Diplomacy & Defense Think Tank News

The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the conclusion of the Paris Agreement in the closing months of 2015 represented a significant moment in the global movement towards sustainability. There is enormous potential for co-benefits to arise from the mutually supportive implementation processes of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) elaborated in the 2030 Agenda and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) underpinning the legally binding Paris Agreement. Countries’ NDCs, their climate plans, include not only commitments to mitigate emissions but also address many other themes relevant to sustainable development. We present key findings of a fine-grained analysis of how climate activities in the NDCs contribute to SDGs and their targets. Under the provisions of the Paris Agreement, countries will submit an updated NDC every five years, the intention being that they scale-up their ambitions. The first full review (“global stocktake”) will occur in 2023, but an initial stocktaking exercise will take place in 2018 (“facilitative dialogue”). Implementation of the 2030 Agenda is based on national sustainable development (SD) strategies that vary from country to country. At the global level, Follow-Up and Review mechanisms take place during the annual High Level Political Forum (HLPF) at the United Nations in New York. As a rule, these two implementation processes are kept separate, despite the many existing thematic overlaps and the shared objective of achieving global SD, but our analysis emphasises that the climate activities in the NDCs can support the achievement of a multitude of SDGs and their targets. They not only cover themes relevant to SDG 13 but also many other important fields of sustainable development. NDC climate activities also underline the interlinked character of the SDGs. In fact, numerous NDC climate activities entail synergies that can promote several SDGs at once. To generate co-benefits, NDC and SDG implementation processes should be coordinated 1) to prevent duplication and thereby reduce the costs, and 2) to achieve a more systematic implementation of the 2030 Agenda at country level that utilises already committed activities in NDCs to leverage synergies between both agendas. Moving forward, the opportunity to connect the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda should be considered in order to promote policy coherence by maximising co-benefits and systematically mediating trade-offs for a more efficient implementation: -      In the context of the Paris Agreement, countries should use future NDC updates to more closely align their climate activities with the SDGs. -      In the context of the 2030 Agenda, SD strategies should meaningfully complement NDCs. -      Co-benefits have the potential to increase the motivation for countries to fulfil commitments, but trade-offs should be anticipated early on in order to implement both agendas more effectively.

Even though the country is a regional frontrunner, Georgian democracy is not yet consolidated. Parliamentary elections in 2016 saw the governing Georgian Dream returned with a constitutional majority. The October 2017 local elections brought the ruling party another sweeping victory. Despite Georgian Dream’s overwhelming electoral successes, the country faces voter apathy. Alongside lack of parliamentary controls and a fragmentation of the party-political spectrum this does not bode well for consolidating democracy in the near future.

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Miroslav Lajčák, President of the UN General Assembly, called upon leaders in the MENA region to join the body’s mission of “delivering for the people.”

Mr. Lajčák spoke on November 2, 2017, to an audience of representatives of government, civil society, media, academia, culture, diplomacy, youth, and the private sector at IPI-MENA in Manama.

Referring to issues of priority to the international community, Mr. Lajčák highlighted the importance of multilateralism to address key agenda items of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly; conflict prevention, peacebuilding, migration, youth, water issues, and streamlining the body’s agenda in line with ongoing UN reform.

He urged the governments of Bahrain and the MENA region as well as civil society leaders to provide support to the UN on a range of security, peacebuilding and development issues, with the aim of “providing for the people” in line with, among others, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and women’s empowerment.

Mr. Lajčák concluded by stressing it would be the General Assembly’s priority to implement “credible concepts that can yield meaningful outcomes” for the people.

On his side, Abdulla Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of DERASAT, expressed his country’s adherence to the implementation of the SDGs and its support to the General Assembly’s efforts in that regard. He highlighted that his country has invested in “human capital,” which is the “most valuable asset.” He referred to the first Strategic Partnership Framework (SPF) signed recently with the UN Country Team as a vital example of the “Bahraini government’s support to development.”

He reiterated his country’s support to the General Assembly’s vision for development and peacebuilding in the Middle East, calling on “the international community to support governments, private sector, civil society and individuals who provide the necessary support for the youth to achieve the SDGs.”

Nejib Friji, Director of IPI-MENA, stressed the importance of the General Assembly as crucial “in the development of a global agenda on prevention” and referred to IPI’s milestone Independent Commission on Multilateralism (ICM) report that stressed the centrality of the General Assembly in the development of a “road map for the implementation of a UN peacebuilding architecture on all levels: international, regional, national, and local.”

The General Assembly is the highest body in the UN structure and holds substantial power. This power stems from the fact that it equally represents all the nations across the globe.

The event was held as part of IPI’s Global Leaders Series.

Nejib Friji, Director of IPI-MENA, moderated the conversation.

United Nations Peace Operations Reform Scorecard 2017 (Click for full graphic)

Timeline of Review Processes and Outcomes (Click for full graphic)

UN peace operations are confronting crises from all sides: they face ever more complex operating environments in the field, while in New York they face divisions among member states over the very nature of peace operations, a “peacekeeping fatigue” aggravated by scandals, and cuts to the peacekeeping budget. These are some of the reasons why, two years after the release of the report of the High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations (HIPPO), progress on peace operations reform has been slow.

In this challenging context, this report asks whether the reform agenda put forward by Secretary-General Guterres would—or would not—help realize the four strategic shifts called for by HIPPO—recognizing the primacy of politics, viewing peace operations as a continuum, strengthening partnerships, and focusing on the field and on people—and under what circumstances. It also provides preliminary analysis of the five streams of reform presented to date: (1) the renewed focus on prevention and sustaining peace; (2) the creation of a new UN Office of Counter-Terrorism; (3) the reform of the UN development system; (4) the restructuring of the peace and security architecture; and (5) organization-wide management reform.

It concludes that the challenge for the secretary-general will be to translate these parallel tracks of reform into a concrete and coherent approach that will be true to his overarching vision for the organization and have a real impact in headquarters and, most importantly, in the field. While the temptation inevitably will be to focus on short-term structural reorganization, change will also need to come from improvements in working culture, methods, and processes over time.

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On Wednesday, November 8th, IPI is hosting a Distinguished Author Series event featuring Edward Luce, author of “The Retreat of Western Liberalism.” The conversation will be moderated by IPI Senior Adviser for External Relations, Warren Hoge.

Remarks will begin at 6:20pm EST*

In “The Retreat of Western Liberalism,” Edward Luce provides a detailed projection of the consequences of the Trump administration’s actions and attitudes and the rise of populism and nationalism in Europe. He also examines what those who believe in enlightenment values must do to defend against the multiple onslaughts they face. With resources scarce and the future insecure, the West should question whether people will continue to uphold democracy simply as a matter of principle. Luce believes that we are in a menacing trajectory brought about by ignorance of what it took to build the West, arrogance toward society’s economic losers, and complacency about our system’s durability. The West’s crisis, he writes, is “real, structural, and likely to persist,” but, he adds, “Nothing is inevitable. Some of what ails the West is within our power to fix.”

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On Monday, November 6th, IPI together with the Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations are cohosting an evening policy forum event to discuss IPI’s recent publication, “Peace by Pieces? Local Mediation Initiatives and Sustainable Peace in the Central African Republic,” by Marie-Joëlle Zahar and Delphine Mechoulan.

Remarks will begin at 6:30pm EST*

The report “Peace by Pieces? Local Mediation Initiatives and Sustainable Peace in the Central African Republic” focuses on local mediation efforts in CAR. What do these mediation efforts entail? Who is involved? To what extent do these efforts contribute to conflict resolution and sustainable peace? What is the relation between local efforts and regional and international efforts?

By describing and studying many local mediation efforts, their stakeholders, their outcomes, and their impact, Ms. Zahar and Ms. Mechoulan highlight the potential and limits of these initiatives, focusing in particular on the role of the United Nations in supporting local mediation in CAR. Ahead of the renewal of the mandate of the UN mission in CAR (MINUSCA) on November 15th, this policy forum will focus on furthering the understanding of mediation efforts in CAR and will offer recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders involved in building sustainable peace in the country.

Opening Remarks:
Kai Sauer, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations, TBC
Marcien Aubin Kpatamango, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Central African Republic to the United Nations

Speakers:
Marie-Joëlle Zahar, Senior Fellow, IPI
Delphine Mechoulan, Policy Analyst, IPI
Asif Khan, Chief of Mediation Support Unit, United Nations Department of Political Affairs

Moderator:
Arthur Boutellis, Director for Peace Operations, IPI

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On Tuesday, November 7th, IPI together with the Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations, and the International Network of Historians without Borders, are cohosting a Global Leader Series lunchtime discussion with H.E. Mr. Erkki Tuomioja, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland.

Remarks will begin at 1:15pm*

Leveraging historical knowledge is pivotal for countries seeking to implement policies aimed at promoting peaceful and inclusive societies. Indeed, discussing historical narratives can be a useful tool for identifying lessons learned and, more importantly, to recognize elements of peace and resilience within societies. At this event, Mr. Tuomioja will discuss the importance of history and the use of historical knowledge in sustaining peace.

Founded in May 2016, the International Network of Historians without Borders (HWB) brings together historians from across national frontiers to bridge the gap between academia, civil society, and policy making. Through public and expert discussions, participating in general debate, and carrying out research, HWB aims to deepen general knowledge and understanding of history, promote open and free access to historical material, and stimulate interactive dialogue between various perspectives to promote peace.

Mr. Tuomioja was first elected to the Finnish Parliament as a student and peace activist for the Social Democratic Party in 1970. He has been a member of parliament for over 35 years and is the longest serving Minister for Foreign Affairs in Finnish history (2000-2007 and 2011-2015). He has also served as Minister of Trade and Industry, Chair of the Parliament Grand (European Affairs) Committee, and Deputy Mayor of Helsinki. Mr. Tuomioja is the founder and President of the International Network of Historians without Borders.

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74 % des Français sont favorables à l'ouverture de l’assurance chômage aux salariés démissionnaires sous conditions Institut Montaigne jeu 02/11/2017 - 17:58

Tous les mois, ELABE interroge les Français pour Les Echos, l'Institut Montaigne et Radio Classique sur un sujet d'actualité économique ou de société.

Doute démocratique : comparaison de deux études sur la perception de la démocratie dans le monde Institut Montaigne jeu 02/11/2017 - 16:02

En démocratie au XXIème siècle, le doute est roi. Le Pew Research Center signale "une anxiété profonde quant à l’avenir de la démocratie".

How is democracy perceived today? Two reports stress citizens’ doubts Institut Montaigne jeu 02/11/2017 - 16:00

Something is happening to democracy worldwide. The Washington-based fact tank Pew Research Center calls it ‘a deepening anxiety about [its] future’.

Lettre de Washington – quelles nouvelles du trumpisme ? Institut Montaigne jeu 02/11/2017 - 15:55

À Washington la semaine dernière pour sonder quelques think tanks de la capitale fédérale sur l’avenir du dossier iranien, on pouvait avoir l’impression que le "trumpisme" était en voie d’institutionnalisation : "Trump is the new normal", nous disait un journal

L’autocratie, qui s’accommode fort bien du capitalisme mondialisé et de la révolution numérique, revient en force et se pose en concurrente des « vieilles » démocraties libérales, analyse dans sa chronique, Alain Frachon, éditorialiste au « Monde ». La démocratie régresse, elle séduit moins, y compris à l’Ouest. A la Bourse des régimes politiques, sa cote descend. Au […]

Cet article PARTOUT EN EUROPE, S’EXPRIME UNE DÉFIANCE CROISSANTE À L’ÉGARD DES INSTITUTIONS DE LA DÉMOCRATIE est apparu en premier sur Fondapol.

Die Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung, Renovabis und das Aktionsbündnis gegen Frauenhandel veranstalteten im Oktober zum 14. Mal eine gemeinsame Fachtagung zum Themenkomplex Frauenhandel. Mit unseren jährlichen Veranstaltungen wollen wir mehr öffentliches Bewusstsein für die Opfer von Zwangsprostitution schaffen und mit Fachleuten aus Politik und Wissenschaft, von Polizeibehörden und Fachberatungsstellen über Herausforderungen und Lösungsansätze diskutieren. Als ausgewiesene Expertin haben wir Monika Cissek-Evans von der Fachberatungsstelle JADWIGA für Sie interviewt.

Südkorea hat sich wirtschaftlich rasant entwickelt, Naturschutz wurde wenig beachtet. Das hat sich geändert, nun werden Partnerschaften mit den Grenzprovinzen und -landkreisen vermittelt. 

What News of Trumpism? Letter from Washington Institut Montaigne jeu 02/11/2017 - 09:14

In Washington last week for input from think tanks of the federal capital on the future of the Iranian file, one could have the impression that "Trumpism" was in the process of institutionalization.

DT 10/2017 - 2/11/2017
Ángel Badillo Matos

La profundización de la relación bilateral en materia de lengua y cultura ha permitido potenciar la presencia de manifestaciones culturales en ambos países, promover la colaboración entre instituciones y expandir la enseñanza del español en Portugal y del portugués en España.

 

 

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The Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), the European Commission Representation in Athens and the Embassies of Estonia, Lithuania, Sweden, Poland and Georgia have the pleasure to invite you to a conference on the present and the future of the Eastern Partnership, with the title: EaP: Looking beyond the 2017 Summit.

The conference will be held in English on Wednesday  8, November 2017 from  09:00 to 14:00 at the premises of the European Commission Representation in Greece (2, Vas. Sofias Avenue, 106 74, Athens).

Please present your ID card or passport at the entrance.

Please confirm your participation by Friday 3 November to  Ms. Nina Papaioannou

Τ: 210 7257111, e-mail: nina@eliamep.gr