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Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Saoi O'Connor: As the UN talks shop, no food or water enters Gaza
There is a wire mesh fence between me and the fire exit, another between me and the Rhine. The World Conference Center used by the UN for the intersessional climate negotiations each June is superior to the majority of venues in which the Conference of the Parties (or COP) has been hosted, for this reason; where I write from, you can see the river. It's often been speculated that the outcomes of climate negotiations would be better if said negotiations took place in rooms with windows, instead of dark little prefabricated boxes that might just as well be shipping containers for the amount of light that gets in. I am not sure that the outcomes of the intersessional meetings validate this theory - I suspect closing plenary outputs will be just as dismal as those of COPs gone by - but at least here, in this venue, one is less disconnected from the world outside. The lawn that I write from is a little sterile, one can be certain here that, unlike other parts of the city, no dog has marked its territory on the grass, and though the stench of cigarette smoke is as dense as anywhere else, this lawn lacks the distinctive scent of German beer. In this place the full spectrum of attendees, from negotiators in their pressed suits and lapel pins to radical youth activists, those who have fled death to their would-be murderers, sit alike in the grass, and the shade of the trees holds the weight of history. The outcome of every COP is shaped here. Every November, all of us pack up and head out to the Conference of the Parties to negotiate on humanity's collective future, and every June, like a salmon returning to the river that spawned it, we return to the Rhine. In 20, 30 years maybe there will be some kind of memorial here, maybe we will say, this was a place where we all came together, a kind of no man's land, where the elders of our climate justice movements held council with their cigarettes and the party delegates argued in urgent, hushed tones over overpriced filter coffee. I imagine the future will refer to this lawn in the same way that historians refer to the Christmas Truce of 1914, this is a place where we were all human together, and it changed nothing. Gaza and the climate The topic of rivers has been a source of contention in these conferences for some time now. Since the Dubai COP in 2023, civil society groups have been banned from using the phrase 'from the river to the sea' during protests inside the conference. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the only UN agency which allows protest inside the venue during the negotiations, a fact which the agency's secretariat is extremely proud of. However, in recent years censorship of civil society during these protests has made organising and partaking in these actions feel relatively pointless. This June at Subsidiary Bodies (SB62), the secretariat informed us that we would also not be allowed to use the phrase 'end the siege' during these actions, an action which has been echoed by human rights organizations and other UN agencies alike, the absolute bare minimum demand of humanity. As we sit here in our talking shop, no food or water enters Gaza. Israel kidnaps humanitarians from aid ships and Egypt stops activist convoys on its borders. Their contraband consists of food and water, medicine, crutches, a prosthetic arm for a child. The fist of empire closes around itself and the light of conscience grows dim. Millions of Gazans continue to starve, and within the halls of the United Nations we are not allowed to condemn this. Maybe for those who have not walked these halls this comes as a surprise, though the last several years of ongoing genocide with little intervention from the multilateral system will have relieved many people of notions they may previously have had about the supreme benevolence of the United Nations. This same distance, this discussion and negotiation and condemnation in the abstract, where human rights and justice exist only in the realms of lapel pins and SDG-themed (Sustainable Development Goals) merchandising, is another common thread which binds the Palestinian struggle and the struggle for climate justice together. What has changed? To return to my original hypothetical - I don't know that the outcomes of this conference would be improved if they were held in a nature reserve or a forest or on the coast of my home in West Cork, but I know that they are defined by what we see out the window. If it was not the Rhine on the other side of this fence, but the Jordan, if we stood in Congo where children are forced to mine lithium for our promised 'just transition' (a phrase which has its roots in the climate justice movement, but has been largely misappropriated in this space), or in the pacific islands, where already the ocean begins to creep up to people's doors, if we stood in the midst of fire or flood or airstrike, I know that this conversation would be different. Many of my peers here will return home to these places, many of them on flight paths that have been disrupted due to US and Israeli aggression. It is currently precarious to transit through Qatar, and they - like me - will try to explain what they have seen. To explain what it is to press your face up to the glass and see the individuals responsible for our global suffering — for the radical, irreversible damage to life on this planet which will define humanity's future until we as a species cease to walk upon the Earth — to feel the weight of history and the grief of knowing you can do nothing, nothing, about it. Saoi O'Connor: 'This place where I sit now is not in Germany, it is not in Europe, it is not even truly on Earth, I write to you now from another place.' Photo: Pamela EA This place where I sit now is not in Germany, it is not in Europe, it is not even truly on Earth, I write to you now from another place. Abstracted, isolated from context, this wire mesh fence between us and the world, it protects us from realities that might interfere with our nitpicking over documents that nobody anywhere else in the world will ever read. I have been attending these climate negotiations since I was 17 years old. I'm now 22, and as myself and many others have been remarking this week, the biggest change that we have seen in that time is that the coffee machine in this building now offers oat milk. We do not gather here because we believe that the United Nations or the neoliberal world order can save us, or has any intention of saving us. We do this because it is a gathering place in which we exchange notes about how we are saving ourselves. Beneath my feet in this lawn the seeds of a new world are already planted. As the eyes of the world turn to COP30 this November, a conference which will undoubtedly be the most critical climate negotiation since Paris, remember that we were already here, that we have been here before. Cork students taking part in the Fridays for Future strikes in front of City Hall. When history comes to take down this fence and walk upon the lawn of the United Nations, we will not forgive, and we will not forget. Picture: Saoi O'Connor That the preparatory session for COP30 was defined by the twin injustices of the banning of a phrase which called for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, and the EU blocking the discussion of finance for the Global South, for adaptation to and mitigation of climate change. We are six months into 2025 and so far the theme from the UN is that whether you deserve to live, to eat, to drink clean water, depends on where you were born. When history comes to take down this fence and walk upon the lawn of the United Nations, we will not forgive, and we will not forget. Saoi O'Connor is a climate campaigner who has been attending the climate negotiations since they were 17 years old. They continue to be active on climate all over Europe; travelling most recently to Sapmi to protest logging with the Sami people
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar participates in 62nd session of UNFCCC subsidiaries in Germany
QNA Berlin Qatar is participating in the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SB 62) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), currently being held in Bonn, Germany, and will runs until June 26, as part of the international community's preparations for the Conference of the Parties (COP30), scheduled to be held in Brazil at the end of 2025. Qatar is represented by an official delegation comprising several national entities, including the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Qatar University, QatarEnergy, the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation, and the Ministry of Municipality. Qatar's participation emphasises its commitment to supporting international efforts to address the challenges of climate change and implement the Paris Agreement, as well as actively contributing to formulating global policies related to mitigating emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change, enhancing climate action financing, and improving the quality and transparency of national reports. This year's Bonn Conference will discuss a number of key issues, especially updating Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), activating the mechanisms of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on international cooperation, supporting adaptation plans in developing and least developed countries, and developing transparency systems and climate data exchange among the participating countries. The conference will also feature extensive workshops and discussion sessions with the participation of representatives from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), international research and financial institutions, and regional partners, with the aim of exchanging the best practices in the fields of renewable energy, innovation, finance, and climate capacity building. Qatar's delegation emphasised the importance of enhancing technology transfer and capacity-building initiatives in developing countries, and facilitating access to accurate climate data. It also affirmed Qatar's commitment to updating its national policies to achieve sustainable development and carbon neutrality, in line with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. The SB62 Bonn Conference is a pivotal milestone in the roadmap to COP30, as its technical outcomes will help shape the final agreements expected in Brazil and provide an effective platform for exchanging views and coordinating positions among participating countries.
Muscat Daily
17-06-2025
- General
- Muscat Daily
Oman marks global desertification day with push for greener future
Muscat – Oman, represented by the Environment Authority (EA), joined the global community in observing the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, marked annually on June 17. This year's theme, 'Restore the land. Unlock the opportunities', underscores the vital link between healthy ecosystems and sustainable development. Oman's participation reflects its continued commitment to international efforts aimed at raising awareness about the pressing challenges of desertification and drought. It also reinforces national priorities focused on encouraging sustainable environmental practices, supporting conservation policies, and enhancing global cooperation to protect natural resources. The observance highlights the role of ecosystem restoration in strengthening food and water security, generating employment, enabling climate adaptation, and building resilient, green economies. As part of its broader environmental strategy, the Environment Authority is leading several key initiatives and projects designed to promote sustainability, expand green spaces, and conserve biodiversity across the country. Among the most notable is the national initiative for planting 10mn trees, launched in January 2020, which aims to restore degraded lands and combat desertification through large-scale afforestation. Another major effort is the National Tree Cover Survey Project, which utilises remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and artificial intelligence to establish a comprehensive, accurate database of tree coverage across the sultanate. Oman is also advancing mangrove reforestation projects, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency. This ambitious initiative targets the planting of one million mangrove seedlings to enhance marine biodiversity, increase carbon absorption, and promote ecotourism. Mangrove forests currently span over 1,030 hectares along Oman's coastlines. Additionally, the authority regularly updates the National Plan to Combat Desertification every ten years, in cooperation with the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development. Oman also actively engages in international forums, including the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, where it shares its national experiences and awareness campaigns.
National Observer
10-06-2025
- Science
- National Observer
High Seas Treaty gaining momentum as 18 new countries pledge support
Eighteen countries ratified the High Seas Treaty on Monday, bringing the total to 49 — just 11 short of the 60 needed for the ocean agreement to enter into force. The surge in support, occurring during the U.N. Ocean Conference in Nice, France, adds momentum to what could become a historic shift in how the world governs the open ocean. Here's what the treaty is, why it matters and what happens next. What is the High Seas Treaty Formally known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, the High Seas Treaty is the first legally binding agreement focused on protecting marine biodiversity in international waters. These waters, which are beyond the jurisdiction of any single country, make up nearly two-thirds of the ocean and almost half the surface of the planet. Until now, there has been no comprehensive legal framework to create marine protected areas or enforce conservation on the high seas. Why is it needed Despite their remoteness, the high seas are under growing pressure from overfishing, climate change and the threat of deep-sea mining. Environmental advocates warn that without proper protections, marine ecosystems in international waters face irreversible harm. 'Until now, it has been the wild west on the high seas," said Megan Randles, global political lead for oceans at Greenpeace. "Now we have a chance to properly put protections in place.' The treaty is also essential to achieving the global '30x30' target — an international pledge to protect 30% of the planet's land and sea by 2030. How the treaty works The treaty creates a legal process for countries to establish marine protected areas in the high seas, including rules for destructive activities like deep-sea mining and geo-engineering. It also establishes a framework for technology-sharing, funding mechanisms and scientific collaboration among countries. Crucially, decisions under the treaty will be made multilaterally through conferences of parties (COPs) rather than by individual countries acting alone. What happens when it reaches 60 ratifications Once 60 countries ratify the treaty, a 120-day countdown begins before it officially enters into force. That would unlock the ability to begin designating protected areas in the high seas and put oversight mechanisms into motion. As of Monday evening, 49 countries and the EU had ratified, meaning 11 more are needed to trigger that countdown. What comes after ratification The first Conference of the Parties (COP1) must take place within one year of the treaty's entry into force. That meeting will lay the groundwork for implementation, including decisions on governance, financing and the creation of key bodies to evaluate marine protection proposals. Environmental groups are pushing to surpass the required 60 ratifications, and to do so quickly – the more countries that ratify, the stronger and more representative the treaty's implementation will be. There's also a deadline: only countries that ratify by COP1 will be eligible to vote on critical decisions that determine how the treaty will operate. 'To reach 60 ratifications would be an absolutely enormous achievement, but for the treaty to be as effective as possible, we need countries from all over the world to engage in its implementation,' said Rebecca Hubbard, director of the High Seas Alliance. 'So the next step will be to go from 60 to global.' The surge in support on Monday has raised hopes that 2025 could mark a turning point for high seas protection. 'We're on the brink of making high seas history,' Hubbard said.
France 24
10-06-2025
- Politics
- France 24
UN Ocean Conference drums up signatories to key High Seas Treaty
Eighteen countries ratified the High Seas Treaty on Monday, bringing the total to 49 – just 11 short of the 60 needed for the ocean agreement to enter into force. The surge in support, occurring during the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, adds momentum to what could become a historic shift in how the world governs the open ocean. Here's what the treaty is, why it matters and what happens next. Formally known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, the High Seas Treaty is the first legally binding agreement focused on protecting marine biodiversity in international waters. These waters, which are beyond the jurisdiction of any single country, make up nearly two-thirds of the ocean and almost half the surface of the planet. Until now, there has been no comprehensive legal framework to create marine protected areas or enforce conservation on the high seas. Despite their remoteness, the high seas are under growing pressure from overfishing, climate change and the threat of deep-sea mining. Environmental advocates warn that without proper protections, marine ecosystems in international waters face irreversible harm. 'Until now, it has been the wild west on the high seas," said Megan Randles, global political lead for oceans at Greenpeace. "Now we have a chance to properly put protections in place.' The treaty is also essential to achieving the global '30x30' target – an international pledge to protect 30% of the planet's land and sea by 2030. The treaty creates a legal process for countries to establish marine protected areas in the high seas, including rules for destructive activities like deep-sea mining and geo-engineering. It also establishes a framework for technology-sharing, funding mechanisms and scientific collaboration among countries. Crucially, decisions under the treaty will be made multilaterally through conferences of parties (COPs) rather than by individual countries acting alone. Once 60 countries ratify the treaty, a 120-day countdown begins before it officially enters into force. That would unlock the ability to begin designating protected areas in the high seas and put oversight mechanisms into motion. As of Monday evening, 49 countries and the EU had ratified, meaning 11 more are needed to trigger that countdown. The first Conference of the Parties (COP1) must take place within one year of the treaty's entry into force. That meeting will lay the groundwork for implementation, including decisions on governance, financing and the creation of key bodies to evaluate marine protection proposals. Environmental groups are pushing to surpass the required 60 ratifications, and to do so quickly – the more countries that ratify, the stronger and more representative the treaty's implementation will be. There's also a deadline: only countries that ratify by COP1 will be eligible to vote on critical decisions that determine how the treaty will operate. 'To reach 60 ratifications would be an absolutely enormous achievement, but for the treaty to be as effective as possible, we need countries from all over the world to engage in its implementation,' said Rebecca Hubbard, director of the High Seas Alliance. 'So the next step will be to go from 60 to global.' The surge in support on Monday has raised hopes that 2025 could mark a turning point for high seas protection. 'We're on the brink of making high seas history,' Hubbard said.
