Article Index
UNRIC Library Newsletter - May 2009
New information material
New titles
All Pages

 PDF version

 

NEW WEBSITES WITHIN THE UN SYSTEM

Redesigned Website of the United Nations http://www.un.org The redesigned UN website has been launched by DPI on 4 May 2009 in the 6 UN languages with a new structure, improved navigation and usability, and greater coherence. The site introduces a new branding concept and embodies the Organization’s priorities on multilingualism and web accessibility. The five thematic pages are colour-coded and serve as gateways to information on those themes.

UN in General

31st Session of the Committee on Information (UN Headquarters, 4-15 May 2009)
English: http://www.un.org/ga/coi/
French: http://www.un.org/french/ga/coi/
Spanish: http://www.un.org/spanish/aboutun/organs/ga/coi/
The General Assembly's Committee on Information examines UN public information policies and activities, evaluates and follows up efforts made and the progress achieved by the United Nations system in the field of information and communications; and promotes the establishment of a new, more just and more effective world information and communication order intended to strengthen peace and international understanding.

General Assembly - Resolutions of the 63rd session
English, French & Spanish: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/63/49(Vol.I)(SUPP)
The first volume of the Resolutions and Decisions of the General Assembly at its 63rd session has been issued (A/63/49 (Vol. I)). This volume includes the resolutions adopted 16 September - 24 December 2008.

Global Model UN Conference (Geneva, 5-7 August 2009)
English & French: http://www.un.org/gmun/
The United Nations Department of Public Information is organizing the first annual Global Model United Nations Conference, which will be a simulation of General Assembly plenary sessions and the Assembly’s Main Committees. The theme of the 2009 conference will be “The Millennium Development Goals: Lifting the Bottom Billion out of Poverty.

Interactive Thematic Dialogue of the UN General Assembly on the "Taking Collective Action to End Human Trafficking" (13 May 2009, UN Headquarters)
English: http://www.un.org/ga/president/63/interactive/humantrafficking.shtml
French: http://www.un.org/french/ga/president/63/interactive/humantrafficking.shtml
The General Assembly held an interactive thematic dialogue: "Taking Collective Action to End Human Trafficking" convened by the President of the General Assembly at the request of Members States, in partnership with the members of UN.GIFT. The dialogue is based on the background paper of the Secretary-General on "Improving the coordination of efforts against trafficking in persons".

News Focus: Swine Influenza
English: http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?infocusID=139&Body=swine+flu&Body1=
French: http://www.un.org/apps/newsFr/infocusRelF.asp?infocusID=90&Body=Grippe&Body1=

United Nations Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development (UN Headquarters, 1-3 June 2009) - Date changed to 24-26 June 2009
English: http://www.un.org/ga/econcrisissummit/
French: http://www.un.org/fr/ga/econcrisissummit/
Spanish: http://www.un.org/es/ga/econcrisissummit/
This new website has been launched by the UN Department of Public Information. It provides background information leading to the conference, documents, statements, news and links to other sites. A moderated e-discussion on the Conference will also open very soon.
General Assembly President’s Website on the Conference
English: http://www.un.org/ga/president/63/interactive/uneconference.shtml
Spanish: http://www.un.org/spanish/aboutun/organs/ga/63/president/
63/interactive/uneconference.shtml
The United Nations is convening a three-day summit of world leaders from 1 – 3 June 2009 at UN Headquarters to assess the worst global economic downturn since the Great Depression. The aim is to identify emergency and long-term responses to mitigate the impact of the crisis, especially on vulnerable populations, and initiate a needed dialogue on the transformation of the international financial architecture, taking into account the needs and concerns of all Member States.

Peace & Security

"UNRWA at 60": A concept paper - Paying tribute to six decades of service and achievements
Report: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent
&shortid=MUMA-7S64Y6&file=Full_Report.pdf
Background: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/MUMA-7S64Y6?OpenDocument
On 8 December 2009 UNRWA will be sixty years old. The paper introduces the rationale and ambitions for the project, the key messages, desired outcomes and objectives, and outlines the projects that will be developed.

Economic & Social Development

2009 Global assessment report on disaster risk reduction: risk and poverty in a changing climate (UNISDR)
http://www.preventionweb.net/english/hyogo/gar/report/index.php?id=9413&pid:34&pil:1
The United Nations has launched the first global report uncovering how disaster risk is intensively concentrated in a very small portion of the earth’s surface and unevenly distributed. Based on more than 30 years of disaster data, the report highlights three main risk drivers that will be magnified by climate change and proposes 20 recommendations to help make the world safer.

Financial and economic crisis – new DESA webpage
http://www.un.org/esa/desa/financialcrisis/
The new webpage on the “Financial and economic crisis” focuses on the Department of Economic and Social Affair’s role in addressing the current situation through support of intergovernmental dialogue, research of macroeconomic trends and analysis of the impact of the crisis on social and sustainable development as well as gender issues. It also discusses what DESA can do in terms of capacity development and highlights the importance of having timely and consistent statistical data for monitoring economic conditions.

Food Aid Information System (WFP)
http://www.wfp.org/fais/
The World Food Programme (WFP) has posted its Food Aid Information System (FAIS) with its Policy Resources. The FAIS database contains comprehensive data on food aid flows and was developed to aid in the coordinated international response to food aid shortages.

Making the MDGs Work for All: Gender-Responsive Rights-Based Approaches to the MDGs (UNIFEM)
http://www.unifem.org/attachments/products/Making_MDGs_work_for_all_complete.pdf
This new publication aims to assist states by suggesting a process for developing a gender-responsive rights-based national MDG reporting framework, and provides a sourcebook outlining issues, possible strategies, and long-term and intermediate targets and indicators.

Migration for Development - new inter-agency website in Brussels
English: http://www.migration4development.org/
French: http://www.migration4development.org/french/
Newsletter: http://www.migration4development.org/copnewsapr09.html
The EC–UN Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI) supports civil society organizations and local authorities seeking to contribute to linking migration and development. Implemented by UNDP in collaboration with IOM, ILO, UNFPA and UNHCR, the Joint Initiative also aims to 1) set up and reinforce networks of groups working on migration and development and 2) identify good practice in this field and share information on what actually works at the local and international level among those who are active in this area, with a view to 3) feeding into policy-making on migration and development.

National Human Development Report: Russian Federation, 2008 - Russia Facing Demographic Challenges (UNDP)
http://europeandcis.undp.org/home/show/F64EE9C3-F203-1EE9-B5BC89F3B853C15F
The report focuses on demographic challenges in Russia - such as low birth rate, low life expectancy, aging population, migration - and how these challenges affect economic and social aspects of the life, including education and health. Report was prepared by the UNDP Europe and CIS regional office and is also available in Russian.

A proposal for amendments to the Kyoto Protocol pursuant to its Article 3, paragraph 9 (UNFCCC)
http://unfccc.int/documentation/documents/advanced_search/items/3594.php?such=j&symbol=FCCC/KP/AWG/2009/7#beg
The draft key Copenhagen negotiating text, which will form the basis of an ambitious and effective international response to climate change, to be agreed in Copenhagen in December, are now available on the website of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Document on other related issues: http://unfccc.int/documentation/documents/
advanced_search/items/3594.php?such=j&symbol=FCCC/KP/AWG/2009/8#beg

World Economic Outlook, April 2009: Crisis and Recovery (IMF)
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2009/01/pdf/text.pdf
The report, presents the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) staff's analysis and projections of economic developments at the global level, in major country groups (classified by region, stage of development, etc.), and in many individual countries. It focuses on major economic policy issues as well as on the analysis of economic developments and prospects. It is usually prepared twice a year, as documentation for meetings of the International Monetary and Financial Committee, and forms the main instrument of the IMF's global surveillance activities. 

Human Rights

Durban Review Conference outcome document
English: http://www.un.org/durbanreview2009/pdf/Durban_Review_outcome_document_En.pdf
French: http://www.un.org/french/durbanreview2009/pdf/final_outcome_doc.pdf
Spanish: http://www.un.org/es/comun/docs/?path=/spanish/durbanreview2009/pdf/
Durban_Review_outcome_document_Sp.pdf
Anti-racism conference outcome document – what it actually says
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/AntiRacismConferenceOutcomeDocument.aspx

Guide on Ratification: International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (OHCHR)
http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Press/HandbookFINAL.PDF
According to the new guide, "today, some 200 million people live outside their countries of birth or nationality" and that about "90 million migrants – persons living outside their country of origin for three months or more - are economically active, engaged in the world of work". Outside the countries of their nationalities, the international migrants, both men and women, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. The guide promotes and encourages ratification of the Convention and two ILO Conventions on migration and employment and incorporation of these standards into national legislation. The Guide was prepared by the Steering Committee for the Campaign for Ratification of the Migrants Rights Convention. Implementation of Convention is monitored by the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families.

Human Rights Situation in Iraq
http://www.uniraq.org/documents/UNAMI_Human_Rights_Report_July_December_2008_EN.pdf
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) issued on 29 April 2009 its 14th report on the human rights situation in the country covering the period from July to December 2008. The report, produced in cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, notes that although the period covered was characterised by further improvements in security, the overall human rights situation in Iraq remains a matter of concern. 

Humanitarian Affairs

Horn of Africa Crisis Report (UNHCR / OCHA / WFP)
Full text: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/PSLG-7RXC8R/$File/full_report.pdf
Summary: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/PSLG-7RXC8R?OpenDocument
Many parts of the Horn of Africa (HOA) continue to suffer under a precarious security situation coupled with susceptibility to harsh climatic conditions. Sporadic violence and prolonged drought conditions continue to strain the coping mechanisms of millions of people in the region. An estimated 19.8 million people are in need of emergency assistance in the HOA.

Sichuan Earthquake: One Year Report - May 2009 (UNICEF)
Part I: http://www.unicef.org/media/files/China_Earthquake_Report_2009ENG_Part_1.pdf
Part II: http://www.unicef.org/media/files/China_Earthquake_Report_2009ENG_Part_2.pdf
One year after a devastating 8.0 Richter scale earthquake hit China's Sichuan province, extensive assistance from UNICEF is reaching some of the most vulnerable children and women in Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. This new report outlines how UNICEF has assisted the Government of China in education, health, nutrition, clean water, sanitation, psychosocial support, child protection, HIV/AIDS and social policies for children.  

International Law

Diplomatic Conferences for treaties
http://untreaty.un.org/cod/diplomaticconferences/index.html
This new website of the UN Office of Legal Affairs provides access to the official records of a series of diplomatic conferences, convoked by the United Nations in order to negotiate and adopt several treaties based on drafts worked out by the International Law Commission and considered by the Sixth (Legal) Committee of the General Assembly. The user is provided access by individual document, and the entire collection of proceedings is searchable in full-text format.

Expulsion of aliens (A/CN.4/611)
English, French & Spanish: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/CN.4/611
The fifth report on the expulsions of aliens, by Mr. Maurice Kamio, Special Rapporteur, has been issued for the consideration of the International Law Commission. The introduction summarizes some of the discussion on the fourth report on the expulsion of aliens and states that "the present report will pursue this study by considering, on the one hand, the limits relating to the obligation to respect the human rights of persons being expelled and, on the other, some practices that are prohibited by international law on expulsion."

United Nations Legal Publications

• Global Search: http://untreaty.un.org/cod/globalsearch/dtSearch/Search_Forms/dtSearch.html
  Using this function you can search various legal publications or combination of publications or all the publications. Accessible are: ILC Documents (including Yearbooks), Proceedings of Diplomatic conferences, Summaries of ICJ judgments, Reports of International Arbitral Awards, Repertory of Practice of UN Organs, UN Juridical Yearbook.
• Searching individual publication categories: http://www.un.org/law/UNlegalpublications/index.html
  The following publications can be accessed individually through this site: Yearbook of the International Law Commission, United Nations Juridical Yearbook, Reports of International Arbitral Awards, Summaries of Judgments, Advisory Opinions and Orders of the International Court of Justice, Proceedings of Diplomatic Conferences, UNCITRAL Yearbook UNCITRAL publications, Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs, Repertoire of Practice of the Security Council.

 

NEW INFORMATION MATERIAL

Single copies of the following titles can be ordered via e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Affiche: Les femmes dans le maintien de la paix – une force pour la paix: Journée internationale des Casques bleus des Nations Unies, 29 mai 2009.
Département de l’information/ Département de l’appui aux missions/ Département des opérations de maintien de la paix. DPI/2537.

Africa Renewal, Volume 23, No. 1, April 2009. 24 p.
“Mining for Africa’s development”
Online version: http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol23no1/index.html

Afrique Renouveau, Vol. 23, No. 1, avril 2009. 24 p.
« Des mines au gain des Africains »
Online version: http://www.un.org/french/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol23no1/index.html

Carte postale : Rompre le silence, tambour battant – 2009 Journée internationale de commémoration des victimes de l’esclavage et de la traite transatlantique des esclaves.

Cartel: Mujeres manteniendo la paz – El poder de empoderar: Día Internacional del Personal de Paz de las Naciones Unidas – 29 de mayo de 2009.
Departamento de Informacíon Pública/Departamento de Apoyo a las Actividades sobre el Terreno/Departamento de Operaciones de Mantenimiento de la Paz.  DPI/2536.

Cartel: Mujeres manteniendo la paz – El poder de empoderar: Día Internacional del Personal de Paz de las Naciones Unidas – 29 de mayo de 2009.
Departamento de Informacíon Pública/Departamento de Apoyo a las Actividades sobre el Terreno/Departamento de Operaciones de Mantenimiento de la Paz. DPI/2537.

Postcard: Breaking the Silence, Beating the Drum – 2009 Commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Salve Trade.

Poster (Bilingual English & French): Breaking the Silence, Beating the Drum – 2009 Commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Salve Trade / Rompre le silence, tambour battant – 2009 Journée internationale de commémoration des victimes de l’esclavage et de la traite transatlantique des esclaves. March / mars 2009.
English online version: http://www.un.org/en/slavery/pdf/breaking%20the%20silencesmall.pdf
French online version: http://www.un.org/french/slavery/pdf/poster.pdf

Poster: Women in Peacekeeping – The Power to Empower: International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers – 29 May 2009.
Department of Public Information/Department of Field Support/Department of Peacekeeping Operations. DPI/2537.

 

NEW TITLES
added to the library collection in May 2009

0    Geneva Publications

A Common Effort for a Better Future: Annual Report 2008 / Unis dans l’effort, pour un avenir meilleur : Rapport annuel 2008.
United Nations/Nations Unies. Geneva/Genève. 2009. 58/60 p.
English online version: http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B8954/(httpAssets)/96A1CF0C952CF77FC12575A200353768/$file/2008AR_EN_Bookmark.pdf
French online version: http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B8954/(httpAssets)/D7C27372F42B905EC12575A200359538/$file/2008AR_FR_Bookmark.pdf


II.A    Business, Economics, Science and Technology

Rapport de la Conférence internationale de suivi sur le financement du développement chargée d’examiner la mise en œuvre du Consensus de Monterrey : Doha, Qatar, 29 novembre - 2 décembre 2008.
Nations Unies. New York. 2009. iv, 93 p. (A/CONF.212/7)
Sales No. F.09.II.A.1. ISBN 978-92-1-204253-4.
Online version: http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=A/CONF.212/7

Report of the Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development to Review the Implementation of the Monterrey Consensus: Doha, Qatar, 29 November –
2 December 2008.
United Nations. New York. 2009. iv, 84 p. (A/CONF.212/7)
Sales No. E.09.II.A.1. ISBN 978-92-1-104594-9.
Online version: http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=A/CONF.212/7


II.D    Trade, Finance and Commerce

Investment Policy Review: Dominican Republic.
United Nations. New York and Geneva. 2009. xiii, 116 p. (UNCTAD/ITE/IPC/2007/9)
Sales No. E.08.II.D.10. ISBN 978-92-1-112742-3.
Online version: http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/iteipc20079_en.pdf

Investment Policy Review: Nigeria.
United Nations. New York and Geneva. 2009. xi, 140 p. (UNCTAD/DIAE/PCB/2008/1)
Sales No. E.08.II.D.11. ISBN 978-92-1-112743-0.
Online version: http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/diaepcb20081_en.pdf

SMEGA - Accounting and Financial Reporting Guidelines for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises: Level 3 Guidance
United Nations. New York and Geneva. 2009. vi, 14 p. (UNCTAD/DIAE/ED/2009/2)
Sales No. E.09.II.D.3. ISBN 978-92-1-112764-5.


II.E    Economic Commission for Europe (ECE)

Revue annuelle du marché des produits forestiers. (Études de Genève sur le bois et la forêt, no 23)
Nations Unies. New York et Genève. 2008. xxi, 192 p. (ECE/TIM/SP/23)
Sales No. F.08.II.E.13. ISBN 978-92-1-216503-5.
Online version: http://www.unece.org/timber/docs/fpama/2007/FPAMR2007_F.pdf


II.H    Public Administration

Building Trust Through Civic Engagement: Publication based on the 7th Global Forum workshop on Building Trust Through Civic Engagement, 26 to 29 June 2007, Vienna, Austria.
United Nations. New York. 2008. xi, 258 p. (ST/ESA/PAD/SER.E/120)
Sales No. E.08.II.H.6. ISBN 978-92-1-123178-6.
Online version: http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un-dpadm/unpan028357.pdf


III.D    United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

UNEP 2008 Annual Report.
United Nations Environment Programme. Nairobi. 2008. 102 p.
ISBN 978-92-807-2007-9.
Online version: http://www.unep.org/PDF/AnnualReport/2008/AnnualReport2008_en_web.pdf


III.T    International Trade Centre (UNCTAD/WTO)

Forum du commerce international, numéro 3 & 4, 2008. 46 p.
« Les femmes et le commerce : égalité de genre et autonomisation des femmes »
Online version: http://www.forumducommerce.org/news/categoryfront.php/id/704

Forum de Comercio Internacional, Número. 3-4, 2008. 46 p.
“Mujeres y comercio: igualdad de género y autonomia de mujer.”
Online version: http://www.forumdecomercio.org/news/categoryfront.php/id/696/2008.html


V    International Law

Yearbook of the International Law Commission 1999, Volume II, Part One: Documents of the fifty-first session.
United Nations. New York and Geneva. 2008. iv, 214 p. (A/CN.4/SER.A/1999/Add.1 (Part 1))
Sales No. E.02.V.10 (Part 1). ISBN 978-92-1-133655-9.
Online version: http://untreaty.un.org/ilc/publications/yearbooks/1999.htm


IX    Disarmament and Atomic Energy

United Nations Disarmament Yearbook - Volume 33 (Part I): 2008; Disarmament Resolutions and Decisions of the Sixty-third Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
United Nations. New York. 2009. xii, 213 p.
Sales No. E.09.IX.1. ISBN 978-92-1-142267-2.
Online version: http://disarmament.un.org/e-yearbook.html

XVII     International Statistics

National Accounts Statistics: Main Aggregates and Detailed Tables, 2007; Part I.
United Nations. New York. 2008. x, 250 p. (ST/ESA/STAT/SER.X/40, Part I)
Sales No. E.09.XVII.2. ISBN 978-92-1-161523-4.
National Accounts Main Aggregates Database: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/snaama/dnllist.asp


World Health Organization (WHO)

Bulletin of the World Health Organization: Volume 87, Number 5, May 2009, p. 325-404.
“Childhood injuries and violence”
Online version: http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/87/5/en/