8.7 C
Brussels
Friday, November 15, 2024
Home Blog Page 463

Mastercard launches next-generation identity technology with Microsoft to help more consumers shop online safely

By
Newsdesk
-
0
Mastercard launches next-generation identity technology with Microsoft to help more consumers shop online safely

PURCHASE, N.Y., and REDMOND, Wash. Mastercard on Monday announced the launch of an enhanced identity solution designed to improve the online shopping experience and tackle digital fraud in a new collaboration with Microsoft Corp.

Now more than ever, delivering a frictionless shopping experience is critical as retailers look to shift window shopping and price comparison visits to confirmed sales. And, while consumers enjoy the convenience of shopping online, fraudsters also seek to develop new methods to use these same channels for ill-gotten gains. One of the growing types of digital fraud is first-party fraud, where a legitimate purchase is made online but later disputed. First-party fraud is estimated to be a $50 billion global issue.

Mastercard has directly addressed these needs by enhancing its Digital Transaction Insights solution with next-generation authentication and real-time decisioning intelligence capabilities. The solution pairs Mastercard’s network insights with the merchant’s own data to confirm the consumer is who they claim to be, providing financial institutions with the additional intelligence needed to optimize their authorization decisions and approve more genuine transactions. Digital Transaction Insights is used across a wide range of online checkout instances, from click-to-pay functionality and wearables to digital wallets and in-app purchases.

“Shopping online should be simple, quick and secure. But that isn’t always the case. We’re committed to developing advanced identity and fraud technology to help enhance the real-time intelligence we provide to financial institutions around the globe. This builds on our longstanding commitment of working across the industry to provide advanced technologies that enable trust, and help build a safe and thriving digital ecosystem for all.”

Ajay Bhalla, president, Cyber and Intelligence at Mastercard, said, “Shopping online should be simple, quick and secure. But that isn’t always the case. We’re committed to developing advanced identity and fraud technology to help enhance the real-time intelligence we provide to financial institutions around the globe. This builds on our longstanding commitment of working across the industry to provide advanced technologies that enable trust, and help build a safe and thriving digital ecosystem for all.”

Microsoft will be the first partner to share its insights and integrate with the new Digital Transaction Insights solution across several lines of business. Building on a long history of cross-collaboration, Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Fraud Protection’s proprietary risk assessment, which leverages adaptive AI to assist in real-time fraud detection by identifying risky behaviors across purchase, account and in-store activities, has been integrated with Mastercard’s Digital Transaction Insights to better enable real-time intelligence sharing in an easily consumable and actionable format. This will enable issuers to enhance their decision-making processes for authorizations, chargebacks and refunds. Moreover, organizations can improve transaction acceptance rates with insights that help them balance profitability and revenue opportunities against fraud loss and checkout friction.

“We are excited to partner with Mastercard to leverage our cloud-native, cutting-edge fraud assessment tools to empower issuers and merchants to prevent more fraud and approve more genuine users. This partnership lays the foundation for the future of global fraud prevention where data silos are no longer a barrier to security.”

Charles Lamanna, corporate vice president of Business Applications and Platforms at Microsoft, said, “We are excited to partner with Mastercard to leverage our cloud-native, cutting-edge fraud assessment tools to empower issuers and merchants to prevent more fraud and approve more genuine users. This partnership lays the foundation for the future of global fraud prevention where data silos are no longer a barrier to security.”

Digital Transaction Insights is enabled by EMV 3-D Secure and Mastercard Identity Check, a global authentication solution built on the enhanced industry standard. Both elements support GDPR requirements and other related regulations. In 2021 alone, Mastercard Identity Check delivered a 14% uplift in transaction approval rates across billions of transactions.

(source: Microsoft)

Extreme heat impacting millions across India and Pakistan

By
officialinstitutions
-
0
Extreme heat impacting millions across India and Pakistan
With extreme heat gripping large parts of India and Pakistan, the two countries are working to roll out life-saving health action plans to combat the heatwave, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Friday.
The extreme heat is impacting hundreds of millions of people in one of the most densely populated parts of the world, threatening to damage whole ecosystems.

Working closely with health and disaster management agencies, the national meteorological and hydrological departments in both countries, plan to roll out heat health action plans, which have been successful in saving lives in the past few years, said the UN weather agency in a statement.

Cascading impacts

Extreme heat has multiple and cascading impacts not just on human health, but also on ecosystems, agriculture, water and energy supplies and key sectors of the economy.

WMO reiterated its commitment to “ensuring that multi-hazard early warning services reach the most vulnerable”.

Heat Health Action Plans

Both India and Pakistan have successful heat-health early warning systems and action plans already in place, including those specially tailored for urban areas.

They reduce heat mortality and lessen the social impacts of extreme heat, including lost work productivity.

Important lessons have been learned from the past and these are now being shared among all partners of the WMO co-sponsored Global Heat Health Information Network, to enhance capacity in the hard-hit region, WMO advanced.

Intense heat to continue

The India Meteorological Department said that maximum temperatures reached 43-46°C in widespread areas, on 28 April, and that this intense heat will continue until 2 May.

Similar temperatures have also been seen in Pakistan, with daytime temperatures likely to be between 5°C and 8°C above normal in large swathes of the country, said the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

They also warned that in the mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkwa, the unusual heat levels would accelerate snow and ice melt, with the possibility of triggering glacial lake floods – or flash floods in vulnerable areas.

Air quality has also deteriorated, and large swathes of land are at risk of fire outbreaks.

Consistent with ‘changing climate’

According to WMO, “it is premature to attribute the extreme heat in India and Pakistan solely to climate change”, however, the agency continues “it is consistent with what we expect in a changing climate”.

Furthermore, heatwaves are more frequent and more intense and starting earlier than in the past.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in its recent Sixth Assessment Report, also said that heatwaves and humid heat stress would be more intense and frequent in South Asia this century.

The current heatwave was triggered by a high-pressure system and follows an extended period of above average temperatures.

India recorded its warmest March on record, with an average maximum temperature of 33.1 ºC, or 1.86 °C above the long-term average.

Pakistan also recorded its warmest March for at least the past 60 years, with a number of stations breaking March records.

In the pre-monsoon period, both India and Pakistan regularly experience excessively high temperatures, especially during May.

Action Plans

India has established a national framework for heat action plans through the National Disaster Management Authority which coordinates a network of state disaster response agencies and city leaders, to prepare for soaring temperatures and ensure that everyone is aware of heatwave protocols.

The city of Ahmedabad in India was the first South Asian city to develop and implement a city-wide heat health adaptation, in 2013, after experiencing a devastating heatwave in 2010. This successful approach has then been expanded to 23 heatwave-prone states and serves to protect more than 130 cities and districts.

UNDP/Hira Hashmey

In Sindh province, Pakistan, a mother tries to shield her four-year-old daughter from scorching heat.

Pakistan has also made strides towards protecting public health from heat. In the summer of 2015, a heatwave engulfed much of central and northwest India and eastern Pakistan and was directly or indirectly responsible for several thousand deaths.

The event acted as a wake-up call and led to the development and implementation of the Heat Action Plan in Karachi and other parts of Pakistan.

Typical plans make sure the targeted intervention is a right fit and designed for the heat vulnerable population of a city.

It first identifies the heat hotspots of the city, locates the vulnerable populations in these pockets, and assesses the nature and status of their vulnerability to extreme heat.

5th European Laudato Si’ Reflection Day to be held on 17 May 2022

By
COMECE
-
0
5th European Laudato Si’ Reflection Day to be held on 17 May 2022
The European Laudato Si’ Alliance (ELSiA) is pleased to invite you to the 5th Laudato Si’ Reflection Day to be held online on Tuesday 17 May 2022 from 9:30 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:00. The theme of this year’s gathering is “Two Generations, One Journey”. Register here

The event will be an occasion to have an intergenerational dialogue around environmental movements of yesterday and today and to comment on some critical passages from Laudato Si’. Furthermore, participants will also explore issues of sustainable food production vs fast food, sustainable fashion vs fast fashion, and protection of Creation and biodiversity, while listening and interacting with experts and young people leading the change.

Finally, participants will explore if and how anyone can make bold choices to protect Creation and contribute to create sustainable living conditions for future generations.

Confirmed speakers include:

  • H. Em. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, President of COMECE and Honorary President of ELSiA;
  • Monika Skadborg, European Climate Pact Ambassador in Denmark;
  • Prof. Dr Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker, former Chairman of the Bundestag and Honorary President of the Club of Rome;
  • Anne Tran, Parliamentary intern of the CBCEW;
  • Marta Messa, Director of Slow Food Europe;
  • Pascalis Loucaides, UK manager of Too Good to Go;
  • Angelo Salsi, Head of Unit CINEA.D.D2 LIFE Environment (Nature & Circular Economy);
  • Amy Woolam Echeverria, International Coordinator for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation and Co-Coordinator Ecology Taskforce, Vatican Covid-19 Commission;
  • Ciaran Foulds, theologian and activist.

The meeting will take place via Zoom, on Tuesday May 17, 2022 from 9:30 to 12:15 and from 14:00 to 18.00 (CEST). The language of the meeting will be English. This is a free event and you can register here.

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== 5th European Laudato Si’ Reflection Day to be held on 17 May 2022About ELSiA
ELSiA is a network of Catholic organizations committed to joining forces to adapt the comprehensive approach of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’ and related Church teachings to a European context with a special focus on the institutions of the European Union. The alliance is composed by COMECE, CIDSE, Don Bosco International, JESC, Justice and Peace Europe, Caritas Europa, and the Laudato Si’ Movement.

WHO calls for end to ‘insidious’ online marketing of baby formula

By
officialinstitutions
-
0
WHO calls for end to ‘insidious’ online marketing of baby formula
The $55 billion baby formula industry must end exploitative online marketing targeting parents, particularly mothers, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a new report published on Friday. 
The study found companies are paying social media platforms and influencers to gain direct access to pregnant women and mothers at some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives, through personalized content that is often not recognizable as advertising. 

Methods used include apps, virtual support groups or “baby clubs”, promotions and competitions, as well as advice forums or services. 

Driving up sales 

This pervasive marketing is increasing purchases of breast-milk substitutes, WHO said, thus dissuading mothers from breastfeeding exclusively, as recommended by the UN agency. 

“The promotion of commercial milk formulas should have been terminated decades ago,” said Dr. Francesco Branca, Director of WHO’s Nutrition and Food Safety department. 

“The fact that formula milk companies are now employing even more powerful and insidious marketing techniques to drive up their sales is inexcusable and must be stopped.” 

90 posts a day 

The report, titled Scope and impact of digital marketing strategies for promoting breast-milk substitutes, is the second in a series and follows an initial study, published in February, on how marketing of formula milk influences our decisions on infant feeding. 

It summarizes findings of new research that sampled and analyzed four million social media posts about infant feeding published between January and June 2021 using a commercial social listening platform.  

The posts reached nearly 2.5 billion people and generated more than 12 million likes, shares, or comments. 

Formula milk companies post content on their social media accounts around 90 times per day, reaching 229 million users, according to the study – or three times the number of people reached by informational posts about breastfeeding from non-commercial accounts.  

Misleading and undermining 

The authors also compiled evidence from social listening research on public online communications, and individual country reports of research that monitors breast-milk substitute promotions.   

They also drew on a recent international study of mothers’ and health professionals’ experiences of formula milk marketing.   

Studies revealed how misleading marketing reinforces myths about breastfeeding and breast milk and undermines women’s confidence in their ability to breastfeed successfully.  

End all advertising 

WHO has called on the baby food industry to end exploitative formula milk marketing, and on governments to protect children and families by enacting, monitoring and enforcing laws to end all advertising or other promotion of formula milk products. 

The proliferation of global digital marketing of formula milk blatantly breaches a landmark international code on the marketing of breast-milk substitutes, adopted 40 years ago, the agency said.  

The agreement is designed to protect the general public and mothers from aggressive marketing practices by the baby food industry that negatively impact breastfeeding practices. 

WHO said the fact that these forms of digital marketing can evade the scrutiny of national monitoring and health authorities, shows new approaches to code-implementing regulation and enforcement are required.  

Despite clear evidence that exclusive and continued breastfeeding are key determinants of improved lifelong health for children, women, and communities, far too few children are breastfed as recommended. 

WHO warned the proportion could fall further if current formula milk marketing strategies continue. 

‘The world sees you’ UN chief tells Ukrainians, pledging to boost support

By
Newsroom
-
0
‘The world sees you’ UN chief tells Ukrainians, pledging to boost support
Describing Ukraine as “an epicenter of unbearable heartache and pain”, the UN chief took to the podium alongside its president in Kyiv on Thursday, vowing to increase support for the people amidst the suffering, and the millions displaced in the wake of Russia’s invasion.
“I am here to focus on ways on how the UN can expand support for the people of Ukraine, saving lives, reduce suffering and help find the path of peace”, Secretary-General António Guterres told reporters from across the world gathered in a stately room, with curtains drawn.

Shortly after the press conference, two missile strikes reportedly rocked the capital, a reminder that the war is far from over, despite the Russian withdrawal from the surrounding suburbs.

At least one person was killed, and several injured – with some buried beneath rubble as two high rise buildings caught fire – according to news reports, in the northwest of the city

‘Awe’ at Ukraine’s resolve

“I want the Ukrainian people to know that the world sees you, hears you, and is in awe of your resilience and resolve”, declared the UN chief.

“I also know that words of solidarity are not enough. I am here to zero in on needs on the ground and scale up operations.  

“This war must end, and peace must be established, in line the charter of the United Nations and international law. Many leaders have made many good efforts to stop the fighting, though these efforts, so far, have not succeeded.

“I am here to say to you, Mr. President, and to the people of Ukraine: We will not give up.”

‘Crisis within a crisis’: Mariupol

Mr. Guterres said the tens of thousands of civilians and fighters believed to be left in the besieged and destroyed coastal city of Mariupol, were in “desperate need” of a humanitarian corridor to escape the horrors of the last redoubt against the Russian invaders, of the Azovstal steel plant complex.

“Mariupol is a crisis within a crisis. Thousands of civilians need life-saving assistance. Many are elderly, in need of medical care or have limited mobility. They need an escape route out of the apocalypse.”

He recalled that in his meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, there had been an agreement “in principle” to involve the UN and Red Cross, to aid the evacuation of civilians.

“Today, President Zelenskyy and I had the opportunity to address this issue”, he said, adding that “as we speak, there are in intense discussions to move forward on this proposal to make it a reality.”

Failure in New York

Bearing in mind that Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine was a clear violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the UN Charter, Mr. Guterres expressed his categorical view, that the Security Council had failed to live up to its primary purpose to prevent or end the war.

“This is a source of great disappointment, frustration and anger”, he said.

“But the men and women of the United Nations are working every day for the people of Ukraine, side by side with so many brave Ukrainian organizations. I salute the more than 1,400 staff of the UN — the vast majority of whom are Ukrainian nationals. They are on the ground in nine operational hubs and 30 locations.”

He said the complex aid mission had been “one of the fastest scale-up operations we have ever undertaken, and we are very much aware that not everything is perfect.  Whatever we can provide pales in comparison to the needs.”  

He pledged more action “across the board – coordinating with the Ukrainian Government every step of the way.”

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

UN Secretary General António Guterres addresses the media in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Support for millions

He said life-saving humanitarian aid had reached 3.4 million people inside Ukraine, adding that the UN was aiming to more than double that number to 8.7 million by the end of August.   

Mr. Guterres said cash assistance was being expanded, and the UN is distributing $100 million per month, aiming to reach 1.3 million people by the end of May, and covering two million by August.  

“This is not a typical humanitarian UN operation in a developing country, with lots of problems of governance and lots of difficulties. Ukraine is a country with a government and a system of support to its citizens, and so the role of the UN is not to replace that system, it is to support the Government to support the people of Ukraine.”

Food aid has reached 2.3 million people, said the Secretary-General, with the aim to help four million by May and six million by June.

He said the UN would increase capacity to meet the needs of the 7.7 million that have been displaced inside Ukraine, while the World Health Organization (WHO) is delivering medical supplies for trauma and emergency care for more than seven million.

“And we are advancing the work of accountability and justice by monitoring and reporting on human rights violations wherever they are detected.”

Ground zero for the future 

“Finally”, he told reporters in Kyiv, “in many ways, we are at ground zero for the world we need to build – a world of respect for international law, the UN Charter and the power of multilateralism, a world that protects civilians, a world that advances human rights, a world where leaders live up to the values that they have promised to uphold.

WHO re-assigns Islands and Small States Institute in Malta as collaborating centre

By
officialinstitutions
-
0
brown dome building in Malta
Photo by Nick Fewings

The Islands and Small States Institute (ISSI) of the University of Malta, has been re-assigned as the WHO Collaborating Centre on Health Systems and Policies in Small States. The Institute was first designated as a WHO collaborating centre in 2017.

ISSI will work on 3 main topics: (i) the development of policy recommendations on building health-system resilience in small states; (ii) the interrelationship between tourism, health systems and sustainability, with a focus on islands and small countries, through a planetary health and equity approach; and (iii) the development of a toolkit on health information, digital health and evidence generation in small states.

Known as a centre of excellence on issues pertaining to islands and small states, ISSI has a notable track record of high-calibre policy research on resilience, economy, and environment and health issues affecting small states. The institute is currently supporting a WHO project aimed at gaining a better understanding of the interplay between health and tourism, with a focus on sustainable tourism in small states.

Malta is a member of the WHO/Europe Small Countries Initiative, a network of 11 Member States in the WHO European Region with populations of 2 million or less, established in 2013. The Initiative is coordinated by the WHO European Office for Investment for Health and Development in Venice, Italy.

Dock2Dock unlocks the power of participant fundraising with GivenGain

By
Newsdesk
-
0
Dock2Dock unlocks the power of participant fundraising with GivenGain
Dock2Dock, the unique open water swimming event in the heart of London, is back on 3 September 2022 with an exciting new fundraising challenge! After the success of last year’s fundraising event, Dock2Dock promises to be another action-packed day of open water swimming. Tickets to this iconic event are selling faster than ever before with the 3k and epic 15k sold out of general tickets already.

For the first time, organisers are also offering a limited number of charity tickets to participants who plan to fundraise for the Sea Cadets as part of the race. In exchange for committing to raise money for the charity, swimmers taking on any of the distances on offer can access a 40% discount on their entry fee – so long as they act quickly.

A good local cause

The Sea Cadets Royal Docks Boat Station is one of the standout landmarks along the swim routes, and cadets have helped out in previous years by providing safety cover for swimmers. Now Dock2Dock is looking to return the favour by turning the event into a massive fundraising opportunity in their benefit.

Funds raised by charity ticket holders will go directly to the Royal Docks Sea Cadets, helping them support and teach life skills to local 10- to 18-year-olds through the traditions of the Royal Navy.

Supporting teenagers who are financially disadvantaged, the organisation relies on donors and fundraisers. Cadets are also encouraged to volunteer and fundraise as part of the group’s commitment to social action.

“The businesses and companies around the London Royal Docks form a wonderful community,” said Dock2Dock event organisers. “Hosting an event in the area is a privilege and we couldn’t do this without the support of this community. The Sea Cadets are one such neighbour who work tirelessly to help young people not only locally, but throughout the UK.“

Fundraising together – or alone

To maximise fundraising at the event, Dock2Dock organisers have teamed up with non-profit fundraising platform GivenGain, preferred fundraising platform of some of the world’s highest-profile mass participation events, including the Boston Marathon.

GivenGain allows participants to start individual fundraising projects in aid of Sea Cadets, giving them an easy way to track their progress as well as their position on the overall event fundraising leaderboard. This always inspires a bit of friendly competition before the big day, as swimmers feel part of something bigger than themselves.

Charity ticket holders can start making a difference straight away by registering a free account on GivenGain, starting a fundraising project and then sharing it with friends, family and supporters around the world.

“We’re really excited to be working with the Sea Cadets and Dock2Dock to help make the event more meaningful through participant fundraising,” says Clara Miret Carbonell, Regional Manager: Europe at GivenGain. “After a difficult couple of years for mass participation fundraising events, it’s great to once again see people turning out in numbers to make a difference and support the Sea Cadets. Don’t miss this chance to take on an incredible sporting challenge and give back!”

The power of many (participants)

Online crowdfunding leverages individual networks to contribute far more than a single person can, and to ensure the success of each charity, event, fundraiser and donor, GivenGain is always on hand to provide excellent moral support, tips, resources and white glove service. Beyond just providing Dock2Dock with a fundraising platform, GivenGain offers a fully outsourced support service, backed by expertise going back more than 20 years. The platform’s team of fundraising experts are on hand to build events’ social impact campaigns, create their online pages, design a communications plan to engage their participants and provide them with fundraising resources and content to keep them engaged.

“Online fundraising is the most powerful way for event participants to support the charities they care about,” says Clara Miret Carbonell. “It’s great to see major events like Dock2Dock enabling participant fundraising. We can’t wait to see what a difference it makes!”

Swim for a cause

Charity tickets for Dock2Dock in the 1.5K, 3K, 5K, 10K and 15K distances are now available from their website, but hurry up if you want to swim for the Sea Cadets: charity ticket numbers are strictly limited! Participants with regular priced tickets can also fundraise for the Sea Cadets or a charity of their choice by starting a project on GivenGain. Get involved in this unique open water challenge and start making a difference today!

Press release distributed by Pressat on behalf of GivenGain Foundation, on Friday 29 April, 2022. For more information subscribe and follow https://pressat.co.uk/

HPV vaccination brings the WHO European Region closer to a cervical cancer-free future

By
officialinstitutions
-
0
close-up photo of brown bone
Photo by Meta Zahren

Vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV) have been in use for 15 years. Clinical trials demonstrated early on that these vaccines are safe and effective. Those countries that have achieved high rates of HPV vaccination coverage have already demonstrated the real-world impact of vaccination: significant reductions in HPV infections, precancerous cervical lesions (CIN) and genital warts, the latter in both females and males.

New data from one of the first countries in the Region to introduce HPV vaccination reveal just how well the vaccines work to prevent invasive cervical cancer. In England, United Kingdom, researchers found that the HPV immunization programme has almost eliminated cervical cancer in women born since 1 September 1995 (who were vaccinated at age 12−13). Incidence among these women of late-stage (grade 3) CIN that could later develop into cancer has also been significantly reduced.

No time to waste

In the Region, more than 66 000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and more than 30 000 die from it annually. Considering HPV vaccines’ very good safety profile and proven high impact, it is urgent that all girls in every country have easy access to this protection.

Over the last decade, the Region has been expanding access to HPV vaccines and uptake is increasing. The vaccines are now routinely offered to girls (and in some countries also to boys) aged between 9 and 14 in 38 of the 53 countries of the Region.

In 2019–2020, 20 countries vaccinated more than 50% of the targeted adolescent girls, and 8 countries were able to reach 80%. Timely vaccination before each cohort encounters the virus is key to preventing its later spread.

Elimination of cervical cancer

The results from England reiterate that cervical cancer is a preventable disease. It is also curable if detected early and adequately treated. The Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem outlines strategic actions and sets 2030 targets for countries to achieve to be on the path towards cervical cancer elimination.

To that end, in collaboration with partners, WHO/Europe is developing the “Roadmap to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem in the WHO European Region 2022–2030”. It will outline a path based on universal and equitable access to HPV vaccination, appropriate cervical cancer screening and timely diagnosis, and quality treatment and palliative care for all women.

Together, these actions give us the opportunity to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat in the Region and contribute to the global vision.

General Assembly reviews global progress towards sustainable urbanization

By
United Nations News
-
0
General Assembly reviews global progress towards sustainable urbanization
With six in 10 people expected to be living in cities by the end of the decade, the UN General Assembly met on Thursday to examine progress towards implementing a 2016 framework on sustainable urbanization. 
The New Urban Agenda presents a shared global vision for how to build, manage, and live in cities, through urbanization that is well-planned and well-managed.  

It was adopted just one year after countries agreed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the blueprint for a better future, for people and the planet, by 2030. 

‘Change this trend’ 

In his opening remarks, General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid spoke of how sustainable urbanization can drive change across a variety of interconnected issues, including poverty eradication, climate action, migration, land degradation, economic prosperity, and creation of peaceful societies. 

Yet, he said the New Urban Agenda has often been “under-appreciated”, despite its far-ranging implications.  

“While sustainable urbanization is related to the achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals, only a few countries can truly claim that they have in place the governance, and the necessary policies, including on inclusive urban planning, capacity development, technology access, and financing necessary to ensure sustainable urbanization,” said Mr. Shahid, adding “we need to change this trend.” 

The high-level meeting brought together Government representatives, city mayors, business leaders, youth, and other constituencies.   

The lead-up was marked by several events including the publication of the latest UN Secretary-General’s report on implementation, five regional forums on sustainable development, and a special meeting of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). 

Address ‘urban inequalities’ 

Full implementation of the New Urban Agenda is at the core of the SDG principle of “leaving no one behind”, said Collen V. Kelapile, the ECOSOC President, who reported on its meeting held last week. 

Among the key messages coming out of the discussions was the need for financing to address “urban inequalities”, including around access to housing. 

“Housing has become a commercial commodity, and urban land markets are captured by the political elite. Therefore, Member States are urged to position housing above all as a human right,” said Mr. Kelapile. 

He also encouraged countries to view the challenge of unlocking financing for affordable housing as both an opportunity to create jobs and a catalyst to enhance revenues raised by cities. 

Leave no one behind 

The imperative around housing is included in the Secretary-General’s quadrennial report, the document guiding deliberations at the one-day meeting, said Maimunah Sharif, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, the agency that is the “custodian” of the New Urban Agenda. 

She recalled that the report recommends countries integrate provision of adequate and affordable housing as a driver of equitable development, adding that housing is central to social protection systems, along with healthcare, jobs, education and digital access. 

“Member States can achieve this by making urban policy a central feature to comprehensively address climate mitigation and adaptation. By aligning spatial and economic development we can protect biodiversity and reduce pollution. We must ensure no one, including the smallest of God’s creations, is left behind,” she said. 

Ocean Image Bank/Srikanth Mannep

Urban expansion is contributing to Indonesia’s significant mangrove loss.

Under pressure 

The New Urban Agenda is critical at a time when cities are grappling with numerous pressures, for example on food, water and energy resources – a point made by the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed.  

The framework sets out a clear pathway for developing truly sustainable cities, centred around resilient economies, a clean environment, and the health, well-being, culture, and security that residents need.   It also offers lasting solutions to tackle the climate crisis.  

“When planned well, built in a compact urban form, and supported with high quality public transport, cities offer the most sustainable form of human settlement,” she said.   

“Investing in sustainable urbanization can also catalyze important transitions across food and energy systems.” 

Ms. Mohammed also highlighted UN initiatives to assist countries in implementing the New Urban Agenda.  

Urbanization will be integrated more systematically into development cooperation frameworks, for example, while Governments will also receive tailored support for the development of national urban policies and inclusive urban planning. 

Is the mobile phone being overlooked in the Ukrainian crisis?

By
Newsdesk
-
0
There has been much written about Ukraine and what’s happening but little about how important phones are in this crisis. There has been one European wide announcement but so far that hasn’t translated much to what’s happening on the ground.

theunconnected.org (charity number 1198420) is a UK charity focused on ensuring people who need it have a connection to the internet. We have been working hard to keep communication channels open between people who have fled Ukraine and those who remain behind.

By raising funds and donations in kind theunonnected.org firstly went out to the Ukrainian border in Siret to distribute SIM cards, power banks, chargers and devices in addition to seeing first hand the necessity for this telecom equipment. As suspected the demand for this was huge and our stand was the first port of call for most people crossing the border. Keeping their phone working was the top priority for people fleeing the crisis.
We made a second visit to Berlin as it’s a major destination and transition hub for refugees delivering more equipment to the people in need and there were a great many of them.

Since returning to the UK we have been raising funds to top up the phones of Ukranian’s left behind in Ukraine. 92% of the mobile phone market in Ukraine is prepaid, requiring a balance to be on the phone to make it function. As the situation deteriorates it has become more and more difficult to purchase this credit in Ukraine but it’s something we can do from the UK.

We have been communicating with the people we met on the border, in Germany, NGO’s and other Ukrainian organisations both in the UK and Ukraine to collect numbers and this is now going viral with more being added every minute.

We have been posting credit on thousands of phones to ensure that people in Ukraine can continue to communicate and keep their life functioning as normally as possible. We have been doing this with both corporate and individual sponsorship but funds are now low just as the need is growing and the situation getting worse.

If you think you can help please go to https://donorbox.org/connecting-ukrainian-refugees

Press release distributed by Pressat on behalf of theunconnected.org, on Friday 29 April, 2022. For more information subscribe and follow https://pressat.co.uk/

1...462463464...1,550Page 463 of 1,550

© FRVS+MPCP 2022. The European Times® News is registered as an EU Trademark. All rights reserved. The European Times® and the logo of The European Times® are EU trademarks registered by FRVS+MPCP.

MADRID

Members/Partners of

GNS Press - The European Times

Google News

  

About Us

Popular Category

DISCLAIMER OPINIONS: The opinions of the authors or reproduced in the articles are the ones of those stating them and it is their own responsibility. Should you find any incorrections you can always contact the newsdesk to seek a correction or right of replay.

DISCLAIMER TRANSLATIONS: All articles in this site are published in English. The translated versions are done through an automated process known as neural translations. If in doubt, always refer to the original article. Thank you for understanding.

DISCLAIMER PHOTOS: We mostly used photos images that are readily available online, from free sources, or from the people promoting the news. If by any chance it happens that we have used one of your copyrighted photos, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will take it down without question. We do not make profits as this is a not for profit project to give voice to the voiceless while giving them a platform to be informed also of general news, and it is completely free.

Editor Picks