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— UNITED NATIONS —


July 14, 2023

WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation) Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, is attended by all 193 Member States.


WIPO Geneva


WIPO Geneva


WIPO Geneva


WIPO Geneva


WIPO Geneva


WIPO Geneva


WIPO Geneva


WIPO Geneva


WIPO Geneva


WIPO Geneva


WIPO Geneva


WIPO Geneva


WIPO Geneva


WIPO Geneva


WIPO Geneva


Photos: Delegates at the Opening of the WIPO Assemblies 2023. The Assemblies of WIPO Member States Meetings are taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from July 6 to 14, 2023. Images provided by & copyright © WIPO. Photographers: Violaine Martin, Emmanuel Berrod.


Geneva, Switzerland, July 14, 2023 — It was a significant event for all 193 Member States of WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) as they participated in the WIPO Conference held from July 6 to 14, 2023, in Geneva, Switzerland. The conference discussed the future of the global intellectual property (IP) ecosystem and WIPO’s activities in promoting all countries’ economic, social, and cultural development. The Assembly saw the attendance of hundreds of delegates, who also had the opportunity to engage in various information-sharing and cultural activities.


• The following officials represented INDE / INDIA:


• The following officials represented ÉTATS-UNIS D’AMÉRIQUE / UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:


The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. WIPO has several external offices located across the globe, including Algiers (Algeria), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Beijing (China), Tokyo (Japan), Abuja (Nigeria), Moscow (Russia), and Singapore (Singapore).

Source: WIPO

|GlobalGiants.Com|

— The Editor is an Alumnus of WIPO Academy, Geneva.


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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:25 AM | View the original post





July 8, 2023

Ahmedabad hosts Urban 20 (U20) Mayoral Summit.


— Over 400 delegates attend the Urban 20 (U20) Mayoral Summit in Gandhinagar Ahmedabad.


Ahmedabad Mayors


Ahmedabad Mayors


Ahmedabad Mayors


Ahmedabad, July 07, 2023 — Bhupendrabhai Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, launched the Urban 20 (U20) Mayoral Summit in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, with more than 400 delegates in attendance.

Bhupendrabhai opened the event by highlighting the state’s rich history of urbanization and the forward-looking initiatives to promote green development.

Ahmedabad, chairing the sixth U20 cycle, brought together over 140 foreign city leaders and more than 70 national and international mayors to address challenges in achieving sustainable urban development. Manoj Joshi, Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, emphasized the need for building capacities and adequate finances to deal with the impact of climate change.

The Mayor of Ahmedabad, Kiritkumar Parmar, stressed the need for an action-oriented agenda to ensure sustainable and equitable urban development.

Leading executives from the global convenors of U20, UCLG (United Cities and Local Governments), and C40 Cities also addressed the Summit. Ms. Emilia Saiz Carrancedo, Secretary General of UCLG, said that U20 deliberations give hope to cities, national governments, and G20. “U20 is not only a summit; it is a process that leads to transformation”, she said. Dr. Kevin Austin, Deputy Executive Director of C40 Cities, complemented the actions taken by Indian cities for climate and clean air and stressed that the world cannot solve the climate crisis without cities’ proactive participation.

The Ahmedabad Climate Action Plan was launched during the Summit, aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and addressing challenges such as rising urban heat, flooding, and natural resource scarcity.

The Summit also saw the participation of over one hundred Indian delegates from more than thirty cities.

Source: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Government of India

|GlobalGiants.Com|


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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 4:15 AM | View the original post





July 6, 2023

UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (UNESCO IIEP) celebrates its 60th Anniversary as UNESCO presents Outcome Documents at the G20 Education Ministers Meeting in India

Unesco IIEP


Unesco IIEP


Unesco G20



Paris, France, July 05, 2023 — The UNESCO IIEP (UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning) in Paris, celebrating its 60th Anniversary, has highlighted six essential areas for enhancing education to build a brighter future.

As educational policies continue to evolve, planners and managers must stay abreast of new tools and trends. UNESCO IIEP is dedicated to this cause, providing capacity development and conducting research to support planning evolution. The organization focuses on data management and dialogue and is committed to helping countries achieve their educational goals.

Meanwhile, the G20 Education Working Group gathered from June 19 to June 22, 2023, for their fourth and final meeting in Pune, India. Education Ministers from G20 and invited countries unanimously endorsed a report and compendium of programs and policies. UNESCO collaborated closely with the G20 Indian Presidency to draft and produce these documents and welcomed their adoption.

The G20 outcome documents prioritize four themes:

In addition, the G20 Education Working Group Report introduces five keys to unlocking inclusive, qualitative, collaborative tech-enabled learning through the 5 C’s framework:

The G20 documents highlight the crucial role of higher education in solving global challenges.

The UNESCO representative expressed gratitude to Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship of India, and all the representatives of G20 countries for their valuable contributions in creating the output documents. These documents will act as a source of inspiration and guidance for education systems globally.

Education is a powerful tool that can transform lives, promote peace, eradicate poverty, and drive sustainable development. At the forefront of this mission is UNESCO, committed to advancing the universal right to education. As the only UN institution dedicated to education, UNESCO leads the Global Education 2030 Agenda by developing educational systems worldwide and tackling contemporary global concerns.

• The UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (UNESCO IIEP) in Paris provides training, technical assistance, policy research, and information sharing to enhance educational policy, planning, and administration. Its main goal is to assist countries in managing their education systems more efficiently and help them achieve the targets of the Global Education 2030 Agenda set by global leaders.

Sources: UNESCO, G20

|GlobalGiants.Com|

— The editor is a “UNESCO IIEP Certified Higher Education Consultant.”


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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 4:54 AM | View the original post





July 1, 2023

The United States of America rejoins UNESCO.



UNESCO, USA


UNESCO, USA


UNESCO, USA


UNESCO, USA


UNESCO, USA


UNESCO, USA


UNESCO, USA


UNESCO, USA


Photos: 5th extraordinary session of the General Conference of UNESCO. UNESCO Headquarters, Paris. June 30, 2023. Images provided by & copyright © UNESCO/Christelle ALIX.


Paris, June 30, 2023 — On June 8, 2023, the United States sent a letter to the Director-General of UNESCO, proposing to rejoin the Organization as early as July based on a concrete financial plan, which includes a commitment to repay its estimated arrears of $619 million.

“It’s a great day for UNESCO and multilateralism. Building upon the momentum achieved in recent years, our Organization is again moving towards universalism with this return of the United States,” UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay remarked.

UNESCO’s 193 member states met on Thursday for an extraordinary session of the General Conference to examine this proposal. On Friday afternoon, they adopted the American proposal by a vast majority. It fulfills all the conditions for a total return of the United States to UNESCO in July. (132 Votes in Favor, 10 Votes Against).

• A Reinforced Budget to implement its Mandate

The United States will fund the equivalent of 22% of the Organization’s regular budget. To this will be added the progressive payment of their arrears and, as of 2023, voluntary contributions to fund programs, including those supporting access to education and the protection of journalists.

Thus, UNESCO will benefit from a reinforced budget to implement its education, culture, science, and information programs. It will also be able to step up its actions for Africa and gender equality, two of its strategic priorities.

• A Return that Underscores UNESCO’s Central Role

Elected to head the Organization in November 2017, Audrey Azoulay has led mediations to ease political tensions and find consensus on the most sensitive topics, such as the Middle East. She has also reformed the Organization to make it more efficient.

“UNESCO’s Mandate - education, science, culture, freedom of information - is central to meeting the challenges of the 21st century. This centrality, as well as the easing of political tensions within the Organization and the initiatives launched in recent years, have led the United States to initiate this return,” UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay stated.

UNESCO has thus been able to launch new initiatives enabling it to fully grasp the challenges of today - such as the ethics of artificial intelligence and the protection of oceans.

In a letter sent to UNESCO’s Director-General at the beginning of June, the United States refers to these reforms and initiatives among the reasons for its return.

Source: UNESCO

|GlobalGiants.Com|

— The Editor is a Higher Education Consultant certified by the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning in Paris.


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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:47 AM | View the original post





June 24, 2023

IMF Managing Director emphasizes the need for mutual support and cooperation in a rapidly changing, tense world at the Paris Summit Closing Press Conference.


IMF MD


Photo: Managing Director of the IMF Kristalina Georgieva meets with King Felipe VI of Spain at the International Monetary Fund in Washington. December 02. 2022. Washington, DC, United States. IMF Photo/Joshua Roberts. (File Photo)


Paris, June 24, 2023 — During the Paris Summit Closing Press Conference, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva stressed the urgent need for mutual support in the ever-changing world. Unfortunately, she said, we face more frequent and severe shocks, which leads to heightened tensions.

“While our economy has shown resilience in the face of challenges such as COVID and war, it has come at a cost. Interest rates have risen, debt burdens are growing, and living costs are high. Unfortunately, poverty and inequality are also on the rise.”

“The climate crisis is upon us and disproportionately affects poor and vulnerable countries that have contributed the least to the problem.”

“We must act decisively to address these issues. To do so, we need strong leadership.”

“I support the call to reduce the debt burden on countries that experience exogenous shocks,” the IMF MD said.

“The Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable is a positive step that combines traditional Paris Club creditors and non-Paris Club creditors such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, the private sector, and debtor countries. She remarked that we must address the correlation between debt and climate and work on debt-for-climate swaps.”

“The IMF has integrated climate considerations into all our work, recognizing that climate is macro-critical. We advocate for carbon pricing to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius target by 2030. We propose a fair carbon price floor where poorer countries pay less, middle-income countries pay more, and rich countries pay the highest price. There is progress towards this goal, with carbon pricing now covering around 25% of global emissions. We still have a long way to go, but where there is a will, there is a way,” the IMF Chief stated.

Ms. Georgieva said that Financing is a crucial topic for the IMF. “We recently introduced a new instrument called the Resilience and Sustainability Trust, offering long-term, affordable Financing with a 20-year repayment period and a 10-and-a-half-year grace period, a first in IMF history.”

“We fulfilled our 2021 pledge of US$100 billion in SDR channeling, with approximately US$60 billion already in use in the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust and the Resilience and Sustainability Trust. This funding has made a significant difference.”

“As I reflect on my time at the IMF, I recall visiting the hotel in Bretton Woods where it all began, with only 44 countries and all-male delegations, most arriving by boat. Today, the world has more than doubled in the number of countries and more than tripled in population, with global GDP increasing more than tenfold. We must adapt to these changes and commit to a more inclusive, representative, and well-resourced future. As a dedicated and empathetic assistant, I am committed to serving our members with the utmost professionalism and look forward to continuing our work together,” Kristalina Georgieva concluded.

The summit in Paris on June 22-23 brought together heads of state, financial institutions, and members of civil society to address inequality, climate change, and biodiversity. The aim was to reform the international monetary system and create a fairer, more sustainable future. Roundtable discussions focused on debt solutions, green infrastructure, and climate finance. The summit established principles for future financial reforms and created a more balanced financial partnership between the North and South. The main goal was to reduce the climate, economic, and technological gaps that divide the world and build prosperity and security for every country.

The summit took place at three Paris venues: the Palais Brongniart, UNESCO, and the OECD.

Source: IMF

|GlobalGiants.Com|


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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:46 PM | View the original post





June 21, 2023

International Day of Yoga at UN Headquarters 


UN Yoga


UN Yoga


Photos: The International Day of Yoga observation with a yoga session attended by Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, at the North Lawn at UN Headquarters. June 21, 2023. New York. United States of America. UN Photos/Mark Garten.

Source: United Nations

|GlobalGiants.Com|


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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:23 PM | View the original post





June 17, 2023

Pune, India, is set to host the fourth Education Working Group Meeting of the G20 Countries, attended by Education Ministers and Representatives from UNESCO.


G20 Education


Pune, June 16, 2023 — India’s Ministry of Education will host the 4th G20 Education Working Group Meeting in Pune, Maharashtra, on June 20-21, 2023. Eighty-five delegates from G20 member countries and esteemed organizations such as UNESCO will attend. A seminar and exhibition themed “Ensuring Foundational Literacy and Numeracy” will be held at Savitribai Phule Pune University on June 19. The event will include keynote addresses, panel discussions, and a multimedia exhibition showcasing the best education and skill development practices.

Source: Ministry of Education, Government of India

|GlobalGiants.Com|


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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:35 AM | View the original post





June 12, 2023

The United States of America has announced its intention to rejoin UNESCO.


UNESCO


Photo: UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay announces the USA’s intention to rejoin UNESCO. June 12, 2023. UNESCO Headquarters, Paris. Image provided by & copyright © UNESCO/Christelle ALIX.


Paris, June 12, 2023 - UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, announced today that the United States of America had officially notified her of its intent to rejoin the organization in July. This decision follows USA’s concrete financing plan welcomed by UNESCO representatives from 193 member countries.

In a letter to the Director-General, the U.S. Department of State expressed satisfaction with UNESCO’s modernized management and reduced political tensions in recent years. UNESCO’s initiatives have enabled the organization to reconnect with its historical ambitions. These initiatives include tackling contemporary challenges such as the ethics of artificial intelligence and ocean protection. Additionally, administrative reforms implemented since 2018 have made UNESCO more efficient and financially sound.

The return of the United States to UNESCO was made possible by a congressional agreement in December 2022 authorizing financial contributions to the organization. The U.S. suspended its contributions in 2011 due to domestic legislation before notifying UNESCO of its decision to withdraw legally on October 12, 2017.

The UNESCO Administration must now submit the proposed financing plan to the UNESCO Member States General Conference for approval. Certain Member States have requested that an extraordinary session be held soon for a taking a decision.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay remarked that the United States’ decision to rejoin the organization is a vital act of confidence in UNESCO, its multilateralism, and the centrality of its mandate in culture, education, science, and information.

Source: UNESCO, Paris

|GlobalGiants.Com|

— The Editor is a UNESCO-IIEP-qualified Higher Education Consultant.


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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:04 PM | View the original post





June 11, 2023

United Nations Security Council Meets on Threats to International Peace and Security 


United Nations Security Council


Photo: Christian Ritscher, Special Adviser and Head of the Investigative Team established under Security Council resolution, briefs the UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security. June 07, 2023. New York. United States of America. UN Photo/Loey Felipe.


United Nations Security Council


Photo: Mohamed Issa Abushahab (center of the table), Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for June, chairs the Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security. June 07, 2023. New York. United States of America. UN Photo/Loey Felipe.


United Nations Security Council


Photo: The UN General Assembly elects five new non-permanent members of the Security Council to serve from January 01, 2024, to December 31, 2025. The Assembly elected Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia. Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia attends the meeting in the General Assembly. June 06, 2023. New York. United States of America. UN Photo/Evan Schneider.


United Nations Security Council


Photo: A comprehensive view of the UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security. May 30, 2023. New York. United States of America. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe.


United Nations Security Council


Photo: Ignazio Cassis, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation and President of the UN Security Council for May, chairs the Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security. May 30, 2023. New York. United States of America. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe.


United Nations Security Council


Photo: Tanja Fajon (at podium), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, briefs reporters after Slovenia today was elected a non-permanent member of the Security Council for 2024 - 2025. The General Assembly elected five new non-permanent members of the Security Council to serve from January 01, 2024, through December 31, 2025. The Assembly elected Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia. June 07, 2023. New York. United States of America. UN Photo/Loey Felipe.

Source: United Nations, New York

|GlobalGiants.Com|


Quote

“If they want peace, nations should avoid the pin-pricks that precede cannon shots.”

— Napoleon Bonaparte.


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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:57 AM | View the original post





May 30, 2023

UNESCO mobilizes Education Ministers Worldwide for a Coordinated Response to Artificial Intelligence.


UNESCO, AI


Photo: Unesco Director-General Audrey Azoulay addresses an event at Unesco Headquarters in Paris. May 09, 2023. Image provided by & copyright © UNESCO/Christelle ALIX.


Paris, France, May 30, 2023 — In response to the rapid emergence of new and powerful generative AI tools, UNESCO convened the first global gathering of Education Ministers to discuss the immediate and long-term potential, difficulties and hazards AI applications pose to education systems. Over 40 Ministers gathered to exchange policy approaches and plans for integrating these tools into education. UNESCO proposed a roadmap on generative AI and education, including open multistakeholder collaboration, during the online discussion on May 25, 2023.

“Generative AI expands educational horizons and challenges.” However, we must act quickly to ensure that future AI technologies are integrated into education on our terms. “It is our responsibility to prioritize safety, inclusion, diversity, transparency, and quality — as stated in the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, which our Member States unanimously adopted,” said Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education.


• Ministers highlighted several Pressing Challenges and shared Policy Approaches

Several common concerns emerged during the discussion, including how to adapt education systems to the disruptions that generative AI is causing, how to integrate generative AI into curricula, teaching methods, and examinations, and how to mitigate the inherent flaws of these technologies, such as the ability to make glaring errors and produce biassed information.

The ministerial debate highlighted that governments worldwide are building or refining appropriate policy responses in this fast-emerging context, including developing or refining national AI, data protection, and other regulatory frameworks.


• Only 10% of Schools and Universities have Formal Guidance on AI

According to a new UNESCO global study of over 450 schools and institutions, less than 10% have produced institutional rules and detailed advice on using generative AI applications. The findings show that institutions face difficulties in responding quickly to the sudden appearance of these powerful, productive AI apps capable of producing written and visual creations.

The importance of teachers as learning facilitators in this new era was emphasized. However, to handle these obstacles, teachers require guidance and training.


• UNESCO’s Policy Guidelines and Competencies Framework

UNESCO will continue to lead the global conversation with policymakers, EdTech partners, academia, and civil society. The Organisation is establishing policy guidelines for using generative AI in education and research and AI competency frameworks for students and teachers in school. These will be unveiled at the Digital Learning Week, held at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from September 4 to 7, 2023.

Through its mandates for education and science, UNESCO has unique competence. In recent years, the Organisation has led a global study on the Future of Education, and it has also produced the first global normative framework for the ethics of artificial intelligence, which its 193 Member States unanimously endorsed in November 2021.


• UNESCO’s Work in AI in Education

UNESCO is aiding its Member States in realizing the potential of AI technology in their respective fields of competence. The UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, adopted in 2021, establishes the proper normative foundation. In education, the Organisation has mobilized stakeholders around the Beijing Consensus on Artificial Intelligence and Education and has produced several guidelines, including AI and Education: A Guide for Policymakers.

Source: UNESCO

|GlobalGiants.Com|

— The Editor is a UNESCO-IIEP Certified Higher Education Consultant.


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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:18 AM | View the original post





May 21, 2023

United Nations Secretary-General Visits Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park 


United Nations

ENLARGE


Photo: UN Secretary-General António Guterres (front row, second from left) visits the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Prime Minister Modi of India and the IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva (extreme right) are also in the picture. The UN Secretary-General will attend the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Hiroshima, Japan. May 21, 2023. Japan. UN Photo/Ichiro Mae.

Source: United Nations, New York

|GlobalGiants.Com|


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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:03 AM | View the original post





May 20, 2023

Prime Minister Modi of India Unveils Mahatma Gandhi Bust in Hiroshima


Japan, Modi, India, Gandhi


Japan, Modi, India, Gandhi


Photos: Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India unveils the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Hiroshima, Japan, on May 20, 2023.


Japan, Modi, India, Gandhi


Photo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India meets Japanese painter Ms. Hiroko Takayama at Hiroshima, Japan, on May 20, 2023.


Hiroshima, Japan, May 20, 2023 —Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India today unveiled the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Hiroshima, Japan.

Dignitaries present during the unveiling ceremony included H.E Mr. Nakatani Gen, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan and Member of Parliament; Mr. Kazumi Matsui, Mayor of Hiroshima City; Mr. Tatsunori Motani, Speaker of the Hiroshima City Assembly; Members of Parliament from Hiroshima and senior government officials; members of the Indian community; and followers of Mahatma Gandhi in Japan.

The Mahatma Gandhi bust has been gifted by the Government of India to the city of Hiroshima as a symbol of friendship and goodwill between India and Japan on the occasion of the visit of the Prime Minister for the G-7 summit from 19-21 May 2023.

Padma Bhushan awardee Shri Ram Vanji Sutar has sculpted the 42 inches tall bronze bust. The bust site, adjacent to the Motoyasu River, is close to the iconic A-Bomb Dome that thousands of locals and tourists visit daily.

The location has been chosen as a mark of solidarity for peace and non-violence. Mahatma Gandhi dedicated his life to peace and non-violence. Therefore, the location truly resonates with the principles and life of Gandhiji, which continues to inspire the world and its leaders.

Source: Prime Minister’s Office, New Delhi

|GlobalGiants.Com|




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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 3:06 AM | View the original post





May 1, 2023

International Jazz Day 2023 Worldwide Celebration concludes with Extraordinary All-Star Global Concert



International Jazz Day 2023

Photo: International Jazz Day 2023 Poster, London, UK.


International Jazz Day 2023

Photo: International Jazz Day 2023 Poster, Goa, India.


International Jazz Day 2023

Photo: International Jazz Day 2023 Poster, Harare, Zimbabwe.


International Jazz Day 2023

Photo: International Jazz Day 2023 Poster, Cuba, Guatemala.


WASHINGTON, May 1, 2023 — The 12th annual International Jazz Day came to a thrilling close with a spectacular All-Star Global Concert featuring performances from Beijing, Beirut, Johannesburg, New York, Rio de Janeiro, Vienna, and beyond. The All-Star Global Concert showcased celebrated jazz artists, including Cyrille Aimée (France), Ambrose Akinmusire (USA), Thana Alexa (Croatia), John Beasley (USA), Dee Dee Bridgewater (USA), Musekiwa Chingodza (Zimbabwe), Emmet Cohen (USA), Kurt Elling (USA), Oran Etkin (Israel), Tom Gansch (Austria), Christian McBride (USA), Sérgio Mendes (Brazil), Marcus Miller (USA), Thandi Ntuli (South Africa), Dianne Reeves (USA), Antonio Sánchez (Mexico), Somi (Rwanda) and many others.

To mark International Jazz Day 2023, former U.S. President Bill Clinton and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock met for a historical conversation about the impact of jazz on their lives and humanity.

The All-Star Global Concert opened with acclaimed vocalist Somi and her remarkably unique rendition of “House of the Rising Sun” with John Beasley and Ben Williams. Next, the Blue Note China Jazz Orchestra gave a rousing take on the Gershwin standard, “Fascinating Rhythm.” Next, from Casablanca, Morocco, JazzWomenAfrica performed its composition “Bull Door,” sharing the musical traditions of Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Togo, and Ghana. Next, vocalist Yumi Park and Brazilian pianist Marcos Ariel delivered a compelling “Mas Que Nada” presentation from Rio de Janeiro. Next, Oran Etkin and Mbira player Musekiwa Chingodza provided a heartwarming performance from the streets of rural Zimbabwe. Next, Herbie Hancock enlisted Ambrose Akinmusire and Walter Smith, III, to perform Wayne Shorter’s iconic composition, “Footprints.” Finally, Dianne Reeves brought the evening to a gorgeous close with her stunning rendition of Horace Silver’s “Peace.”

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay noted, “Today, let us pay tribute to the genius of the creators and musicians who have been defining and redefining jazz for over a century, from Ella Fitzgerald to Manu Dibango. But let us also commit to supporting jazz players across the globe - so that the universal message of peace and humanity conveyed by jazz music resonates worldwide.”

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock said, “Respect for human dignity is firmly integrated into the DNA of jazz. International Jazz Day honors this important value by embracing the peace and freedom that jazz so eloquently proclaims. And that is the spirit of jazz - finding delight in diversity and creating harmony out of our differences.”

The International Jazz Day 2023 celebration included thousands of jazz performances, jam sessions, master classes, education and community outreach initiatives, and other special events in 195 countries and all 50 U.S. states. Additionally, UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz presented educational programs in five languages.

Each year on April 30, International Jazz Day brings together countries and communities on all continents to highlight the power of jazz as a force for freedom and creativity, promote intercultural dialogue through respect and understanding, and unite people worldwide. The UNESCO Member Nations adopted International Jazz Day on the initiative of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, who co-chairs the annual celebration with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. UNESCO and the United Nations recognize this day in their official calendars.

Source: Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz

|GlobalGiants.Com|


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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:15 AM | View the original post





April 22, 2023

UNESCO invites Governments to submit Nominations for the 2023 Prize for Girls' and Women's Education


Unesco Modi


Photo: Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, visits the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. August 23, 2019. Image provided by @ copyright © UNESCO/Christelle ALIX. (File Photo)


Unesco Women


Paris, France, April 21, 2023 — On International Women’s Day, UNESCO launched the call for nominations for the 2023 UNESCO Prize for Girls and Women’s Education. The Prize awards US$ 50,000 annually to two laureates making outstanding efforts in favor of girls and women’s education.

UNESCO said it believes in the transformative power of education to unlock the potential of women and girls, advance gender equality, and achieve just, equal, and inclusive societies.

So, UNESCO has invited the Governments of UNESCO Member States to nominate up to three individuals, institutions, or organizations who have made solid and innovative contributions in favor of girls’ and women’s education.

Interested candidates may contact their country’s National Commission for UNESCO or Permanent Delegation to UNESCO for nomination submission.

Nominations must meet the eligibility and selection criteria set by the Prize. In addition, nominated projects must be established and running for at least two years and show potential to be replicable and scalable. An independent International Jury of five experts will assess nominations based on the project’s potential for impact, innovation, and sustainability.

The submission deadline is May 19, 2023 (midnight, Paris time).

National Commissions for UNESCO and Permanent Delegations to UNESCO can submit the Nominations online in English or French on behalf of the candidates.

Based on the recommendations of the Jury, the Director-General of UNESCO will announce the 2023 laureates who will receive the award on October 11, 2023, as part of the “International Day of the Girl” celebrations.


Sources:
• UNESCO Headquarters, Paris.
• Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO (INCCU), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India.

|GlobalGiants.Com|


— The editor is a Higher Education Consultant holding UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning, Paris, France Certification.



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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:30 AM | View the original post





April 13, 2023

Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable Co-Chairs, IMF, World Bank, and India (as G20 Presidency) have issued a Press Statement.


IMF Roundtable


Photo: The Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable co-chaired by IMF, World Bank, and India (as G20 Presidency). April 12, 2023. Washington, DC. IMF Photo.


Washington, DC, April 12, 2023 — The Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR) met today and discussed debt sustainability and restructuring challenges and how to address them. At the end of the meeting, the International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank Group President David Malpass, and Indian Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman, co-chairs of the GSDR, released the following statement.

“The Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR) met today and discussed debt sustainability and restructuring challenges and ways to address them. We are grateful to all the participants, including Paris Club and non-Paris Club creditors, debtor countries, and private sector representatives. The discussion focused on the actions that can be taken now to accelerate debt restructuring processes and make them more efficient, including under the G20 Common Framework.

We agreed on the importance of urgently improving information sharing, including on macroeconomic projections and debt sustainability assessments, at an early stage of the process. Accordingly, the IMF and World Bank will rapidly issue staff guidance on information sharing at each step of the restructuring process.

The meeting discussed the role of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) in these processes by providing net positive flows of concessional finance. In addition, the conference welcomed the International Development Association’s (IDA) provision of positive net flows and the ex-ante implicit debt relief through increased concessions and grants to countries facing higher risks of debt distress.

To clarify critical concepts to support the predictability and fairness of debt restructuring processes, a workshop will be organized in the following weeks on assessing and enforcing the comparability of treatment. Moreover, further work will be undertaken on principles regarding cut-off dates, formal debt service suspension at the beginning of the process, treatment of arrears, and perimeter of debt to be restructured, including concerning domestic debt. This work will also help in clarifying potential timetables to accelerate debt restructurings.

The IMF, World Bank, and the G20 Presidency will continue to work closely with other partners to support the international response to current debt challenges.”

Participants in the meeting included the three co-chairs (International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and India as G20 Presidency), official bilateral creditors (China, France as chair of the Paris Club, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States), debtor countries (Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Zambia), Brazil as the forthcoming 2024 G20 Presidency and private sector representatives (Institute of International Finance, International Capital Markets Association, BlackRock, Standard Chartered).

Source: IMF Communications Department

|GlobalGiants.Com|


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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:46 PM | View the original post





April 11, 2023

IMF announces World Economic Outlook April 2023


International Monetary Fund


International Monetary Fund

International Monetary Fund

Washington DC, April 11, 2023 — In its World Economic Outlook’s press briefing, the IMF (International Monetary Fund) announced today that the baseline forecast for global output growth is 0.1 percentage points lower than that predicted in the January 2023 WEO Update. It would rise to 3.0 percent in 2024.

“The world economy is still recovering from the unprecedented upheavals of the last three years, and the recent banking turmoil has increased uncertainties. As a result, we expect global output growth to fall from 3.4% last year to 2.8% in 2023 before rising to 3% in 2024, mostly unchanged from our January projections. Advanced economies would see an especially pronounced growth slowdown from 2.7% in 2022 to 1.3% in 2023. Global headline inflation is set to fall from 8.7% in 2022 to 7% in 2023 due to lower commodity prices, but underlying core inflation is proving to be stickier. Importantly, this outlook assumes that recent financial stresses remain contained,” said Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, the IMF’s Chief Economist.

Much uncertainty clouds the short- and medium-term outlook as the global economy adjusts to the shocks of 2020-22 and the recent financial sector turmoil. As a result, recession concerns have gained prominence, while worries about stubbornly high inflation persist.

“Once again, risks are heavily tilted to the downside. They have risen with the recent financial turmoil. Most prominently, recent banking system turbulence could result in a sharper and more persistent tightening of global financial conditions. The simultaneous rate hikes across countries could have more contractionary effects than expected, especially as debt levels are at historical highs. There might be a need for more monetary tightening if inflation remains stickier than expected. These risks and more could all materialize at a time when policymakers face much more limited policy space to offset negative shocks, especially in low-income countries,” added Gourinchas.

With the fog around current and prospective economic conditions thickening, policymakers have a narrow path toward restoring price stability while avoiding a recession and maintaining financial stability. However, achieving strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth will require policymakers to stay agile and be ready to adjust as information becomes available.

“First, as long as financial stress is not systemic as it is now, the fight against inflation should remain the priority for central banks. Second, central banks should use separate tools to safeguard financial stability and clearly communicate their objectives to avoid unwarranted volatility. Further, financial policies should remain laser-focused on preserving financial stability and watch for any buildup of risks in banks, non-banks, and the real estate sectors. Third, in many countries, fiscal policy should tighten to ease inflation pressures, restore debt sustainability, and rebuild fiscal buffers. Finally, in the event of capital outflows that raise financial stability risks, emerging market and developing economies should use the integrated Policy framework, combining temporary targeted foreign exchange interventions and capital flow measures where appropriate,” said Gourinchas.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered India’s economic growth projection for the current fiscal to 5.9 percent from 6.1 percent earlier. Yet India will continue to be the fastest-growing economy in the world.

Source: IMF

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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:52 PM | View the original post





April 10, 2023

International Monetary Fund (IMF) is hosting the 2023 Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, from April 10 to April 16


IMF Washington


Photo: IMF economists participate in a Capacity Development Talk titled “Digital Money: Building Capacity for a Virtuous Circle” moderated by Eva-Maria Graf at the International Monetary Fund Headquarters, Washington, DC. April 11, 2022. IMF Photo/Cory Hancock. (File Photo)


IMF Washington


Photo: IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva participates in a meeting at the Global Center on Adaptation, Rotterdam, Netherlands. September 5, 2022. IMF Photo/Eric Kampherbeek. (File Photo)


Washington, DC, April 08, 2023 — The IMF is preparing to host thousands of delegates and media at the 2023 Spring Meetings in Washington, DC.

In her Spring Meetings Curtain Raiser speech, the Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, said that despite surprisingly resilient labor markets, strong consumer demand, and the uplift in China, the world economy might grow less than 3% this year. However, to brighten growth prospects, three themes that need to be addressed are fighting inflation and safeguarding financial stability, improving medium-term opportunities for growth, and fostering solidarity to reduce global disparities.

“Central banks should continue to use interest rates to fight inflation while using financial policies to ensure financial stability,” said Georgieva, speaking to a packed room of diplomats at Meridian International Center in Washington.

On fostering solidarity to reduce global disparities, Georgieva said that the IMF had provided nearly $300 billion in new financing for 96 countries since the start of the Covid pandemic.

The IMF and World Bank will jointly host the meetings of the world’s finance ministers, central bankers, civil society organizations, parliamentarians, and nearly 600 journalists.

The 2023 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will occur from Monday, April 10 to Sunday, April 16, in the WBG and IMF headquarters in Washington, DC.

Source: IMF

|GlobalGiants.Com|

— The editor holds IMF Washington DC’s distinguished Academic Certificate in Financial Market Analysis.


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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:37 AM | View the original post





April 7, 2023

UNESCO IIEP announces Martín Benavides, former Minister of Education of Peru, as its new Director

Unesco IIEP


Unesco IIEP Director

Photo: Martín Benavides, the new UNESCO IIEP Director.


Paris, France, April 07, 2023 — The UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) has welcomed Martín Benavides as its new Director.

Benavides is a Peruvian sociologist who served as the Minister of Education from February 2020 to November 2020. In this role, he designed the country’s national strategy for distance education while overseeing all levels of the education system, from pre-primary to higher education.

As IIEP Director, Benavides will provide strategic leadership for the Institute, celebrating six decades of supporting UNESCO Member States in planning and managing their education systems in 2023.

In his new role, Benavides will oversee IIEP’s capacity development offer, which includes technical cooperation for countries, a dynamic, multi-lingual training offer, and knowledge production and mobilization through its three offices in Buenos Aires, Dakar, and Paris.

“I look forward to analyzing what constitutes planning today - we know it goes beyond policy design, implementation, or evaluation. So, we will reflect on this and present new ideas for educational planning to our partners and governments. This is crucial for addressing the challenges of the post-COVID-19 era,” said Benavides.

“On behalf of the IIEP Board, I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Martín Benavides during this transformational time for education,” said IIEP Governing Board Chair José Weinstein. “As a former Peruvian Minister of Education and sociologist, he brings not only a wealth of knowledge to the role, but the leadership and vision to further IIEP in its important mission of developing the capacities of education actors worldwide,” Weinstein said.

Before joining IIEP in March 2023, Benavides served as Director of the Observatory of Higher Education, and from 2018, he was a senior professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (Lima). Earlier in his career, in 2002, Benavides joined the Peruvian think tank Group for the Analysis of Development (GRADE), where he was first a senior researcher and then Executive Director from 2008 to 2018.

From 2015 to 2018, Benavides was a member of the Board of Directors of Peru’s National Superintendence of Higher University Education (SUNEDU). From 2018 to 2020, he served as superintendent of this body and led the implementation of the country’s university reform.

Benavides, who holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Policy and a Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University, has published extensively on the sociology of education, educational policy, as well as issues related to social stratification, social classes, inequality, and youth. He has also been a visiting researcher and fellow at the Population and Development Center (Ceped) at the Université de Paris and the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (CASBS) at Stanford University.



Source: UNESCO IIEP

|GlobalGiants.Com|

— The Editor is a UNESCO IIEP trained & certified “Independent Appraiser” of Government Education Plans.


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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:48 AM | View the original post





April 2, 2023

Artificial Intelligence: UNESCO calls on all Governments to implement Global Ethical Framework without delay


UNESCO, AI


Photo: UNESCO Headquarters Paris. A lecture on “Science at the service of humanity.” December 7, 2022. Image provided by & Copyright © UNESCO/Christelle ALIX. (File Photo)


Paris, France, March 31, 2023 — Following the calls by over 1000 tech workers this week for a pause in training in the most powerful AI systems, including Chat GPT, UNESCO has called on countries to fully implement its Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence immediately. This global normative framework, adopted unanimously by the 193 Member States of the Organization, provides all the necessary safeguards.

“The world needs stricter ethical rules for artificial intelligence: this is the challenge of our time. UNESCO’s Recommendation on the ethics of AI sets the appropriate normative framework. Our Member States all endorsed this Recommendation in November 2021. So it is high time to implement the strategies and regulations at the national level. We have to walk the talk and ensure we deliver on the Recommendation’s objectives,” UNESCO’s Director-General Audrey Azoulay said in a statement.

UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence is the first global framework for the ethical use of artificial intelligence. It guides countries in maximizing the benefits of AI and reducing the risks it entails. To this end, it contains values and principles and detailed policy recommendations in all relevant areas.

UNESCO is concerned by many of the ethical issues raised by these innovations, in particular discrimination and stereotyping, including the issue of gender inequality, but also the fight against disinformation, the right to privacy, the protection of personal data, and human and environmental rights.

Industry self-regulation is insufficient to avoid these ethical harms. The Recommendation provides the tools to ensure that AI developments abide by the rule of law, avoiding damage and ensuring that when harm is done, accountability and redressal mechanisms are at hand for those affected.

UNESCO’s Recommendation places a Readiness Assessment tool at the core of its guidance to Member States. This tool enables countries to ascertain the competencies and skills required in the workforce to ensure robust regulation of the artificial intelligence sector. It also provides that the States regularly report on their progress and practices in artificial intelligence by submitting a periodic report every four years.

More than 40 countries in all regions of the world are already working with UNESCO to develop AI checks and balances at the national level, building on the Recommendation.

UNESCO has called on all countries to join the movement it is leading to build an ethical AI. UNESCO will present the Progress Report at the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Slovenia in December 2023.

Source: UNESCO

|GlobalGiants.Com|


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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 1:56 AM | View the original post





February 21, 2023

1st G20 Finance Ministers & Central Bank Governors and 2nd G20 Finance & Central Bank Deputies Meetings from 22nd-25th February 2023 begins tomorrow in Bengaluru, India


G20 Finance


New Delhi, February 21, 2023 — The First G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting under the G20 Indian Presidency scheduled for 24th-25th February 2023 begins tomorrow in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

While addressing a press briefing today, Mr. Ajay Seth, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Dr. Anantha V. Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor, Ministry of Finance, said that Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and the Governor Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Dr. Shaktikanta Das, will jointly chair this meeting.

Mr. Seth informed the media that the G20 FMCBG meeting would be preceded by a G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies (FCBD) panel on February 22, 2023. Mr. Seth and Dr. Michael D. Patra, Deputy Governor, RBI, will co-chair the FCBD meeting.

Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, Shri Anurag Thakur, will inaugurate the G20 FCBD meeting tomorrow.

The 1st G20 FMCBG meeting under the G20 Indian Presidency on 24th-25th February will see the participation of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the G20 members, invitee members, and heads of International Organisations. In total, there will be 72 delegations attending the meeting.

The Indian Presidency has designed the meeting agenda to foster a meaningful exchange of ideas among Ministers and Governors on pragmatic and influential approaches to address some key global economic issues.

The meeting will spread over three sessions on February 24th-25th, covering issues such as strengthening multilateral development banks to address shared global challenges of the 21st century, financing for resilient, inclusive, and sustainable “cities of tomorrow,” leveraging Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for advancing financial inclusion, and productivity gains. The sessions will also cover issues related to the global economy, global health, and international taxation.

The discussions in the G20 FMCBG meeting would provide a clear mandate for the various workstreams of the G20 Finance Track in 2023.

G20 India will also organize a “Ratri Bhoj Par Samvad” and cultural programs for the Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors, and their delegations to showcase India’s diverse cuisines and culture.

Mr. Ajay Seth said that cultural programs showcasing India’s rich cultural odyssey across Karnataka would welcome ministers, governors, deputies, and delegates. The performance would reflect the artistry and splendor of Karnataka’s cultural ethos and legacy.

The Secretary said that on February 26, the delegates would make excursions and enjoy the beautiful natural landscape of Karnataka.

Source: Ministry of Finance, Government of India

|GlobalGiants.Com|


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Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:52 AM | View the original post






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