stability

International Leaders Discuss Bringing Agenda 2030 to Fruition

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This meeting was held to discuss the creation of partnerships between various stakeholders and how they would benefit the 2030 Agenda.

Mr. Lykketoft called for work between the public and private sectors, academia, and foundations in action for the Agenda 2030

Next, Ms. Kingo transitioned by encouraging companies and UN bodies alike to share available resources and collaboration to find new opportunities.

A statement from Ban-Ki Moon was read and it noted the need to move from commitment to action. Wide expertise was called for, as were the inter-linkages supported by the Agenda goals.

Mr. Mitchell spoke on how although there is a conception that business love risk, they ultimately crave stability with the hope of maintaining stakeholder relationships. He noted that it is extremely crucial for governments to establish infrastructure, maintain un-corrupt economics, and protect intellectual property. He also stated that it is crucial to foster economic development in other countries.

Ms. Marini spoke on how the first change that needs to be implemented for partnership development is transparency on the motives of all involved in the partnership. She also noted the need to shift towards putting the food of people first, effectively a shift towards human-centered design. She also touted that it is important to stop “think globally and act locally” to transition to “think locally and act locally”.

Meeting: “From commitments to results: Leveraging partnerships for the 2030 Agenda”

Date/Location: Thursday, March 31, 2016; 10:00-13:00 ECOSOC Chamber

Speakers: H.E. Mr. Oh Joon, President of the Economic and Social Council; H.E. Mr. Mogens Lykketoft, President of the UN General Assembly; Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations; Her Royal Highness Haya Al Hussein, UN Messenger of Peace and Chairperson, International Humanitarian City; Mr. Richard Lui, Moderator, News Anchor, MSNBC; Ms. Alice Albright, CEO, Global Partnership for Education; Ms. Peggy Dulany, Chair, Synergos; Mr. Michael Landau, Chairman, CTI Global; Ms. Mary Chege, Director, Development Finance International; Ms. Lise Kingo, Moderator, Executive Director, UN Global Compact; Mr. Scott Mitchell, President and CEO, Sumitomo Chemical America; Ms. Joy Marini, Executive Director, Johnson and Johnso;  Mr. Igor Runov, Under Secretary-General, International Road Transport Union (IRU);

Written By: WIT Representative Olivia Gong

Edited By: Alex Margolick

We Didn’t Start the Ceasefire: Finger-pointing in Gaza

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The Secretary-General began by saying that Palestinian frustration is growing after half a century of occupation. Changing Israeli policies and relinquishing the West Bank settlements is essential to achieving long-term peace in the region. Conditions have not significantly improved 18 months after a ceasefire. The people of Gaza face dire water and unemployment needs. Israeli and Palestinian governments now have an opportunity to bring stability to the region, but the parties must act right now to prevent the two-state solution, living peacefully side by side, from disappearing forever.

Palestine agreed and added that every day that passes means the death of more innocent civilians and more destruction of property. Since 2009, the council has failed to take any action to address this occupation. All peoples are entitled to security, not only Israelis. The situation cannot be reversed unless the UN acts in creating and enforcing a security resolution to protect the Palestinian people.

Israel shifted blame to the terrorist organizations in the region. The greatest opponent of the people of Gaza is Hamas, which turned Gaza into a staging ground for terror. Hezbollah has transformed towns into war zones, e.g. the town of Muhabib, which has 25 military sites in a town with 90 houses. Hezbollah must be disarmed and Lebanon must abide by Security Council resolution 1701. The link between Hezbollah and Hamas is Iran. Sitting down and talking is the first step to peace but Palestinians will not come to the table. Numerous terrorists have admitted to committing heinous acts to gain a lifetime stipend up to $3,500 from the Palestinian government. Resolution 229, which is an absolute ban on terrorism, does not seem to recognize the Israeli lives taken by terrorists. It is time to call on Palestinians to condemn these acts of violence.

Meeting: Security Council, 7610th Meeting

Date/Location: Thursday, January 26, 2016; 10:00-13:00; Security Council Chamber

Speakers: Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations; Permanent Observer to the Nation of Palestine; Permanent Observer to Israel

Written By: WIT Representative Alex Margolick

Photo Credit:  Abed Allah Alostaz

ATT: Race to Fifty

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The Arms Trade Treaty regulates the international trade of conventional arms.
It aims to promote peace and security by preventing ‘un-governed’ trade of arms in conflict regions;
prevent human rights violations; and ensure that weapons aren’t acquired by criminal groups.

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                       Today at the United Nations Headquarters, a special event marked one year of the ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and a ceremony for newly ratified nations. Eight countries, namely: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Japan, Luxembourg, Samoa, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago ratified the ATT. Thus raising the total number of ratifications to 40, one year after the agreement was opened for signatures. The historic treaty has now been signed by 118 states and will become legally binding in international law after 50 countries ratify.

At least 500,000 people die every year on average as a result of armed violence and conflict, and millions more are displaced and abused. H.E. Mr Gary Quinlan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia stated that, “by establishing, for the first time, globally-agreed standards for the regulation of the international conventional arms trade, the Arms Trade Treaty will help reduce illegal and irresponsible transfers of weapons which threaten the security of so many countries”. The ambassadors of the respective missions, hosting the event acknowledged and appreciated the commitment of the civil society in ensuring that the states remain honest in their road to the ratification of this treaty. They also urged and encouraged all states, especially those who are the biggest exporters and importers of arms to ratify the treaty.

 Meeting Title: Special event and ratification ceremony: “The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT): Approaching entry into force”
Speakers:  Permanent Missions of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Japan, Luxembourg, Samoa, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago
Location: United Nations Headquarters, Dag Hammarskjöld Auditorium (CB)
Date:  3 June 2014
Summary Written by WIT representatives:  Apurv Gupta and Aslesha Dhillon