News & Blogs
We believe that knowledges concerning the future development direction of the world should be shared and spread. Here in the knowledge base, information that might change the world will be presented. Through uncovering the most up-to-date research results, international organization events, and other SDGs progress, you are able to see what is happening to build the future.
UN telecomms agency chief: One third of humanity still offline
7 Mar 2024
The benefits of cutting-edge technology remain out of reach for around 2.6 billion people globally who are still waiting for an Internet connection the head of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) said on Thursday, outlining the agency’s plans to narrow the gap.
At least one in eight people now obese
29 Feb 2024
That’s one billion people who lived with the disease in 2022, a number that has doubled among adults and quadrupled among five to 19-year-olds since 1990, according to data from the study, published in The Lancet, a renowned United Kingdom-based medical journal.
“This new study highlights the importance of preventing and managing obesity from early life to adulthood through diet, physical activity and adequate care, as needed,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, which contributed to the study.
'Like the flip of a switch, it's gone': has the ecosystem of the UK's largest lake collapsed
19 Feb 2024
Declan Coney, a former eel fisher, noticed the absence of swarms of flies around Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland. This indicates a troubling change in the lake's ecosystem, with declining biodiversity, invasive species, and poor water quality. Lough Neagh is vital for drinking water and the eel fishery. Last summer, toxic blue-green algae caused further damage. The inaction of Northern Ireland's institutions worsens the situation. Reports of a pale scum on the waterways add to the concerns.
Overexploitation, Habitat Loss Threaten Migratory Species: CMS Flagship
14 Feb 2024
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) has released a groundbreaking report titled 'State of the World's Migratory Species.' The report warns that almost half of the world's migratory species are declining, with over a fifth facing the threat of extinction, including many CMS-listed fish. It provides recommendations for urgent action to protect migratory animals. The report highlights the main threats, successful conservation efforts, and emphasizes the need for global collaboration to ensure the survival of these species.
Ministerial Identifies Solutions to Development Challenges in MICs
14 Feb 2024
Morocco hosted a conference for middle-income countries (MICs) to address their economic and social development challenges. The participants adopted the Rabat Declaration, committing to creating a Strategic Action Plan for MICs from 2025 to 2030. The conference brought together 32 countries, 23 UN agencies, and other institutions. MICs include over 100 diverse countries with different income levels and face issues like conflicts, climate change, and public debt. The Deputy Secretary-General of the UN emphasized the need for support in finance, international financial reform, and measuring progress beyond GDP. The Rabat Declaration calls for fair and inclusive sustainable development and stronger international cooperation. The conference was organized by Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, with the UN's support.
ECOSOC, UNGA Presidents Look to Summit of the Future to Accelerate SDGs
7 Feb 2024
The Presidents of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) held a joint briefing to update Member States on their plans for the upcoming year. They emphasized their collaboration and preparations for the Summit of the Future in September 2024. UNGA President Dennis Francis highlighted the urgency to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emphasized the importance of the upcoming SDG Summit. He called for an inclusive and youth-involved approach, focusing on education and closing the digital divide. The Summit's outcome, called the Pact for the Future, will address various global issues. In April, a Sustainability Week will be organized to generate support and momentum. ECOSOC President Paula Narváez Ojeda emphasized the Council's role in translating commitments into action and supporting countries in need. She pledged to work with the UNGA President and ensure an ambitious and focused ministerial declaration.
Double Blue Ocean Events in 2024?
1 Feb 2024
On February 1, 2024, the sea surface temperature reached a record-breaking 21.12°C, surpassing the previous peak in August 2023. There is a possibility that the temperature could increase even further in the coming months, as historical data suggests that the highest annual temperatures are typically reached in March.
The rising temperatures are attributed to changes in the Jet Stream and the accumulation of ocean heat in the North Atlantic Ocean. If ocean heat continues to increase, combined with the significant rise in sunlight hitting the Arctic in April and May, there is a concern that a Blue Ocean Event (BOE) could occur in 2024. A BOE refers to a situation where almost all sea ice disappears, leaving less than 1 million km² remaining. This event causes a shift in the surface colour from white (sea ice) to blue (ocean), resulting in less sunlight being reflected back into space.
International Day of Clean Energy
26 Jan 2024
The International Day of Clean Energy on January 26th was a historical occasion established by the General Assembly through resolution A/77/327. It aims to raise awareness and promote action for a fair and inclusive transition to clean energy, benefiting both people and the planet. This event symbolizes a major achievement in our shared dedication to building a sustainable future. This date also marks the founding of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in 2009. IRENA is a global intergovernmental agency that supports countries in their energy transitions, facilitates international cooperation, and provides valuable data and analysis on clean energy technology, innovation, policy, finance, and investment.
Climate change: China’s voluntary carbon-credit market reboots in ‘milestone’ for emissions goals
22 Jan 2024
China's voluntary carbon market has resumed trading, aiming to enrich carbon trading mechanisms and support the national carbon-neutral goal. The revamped China Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) scheme allows any enterprise to purchase carbon credits for offsetting emissions. The current trading focuses on projects in forestation, solar thermal power, offshore wind power, and mangrove revegetation. As the trading mechanism matures, individuals may also sell carbon emissions from green behaviors. The CCER scheme complements the compulsory Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and contributes to China's targets of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2060. Further regulations and international transactions are expected to stimulate market vitality.
‘Disease X’: WHO warns countries of potential pandemic ‘20 times’ deadlier than Covid-19
21 Jan 2024
Tedros Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), has urged nations to endorse the organization’s pandemic treaty to brace for the potential threat of “Disease X.”
“Disease X” represents a theoretical yet unidentified virus that scientists warn could be 20 times more lethal than Covid-19.