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Scoop
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Home Is Where The Heart Is – And Where Development Begins
23 July 2025 Mathare, one of the country's largest slums, houses upwards of 500,000 people in five square kilometres, cramming them together and storing the human waste they produce in uncovered rivulets. But, when he recounted the visit later to UN News, this was not the image that stuck with him the most. What he remembered most clearly was a group of boys and girls, dressed in navy blue school uniforms – the girls in skirts and the boys in pants, both with miniature ties underneath their vests – surrounded by squawking chickens and human waste. There was no formal or UNICEF-funded school nearby. But, the Mathare community had come together to create a school where their children might just have the chance to break an intergenerational cycle of poverty and invisibility. 'That was a message for me that development should be localised. There is something happening at the community [level],' said Mr. Jobin. Globally, over one billion people live in overcrowded slums or informal settlements with inadequate housing, making this one of the largest development issues worldwide, but also one of the most underrecognised. 'The first place where opportunity begins or is denied is not an office building or a school. It is in our homes,' UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed told a high-level meeting of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on Tuesday. A litmus test Mr. Jobin was one of the experts taking part in the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development at UN Headquarters in New York this month to discuss progress – or lack thereof – towards the globally agreed 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the goals aspires to create sustainable cities and communities. However, with close to three billion people facing an affordable housing crisis, this goal remains unrealised. 'Housing has become a litmus test of our social contract and a powerful measure of whether development is genuinely reaching people or quietly bypassing them,' said Rola Dashti, Under-Secretary-General for the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). Housing as a mirror for inequalities With over 300 million unhoused people worldwide, sometimes it is easy to forget about the one billion people who are housed inadequately. These people, who populate informal settlements and slums, live in unstable dwellings and in communities where few services are provided. 'Housing reflects the inequalities shaping people's daily lives. It signals who has access to stability, security and opportunity and who does not,' said Ms. Dashti. Children living in slums or informal settlements are up to three times more likely to die before their fifth birthday. They are also 45 per cent more stunted than their peers as a result of poor nutrition. Women and girls are more likely to experience gender-based violence. And human trafficking and child exploitation are also more prevalent. An intergenerational invisibility People in informal settlements are often not a part of the national census, according to Mr. Jobin, meaning that they are not taken into consideration in policies, social programmes or budgets. Even if they were given social protections, these settlements rarely have addresses at which families could receive cash transfers. This is why experts often say that the people living in informal settlements and slums are invisible in official data and programmes. 'You're born from an invisible family, so you become invisible,' Mr. Jobin said. 'You don't exist. You're not reflected in policies or budgeting.' This invisibility makes it almost impossible to escape poverty. 'You become a prisoner of a vicious circle that entertains itself and then you reproduce yourself to your kid,' he said, referring to an inescapable cycle of deprivation. The urban paradox More and more people are migrating into urban centres, leading to the growth of these informal settlements. With their growth comes more urgency to address the issues. The World Bank estimates that 1.2 million people each week move to cities, often seeking the opportunities and resources that they offer. But, millions of people are never able to benefit, instead becoming forgotten endnotes in an urban paradox that portrays urban wealth as a protection against poverty. By 2050, the number of people living in informal settlements is expected to triple to three billion, one third of whom will be children. Over 90 per cent of this growth will occur in Asia and Africa. 'These statistics are not just numbers; they represent families, they represent workers and entire communities being left behind,' said Anacláudia Rossbach, Under-Secretary-General of UN Habitat, which is working to make cities more sustainable. Housing as a human right It is not just national and local governments which struggle to contend with informal settlements. Organizations like UNICEF are also 'blind', Mr. Jobin said, regarding the scope of problems in informal settlements. Development partners face twin issues in designing interventions. There is not enough national data and informal governance, or slum lords, can be more critical for coordinating programs than traditional governmental partners. 'We know the issue, but somehow we have not really been able to intervene,' he said. Ms. Mohammed emphasised that 'we need to begin to see adequate and affordable housing as more than just a result of development; it is the foundation upon which all other development must rest." 'Housing is not simply about a roof over one's head. It's a fundamental human right and the foundation upon which peace and stability itself rests.'
Watani
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Watani
UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development:'No time for political luxury!'
The 2025 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), organised by the United Nations in New York, carried strong messages on the urgent need to accelerate the practical implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially amid mounting global challenges. Quoting the Forum's central message, Ambassador Dr Mostafa El-Sherbiny, international expert in climate and sustainability, said at the opening session: 'The world can no longer afford excuses. We are halfway through to 2030. Now is the time to take concrete actions that make a real impact on people's lives and save the planet,' Dr Sherbiny participated with four official initiatives that have been listed on the UN website in partnership with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). He described this recognition as historic, the first time the UN publishes four initiatives led by an Egyptian, Arab, and international expert. These initiatives have shaped sustainable development efforts in the first half of the 2030 Agenda timeline: • Climate Ambassadors Initiative: A youth and women-driven movement for climate awareness. • Carbon Neutrality Pioneers Initiative: Introducing carbon footprint culture across Egypt and the Arab world. • Sustainability and Carbon Auditors Initiative: The first to establish the profession of carbon footprint auditing in Egypt and the region. • Water Ambassadors Initiative: Launched with the UN during the 2023 Water Conference. Dr Sherbiny noted that the opening day of HLPF 2025 was packed with global concerns over declining progress in SDGs, especially in health, gender equality, economic growth, marine life, and global partnerships. 'The forum's opening was not just ceremonial, it was a humanitarian call to action. The world needs science-based decisions and resources directed to those furthest behind, not more political speeches,' he stressed. The launch of the 2025 SDG Progress Report revealed a wide gap between commitments and outcomes, he said, pointing to regressions caused by overlapping crises: from climate change and political conflict to the pandemic and debt turmoil. The presence and contribution of civil society organisations was evident from day one, with powerful interventions such as the Women's Group statement: 'Rather than accelerating progress, we are witnessing alarming setbacks.' Dr Sherbiny stressed the importance of civil pressure to push governments toward equitable, just policies. 'Unless plans translate into real financing, built on accurate data, and provide genuine roles for civil society, we are merely reproducing the same old promises, while losing direction in the second half of the 2030 journey,' Dr Sherbiny warned. He highlighted a key session by the World Health Organisation, addressing SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), especially amid rising health threats in fragile regions. He called for integrating mental health into all national strategies due to its profound impact on productivity and social well-being. The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) is the UN's central platform to review global SDG progress under the umbrella of ECOSOC. Held annually at the UN Headquarters in New York, it gathers heads of State, ministers, development experts, civil society, and the private sector in a global dialogue to evaluate where the world stands on these goals, and where it is heading. The HLPF is the key venue to assess progress on all 17 SDGs and identify challenges and achievements. It is an international accountability mechanism, with countries submitting Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) to transparently share performance. It also encourages collaboration among governments, UN agencies, donors, and civil society; and is an equity tracker that monitors disparities and reinforces the 2030 Agenda's core principle of 'Leave No One Behind.' HLPF 2025: A Critical Moment on the Road to 2030, held from 14 July 14 to 23 July 2025, comes at the defining midpoint of the half way to 2030. Yet many goals—notably on climate, health, and gender equality—are lagging. This amid complex global crises of war, inflation, debt, and climate change that threaten development gains; also a trillion-dollar development financing gap that calls for innovative and fair funding mechanisms. HLPF 2025 Focus Areas include in-depth reviews of: o SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being o SDG 5: Gender Equality o SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth o SDG 14: Life Below Water o SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals It also features 37 Voluntary National Reviews and side events from WHO, UNDP, UNEP addressing mental health, climate finance, tech innovation, and women's empowerment. Watani International 21 July 2025 Comments comments
Scoop
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Seeding Gender Empowerment: Women Farmers In Peru Contend With Climate Change
15 July 2025 Ácora, located in the southeast corner of Peru almost 3,800 kilometres above sea level, is one of the Peruvian regions which has been most impacted by climate change – endangering crop production and biodiversity in addition to worsening food insecurity. 'It was not like this before, the climate has changed a lot,' said Pascuala Pari, head of the Sumaq Chuyma Association in Ácora. Around the world, women farmers like Ms. Pari, who already face a series of intersectional challenges, are working tirelessly to secure their livelihoods despite an increasingly untenable climate situation. ' Women in particular shoulder the burden of food insecurity as traditional caregivers which is intensified during climate crises,' said Bochola Sara Arero, a youth representative from the World Food Forum, at a side event during the ongoing UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development on Monday. Intersecting goals The forum in New York has been convened to discuss the Sustainable Development Goals, adopted in 2015 to promote global development for current and future generations. ' [The forum] is going to be a major way to assess how we're doing with respect to the critical issues of sustainability and achieving greater prosperity globally,' said Bob Rae, President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), at a press conference for correspondents in New York on Tuesday. With only 18 per cent of these internationally agreed upon goals on track to being met by 2030, the Secretary-General António Guterres has called for urgent action and sustained multilateralism to address this gap. Mr. Guterres has also said that this forum is a unique opportunity to discuss the intersection between various goals, including the intersection between gender equality and climate change. A bipolar climate Last year in Ácora, dealing with a climate that oscillated between drought and torrential rains was next to impossible for the women who relied on the land. Crops would not grow and agrobiodiversity was under threat. In a country where 17.6 million people already experience food insecurity, this dual threat had the potential to wreak havoc on livelihoods. In response, Ms Pari and other women in Ácora formed seed banks. Not only do organizations like seed banks preserve indigenous agrobiodiversity, they also help sustain the livelihoods of women in the region. 'Our crops were in danger of extinction, but now people are harvesting again and we are changing that,' said Fanny Ninaraqui, leader of the Ayrumas Carumas Association. Seeds that are not planted can be traded or bartered with other seed bank owners. Over 125 varieties of native crops have now been preserved across the region. 'I am happy with my little seed bank … Now I have all kinds of quinoa: black, red, white. This supports me economically because I preserve and sell my products at local markets,' Ms. Pari said. Once shut, doors open for women farmers In addition to climate challenges, women farmers also face a lack of legal rights. Specifically, they often do not have titles to their land. According to the Secretary-General's Sustainable Development Report, released Monday, 58 per cent of the countries with available data lacked sufficient protection for women's land rights. 'Women's land rights are fundamental for women's voice and agency, livelihoods and well-being and resilience as well as for broader development outcomes,' said Seemin Qayum, policy advisor at UN Women. The in-depth report also noted that less than half of women had secure rights to land, with men being twice as likely to have land deeds and other protected property rights. [1] Experts say that insufficient legal protections not only negatively impact economic outcomes for women, they also sideline women's needs and voices in policymaking. Therefore, it is essential to institute legal protections which formally recognize women as farmers. 'When you are recognized as a farmer, a world of possibilities, a world of resources – opportunities for representation and rights – become available to you. Doors open,' said Carol Boudreaux, Senior Director of Land Programs at Landesa. Beyond legal protections While legal land rights are essential, they are not in and of themselves enough to empower rural women. 'Initiatives that aim to change discriminatory social norms and institutions are also needed,' said Clara Park, senior gender officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Women in Ácora recognize that it is not just climate change which is negatively impacting their livelihoods – they are also grappling with unequal social norms. 'When you are young and a woman, someone always tries to limit your progress,' Ms. Ninaraqui said. In Ácora, international and civil society organizations, including the UN Development Programme (UNDP), have worked to help women establish their seed banks and ensure that these women have the capacity to manage them long-term. 'I can lead, I can teach what I have learned, now I feel I have this capacity,' Ms Pari said. Intergenerational knowledge Women like Ms. Pari and Ms. Ninaraqui are part of the Aymara indigenous community in Ácora. For them, the seed banks are a form of innovation which allows them to build upon indigenous knowledge regarding agrobiodiversity. 'We are recovering the seeds from our grandparents' time,' said Ms. Pari. And as they save these seeds, Ms. Pari said they are also thinking of the future. 'Today, I would tell more women to keep going, to not be discouraged by what others think, and to take initiative like I did,' said Ms. Pari.
Kuwait Times
13-07-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Arab coordination committee holds 34th regular session
Meetings of the Committee of Organizations for Coordination and Follow-up, emanating from the Arab Economic and Social Council. – KUNA photos KUWAIT: The 34th regular session of the Arab League's Committee for Coordination and Follow-up of Organizations, under the umbrella of the Arab Economic and Social Council, commenced Sunday with participation from representatives of member states' ministries of finance, economy, and trade, in addition to specialized Arab organizations. In his opening remarks, Director of the Arab Organizations and Federations Department and Technical Secretary of the Committee, Dr Raed Al-Jubouri, stated that the five-day session will focus on administrative, financial, organizational and structural matters concerning specialized Arab organizations. The outcomes of the discussions will be submitted to the Economic and Social Council during its 116th regular session, scheduled for August 31 to September 3, 2025. Dr Al-Jubouri noted that the committee, a technical body operating under the Economic and Social Council, was established in line with the Council's mandate and decisions — particularly the resolution issued during the extraordinary session held on July 6, 1988 — affirming the Council's central role in overseeing and coordinating the work of Arab organizations. He added that the committee convenes annually to review key reports, including those of financial oversight bodies, internal audit heads of specialized Arab organizations, final account statements and reports from external auditors. The agenda also includes periodic reports on member states' arrears to the budgets of Arab organizations, updates from the Arab Monetary Fund, and the General Secretariat's participation in meetings of legislative and executive bodies of these organizations. Kuwait is taking part in the session with a delegation from the Ministry of Finance. — KUNA
MTV Lebanon
02-07-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Geagea, Arbid broach economic, social priorities ahead of summer season
Lebanese Forces Party leader Samir Geagea met in Maarab with Economic and Social Council President Charles Arbid, in the presence of MPs Razi El Hage and George Okais. Arbid said the meeting focused on economic, social, and environmental challenges, noting Geagea's deep understanding of these issues. He stressed the importance of continued dialogue, especially as the LF remains close to people's concerns. Arbid expressed hope that calm political rhetoric will allow Lebanon to benefit from the upcoming summer season. He also emphasized the need to rebuild trust and revive economic productivity, while encouraging cooperation with international bodies and Arab partners.
