THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS: THE EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE (08/13) 18-22 February 2013 (and beyond) This document is for planning purposes only and is subject to change. Please check also our website for latest changes http://www.unric.org or call + 32 476 215 485
VIP Visits
Gabriela Knaul, UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers: the Maldives (till 24 Feb.). Diango Cissoko, Prime Minister of Mali: Brussels (18 Feb.). Janez Potočnik, EU Commissioner for environment: Nairobi (18-19 Feb.). Sergei Lavrov, Foreign Minister of Russia: Brussels (19 Feb.). Andris Piebalgs, EU Commissioner for Development: Copenhagen (19 Feb.); Burundi (21-23 Feb.). Kristalina Georgieva, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response: Paris (19 Feb.); Rome (20 Feb.). Nkosazana Dlamina-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission: Brussels (20 Feb.). Jan Eliasson, UN Deputy Secretary-General: China, Republic of Korea, Japan (20 Feb.-2 March). Algirdas Šemeta, EU Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud: New-York (21-22 Feb.). Connie Hedegaard, EU Commissioner for Climate Action: Denmark (22 Feb.).
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Monday, 18 February Brussels: - EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC). The Council will discuss the situation in the EU's southern neighbourhood, in particular in Syria and will also take stock of EU actions to support Mali. Furthermore, it is expected to address the issue of the Middle East Peace Process following the elections in Israel as well as the situation in Iraq. The Eastern Partnership is also likely to be on the ministers' agenda. On the sidelines of the Council, a Northern Dimension ministerial meeting, including the EU, Iceland, Norway and Russia will take place. http://www.consilium.europa.eu//uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/135460.pdf - Competitiveness EU Council (till 19 Feb.). -European Parliament: Committee meetings http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pressroom/agenda/ - European Parliament: EP President and lead MEPs will debate the EU's long-term budget with EU Council President Van Rompuy and Commission President Barroso. Parliament has the right to veto a deal reached by member state governments earlier this month. The same day the Parliament will also hold two separate debates with Mario Draghi in his capacities as ECB chief and chair of the European Systemic Risk Board. -Launch of the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) campaign on Silent Disasters. Geneva: -The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic will present its findings on its latest report. - Intergovernmental Working Group on the Right to Peace: 1st session (till 21 Feb.) - Sub-Committee on Prevention of Torture: 19th session (till 21 Feb.) - Advisory Committee of the Human Rights Council: 10th session (till 22 Feb.) Montreal: ICAO Council (till 15 March). Nairobi: First Universal Session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum of UNEP (till 21 Feb.). EU Commissioner Potočnik participates as panellist in the Plenary Session of the Global Ministerial Environment Forum on the theme "From Outcome to Action Empowering Environment for Sustainable Development and Rio+20 - Delivering an inclusive Green Economy". Yerevan: A delegation of 7 MEPs will observe the presidential elections on 18 February. MEPs will be deployed in Yerevan and other parts of the country as part of the international OSCE/ODIHR election observation Mission. Tuesday, 19 February Brussels: - EU - Russia political dialogue. - EU-facilitated high–level dialogue for the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina: EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy hosts the fifth meeting with Ivica DAČIĆ, Prime Minister of Serbia, and Hashim THAÇI, Prime Minister of Kosovo.
- Signing ceremony of the International Agreement on the establishment of the Unified Patent Court. -European Parliament - The situation in the Sahel region - discussion with Pierre Vilmont, Executive Secretary-General of the EEAS, following the ministerial meeting of the Monitoring and support group on Mali. - European Parliament - Preparation of the multiannual financial framework regarding the financing of EU cooperation for Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States and overseas countries and territories for the period 2014-2020 (11th European development Fund). - European Parliament – Hearings on Intelligence sharing in the fight against organised crime. Copenhagen: EU Commissioner Andris Piebalgs participates in a Panel on Inequality as part of a UNDP process in preparation for the post-MDG Development Framework. New York: Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and its Working Group, substantive session (till 15 March). Paris: EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva debriefs the French National Assembly on the Humanitarian situation in the Sahel. http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/presse/communiques/20130214-03.asp Washington: 18th UN-Water Meeting (19-21 Feb.). Wednesday, 20 February World Day of Social Justice http://www.un.org/en/events/socialjusticeday/ Launch of 2013 International Year of Quinoahttp://www.fao.org/lon/fao-liaison-office-in-new-york-lon-home/en/ Brussels:-EU Commission proposes a Social Investment Package for Growth and Cohesion -European Parliament - "The role of Non-EU National Human Rights Institutions in the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on business and human rights, with a focus on Eastern Partnership Countries. Dublin: 8th Forum of World Alliance of Cities Against Poverty (till 21 Jan.). Conference in partnership with UNDP and UN Women to explore the potential and role of smart technology and management systems in alleviating of poverty in cities. http://www.right2water.eu/event/8th-forum-world-alliance-cities-against-poverty
Geneva: Global Dialogue Forum on the Effects of the Global Economic Crisis on the Civil Aviation Industry (till 21 Feb.). New York: Strengthening of ECOSOC - Co-facilitators for the review of resolution 61/16, Permanent Representatives of Belgium and Guyana, will continue with informal consultations. After several rounds of informal consultations and bilateral meetings it is expected that the cofacilitators will share with delegations their initial synthesis of recommendations for the way forward. Paris: Meeting of the FATF Plenary (till 22 Feb.) http://www.fatf-gafi.org/documents/news/meetingofthefatfplenaryparis20-22february2013.html
Rome: High-level event on the Sahel organised by the World Food Programme. EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva participates and delivers a keynote speech at the screening of a EU-funded documentary by WFP called 'The Human Chain' screening of the EC/WFP Sahel documentary which will highlight the joint efforts there. The screening of the film will also take place in Paris and London. Thursday, 21 February International Mother Language Day
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengtheningeducation-systems/languages-in-education/international-mother-language-day
Brussels: - NATO Defence Ministers’ Meetings (till 22 Feb.). EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy participates. -European Parliament - public hearing on human rights in the African Union, the achievements and challenges. Discussions will also centre on the EU-AU human rights dialogue. - European Parliament -International Union for Conservation of Nature event entitled "Biodiversity's Ticking Time Bomb: Understanding and Addressing the Problem of Invasive Species in Europe". - Egmont Institute: The completion of the internal energy market by 2014: feasible or illusory? http://www.egmontinstitute.be/speechnotes/13/130221-symposium.html
Frankfurt: Governing Council meeting of the ECB. Geneva: Rabat Plan of Action on the prohibition of advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred. New York: -Security Council – Consultations on Sudan/South Sudan and 1718 Committee (sanctions on Democratic People’s Republic of Korea). -Security Council –troop-contributing countries meeting on MONUSCO. Friday, 22 February Brussels: -Transport, Telecommunications and Energy EU Council (TTE Energy). -The EU Commission will publish its winter economic forecast for 2013-2014. New York: -Security Council – Resolution on UNIOGBIS (tbc). -Security Council – Debate on UNMIK. - Algirdas Šemeta, EU Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud meets with the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon and with the Council for International Business.
And beyond: Other dates to pin
25 February Launch of the UNODC Transnational organized crime threat assessment - Africa West. Brussels: -Agriculture and Fisheries EU Council (till 26 Feb.). -EU-Ukraine summit. Geneva: Human Rights Council (till 22 March). 26 February New York: Briefing and Consultations on the Middle East. 27 February Brussels: A decent life for all by 2030”- Ending poverty and giving the world a sustainable future - The European Commission presents its position on the post 2015 development agenda. -Amnesty International's END female genital mutilation (FGM) European Campaign. http://www.endfgm.eu/en/news-and-events/events/upcoming-events/art-for-action-reaches-destination-brussels/
New York: Security Council – Briefing and Consultations on MONUSCO. 28 February Brussels: -Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs EU Council (EPSCO). -European Competition Forum, with participation of the OECD Secretary-General. -European Parliament: »Youth Disengagement – what costs and what remedies?« A discussion with policy makers and stakeholders, jointly organised by the Eurofound and the European Youth Forum. http://database.youthforum.org/events/view/id_event/353 . -European Parliament - workshop on Corruption and human rights. The workshop will be divided into two panels: the first will discuss "Corruption: a human rights issue" and the second panel will debate "The impact of corruption on human rights in third countries". Paris: World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) +10 meeting and Internet Governance Forum Consultations (till 1 March). --------------------------------------------
UN Campaigns, Competitions, Apps and Games For a more complete list of Competitions, Mobile Apps, Campaigns and Games visit: http://www.unric.org/en/competitions-campaigns-mobile-apps-a-games
22nd International Children’s Painting Competition http://www.unric.org/en/competitions The International Children’s Painting Competition on the Environment is organized every year by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Japan-based Foundation for Global Peace and Environment (FGPE), Bayer and Nikon Corporation. It has been held since 1991 and has received more than 3 million entries from children (6 - 14) in over 150 countries. The theme of the 22nd painting competition will be “Water: The Source of Life”. The submission deadline is 28 February, 2013
2013 International Anti-Corruption Day Campaign Theme and Logo Competition http://www.unric.org/en/competitions If you’ve got a good anti-corruption campaign design idea in mind they’d like to know! UNDP and UNODC would like to encourage young people's engagement in the anti-corruption campaign. This competition is open for all young people between the ages of 15 and 25 years. UNDP and UNODC, in particular, encourage young women to participate in this competition. The submission deadline is 15 March, 2013 2013 World Environment Day blogging competition http://www.unric.org/en/competitions UNEP, in partnership with TreeHugger, invites you to enter the 2013 World Environment Day blogging competition by writing an inspiring blog on this year's theme: Think.Eat.Save. The task is to call for heightened awareness and immediate action to reduce food waste and loss across the food supply chain. There is so much to blog about! The submission deadline is 15 April, 2013 “WORK4YOUTH” photo contest (ILO) http://www.unric.org/en/competitions The ILO Youth Employment Programme has launched a photo contest focusing on young people at work. The objective of the contest is to highlight the challenges young people face in the workplace, as well as innovative ideas to address them. Photos submitted by participants should capture youth at work The submission deadline is 15 April, 2013 ----------------------------------