Latest news with #UNSecretariat
Egypt Today
21 hours ago
- Business
- Egypt Today
President Sisi Participates in Meeting ahead of Int. Conference for Financing for Development
CAIRO - 3 June 2025: Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi participated via video conference in the high-level meeting in preparation for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, scheduled to be held in Spain at the end of June 2025. The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said the high-level meeting aims to give political momentum for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, a major international event aimed at mobilizing funding and encouraging investment in projects that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, enhancing international cooperation in the field of financing for development, and bridging the growing development gap. President Sisi delivered a speech, during which he reviewed the pillars of Egypt's vision for enhancing international efforts to finance development. In his speech, President Sisi outlined Egypt's vision for advancing international efforts to finance development. He thanked UN Secretary-General António Guterres for his invitation to attend the meeting, which is being held to mobilize political support and build momentum ahead of the conference scheduled from June 30 to July 3, 2025. Sisi also expressed his appreciation to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for Spain's efforts in hosting the event, praising the Spanish government's preparations and close coordination with the UN Secretariat. The president noted that the FfD4 is being held at a time of serious global challenges, including rising geopolitical and security tensions, an increase in unilateral and protectionist measures, setbacks in achieving the SDGs, a widening financing gap, and the escalating consequences of climate change. He added that shifts in global trade patterns are further disrupting the world economy, with significant negative impacts on developing nations. Sisi said that the global community agreed in 2015 on the SDGs as a comprehensive framework to improve the well-being and future of people worldwide. However, he warned that the dangerous expansion of the development and financing gap in recent years could put the 2030 targets out of reach unless immediate and effective action is taken. He called for the conference to produce ambitious and tangible outcomes that reflect a shared political will to accelerate progress on the SDGs. The president outlined four key issues Egypt hopes will see progress during the conference. First, he called for the development of a roadmap to enhance access to affordable and concessional financing for developing countries. Achieving this, he said, requires addressing existing structural imbalances in the global financial system and strengthening cooperation with development partners. He added that Egypt hopes the conference will lead to practical steps to continue reforming the international financial architecture and institutions, improve existing financing mechanisms, and introduce new and innovative tools such as debt swaps. He also called for comprehensive frameworks to stimulate private sector investment and link implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda with the SDGs. Second, Sisi stressed the need to raise ambition in reforming the global debt structure, with specific, actionable steps to address the growing problem of sovereign debt in developing countries. He called for new mechanisms to sustainably manage debt in low- and middle-income countries, which are home to nearly two-thirds of the world's poor. Failure to deliver tangible outcomes in this area, he warned, could lead to a new global debt crisis and further widen the development gap. On the third issue, Sisi highlighted the importance of providing necessary technical support and building institutional and human capacities in developing countries. This includes facilitating the transfer of technology and encouraging the use of modern digital tools, such as artificial intelligence, to help those countries make optimal use of their national resources and support their development efforts. In conclusion, President Sisi emphasized that the success of the FfD4 will depend on the level of ambition reflected in its final outcome document and the inclusion of serious and well-considered measures. He underscored the need for strong political will and a spirit of solidarity and multilateral cooperation to reach fair and practical agreements on unresolved issues, in order to accelerate progress on sustainable development and meet the aspirations of people around the world for a better, more prosperous future.
Al Arabiya
6 days ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
UN could cut thousands of jobs under reform plans: Internal memo
The cash-strapped United Nations could slash 20 percent of jobs—or thousands of positions—in its executive arm under ongoing reform plans, according to an internal memo seen Thursday by AFP. 'The Secretary-General has set an ambitious target, to achieve a meaningful reduction (between 15 percent and 20 percent) of the regular budget for 2026, including a reduction of 20 percent of posts, for the UN Secretariat,' UN Controller Chandramouli Ramanathan wrote in a message this week to dozens of department heads. The UN's budget for 2025 totals $3.7 billion. The Secretariat, one of the main bodies tasked with carrying out the decisions of the Security Council and the General Assembly, employed about 35,000 people as of late 2023—most of them in New York, but also in Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi. The UN 80 reform initiative launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in March aims to streamline operations at the world body amid budgetary constraints. Guterres recently warned of 'painful' changes ahead, including staff reductions, and did obliquely raise the specter of a 20 percent cut in staffing. The memo seen by AFP, dated May 27, asks all department heads to prepare lists of posts to eliminate by June 13, focusing on 'redundant, overlapping or non-critical functions.' 'I count on your cooperation for this collective effort whose aggressive timelines are recognized,' Ramanathan wrote. If approved by the General Assembly, which must adopt the 2026 budget, the staff cuts would go into effect on January 1, 2026 for those posts already vacant, and later for those occupied, in accordance with UN regulations. The memo says that agencies like the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), and UN Women—which are partially funded out of the UN's regular budget—would receive separate instructions. The UN has for years faced a chronic liquidity crisis because some member states do not pay their expected contributions in full, and others do not pay on time. The United States, the top contributor to the UN ordinary budget at 22 percent of the total, was $1.5 billion behind in its payments by the end of January, a UN spokesman said. And in 2024, China, the number two contributor at 20 percent, only paid its contribution in late December. Beyond the liquidity woes, some fear that funding will drop under US President Donald Trump. Several UN agencies have already been hit hard by deep cuts in US foreign aid.
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
UN Secretariat faces potential 20pc job cuts in sweeping 2026 budget reform
WASHINGTON, May 30 — The cash-strapped United Nations could slash 20 percent of jobs—or thousands of positions—in its executive arm under ongoing reform plans, according to an internal memo seen Thursday by AFP. 'The Secretary-General has set an ambitious target, to achieve a meaningful reduction (between 15 per cent and 20 per cent) of the regular budget for 2026, including a reduction of 20 per cent of posts, for the UN Secretariat,' UN controller Chandramouli Ramanathan wrote in a message this week to dozens of department heads. The UN's budget for 2025 totals $3.7 billion. The Secretariat, one of the main bodies tasked with carrying out the decisions of the Security Council and the General Assembly, employed about 35,000 people as of late 2023 — most of them in New York, but also in Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi. The UN 80 reform initiative launched by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in March aims to streamline operations at the world body amid budgetary constraints. Guterres recently warned of 'painful' changes ahead, including staff reductions, and did obliquely raise the specter of a 20-percent cut in staffing. The memo seen by AFP, dated May 27, asks all department heads to prepare lists of posts to eliminate by June 13, focusing on 'redundant, overlapping or non-critical functions.' 'I count on your cooperation for this collective effort whose aggressive timelines are recognized,' Ramanathan wrote. If approved by the General Assembly, which must adopt the 2026 budget, the staff cuts would go into effect on January 1, 2026 for those posts already vacant, and later for those occupied, in accordance with UN regulations. The memo says that agencies like the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and UN Women—which are partially funded out of the UN's regular budget—would receive separate instructions. The UN has for years faced a chronic liquidity crisis, because some member states do not pay their expected contributions in full, and others do not pay on time. The United States, the top contributor to the UN ordinary budget at 22 percent of the total, was $1.5 billion behind in its payments by the end of January, a UN spokesman said. And in 2024, China, the number two contributor at 20 percent, only paid its contribution in late December. Beyond the liquidity woes, some fear that funding will drop under US President Donald Trump. Several UN agencies have already been hit hard by deep cuts in US foreign aid. — AFP
Saba Yemen
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Lavrov: Ukraine return to impartial stance Russian condition to end conflict
Moscow - Saba: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Wednesday that the Kiev regime does not represent the people of Crimea and Southeast Asia. Ukraine. Speaking at the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives on Security Issues, Lavrov said, according to Sputnik: "Does the Kiev regime, which waged war against its own people after the February 2014 coup, represent the people of Crimea, and did it represent Crimea and southeastern Ukraine after the coup? Of course not. As happened in the 1960s, the colonial powers in London, Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, Berlin, and Brussels could in no way represent the interests of the peoples of Africa, who wanted to live under governments they elected themselves, not governments imposed from abroad." The same thing happened after the coup in vast areas of the former Soviet Republic of Ukraine. Lavrov added that the West's emphasis on the principle of territorial integrity in the Ukrainian issue is unacceptable, completely disregarding the right of peoples to self-determination. He continued, saying: "We consider the West's emphasis on the principle of territorial integrity (in the Ukrainian issue) to be completely unacceptable, imposed by the West and the heads of the UN Secretariat and other international bodies, completely disregarding the right of peoples to self-determination." Lavrov emphasized that Ukraine's return to its neutral, non-aligned, and nuclear-weapon-free status is one of Russia's conditions for resolving the conflict. He added, "Regarding NATO membership, let me remind you that Ukraine's status as a neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear-weapon state was formally proclaimed in the country's Declaration of Independence, adopted in 1991. This commitment—the declaration of Ukraine's status as a neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear-weapon state in perpetuity—is what enabled Ukraine to be recognized as an independent state by the Russian Federation and all other members of the international community. The return to these sworn promises, which the Nazi regime sought to violate and even codified in its constitution, is one of Russia's key demands, which must be met within the framework of any settlement, as expected in April 2022, during the Istanbul talks." Lavrov said it is sad that the West is content with responding to Moscow's just and legal retaliatory measures against Kyiv's terrorist attacks. He added: "I would like to draw your attention in particular to the terrorist acts committed by the Kyiv regime, which, through its own apparatus, is involved in organizing the assassinations of Russian politicians, military personnel, journalists, and public figures. This regime openly announces its plans to continue the massive bombing of civilian targets and the civilian population in the Russian Federation. It is very sad that the West is content with responding to our legal and just retaliatory measures against the Kyiv regime's terrorist attacks, which I can confirm affect civilian targets." He emphasized that Russia's retaliatory measures are limited to strikes against military targets and facilities used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Lavrov indicated that a new round of talks between Russia and Ukraine will soon be announced. He added: "During these talks, held on May 16 in Istanbul, we insisted on the abolition of all these discriminatory laws, and we will continue this emphasis in the next round of direct talks, which we will announce very soon." He added that Russia has long been ready to hold talks with Kyiv, but Ukraine has refused and has not been allowed to enter this process by its masters in Europe. Lavrov noted that Moscow is following with concern the buildup of NATO forces along the contact line with Russia, saying: "We are following with concern the buildup of NATO forces along the contact line with Russia. Incidentally, this buildup has increased significantly after Sweden and Finland, which were previously neutral, joined the alliance, and it is not clear why they are dissatisfied with their neutral status." Lavrov pointed out that the Western theory of the inevitability of a clash between the great powers does not stand up to reality, an example of which is the cooperation between Russia and China. He recalled that the West constantly promotes the theory of the inevitability of competition, and even clash, between the great powers, but this theory does not stand up to reality. He emphasized that the stability of the global order depends largely on the West ceasing to impose its own agenda. Regarding the Iranian issue, Lavrov emphasized that there is hope for reaching an agreement between the United States and Iran regarding the nuclear program, noting that the situation remains complex. Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Lavrov stressed that it is not too late to take measures to de-escalate the situation between Palestine and Israel. He said, "We believe today that it is not too late to take urgent measures to de-escalate the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone and to intensify efforts to create conditions for resuming the negotiation process on all final status issues, with the aim of correcting the historical injustice that has prevented the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with UN resolutions." Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergei Shoigu and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are participating in the 13th International Meeting of High-Level Representatives Responsible for Security Issues in Moscow. The 13th International Meeting of High-Level Representatives Responsible for Security Issues will be held from May 27 to 29, 2025, at the Russia National Center, chaired by Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu. More than 129 delegations from 105 BRICS member states, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and other international organizations have confirmed their participation in the forum. The agenda of the Senior Representatives Meeting includes issues of international security cooperation, and will specifically discuss the formation of a new, more just and integrated architecture for equal and indivisible security that is compatible with modern realities. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
The Star
27-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Gender equality and climate action: Cambodia's Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0 vision for a resilient future
PHNOM PENH: With global concerns around climate change intensifying, Cambodia's approach reflects a commitment to addressing the climate crisis in a way that is inclusive, sustainable, and equitable for all, especially women. The Cambodian government, in collaboration with international partners, highlighted the crucial intersection of gender equality and climate action as the nation prepares its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0, in a dialogue on Friday (April 25) at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Phnom Penh. The dialogue, aimed at integrating gender considerations into Cambodia's climate action plans, included contributions from key government officials, as well as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is a major partner in supporting gender-responsive climate initiatives. With Cambodia nearing the completion of NDC 2.0, the event provided a platform for discussions on how gender equality could be seamlessly integrated into the formulation of NDC 3.0, a crucial policy document that will be submitted to the UN Secretariat later this year. The dialogue included contributions from key government officials, as well as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), a major partner in supporting gender-responsive climate initiatives. - Photo: The Phnom Penh Post/ ANN Eang Sophallet, Minister of Environment, opened the event by reflecting on the success of the NDC 2.0, a climate action plan running from 2020 to 2025. 'We have included actions aimed at reducing vulnerability, adapting to climate change, and preventing its impacts,' he said. 'In line with our ambitious goals, we aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44.7 per cent through 190 actions. We have achieved 166 out of 190 actions, or 87 per cent,' he added. Sophallet also noted that the formulation of NDC 3.0 comes at a crucial time, marking the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The new plan, which will cover the period from 2025 onwards, will continue Cambodia's ambitious climate targets. He outlined the six key sectors to guide the formulation of NDC 3.0: industry, energy, agriculture, forestry, chemicals and waste. 'We have a few months left to submit NDC 3.0 to the UN Secretariat in Brazil,' he said. 'I encourage all stakeholders to engage in this dialogue and contribute ideas to comprehensively address the global climate crisis,' he added. Women's affairs minister Kantha Phavi spoke passionately about the importance of equity in addressing the climate crisis. - Photo: The Phnom Penh Post/ ANN Gender and climate change: A dual challenge A key theme of the dialogue was the gendered impact of climate change. Minister of Women's Affairs Ing Kantha Phavi spoke passionately about the importance of equity in addressing the climate crisis. She emphasised that while climate change affects everyone, its impacts are felt differently by men and women, with women often bearing the brunt of the consequences. According to a report from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), she continued, extreme heat impacts domestic work, leading to health issues such as dehydration. Women, who traditionally take on nurturing, caregiving and educational roles, are especially affected. 'The burden of caring for grandparents and parents living in the same roof, along with increased housework, is growing for women. This also affects labour productivity, as women are forced to focus more on household chores,' Phavi noted. The informal economy, which is largely outdoor-based, is heavily impacted by high temperatures. This, in turn, affects 80 per cent of the formal economy workforce across the nation, with 58 per cent of workers feeling the strain. Heat also impacts women's health, particularly their reproductive roles and overall quality of life. 'Moreover, rising temperatures are linked to increased irritability, which can lead to both physical and sexual violence against women,' Phavi warned. Jyotsana Varma delivering her speech. - Photo: The Phnom Penh Post/ ANN Women as agents of change in climate solutions While the dialogue focused on the disproportionate impacts of climate change on women, Jyotsana Varma, ADB country director for Cambodia, reminded attendees that women are not just victims of climate change; they are also powerful agents of change. 'Women play a critical role in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts,' she said. 'It is essential to empower them as leaders in the transition to a climate-resilient future,' she continued. Varma outlined several initiatives where ADB is working to support women's participation in climate solutions. She said its impacts – from devastating floods and droughts to shifts in agricultural patterns – disproportionately affect women and girls, often magnifying existing inequalities linked to poverty, ethnicity, disability and location. 'These impacts translate into tangible burdens: threats to livelihoods, increased unpaid care work and heightened vulnerability during climate-related disasters,' she said. In sustainable marine fisheries, for example, ADB's projects are helping women who are dominant in post-harvest processing and sales by promoting climate-resilient aquaculture techniques and improving market access. ADB is also promoting women's participation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, recognizing that expertise in these areas is vital for designing and implementing green technologies. In Cambodia's energy transition, Varma highlighted ADB's efforts to ensure women are not just beneficiaries of renewable energy projects, but also active participants and leaders in the sector. 'Today's dialogue is a vital platform. It brings together the key sectors and partners – the NDC stakeholders – to collaboratively identify, prioritise and propose concrete strategies for mainstreaming gender into NDC sectors,' said Varma. 'Our work in Cambodia is centered around building a future where women are not left behind, but are central to the green economy,' she added. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
