UN PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 10/ 9/ 17
We Have Tools, Commitment to End Global Hunger, Secretary-General Tells Food Security Committee
Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the Committee on World Food Security, in Rome today:
I send warm greetings to everyone at the forty-fourth session of the Committee on World Food Security. Food security, and this Committee, have a key role to play in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and especially Sustainable Development Goal 2, Zero Hunger.
Despite steady progress in recent years, hunger is on the rise. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that there are some 815 million chronically undernourished people in the world.
Protracted crises, conflict, and extreme weather events linked to climate change are taking an appalling toll on the poorest people in the world. Many have no choice but to abandon their homes and their land.
The theme of World Food Day 2017 is “Change the future of migration. Invest in food security and rural development”. Such investments create stronger and more resilient communities so that people can prosper and thrive without having to move. We face a great challenge. But, we have the tools and the commitment to end global hunger.
I thank you for your commitment and wish you all the best for your meeting.
https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/sgsm18738.doc.htm
Targeted Poverty Strategies Only Way to Reach Those Farthest Behind, Secretary-General Tells Development Forum
UN PRESS RELEASE DATED 10/ 9/ 17
Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum, in Beijing today:
I am pleased to send greetings to participants in the 2017 Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum.
This year marks the twenty-fifth International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. During this quarter-century, the number of people living in extreme poverty has halved and living conditions have improved all over the world. But, the fight against poverty is not over. Globalization and technological progress have increased inequalities and left millions of people behind. Reducing and eradicating poverty is the key to improving lives and realizing the potential of hundreds of millions of people.
The theme of this year’s Forum, “Targeted Poverty Alleviation and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda”, is timely. Targeted poverty reduction strategies are the only way to reach those farthest behind and achieve the ambitious targets set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. China has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, and its experiences can provide valuable lessons to other developing countries. I am confident that China’s continued efforts to address its remaining challenges, and its model of inclusive development, will continue to reduce the numbers of those living in poverty and help address the serious disparities between rich and poor, rural and urban, the coast and the interior.
We are at a critical juncture for implementation of the 2030 Agenda. With the right tools and partnerships, we can make sure that no child is born into poverty, and that everyone has a chance to thrive in a more equitable, prosperous and sustainable world. I urge China’s continued leadership in this effort.
I thank you for coming together for this important meeting and look forward to our continued collaboration.
https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/sgsm18736.doc.htm
FROM THE UN NEWS CENTER:
UN agencies launch cholera immunization campaign for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh
10 October 2017 – In a race to prevent a cholera outbreak among the more than half a million Rohingya refugee arrivals over the past six weeks in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh, United Nations agencies launched on Tuesday a massive immunization campaign.
Disaster risk outpaces resilience in Asia-Pacific, warns UN regional commission
10 October 2017 – Disaster risk is outpacing resilience in Asia-Pacific and putting people in this most disaster-prone region at risk of being pushed back into poverty, the latest report from a United Nations regional commission has revealed.
Rural areas have potential to feed and employ 'younger, more crowded planet' – UN report
9 October 2017 – Long seen as poverty traps, rural areas are in fact key to economic growth in developing countries when pegged to food production, according to a new United Nations agriculture agency report released Monday.
Global unemployment passes 200 million in 2017, UN labour agency reports
9 October 2017 – More than 200 million people are out of work around the world – an increase of 3.4 million since last year, the United Nations labour agency said Monday, calling for policies that can recharge “sluggish” growth of small and medium-sized businesses.
US MISSION TO THE UN: Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on UN Peacekeeping Operations: Strategic Force Generation
PRESS RELEASE DATED 10/ 5/ 17
The United States is pleased to have played a central role in refocusing the UN and Member States on the importance of force generation at the leaders’ summit in 2015. In recognition of the critical importance of multinational peace operations and the challenges they face, the international community has rallied behind the series of ministerial conferences to raise awareness about capacity shortfalls in peacekeeping and expand the pool of available resources to address these shortfalls.
https://usun.state.gov/remarks/8005
Explanation of Vote Following the Adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2382 on Colombia (press release issued 10/ 5/ 17)
" After 52 years of armed struggle, the United States welcomes the historic ceasefire between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army. We congratulate the parties on their commitment to pursuing the sustained and lasting peace that the people of Colombia deserve. We want to recognize the role of the Catholic Church and Ecuador in particular for the special role it has played and continues to play in brokering a longer-term peace.
Through this resolution, we join other members of the Council in supporting the work of the UN Verification Mission in monitoring this ceasefire, which will help build confidence between the parties and prevent a return to armed conflict. We commend the Mission for drawing on its existing staff, logistics, and resources to take on this temporary, additional task while carrying out its mandate to verify the political, economic, and social reintegration of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia FARC."
https://usun.state.gov/remarks/8004
US STATE DEPT. BLOG Post: The Foreign Policy Advisor Program: Leveraging Diplomacy to Provide for a Smarter Defense (posted 10/ 10/ 17)
"In a world with increasingly complex political and security challenges, bridging the gap between diplomacy and defense is of vital importance to U.S. foreign policy. Global issues are increasingly interconnected and cross-cutting, with both political and military aspects, making it more important than ever to have an agile, adaptable approach to foreign policy that can quickly adjust to changing circumstances."
https://blogs.state.gov/stories/2017/10/10/en/foreign-policy-advisor-program-leveraging-diplomacy-provide-smarter-defense
US DEFENSE DEPT: U.S. Military Adapting in Complex Environment, Mattis Says
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2017 — The U.S. military is adapting to remain the most lethal joint force on the planet and to respond to evolving global security challenges, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said here today.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1337625/us-military-adapting-in-complex-environment-mattis-says/
WORLD AND NATIONAL HEADLINES FROM REUTERS
U.S. flies bombers over Korea as Trump discusses options
SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military flew two strategic bombers over the Korean peninsula in a show of force late on Tuesday, as President Donald Trump met top defense officials to discuss how to respond to any threat from North Korea.
U.S. warship sails near islands Beijing claims in South China Sea - U.S. officials
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. Navy destroyer sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on Tuesday, three U.S. officials told Reuters, prompting anger in Beijing, even as President Donald Trump’s administration seeks Chinese cooperation in reining in North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs.
Trump sought dramatic increase in U.S. nuclear arsenal: NBC
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump wanted to dramatically increase the country’s nuclear arsenal, he said in a meeting with his national security advisers in July, NBC News reported on Wednesday, citing three officials who were present in the room.
Key U.S. lawmakers back enforcing, not ditching, Iran pact
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs committee said on Wednesday the international nuclear deal with Iran should be strictly enforced, but did not call for an end to the agreement, saying Washington should work with allies.
Daily Bible Verse: [ A Calm Resolve to Wait for the Salvation of God ] [ To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. ] Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation.
Psalm 62:1 NKJV
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn english using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
http://www.pacofc.org/index.php
