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United Nations mourns Hannah Yilma
In Memory of Hannah Yilma : Former Director of the United Nations Information Centre Pretoria (31 May 1943 – 13 August 2018)
It is with great sadness, that the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) announces the passing away of Ms. Hannah Yilma, who served as Director of UNIC Pretoria from 2000 to 2005.
Born in Ethiopia, Hannah Yilma retired in Pretoria after a UN career in both peacekeeping and communication.
She completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the Haile Selassie I University in Ethiopia and was employed in the private sector for 15 years. In 1991. Hannah joined the UN as an Information Officer in the Department of Public Information. She then participated in two field missions; the UN Protective Force (UNPROFOR) in the former Yugoslavia, from 1994 to 1995, and the UN Observer Mission to South Africa (UNOMSA), from 1992-1994, as Civil Affairs Officer and Peace Observer, respectively.
#TotalShutDown: United Nations stands in solidarity with women of South Africa
Women and girls during the #Totalshutdown march to end gender based violence in South Africa.
Pretoria, 02 August 2018: The South African office of the United Nations in support of a violent free South Africa stood in solidarity with women and children in South Africa as part of the #TotalShutDown – Intersectional Women’s March Against Gender Based Violence under the slogan, “My Body, Not Your Crime Scene”. Women and girls in South Africa must have equal rights and opportunities and be able to live free from violence and discrimination. The United Nations continues to place emphasis on women’s equality and empowerment as one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but also integral to all dimensions of inclusive and sustainable development. Ending gender-based violence is essential to achieving sustainable development alongside the targets set out to end gender-based violence by 2030.
UNIC Pretoria participates in LIASA/City of Tshwane Library Career Expo
Pretoria, 20 July 2018: “How are the SDGs going to lead to a better world for all?” This question was the focus of UNIC engagement with learners, students and the unemployed youth at Daspoort Secondary School Sports Grounds in Pretoria West during the Skills Development and Career Expo held on Friday, 20 July 2018. This event was organized by the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) and City of Tshwane Library in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Affairs, Sanlam and other stakeholders. Continue reading
UNDP Africa partners with private sector to achieve Global Goals
With on-the-ground networks and the ability to swiftly adapt and innovate, the private sector is well-positioned to bring new solutions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) by 2030. In addition, the SDGs present significant opportunities for the private sector to open new markets and attract investments in sustainable development by leveraging companies’ core competencies, expertise and resources.
Young African entrepreneurs with potential to scale up across the region will soon have access to financing and support through a new innovative platform. Continue reading
UNDP and Accenture launch YAS! to expand opportunities for youth
Young African entrepreneurs with potential to scale up across the region will soon have access to financing and support through a new innovative platform.
YAS!, or Youth for Africa and SDGs, was launched at the Responsible Business Forum taking place in South Africa’s capital, Johannesburg, from 25-27 June 2018. The platform is an online portal developed by UNDP in partnership with Accenture South Africa. It aims to address the four main pillars of the entrepreneurship ecosystem: Information, Mentorship, Funding and Network.
UN Secretary-General: Towards a fairer, more peaceful world
Secretary General Antonio Guterres meeting with women reps at Youth Cultural Centre.
Op-ed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for Impact Journalism Day
Three years ago, world leaders unanimously adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Negotiating this framework for a better future and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals spanned three years and involved hundreds of meetings, thousands of documents and millions of people. That was the easy part. The harder work is now under way: bringing the blueprint to life.
The Goals were adopted with justifiable enthusiasm. Covering everything from energy to education, infrastructure to institutions, urbanization to innovation, they offer a holistic roadmap for addressing the world’s ills. They apply to all countries, reflect the priorities of all countries and were embraced by all countries, with presidents and prime ministers putting their weight behind the Goals’ core promise: to leave no one behind.
Press Release: Countries embrace efforts to achieve SDGs amid mounting global challenges: UN Report
New York, 20 June – A fast-changing climate, conflict, inequality, persistent pockets of poverty and hunger and rapid urbanization are challenging countries’ efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a UN report launched in New York today.
Press Release: Forced displacement above 68m in 2017, new global deal on refugees critical
Pretoria, 19 June 2018: Wars, other violence and persecution drove worldwide forced displacement to a new high in 2017 for the fifth year in a row, led by the crisis in Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan’s war, and the flight into Bangladesh from Myanmar of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees. Overwhelmingly it is developing countries that are most affected.
The Secretary-General’s message for World Refugee Day, 20 June 2018
What would you do if you were forced to leave your home?
Today, more than 68 million people around the world are refugees or internally displaced as a result of conflict or persecution.
World Oceans Day message from the UN Secretary – General
8 June 2018 : The oceans make our blue planet unique in our solar system — and not just visually. They help regulate the global climate and are the ultimate source of the water that sustains all life on Earth, from coral reefs to snow-covered mountains, from tropical rain forests to mighty rivers, and even deserts. However, the ability of the oceans to provide their essential services is being threatened by climate change, pollution and unsustainable use.