October 5, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
The EU extends support for the Paris Climate Agreement. Image Credit - kadrby / depositphotos
Reading Time: 2 min read
UNDP signs agreement with Municipal Council
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Sri Lanka has signed a LKR 20 million agreement with the Kaduwela Municipal Council, to effectively use solid waste matter to produce biogas.
This is the first UNDP project in Sri Lanka co-financed with the government. The project is expected to contribute towards the government’s Energy Sector Development Plan, to achieve 100% renewable energy use in the country by 2030.
Sri Lanka and Switzerland sign immigration agreement
Swiss Federal Councillor, Simonetta Sommaruga, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Cultural Affairs and Wayamba Development, Seneviratne Bandara Nawinne, have signed an agreement on migration on 4 October.
The agreement establishes enhanced cooperation between the countries on the repatriation of Sri Lankan refugees in Switzerland, as well as on curbing human trafficking.
International Policing Conference commences
A three-day seminar titled ‘Future Policing: Prospects and Challenges for South Asia’, has been inaugurated by President Sirisena on 4 October. The summit was organised in partnership with the UN, and was attended by academics and representatives of police forces from South Asia.
The conference included panel discussions on topics such as the accountability and transparency of police forces, police and technology, and community collaboration.
EU supports ratification of Paris climate agreement
The EU, which accounts for 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions, has expressed its support for the ratification of the Paris Agreement, following India’s ratification of the deal on 2 October.
The official ratification is expected to be deposited with the United Nations on 7 October. It will take effect 30 days later, in time for the next round of climate talks, to be held in Morocco in November.
IMF predicts lower growth for advanced economies
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered its growth forecast for advanced economies to 1.6%, 0.2 percentage points less than its last estimate. It stated that political risk in these economies had become the greatest threat to the world economy.
The IMF also stated that the lower growth in advanced economies would be offset by slightly faster growth of approximately 4.2% in emerging economies.
UN Security Council refuses to discuss India-Pakistan tensions
The UN Security Council’s President for October 2016, Vitaly Churkin, has stated that the Council would not discuss tensions between India and Pakistan over the Jammu and Kashmir region. Pakistan had indicated that it wanted UN intervention on the issue, following Indian military strikes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon urged both countries to take steps to reduce the tensions.
Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, EU, Switzerland, UNDP, Security Council, IMF
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