Vote by UN General Assembly on motion for no action on Russian amendment to the Pact for the Future
Map of the Month 09/2024
On 22 September 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus the Pact for the Future along with its annexes, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. Beforehand, however, the Russian Federation criticised the negotiations and the pact and put forward an amendment which stated „that the United Nations and its system shall not intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State (…)“. Congo on behalf of the African
Group requested a motion for no action which was voted on and supported with 143 states in favour,
7 against (Russia, Iran, Syria, North Korea, Nicaragua, Belarus and Sudan) and 15 abstentions.
28 states did not participate. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called the Pact and its
annexes „landmark agreements“ which were "step-change towards more effective, inclusive, networked multilateralism.“ The Pact includes 56 action steps in areas like sustainable
development, peace and security, digital cooperation, youth and future generations or global governance.
Sarah Ultes
September 23, 2024
Map of the Month
Donor and Recipient countries and progress of appeals Humanitarian aid worldwide until mid-2024
Map of the Month 08/2024
As of 19 August, World Humanitarian Day, only 26.6% of the required funds for 2024 have been received, which are channeled through UN agencies, funds, NGOs and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. With 6.5 billion USD, the USA is by far the largest donor, followed by the European Commission, Japan and Germany. The 10 largest donors have contributed around 80% of the amount until now, with Russia and China together contributing only around 0.07%. With 1.5 billion USD, the biggest amount is currently going to the Palestinian territories, although only 47% of the corresponding appeal has been covered. The other top 10 recipient countries include Ukraine, Sudan, Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Somalia.
Sarah Ultes
August 19, 2024
Map of the Month
Ratification of the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949
Map of the Month 08/2024
On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, called for the Geneva Conventions to be made a political priority. While they are considered universally ratified with 196 signatory states, their enforcement remains an enormous challenge. Not only the respect and observance of the conventions and their additional protocols by the signatory states, but also the further ratification of the additional protocols are therefore indispensable in view of the increasing conflicts worldwide. While 20 active conflicts were counted in 1999, there are currently more than 120.
Sarah Ultes
August 15, 2024
Map of the Month
Key votes during the 56th UN Human Rights Council
Map of the Month 07/2024
Comparatively few resolutions were adopted during the 56th UN Human Rights Council, which was held in Geneva from June 18 to July 12. Of the 25 texts adopted, only three were put to the vote: the extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea and two long-standing and contentious initiatives on international cooperation and international solidarity. The much-discussed resolution of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on combating religious hatred that incites discrimination, hostility or violence was withdrawn shortly before the end of the session. A total of 30 amendments were tabled against other resolutions, in particular by Russia, for example against texts on HIV/AIDS, the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and girls or on human rights in the context of peaceful protests. However, they were either rejected or withdrawn. Among the texts adopted was a resolution mandating an an open-ended intergovernmental working group with preparing a draft optional protocol on the right to education for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. For the first time, the Council also adopted a resolution introduced by Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru on the impact of plastic pollution on the full enjoyment of human rights.
Sarah Ultes
July 15, 2024
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Contributions for the UN Refugee Agency until mid-2024
Map of the Month 06/2024
While 117,3 million people were forcibly displaced at the end of 2023 and more than 120 million by the end of April 2024 - the highest number on
record -, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is facing severe
underfunding. By mid-June, only 26% of its budget has been covered, less
than in the previous year.
Sarah Ultes
June 17, 2024
Map of the Month
"Health conditions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories" - Votes of the 77th WHA
Map of the Month 05/2024
At the 77th world health assembly and upon Israel‘s request the decision A77/B/CONF./1 on “Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem and the occupied Syrian Golan” should be supplemented by one point: the unconditional, immediate release of the hostages from October 7, 2023 and condemnation of the use of health facilities by armed groups. The amendment was adopted by the World Health Assembly with 50 votes in favor, 44 member states voted against, 31 abstained and 52 were absent at the time of the vote. 17 countries were not entitled to vote. Egypt then announced its intention to withdraw the original draft decision. However, as this withdrawal requires the consent of the proposer of the amendment (Israel), the Member States withdrew for consultations. The final decision was postponed.
Dr. Anja Maria Rittner
May 30, 2024
Map of the Month
Resolution der UN-Generalversammlung zu künstlicher Intelligenz (KI)
Map of the Month 04/2024
On March 21, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on "safe, secure and trustworthy" artificial intelligence (AI). Among other things, the resolution emphasizes the respect, protection and promotion of human rights in the design and application of AI. The draft resolution was co-sponsored by 123 members and adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly. The resolution is the first stand-alone General Assembly resolution on AI and reinforces existing efforts by UN organizations, such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and international processes, such as the UN Global Digital Pact announced for September 2024. The unity of the UN members underlines the globally recognized potential of AI, especially in terms of international development, the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and global cooperation.
Cedric Amon
April 29, 2024
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Key votes during the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council
Map of the Month 03/2024
The 55th UN Human Rights Council met from 26 February to 5 April 2024, making it the longest Council session to date. A total of 33 resolutions were adopted, comparatively fewer than in the previous year. This again included numerous country mandates. Among others, the fact-finding mission on Iran was extended, which was set up at the instigation of Germany and Iceland in November 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini. It came to the conclusion that the subsequent repression of the nationwide protests under the slogan "Women, Life, Freedom" and the pervasive institutional discrimination against women and girls may amount to crimes against humanity. The International Commission of Inquiry on human rights violations in Ukraine stemming from the Russian aggression was also extended. In its latest report, the group focused on evidence on torture against Ukrainian prisoners of wars and concerning the unlawful transfer of children to areas under Russian control. Moreover, a group of three independent experts was mandated for the first time to further investigate the human rights situation in Belarus. The Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan was also extended. And a historic resolution on the rights of intersex people was adopted. However, the spring session focused mainly on the war in Gaza. Among others, a resolution on accountability was adopted, which calls for an immediate ceasefire, the cessation of the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munition and other military equipment to Israel as well as for a conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention. The text was criticised by Germany and the USA in particular, as although it calls for the immediate release of all hostages, Hamas itself is not mentioned.
The "Map of the Month", a new series of the Multilateral Dialogue Geneva of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, uses maps to illustrate global trends and the role of Germany and Europe in the world on a monthly basis.
