Latest news with #UNConference
Egypt Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Middle East tensions highlight fragile regional stability, say UN conference leaders
CAIRO – 17 June 29025: The co-chairs of the United Nations High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution (France and Saudi Arabia), along with the chairs of the conference's working groups (Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Norway, Qatar, Senegal, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the Arab League), said in a joint statement that recent events validate earlier warnings about the region's fragility and underscore the urgent need to restore calm, uphold international law, and strengthen diplomatic engagement. The joint statement expressed deep concern over the ongoing escalation and recent developments that have led to the suspension of the High-Level UN Conference. "At this critical juncture, we can only reaffirm our full commitment to the conference's goals and to ensuring that its work continues and its objectives are met," the statement read. The co-chairs announced that they would soon set new dates for the conference's roundtable discussions to incorporate the input of the working groups and work toward coordinated and clear international commitments that reflect a shared determination to implement the two-state solution. The statement emphasized that the current situation demands more than ever a renewed push to uphold international law, respect the sovereignty of states, and promote peace, freedom, and dignity for all peoples in the region. It reiterated unwavering support for all efforts aimed at ending the war in Gaza and achieving a just and sustainable resolution to the Palestinian question through the implementation of the two-state solution, ensuring security and stability for all countries in the region.
News24
7 days ago
- Politics
- News24
What is the High Seas Treaty and why does it matter?
There has been much hype about the United Nations High Seas Treaty at the United National Ocean Conference happening in Nice this week. But what are the High Seas and why are they important? And what will the Treaty achieve? Dr Judy Mann explains. What are the High Seas and why are they important? Extending 370 kilometres offshore is the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of each nation with a coastline. This is the part of the ocean that each coastal nation has the right to exploit and the responsibility to manage. The rest of the ocean is referred to as the High Seas. Collectively covering almost half of the planet, the High Seas are all the parts of the ocean that are not 'owned' by any nation – the areas beyond territorial waters. These vast stretches of ocean are incredibly important to humanity. They act as a carbon sink for about a quarter of the carbon dioxide generated by burning fossil fuels, they provide about half of the oxygen we need to breathe, and they provide fish and other marine resources to feed billions of people. In fact, the health of the High Seas is critical for the health of humanity. Right now, only about 1% of the High Seas are protected. READ | EXPLAINER | What will the UN high seas treaty mean for protecting the ocean? The High Seas have always been a 'free for all' - massive stretches of ocean where every country has the right to navigate, catch fish, lay submarine cables and pipelines and do research. But the resources of the High Seas – the fish and other biological resources, as well as the minerals in the seabed belong to all of us – not only the nations rich enough to exploit them. The world needed a system to manage the High Seas in a way that is fair and equitable to everyone, and that benefits all of humanity. What is the High Seas Treaty? After more than 10 years of negotiation, the member states of the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction finally reached consensus and the High Seas Treaty was signed in New York City, US on 4 March 2023. By signing the Treaty, nations acknowledge the rights and responsibilities of all to act as stewards to protect the ocean for current and future generations. What will the Treaty achieve? The High Seas Treaty is a legally binding document in which all member states commit to the conservation and sustainable use of the High Seas. While the Treaty will not directly help nations to deliver against the 30x30 global protection target, it does provide a framework for establishing Marine Protected Areas in the High Seas. The Treaty also addresses how to modernise environmental impact assessments to ensure better consistency in the measurement of the impact of human activities on the ocean. The sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources and capacity building and technology transfer are other focus areas of the Treaty. The Treaty also contains measures to protect traditional knowledge and acknowledge the contribution of local communities. What now? The signing of the Treaty was step one – now we need ratification by at least 60 member states and then implementation needs to happen. This is a complex task and one that has been ongoing since 2023. So far in Nice this week, 20 countries have ratified the treaty, joining the 31 countries and the EU which have already ratified it. So, nine to go! To date 135 countries have signed the Treaty, including South Africa. South Africa has not yet ratified it. Signature is the first step by a country that shows its intention to be bound by the terms of the treaty. Ratification is the formal approval of the treaty by a country's government. Signature is the first step, while ratification means that the country is serious as it legally binds the country to the terms of the treaty. Both ratification and signature are crucial in ensuring that international agreements are legally binding and enforceable. Ratification is important, but without the true commitment of every nation, all the money in the world will not make the Treaty a success. What is needed is a deep acknowledgement that caring for the ocean is the only way to ensure that our children will inherit a habitable planet, followed by true commitment and actions to implement the Treaty as soon as possible. Dr Judy Mann is executive for strategic projects at Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation.
Free Malaysia Today
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
UN conference on Israel-Palestine issue suspended
The conference, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, was supposed to be held at the United Nations in New York from June 17 to 20. (AP pic) PETALING JAYA : The United Nations conference to discuss the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine has been postponed. The conference, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, was supposed to be held in New York from June 17 to 20. It was meant to chart a roadmap towards the creation of a Palestinian state while ensuring Israel's security. According to a report by Turkish state news agency, Anadolu, the conference was postponed amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran. The postponement was announced in a joint statement by the permanent missions of Saudi Arabia and France to the UN. 'Due to the current circumstances in the Middle East that prevent regional leaders from attending the conference in New York, and after informing the president of the General Assembly and the Secretariat, we will only open the meeting and proceed to propose the suspension of the Conference,' they said. Saudi Arabia and France said they are determined to resume the conference 'at the earliest possible date'. 'We invite all states and observers to attend the opening meeting of the conference at the General Assembly Hall on Tuesday, June 17,' the statement added. Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia will take part in the UN conference next week, despite reported efforts by the US to dissuade countries from attending. He said Malaysia will send a representative to the conference, as every country has the right to voice its stance, particularly on the issue of justice for the Palestinian people. Anwar added that he supported the initiative by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French president Emmanuel Macron.
Arab News
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Saudi crown prince, Macron discuss repercussions of Israel-Iran clash
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and France's President Emmanuel Macron had a phone call on Friday to discuss the latest developments in the region, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The two leaders discussed the repercussions of Israeli strikes on Iran, which has killed 78 people, including generals and scientists, and wounded 320 others. Iran retaliated later in the day, raining missiles and weaponized drones on Israeli cities, causing destruction. In their phone conversation, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Macron "emphasized the necessity of making every effort to de-escalate the situation, the importance of exercising restraint, and resolving all disputes through diplomatic means," the SPA report said. Macron had earlier announced that a UN conference on a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians that France and Saudi Arabia planned to co-chair next week in New York had been postponed because of the Israel-Iran clash. "While we have to postpone this conference for logistical and security reasons, it will take place as soon as possible," Macron said at a press conference.
Bloomberg
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Macron Says UN Conference on Palestinian Statehood Is Postponed
French president Emmanuel Macron said an international gathering on Palestinian statehood he was set to co-chair next week at the United Nations with Saudi Arabia was postponed. While Macron didn't explicitly link the postponement to Israel's strikes on Iran, he said Middle East leaders can't attend the conference because of logistical and security reasons.
