Near East

UN Poverty-Environment Initiative Deepens Efforts on Gender, Equality and Stakeholder Partnerships [viewed]

UNDP UNEP12 June 2013: The UN Poverty-Environment Initiative (PEI) launched its 2013-2017 programme, announcing that its new phase will consolidate current programme achievements, further integrate gender and equality concerns, and strengthen stakeholder partnerships for the long-term mainstreaming of poverty-environment issues.

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Bioversity International Considers Gender in Forest Research [viewed]

Bioversity International13 June 2013: Bioversity International announced the outcomes of the first workshop convened under its Gender Research Fellowship Programme on the theme of forest genetic resources, research and gender. The workshop aimed to identify differences between men and women with regard to the management of forests, as well as forest-related skills and knowledge.

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Comoros, Mongolia and Syria Ratify ABS Protocol [viewed]

CBD6 June 2013: The Comoros, Mongolia and the Syrian Arab Republic have ratified the Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit-sharing (ABS), bringing the number of ratifications to 18.

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UNDP, UNEP Toolkit Showcases Community Approaches to ICCAs [viewed]

UNDP UNEP5 June 2013: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) have launched 'A toolkit to support conservation by indigenous peoples and local communities,' which highlights community approaches to the conservation of Indigenous Peoples' and Community Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs).

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World Bank Highlights Little Green Data Book's Relevance to Post-2015 Agenda [viewed]

World Bank5 June 2013: The World Bank has released the 2013 edition of the 'Little Green Data Book,' the Bank's annual compilation of environment data. The Book assesses development and environment using over 50 indicators, including adjusted net savings (ANS), which aims to foster innovative ways of understanding sustainable development at the macroeconomic level, and to complement gross domestic product (GDP) measuring; both of which are key aspects of the post-2015 agenda.

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Event: Fifth Session of the ITPGR Governing Body [viewed]

The fifth session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR) will address, among other issues: implementation of the Treaty's Multilateral System (MLS) of Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS), including reviews and assessment under the MLS and implementation of the Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA); implementation of the ITPGR Funding Strategy; sustainable use of plant genetic resources; Farmers' Rights; implementation of the Global Information System; operation of the Third Party Beneficiary; and Work Programme and Budget for the 2014/2015 biennium. The meeting will be preceded by two days of regional consultations on 22-23 September 2013.  

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UN Secretary-General, Prince of Wales Highlight Urgency of Addressing Poaching, Illegal Wildlife Trade [viewed]

CITES UNEP23 May 2013: In his report to the UN Security Council on the activities of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa and on the Lord's Resistance Army-affected areas, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlighted that increases in poaching, mainly targeting elephants, are a growing security concern in Central Africa. 

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CITES Receives National Ivory Action Plans and Recommends Suspension of Trade with Guinea [viewed]

CITES16 May 2013: The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) announced that it has received National Ivory Action Plans from China, Kenya, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Uganda, Tanzania and Viet Nam, the first group of countries identified as primary source, transit and import countries affected by illegal trade in ivory.

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UNDP Reports on Environment and Sustainable Development Work in 2008-2012 [viewed]

UNDPApril 2013: The UN Development Programme's (UNDP) Environment and Energy Group (EEG) has released a report, titled ‘Towards Transformational Change: UNDP's Work in Environment and Sustainable Development 2008-2012.' The publication features a collection of stories from around the world in four strategic areas: mainstreaming environment and energy; mobilizing environmental finance; promoting adaptation to climate change; and expanding access to environmental and energy services for the poor.

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Oman Joins Ramsar, Designates Nature Reserve [viewed]

= oman-flag2 May 2013: The Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) has reported that the Government of Oman has acceded to the Convention, becoming its 167th contracting party. The wetland Qurm Nature Reserve was designated as its first Ramsar site.

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