV response to take prioritized action to transform health and life outcomes for people living with and affected by HIV. The three strategic priorities are to: (1) maximize equitable and equal access to comprehensive people-centred HIV services; (2) break down legal and societal barriers to achieving HIV outcomes; and (3) fully resource and sustain HIV responses and integrate them into systems for health, social protection and humanitarian settings.
“The World Health Organization is pleased to endorse the global AIDS strategy for the next five years, with its ambitious vision for ending gender inequalities and realizing human rights, including the right to health, calling upon all partners and stakeholders in the HIV response in every country to transform unequal gender norms and end stigma and discrimination,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization and chair of the UNAIDS Committee of Cosponsoring Organizations. “For this strategy to be fully realized, WHO will continue to support all countries to strengthen health systems and especially primary health care, on the road towards universal health coverage.”
If the targets and commitments in the strategy are achieved, the number of people who newly acquire HIV will decrease from 1.7 million in 2019 to less than 370 000 by 2025 and the number of people dying from AIDS-related illnesses will decrease from 690 000 in 2019 to less than 250 000 in 2025. The goal of eliminating new HIV infections among children will see the number of new HIV infections drop from 150 000 in 2019 to less than 22 000 in 2025.
“I applaud the joint efforts in the global AIDS response. At this critical point in efforts to end AIDS as a global health threat by 2030, I call on all countries to support this strategy to get the global AIDS response back on track,” said Kalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health of Namibia and PCB Chair.
HIV prevention for key and priority populations receives unprecedented urgency and focus in the strategy, which calls on countries to utilize the full potential of HIV prevention tools, especially for adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa, sex workers, people who inject drugs, gay men and other men who have sex with men, transgender people and people in prison settings.
“The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) fully supports the Global AIDS Strategy 2021–2026. The strategy’s life-saving framework for ending inequalities is fundamental to ending the AIDS epidemic and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Alexandra Volgina, Program Manager, GNP+.
The strategy is based on human rights, gender equality and dignity, free from stigma and discrimination for all people living with and affected by HIV, and is the result of extensive analysis of HIV data and an inclusive process of consultation with countries, communities and partners.
Achieving the goals and targets of the new strategy will require annual HIV investments in low- and middle-income countries to rise to a peak of US$ 29 billion by 2025. The total resource needs for lower-income- and lower-middle-income countries is around US$ 13.7 billion. Donor resources are mainly needed for low-income and lower-middle-income countries, while in upper-middle-income countries, which account for 53% of the investments needed, domestic resources are the predominant source of funding.
For more information: End Inequalities. End AIDS. UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026
UNIC Islamabad
31 March 2021
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UNHCR
PRESS RELEASE
PoR card renewal, verification exercise for Afghan refugees postponed due to COVID-19
ISLAMABAD, 31 March 2021 – The Government of Pakistan, together with UNHCR, has decided to temporarily postpone the commencement of the “Documentation Renewal and Information Verification Exercise” (DRIVE) due to a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The card renewal and verification exercise for Afghan refugees was set to formally begin on 1 April 2021.
The Government of Pakistan and UNHCR remain committed to the DRIVE exercise, which will be undertaken as soon as conditions permit.
Registered Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards with an expiry date of 31 December 2015 will be informed of the commencement of the exercise in due course.
Afghan refugees may call the following helpline 0800-11122 for more details. They can also visit UNHCR’s website (www.unhcrpk.org/drive) for updates.
Pakistan hosts more than 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees that are PoR cardholders.
ENDS
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Qaiser Khan Afridi
Islamabad