China’s President Hu Jintao addressed the UN General Assembly for the first time in 40 years, making a much-hyped commitment to act on the country’s carbon emissions. But unfortunately, says Jonathan Watts, his speech was pretty light-on for substance and specifics.
United Nations
Copenhagen heats up with Wong’s big plan
The boiling point for climate change reform is Copenhagen, and today Penny Wong announces a radical plan for developing countries: they submit their own national targets and schedules.
New York, New York: UN hits the big apple
Jintao, Ahmadinejad, Gadaffi, Brown, Obama — the biggest and most controversial names in world politics (and also Kevin Rudd) have hit New York for this year’s UN General Assembly.
Yes, the Afghan election was fraudulent. Now what?
Amid fraud allegations, Hamid Karzai has officially ‘won’ 54% of the votes in the Afghan election. Is it more important to maintain national stability or push for a vote recount?
UN: Israel and Hamas guilty of war crimes
A UN fact-finding mission has accused both Israel and Palestine of committing war crimes in Gaza, with the former shelling civilian hospitals with white phosphorus and the latter wreaking terror with rockets.
East Timor: billions given but poverty remains
Billions spent on East Timor’s U.N nation building effort may have helped preserve the peace, but most of the money went to international security forces, not to the Timorese economy or its people.
We should be welcome UN’s Intervention interfering
Last week, the UN’s special rapporteur on indigenous rights released his criticisms of the NT intervention, much to the chagrin of many Aussie pollies. However, Australia shouldn’t continue to ignore objective international advice, writes Binoy Kampmark.
Racist, not working: UN bashes NT intervention
Make no mistake, the United Nations’ criticism of Australia’s Northern Territory intervention was a flogging of colonial proportions.
UN envoy: NT intervention racist
The UN’s special rapporteur on indigenous rights Professor James Anaya has delivered a damning report card on the NT intervention, labeling it “discriminatory”, “demeaning” and “racist”. Read his full statement here.
Taliban out to destroy elections
Afghanistan’s elections are looking increasingly tumultuous, with reports of the Taliban beating voters, corruption and vote buying. It is feared that low voter turnout will affect the legitimacy of the Afghan government.
Does the world need a UN army?
The growing demand for international peacekeeping forces in places like Somalia means it is time finally to bite the bullet and give the UN a permanent, standing military capacity, argues Gideon Rachman.
Reforestation: the conversation the G8 didn’t have
REDD is a controversial UN program whereby developing nations and companies are financially rewarded for keeping their forests intact rather than cutting them down. So amongst all the climate-change chatter at the recent G8 conference, why didn’t it even garner a mention?
An historic day for Myanmar – or another false dawn?
Today, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon flies into Myanmar — at the invitation of the ruling generals. There is a lot riding on the visit, says Kyaw Kyaw, a Myanmar-based blogger.
UN begins Bhutto killing inquiry
A United Nations inquiry into former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto’s assassination in December 2007 begins on Wednesday.
UN calls for ban on plastic bags
There is “zero justification” for anyone, anywhere to be manufacturing plastic bags, says the UN, calling for a global ban.
Insuring against climate change
The effects of climate change are becoming reality. The UN is helping Indian farmers by establishing insurance policies against global warming.
We must be vigilant on human rights in Sri Lanka
In recent weeks, the international community awoke from its slumber concerning the indignities and obscenities that have arisen during 25 years of conflict in Sri Lanka, writes Stephen Keim.
Greg Sheridan wants to be UN secretary general. No, really
Greg Sheridan isn’t handling the Rudd Government too well, writes Bernard Keane.
UN finds Israel negligent in Gaza, but won’t enquire further
One of the more striking features of the UN inquiry into Gaza is Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s rejection of one of its key findings: to investigate the killings and injuries that happened beyond the UN compound.
ETS changes will boost global climate talks
Toughening Australia’s CO2 target will help boost our standing in UN climate talks, although the concessions to industry will still leave some skeptical, says David Fogarty.
Why even invite Ahmadinejad to a conference on racism?
Were the UN really surprised when Ahmadinejad used their conference to accuse Israel of racism? Accusing Israel of being racist is what Ahmadinejad does, argues Will Self.
Australia to boycott anti-racism conference
The government will boycott the UN Durban Review conference in Geneva this week, due to concerns of anti-Semitism.
Getting serious about international justice
There has been little sign from the Rudd government that it accords much priority to international human rights, writes Charles Richardson.
