6 October 2008: In her remarks to the Second Committee of
the General Assembly, taking place in New York, US, UN Deputy Secretary-General
Asha-Rose Migiro underlined that Africa is the region that faces the greatest
challenges, in particular in the context of climate change and the food and oil
crises.
6 October 2008: Top UN officials marked World Habitat Day by
drawing attention to the need to raise awareness of the problems of rapid
urbanization, its impact on the environment and the challenges of rising urban
poverty. The UN has designated the first Monday in October each year as World
Habitat Day, to reflect on the state of towns and cities and the basic right to
adequate shelter for all. This year, Luanda, Angola, led the observance of the
celebration, which focused on the theme “Harmonious Cities.”
3 October 2008: This UN Conference on Trade and Development publication reviews biofuel certification schemes that are already in place or are being developed, including: benefits and drawbacks of such schemes; implications for developing countries; and possible ramifications of certification in the context of the World Trade Organization.
3 October 2008: The Marine Environment Protection Committee
of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is meeting in London, UK, for
its 58th session, from 6-10 October 2008. During the meeting, the Committee
will continue its work on developing a mandatory regime to control greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping.
October 2008: The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFRPI) has published three essays addressing critical questions regarding policy responses to the current food crisis. The essays by Joachim von Braun, IFPRI Director General, Josette Sheeran, Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), and Namanga Ngongi, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), point to the dangers and pitfalls of misguided policies, but also to the potential opportunities for responding in a way that prevents future crises and ensures food security in the long term. In addition to the most pressing questions of delivering immediate relief to populations affected by hunger and the strategic issues of the long-term stabilization of food production and food markets, the essays also address impacts of current biofuel policies and climate change on agriculture.
3 October 2008: During a meeting with UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Achim Steiner, at UNEP's headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, German Federal Minister for the Environment Sigmar Gabriel announced that his country will increase its funding for the organization's work on clean energy and climate proofing vulnerable economies.
3 October 2008: The Organisation for Economic Cooperation
and Development (OECD) is co-organizing with the province and the city of
Milan, a Conference on Cities and Climate Change, which is scheduled to convene
from 9-10 October 2008, in Milan, Italy.
3 October 2008: In accordance with Decision IX/1 of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the
CBD Secretariat has invited parties, other governments and relevant
organizations to supply information on various aspects of agricultural
biodiversity conservation, including lessons learned about the conservation and
sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity, for consideration in climate
change adaptation and mitigation planning and cross-sectoral planning in
agricultural areas.
2 October 2008: The World Bank has announced an 87% increase in funding for renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) projects and programmes in developing countries in the past fiscal year.
2 October 2008: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Environment Directorate held a High-Level Parliamentary Seminar on Climate Change in Paris, France, on 2 October 2008.
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