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UN Habitat

Adequate housing as a human right: A call to action at the World Urban Forum in Cairo

World Cities Day

The global housing crisis is exacerbated by historical disparities between average wages and housing costs—a gap that continues to grow—and by enduring poverty and inequality. Housing challenges are further deepened by wars, armed conflicts, and climate-related disasters, which force people from their homes and communities. UN data shows that the number of people affected by disasters per 100,000 people rose from 1,198 in 2005-2015 to 2,113 in the last decade.

Anacláudia Rossbach
October 31, 2024
UN Agora Blog
UN Photo/Loey Felipe

2024 High-Level Political Forum: The SDGs Caught in Geopolitical Tensions

Seeing the visible signs of fragmentation on common issues in the UN’s foremost platform for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The United Nations (UN) High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development is an annual forum under the auspices of ECOSOC for the review of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year, the Forum convened at UN Headquarters in New York from 8-17 July 2024. Taking place under the theme "Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions”, this year's Forum reviewed 5 SDGs: SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 16 (peaceful institutions), SDG 17 (partnerships). While the HLPF does not tend to make global headlines in the same way that the UN General Assembly does every September, the Forum remains the UN's primary gathering for high-level representatives to draw global attention to their national and political commitment to the 2030 Agenda, and in turn, to the multilateral system. The Forum consisted of a three-day Ministerial segment with speeches from 115 Ministers, Vice-Ministers, Permanent Representatives and others. Further, more than 250 high-level special events, Voluntary National Review (VNR) labs, side events and exhibitions took place in person and online.

Thomas Tödtling, Erica Mumford
July 31, 2024
Country reports

Youth, Peace & Security with Felipe Paullier, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs

Discussion and Reception

The Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda introduced with the adoption of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2250 marked a milestone for the international community. The resolution underscored the growing recognition of young people’s essential role in peace and security. Yet significant challenges remain to live up to the promise of the YPS Agenda, including structural barriers limiting the participation of young people and their capacity to influence decision-making. According to UN estimates, one in four young people today are either living in, or are affected by, settings affected by armed conflicts and violence.

July 26, 2024
Event reports
UN Photo/Evan Schneider

A South African case study for international dialogue and solidarity for justice and lasting peace

Nelson Mandela International Day

Despite the noises from extremists, ending Apartheid gave South Africa a chance to come together as a nation and built a peaceful and prosperous future together. The establishment of our constitutional democracy laid a solid basis for peace, progress and prosperity. Our Constitution as the supreme law of our country affirms the notion of an open and democratic society, underpinned by a set of higher, fundamental values based on human dignity, equality and freedom.

Christo van der Rheede
July 18, 2024
UN Agora Blog

Collaboration between Resident Coordinators and Employer Federations to Achieve the SDGs

KAS-IOE Event

On 16 July, on the margins of the High-Level Political Forum, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) New York and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) convened an event to share best practices and promote collaboration between UN Resident Coordinators and employer federations collaboration to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Erica Mumford
July 17, 2024
Event reports

UNGA Resolution on the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment

IOE-KAS Report

Following the adoption of Resolution A/76L.75 "the right to access a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a universal human right" by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the International Organisations of Employers (IOE) and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) developed a joint paper: “UNGA Resolution on the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment - Legal and Practical Considerations for Employers”. This paper elaborates on the new expectations from the UNGA resolution, including its legal and practical implications, and offers an outlook on the way forward for employers.

July 2, 2024
Event reports

On the status of parliamentarism in general and in Germany in particular

International Day of Parliamentarism

On the occasion of the United Nations International Day of Parliamentarism on June 30, I would like to take the opportunity to make some basic remarks on the status of parliamentarism in general and in Germany in particular. June 30 is no coincidence because it is the date on which the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) was founded in 1889 as a multilateral political organization to promote international cooperation and resolve conflicts through parliamentary dialogue.

Prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert
July 1, 2024
UN Agora Blog

Innovation Horizon: Strengthening community-based primary healthcare in the digital age

Expert Discussion

On 11 June 2024, KAS New York held an expert discussion entitled, "Innovation Horizon: Strengthening community-based primary healthcare in the digital age". The event brought together the diverse experience of the United Nations system, Member States, the private sector and civil society to discuss the nexus between community-based primary healthcare and science, technology and innovation.

Erica Mumford
June 11, 2024
Event reports

LAC of multilateral leadership?

How the Latin American and Caribbean region engages in the multilateral system, its current challenges and its untapped opportunities

The Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region stands at a critical moment for global governance. It has a rare opportunity to shape agendas of the G-20, the UN Summit of the Future, the Conference of the Parties (COPs) on climate and biodiversity, as well as the Fourth Conference on Financing for Development and the ECOSOC agenda. However, while the region stands at the epicenter of global debates, it does not live up to its full potential for exerting multilateral leadership. How can the region overcome this lack of multilateral leadership?

June 6, 2024
Event reports
MFA/D.Panagos

Key Priorities of the Foreign Policy of Greece in View of the Candidature to the UN Security Council 2025-2026

A Conversation with H.E. George Gerapetritis, Foreign Minister of the Hellenic Republic

Amid unprecedented global challenges and multiplying conflicts, the United Nations Security Council—as the primary organ tasked with maintaining peace and security worldwide—remains more critical than ever. However, widening geopolitical rifts, intensifying political polarization, and the misuse of veto power by its permanent members have paralyzed the Council, constricting its action on pressing issues. Non-permanent, or elected, members have a unique opportunity to positively impact and influence the Council’s work and dynamics.

June 4, 2024
Event reports
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Country Reports

Short political reports of the KAS offices abroad

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is a political foundation. Our offices abroad are in charge of over 200 projects in more than 120 countries. The country reports offer current analyses, exclusive evaluations, background information and forecasts - provided by our international staff.

Event Reports

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, its educational institutions, centres and foreign offices, offer several thousand events on various subjects each year. We provide up to date and exclusive reports on selected conferences, events and symposia at www.kas.de. In addition to a summary of the contents, you can also find additional material such as pictures, speeches, videos or audio clips.

UN Agora Blog

KAS New York

Welcome to the UN AGORA Blog of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, New York Office. Democracy, peace and security, human rights, and the rule of law are key pillars of our work around the world.

 

Join us in our monthly virtual discussions and follow the international experts whom we are inviting to contribute to our UN AGORA Blog to honor specific international UN Days or to draw attention to current topics in the realm of rule of law, international justice, and peace globally.

 

AGORA stands for the open space, the meeting ground in ancient Greek cities for citizen activities. Homer enjoyed it, and hopefully, you will too!

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