*[Enwl-eng] New virus strains unlikely to affect vaccine plans
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UN Wire Political chief urges support of 2015 nuclear deal | Mladenov declines role in Libya, announces resignation from the UN | Germany, China clash at UNSC over detention of Canadians
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December 23, 2020
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WHO: New virus strains unlikely to affect vaccine plans
Officials from the World Health Organization are studying two new coronavirus variants that have appeared in the UK and South Africa, and this week confirmed that the UK strain is more infectious but that there is no evidence yet of increased severity. WHO Emergencies Program coordinator Dr. Mike Ryan says there is no reason to think the new strains will affect the value of current diagnostic measures or vaccines.Full Story: Deutsche Welle (Germany)/The Associated Press (12/23), Voice of America (12/21)
United Nations
Political chief urges support of 2015 nuclear deal
Iran must uphold its commitments under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and all parties to the agreement must refrain from actions that could further destabilize the Middle East, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo told members of the UN Security Council this week. Iran has rejected suggestions that it scale back nuclear development to within limits set out in the deal, saying it increased nuclear activity after other parties violated the agreement.Full Story: Arab News (Saudi Arabia) (12/23), Asharq Al-Awsat (UK) (12/21)
a.. Mladenov declines role in Libya, announces resignation from the UN
Macau Business (Macao)/Agence France-Presse (12/23)
a.. Germany, China clash at UNSC over detention of Canadians
CNN-News18 (India) (12/23)
a.. Torture expert presses US to pardon Assange
Daily Sabah (Turkey)/Agence France-Presse (12/22)
Health & Development
Officials warn against complacency as virus cases spike
Herd immunity against the coronavirus is unlikely to take effect until the end of 2021, and the global community must avoid falling into complacency as vaccines are deployed, warned World Health Organization chief scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan as the agency reported a record increase in its seven-day count of new cases. A lack of access to vaccines in developing countries could prompt resurgences of the virus in wealthy countries for years to come, according to Mark Lowcock, United Nations Under-Secretary-General of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.Full Story: CNBC (12/23), The Guardian (London) (12/23), Reuters (12/22)
a.. OCHA reports worsening food insecurity in Afghanistan
Xinhua News Agency (China) (12/21)
Women & Girls
Former official: Addressing harassment at UN not prioritized
Purna Sen, who led efforts through her role at UN Women to address harassment, assault and discrimination was not renewed this year, says the agency is not prioritizing the fight against workplace abuses. "There was a big drive to tackle sexual harassment in 2017-2018, but these issues appear to have been put on the back burner," Sen says.Full Story: The Guardian (London) (12/22)
Climate and Energy
Report: Coral reefs at risk of extinction by 2100
Global carbon emissions are warming waters around the world, which is driving an increase in carbon bleaching and threatening to wipe out all coral reefs by the end of the century, a report from the United Nations Environment Programme's Marine and Freshwater branch says. "Humanity must act with evidence-based urgency, ambition and innovation to change the trajectory for this ecosystem, which is the canary in the coal mine for climate's impact on oceans, before it's too late," says program head Leticia Carvalho.Full Story: United Press International (12/22)
a.. Ocean science investments key to sustainable development, UNESCO says
Prensa Latina (Cuba) (12/22)
Peacekeeping and Security
Rights office seeks probe of Tigray violence
Allegations of mass killings and other human rights abuses could constitute war crimes and must be investigated, says United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, whose office is pushing for a UN probe in the region. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has launched an appeal for $156 million in aid funding for around 130,000 civilians affected by clashes in the region.Full Story: Reuters (12/22), India Blooms News Service (12/23)
a.. Investigators detail war crimes, crimes against humanity in Mali
Modern Ghana/Agence France-Presse (12/22)
a.. Guterres urges fair elections in Central African Republic as peacekeepers move in
News24 (South Africa)/Agence France-Presse (12/21)
a.. UNSC holds closed-door meeting on Western Sahara
Reuters (12/21)
Editor's Note
UN Wire will not publish Friday through Jan. 1
In observance of the holiday season, UN Wire will not publish Friday through Jan. 1. Publication will resume Jan. 4.
UN News
Highlights from the United Nations Department of Global Communications
New Sudan government 'acceptable to the people' paves way for UNAMID drawdownFull Story: UN News (12/22)
UN Dispatch
Commentary and coverage on the UN and UN-related issues
"Vaccine Multilateralism Gets a Shot in the Arm"Full Story: UN Dispatch (12/22)
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