Following the announcement that China-bound travelers are no longer required to quarantine, the United Nations World Data Forum 2023 (UNWDF 2023) is reconfirmed to take place from 24 to 27 April 2023 in Hangzhou, China. The Forum’s purpose is to create a space for those interested in data and statistics to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, identify solutions, discuss future strategies, and provide mutual learning opportunities on a wide variety of topics organized across the Programme. Participants will have the opportunity to view and interact in about 80 sessions online and more than 100 at the Hangzhou International Expo Center, including high-level plenaries, parallel sessions, learning labs, demonstrations, and other types of exhibits.
The Forum welcomes participants interested in data from a diverse range of backgrounds: governments, civil society, the private sector, donor and philanthropic bodies, international and regional agencies, the geospatial community, the media, academia, and professional bodies. This webinar will share with you further information on this year’s Forum from a range of speakers representing the host country, the Programme Committee, the Forum secretariat and allow you to ask them questions. The following key topics will be covered:
Logistics for travelling and staying in Hangzhou, including registration and visa process
Highlights from the programme, including high-level events
Outreach and communications around the Forum
Virtual participation in Forum events
Participants can share their questions either through the webinar’s registration form or through the live chat feature during the webinar. To present and answer your questions, the following members of the Programme Committee, the host country and secretariat will feature:
Shaida Badiee, Co-founder and Managing Director, Open Data Watch (ODW) and co-chair of the UNWDF2023 Programme Committee
Representative from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS-China) [to be confirmed]
Francesca Perucci, Assistant Director, United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD-DESA)
Claudia Wells, Director of Data Use, Development Initiatives (DI)
Dilek Fraisl, Research Scholar, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Nnenna Nwakanma, Chief Web Advocate, World Wide Web Foundation (WWWF)
Rachael Beaven, Director, Statistics Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
Following the announcement that China-bound travelers are no longer required to quarantine, the United Nations World Data Forum 2023 (UNWDF 2023) is reconfirmed to take place from 24 to 27 April 2023 in Hangzhou, China. The Forum’s purpose is to create a space for those interested in data and statistics to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, identify solutions, discuss future strategies, and provide mutual learning opportunities on a wide variety of topics organized across the Programme. Participants will have the opportunity to view and interact in about 80 sessions online and more than 100 at the Hangzhou International Expo Center, including high-level plenaries, parallel sessions, learning labs, demonstrations, and other types of exhibits.
The Forum welcomes participants interested in data from a diverse range of backgrounds: governments, civil society, the private sector, donor and philanthropic bodies, international and regional agencies, the geospatial community, the media, academia, and professional bodies. This webinar will share with you further information on this year’s Forum from a range of speakers representing the host country, the Programme Committee, the Forum secretariat and allow you to ask them questions. The following key topics will be covered:
Logistics for travelling and staying in Hangzhou, including registration and visa process
Highlights from the programme, including high-level events
Outreach and communications around the Forum
Virtual participation in Forum events
Participants can share their questions either through the webinar’s registration form or through the live chat feature during the webinar. To present and answer your questions, the following members of the Programme Committee, the host country and secretariat will feature:
Shaida Badiee, Co-founder and Managing Director, Open Data Watch (ODW) and co-chair of the UNWDF2023 Programme Committee
Representative from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS-China) [to be confirmed]
Francesca Perucci, Assistant Director, United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD-DESA)
Claudia Wells, Director of Data Use, Development Initiatives (DI)
Dilek Fraisl, Research Scholar, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Nnenna Nwakanma, Chief Web Advocate, World Wide Web Foundation (WWWF)
Rachael Beaven, Director, Statistics Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
UN Photo/Fardosa HusseinUN Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the media during at the end of his visit to Somalia.
UN chief António Guterres on Wednesday reaffirmed the world body’s commitment to supporting the Horn of Africa country as it continues on its path to establishing lasting peace and stability.
“Somalia faces many challenges, but in the spirit of Ramadan, I also bring a message of hope and renewal – the United Nations stands in solidarity with the Somali people.
“Let us come together to advance peace and security, sustainable development and human rights – and build a better future for all Somalis,” the UN chief said.
He was addressing a news conference in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on the second and last day of his visit to Somalia.
On Tuesday, the Secretary-General met with Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and members of his cabinet and advisors, visited internally displaced families in South West State on a trip to Baidoa, and met separately with civil society organisations and the heads of UN agencies, funds and programmes working in support of Somalis.
Progress and support
In his remarks at the news conference, the UN chief noted that despite severe challenges, the people of Somalia continued to demonstrate enormous strength and resilience.
“During the six years since my last visit, we have seen progress on peace, security and sustainable development. In my talks with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the Government yesterday, we discussed how the United Nations system can continue to support Somalia in building on this positive momentum,” Mr. Guterres said.
“I commended the President’s efforts to advance peace and security, and highlighted the importance of strong collaboration with Federal [Member] States to address the threats posed by Al-Shabaab,” he added. “The United Nations is committed to supporting national and regional efforts to protect human rights and combat terrorism and violent extremism.”
The UN chief highlighted the support of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), a multidimensional mission that includes military, police and civilian components, and which is mandated by the UN Security Council to assist Somali security forces in their fight against the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.
Civil society’s vision
While in Mogadishu, the Secretary-General also met with representatives of Somali civil society organisations working in women’s affairs and empowerment, climate change, persons with disabilities, youth and marginalised groups.
He told media representatives he was “deeply inspired by their vision and energy.”
“A safe and inclusive civic space is essential to good governance and can help prevent and reduce violence. The full participation of Somalia’s women and young people in political life – including the constitutional review – is critical,” Mr. Guterres said.
“I welcome the Government’s commitment to women’s rights and representation and call for the full implementation and codification of the 30 per cent quota for women in elections.”
During Somalia’s last electoral process, completed in 2022, there had been a goal of achieving a minimum of 30 per cent women’s representation in the federal parliament.
In the end, women took up just 21 per cent of parliamentary seats, down from 24 per cent of parliamentary seats in the 2016/17 electoral processes. The United Nations has previously said that meeting the 30 per cent quota is an important first step to full representation and an inclusive society in Somalia.
UN Photo/Fardosa Hussein
UN Secretary-General António Guterres meets with representatives of Somali civil society organisations in Mogadishu.
Humanitarian crisis
The Secretary-General’s last visit to Somalia, in 2017, was during a large-scale humanitarian operation to prevent famine. His visit this year came as Somalia grapples with a devastating drought which led to the deaths of 43,000 people in 2022 alone.
Urgent assistance is needed for some 8.3 million Somalis, according to the UN humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA). The drought has displaced 1.4 million Somalis – with women and children making up 80 per cent of these people. Food prices are rising and aggravating hunger and malnutrition.
“Today, the situation is once again alarming. Climate change is causing chaos. Somalia has experienced five consecutive poor rainy seasons, and this is unprecedented… Poor and vulnerable communities are pushed by the drought to the brink of starvation, and the situation can get worse,” Mr. Guterres said.
Between now and June, some 6.5 million Somalis are expected to face high levels of acute food insecurity, and the risk of famine is looming.
‘We must act now’
“We must act now to prevent a catastrophe. Yesterday, I visited Baidoa, and spoke to families who have lost their livelihoods to drought and insecurity – I am deeply moved by their struggles. I was also impressed by their resilience, their courage and their determination to rebuild their lives, but they cannot do it alone,” Mr. Guterres said.
“I strongly appeal to donors to stand with Somalis in their time of need,” he continued. “The international community has the responsibility and the interest to support Somalia with the resources needed to defeat Al-Shabaab, to build resilience and to [stabilise] the areas liberated and to provide much needed humanitarian assistance.”
Underfunded response
Somalia’s 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan, put together by OCHA and its humanitarian partners, identifies the most critical humanitarian needs in the country, proposes a response plan and determines the budget needed to address them.
This year’s Plan seeks $2.6 billion. So far, its funding levels stand at around 15 per cent, or $347 million.
“When famine looms, this is totally unacceptable. The international community must step up and dramatically increase the volume of funds to support Somalia in this moment of difficulty,” Mr. Guterres said.
“It is unconscionable that Somalis, who have done almost nothing to create the climate crisis, are suffering its terrible impact – just as they are beginning to emerge from years of conflict and insecurity.”
The UN chief’s two-day visit to Somalia was part of his annual tradition of paying solidarity visits to Muslim countries during the Holy Month of Ramadan, during which he joins in observing the related fast, and sharing an Iftar meal.
UN Photo/Sourav Sarker
Residents of the ADC camp for internally displaced people in Baidoa, Somalia, where Secretary-General António Guterres made a solidarity visit to Muslim countries during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe Secretary-General António Guterres addresses attendees to the Interfaith Moment of Prayer for Peace at UN Headquarters.
At a time of terrible divisions in the world, leaders from multiple faiths joined together at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday to observe a moment of prayer for peace.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted that the gathering was taking place at a unique moment: on the last Friday of Ramadan, as Christians celebrate Easter, Jews mark the end of Passover, and Sikhs enjoy the festival of Vaisakhi.
“Even the calendar is sending a message of unity,” he remarked.
“Today, at this blessed moment of renewal across faiths, let us lift our hearts and voices for peace – our guiding star and our most precious goal.”
Now more than ever
Mr. Guterres said peace is needed today more than ever before, as war and conflict unleash devastating poverty and hunger, forcing tens of millions from their homes.
The entire planet is battling climate chaos, and even peaceful countries are facing “gaping inequalities and political polarization”, he added.
“Let us hold firm to the common faith that unites the human family,” he said. “Let us come together as communities and countries. Let us pray for peace.”
Incorporating many faiths
The ceremony was held on the Visitors’ Plaza at the UN Secretariat in front of the iconic Knotted Gun sculpture, which has become a symbol of the Organization’s commitment to global peace.
UN staff, members of the diplomatic community, and visitors at the UN were among those in attendance.
Representatives from major religions led prayers, and a moment of silence was observed to include those from secular backgrounds and to remember vulnerable people worldwide affected by conflict.
Drawing on tradition
UN News spoke to Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer, an Episcopal Priest in New York City, who represented Christianity. She was honoured to be praying for peace alongside counterparts from different faiths.
“It is an opportunity to express the long-time resources for peace that world religious traditions have to offer and in so doing, very much are in keeping with the goals of the United Nations,” she said.
Women, peace, and security
Rev. Dr. Breyer and Rev. Doyeon Park, a Won Buddhist, were the only women religious leaders participating in the ceremony, which prompted her to reflect on their role in peace globally.
“When I think of the United Nations and women faith leaders, I think of [Security Council] resolution 1325 and the need for women around - and more women around - the peace tables, be they religious women or not,” she said.
“It’s certainly something that our world needs right now. And you think of Afghanistan, Iran, and changes that are happening in our own country, and how critical it is to have women’s voices of faith, and no faith, at the table.”
Celebrate what unites us
The fact that people from different religious traditions united for peace provides a powerful lesson for humanity, said Dr. Simran Jeet Singh, the Sikh representative and Executive Director of the Religion and Society Program at the Aspen Institute, an international non-profit organization.
“Often in our society, we use religion to divide one another across individual lines and community lines, and we see the pain of that all over the world,” he said.
“What I love about this idea of coming together across holidays is that so many different communities are celebrating; they are reflecting with so much in common and so much that unites us.”
Living in harmony
Delivering the closing remarks, the High Representative of the UN Alliance for Civilizations (UNAOC), Miguel Ángel Moratinos, described the ceremony as a beautiful moment of harmony.
He said it demonstrated how to mobilize action and act in solidarity, and how to show compassion and mutual respect.
The UNAOC promotes cross-cultural understanding and cooperation, and Mr. Moratinos underlined continued support for efforts that aim to “build bridges of understanding, not walls of hate and division.”
Asked about the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s issue of an arrest warrant on President Putin in the context of the situation in Ukraine, Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said, “what they did doesn't make us closer to any resolution of the current crisis we are living in.”
Ambassador Nebenzya today (03 Apr) briefed the reporters on the Security Council’ programme of work for the month of April, as his country is holding the presidency of the Council this month.
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Asked about the arrest of the WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich, Ambassador Nebenzya said, “He was arrested on charges of espionage. The investigation is going on. We hear statements coming from the west.”
He continued, “Today, Secretary Blinken talked to Minister Lavrov on that issue. But that will be decided not by Minister Lavrov, Secretary Blinken, but by investigation and by the evidence that the investigation could provide for the court.”
Asked about a nuclear war, Ambassador Nebenzya said, “At least us, we're not asking for the nuclear war. We're not threatening nuclear war, all this narrative that Russia is threatening the world with the nukes is a part of a propaganda as well.”
He continued, “We've been saying long time consistently that it is not in our military doctrine which provides for very few specific cases when the nuclear weapons can be engaged. And that is definitely not the situation which is in our nuclear doctrine.”
Asked about the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Ambassador Nebenzya said, “We've been saying consistently that the deal is not working, the second part of the deal which concerns the Russian export of food and fertilizers is not working.”
He continued, “It is not working 100 percent, despite all the efforts the Secretary-General and Rebeca Grynspan are undertaking. We recognize these efforts, but we are where we are, and what will happen in 60 days where we said that we expect the breakthrough. I cannot predict as I said it's not my prerogative to give you even a heads up on that.”
Asked about the up coming visits from European leaders to China, Ambassador Nebenzya said, “I have strong doubts that the European leaders with their position on the Ukrainian crisis could come to anything sensible and meaningful when they visit China. We more or less know their rhetoric and narrative, what they will say and what they will demanding from President Xi. And I think that China’s balanced position on the issue will not allow them to go from Beijing with what they can see that in their view intension.”
UN Photo/Fardosa HusseinUN Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the media during at the end of his visit to Somalia.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe Secretary-General António Guterres addresses attendees to the Interfaith Moment of Prayer for Peace at UN Headquarters.
