Number 23 | 2022

By Thalif Deen

UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — At the Stockholm+50 international conference in Sweden in early June, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep disappointment over the failure of rich nations to provide financing to mitigate the devastating consequences of climate change, including droughts, floods, heat waves, pollution and biodiversity loss worldwide.

The shortfall in funding has also derailed the implementation of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty and hunger eradication, by 2030.

By Jamshed Baruah

GENEVA (IDN) — World Health Organization (WHO) has launched an updated appeal for US$ 147.5 million, to support Ukraine’s worsening humanitarian need, provide immediate healthcare delivery and help the health system stay resilient for the longer term.

Of this total, US$ 80 million is needed for in-country support, such as distributing medicines and delivering vital healthcare services and a further US$ 67.5 million is required to assist refugee-receiving and hosting countries, including Poland, the Czech Republic, Moldova and Romania.

This article was issued by the Toda Peace Institute and is being republished with their permission.

Viewpoint by Herbert Wulf

A satirical essay that skewers the age of instant experts 

BONN (IDN) — A glance at the analyses and conclusions of just about any major newspaper or news website will confirm: the self-proclaimed military experts are in charge, ready to explain to us what "heavy weapons", "no-fly zones", "anti-aircraft guns", "flagships" etc. are. And why not? They’ve been dealing with the matter for quite some time now, a whole two months since February 24, 2022.

Viewpoint by Anabella Rosemberg

The writer is International Programme Director at Greenpeace International.

AMSTERDAM (IDN) — On days like World Environment Day, intriguing, outraging and surprising data about the damage being done to the environment are often shared and spoken of. Too often these stories about our ailing planet only further eco-anxiety and stunt rather than spur action. After all, there are plenty of terrifying facts to choose from. An awful lot. Scarily too many.

Call for New International Law on Autonomy in Weapons Systems

By Kyodo JBN

This press release was issued by Soka Gakkai International (SGI) on May 25, 2022, and is being re-published with their permission.

TOKYO — Immoral Code, a 23-minute documentary that raises important questions about how far we are prepared to let machines make decisions of life and death, was launched for online viewing on May 24.

By Kester Kenn Klomegah*

MOSCOW | BAMAKO (IDN) — The Malian Transitional Military Government's abrupt and unexpected decision to withdraw from the G5-Sahel group and its Joint Force is "unfortunate" and "regrettable", a senior United Nations official told the Security Council as she urged countries in the region to redouble efforts to protect human rights, amid protracted political and security crises.