UN

US to be affected if UN signs plastic waste pact

Reuters reports that countries are close to an agreement on tighten controls on trade in plastic waste, which would make it harder for the US, as a leading exporter, to ship unsorted plastic to emerging Asian economies for disposal.

Global pollution has increased the demand on plastic recycling and better waste management. According to environmental groups, only 9% of plastic is recycled.

According to UN numbers, Germany, the US and Japan exported more than 1 billion kilos of plastic waste in...

https://safety4sea.com/us-to-be-affected-if-un-signs-plastic-waste-pact/

Commodity-dependent countries must diversify exports, UN urges

Developing countries that depend on commodities must seek diversification strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of price volatility in international markets, explained speakers at UNCTAD’s meeting of experts on commodities and development, on 15 April at the UN’s European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Today 67% of developing countries depend on commodities, a situation that has changed little in the last two decades, UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General Isabelle Durant said. Least...

https://safety4sea.com/commodity-dependent-countries-must-diversify-exports-un-urges/

Nordic Ministers: New biodiversity targets must ‘set the bar high’

During this week’s ministerial meeting in Iceland, the Nordic ministers for the environment agreed to send a joint letter to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to address the importance of setting the bar high in order to fulfill the new targets that will take effect after 2020.

International studies show that species are disappearing and that ecosystems are being damaged and destroyed at a pace that threatens the living conditions of our own and future generations.

Under the UN...

https://safety4sea.com/nordic-ministers-new-biodiversity-targets-must-set-the-bar-high/

The top 20 ports in Latin America and the Caribbean for 2018

Container throughput in ports of Latin America and the Caribbean increased by 7.7% in 2018 compared to 2017, according to data provided by the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). ECLAC updates every year its report of container port throughput, which shows the cargo volume in containers in the ports of the region, based on data obtained directly from port authorities and terminal operators. This analysis is based on the performance of a sampling of 31 countries...

https://safety4sea.com/the-top-20-ports-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean-for-2018/

Life below water: Addressing ocean sustainability

Oceans, seas and coastal areas cover the vast majority of our planet’s surface, as two-thirds of the planet is water. Oceans are a life-giving force considering the fact that our drinking water, weather, climate, food, and oxygen, are driven by the sea. For this reason, it is of vital importance to protect the seas through enhanced ocean conservation and sustainable practices.

Protecting Life Below Water

Over three billion people depend their livelihood on marine and coastal resources, as they...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-life-below-water-addressing-ocean-sustainability/

Migrants deaths in the Mediterranean reach 224 in 2019

migrants deaths
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Migration Agency, reported that 8,956 migrants and refugees have entered Europe by sea through 27 February, marking a 12% decrease from the 10,243 arriving the same period last year. Deaths on the Mediterranean Sea reached 224, which is one half the 439 deaths that took place the same period in 2018.

2019 is the fifth year of IOM’s attempt to systematically record deaths on migration routes globally through its Missing Migrants Project...

https://safety4sea.com/migrants-deaths-in-the-mediterranean-reach-224-in-2019/

World Wildlife Day gives emphasis on underwater life

UN member states and international organizations met at the United Nations Headquarters on February 1st to celebrate the UN World Wildlife Day, which takes place every year on March 3. This year’s theme was: Life below water: for people and planet.

Until today, more than 240,000 marine species have been identified in the ocean, while scientists continue to discover about 2,000 new species every year.

However, marine wildlife experiences multiple threats including:

  • Climate change, causing ocean...

https://safety4sea.com/world-wildlife-day-gives-emphasis-on-underwater-life/

Enhancing diversity awareness: Key issues on the agenda

Increased diversity awareness and empowerment of women in the maritime world is gaining ground lately with relevant events being held and interesting issues toping their agendas. On top of that, the theme of World Maritime Day 2019 is dedicated to empowering women in the maritime community. This article suggests key issues that could set the context for an event related to gender equality and women’s empowerment with the aim to maintain momentum on advancing gender equality and accelerate the...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-enhancing-diversity-awareness-key-issues-on-the-agenda/

ICJ urges Britain to return colonised Chagos Islands to Mauritius

The International Court of Justice announced on February 25, that by 13 votes to 1 is of the opinion that the process of decolonization of Mauritius was not lawfully completed when that country acceded to independence in 1968, following the separation of the Chagos Archipelago. Thus, the population was wrongfully forced to leave in the 1970s.

Specifically, the Court ruled that all Member States are under an obligation to co-operate with the United Nations in order to complete the decolonization...

https://safety4sea.com/icj-urges-britain-to-return-colonised-chagos-islands-to-mauritius/

Irish migrant fisher workers’ scheme overrides human rights

Four United Nations human rights officials have strongly criticised the British Government’s scheme governing protection and labour rights for migrant fishermen from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). The letter focuses on modern forms of racism, slavery and on trafficking in persons. The letter highlights that the Atypical Work Scheme (AWS) is not in line with international law and standards related to trafficking in persons and the human rights of migrants.

Specifically, the letter...

https://safety4sea.com/irish-migrant-fisher-workers-scheme-overrides-human-rights/

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