The global financial architecture has failed, says Guterres
The global financial architecture is outdated, dysfunctional and unfair and has failed in its mission to provide a safety net for developing countries, the Secretary-General said at a summit for a global financial New Deal.
António Guterres addressed delegates at the start of the Paris meeting, which will focus on finding financial solutions to fight poverty, reduce emissions that are warming the planet and protect nature.
The Secretary-General said international financial institutions are currently too small and limited to fulfill their mandate.
“It is clear that the international financial architecture has failed in its mission to provide a global safety net for developing countries. The reason is simple: as Mia Mottley just pointed out, this architecture was built after World War II. With some adjustments, it reflects the balance of political and economic power of the time,” Guterres pointed out.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who has emerged as a leader in the fight against climate change, said the summit was a “watershed moment”.
“I ask that we do not leave Paris without understanding this The political ambition required must be for transformation, not reform. And that those of us who are heads of government and states realize that the world cannot continue in the shadow of an imperial order that does not see countries, does not understand countries, does not listen to countries and, worse, he does not see, understand or hear people.”
Climate finance ‘almost ignores children’
Girls wade through the floodwaters on their way to school in Sunamganj, Bangladesh.
Funds to tackle climate change are not benefiting children, even though they are hardest hit by the climate crisis, according to a new report by UNICEF and other NGOs.
According to UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Index, more than a billion children are at extremely high risk of suffering the effects of the climate crisis.
The study used three criteria to evaluate funding: addressing the risks children face from the climate crisis, building the resilience of key child welfare services, and strengthening their role as agents of change.
The bottom line is that current spending is almost entirely ignorant of children. Of all the money made available by multilateral funds for climate-related projects over a period of 17 years until March 2023, this is only a small part (2.4%) met all three requirements, which was just $1.2 billion.
More than 50 women die in a prison in Honduras
prison in Honduras
UNICEF mourns the deaths of more than fifty women in a violent incident at the National Women’s Prison for Social Adjustment in Honduras.
Some of the women lived with their children. These boys and girls are now in a situation of extreme vulnerability. “I am deeply concerned for their well-being and safety,” said Garry Conille, UNICEF regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, calling for “urgent” provision of special and mental health care.
Recalling that “no boy, girl or adolescent should be separated from his mother, father or caregiver unless his well-being is at risk,” the agency pledged to support Honduras in reviewing the situation of those living in institutions to support minors.
UNICEF regretted this incident This is unlikely to be an isolated case in Latin America and the Caribbean“where violence is part of everyday life for many children and women.”
He called on all countries in the region to ensure the safety and well-being of children living with their imprisoned mothers.
Guterres condemns the recent violent incidents in the occupied West Bank
Jenin refugee camp borders Jenin Municipality and is the northernmost in the West Bank.
The Secretary General condemned the recent violent incidents against civilians in the occupied Palestinian territories.
This includes the shooting, in which two armed Palestinians were present Four Israelis were killed and wounded others in the occupied West Bank and subsequent acts for vandalism and burning of land and property, including a school, by Israeli settlers in Palestinian cities around Nablus and Ramallah.
The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the events in Jenin on June 19, when Israeli security forces deployed and exchanged gunfire seven Palestinians killedincluding two children, both students at UNRWA schools.
“It is vital to de-escalate tensions and prevent further escalation,” Guterres said in a statement. The Secretary General recalled that Israel “as an occupying power must ensure the protection of the civilian population”.
“Ultimately, only the return to a meaningful political process and the end of the occupation will end this devastating cycle of violence and senseless loss of life,” he added.