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Story
31 May 2023
Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund announces first call For proposals, offering USD3.6 Million for high-impact projects
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Speech
25 May 2023
Storytelling for inclusion and human rights in Malaysia: strengthening the role of the media
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Story
25 May 2023
Everyone has a migration story: UN human Rights Office brings #StandUp4Migrants to Malaysia
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Malaysia:
Story
31 May 2023
Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund announces first call For proposals, offering USD3.6 Million for high-impact projects
Visit the Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund webpage here
The Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund, a collaborative initiative between the MySDG Foundation and the United Nations in Malaysia, supported by the Government of Malaysia, announces the launch of its 2023 Call for Proposals (CFP-2023). This first call for proposals aims to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across Malaysia, by focusing on groups and communities at risk of being left behind.
The CFP-2023 invites project proposals from UN agencies, Malaysian civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, and academia engaged in SDG implementation and advocacy. A total sum of USD3.6 million (approximately MYR 16,200,000 based on USD1= MYR4.50 exchange rate) will be disbursed to approved projects, enabling their impactful implementation.
In her statement on the launch of CFP-2023, Karima El Korri, UN Resident Coordinator in Malaysia, emphasized that "at this pivotal halfway mark to 2030, the Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund presents a unique opportunity to support impactful and innovative initiatives aligned with Malaysia’s foremost SDG priorities.” She further added that “the Fund complements ongoing efforts of the government and various stakeholders to deliver on the principles, ambitions, and goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."
The Fund envisions annual calls for proposals until 2030, aiming to support catalytic interventions targeting those at risk of being left behind, and promote partnerships and a whole-of-society approach. It seeks to create equitable and inclusive pathways that enable the realization of socioeconomic rights for people across all regions of Malaysia. Projects should prioritize local actions that enhance lives and livelihoods and deliver wider SDG gains for vulnerable populations such as the unemployed and informal sector workers, indigenous people, women, youth, people with disabilities, older persons, migrants, refugees, stateless and undocumented persons. The Fund is anchored in three thematic pillars - People and Prosperity; Planet and Peace; and Partnership, encompassing twelve priority areas.
Tan Sri Abdul Wahid bin Omar, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the MySDG Foundation, hailed the Fund as a “catalyst of SDG progress that leaves no one behind.” He called upon sustainable development champions to “step forward with innovative solutions that foster collaboration, engage community-based action, and generate tangible results.”
CFP-2023 welcomes project proposals seeking funds ranging from USD100,000 to USD500,000 (approximately MYR 450,000 to MYR 2,250,000 based on USD1= MYR4.50 exchange rate). Projects should have a minimum duration of six months and a maximum duration of 18 months, and adhere to the criteria detailed in the CFP-2023 brochure.
The CFP-2023 will be open from 1 June to 14 July 2023.
-Ends-
Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund: three thematic pillars and twelve priority areas.
People and Prosperity
Promoting an inclusive recovery from the COVID - 19 pandemic, addressing the poverty, nutritional and health challenges of affected and marginal and excluded groups (e.g., informal sector workers, the poor and vulnerable in peripheral regions including indigenous peoples, women, youth, migrants and refugees, undocumented persons, and persons with disabilities).
Levelling up wider SDG performance in key human development domains across regions, focusing on communities in lagging peripheral areas. Expanding resilience through greater social protection measures, focusing on excluded and under-served groups and those in informal work.
Addressing the specific human development needs of women at risk of being left behind.
Promoting work opportunities to the poor and vulnerable, those in informal work and those in remote locations, via access to skills training, financial services, commercial credit, and to decent jobs.
Addressing geographical and economic imbalances, especially those faced by communities living in remote locations, including by assisting them to unlock local comparative advantages (natural capital, sustainable exploitation of natural resources and products, enhanced tourism).
Planet
Building the resilience of communities (groups and localities) at most risk to the impacts of climate change through active adaptation efforts.
Tackling biodiversity loss, particularly for marginal communities which rely on the natural capital for their livelihoods.
Assisting marginal communities to tackle land, sea and river pollution, which blights their living conditions.
Peace and Partnership
Helping to build social and political cohesion between Malaysia's diverse communities.
Enabling the realization of key socioeconomic rights by marginal and excluded groups (e.g., the poor and vulnerable in peripheral regions including indigenous peoples, migrants and refugees, undocumented populations, and people with disabilities)
Enabling, within the law, the recognition of undocumented people and their social inclusion.
About MySDG Foundation:
Yayasan Matlamat Pembangunan Mampan Malaysia or The Foundation for Sustainable Development Goals Malaysia (MySDG Foundation) was established in 2022 under the Trustees (Incorporation) Act 1952 (Act 258). It is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its core principle of leaving no one behind. MySDG Foundation provides funding through grants, in support of the achievement of the SDGs in Malaysia. In early 2023, MySDG Foundation entered into collaboration with the United Nations through the Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund, a breakthrough initiative aimed to support SDG-focused projects that address national priorities, promote a multi-stakeholder approach and implement innovative and inclusive SDG-solutions across Malaysia. A key objective of MySDG Foundation is to strengthen its donor base, by mobilizing the continued support of the Ministry of Finance and raising funds and contributions from other donors within and outside Malaysia.
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Story
23 May 2023
2023 Report of the UNSDG Chair on the Development Coordination Office
The Resident Coordinator system today
The UN Secretary-General has called for a ‘decade of transformation’ to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To make the most of UN’s expertise at the global, regional and country levels, impartial and empowered Resident Coordinators have been leading UN teams to support countries to catalyze and accelerate sustainable development. This includes the transformation of food systems and education, and climate action, offering a strategic entry point to UN expertise, forging partnerships, mobilizing funding and leveraging the SDGs financing.
Strong, integrated and expert Resident Coordinator system leadership—as envisioned by sweeping UN development system reforms launched five years ago—is now more essential than ever, for the UN to respond effectively and at the scale needed to meet the SDG promise by 2030 against a backdrop of global crises and increased instability.
Read the interactive version of the report here.
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Publication
29 March 2023
Enhancing Human Capital Through Sexual & Reproductive Health Investments and Family Support Policies in Malaysia
This report, a joint collaboration between UNFPA Malaysia, The Ministry of Economy (previously Economic Planning Unit) of Malaysia & The Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health focuses and evidences how Malaysia can enhance her human capital, via strategic investments in Sexual & Reprodutive Health as well as vital family support services in order to increase the county's female labour participation rate and in tandem achieve essential milestones, such as the 2030 SDGs and the realisation of the 12th Malaysia plan.
Review:
Every person has a dream. Every girl and woman should be able to complete her education, pursue her ambitions, and make a living that protects her from poverty and vulnerability. She also has the right to live a life free of violence.
Globally, women and girls face various risks, crises and vulnerabilities. Almost half of all pregnancies in the world are unintended, and the risk of death during and after pregnancy is high for them. Furthermore, they are often less educated and earn less than their male counterparts. Meanwhile, the pandemic has increased the number of unpaid female workers, leaving them vulnerable to income instability and lack of health and social benefits.
Malaysian women are not exempt. They still face issues such as maternal morbidity, poor-quality maternal care and high rates of cervical cancer. Furthermore, Malaysian families face huge economic burdens in bearing and rearing children and are not provided with adequate high-quality childcare, forcing women to stay at home to take care of their children and miss out on their career goals.
All of the examples outlined above pose significant drawbacks not only to girls, women and families alike, but to the national economy as well: in order for girls and women to contribute to the economy, as well as national development they must have optimal reproductive health to enable them to be productive.
Women’s greater economic productivity and increased labour participation as a whole will accelerate Malaysia’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – a set of 17 global goals that are essential to towards achieving peace and prosperity for everyone on the planet – and the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP) which is designed to propel Malaysia into high-income status by year 2025 (as described in Section 1 of the report).
Therefore, in order to achieve these essential milestones, especially in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Malaysia needs to invest in her women and girls now.
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Take Action
13 March 2023
Be the Change Campaign
This World Water Day is about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis. And because water affects us all, we need everyone to take action. That means you!
This is a once-in-a-generation moment for the world to unite around water. Play your part. Do what you can.
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Take Action
01 September 2022
Football for the Goals
Football for the Goals is a United Nations initiative that provides a platform for the global football community to engage with and advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Story
25 May 2023
Everyone has a migration story: UN human Rights Office brings #StandUp4Migrants to Malaysia
The UN Human Rights Office in partnership with Kuala Lumpur-based social impact production team untitled kompeni has launched the ‘Dari Dapur’ (stories from the kitchen) campaign which aims to place human rights and human stories at the heart of public narratives on migration in Malaysia.
‘Dari Dapur’ brings migrants and Malaysians together to bond over their love of good food, in a format where each recipe comes with its own story. Through seven short films, celebrities from different walks of life are brought into the kitchens of migrants, to share a home-cooked meal around the same table, to hear about each other’s lives, hopes and dreams and to learn what we all have in common.
During the launch, Karima El Korri, UN Resident Coordinator for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam commented on the campaign's theme of bringing people together through food, "The act of sharing food becomes a gateway to sharing stories, traditions, and experiences, fostering understanding and appreciation for different cultures. It is through these interactions that we can challenge stereotypes, break down barriers, and build bridges of empathy and connection."
According to research commissioned by the UN Human Rights Office on which the ‘Dari Dapur’ campaign was designed, a clear majority of Malaysians see the benefits that migration brings to the country’s economy and society but that some are daunted by the complex issues around integration and culture that it raises. This research showed that Malaysians overwhelmingly agree that respect for human rights is a sign of a decent society and that everyone deserves equal rights in the country. Some 63% agreed that our communities are stronger when we support everyone, and more than half believe that we should help other people no matter who they are or where they come from.
“Migration is a complicated and often abstract issue for many Malaysians”, said Pia Oberoi, Senior Advisor on Migration in the Asia Pacific region for the UN Human Rights Office, “but storytelling is a good way to cut through the noise. Our research found that people do want to hear and see the everyday lives of people on the move, to understand and appreciate that we have more in common than what divides us. The ‘Dari Dapur’ campaign, which is built on shared realities and universal values, brings to life the words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which turns 75 this year.”
The video series features eleven social media influencers and celebrities from across different fields in Malaysia, including comedian Kavin Jay, food Instagram Influencer Elvi, celebrity chef Chef Wan, social justice influencer Dr Hartini Zainudin, hijabi rapper Bunga, educator Samuel Isaiah, Tamil film star Yasmin Nadiah and Chinese-language radio DJ Chrystina, politician and activist Nurul Izzah Anwar, actress Lisa Surihani and broadcast journalist Melisa Idris.
“Anytime you cook food and you bring your guests, everyone turns to smile and be happy because food always brings people to the table. Regardless of which culture, where we come from, everybody will need to eat,” exclaims Malaysian celebrity chef Chef Wan as he visits the home of Hameed, a Pakistani home cook and his family.
“What I learned was ‘try and not let what you do not know of affect the way you treat other human beings.’ No matter who it is our actions should be rooted in kindness,” Malaysian actress Lisa Surihani shares this important reflection in an episode where she meets Suha, an Indonesian migrant worker and her family.
“We need shared stories that show migrants and refugees have a place in the Malaysian narrative,” said Elroi Yee, an investigative journalist and the producer of the ‘Dari Dapur’ campaign. “I can’t think of a better way than using food to bring everyone to the table. With the production of these short films we hope to inspire Malaysian storytellers to share the narrative space and for all of us to rethink the way we relate to our migrant and refugee neighbours.”
The campaign is the second edition of the global #StandUp4Migrants campaign in Asia and the Pacific, following the ‘MyGreat Story’ campaign which UN Human Rights launched in Australia in September 2022.
To share the story of ‘Dari Dapur’, UN Human Rights covened a media workshop today in Kuala Lumpur, in collaboration with IOM Malaysia. The workshop hosted over 50 Malaysian journalists and content creators to encourage storytelling and reporting for inclusion and human rights and exchanges of views and conversations about the narratives around migration among the media community in Malaysia.
Addressing the journalists and content creators, Ms. El Korri said, "Through the power of storytelling, you can shape public perception, challenge misconceptions, and inspire action for positive change. By portraying migrants and refugees as individuals with unique stories and aspirations, you can promote empathy and generate a shift in public discourse that humanizes their experiences and recognizes their rights and dignity. By amplifying their voices and experiences, you can counteract stereotypes and foster a narrative that celebrates diversity, promotes inclusion, and builds bridges across communities."
ENDS
Learn more about the Dari Dapur campaign: https://bangkok.ohchr.org/daridapur-my/
Watch the videos and follow Dari Dapur – Instagram: @daridapur.my, Facebook: @daridapur.my and Youtube: @daridapur_my
For more information and media requests, please contact: In Bangkok, Wannaporn Samutassadong (+66 65 986 0810) / wannaporn.samutassadong@un.org)
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Story
24 May 2023
Today’s generation of UN teams on the ground, a key investment for a sustainable future
At the halfway mark to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the world is at an inflection point. Lingering socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing poverty, persisting inequalities, conflicts, rising costs of living, and the widespread effects of the climate emergency are threatening to slow down and undo hard-won sustainable development gains. Five years after sweeping reforms to reposition the UN to serve countries better, UN teams on the ground are rising to these challenges under revamped leadership and pushing for more concerted efforts to support governments and communities across the world.
The 2023 Report of the Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group on the Development Coordination Office (DCO) and the Resident Coordinator (RC) system dives deep into the real and tangible impacts of investing strategically in development coordination across country, regional and global levels. It is a testament to how far we can go when we work together as one UN.
Here are six ways in which the reinvigorated RC system and fit-for-purpose UN teams on the ground are advancing progress toward the SDGs:
1.Resident Coordinators’ enhanced leadership has enabled UN teams to respond more effectively to the diverse needs and priorities of countries. Resident Coordinators have leveraged their new-found neutral positions to build trust, forge coalitions, incentivize joint approaches and deliver SDG policy and financing solutions, tailored to the different needs and national development priorities of Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, Small Islands Developing States and Middle-Income countries.
90 per cent of host Governments continue to agree that RCs have the needed profile and skillsets to deliver effectively;
92 per cent say that the UN adequately provides evidence-based policy advice (an increase from 88 per cent in 2021);
88 per cent confirmed that RCs effectively lead the delivery of strategic support for national plans and priorities, as in 2021.
2. The RC system continued to lead the charge to eradicate poverty and leave no one behind in countries. For example, Resident Coordinators in 69 countries led UN teams to develop new joint programmes on food security and nutrition. They continued to champion gender equality and women’s empowerment; lead a steady improvement in meaningful engagement of youth in joint planning processes; guide UN teams in supporting national partners in advancing human rights for sustainable development; mobilize assets and expertise from across humanitarian, development and peacebuilding action to advance the 2030 Agenda; and serve as the first responders to sudden emergencies, as those that hit Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tonga and Vanuatu. Nearly 90 per cent (87 per cent) of host Governments note that today the RC serves as a one-stop shop for the collective UN offer, consolidating the UN’s support to the country – a 35 per cent increase since the reforms in 2019.
3. Resident Coordinators are also forging partnerships with donors, private sector, financing institutions and civil society, to galvanize collective action to advance national development priorities. Whether it was attracting private investments to scale up public health clinics and insurance in Kenya, championing business sustainability in Uzbekistan or working with local academia on water quality assessments in Samoa, the RCs have brought UN expertise together with partners to deliver integrated solutions to a broad range of development challenges. 92 per cent of host Governments say that RCs contributed to leveraging partnerships in support of national efforts to advance the 2030 Agenda and achieve the SDGs (compared to 85 per cent in 2020). 4. Resident Coordinators and their teams have played a critical role in unlocking funding for UN teams and boosting access to SDG Financing for national Governments to advance the 2030 Agenda. They established country-level SDG pooled funds to incentivize UN teams’ joint programming and implementation of the jointly agreed roadmaps to advance the SDGs, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks, and led UN teams’ submissions to the global Joint SDG Fund. The Fund, hosted by DCO, has made US $260 million in financial commitments to 119 UN teams since 2019, reaching 188 million people with social protection, building resilience in 42 Small Islands Developing States and supporting the implementation of Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs) in 69 countries. The RCs also play a systematic role in unlocking resources from other global pooled funds, including the Spotlight Initiative, the Central Emergency Response Fund and the Peacebuilding Fund in countries like Haiti, Burkina Faso, Vanuatu and others. 5. The RC system has been instrumental for the UN to communicate with one voice and be more accountable for development results. Development coordination has been particularly effective to articulate the urgent sustainable development priorities in countries, and to help tackle hate speech, misinformation and disinformation in several countries. From raising awareness and establishing a National Plan of Action and a National Observatory against hate speech in Costa Rica, to facilitating a consortium to track and monitor hate speech in real-time during elections in Kenya, RCs are pooling together joint efforts within the UN family and leveraging innovative tools to promote fact-based narratives on pertinent issues. And in 2022, all UN teams produced their annual report on results achieved in country, making both successes and challenges fully visible to Governments and the public. 6. A big part of UN efficiencies achieved have also been steered by the new RC system. The RC system transition of operational services from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to the UN Secretariat has saved $10 million since 2020 - $3.4 million in 2022 alone. The DCO investments in support of system-wide efforts to advance more joined up operations, cost savings and cost avoidance across the UN development system have led to efficiencies by the system and single UN entities estimated at around $405 million – an increase of 47 per cent from $275 million in 2021. In addition, RCs are leading on implementing high-impact common services such as renewable energy use, gender-responsive procurement, and disability inclusion and accessibility. 80 per cent of host Governments’ agree that the RC helps to minimize duplication of efforts among UN agencies, ensuring the efficient use of resources, a 24 per cent increase since the reforms in 2019. The returns of investments in development coordination through the Resident Coordinator system are clear. But for these impacts to be sustained, the RC system needs to have adequate, predictable and sustainable funding. The agreed budget of $281 million for the RC system is a critical minimum investment for effective development coordination. Despite significant commitments by Member States, voluntary contributions have increasingly fallen short. In 2022, the RC system faced the largest funding gap to date. This jeopardizes the ability of the RC system to continue to deliver the support that national Governments need. In these times of crises, demands placed upon the RC system are growing. Ambitions for 2030 need to be met with equal support. Member states need to renew the steadfast commitment that has marked the UN reforms thus far. For people and planet, paving the way for a sustainable tomorrow.
Read the interactive version of the 2023 report here.
2. The RC system continued to lead the charge to eradicate poverty and leave no one behind in countries. For example, Resident Coordinators in 69 countries led UN teams to develop new joint programmes on food security and nutrition. They continued to champion gender equality and women’s empowerment; lead a steady improvement in meaningful engagement of youth in joint planning processes; guide UN teams in supporting national partners in advancing human rights for sustainable development; mobilize assets and expertise from across humanitarian, development and peacebuilding action to advance the 2030 Agenda; and serve as the first responders to sudden emergencies, as those that hit Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tonga and Vanuatu. Nearly 90 per cent (87 per cent) of host Governments note that today the RC serves as a one-stop shop for the collective UN offer, consolidating the UN’s support to the country – a 35 per cent increase since the reforms in 2019.
3. Resident Coordinators are also forging partnerships with donors, private sector, financing institutions and civil society, to galvanize collective action to advance national development priorities. Whether it was attracting private investments to scale up public health clinics and insurance in Kenya, championing business sustainability in Uzbekistan or working with local academia on water quality assessments in Samoa, the RCs have brought UN expertise together with partners to deliver integrated solutions to a broad range of development challenges. 92 per cent of host Governments say that RCs contributed to leveraging partnerships in support of national efforts to advance the 2030 Agenda and achieve the SDGs (compared to 85 per cent in 2020). 4. Resident Coordinators and their teams have played a critical role in unlocking funding for UN teams and boosting access to SDG Financing for national Governments to advance the 2030 Agenda. They established country-level SDG pooled funds to incentivize UN teams’ joint programming and implementation of the jointly agreed roadmaps to advance the SDGs, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks, and led UN teams’ submissions to the global Joint SDG Fund. The Fund, hosted by DCO, has made US $260 million in financial commitments to 119 UN teams since 2019, reaching 188 million people with social protection, building resilience in 42 Small Islands Developing States and supporting the implementation of Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs) in 69 countries. The RCs also play a systematic role in unlocking resources from other global pooled funds, including the Spotlight Initiative, the Central Emergency Response Fund and the Peacebuilding Fund in countries like Haiti, Burkina Faso, Vanuatu and others. 5. The RC system has been instrumental for the UN to communicate with one voice and be more accountable for development results. Development coordination has been particularly effective to articulate the urgent sustainable development priorities in countries, and to help tackle hate speech, misinformation and disinformation in several countries. From raising awareness and establishing a National Plan of Action and a National Observatory against hate speech in Costa Rica, to facilitating a consortium to track and monitor hate speech in real-time during elections in Kenya, RCs are pooling together joint efforts within the UN family and leveraging innovative tools to promote fact-based narratives on pertinent issues. And in 2022, all UN teams produced their annual report on results achieved in country, making both successes and challenges fully visible to Governments and the public. 6. A big part of UN efficiencies achieved have also been steered by the new RC system. The RC system transition of operational services from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to the UN Secretariat has saved $10 million since 2020 - $3.4 million in 2022 alone. The DCO investments in support of system-wide efforts to advance more joined up operations, cost savings and cost avoidance across the UN development system have led to efficiencies by the system and single UN entities estimated at around $405 million – an increase of 47 per cent from $275 million in 2021. In addition, RCs are leading on implementing high-impact common services such as renewable energy use, gender-responsive procurement, and disability inclusion and accessibility. 80 per cent of host Governments’ agree that the RC helps to minimize duplication of efforts among UN agencies, ensuring the efficient use of resources, a 24 per cent increase since the reforms in 2019. The returns of investments in development coordination through the Resident Coordinator system are clear. But for these impacts to be sustained, the RC system needs to have adequate, predictable and sustainable funding. The agreed budget of $281 million for the RC system is a critical minimum investment for effective development coordination. Despite significant commitments by Member States, voluntary contributions have increasingly fallen short. In 2022, the RC system faced the largest funding gap to date. This jeopardizes the ability of the RC system to continue to deliver the support that national Governments need. In these times of crises, demands placed upon the RC system are growing. Ambitions for 2030 need to be met with equal support. Member states need to renew the steadfast commitment that has marked the UN reforms thus far. For people and planet, paving the way for a sustainable tomorrow.
Read the interactive version of the 2023 report here.
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Story
12 April 2023
Digital Export Enablement Programme (DEEP) for ASEAN Small Business
Visit the ITC webpage here
With DEEP, MSMEs from ASEAN will take full advantage of the digital trade opportunities to grow and scale their business internationally.
Embracing new digital trade opportunities
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Google and the International Trade Centre (ITC) collaborate for the Digital Export Enablement Programme (DEEP) for small businesses in the ASEAN region (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
By equipping them with digital, export-relevant skills, the programme will help 1,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) from across ASEAN member states to grow their business internationally.
We see a future where every small business from ASEAN can take full advantage of digital trade opportunities to scale their business internationally.
Driven by our belief in the power of cross-border commerce, DEEP is facilitating a unique cross-border entrepreneurial journey for small businesses from Southeast Asia, by delivering a series of trainings, access to digital platforms and practical workshops/sessions that will strengthen the capacity of MSMEs from 10 ASEAN markets and will enable them to engage in cross-border digital trade.
The hybrid training programme will cover the fundamentals of market research as well as developing skills in digital marketing and creating digital export strategies for firms.
Why should small businesses apply?
You’ll become part of a network of entrepreneurs and experts, and benefit from:
Coaching on market research to identify and compare trade opportunities;
An online self-driven e-commerce course tailored for small businesses;
Access to a global e-commerce community of free resources;
Coaching on digital marketing (only for the most motivated 150 businesses!);
Access to Google ads credits and/or Google consultation support for eligible SMEs;
A certificate from ICC, Google and ITC upon completion of the programme.
If you’d like to participate in the programme, you must: Be a micro, small or medium-sized business of up to 100 employees. Be located in one of the ASEAN countries (Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam). Have at least one business online channel (website, marketplace store, social media account). Have a strong interest in/or plan to explore markets in the ASEAN region and beyond.
Companies are invited to apply by April 30th. Applications will be reviewed by the Programme Steering Committee (ICC, Google, ITC) according to the criteria. The training will start in mid-May for a duration of 3 months. More detailed information will be provided to successful firms in the application process. Apply here for the programme ITC contact Anna JANKOWSKA-ERIKSSON. Email ajankowska@intracen.org Cristina COLLADO MARTI. Email ccollado@intracen.org
If you’d like to participate in the programme, you must: Be a micro, small or medium-sized business of up to 100 employees. Be located in one of the ASEAN countries (Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam). Have at least one business online channel (website, marketplace store, social media account). Have a strong interest in/or plan to explore markets in the ASEAN region and beyond.
Companies are invited to apply by April 30th. Applications will be reviewed by the Programme Steering Committee (ICC, Google, ITC) according to the criteria. The training will start in mid-May for a duration of 3 months. More detailed information will be provided to successful firms in the application process. Apply here for the programme ITC contact Anna JANKOWSKA-ERIKSSON. Email ajankowska@intracen.org Cristina COLLADO MARTI. Email ccollado@intracen.org
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Story
10 April 2023
Easing the Road to Justice for Child Victims
Read the original article here
Court processes can be daunting and intimidating to adults but even more so to children. The stress a child victim endures to seek justice can result in many deciding to give up before the conclusion.
The graphics below endevour to show what the road to justice looks like for child victims.
The many roadblocks a child faces in their 'quest' for justice can mean that some are unable to continue the process.
Roadblock 1: Limited info for child and parents
Children and parents lack support along the journey and don't understand the court process.
Roadblock 2: Anxiety over going to court
Children feel anxious when going to court as shown in some of the experiences shared with the Women's Centre for Change (WCC), Penang.
"I am frightened."
I am scared to go to court."
"Nervous sebab saya takut dengan suasana. Macam mana dengan hakim dengan peguam? Rasa macam terdesak."
Roadblock 3: Anxiety and frustration over delays
The child has to appear in court many times due to postponements. This is distressing for the child and incurs costs to the parents. Children also miss school and parents would need to take leave from work. For some, this may affect incomes. The following are shared experiences to the WCC Penang.
"It’s so frustrating. I have to go to school….. I have to write letters for my absence."
"I don’t want to keep coming back to Penang ( to court) to give evidence. I am tired. It’s been 2 years. When will it end?"
Father of child witness: "He was 7 when it happened. He is now 9 years old and still it’s not over."
Roadblock 4: Intimidating court experience
A child being questioned can feel intimidated by confusing, harsh, or prolonged questioning. The following are real experiences shared with WCC Penang by child witnesses.
"I told them everything already. I don’t feel like repeating / telling them again and again."
"I don’t understand what he is asking/saying."
"Why is he raising his voice? I am scared."
The court outcome: not always the hoped for Journey's end.
A conviction is not guaranteed and it's often hard for a child to understand why.
Easing the Road to Justice for Child Victims
UNICEF believes that there are actions we can all take to make the journey less daunting for the child, while ensuring fairness for all.
These are some recommendations on how we can do that.
Recommendation 1: Assigning a Victim Support Person
Few families are familiar with the court process and without the right information, the experience is made more difficult for the child victim. UNICEF recommends the assigning of a Victim Support Person to guide and assist them on the journey and keep them up to date on the progress of the case.
Recommendation 2: Holding a child-friendly “Special Hearing”
The child involved in the case has often to deal with delays and postponements caused by many factors. Postponements mean a child must appear in court many times, which is distressing for the child and incurs costs for the family. The child will have to be absent from school and parents need to take leave from work. For some parents, this may mean a loss of income.
Long delays in the process also increases the child’s anxiety and affects their memory, since the trial may be many months or years after the incident.
UNICEF believes we can avoid these barriers to justice for children, by holding a “Special hearing” to record the child’s entire testimony (Cross examination and re-examination). The child's evidence is taken as soon as possible (before the trial), at a child-friendly Special Hearing, which is video-recorded. This captures the child’s evidence while their memory is still fresh, and means the child does not have to attend court multiple times.
Once the Special Hearing is concluded, the child can progress in their healing without having to revisit the incident.
Recommendation 3: Controlling inappropriate questioning
Proceedings in court are intimidating enough. Sometimes, cross-examination and questioning can come across as confusing, harsh, or prolonged to a child (and even to adults!). To reduce distress to the child so that the child can provide best evidence, UNICEF recommends the judge exercises strict control of the tone and style of questions put to a child to ensure they are able to give their best evidence.
These recommendations are not novel and have been tried and tested successfully in other countries. UNICEF believes that in removing the barriers to a child seeking justice, we do not threaten fairness, but rather enhance it by creating a level playing field for all parties.
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Story
10 April 2023
Working together to ensure a future with Health For All
The Ministry of Health Malaysia and the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative Office to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore jointly organized a celebration of World Health Day 2023, marking the 75th anniversary of WHO. The event also commemorated 65 years of strong collaboration and partnership between the Government of Malaysia and the organization, providing an opportunity to acknowledge all the important public health milestones achieved throughout the years and to address future challenges in the years to come.
Participants included high-level representatives from across the government and diplomatic corps and featured remarks from the Honourable Minister of Health Malaysia, YB Dr Zaliha Mustafa, the UN Resident Coordinator to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, Ms Karima El Korri and WHO Representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe.
“The pandemic reinforced just how fundamental the provision of equitable access to healthcare is in ensuring that our population is safe and healthy, regardless of citizenship or any other factor. Over the last few decades, much progress has been achieved in public health and we have witnessed even closer collaboration between the government and the World Health Organization as we all work towards the goal of ensuring that all people have equal access to health”, said the Minister of Health, YB Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
Malaysia has tremendously improved numerous health outcomes since its independence. Rates of many vaccine-preventable diseases have dropped significantly because of effective vaccination programmes, the incidence of malaria has dramatically decreased (in fact the country has met the elimination targets for human malaria), meeting the global target on hepatitis B years in advance, the near elimination of lymphatic filariasis and significantly reduced fatalities from dengue fever. The country also continues to make progress within sustainable development goal 3, or SDG 3, “Good Health and Well-Being”, particularly with very high child immunization coverage for diseases under the National Immunization Programme (NIP) and decrease in maternal mortality and under-5 mortality.
Furthermore, Malaysia is committed to achieving Health For All by implementing policies to continually improve the performance of the health system and the full attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The strong political commitment and multi-sectoral efforts have contributed to the success achieved todate and will continue to drive progress.
“Malaysia has made remarkable progress in improving national health outcomes, not the least of which is the achievement of effective universal health coverage in the 1980’s. This is a significant achievement for any country, offering populations financial protection and access to quality care, lifting people out of poverty, promoting the well-being of families and communities, and protecting against public health crises” said Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO Representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore. “It could not have been accomplished and continued without the perseverance and dedication of Malaysia’s health workforce, the leadership of the government and policy makers, and strong collaboration with national and international partners. These factors will also help us persevere in providing health for all in the face of emerging challenges as we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic.” added Dr Abeyasinghe.
The broader context of health needs has changed dramatically and given rise to new challenges, including an ageing population, growing disease burden specifically that of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), rising healthcare costs, rapid socioeconomic transition and changing patients’ expectations. Malaysia continues to strive towards maintaining UHC, recognising that health is an investment rather than an expense. Investments in health play a big role in social, economic and overall development of the country, and hence justify efforts to achieve “Health for All” through a whole-of- government approach.
“Health is inextricably linked to everything that we do and even determined by other basic human rights- including access to nutritious foods, adequate housing, safe drinking water and sanitation, education and safe working conditions. The work of the entire UN Family is reflected in the health and wellbeing of the population, and this wellbeing is a core indicator for a prosperous community, society, economy, environment, and other areas of development”, said Ms El Korri, the UN Resident Coordinator to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore and continued that “further success requires engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, including CSOs, the private sector and citizens, alongside the public sector in governing and delivering the SDGs, moving toward a whole-of nation action, working to achieve a better future. The United Nations will continue to play a committed part in this future, in strong partnership with the government and the people of Malaysia.”
Another key aspect of a strong health system is health security. Malaysia is recognized globally for its well-established emergency preparedness and response capacities and the importance of these capacities were only emphasized by health emergencies in recent years, from COVID-19 to the polio outbreak. Without health security, Malaysia would have struggled to recover from the intense burden put upon its health system. The COVID-19 pandemic accentuated the importance of health systems resilience and sustainability, which in this case, ensured the sustenance of Malaysia’s UHC and increased the country’s preparedness to potential health threats and overall response.
Ultimately it is evident that strong health systems are vital in ensuring that we are well prepared for any crisis. Malaysia will continue to work closely with WHO to ensure the good Health for all our people, in embracing the true spirit of Universal Health Coverage, leaving no one behind. This embodies the philosophy of MALAYSIA MADANI concept introduced by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that believes in humanity and values such as a fair, just and effective governance.
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Press Release
21 March 2023
IPCC Synthesis Report: Urgent climate action can secure a liveable future for all
Visit the AR6 Synthesis Report Climate Change 2023 microsite here for all materials
There are multiple, feasible and effective options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to human-caused climate change, and they are available now, said scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released today.
“Mainstreaming effective and equitable climate action will not only reduce losses and damages for nature and people, it will also provide wider benefits,” said IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee. “This Synthesis Report underscores the urgency of taking more ambitious action and shows that, if we act now, we can still secure a liveable sustainable future for all.”
In 2018, IPCC highlighted the unprecedented scale of the challenge required to keep warming to 1.5°C. Five years later, that challenge has become even greater due to a continued increase in greenhouse gas emissions. The pace and scale of what has been done so far, and current plans, are insufficient to tackle climate change.
More than a century of burning fossil fuels as well as unequal and unsustainable energy and land use has led to global warming of 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels. This has resulted in more frequent and more intense extreme weather events that have caused increasingly dangerous impacts on nature and people in every region of the world.
Every increment of warming results in rapidly escalating hazards. More intense heatwaves, heavier rainfall and other weather extremes further increase risks for human health and ecosystems. In every region, people are dying from extreme heat. Climate-driven food and water insecurity is expected to increase with increased warming. When the risks combine with other adverse events, such as pandemics or conflicts, they become even more difficult to manage.
Losses and damages in sharp focus
The report, approved during a week-long session in Interlaken, brings in to sharp focus the losses and damages we are already experiencing and will continue into the future, hitting the most vulnerable people and ecosystems especially hard. Taking the right action now could result in the transformational change essential for a sustainable, equitable world.
“Climate justice is crucial because those who have contributed least to climate change are being disproportionately affected,” said Aditi Mukherji, one of the 93 authors of this Synthesis Report, the closing chapter of the Panel’s sixth assessment.
“Almost half of the world’s population lives in regions that are highly vulnerable to climate change. In the last decade, deaths from floods, droughts and storms were 15 times higher in highly vulnerable regions,“ she added.
In this decade, accelerated action to adapt to climate change is essential to close the gap between existing adaptation and what is needed. Meanwhile, keeping warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels requires deep, rapid and sustained greenhouse gas emissions reductions in all sectors. Emissions should be decreasing by now and will need to be cut by almost half by 2030, if warming is to be limited to 1.5°C.
Clear way ahead
The solution lies in climate resilient development. This involves integrating measures to adapt to climate change with actions to reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions in ways that provide wider benefits.
For example: access to clean energy and technologies improves health, especially for women and children; low-carbon electrification, walking, cycling and public transport enhance air quality, improve health, employment opportunities and deliver equity. The economic benefits for people’s health from air quality improvements alone would be roughly the same, or possibly even larger than the costs of reducing or avoiding emissions.
Climate resilient development becomes progressively more challenging with every increment of warming. This is why the choices made in the next few years will play a critical role in deciding our future and that of generations to come.
To be effective, these choices need to be rooted in our diverse values, worldviews and knowledges, including scientific knowledge, Indigenous Knowledge and local knowledge. This approach will facilitate climate resilient development and allow locally appropriate, socially acceptable solutions.
“The greatest gains in wellbeing could come from prioritizing climate risk reduction for low-income and marginalised communities, including people living in informal settlements,” said Christopher Trisos, one of the report’s authors. “Accelerated climate action will only come about if there is a many-fold increase in finance. Insufficient and misaligned finance is holding back progress.”
Enabling sustainable development
There is sufficient global capital to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions if existing barriers are reduced. Increasing finance to climate investments is important to achieve global climate goals.Governments, through public funding and clear signals to investors, are key in reducing these barriers. Investors, central banks and financial regulators can also play their part.
There are tried and tested policy measures that can work to achieve deep emissions reductions and climate resilience if they are scaled up and applied more widely. Political commitment, coordinated policies, international cooperation, ecosystem stewardship and inclusive governance are all important for effective and equitable climate action.
If technology, know-how and suitable policy measures are shared, and adequate finance is made available now, every community can reduce or avoid carbon-intensive consumption. At the same time, with significant investment in adaptation, we can avert rising risks, especially for vulnerable groups and regions.
Climate, ecosystems and society are interconnected. Effective and equitable conservation of approximately 30-50% of the Earth’s land, freshwater and ocean will help ensure a healthy planet. Urban areas offer a global scale opportunity for ambitious climate action that contributes to sustainable development.
Changes in the food sector, electricity, transport, industry, buildings and land-use can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, they can make it easier for people to lead low-carbon lifestyles, which will also improve health and wellbeing. A better understanding of the consequences of overconsumption can help people make more informed choices.
“Transformational changes are more likely to succeed where there is trust, where everyone works together to prioritise risk reduction, and where benefits and burdens are shared equitably,” Lee said. “We live in a diverse world in which everyone has different responsibilities and different opportunities to bring about change. Some can do a lot while others will need support to help them manage the change.”
###
Temperature-Scale Equivalents
1.1C = 2.0F
1.5C = 2.7F
For more information, please contact:
IPCC Press Office: ipcc-media@wmo.int
Lance Ignon, SYR Communications Specialist: ignon@ipcc-syr.org AR6 Synthesis Report in Numbers
Review comments: 6841
Governments: 47 (21 Developed, 2 Economies in transition, 22 Developing, 2 SIDS)
Government Comments: 6636 (1814 Figures, 4822 Text)
Observers: 5
Observer Comments: 205
Core Writing Team members: 49
Review Editors: 9
Extended Writing Team Authors: 7
Contributing Authors: 28
Women: 41
Men: 52
Developing Country Authors: 37
Developed Country Authors: 56 About the IPCC
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change. It was established by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 to provide political leaders with periodic scientific assessments about climate change. The IPCC has 195 member states that are members of the UN or WMO. Thousands of people from all over the world contribute to the work of the IPCC. For the assessment reports, experts volunteer their time as IPCC authors to assess the thousands of scientific papers published each year to provide a comprehensive summary of what is known about the drivers of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and how adaptation and mitigation can reduce those risks. An open and transparent review by experts and member governments is an essential part of the IPCC process to ensure an objective and complete assessment and to reflect a diverse range of views and expertise. The IPCC has three working groups: Working Group I, which addresses with the physical science of climate change; Working Group II, which focuses on the impact, adaptation and vulnerability associated with climate change; and Working Group III, which deals with the mitigation of climate change. It also has a Task Force on Greenhouse Gas Inventories that develops methodologies for measuring emissions and removals. IPCC assessments provide governments, at all levels, with scientific information they can use to develop climate policies. IPCC assessments are a key input into the international negotiations to tackle climate change. IPCC reports are drafted and reviewed in several stages to guarantee accuracy, objectivity and transparency.
About the Sixth Assessment Cycle The IPCC publishes comprehensive scientific assessments every six to seven years. The previous one, the Fifth Assessment Report, was completed in 2014 and provided the main scientific input to The Paris Agreement. At its 41st Session in February 2015, the IPCC decided to produce a Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). At its 42nd Session in October 2015, it elected a new Bureau, which is composed of the IPCC Chair, the IPCC Vice-Chairs, the Co-Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Working Groups, and the Co-Chairs of the Task Force. At its 43rd Session in April 2016, the IPCC decided to produce three Special Reports, a Methodology Report and AR6.
The Working Group I contribution to AR6, Climate Change 2021: the Physical Science Basis, was released on 9 August 2021. The Working Group II contribution, Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, was released on 28 February 2022. The Working Group III contribution, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change, was released on 4 April 2022. The IPCC also published the following special reports on more specific issues during the Sixth Assessment Cycle: Global Warming of 1.5°C (2.7°F) in October 2018;
Climate Change and Land in August 2019; and
Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate in September 2019
In May 2019, the IPCC released the 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories
For more information, please visit www.ipcc.ch. Most videos published by the IPCC can be found on its YouTube channel
###
Temperature-Scale Equivalents
1.1C = 2.0F
1.5C = 2.7F
For more information, please contact:
IPCC Press Office: ipcc-media@wmo.int
Lance Ignon, SYR Communications Specialist: ignon@ipcc-syr.org AR6 Synthesis Report in Numbers
Review comments: 6841
Governments: 47 (21 Developed, 2 Economies in transition, 22 Developing, 2 SIDS)
Government Comments: 6636 (1814 Figures, 4822 Text)
Observers: 5
Observer Comments: 205
Core Writing Team members: 49
Review Editors: 9
Extended Writing Team Authors: 7
Contributing Authors: 28
Women: 41
Men: 52
Developing Country Authors: 37
Developed Country Authors: 56 About the IPCC
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change. It was established by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 to provide political leaders with periodic scientific assessments about climate change. The IPCC has 195 member states that are members of the UN or WMO. Thousands of people from all over the world contribute to the work of the IPCC. For the assessment reports, experts volunteer their time as IPCC authors to assess the thousands of scientific papers published each year to provide a comprehensive summary of what is known about the drivers of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and how adaptation and mitigation can reduce those risks. An open and transparent review by experts and member governments is an essential part of the IPCC process to ensure an objective and complete assessment and to reflect a diverse range of views and expertise. The IPCC has three working groups: Working Group I, which addresses with the physical science of climate change; Working Group II, which focuses on the impact, adaptation and vulnerability associated with climate change; and Working Group III, which deals with the mitigation of climate change. It also has a Task Force on Greenhouse Gas Inventories that develops methodologies for measuring emissions and removals. IPCC assessments provide governments, at all levels, with scientific information they can use to develop climate policies. IPCC assessments are a key input into the international negotiations to tackle climate change. IPCC reports are drafted and reviewed in several stages to guarantee accuracy, objectivity and transparency.
About the Sixth Assessment Cycle The IPCC publishes comprehensive scientific assessments every six to seven years. The previous one, the Fifth Assessment Report, was completed in 2014 and provided the main scientific input to The Paris Agreement. At its 41st Session in February 2015, the IPCC decided to produce a Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). At its 42nd Session in October 2015, it elected a new Bureau, which is composed of the IPCC Chair, the IPCC Vice-Chairs, the Co-Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Working Groups, and the Co-Chairs of the Task Force. At its 43rd Session in April 2016, the IPCC decided to produce three Special Reports, a Methodology Report and AR6.
The Working Group I contribution to AR6, Climate Change 2021: the Physical Science Basis, was released on 9 August 2021. The Working Group II contribution, Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, was released on 28 February 2022. The Working Group III contribution, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change, was released on 4 April 2022. The IPCC also published the following special reports on more specific issues during the Sixth Assessment Cycle: Global Warming of 1.5°C (2.7°F) in October 2018;
Climate Change and Land in August 2019; and
Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate in September 2019
In May 2019, the IPCC released the 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories
For more information, please visit www.ipcc.ch. Most videos published by the IPCC can be found on its YouTube channel
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Press Release
29 March 2023
UNEP’s 2023 Champions of the Earth Award
The Champions of the Earth award honours individuals, groups, and organizations whose actions have a transformative impact on the environment.
This year, UNEP seeks nominations of individuals, organisations, and governments working on sustainable solutions to eliminate plastic pollution.
Nominations are open from 14 March to 14 April 2023.
Nairobi, 14 March 2023 – The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) today launched a call for nominations for its annual Champions of the Earth award – the UN’s highest environmental honour – to recognize outstanding leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector for their transformative impact on the environment.
This year, UNEP seeks nomination of individuals, organisations and governments developing and implementing innovative and sustainable solutions and policies to eliminate plastic pollution.
Following a historic UN Environment Assembly resolution in 2022 to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment with the ambition to complete the negotiations by end of 2024, the year 2023 is critical to ensuring the world comes together to end the scourge of plastic pollution. This year’s World Environment Day, hosted by Cote d'Ivoire, will also focus on efforts to #BeatPlasticPollution.
The challenge of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature loss and pollution and waste is not insurmountable. People around the world are stepping forward every day to innovate and implement ways to support nature’s extraordinary capacity for renewal. The Champions of the Earth help lead that push. They remind us that environmental sustainability is key to achieving sustainable development.
Since the award’s inception in 2005, a total of 111 laureates have been honoured as Champions of the Earth: 26 world leaders, 69 individuals and 16 organizations.
In 2022, the Champions of the Earth Award received a record number of nominations from all over the world. The growing interest over the years reflects the increasing number of people standing up for the environment and greater acknowledgement of the value of this work.
UNEP’s 2022 Champions of the Earth laureates are:
Arcenciel (Lebanon), honoured in the Inspiration and Action category, is a leading environmental enterprise whose work to create a cleaner, healthier environment has laid the foundation for the country’s national waste management strategy. Today, arcenciel recycles more than 80 per cent of Lebanon’s potentially infectious hospital waste every year.
Constantino (Tino) Aucca Chutas (Peru), also honoured in the Inspiration and Action category, has pioneered a community reforestation model driven by local and Indigenous communities, which has led to three million trees being planted in the country. He is also leading ambitious reforestation efforts in other Andean countries.
Sir Partha Dasgupta (United Kingdom), honoured in the Science and Innovation category, is an eminent economist whose landmark review on the economics of biodiversity calls for a fundamental rethink of humanity’s relationship with the natural world to prevent critical ecosystems from reaching dangerous tipping points.
Dr Purnima Devi Barman (India), honoured in the Entrepreneurial Vision category, is a wildlife biologist who leads the “Hargila Army”, an all-female grassroots conservation movement dedicated to protecting the Greater Adjutant Stork from extinction. The women create and sell textiles with motifs of the bird, helping to raise awareness about the species while building their own financial independence.
Cécile Bibiane Ndjebet (Cameroon), honoured in the Inspiration and Action category, is a tireless advocate for the rights of women in Africa to secure land tenure, which is essential if they are to play a role in restoring ecosystems, fighting poverty and mitigating climate change. She is also leading efforts to influence policy on gender equality in forest management across 20 African countries.
Individuals, government entities, groups and organisations may be nominated under the categories of Policy Leadership, Inspiration and Action, Entrepreneurial Vision, and Science and Innovation. Nominations are open from 14 March to 14 April 2023 to everyone; the Champions of the Earth will be announced in late 2023.
Nominate a Champion of the Earth
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the UNEP Champions of the Earth
UNEP’s Champions of the Earth honours individuals, groups, and organizations whose actions have a transformative impact on the environment. The annual Champions of the Earth award is the UN’s highest environmental honour. It recognizes outstanding leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector. About the UN Environment Programme
UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. For more information, please contact:
News and Media Unit, UN Environment Programme
UNEP’s Champions of the Earth honours individuals, groups, and organizations whose actions have a transformative impact on the environment. The annual Champions of the Earth award is the UN’s highest environmental honour. It recognizes outstanding leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector. About the UN Environment Programme
UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. For more information, please contact:
News and Media Unit, UN Environment Programme
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Press Release
28 October 2022
Inadequate progress on climate action makes rapid transformation of societies only option - UNEP
Nairobi, 27 October 2022 – As intensifying climate impacts across the globe hammer home the message that greenhouse gas emissions must fall rapidly, a new UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report finds that the international community is still falling far short of the Paris goals, with no credible pathway to 1.5°C in place.
However, the Emissions Gap Report 2022: The Closing Window – Climate crisis calls for rapid transformation of societies finds that urgent sector and system-wide transformations – in the electricity supply, industry, transport and buildings sectors, and the food and financial systems – would help to avoid climate disaster.
“This report tells us in cold scientific terms what nature has been telling us, all year, through deadly floods, storms and raging fires: we have to stop filling our atmosphere with greenhouse gases, and stop doing it fast,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “We had our chance to make incremental changes, but that time is over. Only a root-and-branch transformation of our economies and societies can save us from accelerating climate disaster.”
A wasted year
The report finds that, despite a decision by all countries at the 2021 climate summit in Glasgow, UK (COP26) to strengthen Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and some updates from nations, progress has been woefully inadequate. NDCs submitted this year take only 0.5 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent, less than one per cent, off projected global emissions in 2030.
This lack of progress leaves the world hurtling towards a temperature rise far above the Paris Agreement goal of well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C. Unconditional NDCs are estimated to give a 66 per cent chance of limiting global warming to about 2.6°C over the century. For conditional NDCs, those that are dependent on external support, this figure is reduced to 2.4°C. Current policies alone would lead to a 2.8°C hike, highlighting the temperature implications of the gap between promises and action.
In the best-case scenario, full implementation of unconditional NDCs and additional net-zero emissions commitments point to only a 1.8°C increase, so there is hope. However, this scenario is not currently credible based on the discrepancy between current emissions, short-term NDC targets and long-term net-zero targets.
Unprecedented cuts needed
To meet the Paris Agreement goals, the world needs to reduce greenhouse gases by unprecedented levels over the next eight years.
Unconditional and conditional NDCs are estimated to reduce global emissions in 2030 by 5 and 10 per cent respectively, compared with emissions based on policies currently in place. To get on a least-cost pathway to holding global warming to 1.5°C, emissions must fall by 45 per cent over those envisaged under current policies by 2030. For the 2°C target, a 30 per cent cut is needed.
Such massive cuts mean that we need a large-scale, rapid and systemic transformation. The report explores how to deliver part of this transformation in key sectors and systems.
“It is a tall, and some would say impossible, order to reform the global economy and almost halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, but we must try,” said Andersen. “Every fraction of a degree matters: to vulnerable communities, to species and ecosystems, and to every one of us.”
“Even if we don’t meet our 2030 goals, we must strive to get as close as possible to 1.5°C. This means setting up the foundations of a net-zero future: one that will allow us to bring down temperature overshoots and deliver many other social and environmental benefits, like clean air, green jobs and universal energy access.”
Electricity, industry, transport and buildings
The report finds that the transformation towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in electricity supply, industry, transportation and buildings is underway, but needs to move much faster. Electricity supply is most advanced, as the costs of renewable electricity have reduced dramatically. However, the pace of change must increase alongside measures to ensure a just transition and universal energy access.
For buildings, the best available technologies need to be rapidly applied. For industry and transport, zero emission technology needs to be further developed and deployed. To advance the transformation, all sectors need to avoid lock in of new fossil fuel-intensive infrastructure, advance zero-carbon technology and apply it, and pursue behavioural changes.
Food systems can reform to deliver rapid and lasting cuts
Focus areas for food systems, which account for about a third of greenhouse gas emissions, include protection of natural ecosystems, demand-side dietary changes, improvements in food production at the farm level and decarbonization of food supply chains. Action in these four areas can reduce projected 2050 food system emissions to around a third of current levels, as opposed to emissions almost doubling if current practices are continued.
Governments can facilitate transformation by reforming subsidies and tax schemes. The private sector can reduce food loss and waste, use renewable energy and develop novel foods that cut down carbon emissions. Individual citizens can change their lifestyles to consume food for environmental sustainability and carbon reduction, which will also bring many health benefits.
The financial system must enable the transformation
A global transformation to a low-emissions economy is expected to require investments of at least USD 4-6 trillion a year. This is a relatively small (1.5-2 per cent) share of total financial assets managed, but significant (20-28 per cent) in terms of additional annual resources to be allocated.
Most financial actors, despite stated intentions, have shown limited action on climate mitigation because of short-term interests, conflicting objectives and not recognizing climate risks adequately.
Governments and key financial actors will need to steer credibly in one direction: a transformation of the financial system and its structures and processes, engaging governments, central banks, commercial banks, institutional investors and other financial actors.
The report recommends six approaches to financial sector reform, which must be carried out simultaneously:
Make financial markets more efficient, including through taxonomies and transparency.
Introduce carbon pricing, such as taxes or cap-and-trade systems.
Nudge financial behaviour, through public policy interventions, taxes, spending and regulations.
Create markets for low-carbon technology, through shifting financial flows, stimulating innovation and helping to set standards.
Mobilize central banks: central banks are increasingly interested in addressing the climate crisis, but more concrete action on regulations is needed.
Set up climate “clubs” of cooperating countries, cross-border finance initiatives and just transformation partnerships, which can alter policy norms and change the course of finance through credible financial commitment devices, such as sovereign guarantees.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
For more information, please contact:
Keisha Rukikaire, Head of News & Media, UN Environment Programme
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Press Release
06 September 2022
MOH and UNICEF calling for stakeholders action on Children’s Mental Health
Ministry of Health with UNICEF today launched the Malaysia Country Report and Infographic 2022: Strengthening Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Systems and Services for Children and Adolescents in the East Asia and Pacific Region. The MHPSSS study was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Health Malaysia and UNICEF that began in May 2021. Dato’ Dr. Haji Noor Azmi bin Ghazali, Deputy Minister of Health graced the occasion.
Mental health of children and adolescents is amongst the most neglected health issues globally, including East Asia and the Pacific. In Malaysia, young children and teenagers experience a high burden of poor mental health. According to the 2019 National Health Mobility Survey (NHMS), about 424,000 children in Malaysia have mental problems, but many do not come forward to seek for assistance. Of particular worry is that 1 in 8 adolescents aged 10–19, and 1 in 20 children aged 5–9 years are estimated to have a mental disorder including developmental disorder. Notably, suicide was second leading cause of death among adolescents aged 15–19. Among risk factors for poor mental health, exposure to violence, peer victimization and bullying, loneliness and social isolation were particularly prevalent.
The MHPSS research is the first in the Pacific region that focused on children and adolescent up to 18 years old in Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, and Papua New Guinea. The research was conceptualized by Burnet Institute Australia and sponsored by UNICEF.
Dr Norizan Binti Rosli from Institute for Clinical Research (ICR), National Institute for Health (NIH) Ministry of Health Malaysia lead the Malaysian team with researchers from the Institute for Health Behavioural Research & Institute for Health Management from NIH, psychiatrists from 4 major public hospitals and in collaboration with Professor Marc Archer from Centre for Mental Health and Well-being, HELP University.
The MHPSS report summarizes the consultations and interviews with 124 stakeholders’ from health, justice, social welfare, education sectors including government and non-governmental organisations, UN agencies and youth representatives.
The report highlights key gaps in the current response and challenges on the implementation of MHPSS among children and adolescent, including difficult or limited access to services for mental health problems, lack of empowerment in existing law and policies, deficiencies in communication and coordination between sectors, insufficient funding, lack of trained personal in MHPSS for children and adolescent, limited involvement of end user (youth/parent/ care takers/ other sector) in the planning of mental health programs and monitoring. To address these gaps, a priority package of actions are proposed to offer better accessibility and responsiveness towards mental health conditions. In addition, sectoral lead and specific recommendations are identified to improve the implementation of MHPSS for children and adolescents.
“The Ministry of Health is committed to translating the MHPSS research findings into policy and practice. As we are developing the National Centre of Excellence for Mental Health (NCEMH) MOH urges all stakeholders and experts, from both government and non-governmental agencies, to facilitate greater collaboration and coordination in the implementation of MHPSS for children and adolescents in Malaysia. Poor mental health can have a profound impact on the health, learning and participation of children and adolescents, thus limiting their opportunities to reach their full potential. There is a substantial unmet need for MHPSS for children and adolescents” said Dato’ Dr Haji Noor Azmi bin Ghazali, Deputy Minister of Health I.
The MHPSS conceptual framework in Malaysia provides country-specific recommendations based on evidence for policy and decision-making. Complementing the country report is an infographic designed to disseminate key research findings to the public.
“UNICEF commends the Ministry of Health Malaysia for their swift action and focus in addressing the mental health needs of children and adolescents. Based on the evidence generated by the Report, and the increasing prevalence of mental health conditions among children and adolescents, now more than ever is the time to consider the formation of a National Steering Committee for Children and Adolescents Mental Health, that holds the authority and resources to drive action. Your commitment will change the trajectory of mental health care in Malaysia, that will in turn contribute to the health and prosperity of the nation”, said Christopher Davids, Deputy Representative for UNICEF in Malaysia.
The Ministry of Health is grateful for UNICEF’s support in this research and welcomes their continued support in implementing the research findings and future collaborative research.
29 August 2022
Note to editors:
The report is available online: https://unicef.org/malaysia/reports/strengthening-mental-health-psychosocial-support-systems-services
The research was conceptualized by Burnet Institute Australia, supported by UNICEF, and overseen by both organizations. Malaysia is among four countries in which the research was conducted—Thailand, Philippines, and Papua New Guinea being the others. The research in Malaysia was executed by researchers and psychiatrists from the Ministry of Health Malaysia. The researchers hailed from three research institutes from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)— Institute for Clinical Research (ICR), Institute for Health Behavioural Research (IHBR), and Institute for Health Management (IHM).
About NIH, MOH Malaysia
NIH is the research body under the Ministry of Health Malaysia. We focus on conducting health research to support the ministry and the stakeholders in ensuring the wellbeing of the people. The establishment of the NIH aims to create seamless continuum research from identifying research priorities, conducting research, and utilizing research findings for the health services and programs. The six research institutes under NIH are Institute for Clinical Research (ICR), Institute for Health Behavioural Research (IHBR), Institute for Health Management (IHM), Institute for Medical Research (IMR), Institute for Public Health (IKU), and Institute for Health System Research (IHSR)
For more information about NIH, visit: www.nih.gov.my
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work, visit: www.unicef.org Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube For more information, please contact: Dr Norizan Binti Rosli & Dr Aimi Nadiah, ICR, NIH, MOH Malaysia, +603 3362 8864, norizan@crc.gov.my / aimi.nadiah@moh.gov.my Rachel Choong, UNICEF Malaysia, +6012 293 2690, rchoong@unicef.org
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work, visit: www.unicef.org Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube For more information, please contact: Dr Norizan Binti Rosli & Dr Aimi Nadiah, ICR, NIH, MOH Malaysia, +603 3362 8864, norizan@crc.gov.my / aimi.nadiah@moh.gov.my Rachel Choong, UNICEF Malaysia, +6012 293 2690, rchoong@unicef.org
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Press Release
09 August 2022
The annual health-care cost of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer in Malaysia exceeds RM 9.65 billion
"Even without the additional threat posed by COVID-19, noncommunicable diseases are a significant health burden and public health challenge in our country. And while they are not an acute emergency or rapidly-moving infectious disease, they are equally devastating to individuals, societies and economies," said Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr Noor Hisham bin Abdullah, Director General of Health Malaysia.
NCDs are the main cause of death and disability in Malaysia. It is estimated that 1 in 5 adult Malaysians are living with diabetes, 1 in 3 are living with hypertension, and nearly half are overweight or obese (National Health and Morbidity Survey, 2019). The growing prevalence of NCDs is placing an increased strain on the country's health system.
"We saw that among the most vulnerable to the virus are people with underlying health conditions, including NCDs like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer, who have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease and are more likely to die from COVID-19," continued Dr Hisham.
"WHO continues to support the government of Malaysia in its efforts to address the growing challenge of NCDs through supporting addressing the risk factors, encouraging adoption of healthy lifestyles and strengthening primary care for early diagnosis and improved management of NCDs,” said Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO Representative in Malaysia.
The report released today utilized data from the year 2017. The secured data were largely restricted to the public sector, and extrapolations to the private sector were based on assumptions. While the cost estimates are based on the best available data, they no doubt underestimate the real cost of the direct health-care costs associated with NCDs in Malaysia.
Aside from the health-care costs, previous studies have estimated the economic loss due to absenteeism, presenteeism in the workplace and the premature death of the working age population as upwards of RM 8.91 billion. In addition, the cost of disability and loss of healthy life years was estimated to be around RM 100.79 billion (The Impact of Noncommunicable Diseases and Their Risk Factors on Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product, 2020).
This information can be used to identify cost-effective ways to prevent NCDs, reduce the costs of NCD management, and prioritize the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Dr Hisham calls on collaboration to have publicly informed, evidence-based policies that could support the change in Malaysian's behaviour.
“The problem of NCDs in Malaysia is also compounded by the fact that the country has a rapidly ageing population in which the failure to address adequately the challenge of NCDs could significantly impact health-care costs and economic well-being of the community,” added Dr Rabindra.
Malaysia is expected to reach the status of an aged nation by 2030, with people over the age of 65 making up more than 14% of the population. With the population ageing, more and more people are expected to live with NCDs in the long term. Given this demographic change, NCDs' health and economic burden can also be expected to increase over time.
"Increasing awareness about NCDs and their management among the general population and those at risk now will contribute to increased longevity and healthy ageing of Malaysian through a reduction of premature mortality due to NCDs and their complications" said Dr Rabindra.
The report can be downloaded here.
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