The Government of Austria on Monday, 12 June 2017, deposited its instrument of ratification, thereby becoming the 57th future Party to the Minamata Convention.
Alexander Van der Bellen President of Austria
This is coming a few days after the West African nation of Niger on Friday, June 9 ratified the global accord, and making it the 56th country to do so.
Hitherto, Finland on Thursday, June 1 endorsed the mercury 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.
Future Earth on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 announced Amy Luers as its new executive director. Dr. Luers has over 20 years experience working on sustainability at the intersection of science, technology and policy.
Amy Luers
Future Earth is an international initiative that empowers and supports a network of tens of thousands of researchers, innovators and professionals working together to accelerate a transition to a sustainable world.
According to Future Earth, Luers brings to the network “great breadth and depth of experience from civil society, government and the private sector. She will assume her position at Future Earth in September 2017.”
“Dr. Luers is a truly outstanding leader in environmental and sustainability science. She has the commitment, strategic vision and collaborative approach needed to take Future Earth to the next level,” said Gordon McBean and Jakob Rhyner, co-chairs of the Future Earth Governing Council. “She was part of Future Earth in its early days as a member of the interim Engagement Committee, and we are delighted to have her re-join the team as the new executive director.”
Dr. Luers is currently at Skoll Global Threats Fund where she directs the climate and water programmes. She has also worked as Assistant Director for Climate Resilience and Information at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in the Obama administration and previously at Google as the Senior Environment Programme Manager.
Prior to Google, she led the climate programme at the Union of Concerned Sciences’ California office. Luers started her career in Latin America, as co-founder and the first executive director of Agua Para La Vida (Water for Life) working with rural communities to enhance access to potable water.
“I am thrilled and honoured to be given the opportunity to serve as the next executive director of Future Earth,” said Luers. “As the world confronts enormous sustainability challenges – in our cities, our public health, our oceans and ecosystems and in our climate – the Future Earth platform for research, innovation and collaboration is needed more than ever.”
A respected scientist and data innovator, Luers has been recognised as a PopTech Bellagio Fellow, a Switzer Environmental Fellow and a Heinz Environmental Scholar. She has advised the California state government, the White House and the United Nations.
She is a member of the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations and has served on committees of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences. Luers holds a Ph.D. in environmental science and an M.A. in international policy studies, both from Stanford University; she also earned a B.S. and M.S. in environmental systems engineering from Humboldt State University.
It was a mixture of joy and disappointment as elections into the 31 National Sports Federations were held Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at the National Stadium, Abuja.
Silas Agara, Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State and President of the Karate Federation of Nigeria
Some of the Federations had hitch-free elections, while others were mared with various complaints.
There were also some controversies leading to the suspension of the election into the boards of some Federations.
The Karate Federation of Nigeria was outstanding in the conduct of the polls, as Mr Silas Agara emerged as the President.
Agara, who is the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, promised to take Karate to greater heights.
“With some competent Nigerians coming in from various zones to serve, I will energise us to put in our best to ensure that we give a new lease of life into this Federation.
“I can assure the sports of this country that we shall hit the ground running and, certainly in the next few weeks, we would begin to implement our programmes, to ensure that we put Karate on the map,” he assured.
President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Sulleiman Garuda Gora, who returned unopposed, told Sportswriters that his Federation would focus on developing and promoting Scrabble at the grassroots.
One of the re-elected Presidents, Senator Abdul Mingi of the Nigeria Hockley Federation, said the board would work towards repackaging the sport.
“In the next one or two years, we should be able to compete at the World Cup and Olympics, and then going down to the grassroots and try to bring awareness to the in-coming generation.”
While the conduct of the elections was described as peaceful in some Federations, it was a different story in the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Taekwondo Federation and few others.
The AFN election was characterised buy a lot of complaints and argument, in the process that saw Alhaji Ibrahim Sheu Gwuzo emerge as President.
As some were jubilating, others were complaining, calling for the cancelation of the entire elections.
Gwuzo, who was visibly happy having beaten his opponent Rosa Collins 48 to two votes, said his arms are open to all towards giving athletics a facelift.
However, an Appeal Committee was set up by the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, 24 hours before the elections to look into petitions and other complaints, arising from the elections.
Bhutan and Maldives have eliminated measles, a highly infectious disease that is a major childhood killer globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.
The two countries have become the first in WHO South-East Asia Region to be verified for having interrupted endemic measles virus transmission, ahead of the 2020 Regional target.
Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO, South-East Asia
“Bhutan and Maldives have demonstrated how a highly contagious virus like measles can be eliminated. WHO commends them for this momentous public health achievement,” Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia, said, announcing the findings and conclusions of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Verification Commission for Measles Elimination and Rubella control.
The Regional Director added, “The strongest political commitment, alongside the concerted efforts of health workers, officials and partners at all levels, has helped achieve this landmark success, which is a boost to the Region’s effort to eliminate measles and control rubella”.
Bhutan and Maldives launched their Expanded Programme on Immunisation in 1979 and 1976 respectively, and since then worked indefatigably to increase access to immunisation services.
“Both countries achieved and maintained high coverage of measles vaccination, despite geographical challenges. They also established strong laboratory-supported surveillance for measles, and have conducted detailed case investigation and tracking, right up to the very last case,” Dr Khetrapal Singh stated.
Maldives has not reported any case of indigenous measles since 2009, and Bhutan since 2012.
To fortify their progress, both countries have been carrying out mass vaccination campaigns with measles and rubella vaccine covering high-risk populations.
“While endemic measles virus transmission has been interrupted, both Bhutan and Maldives continue to be at risk of measles virus importation. Hence, both countries must continue efforts against measles and rubella and protect high-risk populations to effectively deal with any importations,” Dr Khetrapal Singh said.
Measles elimination and rubella control by 2020 has been one of WHO South-East Asia Region’s flagship priority programmes since Dr Khetrapal Singh became Regional Director in February 2014.
An estimated 620 000 measles deaths have been averted in 2016 alone following vaccination carried out by Member countries. Nearly 107 million children have been reached with an additional dose of measles vaccine through mass vaccination between 2013 and 2016.
All countries have introduced two doses of measles containing vaccine and have been making focused efforts and progress against measles and rubella. All countries are conducting case-based surveillance for measles and rubella, and Regional surveillance standards have been revised to meet elimination standards. The measles laboratory network has been expanded from 23 laboratories in 2013 to 39 WHO accredited laboratories in 2016.
“To meet the 2020 measles elimination and rubella control goals, all countries need to make greater efforts to increase measles vaccination coverage through childhood immunisation programmes, as nearly 4.7 million children remain unvaccinated against measles in the Region annually,” Dr Khetrapal Singh said.
The overarching goal of universal health coverage and the core Sustainable Development Goal theme of leaving no one behind provide new opportunities to further improve immunisation programmes, enhance access to new vaccines, and strengthen health systems to sustain the gains made so far, she said.
The measles elimination and rubella control strategy in WHO South-East Asia Region is based on four key approaches – achieving and maintaining at least 95% vaccination coverage with two doses of measles and rubella vaccine through routine and supplementary immunisation; developing and sustaining a sensitive case based surveillance that meets recommended performance indicators; developing and maintaining an accredited measles and rubella laboratory network; and strengthening support and linkages for these strategies.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recommended “in-danger” status for Mexico’s World Heritage-listed Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California, after a mission confirmed the vaquita – the smallest and most endangered species of porpoise – is at risk of imminent extinction.
The vaquita porpoise
This advice to the World Heritage Committee is included in a monitoring report released on Thursday, June 8, 2017 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
The vaquita is a rare species of porpoise endemic to the northern part of the Gulf of California. The word vaquita is Spanish for “little cow”. Porpoises are a group of fully aquatic marine mammals that are sometimes referred to as mereswine.
Despite ongoing efforts by Mexico, illegal gillnet fishing of totoaba, whose swim bladder is in high demand in Asia, is threatening the vaquita with imminent extinction, as the porpoise gets entangled in the illegal nets. An estimated 30 vaquitas only are left in the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California, the only place on Earth where they can be found.
Following a field mission jointly with UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, IUCN recommends listing the site as ‘in danger’. A number of urgent measures are recommended, including a permanent ban on gillnets and international cooperation to halt illegal wildlife trade.
The List of World Heritage in Danger is designed to mobilise urgent action to tackle severe issues that can damage the outstanding values of World Heritage sites. Out of 238 sites listed for their natural values, 18 are currently listed as “in danger”.
IUCN’s advice is addressed to the World Heritage Committee, the governing body of the World Heritage Convention, which will meet at its annual meeting in Kraków, Poland from July 2 to 12. IUCN is the advisory body on nature under the Convention and the Committee takes the final decisions.
For the 2017 meeting, IUCN has prepared recommendations together with UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre for 55 natural sites facing threats, and has evaluated 13 proposals to inscribe new sites on the World Heritage List, or extend and modify sites already listed.
UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre on June 8 released a final set of reports, following two dispatches on May 19 and June 2. In addition to the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California, natural sites featured in the reports issued include: Simien National Park in Ethiopia, the Rainforests of the Atsinanana in Madagascar, and the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu in Peru – a mixed natural and cultural site.
The Environment Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, and European Commissioners responsible for environment and climate, have reaffirmed their strong commitment to the swift and effective implementation of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
The G7 Environment Ministers Meeting in Bologna, Italy
In a communique issued at the end of the G7 Environment Ministers Meeting in Bologna, Italy, on Monday, June 12, 2017, they said: “(The Paris Agreement) remains the global instrument for effectively and urgently tackling climate change and adapting to its effects. We welcome the continued support that the Paris Agreement has received from other countries and subnational and non-state actors around the world.”
The ministers and leading officials also said that the Paris Climate Change Agreement is irreversible and that its full integrity is key for the security and prosperity of the planet, societies and economies.
“Our actions will continue to be inspired and guided by the growing, global momentum to tackle climate change and to accelerate the irreversible transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient and resource-efficient economies,” they said.
In addition, the ministers and leading officials called for an increase in sustainable financing as a fundamental requirement to achieving the central goal of the Paris Climate Change Agreement – which is to limit the global average temperature rise to as close as possible to 1.5 degrees Celsius – and as a requirement to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“We (…) reaffirm the Copenhagen commitment of developed countries to the goal of jointly mobilising $100 billion annually by 2020 from public and private sources to support climate action in developing countries. We encourage all potential providers of finance to join in efforts in reaching and surpassing this goal,” they said.
A two-day international conference recently held in the Russian city of Saint Petersburg highlighted the importance of public space for wellbeing in cities.
The conference explored promoting the implementation of the New Urban Agenda in Russia and the CIS region
“Public space as a place for dialogue: Promoting the implementation of the New Urban Agenda in Russia and the CIS region” was organised by the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the Government of Saint Petersburg, and the ITMO University, provided insights on urbanisation trends in Russia and the region.
Discussions provided an opportunity for other cities and regions in Russia and the CIS to engage in the discussion on sustainable urbanisation and public space. Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation, Andrey Chibis, shared insights on current work of the Government on improving the urban environment countrywide.
During the discussion, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Dr Joan Clos, shared his views on the prerequisites of sustainable urbanisation, while Vladimir Grigoryev, Chief Architect of Saint-Petersburg, provided an insight on how Saint Petersburg manages its public spaces, and how the city mobilises funds for such work.
After the plenary discussion, work in sections continued. The National Urban Policy for Urban Renewal section addressed what constitutes a national urban policy and affirmed the relevance of many of such policies’ components in Russia and the CIS region. Participants in the section on the Role of Public Spaces in Urban Renewal learned about the UN-Habitat Global Public Space Programme and contributed to the development of public space programme in the region. The section on the Planning for Urban Renewal discussed advanced urban planning approaches.
UN-Habitat signed Memorandum of Understanding with the CIS Inter-Governmental Council for Cooperation in Construction Activities in 2012, and stated that would continue to work jointly with Russian and other Governments in the region through its office in Moscow, on implementing the New Urban Agenda, and improving the quality of life in cities.
Endangered elephants are now being slaughtered in the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar for their skin, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has disclosed.
Poaching: Forest elephants are poached for their ivory and skin, and threatened with extinction
Described as a new kind of poaching for parts, the wildlife conservation organisation has expressed displeasure over the development, even as it seeks to address the situation.
Traditionally, elephants are killed by poachers for their tusks (or ivory). In fact, despite a ban on the international trade in ivory, elephants are still being poached in large numbers.
But poaching elephants for their skin seems to be gaining prominence and a worried WWF has set a deadline of Friday, June 30, 2017 to take action.
“As a WWF Global Ambassador, I’m committed to and passionate about doing all I can to help ensure that endangered species, like elephants, survive. I was deeply disturbed to learn about a new poaching trend of killing elephants for their skins,” says Jared Leto, the WWF Global Ambassador.
“There are fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants left in the wild, and fewer than 2,000 in Myanmar. Already facing many threats to their survival, they are now being confronted by this horrifying new threat. And poachers don’t discriminate – whole families, including mothers and calves, are targeted.”
According to him, elephant poaching rates since January have already surpassed the annual average for Myanmar, a development he describes as “a crisis”.
He adds: “Most of the poaching is happening in two areas: Bago Yoma and Ayeyarwady Delta, where poachers can gain easy access. At this rate, wild Asian elephants could vanish from these areas in just one or two years.”
He however discloses that the organisation intends to urgently address the development, and that the WWF has set a target of June 30 to raise about $230,000 to execute its plan.
His words: “The WWF has an emergency action plan to stop the poaching. We will train, equip and deploy 10 anti-poaching teams to the most vulnerable areas, and implement a thorough plan to stop the slaughter.
“Right now, there are no anti-poaching patrols in the Bago Yoma and Ayeyarwady Delta regions. We must act immediately to ensure the survival of wild elephants. If we don’t act now, wild elephants could disappear from two key areas in a year or two,” adds Leto.
World football stars, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, have taken their rivalry from footballing to hotel business.
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid. Photo credit: Alex Gallardo
Both players, who have been rivals for almost a decade, Messi (Barcelona) and Ronaldo (Real Madrid), have invested in hotels worth millions of Pounds.
Ronaldo in December 2015 in partnership with Pestana Hotel Group launched a chain of CR7 Lisboa Hotels, was officially opened in Madeira, with branches in Funchal, Madrid and New York, worth £54 million.
And following his rival’s footstep, Messi recently bought a £26 million luxury hotel in a beach town close to the Catalonian city.
The Argentine who bought the four-star hotel, with 77 rooms, boast of a panoramic terrace overlooking the sea and stunning views, is situated close to the beach and seafront promenade of Sitges, 40 km from Barcelona.
It has been renamed MiM and, built in 2013, prices at the hotel range from €250 to €300 per night.
Messi makes the purchase after recently establishing a new company for investment in hotels and apartment, where he is the President and his brother Rodrigo, the sole administrator.
The Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI) and the Ebonyi State Government through its Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources are partnering to improve agriculture and bridge the palpable gap in food production in the state.
Vice Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Mrs. Patricia Obila, speaking during the event
The collaboration is part of the university’s community service geared towards educating farmers, extension officers, staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and other critical stakeholders in the state on the modern ways of cultivating rice, cassava, cashew and other economic farm produce.
Flagging off the programme recently at Abakaliki Local Government Area, the state governor, David Umahi, represented by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Uchenna Orji, said the partnership with the university was strategically positioned to equip the farmers and staff of the Ministry of Agriculture with the requisite modern knowledge and technical skills to improve farming activities in the state in other to ensure food security.
He noted that the Ebonyi State Government could not help but take advantage of the qualities and experiences of academics in the university to proffer solutions to the challenges hindering modern farming in the state, adding that it was high time farmers in the state imbibed new farming techniques.
He further stated that the collaboration would avail farmers in the state with the opportunity to learn how to improve soil nutrients, effective weed and pest control mechanism and effective marketing strategy, all geared towards increasing their harvest and financial intake
Decrying the crude farming methods still being used by most farmers in the state, Orji challenged the participants to use the opportunity provided by the workshop to improve their farming methods and thereby increase food production in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the local government stakeholders, the Vice Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Mrs. Patricia Obila, noted that the training programme was very apt and strategic, adding that it would help local farmers to enhance their farming techniques.
She thanked the Ebonyi State Government and FUNAI for such a worthwhile partnership, advising the state government to make the training a yearly activity.
The three-day workshop was held at the three senatorial zones of the state – Abakaliki, Onueke and Afikpo.
