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World Leaders Gather in Nairobi for UN Environment Assembly

The UN Environment Assembly is the world’s highest decision-making body on the environment — its membership includes all 193 UN member states…reports Asian Lite News

Ministers of environment and other leaders from more than 180 nations convened in Nairobi on Monday for the start of the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), to be held till March 1.

More than 7,000 delegates from 182 UN member states and more than 170 ministers have registered for UNEA-6, taking place under the theme ‘effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution’.

With a focus on strengthening environmental multilateralism to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature loss and pollution, this year’s Assembly will be negotiating resolutions on issues ranging from nature-based solutions and highly hazardous pesticides to land degradation and drought, and environmental aspects of minerals and metals.

The UN Environment Assembly is the world’s highest decision-making body on the environment — its membership includes all 193 UN member states.

It meets biennially to set priorities for global environmental policies and develop international environmental law; decisions and resolutions then taken by member states at the Assembly also define the work of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

“We are living in a time of turmoil. And I know that in this room, there are people who are, or who know, those deeply affected by this turmoil. Our response must demonstrate that multilateral diplomacy can deliver,” said Leila Benali, President of UNEA-6 and Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Morocco.

“As we meet here in 2024, we must be self-critical and work towards inclusive, networked and effective multilateralism that can make a tangible difference to people’s lives.”

As climate change intensifies, a million species head towards extinction, and pollution remains one of the world’s leading causes of premature death, UNEA-6 will see countries consider some 19 resolutions, part of a broader push to spur more ambitious multilateral environmental action.

The resolutions cover, among other issues, circular economy; solar radiation modification; effective, inclusive, and sustainable multilateral actions towards climate justice; sound management of chemicals and waste, and sand and dust storms.

Delegates this week will include heads of state, representatives from government, civil society, and the private sector.

A series of leadership and multi-stakeholder dialogues and more than 30 official side events and associated events are expected to lay the grounds for strengthened future global and regional coordinated efforts by the United Nations, member states and partners to deliver high-impact planetary action.

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Nairobi Hosts Global Military Officers Summit

The meeting will focus on current issues such as urban warfare, rapid advances in science and technology and what this means for methods of warfare particularly in the conduct of hostilities…reports Asian Lite News

The Senior Workshop on International Rules governing Military Operations (SWIRMO) is co-hosted by the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) and will run until November 4th.

The workshop was officially opened by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary in charge of Defence, Hon Aden Duale who was joined by Lt-Gen J M Mwangi, Vice Chief, KDF, Martin Schuepp, ICRC’s Director of Operations and Dr. Ahmed Idris Secretary General, Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS).

“We are gathered here in a period marked by shifting alliances, growing geopolitical tensions and armed conflicts, all presenting potential humanitarian crises. The current situation reinforces the essence and relevance of IHL in preserving our common humanity,” Kenya’s Cabinet Defense Secretary Duale said.

In his remarks, ICRC’s Martin Schuepp compared IHL to a compass preserving the core of our common humanity in the midst of war.

“Respecting IHL is fundamental to minimize human suffering, civilian losses, and damage to property. It is also crucial for civilians to have access to essential goods and services they depend upon,” Martin noted.

He also highlighted ICRC’s work with states and military in developing and reaffirming the law through means such as providing training to support the integration of law into domestic legal frameworks.

On the domestic implementation of IHL, Dr. Ahmed Idris, KRCS Secretary General highlighted the unique legal relationship National Societies have with their governments to ensure that IHL is disseminated and understood in the country as well as the protection of the Red Cross, Red Crescent emblem.

The meeting will focus on current issues such as urban warfare, rapid advances in science and technology and what this means for methods of warfare particularly in the conduct of hostilities, partnered military operations and the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

Since 2015, ICRC has urged States to establish internationally agreed limits on autonomous weapon systems to ensure civilian protection, compliance with international humanitarian law, and ethical acceptability. Warring parties must avoid the use of autonomous weapon systems like explosive weapons with a wide impact area in populated areas, and rigorously apply the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law which, albeit unable to prevent armed conflicts, strive to mitigate the suffering endured.

“Each new conflict presents new ways in which belligerents and civilians use technologies. New developments and rapid adoption of digital technologies give rise to numerous humanitarian, legal and ethical dilemmas. However it must be remembered that the established principles and rules of IHL apply to all forms of warfare and to all kinds of weapons, be they new or old, digital or kinetic.” Concluded Martin Schuepp.

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