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The Sustainable Development Goals in Serbia
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Serbia:
Story
17 May 2022
A child’s strengths are reflected in the strengths of their parents
This is a story about her development and her parent's efforts to provide her with the best opportunities for development and success.
Belgrade/Bor, Serbia – February 2022 - “A bee”, six-year-old Masa from Bor, in eastern Serbia, says cheerfully, while her mother is showing her favourite toy. Until recently, words seemed foreign and distant to Masa, at least that’s what it seemed like to her parents Sanja and Goran Dragutinovic.
“Previously, Masa used only five to ten words,” says Masa’s mom Sanja. “Words came and went, despite all our efforts, when she tried to say one word and failed at the first attempt, she would simply never say it again.”
Masa didn’t respond when called by her name. And when she wasn’t allowed to do something or was not understood, she would become upset and start crying, often very violently. She would not maintain eye contact, would not play, or explore her surroundings. When she was four, she was diagnosed with autism.
Masa attends speech therapy sessions twice a week and defectology treatments three times a week. However, the institutional support she receives often excludes her parents. “I knew that Masa had developmental disabilities when she was a year and a half old. No matter how many times we took her to speech therapy and other therapy sessions, and really anything that was available to us in Bor, progress was just slow,” explains Sanja Dragutinovic. “When you’re a parent of a child with developmental disabilities, somehow no matter how hard you try, that desired result still eludes you. I found it really hard at the time. I already started losing confidence and maybe accepting the fact that Masa will stay at the level she has been at for years,” says Sanja. When Masa turned six, her mom joined the Programme for improving parenting skills, organized by UNICEF, in cooperation with the Autism Serbia, an alliance of associations helping people with autism, and the Institute of Mental Health. It’s a new programme, developed by the World Health Organization and Autism Speaks. It is intended for families of children with developmental disabilities and difficulties, including autism spectrum disorders. Parents of children aged two to nine attend the programme. Regardless of whether the diagnosis has been made or not, it’s important to start it as soon as possible. Sometimes it takes longer to find the diagnosis, and science has proven that early support for the child and the family is crucial for good results. “The Caregiver Skills Training came at the right time” says Masa’s mom, “It empowered me, restored my confidence, my faith that my child and I can do better, that we can achieve much more. As the sessions went on, Masa kept showing progress week after week, not only in speech and communication, but also in self-care and in those undesirable behaviours and in interactions with people. She was simply more present, more interested in us and her surroundings. It was easier for her to get used to changes, she accepted new people.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanja Dragutinovic attended the training online. The group sessions included four families facing similar challenges. Online sessions facilitated access for many of them, since they’re not from Belgrade. Parents learned new skills through classes and role-playing activities, helping them easily apply the skills they learnt when interacting with their children. “There was a big difference compared to previous experiences, because the Caregiver Skills Training offers literally all the answers to any questions you may have. Everything that concerns us, from communicating with our child, attention exercises, games. I learned to let her know that I see her, hear her, understand her. The moment she realized I was there for her, she opened up to me and progress started,” explains Masa’s mom. Natasa Sreckovic, a speech therapist from the Institute of Mental Health and one of the experts trained to lead the programme agrees. The programme is implemented in 12 sessions - nine sessions are held with a small group of parents and the remaining three are home visits. During the individual visits, which come before the online work, the expert working with the family determines the priorities for each family and each child. “Home visits are an ideal opportunity to set the initial goals for each child, individually, according to the child’s abilities and in cooperation with parents. We reflect on their priorities as a family and for the child, and later in the sessions, we will move towards adjusting this approach to each child individually, so that the child can develop new skills,” explains Natasa Sreckovic. Such work, Natasa adds, leads to rapid changes in children's behaviour. Some of them develop better communication, some start speaking or, if they do not develop speech, they improve other forms of communication. Parents are very satisfied, because children stay engaged in joint activities for longer periods of time. Most importantly, they acquire skills to participate in daily, joint, family activities. “Parents have realized that they have the power to change things for the better for their child!” believes Natasa. Masa’s mom, Sanja, explains that group sessions are organized to cover every segment of everyday life. Masa now participates in family routines with her mom and dad. She loves unpacking groceries after returning from the store. She picks up her toys, maintains personal hygiene. “We learned to divide one routine into several smaller ones, in order for her to be more successful. For example, I was drawing Masa’s attention through imitation. I observed her interests and how she played and I’d join her and imitated her. The moment I started imitating her, she started imitating me, which made our everyday activities much easier. Masa is now also involved in doing the dishes, washing her hands, we make crepes together - she hands me the ingredients. We really couldn't do all that before,” Sanja is proud of Masa’s progress. Natasa Sreckovic is also proud, particularly of the fact that Masa also mastered verbal communication, “With her mom and dad's support, and with the skills she acquired thanks to this training, Masa has become verbal, and she can now communicate with her mother in this way as well, which is a great relief for the whole family and people she spends time with.” Masa attends kindergarten with the support of a personal assistant. The training also helped mom Sanja realize that it’s important to have some time to herself. “There are sessions that are actually focused on parents, helping us see that parents should have some respite. We received specific advice on how to organize ourselves. I used to be with Masa all the time because my husband works. But after the sessions, I gathered the courage and allowed other people to take care of Masa. Today, she goes out with her father and grandmother without any problems, and that used to be a huge challenge. And I have time for myself, to go for a walk, even to exercise.” Natasa Sreckovic emphasizes how important it is for parents to take care of themselves. “It is important that parents are doing well, because they are the life-long support that their children need. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw how important it is to strengthen the families of children with disabilities because during lockdowns, when children were left without the usual support services, parents were the only ones the children could rely on.” In group sessions, parents facing similar challenges rely on each other. Many of them stay in touch even after the workshops end, continuing to provide mutual support. “The most wonderful feeling is to be among people who live lives similar to yours. There’s plenty of advice and, most importantly, support and understanding. We all need that, and the results are visible in our children’s progress,” Masa’s mom concludes. The Programme for improving parenting skills in Serbia is implemented in 6 cities as part of early intervention services or in health care institutions working with children with disabilities and their families. The Ministry of Health, with UNICEF’s support, is rolling out these services to all districts in Serbia and hopes to make them part of the regular work of development counselling units. This will enable the programme to be available to all parents in Serbia, in person in each of the districts or online for those parents who do not have direct access. The development of the network of early intervention services in Serbia and the implementation of the Programme for improving parenting skills are being implemented with the financial support of the Austrian Development Agency.
Masa attends speech therapy sessions twice a week and defectology treatments three times a week. However, the institutional support she receives often excludes her parents. “I knew that Masa had developmental disabilities when she was a year and a half old. No matter how many times we took her to speech therapy and other therapy sessions, and really anything that was available to us in Bor, progress was just slow,” explains Sanja Dragutinovic. “When you’re a parent of a child with developmental disabilities, somehow no matter how hard you try, that desired result still eludes you. I found it really hard at the time. I already started losing confidence and maybe accepting the fact that Masa will stay at the level she has been at for years,” says Sanja. When Masa turned six, her mom joined the Programme for improving parenting skills, organized by UNICEF, in cooperation with the Autism Serbia, an alliance of associations helping people with autism, and the Institute of Mental Health. It’s a new programme, developed by the World Health Organization and Autism Speaks. It is intended for families of children with developmental disabilities and difficulties, including autism spectrum disorders. Parents of children aged two to nine attend the programme. Regardless of whether the diagnosis has been made or not, it’s important to start it as soon as possible. Sometimes it takes longer to find the diagnosis, and science has proven that early support for the child and the family is crucial for good results. “The Caregiver Skills Training came at the right time” says Masa’s mom, “It empowered me, restored my confidence, my faith that my child and I can do better, that we can achieve much more. As the sessions went on, Masa kept showing progress week after week, not only in speech and communication, but also in self-care and in those undesirable behaviours and in interactions with people. She was simply more present, more interested in us and her surroundings. It was easier for her to get used to changes, she accepted new people.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanja Dragutinovic attended the training online. The group sessions included four families facing similar challenges. Online sessions facilitated access for many of them, since they’re not from Belgrade. Parents learned new skills through classes and role-playing activities, helping them easily apply the skills they learnt when interacting with their children. “There was a big difference compared to previous experiences, because the Caregiver Skills Training offers literally all the answers to any questions you may have. Everything that concerns us, from communicating with our child, attention exercises, games. I learned to let her know that I see her, hear her, understand her. The moment she realized I was there for her, she opened up to me and progress started,” explains Masa’s mom. Natasa Sreckovic, a speech therapist from the Institute of Mental Health and one of the experts trained to lead the programme agrees. The programme is implemented in 12 sessions - nine sessions are held with a small group of parents and the remaining three are home visits. During the individual visits, which come before the online work, the expert working with the family determines the priorities for each family and each child. “Home visits are an ideal opportunity to set the initial goals for each child, individually, according to the child’s abilities and in cooperation with parents. We reflect on their priorities as a family and for the child, and later in the sessions, we will move towards adjusting this approach to each child individually, so that the child can develop new skills,” explains Natasa Sreckovic. Such work, Natasa adds, leads to rapid changes in children's behaviour. Some of them develop better communication, some start speaking or, if they do not develop speech, they improve other forms of communication. Parents are very satisfied, because children stay engaged in joint activities for longer periods of time. Most importantly, they acquire skills to participate in daily, joint, family activities. “Parents have realized that they have the power to change things for the better for their child!” believes Natasa. Masa’s mom, Sanja, explains that group sessions are organized to cover every segment of everyday life. Masa now participates in family routines with her mom and dad. She loves unpacking groceries after returning from the store. She picks up her toys, maintains personal hygiene. “We learned to divide one routine into several smaller ones, in order for her to be more successful. For example, I was drawing Masa’s attention through imitation. I observed her interests and how she played and I’d join her and imitated her. The moment I started imitating her, she started imitating me, which made our everyday activities much easier. Masa is now also involved in doing the dishes, washing her hands, we make crepes together - she hands me the ingredients. We really couldn't do all that before,” Sanja is proud of Masa’s progress. Natasa Sreckovic is also proud, particularly of the fact that Masa also mastered verbal communication, “With her mom and dad's support, and with the skills she acquired thanks to this training, Masa has become verbal, and she can now communicate with her mother in this way as well, which is a great relief for the whole family and people she spends time with.” Masa attends kindergarten with the support of a personal assistant. The training also helped mom Sanja realize that it’s important to have some time to herself. “There are sessions that are actually focused on parents, helping us see that parents should have some respite. We received specific advice on how to organize ourselves. I used to be with Masa all the time because my husband works. But after the sessions, I gathered the courage and allowed other people to take care of Masa. Today, she goes out with her father and grandmother without any problems, and that used to be a huge challenge. And I have time for myself, to go for a walk, even to exercise.” Natasa Sreckovic emphasizes how important it is for parents to take care of themselves. “It is important that parents are doing well, because they are the life-long support that their children need. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw how important it is to strengthen the families of children with disabilities because during lockdowns, when children were left without the usual support services, parents were the only ones the children could rely on.” In group sessions, parents facing similar challenges rely on each other. Many of them stay in touch even after the workshops end, continuing to provide mutual support. “The most wonderful feeling is to be among people who live lives similar to yours. There’s plenty of advice and, most importantly, support and understanding. We all need that, and the results are visible in our children’s progress,” Masa’s mom concludes. The Programme for improving parenting skills in Serbia is implemented in 6 cities as part of early intervention services or in health care institutions working with children with disabilities and their families. The Ministry of Health, with UNICEF’s support, is rolling out these services to all districts in Serbia and hopes to make them part of the regular work of development counselling units. This will enable the programme to be available to all parents in Serbia, in person in each of the districts or online for those parents who do not have direct access. The development of the network of early intervention services in Serbia and the implementation of the Programme for improving parenting skills are being implemented with the financial support of the Austrian Development Agency.
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Story
22 April 2022
When Mother Earth sends us a message
Nature is suffering. Oceans filling with plastic and turning more acidic. Extreme heat, wildfires and floods, have affected millions of people. Even these days, we are still facing COVID-19, a worldwide health pandemic linked to the health of our ecosystem.
Climate change, man-made changes to nature as well as crimes that disrupt biodiversity, such as deforestation, land-use change, intensified agriculture and livestock production or the growing illegal wildlife trade, can accelerate the speed of destruction of the planet.
This is the first Mother Earth Day celebrated within the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Ecosystems support all life on Earth. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet - and its people. Restoring our damaged ecosystems will help to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent mass extinction. But we will only succeed if everyone plays a part.
For this International Mother Earth Day, let's remimd ourselves - more than ever - that we need a shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both people and the planet. Let’s promote harmony with nature and the Earth. Join the global movement to restore our world!
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Story
11 April 2022
From the war in Ukraine to climate change, Deputy Secretary-General and UN leaders in Europe and Central Asia talk sustainability in action
“The 2030 Agenda remains our blueprint for action. Rescuing the Sustainable Development Goals in the Decade of Action across the region is, and will remain, the absolute priority for our work,” Ms. Mohammed told the Resident Coordinators gathered in Geneva for a meeting back to back with the Regional Forum for Sustainable Development.
“Attaining the SDGs will mean overcoming setbacks that had already been caused by COVID-19, and accelerating efforts in-country and across the region.”
The UN Development Coordination Office’s Europe and Central Asia network is made up of Resident Coordinators posted in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo (UNSCR 1244), Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Unprecedented Challenges “This region faces unprecedented challenges as war rages in Ukraine,” Ms. Mohammed said.
“The most directly affected country is Ukraine itself, of course. But the effects of the war are being felt across the whole the region. Some are humanitarian, as countries in the region display unprecedented solidarity by taking in refugees from Ukraine. And some are economic, as trade ties and labor markets are disrupted.” For example, of the 4.3 million people who have fled from Ukraine since 24 February, around 399,000 have crossed the border into Moldova, according to data from 5 April. Given that Moldova is a nation of just four million people, in proportion to its population it is the country with the highest number of arrivals from Ukraine in the world. Around two-thirds of the refugees have moved on to other countries, notably neighboring Romania, but tens of thousands have remained in Moldova.
Among the other pressures in the region is the spillover effect from international sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation, with inflation of currencies, increased import bills, higher consumer prices for food staples, and increased production costs. Specifically, countries in Central Asia are highly dependent on remittances from labour migrants in Russia, which for millions of households are the sole source of income for families. Central Asian countries that neighbour Afghanistan had already been facing impacts from the upsurge in that country’s crisis since in 2021.
In addition, the region is continuing to face the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Mohammed underscored that, as the representatives of the UN Secretary-General for development in countries, Resident Coordinators have convening power, an ability to broker partnerships, and to provide the effective coordination needed to achieve results on the ground.
Given the massive impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine, like their role in the COVID-19 response, Resident Coordinators will be delivering fast-tracked development support to countries in the region. She added that gender inequality remains a priority to address in the region and is a major hurdle to sustainable and inclusive development. For example, gender gaps are persistent in participation in the labor force (66 per cent men compared to 50.6 per cent women) and wages (about 30 per cent); and women continue to face several major constraints including lack of affordable and quality childcare, the double burden of domestic and professional work and social pressure to conform to gender roles.
In addition, inequalities are fueling political, economic, and social tensions, human rights abuses, violence against women, and conflicts, she warned. Selected Quotes from Resident Coordinators:
Osnat Lubrani, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, highlighted that “the UN is scaling up the humanitarian response, working closely with the Government of Ukraine and using national system to provide multi-purpose cash assistance. But there is a massive destruction of infrastructure that will require significant support to recover.”
Fiona McCluney, the UN Resident Coordinator for Albania, stressed the importance of partnership to deliver on the 2030 Agenda. She also underscored the need to ensure coherence in strategies and approaches, in particular in “safeguarding the focus on climate action and to mitigate the risk that its ambition is scaled back because of pressures of the war and from the private sector.”
“Attaining the SDGs will mean overcoming setbacks that had already been caused by COVID-19, and accelerating efforts in-country and across the region.”
The UN Development Coordination Office’s Europe and Central Asia network is made up of Resident Coordinators posted in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo (UNSCR 1244), Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Unprecedented Challenges “This region faces unprecedented challenges as war rages in Ukraine,” Ms. Mohammed said.
“The most directly affected country is Ukraine itself, of course. But the effects of the war are being felt across the whole the region. Some are humanitarian, as countries in the region display unprecedented solidarity by taking in refugees from Ukraine. And some are economic, as trade ties and labor markets are disrupted.” For example, of the 4.3 million people who have fled from Ukraine since 24 February, around 399,000 have crossed the border into Moldova, according to data from 5 April. Given that Moldova is a nation of just four million people, in proportion to its population it is the country with the highest number of arrivals from Ukraine in the world. Around two-thirds of the refugees have moved on to other countries, notably neighboring Romania, but tens of thousands have remained in Moldova.
Among the other pressures in the region is the spillover effect from international sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation, with inflation of currencies, increased import bills, higher consumer prices for food staples, and increased production costs. Specifically, countries in Central Asia are highly dependent on remittances from labour migrants in Russia, which for millions of households are the sole source of income for families. Central Asian countries that neighbour Afghanistan had already been facing impacts from the upsurge in that country’s crisis since in 2021.
In addition, the region is continuing to face the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Mohammed underscored that, as the representatives of the UN Secretary-General for development in countries, Resident Coordinators have convening power, an ability to broker partnerships, and to provide the effective coordination needed to achieve results on the ground.
Given the massive impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine, like their role in the COVID-19 response, Resident Coordinators will be delivering fast-tracked development support to countries in the region. She added that gender inequality remains a priority to address in the region and is a major hurdle to sustainable and inclusive development. For example, gender gaps are persistent in participation in the labor force (66 per cent men compared to 50.6 per cent women) and wages (about 30 per cent); and women continue to face several major constraints including lack of affordable and quality childcare, the double burden of domestic and professional work and social pressure to conform to gender roles.
In addition, inequalities are fueling political, economic, and social tensions, human rights abuses, violence against women, and conflicts, she warned. Selected Quotes from Resident Coordinators:
Osnat Lubrani, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, highlighted that “the UN is scaling up the humanitarian response, working closely with the Government of Ukraine and using national system to provide multi-purpose cash assistance. But there is a massive destruction of infrastructure that will require significant support to recover.”
Fiona McCluney, the UN Resident Coordinator for Albania, stressed the importance of partnership to deliver on the 2030 Agenda. She also underscored the need to ensure coherence in strategies and approaches, in particular in “safeguarding the focus on climate action and to mitigate the risk that its ambition is scaled back because of pressures of the war and from the private sector.”
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Story
06 April 2022
The evidence is clear: the time for action is now. We can halve emissions by 2030.
Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, limiting global warming to 1.5°C is beyond reach. However, there is increasing evidence of climate action, said scientists in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released today.
Since 2010, there have been sustained decreases of up to 85% in the costs of solar and wind energy, and batteries. An increasing range of policies and laws have enhanced energy efficiency, reduced rates of deforestation and accelerated the deployment of renewable energy.
“We are at a crossroads. The decisions we make now can secure a liveable future. We have the tools and know-how required to limit warming,” said IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee. “I am encouraged by climate action being taken in many countries. There are policies, regulations and market instruments that are proving effective. If these are scaled up and applied more widely and equitably, they can support deep emissions reductions and stimulate innovation.”
The Summary for Policymakers of the IPCC Working Group III report, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of climate change was approved on April 4 2022, by 195 member governments of the IPCC, through a virtual approval session that started on March 21. It is the third instalment of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), which will be completed this year.
We have options in all sectors to at least halve emissions by 2030
Limiting global warming will require major transitions in the energy sector. This will involve a substantial reduction in fossil fuel use, widespread electrification, improved energy efficiency, and use of alternative fuels (such as hydrogen).
“Having the right policies, infrastructure and technology in place to enable changes to our lifestyles and behaviour can result in a 40-70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This offers significant untapped potential,” said IPCC Working Group III Co-Chair Priyadarshi Shukla. “The evidence also shows that these lifestyle changes can improve our health and wellbeing.”
Cities and other urban areas also offer significant opportunities for emissions reductions. These can be achieved through lower energy consumption (such as by creating compact, walkable cities), electrification of transport in combination with low-emission energy sources, and enhanced carbon uptake and storage using nature. There are options for established, rapidly growing and new cities.
“We see examples of zero energy or zero-carbon buildings in almost all climates,” said IPCC Working Group III Co-Chair Jim Skea. “Action in this decade is critical to capture the mitigation potential of buildings.”
Reducing emissions in industry will involve using materials more efficiently, reusing and recycling products and minimising waste. For basic materials, including steel, building materials and chemicals, low- to zero-greenhouse gas production processes are at their pilot to near-commercial stage.
This sector accounts for about a quarter of global emissions. Achieving net zero will be challenging and will require new production processes, low and zero emissions electricity, hydrogen, and, where necessary, carbon capture and storage.
Agriculture, forestry, and other land use can provide large-scale emissions reductions and also remove and store carbon dioxide at scale. However, land cannot compensate for delayed emissions reductions in other sectors. Response options can benefit biodiversity, help us adapt to climate change, and secure livelihoods, food and water, and wood supplies.
The next few years are critical
In the scenarios we assessed, limiting warming to around 1.5°C (2.7°F) requires global greenhouse gas emissions to peak before 2025 at the latest, and be reduced by 43% by 2030; at the same time, methane would also need to be reduced by about a third. Even if we do this, it is almost inevitable that we will temporarily exceed this temperature threshold but could return to below it by the end of the century.
“It’s now or never, if we want to limit global warming to 1.5°C (2.7°F),” said Skea. “Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, it will be impossible.”
The global temperature will stabilise when carbon dioxide emissions reach net zero. For 1.5°C (2.7°F), this means achieving net zero carbon dioxide emissions globally in the early 2050s; for 2°C (3.6°F), it is in the early 2070s.
This assessment shows that limiting warming to around 2°C (3.6°F) still requires global greenhouse gas emissions to peak before 2025 at the latest, and be reduced by a quarter by 2030.
Closing investment gaps
The report looks beyond technologies and demonstrates that while financial flows are a factor of three to six times lower than levels needed by 2030 to limit warming to below 2°C (3.6°F), there is sufficient global capital and liquidity to close investment gaps. However, it relies on clear signalling from governments and the international community, including a stronger alignment of public sector finance and policy.
“Without taking into account the economic benefits of reduced adaptation costs or avoided climate impacts, global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would be just a few percentage points lower in 2050 if we take the actions necessary to limit warming to 2°C (3.6°F) or below, compared to maintaining current policies,” said Shukla.
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
Accelerated and equitable climate action in mitigating and adapting to climate change impacts is critical to sustainable development. Some response options can absorb and store carbon and, at the same time, help communities limit the impacts associated with climate change. For example, in cities, networks of parks and open spaces, wetlands and urban agriculture can reduce flood risk and reduce heat-island effects.
Mitigation in industry can reduce environmental impacts and increase employment and business opportunities. Electrification with renewables and shifts in public transport can enhance health, employment, and equity.
“Climate change is the result of more than a century of unsustainable energy and land use, lifestyles and patterns of consumption and production,” said Skea. “This report shows how taking action now can move us towards a fairer, more sustainable world.”
For more information, please contact:
IPCC Press Office, Email: ipcc-media@wmo.int
IPCC Working Group III:
Sigourney Luz: s.luz@ipcc-wg3.ac.uk
Sigourney Luz: s.luz@ipcc-wg3.ac.uk
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Story
22 March 2022
Adoption of the Declaration on the Abolition of Child Marriage in Serbia
On 10 March 2022, thanks in part to UNICEF’s advocacy efforts, the National Council of the Roma National Minority adopted the Declaration on the Abolition of Child Marriage. It was adopted because of the consensus reached by Roma leaders. This is the first time that a national representative body of the Roma minority in Serbia has issued such a declaration, calling on Roma leaders, men and women, as well as Roma associations, to reassess the practice and belief that child marriage is part of the cultural heritage of Roma people.
The Declaration clearly defines child marriage as a violation of child rights which endangers the lives and future of girls and boys, deprives them of the opportunity to make decisions about their lives, hinders their education, makes them vulnerable to violence, discrimination, and abuse.
The National Council of the Roma National Minority also calls on the institutions of the Republic of Serbia and local self-governments to implement and support laws and policies that prevent child marriage and protect children at risk.
This Declaration is a great step towards abandoning practices and beliefs that prevent children and families from the Roma community from reaching their full potential.
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Press Release
20 April 2022
Citing dire needs, UN Chief calls for 4-day Holy Week humanitarian pause in Ukraine
In five days, Ukrainians and Russians will mark Easter. This holiday unites the Orthodox Christians in both Russia and Ukraine -- as well as Catholic Ukrainians -- in celebration.
Easter is a season for renewal, resurrection and hope.
It is a time for reflection on the meaning of suffering, sacrifice, death — and rebirth.
It is meant to be a moment of unity.
But this year, Holy Week is being observed under the cloud of a war that represents the total negation of the Easter message.
Instead of celebration of a new life, this Easter coincides with a Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine.
The intense concentration of forces and firepower makes this battle inevitably more violent, bloody and destructive.
The onslaught and terrible toll on civilians we have seen so far could pale in comparison to the horror that lies ahead. This cannot be allowed to happen.
Hundreds of thousands of lives hang in the balance.
Many good-faith efforts by many parties to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine have failed.
Today I am calling for a 4-day Holy Week humanitarian pause beginning on Holy Thursday and running through Easter Sunday, April 24th, to allow for the opening of a series of humanitarian corridors.
The humanitarian pause would provide the necessary conditions to meet two crucial imperatives.
First, safe passage of all civilians willing to leave the areas of current and expected confrontation, in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Second, beyond humanitarian operations already taking place, a pause will allow for the safe delivery of lifesaving humanitarian aid to people in the hardest-hit areas such as Mariupol, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk.
The United Nations is ready to send humanitarian aid convoys during this period to these locations. We are submitting detailed plans to the parties.
Humanitarian needs are dire. People do not have food, water, supplies to treat the sick or wounded or simply to live day-to-day.
More than 12 million people need humanitarian assistance in Ukraine today. Of those, more than one-third are in Mariupol, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk.
We anticipate that this figure will increase to 15.7 million – that’s about 40 percent of all Ukrainians still left in the country.
There is a measure of progress to build upon. Some 2.5 million people have been provided with assistance in the past seven weeks, including many in the east.
For all these life-or-death reasons, I call on Russians and Ukrainians to silence the guns and forge a path to safety for so many at immediate risk.
The 4-day Easter period should be a moment to unite around saving lives and furthering dialogue to end the suffering in Ukraine.
This morning, the Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths briefed the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations – including Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim and Jewish leaders. I welcome their support.
Inspired by Holy Week and all that it represents, I urge all parties – and all champions of peace around the world -- to join my Easter appeal.
Save lives.
Stop the bloodshed and destruction.
Open a window for dialogue and peace and keep faith with the meaning and the message of Easter.
Thank you.
Easter is a season for renewal, resurrection and hope.
It is a time for reflection on the meaning of suffering, sacrifice, death — and rebirth.
It is meant to be a moment of unity.
But this year, Holy Week is being observed under the cloud of a war that represents the total negation of the Easter message.
Instead of celebration of a new life, this Easter coincides with a Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine.
The intense concentration of forces and firepower makes this battle inevitably more violent, bloody and destructive.
The onslaught and terrible toll on civilians we have seen so far could pale in comparison to the horror that lies ahead. This cannot be allowed to happen.
Hundreds of thousands of lives hang in the balance.
Many good-faith efforts by many parties to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine have failed.
Today I am calling for a 4-day Holy Week humanitarian pause beginning on Holy Thursday and running through Easter Sunday, April 24th, to allow for the opening of a series of humanitarian corridors.
The humanitarian pause would provide the necessary conditions to meet two crucial imperatives.
First, safe passage of all civilians willing to leave the areas of current and expected confrontation, in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Second, beyond humanitarian operations already taking place, a pause will allow for the safe delivery of lifesaving humanitarian aid to people in the hardest-hit areas such as Mariupol, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk.
The United Nations is ready to send humanitarian aid convoys during this period to these locations. We are submitting detailed plans to the parties.
Humanitarian needs are dire. People do not have food, water, supplies to treat the sick or wounded or simply to live day-to-day.
More than 12 million people need humanitarian assistance in Ukraine today. Of those, more than one-third are in Mariupol, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk.
We anticipate that this figure will increase to 15.7 million – that’s about 40 percent of all Ukrainians still left in the country.
There is a measure of progress to build upon. Some 2.5 million people have been provided with assistance in the past seven weeks, including many in the east.
For all these life-or-death reasons, I call on Russians and Ukrainians to silence the guns and forge a path to safety for so many at immediate risk.
The 4-day Easter period should be a moment to unite around saving lives and furthering dialogue to end the suffering in Ukraine.
This morning, the Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths briefed the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations – including Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim and Jewish leaders. I welcome their support.
Inspired by Holy Week and all that it represents, I urge all parties – and all champions of peace around the world -- to join my Easter appeal.
Save lives.
Stop the bloodshed and destruction.
Open a window for dialogue and peace and keep faith with the meaning and the message of Easter.
Thank you.
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Press Release
14 April 2022
SG Op-Ed on Global Crisis Response Group “The War in Ukraine: A Silent Assault on the Developing World”
But the war is also fast becoming a matter of life and death for vulnerable people around the world.
We have all seen the tragedy unfolding inside Ukraine: cities flattened; people suffering and dying in their homes and in the streets; the fastest displacement crisis in Europe since the Second World War.
But beyond Ukraine’s borders, far beyond the media spotlight, the war has launched a silent assault on the developing world. This crisis could throw up to 1.7 billion people — over one-fifth of humanity — into poverty, destitution and hunger on a scale not seen in decades.
Ukraine and the Russian Federation provide 30 per cent of the world’s wheat and barley, one-fifth of its maize, and over half of its sunflower oil. Together, their grain feeds the poorest and most vulnerable people, providing more than one-third of the wheat imported by 45 African and least-developed countries.
At the same time, Russia is the world’s top natural gas exporter, and second-largest oil exporter.
But the war is preventing farmers from tending their crops, while closing ports, ending grain exports, disrupting supply chains and sending prices skyrocketing.
Many developing countries are still struggling to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with historic debt burdens and soaring inflation.
Since the start of 2022, wheat and maize prices have increased by 30 per cent.
Brent oil prices have risen more than 60 per cent over the last year, while natural gas and fertilizer prices have more than doubled.
The United Nations’ own lifesaving operations are under severe strain. The World Food Programme has warned that it faces the impossible choice of taking from the hungry to feed the starving. It urgently needs $8 billion to support its operations in Yemen, Chad and Niger.
Some countries are already sliding from vulnerability to crisis and serious social unrest. And we know the roots of many conflicts lie in poverty, inequality, under-development and hopelessness.
But while much of the world has stepped up in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, there is no sign of the same support for the 1.7 billion other potential victims of this war.
We have a clear moral duty to support them, everywhere.
The Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance that I launched last month aims to develop coordinated solutions to these interlinked crises, with governments, international financial institutions and other key partners. I thank the global leaders in all sectors who are supporting this initiative.
On food, we are urging all countries to keep markets open, resist hoarding and unjustified and unnecessary export restrictions, and make reserves available to countries at the highest risk of hunger and famine.
This is not the time for protectionism. There is enough food for every country to get through this crisis if we act together.
Humanitarian appeals must be fully funded, including for the World Food Programme. We simply cannot allow people to starve in the twenty-first century.
On energy, the use of strategic stockpiles and additional reserves could help to ease this energy crisis in the short term.
But the only medium- and long-term solution is to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, which is not impacted by market fluctuations. This will allow the progressive phase-out of coal and all other fossil fuels.
And on finance, the G20 and international financial institutions must go into emergency mode. They must find ways to increase liquidity and fiscal space, so that governments in developing countries can invest in the poorest and most vulnerable, and in the Sustainable Development Goals.
This should be a first step towards deep reforms to our unfair global financial system, which makes the rich richer and the poor poorer.
Social protection, including cash transfers, will be essential to support desperate families through this crisis.
But many developing countries with large external debts do not have the liquidity to provide these safety nets. We cannot stand by and watch, as they are forced to choose between investing in their people, and servicing their debt.
The only lasting solution to the war in Ukraine and its assault on the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world is peace.
As the United Nations works to support the innocent victims of this war — both inside and outside Ukraine — we call on the global community to speak with one voice and support our plea for peace.
This war must end, now.
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Press Release
15 March 2022
Analysis of research on direct measurement of food waste in Belgrade shows that commercial sector throws away over 40 thousand tons of food annually
Within the direct measurements that were carried out, a total of 29 representative commercial outlets were observed,: hotels and other accommodation, restaurants and fast food outlets, retails, schools and kindergartens, and other commercial outlets.
Quantities of food waste from commercial outlets
Based on the obtained projected data, most of the waste is generated within the group of restaurants and fast-food outlets, with over 21 thousand tons annually. This is followed by retail outlets with 4,767 tons/year, schools and kindergartens with 3,551 tons/year, and finally groups of hotels and accommodation with an annual generation rate of 1,302 tons. The remaining commercial food waste generators (public institutions and companies with their restaurants, markets, hospitals, etc.) generate more than 9,000 tons of food waste annually.
Morphological composition of food waste
The projection of the morphological composition of food waste shows that on average the most dominant category is vegetables, with a share of over 45 percent, with the highest percentage recorded within the group of schools and kindergartens (62 percent).
The second most represented category is fruit, with almost 19 percent, with this category being the most represented in the retail sector (over 38 percent).
The categories of meat, fish and eggs, and bread and pastries, in the total average composition, have similar values (about 14 percent), while the category of milk and dairy products has the lowest value for virtually all observed groups of commercial establishments, with a final average share of about 5 percent.
If the amount of food waste from the commercial sector is shown in relation to the total population of Belgrade, 26.5 kilograms of edible and inedible food waste is generated per person annually. Also, previous direct measurements of food waste in households showed that every inhabitant of Belgrade throws away an average of 108.1 kilograms of edible and inedible parts of food annually. The summarized values of these two researches indicate that the total food waste generated in Belgrade, on an annual level, is about 205,000 tons, or 134.6 kilograms per capita. This places Belgrade at the top of the list of European cities in terms of the amount of food waste generated when compared to other cities according to the UNEP Food Waste Index Report.
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About the project: These two researches were conducted following the methodology of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for measuring the global food waste index, during September and October 2021, and will be the starting point for all future research in this area. The research was conducted with the support of the United Nations Environment Programme, within the project "Build Back Better: Using Green and Digital Technologies to Reduce Food Waste at Consumer Level".
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Press Release
23 February 2022
UNICEF Serbia and Viber join forces in an anti-bullying campaign
Belgrade, 23 February 2022 – To mark the International Day Against Peer Violence, UNICEF Serbia is launching a new free package of U-Report Viber stickers - Stop Violence!
Download the stickers from here -> https://stickers.viber.com/pages/unicef_2022 and join U-Report on Viber where you voice your opinion on important issues in an accessible way.
The International Day Against Peer Violence is marked every year, on the last Wednesday in February, and is known as Pink T-shirt Day.
Pink T-shirt day came about when a boy from Canada was verbally and physically bullied by his friends because he came to school wearing a pink T-shirt to support his mother who had breast cancer. Local activists bought 50 pink T-shirts and handed them out to his school peers who wore them to support the boy. Children then started coming to school in pink T-shirts, which thus became a symbol of the fight against peer violence in schools around the world.
Marking this day aims to promote empathy, respect for diversity and tolerance. Peer violence is a general social problem that many children face, and prevention is crucial.
If you are a witness or a victim of violence, you can contact the following contact the National Children's Line of Serbia - 116111 or via https://cuvamte.gov.rs/#
If you are a parent, call the toll-free number of the NADEL Parent Line 0800 007 000, which is available every day from 4 pm to 10 pm.
***
About the U-Report platform
U-Report in Serbia is a free digital reporting platform, which collects and maps the opinions of young people in real time through polls and is conducted by UNICEF and its partners. Rakuten Viber joined this initiative through a global partnership with UNICEF. Polls can be accessed via Viber - https://bit.ly/ursrbija. So far, over 19 million U-Reporters in 91 countries have joined the global U-Report network, while the community in Serbia has 10,000 U-Reporters. Polls results are available at https://serbia.ureport.in/.
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and well-being of every child, through all the activities we do. Together with partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate promises into practical action, with a special emphasis on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, and for the benefit of all children, wherever they live.
About Rakuten Viber
Rakuten Viber connects people - regardless of who they are and where they come from. Viber's global customer base has a range of features such as instant chat, video calling, group messaging, news and discussions about favorite brands and celebrities. Rakuten Viber ensures that users have safe and free conditions to share their emotions.
Rakuten Viber is part of Rakuten Inc., a global leader in e-commerce and financial services.
Download Viber today and enjoy the best communication experience in the world.
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Press Release
24 February 2022
UNODC holds the 2nd Steering Committee meeting on the EU-UNODC joint action on enhanced border control
The initiative is aimed at enhancing the capacities of authorities in the Western Balkans to fight organized crime, by supporting more effective and coordinated responses to illicit trafficking by border law enforcement at land and port border crossing points and international airports in the region. The action is funded by the European Union (EU) and is implemented by the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) and the UNODC-WCO-INTERPOL Airport Communication Project (AIRCOP) in cooperation with the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe.
Specifically, UNODC is working on the establishment of joint airport inter-agency groups composed of an AIRCOP Joint Airport Interdiction Task Force (JAITF) and a CCP Air Cargo Control Unit (ACCU) to cover both cargo and passenger threats as well as providing continuous technical assistance to the existing Port Control Units (PCUs) established by CCP.
The action’s main stakeholders were convened to the event, including senior representatives from the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), EU delegations and the Government authorities in the region as well as UNODC along with WCO and INTERPOL.
The UNODC Chief of the Regional Section for Europe, West and Central Asia and Regional Representative for South Eastern Europe opened the event and highlighted that “international commitment and cooperation is an investment in our shared vision of the future and if we have learnt anything from the pandemic it is from the numerous examples globally of how acting together we are stronger and can tackle the greatest of threats.” He pursued with pointing out the challenges still faced by South Eastern Europe while underlining the importance of national ownership in UNODC work in the region.
The Head of Sector Rule of Law, Security, Migration and Reconciliation at DG NEAR stressed in her statement that “regional cooperation is at the heart of what EU membership entails” and expressed appreciation on the strategic partnership with UNODC and the hope that “the positive trend will continue and will be strengthened”.
The event followed with interventions from UNODC representatives stating the importance of continuing efforts in addressing both cargo and passenger related threats while reminding on the objectives of the action. Subsequently, the Governments’ authorities from the region provided a status update on activities within the action, progress and the next steps, particularly on the establishment of the joint inter-agency groups.
A special session was dedicated to gender mainstreaming, and the necessary efforts in this direction. CCP presented its Women’s Network, its objectives, what is being done to support the women working in CCP units, including raising awareness on the issue and creating tools for women to be able to exchange on the challenges they face and the need to have more gender mainstreaming activities. CCP also mentioned a study on representation of women in the Customs Administrations of the region currently conducted within the action, which is intended to collect qualitative and quantitative data on women’s representation in the relevant agencies and provide tailored recommendations. Similarly, AIRCOP presented its initiatives to promote gender related policies and activities, including the “Series of Portraits” initiative which gives more visibility to women in law enforcement. The AIRCOP representative also mentioned the benefits of women being part of the inter-agency groups from an operational perspective, and announced the introduction of a mandatory training focusing on gender within the inter-agency groups to mitigate potential weaknesses caused by the lack of women in key posts.
The first day sessions concluded with the review of the workplan for 2022 and its endorsement and adoption by all the participants. This was followed by an overview of the communication and visibility activities within the action.
The second day focused on the practical elements of cooperation such as the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as well as inter-agency cooperation illustrated with case studies presented by CCP and AIRCOP. The value of the Steering Committee meeting was also underlined through discussions among the authorities present in the room.
The action’s Steering Committee is aimed at providing specific guidance and support to the action as it allows for all the stakeholders to meet and discuss key issues aimed at reviewing the progress of the action and deciding on future undertakings. In doing so, the national ownership of the governments in the region is ensured leading to greater coordination and coherence in the action implementation.
For more information:
https://www.unodc.org/southeasterneurope/en/border-control-action-resources.html
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