Source: Reserve Bank of India
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Category: Economy
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MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on February 11, 2025
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MIL-OSI Economics: ADB’s North American Representative Office Celebrates 30 Years of Partnership
Source: Asia Development Bank
Transcript
SUPERS
ADB logo
Asian Development Bank
North American Representative Office
30 Years of PartnershipSamuel Tumiwa, NARO Representative:
[Music] The North American Representative Office was established 30 years ago, in 1995. Our main job is to maintain a strong relationship with the US government and the Canadian government. One of the things that’s become more and more important is that we also share with the people here in the US and Canada what we do in the developing countries in Asia and the Pacific.
Alain Borghijs, NARO Deputy Representative:
It’s crucial that we work closely with our government partners because they guide us on their development policy priorities. I should also mention our close collaboration with other financial institutions based here in DC: the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and International Monetary Fund. Our corporate-level work here complements the on-the-ground collaboration that we have in the developing countries.
Scott Morris, Vice-President (East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific):
If I look at the US in particular, they have been a key architect of the broader MDB Evolution agenda, which is enabling us as an institution to up our game and provide more resources to these countries. When I look to Canada, I see critical intellectual leadership, particularly in providing us a course to follow on a gender-based strategy.
Roberta Casali, Vice-President (Finance and Risk Management):
Thought leadership and important policy dialogues in the US and Canada have strengthened our innovative finance and balance sheet optimization solutions.
Yingming Yang, Vice-President (South, Central and West Asia):
Both the US and Canada have worked to support telecommunication activities and small businesses. US and Canadian technology and innovation have been essential to our work in Asia and the Pacific.
Xinning Jia, Director General of Strategy, Policy, and Partnerships:
The United States is a founding member of ADB and the co-largest shareholder, promoting excellence in ADB’s strategy and policy direction. Canada is a founding member of ADB, always promoting gender equality. Canada is supporting ADB’s climate finance through the Canadian Climate Fund for the private sector in Asia.
Suzanne Gaboury, Director General of Private Sector Operations:
Both the US and Canada are great supporters of the private sector, which is really important for us. As a consequence, we have many Canadian clients and many US clients that come to visit us in the Philippines. It’s also really important that we come here to North America to visit them in their home countries. Last year, for every dollar that we invested, we mobilized another $2.7. I think that’s remarkable because we need to mobilize capital into the private markets and help capital market development. Part of our job is to be a financial intermediary in these markets.
Steve Goldfinch, Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist:
NARO provides an important link across ADB’s developing member countries in Asia and the Pacific and the governments of the US and Canada. Partners and organizations such as the World Bank and think tanks based here in DC make DC not only a center of development finance but also of development thinking. From the MDBs headquartered here to the think tanks and policy centers, NARO’s role is really that of a convener, broker, and connector. This is critical in serving ADB’s member countries.
Natasha Mooney, NARO Senior External Relations Officer:
When I think about the theme of partnerships in line with the 30th anniversary, I see that as not just financial partnerships but also knowledge collaboration. We can do more in terms of coming together and convening power, bringing networks together, whether it be academia, civil society, government, private sector, or diaspora communities. I think there’s a lot that we can do in terms of the theme of partnerships, but again, really trying to drive progress on our shared goals within the region. The last 30 years have seen incredible innovation with partnerships between Canada, the US, and the ADB, and we’re really looking forward to seeing what the future holds.
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MIL-Evening Report: French Overseas Minister Manuel Valls to visit Nouméa for key political talks
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk
French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls has announced he will travel to New Caledonia later this month to pursue talks on the French territory’s political future.
These discussions on February 22 follow preliminary talks held last week in Paris in “bilateral” mode with a wide range of political stakeholders.
The talks, which included pro-independence and pro-France parties, were said to have “allowed to restore a climate of trust between France and New Caledonia’s politicians”.
Those meetings contributed to “a better understanding” of “everyone’s expectations” and “clarify everyone’s respective projects”, Valls said.
Between February 4 and 9, Valls said he had met “at least twice” with delegations from all six parties and movements represented in New Caledonia’s Congress.
The main goal was to resume the political process and allow everyone to “project themselves into the future” after the May 2024 riots.
The riots caused 14 dead, hundreds of injured, arson and looting of hundreds of businesses and an estimated damage of some 2.2 billion euros (NZ$4 billion).
‘Touched all topics’
“We have touched on all topics, extensively and without any taboo, including the events related to the riots that broke out in New Caledonia in May 2024.”Valls said in this post-riot situation, “everyone bears their own responsibilities, but the French State may also have a part of responsibility for what happened a few months ago”.
New Caledonia’s key economic leaders Mimsy Daly and David Guyenne with French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls. Image: MEDEF NC/RNZ At the weekend, as part of the week-long talks, Valls and French Public Accounts Minister Amélie de Montchalin hosted a three-hour session dedicated to New Caledonia’s “devastated” economy.
High on the agenda of the conference were crucial subjects, such as France’s assistance package, the need to reform and reduce costs in New Caledonia (including in the public service workforce) — as well as key sectors such as the health, tourism sectors and the nickel mining and processing industry — which has been facing an unprecedented crisis for the past two years.
Unemployment benefits
There was also a significant chapter dedicated to the duration of special unemployment benefits for those who have lost their jobs due to the riots’ destruction.Another sensitive point raised was the long and difficult process for businesses (especially very small, small and medium) damaged and destroyed for the same reasons to get insurance companies to pay compensation.
Most insurance companies represented in New Caledonia have, since the May 2024 riots, cancelled the “riot risk” from their insurance coverage.
This has so far made it impossible for riot-damaged businesses to renew their insurance cover under the same terms as before.
French assistance to post-riot recovery in New Caledonia includes a 1 billion euros (NZ$1.8 billion) loan ceiling and a special fund of some 192 million euros (NZ$350 million) dedicated to the reconstruction of public buildings, mainly schools.
New Caledonia’s students are returning to school next week as part of the new academic year.
French Public Accounts Minister Amélie de Montchalin speaking from Paris to New Caledonia audience via a vision conference during the Economic Forum last Saturday. Image: NC la 1ère TV/RNZ Economy and politics closely intertwined
Valls stressed once again that “there cannot be an economic recovery without a political compromise, just like there cannot be any lasting political solution without economic recovery”.“(France) needs to be there so that the economic slump (caused by the riots) does not turn into a social disaster which, in turn, would exacerbate political fractures”.
“The government of France will be on your side. No matter what happens. We are absolutely taking charge of our responsibilities.”
The “economic Forum” was also the first time delegations from all political tendencies, even though they did not talk to each other directly, were at least sitting in the same room.
“Thank you all for being here, this is a beautiful picture of New Caledonia. Maybe the economy can do more than politics”, Valls told the Economic Forum last Saturday.
Next step: ‘trilateral’ meetings
The next step, in New Caledonia, is for Valls to attempt holding “trilateral” meetings (involving all parties, pro and anti-independence and France) around the same table, which was not the case in Paris last week.The format of those Nouméa talks, however, “remains to be determined”.
Valls said he could stay in New Caledonia for as long as one week because, he said, “I want to take time”, including to not only meet politicians, but also economic and civil society stakeholders.
The 62-year-old French minister, who is also a former Prime Minister, as a political adviser to the then French Socialist Prime Minister Michel Rocard, was involved in the signing of the Matignon Accord, signed in 1988 between France, pro-independence and pro-France parties, which effectively put an end to half a decade of quasi civil war in the French Pacific archipelago.
He also stressed that any future discussion would be based on the “foundation and basis” of the Matignon and Nouméa Accords which, he said, was “the only possible way”.
The Nouméa Accord, signed in 1998 between the same parties, paved the way for a gradual transfer of powers from France to New Caledonia as well as a status of wider autonomy, often described in the legal jargon as “sui generis”.
Until now, under the Nouméa Accord, the key powers remaining to be transferred by France were foreign affairs (shared with New Caledonia), currency, law and order, defence and justice.
New Caledonia’s authorities have not requested the implementation of the transfer for another three portfolios: higher education, research, audiovisual communication and the administration of communes.
An exit protocol
But the 1998 deal also included an exit protocol, depending on the results of three referendums on self-determination.Those referendums were held in 2018, 2020 and 2021 and they all yielded a majority of votes against independence.
However, New Caledonia’s pro-independence movement largely boycotted the third poll and has since contested its validity.
Pro-France and pro-independence camps hold radically different views on how New Caledonia should evolve in its post-Nouméa Accord (1998) future status.
The options mentioned so far by local parties range from a quick independence (a five-year process to begin in September 2025 following the anticipated signature of a “Kanaky Accord”) to some sort of yet undefined “shared sovereignty” that could imply an “independence-association”, or a status of “associated state” for New Caledonia.
Pro-France parties, however, have previously stated they were determined to push for New Caledonia to remain part of France and, in corollary, that New Caledonia’s three provinces (North, South and Loyalty Islands) should be granted more separate powers, a formula sometimes described as “internal federalism” but criticised by pro-independence parties as a form of “apartheid”.
Complicating factor
Another complicating factor is that both sides — pro-independence and pro-France camps — are also divided between moderate and radical components.Last week, during question time in Parliament, Valls expressed concern at the current polarised situation: “People talk about racism, civil war. A common and shared project can only be built through dialogue.
“The (previously signed, respectively in 1988 and 1998) Matignon and Nouméa Accords, both bearing the prospect of a decolonisation process, are the foundation of our discussions. I would even say they are part of my DNA,” the minister said.
Referring to any future outcome of the current talks, he said they will have to be “inventive, ambitious, bold in order to build a compromise and do away with any radical position, all radical positions, in order to offer a common project for New Caledonia, for its youth, for concord and for peace”.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
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MIL-Evening Report: Is Elon Musk taking over the US government? Here’s how ‘state capture’ works – and why we should be concerned
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lee Morgenbesser, Associate Professor, School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University, Griffith University
Many Americans have watched in horror as Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, has been permitted to tear through various offices of the United States government in recent weeks. Backed by President Donald Trump, and supported by a small team of true believers, he has successfully laid siege to America’s vast federal bureaucracy.
On Tuesday, Trump signed an executive order giving Musk even more power. It requires federal agencies to cooperate with his “Department of Government Efficiency” (known as DOGE) in cutting their staffing levels and restricting new hires.
In his first comments to the media since joining the Trump administration as a “special” government employee, Musk also responded to criticism that he’s launching a “hostile takeover” of the US government.
The people voted for major government reform, and that’s what people are going to get.
Are Musk’s actions akin to a “hostile takeover” of government, or a coup? I argue it’s more a form of “state capture”. Here’s what that means.
Why it’s not a coup or self-coup
Under the pretence of maximising government efficiency and productivity, DOGE has amassed quite a bit of power. It has:
- penetrated the massive system responsible for virtually all government payments
- breached sensitive databases and private medical records
- circumvented routine conflict of interest and transparency requirements
- dismantled the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
- gained access to the computer systems of a number of federal agencies.
Musk’s blitzkrieg across Washington – carried out in apparent violation of numerous federal laws – has not only stirred confusion, but defied explanation.
A popular argument, supported by some historians and commentators, is that Musk’s actions amount to a coup. They argue this is not a coup in the classic sense of a takeover of the physical centres of power. Rather, it’s a seizure of digital infrastructure by an unelected group seeking to undo democratic practices and violate human rights.
This term, however, is not technically correct. The most widely accepted definition of a coup is:
an overt attempt by the military or other elites within the state apparatus to unseat the sitting head of state using unconstitutional means.
Since Musk and Trump are bedfellows in this plot, the tech billionaire is clearly not trying to violently unseat the president.
Another possible explanation: this is a self-coup. This describes a situation in which
the sitting national leader takes decisive illegitimate action against countervailing institutions and elites to perpetuate the incumbent’s power.
In December, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attempted a self-coup when he declared martial law in order to ostensibly protect the country from opposition forces. He quickly reversed his decision amid elite defections and mass public demonstrations.
Though self-coups are becoming more common, Musk is doing the dirty work in the US – not Trump. Also, Musk’s chief target – the bureaucracy – does not nominally offset presidential power (except in conspiracy theories).
What is ‘state capture’?
More accurately, Musk’s siege amounts to a form of “state capture”. This refers to:
the appropriation of state resources by political actors for their own ends: either private or political.
By this logic, Musk’s aim could be to capture different pieces of the US government and turn the state into a tool for wealth extraction.
State capture is a relatively simple but extremely destructive process. This is how it has played out in countries like Indonesia, Hungary, Nigeria, Russia, Sri Lanka and South Africa (Musk’s birthplace):
First, political and corporate elites gain control of formal institutions, information systems and bureaucratic policy-making processes.
Then, they use this power to apply rules selectively, make biased decisions and allocate resources based on private interests (rather than the public good).
In captured states, strongman leaders often use economic policy and regulatory decisions to reward their political friends. For instance, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Russian President Vladimir Putin and former South African President Jacob Zuma have helped their allies by:
- making government anti-trust decisions
- issuing permits and licenses
- awarding government contracts and concessions
- waiving regulations or tariffs
- conferring tax exempt status.
State capture is fundamentally a predatory process.
By taking over how the American government does business, Musk could be seeking to enrich a small but powerful network of allies.
The first beneficiary would be Trump, who is no stranger to using his office to expand his family’s business empire. With a more fully captured state, Trump can take an active role in determining how public wealth is dispersed among corporate and political elites. This decision-making power often goes hand-in-hand with “personalist” regimes, in which everything is a transaction with the leader.
The second beneficiary would be Musk himself and other Silicon Valley mega-billionaires who have bent a knee to Trump. By positioning their tech companies as the solution to what allegedly ails the federal government, particularly when it comes to the use of artificial intelligence, they stand to secure lucrative contracts handed out by the “new” state.
The third beneficiary would be the small army of engineers and technicians working with Musk to upend the American government. As loyal foot soldiers, these individuals will be compensated with career advancement, financial gains and networking opportunities, while also enjoying legal impunity. This kind of quid pro quo is how authoritarian regimes work.
What this could mean for the US
As Musk continues his assault on the federal bureaucracy, the American people will suffer the consequences.
The most immediate impact of state capture: worse decisions are made. By purging experienced civil servants, cancelling government contracts and accessing sensitive information systems, Musk’s actions will likely degrade the standard of living at home and endanger American lives abroad.
State capture also means there would be less accountability for the Trump administration’s public policy decisions. With a lack of congressional and independent oversight, key decisions over the distribution of economic benefits could be made informally behind closed doors.
Finally, state capture is inseparable from corruption. Doing business with the US federal government could soon require one to pass a loyalty test rather than a public interest test.
Trump’s enemies will encounter more hurdles, while his allies will have a seat at the table.
Lee Morgenbesser receives funding from the Australian Research Council (DP220103214). He is also a member of the Australian Labor Party.
– ref. Is Elon Musk taking over the US government? Here’s how ‘state capture’ works – and why we should be concerned – https://theconversation.com/is-elon-musk-taking-over-the-us-government-heres-how-state-capture-works-and-why-we-should-be-concerned-249471
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MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Major milestone’ on solutions to internal displacement: Top adviser
Source: United Nations MIL OSI b
Migrants and RefugeesThere have been significant advances in addressing the worldwide internal displacement crisis, but urgent action is still needed as numbers continue to rise, topping 76 million people worldwide, the top UN official on the issue said on Wednesday.
UN Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement Robert Piper was delivering his final press briefing at UN Headquarters in New York before concluding his mandate.
“There are around 76 million internally displaced people (IDPs) in the world today, 76 million people who have lost their homes, their livelihoods, their assets, their community because of wars, because of disasters, because of criminal violence,” he told correspondents.
Internally displaced people are “relatively invisible despite their numbers, unlike refugees and migrants,” Mr. Piper emphasised. Their numbers have doubled in the last ten years.
“Tens of millions of displaced people do not get home quickly, especially when they’ve been displaced by conflict,” Mr Piper emphasised, adding that “they get stuck in displacement”.
‘Major milestone’ in investments
The Secretary-General commissioned a high-level panel to advise him in 2021, focusing on this growing pattern of protracted displacement. To fix this issue, the panel insisted that only national governments can provide long term fixes.
“The right kind of investments, more development, more capacity building, less substitution, less short-term fixes,” said Mr. Piper.
In a positive development, governments have demonstrated increased commitment to addressing the crisis, he continued.
Iraq, Libya, Columbia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Somalia have collectively pledged to help over 11.5 million internally displaced persons find solutions. Some countries have backed these commitments with substantial funding – Iraq and Libya will fully fund their solutions processes, while Columbia is committing approximately $1 billion annually.
Reaping the rewards
“We are starting to see the results when governments take that responsibility seriously,” the Special advisor noted, pointing to recent initiatives such as Somalia’s commitment of $140 million for land purchases to facilitate displaced people’s integration.
In Nigeria’s northeastern states, governances have allocated specific portions of their revenue to address displacement, with the Governor of Borno state, committing 15 per cent of revenue for the next five years to this cause.
New laws and policies on internal displacement have been implemented in various countries – from Chad to Nigeria to the Philippines – demonstrating growing national ownership of the issue.
Challenges amid rising numbers
Despite progress, significant issues remain. The number of IDPs has doubled in just a decade with approximately 20 million new IDPs joining the long-term displaced since 2019.
The Special Adviser also highlighted specific areas where solutions cannot currently be implemented: “We cannot apply our model in Myanmar at the moment, for example, or in Gaza, where 85 percent of the population has been deliberately, repeatedly displaced by Israeli government acts”.
Strengthened response
Prevention tools need strengthening, particularly in light of climate change impacts and the need for better conflict prevention and disaster risk reduction.
Mr Piper said new ideas were being put into motion to address internal displacement including a solutions fund, strengthened country teams and increased development and peacebuilding assets. International financial institutions have also stepped up their involvement, with both the World Bank and The African Development Bank introducing IDP solutions indicators into their corporate scorecards.
The issue has gained increased visibility in international forums, including the climate COPs, the World Bank’s Fragility Forum, and the World Urban Forum. A group of 30-member states has formed to support these efforts, while Children’s Fund, UNICEF, and UN migration agency, IOM, have released new analyses on children and climate displacement.
Return to normal
Additionally, the humanitarian response remains robust, with UN operations reaching 50 million IDPs with assistance in 2023, while country-based pool funds assisted nearly 12 million displaced people.
However, reflecting on his tenure and the path forward, the Special Advisor warned that “we need to get better at preventing new displacements. Our prevention tools are not up to task”.
He concluded that “the core task is to keep saving lives, while we also help governments wherever possible, to build exit ramps for their displaced citizens back from crises to some sense of normality and stability”.
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MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – Do public health measures really make us happier? – UoA
Source: University of Auckland (UoA)Do policies aimed at making people healthier also make them happier? And to what extent do they infringe on personal autonomy are questions central to a new book by Martin Wilkinson from the University of Auckland.
Many of us accept public health policies relating to things deemed harmful, like alcohol, vapes, fatty or sugary food or cigarettes, without question.
However a new book by Martin Wilkinson, a professor of politics and international relations and former chair of the New Zealand Bioethics Council, concludes that many public health interventions probably make people worse off, infringe on their autonomy and don’t have compensating benefits for others.
Free to access, The Ethics of Public Health Paternalism (Oxford University Press, 2025) examines the various ways of making people healthier, according to whether they make it harder to be unhealthy, easier to be healthy, influence beliefs, or ‘nudge’ people towards certain choices.
The book covers measures like taxes, label warnings, age limits and bans on sales and marketing, as well as health promotions like ‘five plus a day’, subsidies to gyms, enticements to stop unhealthy behaviour, product placement in stores and the provision of walking and cycling infrastructure.
It features examples like the prohibition of alcohol in the US (from 1920 to 1933) or the Danish fat tax, a tax on saturated fat in food products, introduced in 2011, repealed in 2012, and the first of its kind in the world.
It also defines the concept of ‘paternalism’ in relation to health policies.
A main reason often given for the state to intervene in citizens’ health is because people would, if left to their own devices, make unhealthy choices that are bad for them, says Wilkinson.
“But trying to stop people harming themselves sounds paternalistic, and paternalism in public health raises two main questions: Why think that getting people to make healthier choices would make them better off? And should people not be free to choose for themselves?”
He specifies that adults, rather than children, are the focus of the book and that smoking is the one area where he believes the sheer weight of evidence supports efforts to discourage it.
Otherwise, he is on a collision course with the majority of public health advocates, he admits.
“I’m doubtful about the merits of many of the interventions they want. I argue that adults ought to be free to run their own lives, and that some, but not all, public health interventions would infringe on their autonomy.”
He says the book engages with ideas that writers and public health advocates have offered, found not only in books and academic articles but also in blogs, pamphlets, interviews, and health promotion campaigns.
He believes public health advocates who want to steer people into healthier behaviour have not been good at giving convincing reasons for doing so.
“They generally assume that to be healthier is to be better off, but this assumption is often wrong, because health is neither the only value nor the supreme value.
“To decide when people would benefit from being healthier, we must consider the value of health in their lives, how their unhealthy behaviour might be mistaken, and the evidence about whether it is or not.”
While the book is obviously critical of public health, Wilkinson says he’s not taking a free market or libertarian position
.
“I take no view about the size of the government, its role in the economy, or its duties to redistribute or to support a welfare state. Nor do I believe that paternalism towards adults is always wrong, only that it is questionable.”He believes in fact that perhaps paternalistic influences on people’s choices would make them better off, perhapsthey wouldn’t infringe upon people’s autonomy after all, or perhaps the infringement is justified.
“Finally, however, I remain unconvinced,” he says. “A persistent theme of the book is that we often don’t have very good, or in fact competing, evidence on these issues. Because the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, I don’t conclude that public health interventions are unjustifiable, only that they have not been justified.”
The Ethics of Public Health Paternalism (Oxford University Press, 2025) by T M Wilkinson is
open access and now published online and in print. (ref. https://academic.oup.com/book/59451 ) -
MIL-OSI China: US tariffs on steel, aluminum spark strong backlash across Europe
Source: China State Council Information Office
This photo taken on Oct. 4, 2024 shows the European Commission building in Brussels, Belgium. [Photo/Xinhua]
U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 25-percent tariff on steel and aluminum imports upon entering the United States, regardless of their country of origin, has sparked strong opposition across Europe.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned on Tuesday that U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union (EU) “will trigger firm and proportionate countermeasures.”
“Unjustified tariffs on the EU will not go unanswered,” von der Leyen said in a statement. “The EU will act to safeguard its economic interests. We will protect our workers, businesses and consumers.”
Addressing members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in Strasbourg on Tuesday, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic said that the EU will respond “firmly and proportionately” to the tariffs imposed by the U.S.
“In our opinion the tariffs are unjustified, because they will lead to an increase in prices and inflation,” Sefcovic said. Describing the move as a “lose-lose scenario,” he warned that the tariffs were “economically counterproductive.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed EU’s stance on countermeasures. “If the U.S. leaves us no other choice, the EU will respond with a united position,” he said in a speech to the Bundestag on Tuesday.
However, he cautioned against escalating tensions. “I hope we can avoid the misguided path of tariffs and counter-tariffs, as trade wars ultimately come at the expense of prosperity on both sides,” he added. He also warned that U.S. tariffs could soon extend beyond steel and aluminum, posing a particular threat to Germany as Europe’s largest exporting economy.
Dirk Jandura, president of the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (BGA), said in a statement that should Trump’s tariffs take effect, the EU must respond with a unified position. He cautioned that a trade war could have “fatal” consequences.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Tuesday that Poland is preparing for the potential impact of the U.S. tariffs. “It is worth doing everything to avoid unnecessary trade and customs wars, because this brings negative consequences for producers and consumers,” Tusk said before a government meeting.
Czech Industry and Trade Minister Lukas Vlcek told local media Tuesday that Europe needs to act in unison against the U.S. tariffs. Given the size of the EU’s trade with the U.S., a tariff war would not help anyone, he said.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said in a post on social media Monday evening that the imposition of high customs tariffs on steel and aluminum from Europe is a manifestation of Trump’s distrust in the power of the EU, which he disrespects.
A new round of U.S. protectionist policies could harm global trade, disrupt supply chains, and ultimately burden consumers in the U.S., Fabrizio Hochschild, former under-secretary-general of the United Nations (UN), told Xinhua.
“History shows that unilateral tariffs often provoke retaliatory measures, disrupting supply chains and undermining economic stability,” Hochschild noted, emphasizing that trade disputes should be resolved through multilateral mechanisms like the World Trade Organization (WTO).
“In any case, the announced tariffs will harm American producers and consumers in the end,” said Drago Patrlj, Croatian political analyst. “The world seems heading for a trade war, and it is extremely uncertain who will win and who will lose,” he said, adding, “In fact, everyone will lose, it’s just a question of who will lose more.”
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MIL-OSI USA: Peters and Slotkin Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Extend Federal Funding and Protections for the Great Lakes
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Elissa Slotkin (MI) are leading bipartisan legislation to extend federal funding and protections for the Great Lakes. The senators introduced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025 to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) through 2031 and increase the program’s annual authorized funding levels from $475 million to $500 million. The GLRI is the most significant investment ever made to restore and protect our Great Lakes. The GLRI combines federal and nonfederal efforts to stop the spread of carp and other invasive species, restore coastline and habitats connecting our streams and rivers, clean up environmentally damaged Areas of Concern, and prevent future contamination. While providing vital support for these efforts, the GLRI also helps ensure we can address new and emerging threats to the Great Lakes.
“The Great Lakes are a national treasure and central to our economy, environment, and way of life in Michigan. Since its creation, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has made significant headway in cleaning up Areas of Concern, protecting vital habitats, and restoring coastlines around the Great Lakes Basin,” said Senator Peters. “This bipartisan legislation will provide GLRI with the resources needed to build on that success and help protect and preserve the Great Lakes for future generations of Michiganders. I’m proud to again help lead the charge to strengthen this essential program.”
“Our Great Lakes power our Michigan economy, and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative ensures we are protecting our Lakes for generations to come,” said Senator Slotkin. “From controlling invasive species to responding to algal blooms to building up our waterways infrastructure – the GLRI is a critical tool. Time and time again the Trump administration has tried to zero out this program, and it’s more important than ever we protect it. It’s why I am honored to take up the mantle from Senator Debbie Stabenow, and work alongside Senator Peters to get this bill done.”
Since its inception, the GLRI has spurred tremendous progress in Michigan and throughout the Great Lakes region including nearly half of a million acres of habitat protected, restored, or enhanced, a five-fold increase in the successful cleanup and delisting of Areas of Concern, a ten-fold increase in the remediation of environmental and public health impairments, and reducing the threat of harmful algal blooms. The GLRI’s efforts have also resulted in economic returns of more than 3 to 1 across the region.
“The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is the most successful effort to protect and clean up our Great Lakes in U.S. history,” said Lisa Wozniak, Executive Director of Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “Our Great Lakes face emerging challenges, like toxic PFAS contamination, invasive species, rapidly warming temperatures and the impacts of climate change, which makes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2025 more important than ever. Protecting our treasured Great Lakes, the source of drinking water for millions of people, is something all Michiganders can get behind, and we look forward to working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to get this legislation signed into law.”
“The simple fact is the GLRI funds critical projects that make life better for the millions of Americans that depend on the Great Lakes. It also delivers a positive economic return on the government’s investment in cleaner water and healthier communities. Senator Peters and Senator Young along with other Great Lakes senators have our gratitude for introducing this important bill,” said Joel Brammeier, Alliance for the Great Lakes President and CEO.
“The GLRI is a landmark program that is making significant progress in restoring the waters, ecosystems, economies, and communities that make up the Great Lakes region,” said Erika Jensen, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Commission. “The Great Lakes Commission applauds Senators Peters and Young for introducing this important legislation, which will safeguard the economic and environmental health of the Great Lakes region for generations to come.”
“This bill is a winner for millions of people in the region,” said Laura Rubin, Director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “We thank Sens. Gary Peters and Todd Young for their bipartisan leadership and commitment to tackle the serious threats to our region’s drinking water, public health, jobs, and quality of life. Federal investments to restore the Great Lakes have been producing results, but serious threats remain. We look forward to working with the Great Lakes congressional delegation to pass this bipartisan bill that supports common sense solutions. If we scale back investments now, the problems will only get worse and more expensive to solve.”
“The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative provides critical investments in the health of the Great Lakes and the communities and businesses that rely on clean water. Communities across the region realize the lasting benefits of clean and healthy lakes, which attract visitors, create jobs, and sustain the Great Lakes way of life,” said Peter Laing, Great Lakes Business Network Co-Chair.
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025 is also supported by the League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, National Parks Conservation Association, Council of Great Lakes Governors, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, American Great Lakes Ports Association, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, American Sportfishing Association, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, National Audubon Society – Great Lakes, Environmental Law & Policy Center, and other key stakeholders in Great Lakes protection.
Peters and Slotkin have been champions for the GLRI. Peters and Slotkin helped enact the single-largest-ever investment in the GLRI through the bipartisan infrastructure law to accelerate the restoration of nine high-priority areas in Michigan whose lakes, rivers and watersheds flow into the Great Lakes.
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MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, Ossoff Introduce Bill to Strengthen Forest Management
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) introduced the Forest Data Modernization Act, which would modernize and improve the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis program to ensure reliable data is available to inform decision making. It would require the Forest Service to prepare an updated strategic plan to expand data collection and further integrate advanced remote sensing technology. According to the forestry industry, the improvements would unlock new economic opportunities for foresters and better protect the environment.
“Louisiana benefits when we use all our natural resources, including timber,” said Dr. Cassidy. “New data is a fantastic opportunity to better manage and support our forests.”
“Georgia leads the nation in forestry. I’ve worked closely with Georgia foresters to write this bipartisan bill that will support the efficient management of Georgia’s forests,” said Senator Ossoff. “Senator Cassidy and I are introducing this bipartisan bill to help support this vital industry for our state and Georgia’s beautiful woodlands.”
Companion legislation is being introduced by U.S. Representatives Barry Moore (R-AL-01) and Kim Schrier (D-WA-08) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Our nation’s foresters deserve updated technology and easily accessible data to help meet the demands of a rapidly growing market,” said Representative Moore. “I am grateful to my colleagues for joining me to introduce legislation that ensures foresters, forestry stakeholders, and the American public have access to standardized, high-quality data to support their decisions.”
“Mitigating risk in our forests has become ever more important with increasing intensity of wildfires and lengthening wildfire season throughout the West,” said Representative Schrier. “Land managers and fire chiefs need reliable information about forest health to effectively work to prevent catastrophic fire, mobilize wildland firefighters during fire, and perform forest restoration work afterward. This legislation will strengthen the FIA program to provide critical data needed to take action to help prevent devastating wildfires and support sound land management.”
The Forest Data Modernization Act is backed by the National Alliance of Forest Owners, Georgia Forestry Association (GFA), Jamestown, and more.
“We applaud Senators Ossoff and Cassidy on the introduction of The Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025, which will support private working forests, the communities that depend on them, and the environmental benefits they provide,” said Dave Tenny, President and CEO of the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO). “This bipartisan bill is a crucial step towards enhancing the U.S. Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program to provide more reliable and relevant forest data that private working forest owners need. Investing in modernizing the FIA program will support the forest stewardship, market innovation, and rural job creation while also promoting the economic, and environmental benefits private working forests provide. We look forward to working with Senators Ossoff and Cassidy, and the full Congress, to strengthen forest stewardship by passing the Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025.”
“The Georgia Forestry Association (GFA) commends Senators Ossoff and Cassidy for their bipartisan leadership in re-introducing the Forest Data Modernization Act. Georgia’s 24 million acres of working forests are a cornerstone of our state’s economy, supporting jobs, businesses, and rural communities while providing essential environmental benefits, including clean air, clean water, and vital wildlife habitat. Modernizing the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program will equip landowners, businesses, and policymakers with reliable, real-time data to drive smart forest management decisions,” said Tim Lowrimore, GFA President and CEO. “Investing in better data infrastructure will not only enhance sustainability efforts but also expand market opportunities, drive innovation, and reinforce forestry’s role as a key economic driver. We deeply appreciate the Senators’ leadership in advancing this critical legislation to secure the future of forestry in Georgia and across the nation.”
“Jamestown wishes to express our support to Senators Ossoff and Cassidy for rolling out The Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025! This forward-thinking legislation is set to bolster private working forests and the local communities that rely on them while amplifying their environmental benefits,” said Troy Harris, Managing Director of Timberland and Innovative Wood Products at Jamestown. “By investing in FIA modernization, we’re not only fostering forest stewardship, market innovation, and rural job creation, but also pushing forward the economic and environmental benefits that private working forests deliver. Let’s not forget the emerging role of mass timber in sustainable building practices. As a timberland manager and the developer of 619 Ponce, Georgia’s first sustainably grown building, we see firsthand how this sector will undoubtedly benefit from this modernized data. We’re eager to partner with Senators Ossoff and Cassidy, along with the entire Congress, to see this act through and boost forest sustainability through the Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025.”
“As a manager of timberlands in the U.S. South and Pacific Northwest, Rayonier is committed to the responsible management of every acre of our working forests. Reliable data is at the center of our forest management decisions. We are encouraged by the introduction of Senator Ossoff ad Senator Cassidy’s Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025, as it will help meet the needs of advanced forestry practices that will continue to position our forests to be solutions to the challenges faced by current and future generations.,” said Andres Villegas, Vice President Public Affairs & Communications, Rayonier. -
MIL-OSI United Nations: Financial Accounts Workshop
Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Provisional Timetable PDF PDF Session 1. New Recommendations in the 2025 SNA pertaining to financial accounts Session 1: Video recording Link Link Recommendations in the 2025 SNA pertaining to the financial accounts (IMF) PDF PDF Session 2. Use of financial accounts for analytical purposes Session 2: Video recording Link Link Use of Financial Account Balance Sheet in the EU (Eurostat) PDF PDF Use of Financial Accounts for Analytical Purposes (Central Bank of The Republic of Türkiye) PDF PDF Use of financial accounts for analytical purposes. Private Sector Debt with a focus on NFCs (National Bank of Belgium) PDF PDF Session 3. Issues related to non-financial corporations Session 3: Video recording link link Analyzing Non-Financial Corporation Using Institutional Sector Accounts (IMF) PDF PDF Financial Accounts in Armenia (Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia) PDF PDF Compilation of Financial Accounts for Non-Financial Corporations (Central Bank of The Republic of Türkiye) PDF PDF Compilation and Utilisation of the Financial Account of the Non-financial Corporations (NFC) Sector: Experience, Challenges, and Opportunities (Bank Indonesia) PDF PDF Non-financial corporations: compilation process in the Belgian financial accounts matrix (National Bank of Belgium) PDF PDF Non-financial Corporations (Statistics Iceland) PDF PDF Session 4. Issues related to household sector Session 4: Video recording link link Household Sectors Issues Using Institutional Sector Accounts (IMF) PDF PDF Exercise 1 XLSX, PDF XLSX, PDF Exercise 1 – Solution XLSX XLSX Exercise 2 XLSX, PDF XLSX, PDF Exercise 2 – Solution XLSX XLSX The household sector (Statistics Iceland) PDF PDF Recording Crypto Assets in Macroeconomic Statistics (IMF) PDF PDF F.18 The Recording of Crypto Assets in Macroeconomic Statistics PDF PDF Challenges with Cryptocurrencies in Georgia (National Statistics Office of Georgia) PDF PDF Foreign currency held by Households (National Bank of Moldova) PDF PDF Session 5. Issues related to financial instruments and specific transactions Session 5: Video recording link link Financial instruments (ECB) PDF PDF Exercises on Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) XLSX XLSX Exercises on Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) – Solutions XLSX XLSX Statistical measurement of illicit financial flows (UNCTAD) PDF PDF Non-financial Corporations equity liabilities (National Bank of Moldova) PDF PDF Session 6. Who-to-whom, consistency and balancing Session 6: Video recording link link Recommendations to improve the Vertical Consistency of EU Sector Accounts (ECB) PDF PDF Combining sources and balancing the accounts (ECB) PDF PDF Exercises on balancing XLSX XLSX Exercises on balancing – Solution XLSX XLSX Financial Accounts in Kyrgyzstan (National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic) PDF PDF From-whom-to-whom – practical solution for compiling FA statistics, NBRNM case (National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia) PDF PDF Who-to-whom, consistency and balancing (Statistics Iceland) PDF PDF Session 7. Conclusions and recommendations Session 7: Video recording link link Conclusions and way forward PDF PDF -
MIL-OSI United Nations: Migrant workers ‘indispensable’ to global economic growth: UN labour agency
Source: United Nations MIL OSI b
Migrants and RefugeesInternational migrants comprised 4.7 per cent of the labour force in 2022 – an indication of the crucial role they play in the global economy, the UN labour agency ILO said in a report published on Monday.
Some 167.7 million migrants were part of the labour force in their destination countries in 2022 – an increase of more than 30 million since 2013, according to the ILO Global Estimates on International Migrant Workers.
Of this number, 102.7 million were men and 64.9 million were women.
Regional distribution
Most migrants were concentrated in high-income countries, which accounted for more than 68 per cent of the overall total.
They were mainly drawn to three regions: Northern, Southern and Western Europe; North America and the Arab States.
The share living in Northern, Southern and Western Europe rose from 22.5 per cent in 2013 to 23.3 per cent in 2022, while the other two regions saw slight declines.
Gender disparities
The term “international migrants in the labour force” means that persons can be working or unemployed, and more than 155 million had jobs.
The ILO noted, however, that significant gender disparities persisted, as migrant women had an employment-to-population ratio of only 48.1 per cent, compared to nearly 73 per cent for their male counterparts.
Migrants also faced a higher unemployment rate compared to non-migrants, or 7.2 per cent versus 5.2 per cent. Again, women were more affected.
“This disparity may be driven by factors such as language barriers, unrecognized qualifications, discrimination, limited childcare options, and gender-based expectations that restrict employment opportunities, particularly for women,” the ILO said.
Further findings reveal that a significant portion of migrants, 68.4 per cent, were employed in the services sector – a trend largely driven by the global demand for care and domestic work, particularly among women.
Nearly 30 per cent of migrant women, and 12.4 per cent of men, were employed in these types of jobs, compared to 19.2 per cent of non-migrant women and 6.2 per cent of non-migrant men.
UN Women/Staton Winter
In Singapore, an Indonesian domestic worker prepares food in her employer’s kitchen after an early morning trip to the grocery store (file).
An ‘indispensable’ force
The report underscored the complexities of labour migration and the need for targeted policies to support international migrants.
With most of these workers employed in high-demand sectors, ensuring equitable access to employment opportunities must be a priority.
“Migrant workers are indispensable in addressing global labour shortages and contributing to economic growth,” said ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo.
“Ensuring their rights and access to decent work is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity.”
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MIL-OSI United Nations: Lime-flavoured memories drive innovation on Saudi farm
Source: United Nations MIL OSI b
By Daniel Dickinson in Saudi Arabia
Farmers in Saudi Arabia are being encouraged to adopt new irrigation techniques as water and land resources are put under increasing pressure.
Mohamed Alnwairan stands in front of a verdant citrus tree which four months hence will bear his first harvest of limes.
A former businessman turned farmer, he has been cultivating land in Al Ahsa, in the eastern deserts of Saudi Arabia, for the last 15 years. Now, due to climate change and dwindling supplies of water, he is adopting new technology as well as a new crop.
“We are very proud of our limes in this part of Saudi Arabia. You can feel the citrus oil on your hands when you touch them,” he told UN News. “They remind us of our childhood, and now I have the chance to grow them commercially.”
Mr. Alnwairan looks across his small farm which is located in an oasis near the city of Hofuf. It is approximately a thousand square metres, and the sandy soil is dotted with some 120 two-metre-high trees that have been growing for almost four years.
UN News/Daniel Dickinson
A farm worker tends to a lime tree irrigated through smart technology.
Smart irrigation
“On my left are trees which have been irrigated using innovative techniques and to the right are the ones I have been hand watering using traditional methods,” he said. “The irrigated trees are thriving more.”
The difference in colour, shape and sturdiness is noticeable, and their robust health is largely due to the way they have been watered.
Mr. Alnwairan’s farm is piloting what is known as smart irrigation, a resource-efficient approach to growing crops, which is being promoted in this region by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
He uses an app on his smartphone to monitor the soil and track and deliver the water his lime trees need to flourish. When it rains, sensors register the damp conditions and pause scheduled water provisions. If the trees are not getting enough water, the app can instruct a greater water flow, if necessary, all remotely.
UN News/Daniel Dickinson
Mahmoud Abdelnabby is an irrigation extension expert with FAO.
Water stress
Water used to be plentiful in the oasis farmland, but reduced rainfall due to climate change and the cultivation of water-thirsty rice, a local specialty, has driven the water table lower making water more problematic and pricier to access.
Mr. Alnwairan had to stop farming rice on another nearby plot when the water in his well fell to 300 metres below ground.
Mahmoud Abdelnabby, an irrigation expert with FAO, said that “smart irrigation can reduce water consumption by 70 per cent and is more sustainable for the environment.”
Farmers don’t currently have to pay for water, but automation provides other savings as fewer farm workers are needed to water the trees, a time consuming and onerous job during the intense heat of the Saudi growing season.
The technology whilst advanced is readily available on the local market and although financial investment is required, “it pays off in higher yields and a lower wage bill,” according to FAO’s Mr. Abdelnabby.
FAO/Mohammed Saud Alhumaid
Mohamed Alnwairan (centre) explains how his farm has benefited from smart irrigation techniques.
Land lost
As the climate continues to change across the desert lands of Saudi Arabia and drought conditions increase in frequency, farmers are also fighting desertification and the loss of productive land.
Jaffar Almubarak, who works for the Saudi Irrigation Organization, an FAO partner, said, “smart irrigation is part of an integrated response to climate change, which includes soil management and the choice of crops,” adding that “such an approach can maximise the use of water, but also help to rehabilitate land and work against desertification.”
In December 2024, global leaders from governments, international organizations, the private sector and civil society came together in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, under the auspices of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to discuss solutions to drought, land loss and land restoration.
Globally, up to 40 per cent of the world’s land is degraded, which has dire consequences for the climate, biodiversity and people’s livelihoods.
Like farmers across the world, Mr. Alnwairan exercises his long experience and expertise to increase his crop yields, driven by necessity and opportunity.
“I’m considering adopting smart irrigation across my farm to focus on mainly the cultivation of lime, for which I have a ready market,” he said.
If other farmers follow his lead, water supplies will go further in these arid lands while cultivation will help to slow down desertification.
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MIL-OSI United Nations: Making Cities Resilient 2030 initiative drives risk reduction and resilience building activities that are aligned with local, national, and regional priorities in Moldova
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Moldova is highly vulnerable to landslides, droughts, extreme temperature and severe weather events and floods, exacerbated by climate change, with droughts posing the greatest risk to communities and the economy. Water scarcity and forest fires are increasingly posing a threat to natural ecosystems, agriculture, and human settlements. Economic losses due to climate-induced disasters have caused economic losses of an estimated US$ 4 million per year, with scenarios indicating that the country could progressively trend towards a more arid environment, with the possibility of intensified droughts and fires.[1] Moldova was affected by 16 major earthquakes within the past 200 years. The area of its capital Chisinau is particular vulnerable to seismic risks due to its location and the structural vulnerability of its older buildings.[2]
Chisinau municipality has been part of UNDRR’s Making Cities Resilient 2030 initiative aimed at enhancing local resilience through advocacy, knowledge sharing, and city-to-city learning networks since 2021 and is committed to increasing its resilience and readiness for forthcoming challenges, encompassing disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Building on several multi-stakeholder workshops,[3] Chisinau municipality, in February 2023, initiated the development of a Resilience Strategy for the period of 2024-2030, including an action plan for 2024-2027. Over the course of the remainder of the year, local authorities, in collaboration with UNDRR, organized an interactive and participatory process involving diverse stakeholders, including central authorities, civil society, citizens, the private sector, and representatives of international development partners such as the International Organization for Migration, the World Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. These discussions and workshops helped to better understand the needs and of the local community, and to identify priority areas for resilience building: (1) strengthening governance, (2) enhancing critical infrastructure, and (3) fostering societal resilience. Chisinau is offering assistance and policy guidance to other cities and towns, both domestically and internationally. For example, within the framework of Making Cities Resilient 2030, Chisinau has already shared its experiences in resilience-building efforts with cities in Ukraine and Kazakhstan and has engaged in knowledge exchange with Portuguese municipalities.[4] The resilience building activities of Chisinau municipality align not only align with local and national priorities, but also with regional ones as strengthening disaster risk governance is prioritized in the National Implementation Plan of the European Union-Moldova Association Agreement. Since 2023, Moldova has access to the UN-supported INFORM Risk Index, a comprehensive assessment of subnational risk that facilitates the implementation of data-driven strategies for risk reduction, guiding decisions on prevention, preparedness, and response measures effectively.
Given that early warning 24 hours before an event can reduce the ensuing damage by 30 per cent[5], multi-hazard early warning systems are crucial to reducing losses from hazard events. Such early warnings need to be broadcast through a public alert system that effectively transmits and reaches people with these warnings regarding imminent emergencies and disasters. The United Nations Country team is supporting the establishment by 2027 of an Early Warning System tailored to the requirements of the Moldova Inspectorate for Emergency Situations. For example, ITU undertook a feasibility study on the deployment and implementation of a Cell Broadcast Service solution for sending alert messages in Moldova in 2023.
In 2023, Moldova implemented legislative reforms and policies to address climate change, with substantial support from UNCT. The adoption of the National Climate Change Adaptation Programme along with its Action Plan signifies a strategic commitment towards sustainable environmental governance, particularly in agriculture, forestry, health, energy, water and transport. Climate resilience was prioritized in the newly adopted National Strategy for Agricultural and Rural Development and the Migration and Asylum Programme.
UN organizations in Moldova bolstered governance capacity by producing a guidance document on addressing human mobility challenges in the context of climate change, as well as a comprehensive analysis of disaster risk reduction in the agriculture sector, and a study on the role of migration role in climate adaptation in Moldova. Policy makers, statistical data producers, national experts, technical staff from public institutions, and academia representatives in Moldova have enhanced their knowledge and skills for sustainable resource management, energy efficiency, and climate resilience within the agriculture sector through diverse capacity-building activities supported by FAO, IFAD, IOM, UNDP, UNDRR, UNECE, UNESCO, ITU and UNIDO.
UN expertise in disaster risk reduction and resilience building supported public and private institutions in enhancing energy efficiency and sustainable natural resource management, which resulted in photovoltaic panels of 600 kW capacity installed in five district hospitals. Six Farmer Field Schools promoting climate-smart agriculture enabled more than 700 farmers to apply their skills in sustainable agriculture practices across 5,700 ha of land, resulting in improved soil health and increased productivity. Moldovan farmers now have access to a Community of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices platform, promoting the adoption of climate-smart technologies and supporting local producers in implementing conservation agriculture.
Thirty localities improved their public services and social infrastructure and have become more resilient to climate change. Inclusive disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation measures were advanced. Almost 27,000 persons (including 51% women, and 22% youth) benefited from land restoration efforts across 118 hectares inMoldova, including shelter[6] belts, grassland, and vegetation cover for agricultural purposes, and 30% women participation in bodies promoting land degradation neutrality was ensured. With support of UN organizations, 32 communities developed shelter belt management plans and five community-based action plans for climate change adaptation, promising increased resilience against extreme weather, improved environmental sustainability, enhanced agricultural productivity, and community engagement. The inclusive development of these plans engaged local public authorities, land users, and landowners.
[1] United Nations Moldova (2021) Common Country Analysis Republic of Moldova
[2] The last assessment of residential building conditions in was conducted in 2005, revealing that approximately 83% of the 25,000 examined buildings exhibited significant wear and tear. From: UNDRR (2024) Chisinau Municipality leads resilience efforts in Moldova
[3] Local authorities utilised the Preliminary and Detailed Disaster Resilience Scorecard assessments, along with the Public Health System Resilience assessment scorecard for these multi-stakeholder workshops.
[4] UNDRR (2024) Chisinau Municipality leads resilience efforts in Moldova
[5] UNDRR (undated website) Early Warnings for All Initiative
[6] shelter belt: a line of trees or shrubs planted to protect an area, especially a field of crops, from fierce weather.
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MIL-OSI United Nations: Disaster losses and damages data
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Reviewing existing applications and use cases
Data on disaster losses and damages is an essential basis for preparedness, effective response, recovery and reconstruction, the quantification and economic valuation of losses and damages, for understanding root causes and shifts in exposure and vulnerability, and to assess the risk of cascading events and impacts across multiple hazards.
Not all countries, however, collect and use disaster data systematically and there are major disparities across countries regarding methods, coverage and system governance, creating barriers to effective risk management.
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) are jointly addressing this gap and developing an enhanced disaster tracking system for hazardous events and related losses and damages aimed at national users interested in upgrading and institutionalizing national disaster tracking systems.
The report and life repository of case studies below explore current data applications and ways that stronger data collection and management could support better decision-making and informed action.
Application areas for disaster losses and damages data
1. Understanding risks
While still a comparatively young science, hazard modelling has accelerated dramatically in recent years, in terms of the number of models developed, research budgets and expertise, granularity, quality and coverage. Impact information, vulnerability models and integrated assessments have not followed. As a result, the different drivers of vulnerability and, therefore, of underlying risk, remain hidden in plain sight.
Disaster losses and damages data can make such drivers and hidden vulnerabilities visible. In addition, where solid foundations of exposure, vulnerability and capacity baseline data exist, they provide critical information on the cost of loss, i.e. the ratio of loss compared to total exposure. Disaster data must be collected consistently and over time for them to provide evidence of trends and inform longer-term planning. The importance of baseline information on exposure and vulnerability for risk modelling cannot be underestimated. While high quality is desirable, even modest improvements in increasing coverage, consistency and frequency of updating can go a long way. Combined with disaster losses and damages data information on pre-existing vulnerabilities becomes a powerful contribution to risk modelling and analysis.
Case study: Understanding multidimensional vulnerability in Sri Lanka: combining disaster losses and damages data with national survey data
In Sri Lanka, data collected as part of national citizen surveys provide a clear picture of the multiple dimensions of vulnerability and could directly inform hotspot, vulnerability and risk analysis (UNDP, Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative [OPHI] and Government of Sri Lanka, 2023 (c)). Analysed through the lens of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MDVI) (UNDP, 2023 (a)), data from the surveys clearly highlight pre-existing vulnerabilities
Combined with long-term records on the impact of disasters from their Desinventar-based national disaster losses and damages database, a disaggregated analysis makes apparent differences on vulnerability dimensions and their drivers providing useful insights for more in depth risk analysis.
Recommendations to enhance the usability of disaster losses and damages data for risk analysis and modeling
Disaster losses and damages data can provide a “real time” window on ongoing risk accumulation identifying new risk patterns and trends that should feedback into recalibrated risk information. Disaster data can illustrate changing patterns and trends that can be interpreted through qualitative analysis of the underlying risk drivers to explain the changes. Historical disaster data cannot replace risk analysis but can provide additional or substitute information to improve risk modelling for both short-term forecasting and longer-term climate impact assessments. Historic data is particularly useful for capturing frequently occurring, localized and small-scale events, such as local landslides or flash floods – often called extensive disaster events – where global risk models have limitations.
Risk assessments are only useful if they are communicated in a manner that is meaningful to decision makers. While historical losses alone are not a good guide to the future, presenting data on actual (realized) losses and damages alongside more complex risk analysis can help in communicating risk effectively. Data on disaster losses and damage can contribute to improved modelling of existing as well as emerging or newly accelerating risks. To improve its usability, it is recommended to:
- Strengthen disaggregated data collection and analysis both in terms of hazard type, geography, and sectoral impacts, as well as in regard to data sex, age, disability status, income levels, and other dimensions of differentiated exposure and vulnerability.
- Enable georeferenced impact data collection to support the development of more accurate and replicable risk models.
2. Preparedness, early warning and early action
Hazardous event and disaster losses and damages data is critical in the design, development and monitoring of early warning systems and early action. By informing key components of multi hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) – as proposed in 1997 and later adopted by WMO, the United Nations and national governments – these systems and related anticipatory and early action can become impact-based.
Case study: Impact-based forecasting for anticipatory action to typhoons in the Philippines
To reduce the humanitarian impact of TC, both the Philippines Red Cross and United Nations OCHA Philippines have designed an agency-specific protocol, respectively in 2019 and 2021, which can be used to trigger early actions and release funding based on an impact-based forecasting model. Building on the Netherlands Red Cross 510 model, early actions (such as distributing house-strengthening kits) are pre-identified and triggered when the impact-based forecasting model indicates a pre-defined danger level is exceeded (with a lead time of 120 to 72 hours before landfall). The machine learning model consists of a classification and regression component and is trained on over 60 historical events.
Recommendations to enhance the usability of disaster losses and damages data for preparedness, early warning and early action
- Record losses and damages recorded along with the associated characteristics of the hazardous event (physical phenomena) to be able to link impacts to vulnerability, exposure and specific hazard intensity, characteristics and cascading events.
- Enhance spatial resolution of damage records to enable training of machine learning models that could enhance resolution of predictions and allow impact-based forecasting model to achieve a higher performance.
- Collect sector, geographic and population groups disaggregated impact information to be able to understand common disruptions to livelihood systems and services associated with recurrent hazards and to device and monitor effectiveness of early/ anticipatory actions.
3. Disaster risk reduction financing
Disaster losses and damages data are the backbone of any financing strategy and plan for preparedness, response, recovery or risk reduction. Without knowing what has been lost in the past and what is at stake in the present and future, the case for investment in risk management and even for contingency planning remains weak (UNDRR, 2013). National ministries of finance, regional financing institutions and multilateral development banks, as well as private-sector finance and insurance companies, all require data to underpin budgets, financing plans and funding proposals for priority sectors or systems
Strategies for disaster risk reduction financing can look very different, depending on scale, risk context and financing sources. However, as states are insurers of last resort in disasters, it is increasingly important that they have ownership of the data that informs disaster financing strategies and lead the development of financing instruments, including insurance (Radu, 2022).
Insurance mechanisms
Methods from the insurance sector have been replicated across the public sector, from modelling approaches to estimations of disaster losses. A critical gap that both the private and public sectors face in developing financing strategies for disaster risk management, however, is the question of indirect and downstream costs, for example in the form of business disruption, cascading costs from power outages or disruption in water supply, etc.
Case study: Using disaster data to calibrate parametric insurance in Manizales, Colombia.
In Manizales, Colombia a disaster database registered a total of 1,149 local landslides, between March 2003 and August 2021. These events were classified according to the severity of their impacts on a D-Index using a scale from 1 – 10. A parameter called C5Max, was then established for a critical level of rainfall over 5 days, captured in selected meteorological stations, that could trigger landslides. The level of critical rainfall could then be associated with the severity of landslide impact. This enabled the prediction of expected landslide impacts once a given rainfall threshold was surpassed. In Manizales this was used for the development and calibration of a parametric insurance scheme to cover emergency response. However, the same approach could also be used in impact-based early warning.
DRR Financing strategies
Whereas the insurance industry usually employs fully developed risk estimation methods, including actuarial data from past disaster impact assessments, many public-sector institutions lack the resources and experience to undertake analysis based on systematic assessments of past events (UNDRR, 2023 (b)).
As a result, many national disaster risk reduction financing strategies and risk management budgets rely on a weak evidence base and only a few use disaster loss data collected in the past as a critical input into their assessments (Radu, 2022; UNDRR, 2015; Climate Adapt, n.d.). Instead, estimates of financing needs often use financing commitments or humanitarian spending in previous disasters, rather than records of actual losses.
Case study: Sri Lanka – disaster losses and damages data to identify financing needs in the agriculture sector
In Sri Lanka, analysis of historical disaster losses in the infrastructure sector helped identify risk and potential financing gaps in the irrigation sector (see Figure 13a). The calculation of these historical costs provides the basis for modelled estimates of costs associated with damage from future disasters and the potential financing gap the Government of Sri Lanka may face (see Figure 13b).
Recommendations to enhance applicability of disaster losses and damages data for disaster risk reduction financing
- Improve the collection of sector-specific asset and service system (e.g. water distribution or electricity generation) disaggregated and georeferenced data to enhance the understanding on how specific parameters of hazardous events (e.g. water level, flow speeds, stagnation time) cause damage and dysfunction to different structures to better enable sector-specific catastrophic insurance products
- Ensure losses and damages data is recorded in a way that private vs public sector effects are accounted separately, understanding which losses are incurred by individuals, households and private sector versus those borne by public sector will be particularly helpful when devising risk reduction financing strategies for productive and infrastructure sectors.
Disaggregated historical damage data solid baseline data on sector exposure, i.e. inventories of assets and production processes beyond the basic exposure data on buildings and people would enhance the evidence base to develop catastrophic insurance products.
4. Risk-informed planning and development
Disaster losses and damages data that is of good quality, geographical and temporal coverage, and consistency of metrics and indicators, can inform and enhance local assessments for sector-specific preparedness, response and recovery planning and beyond, risk-informed development and sector planning. Particularly relevant sectors in this regard are health and education, urban planning (including building and zoning regulations), agriculture and natural resources management, and basic infrastructure and services (transport, energy, waste, and drinking water).
High-quality disaster losses and damages data with good geographical and temporal coverage and consistent metrics and indicators, can inform and enhance local assessments for sector-specific preparedness, response and recovery planning, as well as risk-informed development and sector planning.
Case study: Planning resilient roads in Cambodia
The Government of Cambodia has recognized that the transportation sector, vital for the country’s economic development, is regularly and severely affected by disaster impacts. Road damage and destruction from disasters is systematically collected and recorded and stored in the Cambodia Disaster Loss and Damage Information System (CamDi), national database managed by the National Committee on Disaster Management (NCDM). Baseline data is collected with details on all roads and related infrastructure and recorded together with disaster loss data, allowing for lost cost assessments, seasonal analysis, and analysis by region or specific location and by road or infrastructure type.
Recommendations to enhance the usability of disaster losses and damages for risk-informed development
- Sector and geographic disaggregated data recording and management would further enable the application of disaster losses and damages data for risk-informed policies, plans, budgets and actions
- Consistent and institutionalized tracking of losses and damages with engagement of whole-of-government entities and following agreed definitions, metrics and standard would enable creating relevant time series of historic impact data required for enhancing relevance and applicability of data for risk-informed planning.
- Application of disaster losses and damages data for risk-informed planning at multiple levels should be complemented by monitoring and evaluation frameworks and mechanisms that utilize same data elements to measure progress against targets and milestones.
5. Reporting, benchmarking and progress monitoring
Monitoring progress on resilience building
Progress on climate change adaptation and action on losses and damages can be efficiently monitored, among other things, by maintaining consistent and granular impact records. Reducing losses and damage from hazardous events over time is the ultimate measurement of progress and the Sendai Framework specifies several indicators that all require disaster losses and damages quantification. Similarly, reporting against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires disaster-related data, as 25 targets relate directly to disaster risk and to reducing the negative impacts of disasters). The ongoing development of indicators to monitor the Global Goal on Adaptation targets contained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Framework for Global Climate Resilience will also benefit from the enhanced disaster tracking system, enabling monitoring of the reduction in losses and increase in resilience across several sectors (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change [UNFCCC], 2023 (a)). Other national frameworks and processes, such as for Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans or Biennial Transparency Reports, can also draw on the enhanced tracking system to strengthen coherence in reporting (UNFCCC, n.d. (a); UNEP, n.d.; UNFCCC, n.d. (b)).
Recommendations to enhance usability of disaster losses and damages data for monitoring, reporting and benchmarking progress.
- Utilize globally agreed definitions and standards, such as the hazard classification and information profiles to organize database and tracking systems to further enable cross-cutting and regional benchmarking.
Related and further reading
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MIL-OSI United Nations: Gender Advisor (Programme Management Officer), P-4, Bangkok
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 150 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyses action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with U.N. Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community.
The project position is located in the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific of United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), Bangkok. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Regional Office.
Under the supervision and guidance of the Chief of Regional Office, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:
- Develops, implements and evaluates a regional program designed to enhance women’s leadership in disaster risk reduction in Asia-Pacific (WIN DRR), including liaising with relevant parties and ensuring follow-up actions, and supporting the expansion to other regions. This program will provide leadership skills training, expand networks and build partnerships to strengthen the role of women leaders in DRR.
- Facilitates and guides the integration of gender equality and disability inclusion into core UNDRR global processes, including strategic planning, programme management, resource mobilization, global and regional platforms, communications, staff training and partnerships.
- Leads UNDRR’s implementation of the Gender Action Plan to Support Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, and initiates and coordinates outreach activities on gender-responsive DRR with UNDRR partners and stakeholder groups.
- Supports UNDRR’s commitment to, and implementation of, UN-wide gender initiatives and ensures appropriate reporting processes.
- Researches, analyzes and presents information related to inclusive disaster risk reduction, including gender equality, disability inclusion and human rights, gathered from diverse sources and provides recommendations to UNDRR SRSG, Director, management and staff to enhance inclusive and accessible DRR.
- Coordinates policy development related to gender equality, disability inclusion and human rights, including Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the review and analysis of issues and trends at the global and regional levels.
- Promotes sex, age and disability disaggregated data and supports the use of gender data to improve Sendai Framework Monitoring and evidence-based decision making that leaves no one behind.
- Contributes technical expert advice on gender, women’s leadership and DRR and represents UNDRR at regional and national meetings where needed.
- Organizes and prepares written outputs related to gender equality and women’s leadership, disability inclusion and human rights e.g. draft background papers, speeches, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
- Supervises staff and coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
- Performs other duties as required.
PROFESSIONALISM: Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent degree) in gender and women’s rights, development studies, social science or related humanities field, international relations, human rights, law, gender studies, or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Not available.
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible programme management experience in gender mainstreaming, women’s leadership and disability inclusion in disaster risk management, humanitarian response, or development programming is required.
Experience in conducting gender analysis is required.
At least two years of experience designing and managing large projects is required.
At least two years of experience working in international organizations such as the United Nations or other comparable organizations is required.
Experience in developing partnerships and collaborative networks is desirable.
Experience in improving organizational systems and processes to strengthen gender results is desirable.
English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This is a project post. The appointment against this project position is limited to the duration of the project. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. In line with the overall United Nations policy, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction encourages a positive workplace culture which embraces inclusivity and leverages diversity within its workforce. Measures are applied to enable all staff members to contribute equally and fully to the work and development of the organization, including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies and standards of conduct. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher, temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
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MIL-OSI United Nations: Ten actions to combat extreme heat
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
We need bold solutions to extreme heat – now. We are not going to be able to air-condition our way out of this.
In July, UN Secretary-General Guterres issued a global call to action on extreme heat which was widely welcomed, and during the recent G20 Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction in Belém, Brazil, the Government of Brazil and UNDRR hosted a ministerial event to unpack it further.
The extreme heat problem is enormous and requires transformational actions. We need an integrated short, medium and long-term approach to tackling mounting extreme heat disaster risks. At the Belém meeting, I laid out a ten-point DRR action plan for the consideration of G20 in response to the Secretary-General’s call:
- Establish heat thresholds: We need to establish location and sector-specific heat thresholds that take temperature, humidity, wind, diurnal variation and persistence into account. These must use the evidence generated by research bringing together meteorology, human and animal health, engineering, and economic sectors. When the Indian city of Ahmedabad applied this approach in 2010-11 it paid rich dividends, showing significant reductions of heat-related deaths.
- Develop and practice Heat Action Plans: Many countries have recently developed Heat Action Plans or Strategies. Such approaches are being explored by a number of countries, such as the US National Integrated Heat Health Information System, which brings together all government agencies to guide collective planning, education and action. Heat Action Plans must be localized and above all they must be practiced. Just as we do simulations for cyclones and earthquakes (such as mock drills and table-top exercise), we must run exercises for conditions of extreme heat. Germany, for example, is already planning a table-top simulation for extreme heat for 2025.
- Strengthen social protection systems: Extreme heat has immediate and debilitating impacts on those who have the least capacity to absorb any disruption. For example, activating a Heat Action Plan may reduce working hours or completely stop work on construction sites, and so disrupt the subsistence livelihood of the poorest daily-wage workers. We need innovative mechanisms in place to protect such groups. The Mahila Housing Trust in India, for example, launched parametric climate risk insurance for women working in the informal sector. We need to learn from and expand such initiatives.
- Heat-responsive building regulations: Building regulations – in the Global North as well as in the Global South – seldom account for extreme heat. We should revise building regulations to take more intense, more frequent extreme heat into account. This could incorporate both passive cooling solutions (appropriate design, orientation, roof and wall materials, and openings) as well as smarter active technology-based cooling solutions.
- Enhance the use of nature-based solutions: Natural facilities – green cover, water bodies – provide protection against extreme heat. Where possible, we must proactively incorporate nature-based solutions in development and urban design. Increasing tree cover in urban neighborhoods can improve the microclimate significantly and provide protection against extreme heat. A growing body of research shows that these measures can offer significant benefits beyond extreme heat and urban spaces – reducing risks from other hazards, increasing biodiversity and environmental resources, and improving quality of life
- Encourage market-based interventions to stimulate investment in heat resilient building and infrastructure technologies: We need to transform our built environment at scale. For example, to combat extreme heat in low-income settlements, we need cool-roof technologies over millions of square metres. However, the market hasn’t yet responded to such a need. We must find ways to stimulate a market for cool roofing: Governments could provide advance market commitments to encourage innovators and investors (for example, by advance purchases of roofing for low-income settlements).
- Go back to vernacular architecture for inspiration: Traditional building designs in historically hot regions can teach us a lot. But many of these practices are being lost to modernization. We must document these traditional building systems, revive, adapt and adopt these for present conditions. This could prompt a transformation of our built environment, particularly in rural settlements. In West Africa, the ‘Association la Voûte Nubienne‘ is doing precisely this with the ancient ‘Nubian vault’ building design, offering financial and practical assistance to locals to replace hot tin roofs with traditional cool designs.
- Recognize the connection between urban morphology and extreme heat: We need to adequately recognize the connection between extreme heat and how cities are laid out. Urban planners and climatologists need to join forces in planning heat-resilient towns and cities. We need to support the emerging discipline of urban meteorology.
- Exploit emerging technologies to combat extreme heat: Space based systems, sensor technologies, and AI offer exciting opportunities to understand patterns of extreme heat in real time. We can use these tools to identify distress signals, trigger early actions, and mobilize immediate public health response to protect people. SEEDS and Microsoft, for example, have been applying AI for targeted humanitarian action in India. These emerging technologies can also offer insights for heat-responsive architectural and urban design.
- Develop an ecosystem of vulnerability studies: While the impact of extreme heat on human health and other bio-physical systems – agriculture, animal husbandry – has been studied at length, we need to go further to examine how extreme heat affects other economic, social, ecological and infrastructure systems. This requires a vibrant research ecosystem that both broadens and deepens our understanding of risks associated with extreme heat.
The Secretary-General’s Call to Action on extreme heat is timely and urgent. This plan to reduce the disaster risks associated with extreme heat is just part of a wider, global and ambitious response, requiring coordinated action across sectors and nations. But it is undeniable that we can’t waste a moment in making sure that everyone, everywhere, is protected from the impacts of intensifying extreme heat.
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MIL-OSI United Nations: Regional Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction in the Arab Region 2024
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
The Arab region is at a critical juncture, facing an increasingly complex and interconnected risk landscape. Climate change, urbanization, and socio-economic disparities are exacerbating these challenges, requiring urgent and cohesive action. The need for an integrated approach to disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation (CCA), and sustainable development has never been greater. Achieving this requires strong regional collaboration because the challenges we face do not respect borders.
The 2024 Regional Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (RAR) in the Arab Region sheds light on the complex interactions between different risks that have been made worse by systemic instability, conflict, and climate change. It also underscores the necessity for innovative strategies that address the multifaceted risks affecting our communities. Leading innovations that leverage technology and accelerate resilience-building are highlighted as key opportunities to enhance the region’s collective adaptive capacity.
This report was officially launched at the 6th Arab Regional Platform for DRR, themed ‘Building Resilient Arab Communities: From Understanding to Action.’ Hosted by the State of Kuwait and organized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, in partnership with the League of Arab States.
“This report serves as a vital resource for governments, policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders committed to DRR and sustainable development. It calls for collaborative efforts to transform our understanding of risk into actionable strategies that prioritize community well-being and environmental sustainability. With strategic investments in early warning systems, risk-informed development, and climate adaptation, the Arab region has the potential to build a future where resilience and sustainability go hand in hand.”
— Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Head of UNDRRKey findings
Risk landscape in the Arab states
The Arab region is facing escalating climate-related risks, with temperature increases accelerating at +0.5 °C/decade, exacerbating water scarcity, heat-related deaths, crop failures and extreme flooding. The principal risk drivers of the region are related to natural resources and institutional domains. Improved governance and rule of law are critical to mitigating these impacts and addressing the region’s interconnected risk landscape.
Progress in Disaster Risk Reduction at the mid of the Sendai Framework implementation
The Arab region has made progress in DRR since adopting the Sendai Framework in 2015, but efforts must be stepped up to address gaps in risk governance, preparedness and investment. To accelerate progress, the region needs to strengthen institutional frameworks, invest in DRR and promote climate resilience, gender-responsive DRR and inclusive governance.
The impact of changing climate on systemic risk drivers: Drought as a Systemic Risk Driver
The Arab region is highly vulnerable to drought, exacerbated by climate change, population growth and unsustainable water management practices. Droughts are projected to increase in frequency and intensity, threatening food security, social stability and economic development, highlighting the need for urgent action and proactive measures to build resilience. To address this challenge, governments and stakeholders must adopt data-driven decision-making, invest in innovative technologies, and promote collaborative water management practices.
The impact of changing climate on systemic risk drivers: Weak Capacity for Governance of Systemic Risk
The Arab region’s capacity to govern systemic risks is weakened by fragile institutions, corruption and lack of trust in governments, exacerbating the impacts of climate change and disasters. Strengthening governance, transparency and accountability is critical to building resilience and effectively managing risks, and can be achieved through a holistic and integrated approach to climate change and DRR policies.
Climate Change-Disaster-Human Mobility Nexus
Climate change is exacerbating displacement and human mobility concerns across the Arab region, where fragile contexts and conflict intersect with disasters and environmental degradation. A climate security perspective is crucial to understanding these intertwined risks, and regional efforts must prioritize immediate disaster response, long-term resilience and sustainable development. Effective policies and strategies must address the root causes of vulnerability and prioritize the safety, dignity, and rights of affected populations.
Gender Inequality and Women’s Empowerment: Addressing the Gap
Somalia’s women face disproportionate impacts from climate change, conflict and migration, exacerbating existing gender inequalities. To address these challenges, it is critical to adopt a transformative and intersectional approach, integrating women’s priorities into policy and programming, and promoting women’s leadership, capacity building and access to resources, to build resilient and inclusive communities.
Emerging Health Challenges and Related Systemic Risks
Climate change poses an urgent public health emergency, threatening human health and wellbeing globally and in the Arab region in particular. To mitigate these impacts, collaborative efforts are necessary, including strengthening healthcare infrastructure, establishing early warning systems, and promoting climate-resilient health systems. International cooperation and targeted actions are crucial to addressing the health impacts of climate change.
Rural – Agricultural Risk with Rising Water Scarcity and Food Insecurity
The Arab region’s agrifood systems face multiple, interconnected risks, including droughts, floods, sand and dust storms, transboundary plant and animal pests and diseases, conflicts, and economic shocks, which threaten food security and undermine development efforts. To address these challenges, an integrated multi-risk management approach is necessary, incorporating risk-informed planning, DRR and CCA. This requires coordinated efforts from policymakers, researchers and practitioners to enhance the resilience of farmers and agriculture-dependent communities.
Implementation Considerations: People Centred Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems
Effective disaster management requires people-centred multi-hazard early warning systems (PCMHEWS) that prioritize community needs and engagement. The Arab region is vulnerable to climate-related hazards, and PCMHEWS can help reduce disaster risks. Leveraging digital technologies, community participation and inclusive communication channels is crucial for the success of PCMHEWS, ensuring timely and accurate warnings reach vulnerable populations.
Implementation Considerations: Comprehensive risk management to tackle systemic risks
Effective management of systemic risks requires comprehensive risk management (CRM) approaches that integrate DRR and CCA. The Arab region can foster policy coherence by enhancing strategic, conceptual, institutional, operational and financial coherence, ultimately driving sustainable development and inclusive growth.
Implementation Considerations: Financing and de-risking investment
Despite its natural advantages as a commerce hub, the region struggles to attract foreign investment. The League of Arab Nations (LAS) MA’AN Initiative towards DErisking investment offers a promising solution, promoting sustainable development and investment through regional cooperation. By addressing common challenges and promoting knowledge sharing, this initiative can help drive growth, job creation and energy transformation in the region.
Conclusion and way forward
- The focus of this RAR is on DRR in the context of climate change impact on systemic risks in the Arab region.
- The Arab region may be on the brink of catastrophe, beset by a perfect storm of risks that imperil its very foundations, jeopardizing stability, development and the future of its people.
- The principal drivers of risk in the Arab region are related to natural resources and institutions. Climate change increases the risk in both these areas, especially through rising water scarcity and a demanding need for institutions that can effectively tackle climate impacts.
- These drivers are not isolated, but highly interwoven, thus increasing, cascading and compounding risks, which may lead to systemic failures in the Arab region.
- Effective governance, characterized by transparency, accountability and inclusivity, is paramount in addressing these challenges and enhancing resilience across the Arab region.
- Many cities and other areas in the Middle East might become uninhabitable before the century’s end.
- The findings emphasize the need for innovative solutions and the adoption of multi-hazard, multi-sectoral approaches to resilience-building. This includes investing in risk-informed planning, enhancing data collection and analysis and harnessing cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence to drive predictive analytics, optimize decision-making and foster proactive resilience.
- The path forward requires a collective commitment to addressing the root causes of vulnerability in the Arab region and fostering resilience in the face of uncertainty.
- The recommendations of this report serve as a roadmap for policymakers and stakeholders to navigate the complexities of the region’s risk landscape.
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MIL-OSI United Nations: High-Level Forum on Accelerated Disaster Risk Reduction Financing to Build Resilience
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
*This event is by invitation only due to capacity constraints.
About
The High-Level Forum on Accelerated Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Financing to Build Resilience, co-organized with the Government of Norway, aims to address a persistent barrier to the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the insufficient investment in DRR.
The Forum seeks to bring disaster risks at the heart of financial decisions at a time when development finance is being reshaped in international fora. The Forum intends to raise awareness and commitment among policymakers and financial leaders on the need to prioritize DRR financing.
The Forum includes several thematic sessions around DRR financing such as: mainstreaming risk reduction in national budgets, developing national financing frameworks for DRR, de-risking development investments, attracting private capital, reorienting ODA and applying climate finance for risk reduction.
By bringing together high-level government officials with senior international experts from development banks, private investors, and international organizations, the Forum is expected to bring forward actionable recommendations on integrating DRR into national and international financing strategies, establish new partnerships and alliances to support DRR initiatives, and identify potential sources and methods for mobilizing additional resources for DRR through development finance channels.
Objectives
This High-Level Policy Forum represents a step towards mobilizing the necessary financing and political will. It aims to:
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Agree on a way forward to accelerate funding for DRR.
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Showcase successful models and best practices in financing DRR.
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Facilitate dialogue on innovative financing mechanisms and strategies to enhance resilience.
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Influence global, national, and local DRR financing strategies, ensuring a coordinated and robust response to the escalating risks.
Attachments
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MIL-OSI United Nations: Strengthening disaster resilience: Financing and early warning systems set the stage for the 6th Arab Regional Platform for DRR
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Kuwait, 9 February 2025 – As the Arab region struggles with increasing disaster risks and climate change challenges, two critical pre-conference events took place ahead of the Sixth Arab Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Kuwait. These events – focused on Resilient Infrastructure and Disaster Risk Reduction Financing and the Early Warnings for All Multistakeholder Forum for the Arab States – were pivotal in driving forward regional collaboration and strengthening resilience against disasters.
A financial foundation for resilience: the resilient infrastructure and DRR financing and conference
The Resilient Infrastructure and DRR Financing Conference addressed one of the most pressing challenges facing the Arab region that is mobilizing sufficient financial resources for disaster resilience.
The Arab region remains highly vulnerable to a range of natural hazards, from earthquakes and floods to droughts and storms. Without adequate financing, infrastructure remains susceptible to destruction, exacerbating socio-economic vulnerabilities and setting back development gains. The conference brought together policymakers, financial experts, and DRR practitioners to explore how financing strategies could be improved, identify investment gaps, and discuss innovative financial instruments such as insurance, bonds, and public-private partnerships.
“Financing resilient infrastructure is a great challenge. But getting it right offers great rewards because the economic cost of disasters is only projected to increase as a result of climate change,” said Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for DRR and Head of UNDRR, in his opening remarks.
A key highlight conference was the deep dive into strategic financing mechanisms essential for disaster resilience. Discussions explored global funding gaps and opportunities, emphasizing the need for governments to prioritize DRR within national budgets and leverage both domestic and international financial resources. Experts shared insights on innovative financial instruments such as catastrophe bonds, resilience bonds, and parametric insurance, which offer scalable and sustainable solutions for risk reduction. The role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) was also underscored, demonstrating how collaboration between governments, businesses, and NGOs can unlock new funding streams. Additionally, the conference examined how climate finance and DRR strategies can be better aligned, ensuring that investments in climate adaptation directly support disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience. Case studies from across the region and beyond showcased successful models, providing actionable insights for Arab states to strengthen financial resilience and break the costly cycle of disaster-response-recovery.
By fostering knowledge-sharing and strengthening financial commitments, this conference, led by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), aimed to highlight the importance of moving beyond reactive disaster responses and establishing proactive, long-term strategies for risk reduction.
The power of early warnings: Early warnings for all multistakeholder forum for the Arab states
In parallel, the Early Warnings for All Multistakeholder Forum for the Arab States underscored the importance of inclusive, people-centered early warning systems across the region. In a world where climate-related disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity, effective early warning systems can mean the difference between life and death.
This forum, led by the UNDRR and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), convened government representatives, scientific experts, private sector actors, and civil society organizations to discuss the latest advancements in early warning technologies and risk communication strategies.It provided an essential platform for experts and stakeholders to explore innovative approaches to strengthening early warning systems in the region. Key discussions focused on leveraging science and technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT), to improve forecasting accuracy and risk communication. Sessions also examined regional collaboration mechanisms for data sharing, ensuring that all nations, regardless of capacity, have access to timely early warning information. Another critical theme was the economic benefits of EWS, highlighting cost-effective strategies to mitigate disaster losses through public-private partnerships and sustainable financing mechanisms. Additionally, the forum addressed socioeconomic vulnerabilities, including the role of gender, disability inclusion, and community-based approaches in ensuring that early warnings reach the most at-risk populations. Through interactive knowledge exchanges and case studies from across the region, the forum fostered actionable recommendations, paving the way for more integrated and people-centered early warning systems in the Arab States.
In his speech, Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, President of the World Meteorological Organization, highlighted the importance of the Early Warning for All initiative, which is a top priority for WMO at the global, regional, and national levels. “We firmly believe that strengthening early warning systems, improving climate services, and enhancing regional and international partnerships are essential pillars for effective disaster risk reduction.”
Kishore expands on this by stressing that no single entity can achieve this alone. “Creating and maintaining early warning systems cannot be accomplished by any single government agency. It requires the support of multiple partners inside and outside of government. This includes partners in the private sector, academia, the media, and civil society.”
The significance of these two pre-conference events cannot be overstated. They went beyond technical discussions and served as platforms for action-oriented collaboration, ensuring that disaster risk reduction becomes a regional priority integrated into national policies and funding mechanisms. The discussions and insights made in these forums shaped the discussions at the Sixth Arab Regional Platform for DRR, setting a strong foundation for bold new initiatives in disaster resilience.
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MIL-OSI United Nations: Tracking funding for life-saving early warning systems
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
UNDRR and WMO launch the Global Observatory for Early Warning System Investments.
Early warning systems (EWS) are proven lifesavers in the event of disasters – and with the climate crisis driving up the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, we urgently need global EWS coverage.
The Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative has been gathering pace since its launch by Secretary-General António Guterres in 2022, but with so many significant partners investing in this important area outside the scope of the initiative, there is a need for a big-picture view that can identify gaps and synergies, and improve efficiencies.
To address the challenge of fragmented financing for these vital systems, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) launched the Global Observatory for Early Warning System Investments to systematically tag and track such investments.
The Observatory platform, launched in December 2024, addresses a critical need identified by the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Advisory Panel for comprehensive understanding of EWS financing. The Observatory provides an overview of current funding flows from 9 key financing institutions, helping stakeholders identify gaps, avoid duplication, and ensure that resources reach communities most at risk.
This platform will empower governments, financial institutions, inter-governmental organizations, and civil society entities to identify funding gaps and make informed resource decisions, supporting the UN Secretary-General’s push for global coverage by early warning systems by 2027.
Key Findings
Key features of the Observatory include:
- Disaggregated tracking and tagging of EWS-related investments across regions and sectors
- Identification of funding gaps and potential areas for collaboration
- AI-assisted analysis for improved investment tracking and visualization.
Initial findings from the Observatory reveal important insights about current EWS financing:
- 54% of the EWS funding reported national projects is concentrated in five countries
- 75% of reported financing is reported through loans and credits, and 25% in grants
- Significant funding gaps exist, particularly in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and Land-Locked Developing Countries (LLDCs)
Looking Ahead
The Observatory will focus on deepening collaboration with international finance institutions and leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance its analytical capabilities. This development will enable more precise categorization of EWS funding and support evidence-based decision-making for future investments.
Explore the Global Observatory for EWS Investments
About the Project
The Global Observatory for Early Warning System Investments is designed to share information about funding from multilateral development banks and climate funds supporting early warning systems (EWS).
The platform aims to build coherence, alignment, and increased leveraging of EWS funding while providing critical understanding of funding gaps. This initiative directly supports the UN Secretary-General’s Early Warnings for All Initiative, which calls for every person on Earth to be protected by early warning systems by 2027.
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MIL-OSI United Nations: Disaster Risk Reduction Financing Training Modules
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
The UNDRR training series on How to Design National Financing Frameworks for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) will build capacity and increase awareness on how to develop national financing frameworks that foster investments in DRR. The training modules are designed to help increase understanding of how to mobilize financing for DRR from different sources (i.e., public, private, and international) and perform investment gap analyses. This training series is designed using UNDRR’s financing approach for DRR that has been collaboratively developed with experts and government partners.
Module 1: Five steps to disaster risk reduction financing
In this module, you will be introduced to UNDRR’s five-step approach to developing national financing frameworks. This comprehensive approach supports countries in assessing and developing financing solutions for disaster risk reduction that are suited to their local context and take into consideration public, private and international financing sources and mechanisms.
Module 2: Understanding the Financial Impact of Disasters
In this module, you will learn how to estimate both direct and indirect costs of disasters in a country using existing methodologies and tools to build the case for disaster risk reduction investments.
Module 3: Analyzing the Current Financial Landscape.
In this module, you will learn how to assess existing flows of disaster risk reduction financing from public, private, and international sources by budget tagging and tracking disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation expenditures and conducting a financial landscape survey.
Further reading
Forecast-based financing An innovative approach to release funds for disaster preparedness and response according to predefined triggers before a crisis occurs.
Business case for DRR These resources explore the economic, social and environmental dividends of investing in disaster risk reduction.
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MIL-OSI United Nations: Visionary leadership for comprehensive risk management is supporting resilience building in Bangladesh
Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Bangladesh is exposed to a range of natural hazards including tropical cyclones, monsoon and flash floods, storm surges, landslides, extreme temperature events, and droughts, which are exacerbated by climate change, as well as earthquakes. In 2023 alone, Bangladesh witnessed a surge in natural hazards and extreme weather events, including three cyclones affecting around 2.5 million people, and flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains affecting over 1.3 million people.[1] While investments in disaster preparedness and response have been prioritized, the wide-reaching impacts of climate change and disasters threaten to exacerbate social, political, and economic vulnerabilities. Reducing existing risk and preventing the creation of new risk is therefore a priority for sustainable development, as reflected in priority 3 ‘sustainable, healthy and resilient environment’ of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2022 to 2026. The work of the United Nations in Bangladesh has a strong focus on anticipatory interventions at the nexus of development and humanitarian programming to sustainably build resilience and address the underlying causes of vulnerability, while reinforcing national systems and capacities.
Under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator, the United Nations organizations take a comprehensive risk management approach to disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and ecosystem health management, supporting the government and key non-state actors to coordinate and implement innovative, whole-of-society and gender-responsive initiatives, and build institutional capacity to improve ecosystem health and to better manage dynamic risks. The United Nations Resident Coordinator co-chairs, jointly with the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT), an effective coordination mechanism between government agencies and international partners, comprising the humanitarian clusters, aligning emergency responses with national disaster risk management strategies. In its co-chair role, the Resident Coordinator is supported by the Humanitarian Advisory Group that is composed of UN humanitarian agencies, donors, international and national NGOs (including women-led organizations and organizations of persons with disabilities), and deliberates on disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. The effective leadership for and coordination of a comprehensive risk management approach, including through the establishment and strengthening of area-based initiatives and district-level coordination structures, has yielded a lot of progress on disaster risk reduction and resilience building through comprehensive technical support.
In 2023, having accumulated valuable experience in anticipatory action, particularly regarding monsoonal river floods, the Anticipatory Action framework for floods was extended to two more river basins, a common beneficiary database was established covering 200,000 vulnerable households in 15 climate hotspots, and additional funding sources were joined to the pre-agreed UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to the anticipatory action framework that comprises actions by FAO, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, and Save the Children. A second UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) Anticipatory Action Framework was approved in November 2023 for cyclones. This makes Bangladesh a pioneer with a multi-hazard trigger for both floods and cyclones. Ahead of Cyclone Mocha and related flash floods, 45,000 individuals received anticipatory cash support, mitigating the impact of the event.
A Disaster Risk Reduction Financing Strategy (DRRFS) for Bangladesh was developed, led by the Ministry of Finance and supported by the UN system, with UNDRR as the technical lead who developed the model and drafted the strategy in consultation with relevant government ministries and International Financial Institutions (IMF, World Bank, ADB), and the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office providing critical coordination support. The strategy aims to ensure the determining and distribution of limited financial resources in a way that strengthens economic, social, health, and environmental resilience before a hazard event.
The UN Resident Coordinator’s Office facilitated coordination with the Government, UN and other humanitarian entities to implement UN Early Warning for All (EW4ALL) initiatives, including organizing a national consultative workshop to develop a EW4ALL roadmap in November 2023. Also, the Resident Coordinator’s Office has supported the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief in developing the first sub-national earthquake risk assessment in Bangladesh, in collaboration with UNDRR and the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation.
[1] United Nations in Bangladesh, 23 April 2024, https://bangladesh.un.org/en/266779-government-and-humanitarian-partners-recommit
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MIL-OSI United Nations: Three billion people globally impacted by land degradation
Source: United Nations MIL OSI b
By Daniel Dickinson in Riyadh
Three billion people around the world are suffering the impact of poor and degraded land which will “increase levels of migration, stability and insecurity among many communities,” according to the newly-elected President of a UN-backed conference on desertification, drought and land restoration which is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulrahman Alfadley, the Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture was speaking as the 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) got underway in the capital of the Middle Eastern country.
The meeting, according to UNCCD, represents a “moonshot moment to raise global ambition and accelerate action on land and drought resilience through a people-centered approach.”
UNCCD/Papa Mamadou Camara
Delegates arrive on the first day of the COP16 desertification conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Globally up to 40 per cent of the world’s land is degraded, which means its biological or economic productivity has been reduced.
This has dire consequences for the climate, biodiversity and people’s livelihoods.
Droughts, which is a priority issue at COP16, are becoming more frequent and severe, increasing by 29 per cent since 2000 due to climate change and unsustainable land management.
Nurturing humanity
The UN desertification convention was agreed 30 years ago and the organization’s current Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw highlighted the continued importance of restoring land lost to drought and desertification.
UNCCD/Papa Mamadou Camara
UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw addresses COP16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“Land restoration is primarily about nurturing humanity itself,’ he said, adding that the “way we manage our land today will directly determine the future of life on Earth.”
He spoke of his personal experience of meeting farmers, mothers, and young people affected by the loss of land. “The cost of land degradation seeps in every corner of their lives.”
“They see the rising price of groceries, in unexpected energy surcharges, and in the growing strain on their communities,” he said. “Land and soil loss are robbing poor families of nutritious food, and children of a safe future.”
Reversing of land degradation
COP16 provides the opportunity for global leaders from governments, international organizations, the private sector and civil society to come together to discuss the latest research and to chart a way forward to a sustainable future of land use.
© UNCCD/Mwangi Kirubi
Small farms in northern Kenya are struggling to grow crops amidst increasingly arid conditions.
Together the world can “reverse the trends of land degradation,” Mr Thiaw said, but only if “we seize this pivotal moment.”
In a video address to the conference, the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed urged delegates at COP16 to play their part and “turn the tide,” by focusing on three priorities including strengthening international cooperation.
She said it was also crucial to “ramp up” restoration efforts and work towards “the mass mobilization of finance.”
Financing these efforts is going to be challenging, and is unlikely to come from the public sector alone, but according to the UN deputy chief, “cumulative investments must total $2.6 trillion dollars by 2030; That is what the world spent on defence in 2023 alone.”
© UNDP Somalia
Droughts are a constant threat in Somalia, in the horn of Africa.
Speaking on behalf of civil society organizations attending the conference, Tahanyat Naeem Satti called for “ambitious and inclusive action at COP16,” adding that the “meaningful participation of women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists and local communities in decision-making at all levels must be institutionalized.”
She emphasized that “their insights and lived experiences are critical for shaping policies that effectively address land degradation and promote sustainable land management and restoration.”
The conference is set to last 2 weeks until 13 December and there will be some intense discussions and negotiations as delegates push towards the following outcomes.
- Accelerate restoration of degraded land by 2030 and beyond
- Boost resilience to intensifying droughts and sand and dust storms
- Restore soil health and scale up nature-positive food production
- Secure land rights and promote equity for sustainable land stewardship
- Ensure that land continues to provide climate and biodiversity solutions
- Unlock economic opportunities, including decent land-based jobs for youth
Fast facts: The UN and desertification
- Three decades ago, in 1994, 196 countries and the European Union signed up to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification or UNCCD.
- The Conference of the Parties or COP is the main decision-making body of UNCCD.
- UNCCD is the global voice for land where governments, businesses and civil society come together to discuss challenges and chart a sustainable future for land.
- The 16th meeting of the COP (otherwise known as COP16) is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2-13 December.
- UNCCD is one of three “Rio Conventions.” along with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD). These are outcomes of the historic 1992 Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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MIL-OSI United Nations: The ‘slow onset, silent killer’: Droughts explained
Source: United Nations MIL OSI b
By Daniel Dickinson, Riyadh
Droughts across the world are intensifying and have become a “slow onset, silent killer” to which no country is immune, according to the UN’s most senior official working on desertification, drought and land restoration issues.
Ibrahim Thiaw, the Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was speaking at the opening of COP16 a major global conference taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where a new global drought regime is expected to be agreed which will promote the shift from reactive relief response to proactive preparedness.
Here’s what you need to know about droughts.
Droughts are increasing in regularity and intensity
Droughts are a natural phenomenon, but in recent decades have been intensified by climate change and unsustainable land practices. Their number has surged by nearly 30 per cent in frequency and intensity since 2000, threatening agriculture, water security, and the livelihoods of 1.8 billion people, with the poorest nations bearing the brunt.
© World Bank/Arne Hoel
Water availability is essential to prevent migration in places like western Nigeria.
They can also lead to conflict over dwindling resources, including water, and the widespread displacement of people as they migrate towards more productive lands.
No country is immune
More than 30 countries declared drought emergencies in the past three years alone, from India and China, to high-income nations such as the US, Canada and Spain, as well as Uruguay, Southern Africa and even Indonesia.
UN News/Daniel Dickinson
A ship passes through the Panama Canal in Central America.
Droughts impeded grain transportation in the Rhine River in Europe, disrupted international trade via the Panama Canal in Central America, and led to hydropower cuts in the South America country, Brazil, which depends on water for more than 60 per cent of its electricity supply.
Firefighters were even called to an urban park in New York City, in the United States in wintry November 2024 to tackle a bush fire after weeks of no rainfall.
“Droughts have expanded into new territories. No country is immune,” said UNCCD’s Ibrahim Thiaw adding that “by 2050, three in four people globally, up to seven and half billion people, will feel the impact of drought.”
Domino effects
Droughts are rarely confined to a specific place and time and are not simply due to a lack of rainfall but are often the result of a complicated set of events driven or amplified by climate change, as well as sometimes the mismanagement of land.
For example, a hillside which is deforested is immediately degraded. The land will lose its resilience to extreme weather and will become more susceptible to both drought and flooding.
And, once they strike, they can trigger a series of cataclysmic domino effects, supercharging heat waves and even floods, multiplying the risks to people’ s lives and livelihoods with long-lasting human, social and economic costs.
As communities, economies, and ecosystems suffer the damaging effects of drought, their vulnerability is increased to the next one, feeding a vicious cycle of land degradation and underdevelopment.
Drought is a development and a security issue
Around 70 per cent of the world’s available freshwater is in the hands of people living off the land, most of them subsistence farmers in low-income countries with limited livelihood alternatives. Around 2.5 billion of them are youth.
Without water there is no food and no land-based jobs, which can lead to forced migration, instability, and conflict.
“Drought is not merely an environmental matter,” said Andrea Meza, UNCCD Deputy Executive Secretary. “Drought is a development and human security matter that we must urgently tackle from across all sectors and governance levels.”
Planning for greater resilience
Droughts are also becoming harsher and faster due to human-induced climate change as well as land mismanagement and typically the global response to it is still reactive. More planning and adaption is required to build resilience to the extreme conditions created by dwindling supplies of water and this often happens at a local level.
UN Haiti/Daniel Dickinson
A beekeeper collects honey in southern Haiti.
In Zimbabwe a youth-led grass-roots organization is aiming to regenerate land by planting one billion trees across the southern African country, while more farmers on the Caribbean island of Haiti are taking to bee-keeping; Bees feed off the trees, so there is an incentive for bee keepers to protect the trees from being cut down. In Mali, a young woman entrepreneur, is creating livelihoods and building resilience to drought by promoting the products of the moringa tree.
Experts say proactive initiatives like these can prevent immense human suffering and is far cheaper than interventions focused on response and recovery.
What next?
At COP16 countries are coming together to agree how to collectively tackle worsening droughts and promote sustainable land management.
Two key pieces of research were launched on the opening day.
The World Drought Atlas depicts the systemic nature of drought risks illustrating how they are interconnected across sectors like energy, agriculture, river transport, and international trade and how they can trigger cascading effects, fueling inequalities and conflicts and threatening public health.
The Drought Resilience Observatory is an AI-driven data platform for drought resilience created by the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), a UNCCD-hosted coalition of more than 70 countries and organizations committed to drought action.
How much is it going to cost?
One UN estimate suggests that investments totalling $2.6 trillion will be needed by 2030 to restore land across the world which is affected by drought and poor management.
At COP16 an initial pledge of $2.15 billion was announced to finance the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership.
It will serve as a global facilitator for drought resilience, promoting the shift from reactive relief response to proactive preparedness,” said Dr Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture of Saudia Arabia, adding that “we also seek to amplify global resources to save lives and livelihoods around the world.”
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MIL-OSI USA: Cramer Questions Federal Reserve Chair Powell on Impact of Raising Bank Capital Requirements
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
Stressed the Necessity of Competition in the Banking System
***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (Banking) Committee held a hearing on the Federal Reserve’s semiannual monetary report to Congress. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell testified before the committee.
In July 2023, the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced proposed regulations to implement the final components of the Basel III agreement to raise bank capital requirements. The proposal was created to set the standards for capital reserves, liquidity, and leverage at financial institutions. Under the proposal, large banks will be mandated to transition to the new framework on July 1, with full compliance starting July 1, 2028.
U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) questioned Powell on the necessity of advancing a new Basel III proposal, specifically in the context of regional and community banks.
“Specifically, how would an updated regulation impact the ability of the regional banks to compete with the big Wall Street banks and what consideration should be taken into account to ensure that we have a competitive banking system,” asked Cramer. “For those of us who have largely regional banks, or the best of all of them community banks and credit unions, a competitive system is really important.”
“My own view has been that our banks are well-capitalized and Basel III was not supposed to be an exercise in raising capital on U.S. banks,” responded Powell. “[…] In terms of your [regional banks], they don’t face the G-SIB [global systemically important banks] surcharges. They don’t face quite the burden that the large banks face on resolution planning and that sort of thing. So we need those banks to be healthy and profitable because we need them to compete with the G-SIBs. We don’t want a world where the G-SIBs just keep getting a bigger and bigger share of the economy. That’s not what we’re looking for.”
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Cramer followed up by asking Powell, if he could “think of anything specifically that ensures that competitive, diverse banking system is maintained rather than a consolidation? Whether it’s fewer community banks into more regional banks or fewer regional banks into more Wall Street banks?”
“You think twice before you impose the kinds of things that we impose on the largest banks and the next to largest banks, you want to be careful not to just think we should do exactly the same thing [to regional and community banks],” concluded Powell. “What tends to happen is, so for smaller banks, it raises the fixed costs and it makes it harder to start new banks and it makes it harder for any but the largest to be successful. So that’s not what we want. We want a lot of competition and [for] these regionals it’s important that they thrive.”
Following the introduction of the Basel III Endgame, Cramer has been vocal in his efforts to speak out about the misguided proposal. In January 2024, Cramer joined two letters citing concerns over the Basel III Endgame proposal’s impact on consumers and requesting the withdrawal of the proposal. Additionally, he cosigned a letter to highlight the impacts of proposed capital requirements for mortgage loans. Cramer also questioned Powell in a July 2024 hearing on the impacts it would have on electricity prices. -
MIL-OSI United Nations: Private sector urged to act as world faces $23 trillion loss from land degradation
Source: United Nations MIL OSI
By Daniel Dickinson, in Riyadh
The private sector has been urged to make the sustainable management of land a key part of corporate and financial strategy going forward, as the world risks losing half of global GDP – estimated at $23 trillion – due to degradation.
Business leaders have been meeting at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) conference being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which is focusing on drought, land degradation and restoration issues.
According to the UN, droughts have surged by nearly 30 per cent in frequency and intensity since 2000, threatening agriculture and water security, while up to 40 per cent of the world’s land is degraded, which means its biological or economic productivity has been reduced
© FAO Saudi Arabia
Saplings are planted Al Adhraa national park in Saudi Arabia as part of efforts to protect the land from degradation.
Drought and land loss will have dire consequences for the climate, biodiversity and people’s livelihoods as well as businesses, large and small.
The global economy could lose $23 trillion by 2050 through degradation UNCCD has warned, while halting this trend would cost around $4.6 trillion, a fraction of the predicted losses.
The private sector can play a key role in supporting the sustainable use of land, according to the Executive Secretary of UNCCD, Ibrahim Thiaw.
Speaking at the Business 4 Land Forum at the COP16 conference, he said they provide “a critical momentum to make sustainable land management a core part of corporate and financial strategies.”
COP16 is the biggest global meeting of its kind on land degradation and restoration and the presence of a wide range of business leaders suggests they recognize the urgent need to support the healthy use of land.
© FAO/Giulio Napolitano
Women in Niger prepare fields for the rainy season as part of an anti-desertification initiative.
“Shifting towards nature-positive operations, supply chains, and investments, is not only about environmental sustainability,” said Ibrahim Thiaw, “but about the long-term profitability and resilience of businesses.”
Members of the Business 4 Land initiative are urged to act in three key areas.
Speaking to delegates at the meeting, Philippe Zaouati, CEO of the MIROVA sustainable investment fund, said that “companies stand to gain significantly by transforming their value chains to incorporate sustainable practices, not only to reduce their impact on nature but also to seize economic opportunities,” adding that “mobilizing funding for land restoration requires a concerted effort by the public and private sectors.”
There have been some early successes during the first days of COP16 in terms of unlocking international funding with $12 billion pledged to land restoration efforts.
The Arab Coordination Group pledged $10 billion while the OPEC Fund and the Islamic Development Bank committed $1 billion each to the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, alongside the $150 million dollars provided by Saudi Arabia to operationalize the initiative.
Henri Bruxelles, the Chief Sustainability Officer of the global food and beverage company, Danone, reiterated the importance of global collaboration.
“Collaborating across sectors of society is vital to address the intertwined climate and water challenges, to guarantee food security and nutrition and to secure the livelihoods of the communities that feed the world,” he said in order to “build a sustainable food system.”
More about Business 4 Land (B4L)
B4L is UNCCD’s main initiative to engage the private sector in sustainable land and water management. It helps companies and financial institutions manage risks and seize opportunities tied to land degradation and drought.
B4L aims to restore 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030, contributing to Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), a global commitment to achieve net zero land degradation by 2030, as well as enhancing drought resilience.
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MIL-OSI Australia: Sydney Airport lands Hong Kong Airlines with daily non-stop flights
Source: Sydney Airport
Wednesday 12 February 2025
- Hong Kong Airlines service to Sydney to launch on 20 June 2025
- Daily service will boost seat capacity to Hong Kong by 20 percent
- Cements Hong Kong as Sydney Airport’s 3rd busiest route after Singapore and Auckland
Sydney Airport is set to welcome its second Hong-Kong based carrier, with Hong Kong Airlines to launch its inaugural daily service between Hong Kong and Sydney on 20 June 2025.
This new service increases daily flights between the two cities from five to six and boosts seat capacity on the route by nearly 20 percent, giving passengers more choice and convenience than ever before.
The arrival of Hong Kong Airlines follows the recent expansion of bilateral air traffic rights between Hong Kong and Australia, the first in nearly two decades. The expansion of traffic rights highlights the demand for travel on the already popular Hong Kong-Sydney route, further supported by Hong Kong International Airport’s increased capacity with its new third runway, which can now cater for 120 million passengers annually.
The historic connection between Sydney and Hong Kong dates back 75 years to 1949, when Qantas first launched a charter service on this route. Today, it remains one of Sydney Airport’s busiest, with more than 850,000 passengers flying between the two cities in 2024 — 72% of pre-COVID levels — maintaining Hong Kong’s rank as Sydney’s third-busiest city route after Singapore and Auckland.
The arrival of Hong Kong Airlines increases the number of carriers operating at Sydney Airport to a record 52, with Sydney Airport set to be the airline’s first capital city destination in Australia.
Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said: “The arrival of Hong Kong Airlines marks an important new chapter for Sydney Airport and strengthens the long-standing connection between Sydney and Hong Kong. This new daily service not only increases capacity but also provides passengers with more choice to explore one of Asia’s most vibrant cities.
“The arrival of Hong Kong Airlines will enhance opportunities for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between Sydney and Hong Kong, delivering significant economic benefits to New South Wales, and Australia.
“The support of the NSW Government and Destination NSW was critical in securing this new service and it’s a great example of how our strong and productive partnership is delivering for Sydney and NSW.
“I would also like to thank and recognise the Albanese Government for their recent work in delivering the expansion of bilateral air traffic rights between Hong Kong and Australia. The new services announced today are a direct consequence of these efforts and will boost trade, economic growth, and job creation.”
Hong Kong Airlines Chairman Mr Yan Bo said: “This is an important milestone for Hong Kong Airlines. In the past, we only operated flights to the Gold Coast and Cairns in Australia, offering passengers access to popular tourist hotspots in Queensland.
“Now, we are honoured to extend our reach to Sydney, the country’s most iconic city. This new route will enable us to serve a broader range of international travellers and is also a testament to the efforts of the two governments to actively support more bilateral air traffic rights.
“We are committed to providing passengers with high-quality services and competitive prices, ensuring they have more diverse and convenient options for their travel plans.”
Hong Kong Airlines President Mr Jeff Sun said: “The three-runway system at Hong Kong International Airport has increased the capacity for additional flights, and with the support of the two governments and related organisations, we are delighted to become the second Hong Kong-based airline to operate in Sydney.
“This new service will promote tourism, economic and cultural ties between Hong Kong and Australia. Sydney and Hong Kong have a rich shared history in aviation, and we are proud to be a part of this new chapter. Not only will it bring convenience to travellers, but it will also serve as a bridge connecting with our extensive mainland Chinese network.”
The Hon. Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, said: ““Since coming to government, we’ve landed a record number of air services agreements with over a dozen international markets, including Hong Kong, Canada, Malaysia, Chile, Turkiye, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.
“We’re so pleased to see Sydney Airport leveraging Australia’s new bilateral air agreements – with Turkiye since November and now with Hong Kong.
“The Australian Government is working to expand our international aviation network, because more flights means more competition, more choice, and a better experience for Australian travellers.”
The Hon. John Graham MLC, NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism, said: “We are very excited to welcome Hong Kong Airlines to Sydney Airport.
“The NSW Government is working to grow our visitor economy and boosting aviation capacity to key markets like Hong Kong will be critical in achieving that growth.
“Hong Kong is a priority international market for Sydney, with incoming travellers contributing $290 million to the NSW visitor economy over the last year.”
Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison said: “We welcome the arrival of Hong Kong Airlines which will further boost seat capacity between Hong Kong and Australia.
“When the new direct services begin in June it will be easier than ever before for Hong Kong business and leisure travellers to visit Australia. We hope these daily services will help to drive increased visitation, providing a further boost to our visitor economy.”
Schedule information
Flight Number Origin/Destination Departure/Arrival (Local) HX17 HKG-SYD 22:25 – 09:50+1 HX18 SYD-HKG 11:30 – 18:50 -
MIL-Evening Report: OpenAI’s new ‘deep research’ agent is still just a fallible tool – not a human-level expert
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Raffaele F Ciriello, Senior Lecturer in Business Information Systems, University of Sydney
OpenAI’s “deep research” is the latest artificial intelligence (AI) tool making waves and promising to do in minutes what would take hours for a human expert to complete.
Bundled as a feature in ChatGPT Pro and marketed as a research assistant that can match a trained analyst, it autonomously searches the web, compiles sources and delivers structured reports. It even scored 26.6% on Humanity’s Last Exam (HLE), a tough AI benchmark, outperforming many models.
But deep research doesn’t quite live up to the hype. While it produces polished reports, it also has serious flaws. According to journalists who’ve tried it, deep research can miss key details, struggle with recent information and sometimes invents facts.
OpenAI flags this when listing the limitations of its tool. The company also says it “can sometimes hallucinate facts in responses or make incorrect inferences, though at a notably lower rate than existing ChatGPT models, according to internal evaluations”.
It’s no surprise that unreliable data can slip in, since AI models don’t “know” things in the same way humans do.
The idea of an AI “research analyst” also raises a slew of questions. Can a machine – no matter how powerful – truly replace a trained expert? What would be the implications for knowledge work? And is AI really helping us think better, or just making it easier to stop thinking altogether?
What is ‘deep research’ and who is it for?
Marketed towards professionals in finance, science, policy, law and engineering, as well as academics, journalists and business strategists, deep research is the latest “agentic experience” OpenAI has rolled out in ChatGPT. It promises to do the heavy lifting of research in minutes.
Currently, deep research is only available to ChatGPT Pro users in the United States, at a cost of US$200 per month. OpenAI says it will roll out to Plus, Team and Enterprise users in the coming months, with a more cost-effective version planned for the future.
Unlike a standard chatbot that provides quick responses, deep research follows a multi-step process to produce a structured report:
- The user submits a request. This could be anything from a market analysis to a legal case summary.
- The AI clarifies the task. It may ask follow-up questions to refine the research scope.
- The agent searches the web. It autonomously browses hundreds of sources, including news articles, research papers and online databases.
- It synthesises its findings. The AI extracts key points, organises them into a structured report and cites its sources.
- The final report is delivered. Within five to 30 minutes, the user receives a multi-page document – potentially even a PhD-level thesis – summarising the findings.
At first glance, it sounds like a dream tool for knowledge workers. A closer look reveals significant limitations.
Many early tests have exposed shortcomings:
- It lacks context. AI can summarise, but it doesn’t fully understand what’s important.
- It ignores new developments. It has missed major legal rulings and scientific updates.
- It makes things up. Like other AI models, it can confidently generate false information.
- It can’t tell fact from fiction. It doesn’t distinguish authoritative sources from unreliable ones.
While OpenAI claims its tool rivals human analysts, AI inevitably lacks the judgement, scrutiny and expertise that make good research valuable.
What AI can’t replace
ChatGPT isn’t the only AI tool that can scour the web and produce reports with just a few prompts. Notably, a mere 24 hours after OpenAI’s release, Hugging Face released a free, open-source version that nearly matches its performance.
The biggest risk of deep research and other AI tools marketed for “human-level” research is the illusion that AI can replace human thinking. AI can summarise information, but it can’t question its own assumptions, highlight knowledge gaps, think creatively or understand different perspectives.
And AI-generated summaries don’t match the depth of a skilled human researcher.
Any AI agent, no matter how fast, is still just a tool, not a replacement for human intelligence. For knowledge workers, it’s more important than ever to invest in skills that AI can’t replicate: critical thinking, fact-checking, deep expertise and creativity.
If you do want to use AI research tools, there are ways to do so responsibly. Thoughtful use of AI can enhance research without sacrificing accuracy or depth. You might use AI for efficiency, like summarising documents, but retain human judgement for making decisions.
Always verify sources, as AI-generated citations can be misleading. Don’t trust conclusions blindly, but apply critical thinking and cross-check information with reputable sources. For high-stakes topics — such as health, justice and democracy — supplement AI findings with expert input.
Despite prolific marketing that tries to tell us otherwise, generative AI still has plenty of limitations. Humans who can creatively synthesise information, challenge assumptions and think critically will remain in demand – AI can’t replace them just yet.
Raffaele F Ciriello does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. OpenAI’s new ‘deep research’ agent is still just a fallible tool – not a human-level expert – https://theconversation.com/openais-new-deep-research-agent-is-still-just-a-fallible-tool-not-a-human-level-expert-249496
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MIL-OSI United Nations: Charting a path for global action on land and drought
Source: United Nations MIL OSI
Climate and EnvironmentThe largest and most inclusive UN land conference wrapped up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, charting a path for global action following two weeks of intense negotiations on how best to tackle land degradation, desertification and drought, which affects one quarter of the world.
The nearly 200 countries gathered at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and committed to prioritising land restoration and drought resilience in national policies and international cooperation as an essential strategy for food security and climate adaptation.
While parties failed to agree on the nature of a new drought regime, they adopted a strong political declaration and 39 decisions shaping the way forward.
According to UNCCD’s newly released World Drought Atlas and Economics of Drought Resilience reports, droughts affect the livelihoods of 1.8 billion people worldwide, pushing already vulnerable communities to the brink. They also cost an estimated $300 billion per year, threatening key economic sectors such as agriculture, energy and water.
Among the main outcomes reached at COP16 were:
- A prototype launch of the International Drought Resilience Observatory, the first ever global AI-driven platform to help countries assess and enhance their capacity to cope with harsher droughts
- Mobilisation of private sector engagement under the Business4Land initiative
- The creation of designated caucuses for Indigenous Peoples and for local communities to ensure their unique perspectives and challenges are adequately represented
“Today, history has been made”, said Oliver Tester from Australia, a representative of Indigenous Peoples. “We look forward to championing our commitment to protect Mother Earth through a dedicated caucus and leave this space trusting that our voices be heard.”
UN News/Martin Samaan
Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, an Indigenous Peoples rights campaigner, attends the COP16 desertification conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Global drought regime
Nations also made significant progress in laying the groundwork for a future global drought regime, which they intend to complete at COP17 in Mongolia in 2026.
At COP16, more than 30 decisions were issued on key topics through the negotiation process, including migration, dust storms, enhancing the role of science, research and innovation, and empowering women to tackle environmental challenges.
Some decisions introduced new topics to the agenda, namely environmentally sustainable agrifood systems and rangelands, which cover 54 per cent of all land. The degradation of rangelands alone threatens one sixth of global food supplies, potentially depleting one third of the Earth’s carbon reserves.
At the same time, more than $12 billion was pledged to tackle land challenges around the world, especially in the most vulnerable countries. Right now, some two billion people living in pastoral areas are among the world’s most vulnerable in the face of desertification, land degradation and drought.
Now, the work begins
COP16 was the largest and most diverse UNCCD COP to date. It attracted more than 20,000 participants, around 3,500 of them from civil society, and featured more than 600 events as part of the first Action Agenda to involve non-State actors in the work of the convention. It also set records for youth attendance and for the most ever private sector participants at a UN land conference, with more than 400 representatives from such industries as finance, fashion, agri-food and pharmaceuticals.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed said now, the work begins.
“Our work does not end with the closing of COP16,” she told delegates. “We must continue to tackle the climate crisis. It is a call to action for all of us to embrace inclusivity, innovation and resilience”
She said youth and Indigenous Peoples must be at the heart of these conversations.
“Their wisdom, their voices, and their creativity are indispensable as we craft a sustainable future with renewed hope for generations to come.”
Vital turning point
The meeting also marked a turning point in raising international awareness of the pressing need to accelerate land restoration and drought resilience, according to COP16 president, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Alfadley.
“We hope the outcomes of this session will lead to a significant shift that strengthens efforts to preserve land, reduce its degradation, build capacities to address drought, and contribute to the wellbeing of communities around the world,” he said in closing remarks.
UN Under-Secretary-General and UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw agreed, underscoring a significant shift in the global approach to land and drought issues and the interconnected challenges with broader global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, food security, forced migration and global stability.
NOOR for FAO/Benedicte Kurzen
In Koyli Alpha, Senegal, women work in tree nurseries created as part of the Great Green Wall Initiative.
‘Solutions are within our grasp’
During COP16, participants heard that UNCCD estimates that at least $2.6 trillion in total investments are needed by 2030 to restore more than one billion hectares of degraded land and build resilience to drought.
This equals $1 billion in daily investments between now and 2030 to meet global land restoration targets and combat desertification and drought.
New pledges were also announced for large-scale land restoration and drought preparedness and for some existing projects that are already winning the battle, like the Great Green Wall, an African-led initiative to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land straddling across the Sahel region, which mobilised $11.5 million from Italy and nearly $4 million from Austria.
UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw summed up a common message heard throughout COP16 in his closing remarks.
“As we have discussed and witnessed, the solutions are within our grasp,” he said.
“The actions we took today will shape not only the future of our planet but also the lives, livelihoods and opportunities of those who depend on it.”
Read more stories on climate and the environment here.
Sacred Lands Declaration
© UNCCD/Papa Mamadou Camara
Assessing drylands in Caating, Brazil.
In a landmark decision, COP16 parties requested the creation of a caucus for Indigenous Peoples with the goal of ensuring that their unique perspectives and priorities are represented in the work of the Convention to Combat Desertification.
The Sacred Lands Declaration, presented during the inaugural Indigenous Peoples Forum on 7 December, underscored their role in sustainable resource management and called for greater involvement in global land and drought governance, including through participation in land restoration efforts.
Here are some calls for action in the declaration:
- We call on parties to ensure an approach that embraces human rights and Indigenous Peoples’s rights in all policies and actions related to land restoration and resilience building
- We call on parties to respect, recognise, promote and protect Indigenous Peoples’ rights, based on the fundamental right to self-determination, provided for in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and its General Recommendation 23
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We encourage the UNCCD to create a dedicated fund for Indigenous Peoples’ initiatives on land restoration, conservation, desertification and drought resilience
Read the full Sacred Lands Declaration here.
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MIL-OSI United Nations: China is committed to dialogue, ‘not throwing gas on the fire’, Foreign Minister Wang says
Source: United Nations MIL OSI
UN AffairsWang Yi, the Foreign Minister of China reiterated on Saturday his country’s commitment to playing a constructive role and engaging in mediation for peace, not exploiting volatile situations for “selfish gains”.
To that end, China, jointly with Brazil and other countries of the Global South, launched a Group of Friends for Peace, he said in his address the UN General Assembly.
“Its very purpose is to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, build consensus for a political settlement of the crisis and contribute to a prospect of peace,” the Minister said.
He noted that the question of Palestine is the “biggest wound” to the human conscience.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza is causing more casualties with each passing day, he said, adding that fighting has started again in Lebanon.
“But might cannot replace justice. Palestine’s long held aspiration to establish an independent state should not be shunned anymore, and the historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people should not be ignored anymore.”
The Foreign Minister also noted China’s partnerships with African nations as well as with some least developed countries (LDCs), while highlighting its opposition to unilateral coercive measures, such as sanctions and blockades, and disruption of supply chains.
“Sanctions and pressure will not bring monopolistic advantages. Suppressing and containing others will not solve problems at home. The right of people of all countries to pursue a better life should not be taken away,” he said, calling on the United States to completely lift its blockade, sanctions and terrorism related designation against Cuba.
Mr. Wang also emphasized China’s commitment to a “path of green, low-carbon, and sustainable development”.
“We will move from carbon peaking to carbon neutrality in the shortest time span in world history, contributing China’s efforts to harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature at the global level,” he said.
He also highlighted that the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities must be upheld, and that the Paris Agreement on climate change must be implemented in earnest.
Developed countries should also assist developing nations in building their capacity to cope with climate change, he added.
Foreign Minister Wang further highlighted China’s support for UN reform and modernization, as well as for international financial systems to be fit for current times. China would also continue fulfil its obligations, providing financial support and qualified human resources.
He urged the Organization to “respond to the legitimate calls” of developing countries and increase the representation and voice of those in the Global South.
Concluding his address, Mr. Wang said next year will mark the 80th anniversary of end of World War II and the founding of the United Nations.
“China stands ready to work with all countries to renew the founding purposes and mission of the UN, reaffirm our steadfast commitment to the UN Charter, advocate and practice true multilateralism, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and jointly usher in a better world.”