From survivors of rape to young women entrepreneurs, the UN Deputy Secretary-General has spent the week meeting some of those whose lives have been upended by conflict in Ethiopia, but also hearing stories of hope that point towards the “indispensable” value of a return to lasting peace across the African nation.
Today, 11 February, as we mark International Women and Girls in Science Day to highlight the importance of equal access and participation in science for women and girls, we travel to Uzbekistan to meet Malika, Madina and Sarvinoz.
The UN Secretary-General on Saturday said that Africa was “a source of hope” for the world, highlighting the examples of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Decade of Financial and Economic Inclusion for African Women.
Many of today’s global leaders recognize our common threats—COVID, climate, the unregulated development of new technologies. They agree that something needs to be done about them. Yet that common understanding is not matched by common action.
There is a clear dual recognition of both the challenge faced by the UNDS as it responded, and continues to respond, to the socio-economic effects of the rapidly changing COVID-19 pandemic and the essential role played by the reform process in enabling and, potentially, accelerating that response.
On 6 February, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Roli Asthana of the United Kingdom as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan, with the host Government’s approval.
On 13 January, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Anna Marttinen- Pont of Finland as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Equatorial Guinea, with the host Government’s approval.
It’s hard for most people to make friends and find their place in a new hometown. But it’s that much harder when you move to a whole new country. Four years ago, Juan Diego and his family fled the socio-economic crisis in their native Venezuela and made a new home in Costa Rica — a few of the nearly 40,000 migrants who have made that trek.
FGM is prevalent in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. It has no health benefits, and, as the World Health Organization reports, it can pose serious threats to women and future newborns.
Having commenced my role as UN Resident Coordinator in China almost one year ago, it is a privilege to lead the United Nations in China in this new year and at this auspicious moment as the Games return to Beijing.
