22 August 2014

Samoa small island conference draft outcome document calls on implementing shared responsibilities under RFMOs for its benefit

The UN expects over 300 initiatives to be announced at the Third UN Conference on Small Island Developing States aimed at fostering partnerships with small island developing states, which will take place from 1 to 4 September 2014. The Conference’s Secretary-General, Wu Hongbo, said that with much of the political work already agreed on, participants can focus on how to take these decisions forward and on generating sustainable partnerships. (more…)

Source: SAMOA Parthway | A/CONF.223/3 | Draft outcome document of the third International Conference on Small Island Developing States | 17 July 2014
Source: UN News Centre | UN expects upcoming Samoa small island conference to generate vital partnerships

21 August 2014

Security Council approved sanctions against militants in Iraq and Syria

Expressing its ‘gravest concern’ that parts of Iraq and Syria are now under the control of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Al-Nusra Front, the UN Security Council placed six individuals affiliated with the terrorist groups on its Al-Qaida sanctions list and threatened measures against those who finance, recruit or supply weapons to them. (more…)

Source: UN News Centre | Adopting resolution, Security Council approves sanctions against militants in Iraq, Syria
Source: UN News Centre | UNSC | SC/11520 | Security Council Adopts Resolution 2170 (2014) Condemning Gross, Widespread Abuse Of Human Rights by Extremist Groups in Iraq, Syria | 15 August 2014

21 August 2014

Destruction of Syria’s declared chemical weapons material completed

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the destruction of Syria’s declared chemical weapons material on board the US vessel Cape Ray, saying: ‘This marks a significant achievement in the international community’s efforts to eliminate the chemical weapons programme of the Syrian Arab Republic following the framework agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States of America.’ (more…)

Source: UN News Centre | UN chief welcomes destruction of Syria's declared chemical weapons material

15 August 2014

SHARES News Items Overview: 16 July 2014-15 August 2014

This is our News Items Overview of 16 July 2014-15 August 2014, a summary of recent news relating to shared responsibility. (more…)

15 August 2014

Canada sends experimental vaccine after WHO-convened ethics panel endorses use of experimental drugs in fight against Ebola outbreak

On 8 August, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa an international public health emergency, saying: ‘our collective health security’ depends on urgent support for containment in the affected countries. WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan declared ‘the current outbreak of the Ebola a public health emergency of international concern’. Although the disease is only affecting a small part of the African continent, there is ‘a clear call for international solidarity’ to boost the capacity of the countries currently affected. According to the WHO, between 10 and 11 August, 128 new cases of Ebola virus disease, as well as 56 deaths, were reported from Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, bringing the total number of cases to 1,975 and deaths to 1,069. (more…)

Source: AlJazeera| Canada sends trial Ebola vaccine to W Africa
Source: UN News Centre | UN declares Ebola outbreak global ‘international public health emergency’
Source: UN News Centre | Ebola: UN health agency says more than 1 million people affected by outbreak
Source: UN News Centre | Ebola: WHO-convened ethics panel endorses use of experimental drugs