United Nations

UN Talks Target Global Governance of Ocean Resources

April 13, 2016

George Russell writes that a UN preparatory committee has begun talks aimed at developing a global, legally binding instrument on UN management of ocean resources that would require the production of "environmental impact assessments" for development projects involving the high seas.
World Bank Accelerates Spending on Climate Change

April 13, 2016

AP reports that, as its senior director for climate change indicates that the organization is "making climate change a central part of everything we're doing," the World Bank has released a detailed climate action plan that will involve large boosts in spending to assist poor countries in meeting their pledges under the UN climate deal agreed last December.
Article: Paris Climate Deal Could Bind Next US President

April 13, 2016

The Washington Post reports that, under the terms of a UN climate deal agreed in Paris in December 2015, the agreement could bind the next US President to follow its reporting and other provisions until withdrawal is permitted in 2019 at the earliest.
Article: UN Pressure Has Led to Permissive Abortion Laws

April 13, 2016

Attorney Kelsey Zorzi of ADF International has published an article describing how the UN's global governance initiatives have succeeded in pressuring countries to adopt more permissive laws on abortion.
UNESCO Signs Updated Education Recommendations

April 13, 2016

Responding to requests from countries to revise the recommendations to reflect "new educational, social, economic, cultural and political trends," officials from the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization ("UNESCO") have signed two updated, "comprehensive" recommendations on adult and vocational education and training policies.
UN Develops Action Plan on "Sustainability" in Higher Education

April 13, 2016

As its leaders seek to "promote the formation of citizens with a global conscience," the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization ("UNESCO") recently held a conference at which it developed a four-year strategy for a Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development in higher education institutions around the world.
UN Reflects on Progress of Information Access Guidelines

April 13, 2016

The UN recently hosted a conference for the Bureau of the Intergovernmental Council for the Information for All Programme ("IFAP") at which officials reflected on IFAP's progress in pushing guidelines for the development of national information policy and strategy frameworks, which the UN is using in part to advance its sustainable development agenda.
UN Touts Latin American Deal Ahead of Environment Summit

April 12, 2016

The UN Environment Programme is praising Latin American countries for agreeing to accelerate cooperation on environmental issues, including climate change, renewable energy, and implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, at a summit just ahead of the UN Environmental Assembly in Kenya in May.
US, China Agree to Immediate Signature of UN Climate Deal

April 12, 2016

The New York Times reports that, despite an ongoing US court battle casting doubt on the unilateral executive implementation of a UN deal seeking to limit global greenhouse gas emissions, the Presidents of the US and China have agreed to sign the UN climate change agreement later this month, on the first day it is open to signatures.
Thailand Joins World Bank Climate Change Group

April 11, 2016

The World Bank Group has announced that Thailand will join its Partnership for Market Readiness, an initiative with over 30 national members that seeks to push countries to lower their greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption to contribute to the implementation of the UN's agenda on global warming.