In what is being hailed as an historic first, the UN Security Council on Monday authorised the deployment of an international security force to help Haiti’s national police quell surging gang violence and restore security across the strife-torn Caribbean nation. The mission was requested by the Haitian Government and civil society representatives, following months of chaos and steadily worsening conditions affecting civilians. There have been more than 3,000 homicides reported this year, and over 1,500 instances of kidnapping for ransom. Around 200,000 have been forced to flee their homes while sexual violence and abuse against women and girls at the hands of armed gangs ticks up. Tens of thousands of children are unable to go to school. Adopting the resolution with a recorded vote of 13 in favour and 2 abstentions (Russia and China), ambassadors in New York also authorised the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to help secure critical infrastructure and transit hubs such as the airport, ports, schools, hospitals and key intersections. They also called on countries participating in the mission to ensure the highest standards of transparency, conduct and discipline for their personnel, and called for an oversight mechanism to prevent human rights violations or abuses, including sexual exploitation.  The non-UN mission is also slated to help ensure unhindered and safe access to humanitarian aid for millions of Haitians in need. The resolution, adopted under UN Charter's Chapter VII, which sets out the Security Council’s responsibilities to maintain international peace and security, was penned by the United States and Ecuador. ‘Act of solidarity’  Jean Victor Geneus, Foreign Minister of Haiti – not currently a Security Council member – thanked ambassadors for their support and for tabling the historic resolution.  “More than just a simple vote, this is in fact an expression of solidarity with a population in distress,” he said. He added that the resolution is glimmer of hope for the Haitian people that have for too long suffered the consequences of a multipronged crisis. He urged Member States to commit to the mission “as quickly as possible” to help restore a safe and stable environment and re-establish democratic institutions there. ‘New way’ to preserve peace Speaking after the adoption, Jeffrey DeLaurentis, Representative of the United States, said the Council had “made history” by authorising the multinational support mission, and stepping up to “create a new way of preserving global peace and security”. He said it was answering the call from a fellow Member State facing a multidimensional crisis. “The deployment of this mission will help to support Haiti's critical near term needs and to foster the security conditions necessary for the country to advance long term stability,” he said. He added that while the mission will primarily support Haitian police, it is but one part of the larger effort to address the wider crisis, including humanitarian, economic and political challenges. Supporting the people Also speaking after the adoption, Zhang Jun, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of China, said that his country has always taken a cautious and responsible approach to the Council’s invocation of Chapter VII of the UN Charter on the authorisation of the use of force. “We hope that the country leading the Multinational Security Support mission will hold in-depth consultations with Haiti on their specific arrangements for the deployment of security forces,” he said, stating also that it should be fully in support of the Haitian people. He also urged timely reporting to the Security Council, and that the mission must comply with international law and the basic norms governing international relations, so as to avoid infringing on sovereignty. ‘A beacon of hope’ Martin Kimani, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Kenya (also not a current Council member) recalled his country’s bold offer to lead the mission and thanked the Council for responding in an “exemplary spirit of cooperation.” “With this action, the Security Council has ignited a beacon of hope for the beleaguered people of Haiti”, he said.  The Foreign Minister reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to work closely with Haiti’s allies and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member States, in establishing the mission in accordance with the resolution.  

Now is the time for a global plan to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are woefully off-track halfway towards their 2030 deadline, said UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday in New York.  Mr. Guterres was speaking at the opening of a high-level forum at UN Headquarters where world leaders adopted a political declaration to accelerate action to achieve the 17 goals, which aim to drive economic prosperity and well-being for all people while protecting the environment. “The SDGs aren’t just a list of goals. They carry the hopes, dreams, rights and expectations of people everywhere,” he said. Concerted, ambitious action World leaders adopted the SDGs in 2015, promising to leave no one behind. The goals include ending extreme poverty and hunger, ensuring access to clean water and sanitation, as well as green energy, and providing quality universal education and lifelong learning opportunities. UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis noted that despite commitments, 1.2 billion people were still living in poverty as of 2022, and roughly eight per cent of the global population, or 680 million people, will still be facing hunger by the end of the decade.  The international community cannot accept these numbers, he said. "With concerted, ambitious action, it is still possible that, by 2030, we could lift 124 million additional people out of poverty and ensure that some 113 million fewer people are malnourished," he said.  Going backwards  Each of the 17 goals contains targets, with 169 overall, but the Secretary-General warned that currently only 15 per cent are on track, while many are going in reverse. The political declaration "can be a game-changer in accelerating SDG progress," he said. It includes a commitment to financing for developing countries and clear support for his proposal for an SDG Stimulus of at least $500 billion annually, as well as an effective debt-relief mechanism. It further calls for changing the business model of multilateral development banks to offer private finance at more affordable rates for developing countries, and endorses reform of the international finance architecture which he has labelled "outdated, dysfunctional and unfair." Millions still starving  The UN chief highlighted the need for action in six critical areas, starting with addressing hunger, which he called “a shocking stain on humanity, and an epic human rights violation.” “It is an indictment of every one of us that millions of people are starving in this day and age,” he added.  The Secretary-General said the transition to renewable energy isn’t happening fast enough, while the benefits and opportunities of digitalization are not being spread widely enough. Education cannot wait At the same time, too many children and young people worldwide are victims of poor quality education, or no education at all, he continued, before shining a spotlight on the need for decent work and social protection. Finally, he called for an end to the war on nature and “the triple planetary crisis” characterized by climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. Ensure gender equality “Cutting across all of these transitions is the need to ensure full gender equality,” he said. “It’s long past time to end discrimination, ensure a place at every table for women and girls, and to end the scourge of gender-based violence. “  Mr. Guterres highlighted UN response to each area, including initiatives to transform global food systems so everyone can have access to a healthy diet.  Other efforts focus on boosting investment in the renewable energy transition, promoting internet access for all, creating 400 million new “decent jobs”, and extending social protection to over four million people. Testament to commitment  The President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Paula Narváez, was heartened by the adoption of the declaration, calling it a testament to leaders’ unwavering commitment towards implementing the SDGs.  ECOSOC is at the core of the UN system’s work on all three pillars of sustainable development - economic, social and environmental – and provides a platform for follow-up and review of the goals.  The two-day SDG Summit is the centrepiece of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week, the annual gathering of Heads of State and Government, and Ms. Narváez also pointed to two other events on the agenda.   Seize the moment She said the High-level Dialogue on Financing for Development will address the need for an international financial architecture that can respond to current needs and emerging challenges.   Meanwhile, the Climate Ambition Summit presents an opportunity for decisive progress on climate action and to raise the bar for more timely and targeted efforts.   “This week should serve as a turning point to rescue the SDGs,” she said.  “We must not let this moment slip away.” 

Mr. President of the General Assembly, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,  Eight years ago, Member States gathered in this Hall to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals.  With the world watching — including 193 young people in the balcony holding blue lamps of hope — you made a solemn promise. A promise to build a world of health, progress and opportunity for all.  A promise to leave no one behind.  And a promise to pay for it.  This was not a promise made to one another as diplomats from the comfort of this chamber.  It was — always — a promise to people.  People crushed under the grinding wheels of poverty.  People starving in a world of plenty.  Children denied a seat in a classroom.  Families fleeing conflicts, seeking a better life.   Parents watching helplessly as their children die of preventable disease.  People losing hope because they can’t find a job — or a safety net when they need it.   Entire communities literally on devastation’s doorstep because of changing climate.  So, the SDGs aren’t just a list of goals.  They carry the hopes, dreams, rights and expectations of people everywhere.   And they provide the surest path to living up to our obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, now in its 75th year.  Yet today, only 15 per cent of the targets are on track and many are going in reverse.   Instead of leaving no one behind, we risk leaving the SDGs behind.  So, Excellencies, the SDGs need a global rescue plan.  I am deeply encouraged by the detailed and wide-ranging draft political declaration under discussion here today — especially its commitment to improving developing countries’ access to the fuel required for SDG progress: finance.  This includes clear support for an SDG Stimulus of at least $500 billion a year, as well as an effective debt-relief mechanism that supports payment suspensions, longer lending terms, and lower rates.  It includes a call to re-capitalize and change the business model of Multilateral Development Banks so they can massively leverage private finance at affordable rates to benefit developing countries.  And it includes the endorsement of the need to reform the international financial architecture that I consider outdated, dysfunctional and unfair. This can be a game-changer in accelerating SDG progress.  I have been calling for a new Bretton Woods moment, and the development of practical solutions by the Summit of the Future next September.  But countries can act right now to get the SDGs on track.  Together with businesses and financial institutions, local authorities, the UN development system and more, you have helped point the way with high-impact initiatives to support six targeted areas where urgent transitions are needed.  First — we must take action on hunger.  In our world of plenty, hunger is a shocking stain on humanity, and an epic human rights violation.  It is an indictment of every one of us that millions of people are starving in this day and age.  Building on July’s Food Systems Summit Stocktake, we are marshalling finance, science, data, innovations, and policy and governance support to help countries transform food systems so all people can access a healthy and nutritious diet.  Second — the transition to renewable energy isn’t happening fast enough.  We are putting forward new Energy Compacts in which governments, businesses and global organizations join forces to invest in decarbonizing energy systems, and ensuring a just and equitable transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.   Third — the benefits and opportunities of digitalization are not being spread widely enough.   To close the divide, we have launched an initiative to spur digital transformation across 100 countries, supporting stronger technology capacities, better governance, and innovative financing.  Our proposed Global Digital Compact will also help countries build safe digital systems that provide internet access for all — including for students in hard-to-reach communities.  Fourth — too many children and young people are victims of poor quality education, or no education at all.  We need to build true “learning societies” anchored in quality education — including lifelong learning from the earliest years to adulthood — closing the digital divide, and supporting teachers every step of the way.  An emerging group of “frontrunner countries” is leading the way in boosting investment and transforming education systems around the world. Fifth — people need decent work and social protection.  Working with governments and the private sector, our Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions aims to create 400 million new decent jobs — especially in the green, care and digital economies — and extend social protection to over four billion people. Investments in social protection should be massively increased.  And sixth — the war on nature must stop.  We must end the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.  We’re building a group of champion countries to explore how to reform economic policies, and put nature and biodiversity at the heart of all decision-making.  Cutting across all of these transitions is the need to ensure full gender equality.  It’s long past time to end discrimination, ensure a place at every table for women and girls, and the end the scourge of gender-based violence.   Excellencies, At the halfway point to the SDG deadline, the eyes of the world are on you once again.  Over the course of the weekend, young people and civil society groups came to the UN — or marched in communities around the world — demanding urgent action. Now is the time to prove you are listening.  We can prevail.  If we act now. If we act together.  If we keep our promise to the billions of people whose hopes, dreams and futures you hold in your hands.  Now is the time.

At a simple ceremony, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) handed over a newly equipped and renovated office and staff accommodation to the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) in Mabaruma, Region One. The FAO is the implementing agency for the GLSC Sustainable Land Development and Management (SLDM) Project, which is funded by the Guyana Red Plus and Investment Fund (GRIF). Mr. Enrique Monize, Commissioner of GLSC noted, “Ensuring the sub-regional offices are fully equipped to serve the people is our priority. Under the SLDM project, we were able to advance our technology in surveying and land management and provide scholarships and training at the University of Guyana and at the Government Technical Institute. For the first time, under this project, a diploma in Land Valuation was added to the University of Guyana curriculum.” Mr. Monize also noted that staff in the regions of Indigenous origin were provided with training and scholarship and have excelled. "Five of our Regional Heads come from Indigenous background and are now leading the offices in their respective regions," he said. Mr. Brentnol Ashley, Chairman of Region One welcomes the upgraded office and accommodation for the staff and the region. He noted, “This is what development is about, having good infrastructure, facilities, and services in the region to meet the needs of the people.” Dr. Gillian Smith, FAO Representative said that the project partnership has been very successful. “The project is partnering with GLSC to improve the accommodation of the regional offices so that staff can be more comfortable to expand and execute their work in the region. A better working environment means better results and better service to the public.” Rehabilitation is also being done for GLSC offices in Black Bush Polder–Region Six (6), Bartica–Region Seven (7), and in Region One (1), at Port Kaituma. These upgrades are being done to meet the increasing demand for decentralized land administration services in the region. Adding to the improved infrastructure are technical and capacity development for staff. Several scholarship programmes and technical training are being done simultaneously to upgrade skills to meet the technological advancement introduced to better manage and develop lands in Guyana. Training programmes include Land Valuation, Land Administration and Management, UAV/Drone, Lease Management and LIDAR, and geospatial data analysis. These are all areas that will increase the effectiveness of GLSC's operations and services being provided to the public. New land administration, surveying, and information and communication technology equipment have been procured for the offices, as well as pickups, boats, and ATVs to support the work in the regions.