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01 October 2024
UN Hosted Consultations in Ankara to support Sustainable Development in Türkiye
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01 October 2024
Together for equality: UN Women revives the spirit of Beijing by uniting civil society under the theme 'We are Many and One'
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26 September 2024
UN Secretary-General: "Let’s eliminate nuclear weapons from our world for good"
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The Sustainable Development Goals in Türkiye
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Türkiye:
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27 August 2024
UN Resident Coordinator emphasizes role of Green and Digital Transitions in Advancing Quality of Life
Dr. Babatunde A. Ahonsi, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Türkiye emphasized that in alignment with the 12th National Development Plan, the primary objective of the green and digital transitions should be to create high-quality, decent jobs, ultimately enhancing the standard of living and quality of life for all citizens in the country. He emphasized the crucial role of industry and technology in accelerating progress towards sustainable development during a visionary talk delivered to the senior staff of Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Industry and Technology (MoIT) and its subsidiary organs on August 23 at the Ministry headquarters in the capital Ankara. Resident Coordinator Ahonsi and the Deputy Minister Dr. Çetin Ali Dönmez met before the talk and exchanged views on how better to utilize the experience of MoIT staff on development initiatives in Africa and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). They also shared perspectives on the Istanbul-based UN Technology Bank for LDCs. At the visionary talk attended by close to 90 senior staff, Ahonsi began by reaffirming the strong relationship between the UN and Republic of Türkiye, a founding member of the UN, highlighting the ongoing collaboration through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2021—2025). This partnership addresses Türkiye's national development priorities, especially in light of recent global and local crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Syrian crisis, the war in Ukraine, and the devastating earthquakes of 2023.“Technology and innovation have emerged as powerful catalysts for sustainable development in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape” said Ahonsi and talked about the importance of SDGs 8 and 9, which focus on promoting sustained, inclusive economic growth and fostering industry, innovation, and infrastructure. He identified several challenges impeding progress, such as a lack of competitiveness, limited innovative skills, and persistent unemployment. To overcome these obstacles, Dr. Ahonsi called for a concerted effort to bridge the digital divide, enhance skill development, and foster entrepreneurship and innovation.“We do know that with sustained investments in digital, energy, food systems, climate-related, and educational transformations, accelerated progress towards the SDGs can be made by Türkiye by 2030. And the Ministry of Industry and Technology (MoIT) given its mandate can make important contributions to such progress” said Ahonsi.The Resident Coordinator said "the deployment of Industry 4.0, including AI, IoT, and automation, is essential for boosting productivity and ensuring sustainable economic growth." He also stressed the importance of sustainable resource use, particularly in reducing the environmental impact of industrial processes and promoting renewable energy technologies.The speech also highlighted ongoing UN-MoIT collaborations, including gender-specific programs to empower female innovators and entrepreneurs, and initiatives supporting the adoption of clean technology and eco-friendly production methods. Additionally, Dr. Ahonsi announced a forthcoming joint UN program aimed at supporting migrants' inclusion in Türkiye's transition to a green economy.Looking ahead, the Resident Coordinator Ahonsi urged a focus on increasing AI adoption in key sectors, boosting STEM education, and strengthening efforts towards a green transition to ensure Türkiye's economic growth is both sustainable and inclusive.“The Republic of Türkiye is a founding member of the UN and has been a longstanding supporter of the UN as the nucleus of the multilateral system” emphasized Ahonsi in his concluding remarks and reaffirmed the UN's commitment to supporting Türkiye's aspirations to become a developed, high-income country, ensuring that progress benefits all citizens and residents, leaving no one behind.The event marked a significant step in the ongoing partnership between the UN and the MoIT.You can access the full speech of the Resident Coordinator here.
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01 October 2024
Together for equality: UN Women revives the spirit of Beijing by uniting civil society under the theme 'We are Many and One'
On the occasion of marking the completion of the first phase of the “Strong Civic Space for Gender Equality” project, UN Women Türkiye organized the “Civil Society Gathering” to unite civil society under the theme ‘We Are Many and One.’ The message is clear: solidarity with civil society remains essential for achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment/On September 23rd, UN Women Türkiye hosted the “Civil Society Gathering: We Are Many and One” in Ankara, gathering civil society organizations, women’s groups, and international partners. Organized under the “Strong Civic Space for Gender Equality” project, funded by the European Union, the event marked the end of the project’s first phase, which began in April 2021.Participants from across the country came together to highlight the importance of solidarity and partnerships with civil society. The second phase of the project will begin on October 1, 2024, and will continue for three more years, further advancing efforts towards gender equality.The event’s theme was inspired by feminist Sue Vinson’s words, “We Are Many and One,” a phrase that resonated at the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, where the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted by 189 governments. The Declaration, which remains the most visionary roadmap for empowering women and girls, will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2025. “As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, we must revisit our commitments and act to drive progress. UN Women is proud to stand in solidarity with Türkiye’s dynamic women’s movement and remain committed to advancing the gender equality agenda in partnership with civil society. We are the generation that wants to see gender equality in our lifetime,” said Asya Varbanova, UN Women Türkiye Country Director. “Civil society is the backbone of democracy. They empower citizens to engage in political processes and are essential for sustainable development. The EU is proud to support civil society in Türkiye. Advancing women’s rights and gender equality remains a top priority for the EU, both within its borders and with partner countries like Türkiye,” says Jean Barbe, Head of Operational Section Civil Society, Fundamental Rights, Judiciary, and Home Affairs of Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye. The event hosted various sessions and workshops focused on gender equality and women’s empowerment.A session titled “Every Penny Matters: Financing for Equality and Women’s Empowerment” focused on the financial investments needed for civil society and women’s organizations. Ayşe Tek from the Family Health and Planning Foundation of Türkiye, Huriye Goncuoğlu Bodur from the Women in Fisheries Society, and Ayşe Yorgancıoğlu from the SES Equality and Solidarity Association underlined how consistent funding can expand the reach and impact of gender equality efforts of civil society. In the session, moderated by Irmak İnan Çınar from UN Women Türkiye, they discussed the essential role that financial resources play in ensuring women’s voices are amplified, particularly in rural areas where access to such support is often limited. Another session, “This order cannot last without women: Women in rural areas and in agricultural Production” explored how climate change, biodiversity crises, and disasters disproportionately affect rural women. Speakers including Şerife Tuna from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ecem Asma from Anadolu Meraları (Anatolian Grasslands), and Gülbanu Altunok Dertli from UN Women Türkiye, emphasized the importance of strengthening women’s resilience to climate change through sustainable agricultural practices. The conversation, moderated by Ebru Ağduk, Programme Manager at UN Women, touched on the findings from UN Women’s recent publication, “Women in Rural Türkiye: Navigating Barriers in Access to Resources, Services, and Decision-Making”. The session highlighted that despite playing a vital role in both household and agricultural labor, rural women face challenges in accessing paid and secure employment, inheritance rights, and childcare services.A panel titled “An Intergenerational Dialogue on the Path Since 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action 30th Anniversary” focused on the evolving challenges for women and girls since the 1995 Beijing Conference. Zeliha Ünaldı, UN Women Turkiye Deputy Country Director, and Gaye Tuğrulöz from the Social Climate Association, reflected on the persistent inequalities women face globally, compounded by newer challenges like the climate crisis and the rise of digital discrimination. They stressed the need for data-driven advocacy and policies to ensure that no one is left behind, reiterating the importance of safeguarding the gains made over the past 30 years while addressing emerging forms of inequality. The event also featured creative workshops such as creative drama, embroidery and photography, emphasizing the importance of collective memory and the diverse contributions of women in all aspects of life.
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01 October 2024
UN Hosted Consultations in Ankara to support Sustainable Development in Türkiye
Last week, the United Nations in Türkiye initiated a series of critical consultations in Ankara aimed at shaping UN’s development priorities for the coming years in line with the development priorities of the country. As the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2021-2025 draws to a close, preparations are underway to design the next framework for 2026-2030. These consultations brought together close to 200 key stakeholders from civil society, academia, the private sector, labor organizations, and other partners with UN staff in 4 separate sessions. The valuable and innovative inputs of the stakeholders will guide future development efforts.During the opening session, Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi the UN Resident Coordinator welcomed participants, emphasizing the collective nature of the work ahead. "We don't operate in a vacuum," the Resident Coordinator noted. "Our success depends on your expertise, insights, and commitment as partners. We want to reflect together on the UN’s context analysis and improve it with your inputs to finalize a framework that truly addresses the challenges and opportunities facing Türkiye” he continued. “As a country almost at the high-income country threshold, there is need for revamped efforts to Leave-No-One-Behind and ensure that everyone benefits from development and everyone has the means and opportunities to contribute to the development of the country” emphasized Dr. Ahonsi. UN Resident Coordinator stressed the need to focus efforts on areas where UN and its partners can really make a shift, have positive spill overs to other areas and make most of the synergies between different domains.The consultations are part of a broader process to develop the new Cooperation Framework, which will serve as the guiding document for the UN’s development activities in Türkiye over the next five years. The UNSDCF is the UN’s most important planning instrument, aligning its work with the government’s priorities and global development agendas, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The current discussions focus on key areas such as inclusive and equitable social development, climate change, green and digital transformation, and addressing inequalities and expanding opportunities. The Resident Coordinator highlighted five global mega-trends identified by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs as key influences on the development trajectory of the globe as well as the development trajectory of individual countries such as Türkiye: climate change, demographic shifts, urbanization, digital technologies, and growing inequalities.“Türkiye’s vulnerability to climate change, the implications of a fast demographic transition, and the rapid urbanization all pose significant challenges. However, they also offer opportunities for innovation and growth,” Dr. Ahonsi explained, referencing the key findings from the context analysis conducted by UN agencies.During the consultations participants shared their views on current development challenges and proposed strategies to address them in 4 sessions titled Inclusive and Equitable Social Development; Governance and Human Rights; Economic Transformation for Green, Resilient, Inclusive Development; and Safeguarding the Planet and Strengthening Resilience.The consultations aim to not only refine the context analysis but also identify priority areas for the new Cooperation Framework, ensuring it reflects the voices of all sectors of society and strengthens Türkiye’s development path towards achieving the SDGs.By engaging various partners and experts, the UN hopes to ensure that the next UNSDCF will support Türkiye’s aspirations to become a high-income country, achieve a green and digital transition, and expand welfare equitably. With an emphasis on leaving no one behind, the framework will continue to push for inclusive growth and sustainable development across all sectors. The recommendations from the consultations will help shape the final Cooperation Framework for 2026-2030, paving the way for Türkiye’s progress toward its national development goals in alignment with global efforts for a more sustainable, equitable and green future.
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26 September 2024
UN Secretary-General: "Let’s eliminate nuclear weapons from our world for good"
As the world marks the tenth International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark warning about rising global tensions and the resurgence of nuclear arms proliferation. In his message, Guterres highlighted the growing geopolitical divisions and mistrust, which have escalated tensions and spurred a new nuclear arms race.“Instead of dialogue and diplomacy being deployed to end the nuclear threat, another nuclear arms race is taking shape, and saber-rattling is re-emerging as a tactic of coercion,” Guterres said, emphasizing the urgency of preventing further escalation.The Secretary-General called on the international community to deliver a united and resolute message: the only way to eliminate the nuclear threat is to eliminate nuclear weapons. He stressed the interconnectedness of disarmament and non-proliferation, noting that progress in one area encourages advancement in the other. "States must pursue both as a matter of urgency," Guterres stated.Addressing the responsibilities of nuclear-armed nations, Guterres urged them to lead by example by honoring disarmament obligations and committing to never use nuclear weapons, nor threaten to use them. He also highlighted the need to strengthen and adapt existing treaties and instruments aimed at preventing the spread and testing of nuclear weapons, particularly in light of technological advancements that could heighten the threat.Guterres noted the recent *Summit of the Future*, where global leaders recommitted to revitalizing the disarmament regime through the *Pact for the Future*. This new global agreement, according to Guterres, is a critical step toward bringing the world closer to achieving the total elimination of nuclear weapons.“Our future hangs in the balance,” the Secretary-General warned. “Let’s eliminate these weapons from our world for good.”The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, observed annually on September 26, serves as a reminder of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons and the urgent need for their complete elimination. The General Assembly declared the International Day in December 2013 as a follow-up to the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on nuclear disarmament held on 26 September 2013, in New York.
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25 September 2024
UN’s Guterres urges global solutions as uncertain world edges toward a ‘powder keg’
The world is locked in a “purgatory of polarity” with a growing number of governments and others feeling entitled to a “get out of jail free card”, Secretary-General António Guterres told the UN General Assembly, which opened its annual high-level meeting on Tuesday.Delivering his 2024 report on the UN’s work ahead of the general debate, Mr. Guterres said world leaders were gathering in the shadow of raging conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and elsewhere, and rising uncertainty over climate change, ending poverty and reigning in AI. “Our world is in a whirlwind. We are in an era of epic transformation – facing challenges unlike any we have ever seen – challenges that demand global solutions,” the UN chief said.He warned that geo-political divisions are deepening, temperatures around the world are rising, wars are raging – without any end in sight, and nuclear posturing and new weapons are “casting a dark shadow”.“We are edging towards the unimaginable – a powder keg that risks engulfing the world,” he said.Two overriding truthsMr. Guterres told Heads of States and Government in attendance that he stood before them with two “overriding truths”: “First, the state of our world is unsustainable – we cannot go on like this. And second, the challenges we face are solvable – but that requires us to make sure the mechanisms of international problem-solving actually solve problems.”While the Summit of the Future, which preceded the annual high-level week and saw UN Member States agree a forward-looking declaration known as the Pact for the Future “was a first step,” the Secretary-General underscored “we have a long way to go.”Getting there requires confronting three major drivers of unsustainability:A world of impunity – where violations and abuses threaten the very foundation of international law and the UN Charter.A world of inequality – where injustices and grievances threaten to undermine countries or even push them over the edge.And a world of uncertainty – where unmanaged global risks threaten our future in unknowable ways.“These worlds of impunity, inequality and uncertainty are connected and colliding,” said Mr. Guterres, adding that the level of impunity is politically indefensible and morally intolerable,” and there are those who feel they can trample international law, violate the UN Charter, and invade other countries but are “entitled to a get out of jail free card”. ‘Nonstop nightmare in Gaza’ The Secretary-General said that this impunity was starkly evident in the Middle East, in the heart of Europe, in the Horn of Africa, and beyond. Emphasizing that the war in Ukraine “is spreading with no signs of letting up, and with civilians paying the price in rising death tolls and shattered lives and communities, “It is time for a just peace based on the UN Charter, on international law and on UN resolutions.“Meanwhile, Gaza is a non-stop nightmare that threatens to take the entire region with it.Look no further than Lebanon. We should all be alarmed by the escalation. Lebanon is at the brink. The people of Lebanon – the people of Israel – and the people of the world – cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza,’ stated the UN chief.On Sudan, he said a “brutal power struggle” had sparked a humanitarian catastrophe that was unfolding as famine spreads. “Yet outside powers continue to interfere with no unified approach to finding peace,” he said.A ‘purgatory of polarity’Going on to say the conflicts and deepening political divisions have left the world in a “purgatory of polarity,’ the Secretary-General said that more and more countries are filling the spaces of geopolitical divides, doing whatever they want with no accountability.“That is why it is more important than ever to reaffirm the Charter, to respect international law, to support and implement decisions of international courts, and to reinforce human rights in the world. Anywhere and everywhere,” he stated.‘We must choose the future we want’The UN chief stressed that it is in all our interests to manage the epic transformations underway; to choose the future we want and to guide our world towards it.
“Many have said that the differences and divisions today are just too great. That it is impossible for us to come together for the common good. “You proved that is not true,” he said, recalling that the Summit of the Future showed that with a spirit of dialogue and compromise, “we can join forces to steer our world to a more sustainable path.”
But the Summit is not the end, he stated, “It is the start of a journey, a compass in the whirlwind. Let’s keep going. Let’s move our world towards less impunity and more accountability …. less inequality and more justice … less uncertainty and more opportunity.”
“Many have said that the differences and divisions today are just too great. That it is impossible for us to come together for the common good. “You proved that is not true,” he said, recalling that the Summit of the Future showed that with a spirit of dialogue and compromise, “we can join forces to steer our world to a more sustainable path.”
But the Summit is not the end, he stated, “It is the start of a journey, a compass in the whirlwind. Let’s keep going. Let’s move our world towards less impunity and more accountability …. less inequality and more justice … less uncertainty and more opportunity.”
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25 September 2024
Secretary General meets President Erdoğan
UN Secretary-General António Guterres held a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is in New York to attend the 79th UN General Assembly, at the UN Headquarters.In a written statement released by the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General, the Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for Türkiye's support for the United Nations and multilateralism.
The Secretary-General and President Erdoğan discussed the Cyprus issue as well as developments in the Middle East and Ukraine.
The Secretary-General and President Erdoğan discussed the Cyprus issue as well as developments in the Middle East and Ukraine.
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Press Release
16 May 2024
UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous is visiting Türkiye
Sima Bahous, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Executive Director of UN Women, is scheduled to visit Türkiye for a four-days mission focused on gender equality and women’s empowerment efforts. During her visit to Türkiye, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous will engage in discussions with the officials from both public and private sectors, women-led civil society organizations and United Nations representatives. Bahous will also hold strategic meetings with stakeholders of UN Women Türkiye to discuss and further galvanize support for gender equality and women’s empowerment in Türkiye. During her visit to Türkiye, Bahous will also engage with women survivors in the provinces affected by the February 6, 2023 earthquakes. The Executive Director will meet with UN Women partners and women affected by the earthquakes, emphasizing the importance of women’s leadership in the response to the disaster and the need for continuous collaborative effort to ensure gender responsive recovery.
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Press Release
14 March 2024
Türkiye ranks 45th of 193 countries in human development, new UNDP report says
Ankara, 13 March 2024 - Türkiye ranks 45th among 193 countries in this year’s edition of the Human Development Index (HDI) released today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Based on 2022 data, Türkiye lands in the “very high human development” category—the highest of four—for the fourth year in a row. But while the ranking offers good news for the most prosperous countries, it shows a worrying divergence in human development outcomes, with poorer countries failing to regain ground lost to the pandemic. Globally, the HDI hit a record high, rebounding from two years of pandemic declines. The average conceals widening inequality, however, as half of the world’s poorest countries failed to regain their pre-pandemic level. “Like most of the world’s wealthier countries, Türkiye has bounced back vigorously from pandemic setbacks,” said UNDP Türkiye Resident Representative Louisa Vinton. “But this encouraging progress is overshadowed by resurgent inequality that threatens millions of people around the world with the risk of being left behind.” UNDP’s HDI was created 34 years ago to provide a fuller measure of human wellbeing than that afforded by financially focused indicators such as gross domestic product (GDP). It combines three key measures: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living. Türkiye has shown remarkable improvement over three decades: the country’s HDI value rose from 0.598 in 1990 to 0.855 in 2022, a 43 percent increase. Türkiye has seen advances across all three dimensions of the HDI: life expectancy at birth increased by 10.8 years between 1990 and 2022; mean years of schooling increased by 4.4 years; and expected years of schooling increased by 10.8 years. And the country’s gross national income per capita surged by 154.3 percent in the same period. But Türkiye’s ranking slips when the HDI is adjusted for inequality. Overall men enjoy a higher level of human development than women, so when adjusted for gender equality, Türkiye’s ranking falls to 66th of 166 countries.The new ranking is based on national statistics and data reported in 2022, so it does not reflect the impact of the February 2023 earthquakes. Despite the huge loss of life and the vast scale of the damage caused by the disaster – a government assessment prepared with UNDP’s support estimated total damages and losses at US$103.6 billion, or 9 percent of forecast GDP for 2023 – the earthquakes are not expected to affect the country’s HDI ranking. The HDI rankings are a core part of the Human Development Report (HDR) published each year by UNDP. The 2023/24 edition, entitled Breaking the Gridlock: Reimagining Cooperation in a Polarized World, warns that uneven development progress is leaving the poorest behind, exacerbating inequality and stoking polarization on a global scale. The report finds that international collective action is hindered by an emerging “democracy paradox”: while nine in ten people worldwide endorse democracy, over half of global survey respondents express support for leaders that may undermine it by bypassing fundamental rules of the democratic process. Half of people surveyed worldwide report having no or limited control over their lives, and over two-thirds believe they have little influence on their government’s decisions. Such feelings of powerlessness combined with growing political polarization are causing some countries to turn inward precisely when renewed cooperation is vital, the report concludes. Pronouncing “deglobalization” an irresponsible illusion, the report recommends collective action to create “a new generation of global public goods” to provide solutions to cross-border challenges such as climate change. “In a world marked by increasing polarization and division, neglecting to invest in each other poses a serious threat to our wellbeing and security,” said UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner. “Protectionist approaches cannot address the complex, interconnected challenges we face, including pandemic prevention, climate change, and digital regulation. Our problems are intertwined, requiring equally interconnected solutions.”To learn more about the 2023/24 Human Development Report and UNDP’s analysis on navigating the new uncertainty complex, visit: https://www.undp.org/turkiye/publications/human-development-report-2023
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Press Release
05 March 2024
United Nations (UN) agencies in Türkiye will mark International Women's Day in Ankara with a collaborative event titled "Investing in Women for Progress"
Scheduled for 6 March 2024 at 9:15 am, the event will be held at the J.W. Marriott Ankara Hotel.The program features the Minister of Family and Social Services, Ms. Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, as the keynote speaker.This year's International Women's Day theme, "Investing in Women: Accelerate Progress," highlights the crucial role of women in propelling social, economic, and cultural advancement worldwide.Members of the press are invited to cover the event.***Please inform unic-ankara@un.org about your participation in the event.
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Press Release
22 February 2024
Applications invited for journalism fellowships at the United Nations Headquarters
New York, NY. The Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists is now accepting applications from professional journalists for its 2024 fellowship program. The application deadline is April 5, 2024. The fellowships are available to radio, television, print and web journalists, age 25 to 35, who are interested in coming to New York to report on international affairs during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly during the opening 10 weeks. Travel and living accommodations in New York, as well as a per diem allowance, are provided. The fellowships are open to journalists who are native to the mainly developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Oceania and are currently working for media organizations. Applicants must demonstrate an interest in and commitment to international affairs and to conveying a better understanding of the U.N. to their readers and audiences. They must also have approval from their media organizations to spend up to three months in New York to report from the U.N. The program is not intended to provide basic skills training to journalists; all fellowship recipients must be media professionals.Journalists are selected each year after a review of all applications and given the incomparable opportunity to observe international diplomatic deliberations and to gain a broader perspective and understanding of matters of global concern. Many past fellowship recipients have achieved prominence in their professions and countries. Fellowship eligibility criteria and documentation requirements, as well as the fellowship application, can be found on the Fund’s web site at www.unjournalismfellowship.org. Questions about the program, eligibility and the application process can be directed by email to fellowship2024@unjournalismfellowship.org.Although the Fund is based at the U.N., it does not receive financial support from the world organization. The Fund was established as an independent entity by U.N. journalists over 60 years ago as a living memorial to the legacy of Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld. It continues to be operated by U.N. journalists and relies on financial support from U.N. Missions, foundations, organizations and individuals.
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Press Release
05 December 2023
First-ever Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs takes the helm at newly established United Nations Youth Office
Following the recommendation in the Secretary-General's groundbreaking report "Our Common Agenda", Member States unanimously agreed to the establishment of the UN Youth Office as a dedicated entity for youth affairs within the Secretariat, building upon more than a decade of work led by the Secretary-General's Envoys on Youth, and marking a pivotal breakthrough for the revitalization and expansion of the UN's engagement with and for youth.
Over many decades, the UN has made significant strides in advancing the rights and opportunities of young people. Youth empowerment is not just a matter of equity; it holds immense social and economic potential. Empowering young people drives vibrant societies, fosters innovation, and accelerates progress.
Yet, disparities affecting youth persist in every corner of the world. Young people face challenges such as limited access to education, employment and health services, and their voices often go unheard in decision-making processes.
"We are establishing a United Nations Youth Office in the UN Secretariat — building on nearly a decade of important work done by the two Envoys on Youth — to advance efforts towards stronger advocacy, coordination, and accountability for and with young people," said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
The establishment of the UN Youth Office marks a pivotal breakthrough for the revitalization and expansion of the UN's engagement with and for youth, with a focus on addressing these challenges and opportunities.
Guided by the UN’s systemwide youth strategy, Youth2030, the UN Youth Office will lead efforts to enhance collaboration, coordination and accountability on youth affairs, ensuring that the United Nations works effectively and inclusively with young people in all their diversity.
Through the fostering of multi-stakeholder intergenerational solidarity, the UN Youth Office's mission focuses on strengthening meaningful, inclusive and effective youth engagement across all pillars of the UN’s work, including sustainable development, human rights, and peace and security.
On 28 October 2023, the Secretary-General announced Dr. Felipe Paullier as the first Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs. Dr. Paullier officially assumes his mandate today, becoming the youngest ever senior appointment in the history of the UN.
“With the establishment of the UN Youth Office, we mark the start of a new era for the UN system,” said Dr. Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs. “As I assume my mandate, I am eager to begin meeting with young people from all corners of the world, both virtually and on-the-ground in their communities. Learning from young people’s experiences over the coming months will be critical in helping me to shape an action plan for the new Youth Office that ensures no young person is left behind.”
Dr. Paullier was previously the Director General of the National Youth Institute of Uruguay, a position he held since 2020. Prior to that, he served in various political management positions, including as Deputy Mayor in the Municipality of the CH jurisdiction of Montevideo (2015-2020) and Alternate Counsellor in the Montevideo Departmental Legislative Court (2010-2015). Dr. Paullier is a Medical Doctor specialized in Pediatrics by training.
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About the UN Youth Office
As an unwavering champion and advocate for young people everywhere, the UN Youth Office envisions a world in which all young people are meaningfully engaged in the decisions that affect them most. We lead system-wide collaboration, coordination and accountability on youth affairs, harmonizing the ways the United Nations works with and for young people in all their diversity. By fostering multi-stakeholder intergenerational solidarity, our work focuses on strengthening meaningful, inclusive and effective youth engagement in the areas of sustainable development, human rights, and peace and security. For more information, follow @UNYouthAffairs on social media.
For press enquiries:
Matthew Hunter
matthew.hunter@un.org
+1 (631) 829-4275
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