187 UN member states vote to end US sanctions on Cuba

The draft UN resolution calling for the end of the US economic embargo has been adopted after 187 UN member states voted in support of the resolution.

The 187 member states argued that the US decision to ignore the previous resolutions of the World Body with impunity was unacceptable.

The blockade, imposed in 1962, has reached extreme levels, continues to demonstrate the centrality of US foreign policy on Cuba, and undermines all diplomatic efforts.

UN General Assembly underway

The UN General Assembly has started with renewed calls for reform of multilateral institutions, including the UN Security Council, in line with the changing socio-economic and political landscape of the world.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pleaded with the member states to be determined to tackle the most immediate threat to humanity and the planet’s future.

The UN Chief observed that the world seems incapable of coming together and agreeing on mutual solutions, despite the move towards a multi-polar world.

PDM leader calls on UN to intervene in the Russia-Ukraine conflict

The Popular Democratic Movement's President, McHenry Venaani, has called on United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres to intervene in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Venaani said this during the PDM management central committee meeting at Rundu.

Venaani says the crisis in Europe has negatively impacted other countries, citing food delivery in Sub-Saharan Africa.

SADC proposes that ongoing conflict in eastern DRC be discussed at African Union and UN level

SADC has proposed that the issue of the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) be escalated to the African Union and the United Nations.

President Hage Geingob, who is also the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, said this during a visit from Huang Xia at the State House.

Huang is the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region.

About 260 million people face acute food insecurity

The United Nations estimates that close to 260 million people in close to 60 countries around the world face acute food insecurity that requires urgent intervention.

The report by the Food Security Information Network attributed the status quo to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, and weather phenomena.

The report was launched by the Global Network Against Food Crises, an international alliance of the UN, the EU, and governmental and non-governmental agencies working to tackle food crises.

UN Special Rapporteurs issue report on genocide

Special Rapporteurs from the United Nations (UN) have confirmed that the participation rights of the Ovaherero and Nama people have been violated by the German and Namibian governments in terms of international law. The rapporteurs also urge the German government to grant reparations.

The Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA) and the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA), through their legal representation, had earlier reached out to the international community, questioning the lawfulness of the two governments.

Senior Officials Meetings will reflect on international issues

South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation Director General Zane Dangor says the Senior Officials Meetings will also reflect on international issues with the view to continue aligning policy positions and strengthening cooperation in multilateral fora between the two sister countries.

This can be achieved by enhancing advocacy for the self-determination of the people of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic as well as providing systematic support in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

ILO high-level mission, UN delegation  engage Presidency on solutions to job creation

The Presidency says various policies are being implemented in line with the Harambee Prosperity Plan to address poverty and unemployment, particularly among the youth.

International Labour Organisation's high-Level mission and the United Nations delegation engaged the Presidency and discussed solutions including job creation, just transition and social protection.

COP27 agrees on funding to poor countries affected by climate change

Environmentalists, pressure groups and other stakeholders are applauding the decision to provide loss and damage funding for vulnerable countries hard hit by climate disasters. 
Loss and damage funding to poorer countries is just one of the key outcomes from the deliberations at the UN Climate Change Conference or COP27 at Egypt's Sharm el-Sheik.

Though the work programs of the Fund are still under discussion, the contentious issue of loss and damage funding to poorer countries could no longer be ignored.