The Government of France on Thursday, June 15, 2017, deposited its instrument of ratification, thereby becoming the 58th future Party to the Minamata Convention.
Emmanuel Macron, President of France
This emerged a couple of days after Austria on Monday, June 12, 2017 ratified the global accord, and making it the 57th country to do so.
A few days before that, the West African nation of Niger on Friday, June 9 ratified the pact to become the 56th Party to the mercury treaty.
Hitherto, Finland on Thursday, June 1 endorsed the treaty, making it the 55th Party. Prior to that, Slokavia on Wednesday, May 31 ratified the Convention.
The twin island nation of St Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 had ratified the Convention, making it the 53rd Party to the global treaty.
The Minamata Convention has already entered into force, thanks to the landmark rash of ratifications on Thursday, May 18, 2017 that triggered the Convention on Mercury into force, having garnered the required 50 ratifications.
On that day, the EU and seven of its member States – Bulgaria, Denmark, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Romania and Sweden – deposited their instruments of ratification at the UN Headquarters in New York, bringing to 51 that day the number of future Parties.
As a result, on August 16 2017, the Convention, which aims at protecting human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds, will become legally binding for all its Parties.
The 1st Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention (COP1) will gather governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations from around the world in Geneva from September 24 to 29, 2017.
The Minamata Convention is said to be the first new global Convention on environment and health adopted for close to a decade. It addresses the entire life cycle of mercury, considered by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the top 10 chemicals of major health concern, which threatens the environment and health of millions.
The Ogun State Government is canvassing for the establishment of more forest reserves in the South West geo-political zone with the conviction that the step will help in mitigating the effect of climate change and control acute weather.
Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Chief Kolawole Lawal
Commissioner for Forestry, Chief Kolawole Lawal, made the call recently while featuring on a live television programme in Abeokuta, the capital city.
He said it had become imperative for the concerned states to embark on massive tree planting and other forestry activities, noting that it would assist the states in tackling climate change as forests help to absorb excess carbon-dioxide and releases oxygen into the atmosphere.
Chief Lawal explained that, apart from mitigating against climate change, it could also serve as an energy source as electricity could be generated through biomass and saw dust, a waste product of the forest.
The Commissioner noted that Ogun State Government, on its part, had designed a template to ensure sustainability of forest reserves in the state through conservation.
World football governing body, Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), is having sleepless night as it is failing to attract backing, after firms appear to desert the sponsorship of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Giovanni Infantino, FIFA President
The development stems from the corruption scandals, hooliganism threats, and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy in Syria and Ukraine.
The once-booming and money-spinning FIFA has now lost £700 million in the two years since its bosses were arrested some years back over financial scandals.
Figures show just 10 sponsors have signed to pump cash into the Russian event next year – 24 short of FIFA’s target figure.
FIFA drew up a list of 20 sponsors before the last World Cup in Brazil and all were filled a year before kick-off.
Since the arrest of top officials in 2015, FIFA has secured just one local sponsor, the Moscow-based Alfa Bank, and only one international backer, China’s Wanda Group.
The others, including Coca-Cola, Adidas, Hyundai, Visa, McDonald’s and Gazprom, all signed before the corruption scandal broke.
Football sponsorship expert, Dr Dan Plumley of the Sheffield Hallam University, said: “The FIFA brand has become toxic. Companies want to be associated with a brand in a positive light.”
FIFA’s annual accounts in April showed in April showed it lost nearly £300 million in 2016 and could lost £400 million this year.
The world’s football ruling body however believes that affiliates will join before the World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Confederation Cup is set to begin in St Petersburg on Saturday, with Russia playing New Zealand in the opener.
Portugal and Mexico are the other two nations in Group A, with Cameroon, Chile, Australia and Germany filling Group B.
Held every four years, the Confederation Cup is a tournament that tests the stadia and infrastructure in World Cup host countries.
The Volgograd Arena is not set to host any matches in this year’s tournament, but will host four group stage matches in 2018.
African governments have been called upon to adopt a declaration to affirm their commitment to the acceleration of implementation of the Paris Agreement, and condemn the decision by the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
Representatives of the African Major Groups and Stakeholders to the 16th Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Libreville, Gabon
The call was made on Thursday, June 15, 2017 in Libreville, Gabon in a statement issued by the African Major Groups and Stakeholders to the 16th Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN).
While calling on African governments that have not yet ratified the Agreement to do so and prepare comprehensive low-carbon and climate-resilient strategies, the Groups and Stakeholders, demanded support for the Africa Group of Negotiators in the development of an “Africa Paris Rulebook” before the 23rd session of the UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP23) scheduled to hold in Bonn, Germany in November, 2017.
“We strongly urge our African leaders to develop, pursue and implement their climate and sustainable development commitments,” the statement noted, urging the authorities to develop robust plans and resource mobilisation strategies to invest and harness the renewable energy potential in the continent in order provide access to millions of energy poor populations across the continent.
“We further call upon African leaders to safeguard the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) and put in place necessary procedures to ensure this remains Africa-driven and deliver the energy transformation the continent is aspiring for,” the groups emphasised while applauding the political commitment of the committee of African Heads of States for the AREI and condemning the decision by United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
Expressing concern over the high levels of environmental degradation in Africa as a result of multiple sources including air, soil, marine and fresh water pollution, the campaigners acknowledged the role of indigenous knowledge and efforts in conserving the environment and addressing climate change challenges in Africa.
Other resolutions at forum were listed to include:
AMCEN
We call upon member states through the African Heads of State to revisit the proposal to dissolve AMCEN. We also call on AMCEN to improve the provision of policy guidance and heightened responses to regional environmental and sustainable development challenges.
We strongly urge Member States to live up to their obligation and pay the mandatory annual contribution to the Trust Fund. The contributions will ensure sustainable financing for convening AMCEN and implementation of its activities. We commend all member states who have met their obligation and single out Madagascar, Mauritius and South Africa for contributing beyond the mandatory amount. We also call upon AMCEN and African member states to financially support the engagement of the African Civil Society to effectively participate in environmental governance processes in Africa.
Implementation of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and Africa Agenda 2063
We call upon African Governments to accelerate the implementation of SDGs and Africa Agenda 2063, by taking an integrated, inclusive, innovative and gender-responsive approach to ensure collective actions.
We further call on the African Governments to cap foreign debt and domestically mobilise and effectively utilise both financial and natural resources to reflect African priorities.
Pollution
We strongly urge African Governments to take decisive action to combat all forms of pollution including ban on production, importation and use of plastics. African Governments should adopt best practices from a country like Rwanda on plastics ban.
Further, we urge African Government to increase investment on research, advance clean technologies and implement existing laws to deal with all types of pollution and at all levels.
We encourage governments to address pollution related to mining, agriculture, waste, including transboundary pollution, by monitoring compliance with regulatory frameworks.
Illegal Wildlife Trade
We call upon member states to accelerate the implementation of the African Strategy on Combatting Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora. We further request governments to implement the Convention on Migratory Species to prevent the risk of poisoning of wildlife, develop and enforce legislation to regulate and restrict the use and disposal of toxic chemicals used to poison wildlife.
Gender, youth and indigenous peoples
We call upon African Governments to embark on gender-responsive and participatory approaches where both women, men and youth are equally involved and well represented at all levels. Governments should harness the vast potential of indigenous knowledge of the African people to provide sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.
We strongly reiterate our commitment, in collaborating and supporting efforts by our governments and other stakeholders, to promote initiatives geared towards investing in innovative environmental solutions to accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063 in Africa.
Machinery has been put in place for the drafting of an agriculture policy in Benue State by Synergos, a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Gates Foundation or BMGF) supported organisation, in conjunction with other stakeholders.
Participants at the CDT/AVG meeting on the Benue State agriculture policy in a group photograph. Photo credit: Damian Daga
This was the key reflection at the the Synergos Benue State CDT/AVG Meeting for State Partnership for Agriculture (SPA) held 15th June, 2017 in Makurdi, Benue State.
In his presentation, Field Manager Synergos Nigeria, Mr Victor Adejoh, who lamented that many states in the country do not have an agriculture policy, stated that he is optimistic that they will aid in the development of one for Benue State, which he hopes will be replicated by other states.
To that end, he charged stakeholders at the meeting to be positive minded and provide the gaps needed to fashion out a policy that will address the system constraints in the agricultural sector in the state as well as meet the needs of farmers.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary in the Benue State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Richard Tondu, in his opening remarks, enthused that they have been awaiting a push for an agriculture policy.
He maintained that the stakeholders’ contributions at the meeting would give way for a very sound agriculture policy in the state.
“The agriculture policy will help Benue maintain her lead in agriculture,” he stated.
Also speaking, Abdulraman Danbaba from Techno-Serve, who made a presentation on “Initiating a Policy for Agriculture in Benue State”, noted that the policy would increase economic growth, productivity of agricultural resources, provide guidelines for developing the agricultural sector and create an enabling environment for investment.
According to him, the policy is a sure way to properly harness the abundant agricultural potentials that abound in the state from vegetation and climate, land resources, veterinary services, mineral resources and water resources among others.
Commenting after the meeting, Benue Team Lead Synergos, Mr Michael Agon, noted that the policy document on agriculture in the state would make an impact once the implementation is duly carried out.
In separate remarks, Prof. Godwin Abu, Mrs Janet Adejoh and Mrs Maureen Kajo who spoke as stakeholders at the meeting, called for the inclusion of youths, women and farmers in the formulation of policies and budgetary processes in order to have a realistic policy or budget that will revolutionise agriculture, adding that feeder roads are needed to convey agriculture products to points of sale as their absence were greatly hampering agricultural growth.
No fewer than 100 European airports are to be carbon neutral by 2030, according to the planning of the European branch of Airports Council International (ACI Europe).
About 100 airports in Europe to go climate neutral by 2030
The council this week doubled its carbon neutrality target for 2030 in support of the central goal of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, which is to hold the global average temperature rise to as close as possible to 1.5°C.
Carbon emissions generated by airport operations account for up to 5% of total emissions from the aviation sector, and engagement of the airport industry is said to be key to achieving the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. According to experts, the aviation industry has a major interest in preventing more extreme weather from climate change, as more storms, heatwaves and turbulence will directly affect air travel.
“Europe’s airports are fully behind the objective of keeping the global average temperature rise well below 2°C and aiming to reach 1.5°C. For its part, the airport industry has already moved from words to actions a while ago, through the independent carbon management programme, Airport Carbon Accreditation,” said Augustin de Romanet, President of ACI Europe and President/CEO of Groupe ADP.
ACI Europe made an original pledge to make 50 European airports carbon neutral by 2030 at the UN Climate Change Conference in France in 2015, where the Paris Agreement was clinched.
On the decision to ramp up his association’s pledge, Augustin de Romanet said: “We thought we could do even better. We thought that we needed to do better. So I am extremely proud today to announce that we are doubling our commitment.”
Already 27 Carbon Neutral Airports in Europe
The carbon neutral status of airports is certified by the independent carbon management programme Airport Carbon Accreditation under Airports Council International, which supports airports in measuring, reporting and reducing their emissions. ACI is in turn aligned with the Climate Neutral Now initiative of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which encourages voluntary climate action towards climate neutrality.
Earlier this month, the airports of Gatwick and Lyon-Saint Exupéry achieved the carbon neutrality status under Airport Carbon Accreditation, bringing the number of carbon neutral airports in Europe to 27.
Niclas Svenningsen, who heads the Climate Neutral Now initiative at the UNFCCC Secretariat in Bonn, Germany, said: “Less than two years ago here in Paris, 195 countries signed to Paris Agreement under the motto of ‘We can, We must, We will’. The announcement by ACI EUROPE about its increased climate neutral ambition is very much in the same spirit and sets a great example for other industries and sectors to follow. We at UNFCCC welcome the continued efforts of the airport industry and support all the airports that are taking action to combat climate change.”
The movement to make Europe’s airports climate neutral was pioneered by Swedavia’s Stockholm-Arlanda airport, which achieved certification as the first carbon neutral airport in the world in November 2009.
A total of 116 airports in Europe are currently working to reduce their CO2 emissions using various forms of the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. Around 65% of European air passenger traffic goes through these airports.
Nigeria’s Prof. Lawrence Folajimi Awosika has been re-elected as the Chairman of the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UN CLCS) for a five-year term.
Prof. Lawrence Folajimi Awosika, chairman of the UN CLCS
The 68-year-old Nigerian from Ondo State will chair the panel till 2022.
Awosika polled 154 out of 157 votes to emerge Chair of the prestigious 21-person UN scientific body.
The CLCS is the UN body that decides what portions of the seabed can be exclusively mined for natural resources such as oil, precious metals and minerals.
Awosika, first elected into the Commission in 1997 as a member, was elected chairman in 2012.
Fielding candidates for CLCS would require the country’s permanent mission to the UN, in this instance, Nigeria’s Permanent Mission.
Awosika’s achievement would also improve Nigeria’s future “diplomatic leverage,” according to a person familiar with UNCLOS proceedings.
Apart from signalling prestige, a membership of the commission allows Nigeria to gauge the scientific strength of claims by countries to parts of the seabed that, like territorial waters, are often hard to demarcate.
Such information is privy only to participants, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered.
Awosika was a one-time Director and Head, Marine Geology, Geophysics Department of the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research.
He holds a BSc in Geology from Howard University Washington DC., USA; MSc Geology with specialty in Geophysics from George Washington University Washington DC., USA and PhD in Applied Geophysics from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife.
He was born on July 27, 1949 in Ondo and attended Aquinas College, Akure in Ondo State, Nigeria from 1964 to 1968, where he made a Grade One in the West African School Certificate.
Awosika’s resounding victory to lead the Commission is seen as a “feather” for Nigeria and Africa, as no black or African has ever won the chairmanship of the Commission, according to information obtained by NAN.
The Nigerian UN official is seen as uniquely aware of the geography and geology of Nigeria’s terrain.
Hence his re-election was strongly supported by the Federal Government to consistently and effectively oversee the progressive position of the country’s CLCS.
NAN reports that the Commission had 21 vacant seats and, based on geographical spread, five seats were allocated to the African Group: Madagascar, Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon and Angola.
However, Africa was later given an additional seat because there is a “floating seat” that goes to either Africa or Western Europe or Latin America and the Caribbean Group.
As the regions already had their candidates filled, that “floating seat” went to Africa, making a total of six candidates for the continent.
NAN also reports that Awosika’s re-election was not without a challenge as Ghana made initial frantic efforts to contest the seat with Nigeria by fielding a candidate.
However, negotiations skills were deployed by the Permanent Mission of Nigeria while the African Union also waded in to avoid an embarrassment for Africa.
Consequently, Ghana withdrew its candidature following AU’s mediation, thereby, allowing the Nigeria’s candidate for the seat a smooth sail by being returned unopposed.
The Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI) in Ebonyi State on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 carried out a fresh round round of tree planting exercise to promote eco-friendliness, guard against environmental degradation, provide edible fruits for staff and students, and ensure total greening and aesthetic beauty of the University environment.
The VC of FUNAI, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba (with coconut tree), addressing some students before the start of the tree planting exercise
This was part of the activities lined up for the students’ week, in respect of which the final year students of the university gave their full support to the Campus Greening Initiative of the University Management by donating some of the fruit trees that were planted in the event.
Speaking during the campaign, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, explained that investment in nature as carried out by the final year students is a long term one, which its value may even outlive the donor, since trees have a long life span.
“You may not know the importance of what you are doing here today until you come here in years to come with your children during their matriculation or convocation ceremony.
“Then you will know you have actually invested in nature,” the Vice Chancellor told the final year students who donated some trees as part of their contribution to the greening effort of the University Management.
Earlier, the Technical Officer, Horticulture and Landscaping Services, Mrs Celestina Adebayo, explained that the activity was part of the systematic campus greening programme of the university aimed at enhancing the campus beauty, ensuring aggressive afforestation of the university, combating environmental degradation caused by soil erosion and mitigating the challenges of climatic change in the institution.
Trees such as kola nuts, (coco musifera), coconut and other types of fruit trees were planted during the event by both staff and students.
World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Anthony Joshua, is set to embark on a three-day visit to Nigeria in August, 2017.
Anthony Joshua
During the visit, he will pay courtesy calls on Acting President Yomi Osinbajo and the Governors of Lagos and Ogun states, Akinwunmi Ambode and Ibikunle Amosun respectively.
He will also visit some royal fathers including the Ooni of Ife, the Awujale of Ijebu-Ode and the Oba of Lagos, and attend a charity boxing match.
He will also inspire Nigerians at the Eko Hotel in Lagos and the Transcorp Hotel in Abuja, where he would take questions from the audience.
Organiser of the 3- tour, Kumeni Bukari, said in a statement that arrangement have been concluded for the home coming of the boxing champion.
Meanwhile, boxing legend Floyd Mayweather is set to make a return to the boxing ring on August 26, 2017. Mayweather will take on mixed martial arts icon, Korner McGregor, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
The bout has been touted to be one of the most brutal fights in the history of boxing.
In order to stop racism at match venues, the world football ruling body, FIFA, has given powers to referees to stop and abandon games, if they witness any discrimination from fans.
This move is expected to commence in this year’s Confederation Cup and FIFA will deploy anti-discrimination observers to venues.
The measure, according to FIFA, is part of its “three-step procedure” which gives officials the power to stop, suspend and then call off fixtures over fan behavior.
“These are ground – breaking changes in the fight against discrimination.
“Both initiatives are extra tools for the referees and match officials, to prevent discriminatory attitudes and ensure that the atmosphere in the stadium is one of Fair Play and respect,” explained FIFA President, Gianni Infantino.
The 2017 Confederation Cup is the 10th edition of the international tournament, which is contested by the holders of the six regional championships, along with the World Cup holder and the host nation.
As hosts of the 2018 World Cup, Russia will also host the 2017 event.
FIFA’s game observers are a continuation of the monitoring system it put in place for 2018 World Cup qualifiers and selected friendlies.
Around one in six older people experience some form of abuse, a figure higher than previously estimated and predicted to rise as populations age worldwide.
A group of elderly people
A new study, supported by the Word Health Organisation (WHO) and published in the Lancet Global Health, has found that almost 16% of people aged 60 years and older were subjected to psychological abuse (11.6%), financial abuse (6.8%), neglect (4.2%), physical abuse (2.6%) or sexual abuse (0.9%). The research draws on the best available evidence from 52 studies in 28 countries from different regions, including 12 low- and middle-income countries.
“The abuse of older people is on the rise; for the 141 million older people worldwide this has serious individual and societal costs,” says Alana Officer, Senior Health Adviser, Department of Ageing and Life Course at WHO. “We must do much more to prevent and respond to the increasing frequency of different forms of abuse.”
Elder abuse and health
Awareness about elder abuse, still largely a taboo topic, has started to increase across the world. It is defined as actions or lack of appropriate action which can cause harm or distress to an older person, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust. All types of elder abuse can have an impact on the health and wellbeing of the older person.
Psychological abuse is the most pervasive and includes behaviours that harm an older person’s self-worth or wellbeing such as name calling, scaring, embarrassing, destroying property or preventing them from seeing friends and family.
Financial abuse includes illegally misusing an older person’s money, property or assets. Neglect includes the failure to meet an older person’s basic needs, such as food, housing, clothing and medical care.
Health effects of abuse include traumatic injury and pain, as well as depression, stress and anxiety. Elder abuse can lead to an increased risk of nursing home placement, use of emergency services, hospitalisation and death.
“Despite the frequency and the serious health consequences, elder abuse remains one of the least investigated types of violence in national surveys, and one of the least addressed in national plans to prevent violence,” Ms Officer adds.
By 2050 the number of people aged 60 and over will double to reach two billion globally, with the vast majority of older people living in low- and middle-income countries. If the proportion of elder abuse victims remains constant, the number of people affected will increase rapidly due to population ageing, growing to 320 million victims by 2050.
“Elder abuse is rarely discussed in policy circles, less prioritised for research and addressed by only a handful of organisations,” notes Dr Etienne Krug, Director of the WHO Department for the Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention. “Governments must protect all people from violence. We must work to shed light on this important societal challenge, understand how best to prevent it, and help put in place the measures needed.”
Global strategy and action plan
In May 2016, Ministers of Health adopted the WHO Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health at the World Health Assembly. The Strategy provides guidance for coordinated action in countries that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Priority actions for elder abuse in the Strategy include:
improving studies on the frequency of elder abuse particularly in low- and middle-income countries from South-East Asia, Middle East and Africa, for which there is little data
collecting evidence and developing guidance on what works to effectively prevent and respond to elder abuse. As a first step, governments need to evaluate existing efforts, such as training for care givers and use of telephone helplines, and to publish these findings
supporting countries to prevent and respond to elder abuse
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 66/127, designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It represents the one day in the year when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted to some of our older generations.
