THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY2 December 2024 On this International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, we shine a light on the estimated 50 million people worldwide trapped in horrific conditions – from human trafficking to forced labour, sexual exploitation and forced marriage.Around the world, perpetrators prey on those made vulnerable by poverty, discrimination and conflict — including women and children — and profit from immeasurable human suffering.These outrageous abuses have no place in the 21st century. They are not only an affront to basic human rights — they slow development, entrench inequalities, and undermine sustainable economic development.The recently adopted Pact for the Future calls for the eradication of forced labour, an end to modern slavery and trafficking in persons, and the elimination of all forms of child labour.To transform words into deeds, governments must strengthen law enforcement, uphold human dignity, protect, liberate and support victims, and bring perpetrators to justice. And businesses must ensure supply chains are free of exploitation and promote fair and transparent labour practices.Everywhere, let us join forces to detect, report and abolish contemporary forms of slavery in all its forms.*** UNICEFPRESS RELEASEFAST FACTS: Critical gains in HIV response, but adolescents, especially girls, remain disproportionately affected, UNICEF warns on World AIDS Day
NEW YORK/Islamabad, December 1 2024 – While there has been a notable decline in new HIV infections among children and adolescents globally over the past decade, adolescent girls still struggle to access tailored prevention services and support, according to the latest available estimates.

Without urgent action to address the disproportionate impact of HIV on adolescent girls and young women – particularly in sub-Saharan Africa – hard-won gains in the HIV response could be lost, UNICEF is warning ahead of World AIDS Day on 1st December.
“Many countries have made remarkable strides towards ending AIDS,” said UNICEF Associate Director of HIV/AIDS Anurita Bains. “Yet children and adolescents are not fully reaping the benefits of scaled up access to treatment and prevention services. Children living with HIV must be prioritized when it comes to investing resources and efforts to scale up treatment for all, this includes the expansion of innovative testing technologies.”

According to the latest available data (2023): Globally, 96,000 girls and 41,000 boys aged 15-19 were newly infected with HIV in 2023, meaning seven out of 10 new adolescent infections were among girls. In sub-Saharan Africa, 9 out of 10 new HIV infections among 15-19 year-olds are among girls. In 2023, 330 children aged 0-14 acquired HIV every day.

 There were 250,000 new HIV infections in the 0-19 age group in 2023, bringing the total number of children and adolescents living with HIV globally to 2.4 million. While 77 per cent of adults living with HIV have access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), only 57 per cent of children aged 0-14, and 65 per cent of adolescents aged 15-19 do.

 Last year over 90,000 children and adolescents died of AIDS-related causes – that’s 250 lives lost each day – 73 per cent of which occurred among children under the age of 10. Children aged 0-14 make up only 3 per cent of people living with HIV, yet they account for 12 per cent (76,000) of AIDS-related deaths in 2023.

 The rate of new HIV infections in Eastern and Southern Africa has decreased by 72 per cent among 0-14 year-olds and 57 per cent among 15-19 year-olds since 2010, making it one of the top global public health achievements in decades.

 Despite a decrease in overall rates of infection in most parts of the world since 2010, 74,000 new HIV cases among children and adolescents aged 15-19 were recorded in Eastern and Southern Africa in 2023, 18,000 in West and Central Africa, 8,900 in South Asia, 5,800 in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and 16,000 in East Asia and the Pacific.

 Latin America and the Caribbean has not seen a meaningful reduction in the HIV infection rate among adolescents in at least a decade, while in the Middle East and North Africa, new infections among adolescents have increased by 70 per cent since 2010. 

 19 countries and territories have achieved certification for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and/or syphilis, including 11 in the Americas, with recent certifications for Belize, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In Africa, Botswana and Namibia are certified as being on the path to elimination.  
Notes to EditorsThe adolescent HIV infection data is derived from UNAIDS Estimates 2024. Numbers may not add up due to rounding off.

Watch UNICEF Executive Director’s World AIDS Day message here.World AIDS Day 2024 global snapshot and other assets can be found here. NEW: Subscribe to UNICEF’s global media updates on WhatsApp.  For further information, please contact: 
Nadia Samie-Jacobs, UNICEF, New York, +1 845 760 2615, nsamie@unicef.org 
 About UNICEF UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.    For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.org  Follow UNICEF on X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and YouTube 

ILOPRESS RELEASEWage inequality has declined in two-thirds of countries worldwide since start of 21st CenturyGlobal real average wage growth has started to rise again as inflation progressively eases. Despite these positive outcomes, high levels of wage inequality remain, making it a pressing policy issue, ILO report finds.GENEVA (ILO News) – A new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO) reveals that wage inequality has decreased in about two-thirds of all countries since 2000. Despite this positive trend, significant wage differentials persist worldwide. The Global Wage Report 2024-25: is wage inequality decreasing globally?, finds that since the early 2000’s, on average, wage inequality, which compares the wages of high and low wage earners, decreased in many countries at an average rate that ranged from 0.5 to 1.7 per cent annually, depending on the measure used. The most significant decreases occured among low-income countries where the average annual decrease ranged from 3.2 to 9.6 per cent in the past two decades.Wage inequality is declining at a slower pace in wealthier countries, shrinking annually between 0.3 and 1.3 per cent in upper-middle-income-countries, and between 0.3 to 0.7 per cent in high-income countries. Moreover, even though wage inequality narrowed overall, decreases were more significant among wage workers at the upper end of the pay scale.Real wages rose globally but regional differences persistThe report also finds that global wages have been growing faster than inflation in recent times. In 2023, global real wages grew by 1.8 per cent with projections reaching 2.7 per cent growth for 2024, the highest increase in more than15 years. Such positive outcomes mark a notable recovery when compared to the negative global wage growth, of -0.9 per cent, observed in 2022, a period when high inflation rates outpaced nominal wage growth.However, wage growth has been uneven across regions, with emerging economies experiencing stronger growth than advanced economies, the report finds. While advanced G20 economies registered a decline in real wages for two consecutive years (−2.8 per cent in 2022 and −0.5 per cent in 2023), real wage growth remained positive for both years in emerging G20 economies (1.8 per cent in 2022 and 6.0 per cent in 2023).Regional wage growth patterns varied considerably. Wage workers in Asia and the Pacific, Central and Western Asia, and Eastern Europe experienced their real wage increases at a faster rate than those in other parts of the world, according to the report."The return to positive real wage growth is a welcome development," said ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo. "However, we must not forget that millions of workers and their families continue to suffer from the cost-of-living crisis that has eroded their living standards and that wage disparities between and within countries remain unacceptably high."Persistent Wage InequalityDespite recent progress high levels of wage inequality remain a pressing issue. The report shows that globally, the lowest-paid 10 per cent of workers earn just 0.5 per cent of the global wage bill, while the highest-paid 10 per cent earn nearly 38 per cent of this wage bill. Wage inequality is the highest in low-income countries, with close to 22 per cent of wage workers there classified as low-paid.Women and wage workers in the informal economy are more likely to be among the lowest paid. This finding reinforces the need for targeted actions to close wage and employment gaps and ensure fair wages for all wage workers.Wage inequality is relevant in all countries and regions. Globally, however, one in every three workers is a non-wage worker. In most low- and middle-income countries the majority are self-employed workers, who can only find opportunities to earn a living in the informal economy. It is for this reason that the report broadens its analysis to include the self-employed in the case of low- and middle- income countries. As a result, measured labour income inequality increases significantly in these regions, as compared to that measured based only on wages from wage workers."National strategies to reduce inequalities require strengthening wage policies and institutions," says Giulia De Lazzari, ILO Economist and one of the main authors of the report. "But equally important is to design policies that promote productivity, decent work and the formalization of the informal economy."Strengthening Wage Policies to Reduce InequalityThe study emphasizes the need for targeted policies to foster inclusive economic growth.The report concludes that reducing wage inequality requires both strong wage policies and structural support for equitable growth. By addressing these challenges countries can make real progress toward reducing wage gaps and promoting fair, sustainable, economic growth for workers worldwide.Key ILO recommendations include:Setting wages through social dialogue: wages should be set and adjusted through collective bargaining or agreed minimum wage systems involving governments, workers and employers.Taking an informed approach: wage-setting should take into account both the needs of workers and their families and economic factors.Promoting equality, and equal opportunity of treatment and outcomes: wage policies should support gender equality, equity and non-discrimination.Using strong data: decisions should be based on reliable data and statistics.Addressing root causes of low pay: national policies should reflect each country’s specific context and address the causes of low pay such as informality, low productivity and the under-valuing of jobs in sectors such as the care economy.  اکیسویں صدی کے آغاز سے دنیا بھر کے دو تہائی ممالک میں اجرت کی عدم مساوات میں کمی آئی ہے۔افراط زر میں بتدریج کمی آنے کیساتھ، عالمی سطح پر حقیقی اوسط اجرت کی نمو میں اضافہ ہو رہا ہے۔ ان مثبت نتائج کے باوجود، اجرتوں میں عدم مساوات کی بلند سطح برقرار ہے، جو اسے پالیسی کا ایک اہم مسئلہ بناتی ہے - عالمی ادارہ محنت کی رپورٹ کا انکشاف جنیوا (آئی ایل او نیوز) - عالمی ادارہ محنت (آئی ایل او) کی ایک نئی رپورٹ سے ظاہر ہوتا ہے کہ سال 2000 کے بعد سے دنیا کے تقریباً دو تہائی ممالک میں اجرت کی عدم مساوات میں کمی آئی ہے۔ اس مثبت رجحان کے باوجود، پوری دنیا میں تنخواہوں میں بڑا فرق ابھی بھی برقرار ہے۔ عالمی اجرت کی رپورٹ برائے سال 2024-2025: کیا عالمی اجرت کا فرق کم ہو رہا ہے؟، سے پتہ چلا ہے کہ اجرت کی عدم مساوات، جو زیادہ اور کم اجرت حاصل کرنے والے کارکنان کی اجرتوں کا موازنہ کرتی ہے، استعمال شدہ پیمانوں کے حساب سے سال 2000 کی دہائی کے اوائل سے بہت سے ممالک میں سالانہ اوسطاً 0.5 سے 1.7 فیصد کی شرح سے کم ہوئی ہے۔۔ سب سے نمایاں کمی کم آمدنی والے ممالک میں دیکھنے میں آئی، جہاں گزشتہ دو دہائیوں میں اوسط سالانہ کمی 3.2 اور 9.6 فیصد کے درمیان پائی گئی ۔امیر ممالک میں اجرت کی عدم مساوات کا فرق نسبتاً آہستہ آہستہ کم ہو رہا ہے، جہاں اعلیٰ متوسط ​​آمدنی والے ممالک میں سالانہ 0.3 اور 1.3 فیصد کے درمیان ، اور زیادہ آمدنی والے ممالک میں 0.3 اور 0.7 فیصد کے درمیان کمی دیکھی گئی۔ مزید برآں، اگرچہ اجرت کی عدم مساوات میں مجموعی طور پر کمی واقع ہوئی ہے، لیکن تنخواہ کے پیمانے پربالائی سطح کے زیادہ اجرت لینے والے کارکنوں میں یہ کمی زیادہ واضح ہوئی ہے۔ عالمی سطح پر حقیقی اجرتوں میں اضافے کے باوجود علاقائی فرق برقراررپورٹ سے یہ بھی پتہ چلا ہے کہ حال ہی میں عالمی اجرتوں میں افراط زر کے مقابلے میں تیزی سے اضافہ ہو رہا ہے۔ سال 2023 میں، عالمی حقیقی اجرتوں میں 1.8 فیصد اضافہ ہوا جس میں سال 2024 میں 2.7 فیصد تک اضافے کی توقع تھی، جو کہ 15 سال سے زائد کے گزشتہ عرصے میں سب سے بڑا اضافہ ہے۔ یہ مثبت نتائج سال 2022 میں دیکھی گئی 0.9 فیصد کی منفی عالمی اجرت کی شرح نمو کے مقابلے میں نمایاں بحالی کے عکاس ہیں، اور یہ وہ دور تھا جب افراط زر کی بلند شرح اجرت کی کمزور نمو کو پیچھے چھوڑ گئی تھی۔تاہم، اجرتوں کی نمو مختلف علاقوں میں یکساں نہیں رہی۔ رپورٹ کے مطابق، ابھرتی ہوئی معیشتوں میں اجرتوں کی نمو ترقی یافتہ معیشتوں کے مقابلے میں زیادہ رہی ہے۔ گروپ 20G- کے ترقی یافتہ ممالک میں مسلسل دو سالوں تک (سال 2022 میں منفی 2.8 فیصد اور سال 2023 میں منفی 0.5 فیصد) حقیقی اجرتوں میں کمی دیکھی گئی ۔ اس کے برعکس، جی 20 کے ابھرتے ہوئے ممالک میں انہی دونوں سالوں میں (2022 میں 1.8 فیصد اور 2023 میں 6.0 فیصد) حقیقی اجرتوں کی نمو مثبت رہی۔علاقائی سطح پر اجرتوں کی نمو کے  طریقے اور انداز بہت مختلف تھے۔ رپورٹ کے مطابق، ایشیا اور بحر الکاہل، وسطی اور مغربی ایشیا، اور مشرقی یورپ کے محنت کشوں نے حقیقی اجرتوں میں دیگر دنیا کے مقابلے میں زیادہ تیزی سے اضافہ دیکھا۔عالمی ادارہِ محنت کے ڈائریکٹر جنرل، گلبرٹ ایف ہونگبو، کا کہنا تھا کہ:
"حقیقی اجرتوں میں مثبت نمو کی واپسی خوش آئند پیش رفت ہے۔ تاہم، ہمیں یہ نہیں بھولنا چاہیے کہ لاکھوں محنت کش اور ان کے خاندان اب بھی بڑھتی ہوئی مہنگائی اور زندگی کے ناقابل برداشت اخراجات کے بحران سے دوچار ہیں، جس نے ان کے معیارِ زندگی کو شدید متاثر کیا ہے، جبکہ مختلف ممالک کے درمیان اور ان کے اندر اجرتوں میں فرق ناقابل قبول حد تک زیادہ ہے۔"اجرتوں میں مسلسل عدم مساواتحالیہ پیشرفت کے باوجود، اجرتوں میں عدم مساوات  کی اعلی سطح اب بھی ایک اہم مسئلہ بنی ہوئی ہے۔ رپورٹ کے مطابق، دنیا بھر میں انتہائی کم اجرت حاصل کرنیوالے 10 فیصد کارکنان عالمی اجرتوں کا صرف 0.5 فیصد حصہ کما رہے ہیں، جبکہ سب سے زیادہ کمانے والے 10 فیصد کارکنان کل اجرت کا تقریباً 38 فیصد حصہ حاصل کر رہے ہیں۔ اجرتوں میں عدم مساوات کم آمدنی والے ممالک میں سب سے زیادہ ہے، جہاں تقریباً 22 فیصد محنت کشوں کو کم اجرت والے درجے میں رکھا جاتا ہے۔خواتین اور غیر رسمی معیشت میں کام کرنے والے اجرتی مزدوروں کا کم اجرت والے افراد میں شامل ہونے کا زیادہ امکان ہوتا ہے۔ مطالعے کے یہ نتائج اجرتوں اور روزگار میں عدم مساوات کو کم کرنے کے لئے مطلوبہ اقدامات کی ضرورت کو اجاگر کرتے ہیں اور تمام مزدوروں کے لیے منصفانہ اجرت یقینی بنانے کے لیے اقدامات کی ضرورت پر زور دیتے ہیں۔اجرتوں کی عدم مساوات کا مسئلہ تمام ممالک اور خطوں کیلئے اہمیت کا حامل ہے۔ تاہم عالمی سطح پر، ہر تین میں سے ایک محنت کش غیر اجرتی ہوتا ہے۔ زیادہ تر کم اور درمیانی آمدنی والے ممالک میں، خود روزگار افراد اکثریت میں ہیں، جو روزگار کے مواقع نہ ملنے کی وجہ سے غیر رسمی معیشت میں کام کرنے پر مجبور ہیں۔یہی وجہ ہے کہ رپورٹ نے اپنے تجزیے کو وسعت دی ہے تاکہ کم اور درمیانی آمدنی والے ممالک کے معاملے میں سیلف ایمپلائڈ  یا خود روزگار کارکنان کو بھی شامل کیا جا سکے۔ نتیجتاً، اگر صرف اجرت والے کارکنوں کی اجرت پر مبنی پیمانوں سے موازنہ کیا جائے تو ان خطوں میں ماپی گئی مزدوروں کی آمدنی میں عدم مساوات نمایاں طور پر بڑھ جاتی ہے۔گیولیا ڈی لازاری ، عالمی ادارہِ محنت کی ماہرِ اقتصادیات اور رپورٹ کی شریک مصنفہ، کہتی ہیں:"عدم مساوات میں کمی لانے کیلئے ،قومی حکمتِ عملی کے ذریعے اجرت کی پالیسیوں اور اداروں کو مضبوط بنانے کی ضرورت ہے۔ لیکن اسکے ساتھ ساتھ یہ بھی اہم ہے کہ ایسی پالیسیاں تشکیل دی جائیں جو پیداواری صلاحیت، باوقار روزگار، اور غیر رسمی معیشت کو رسمی بنانے کے اقدامات کو فروغ دیں۔"عدم مساوات کو کم کرنے کیلئے اجرت کی پالیسیوں کو مضبوط بنانارپورٹ میں ہمہ جہتی معاشی ترقی کو فروغ دینے کے لیے مخصوص پالیسیوں کی ضرورت پر زور دیا گیا ہے۔
رپورٹ کے مطابق، اجرتوں میں عدم مساوات کو کم کرنے کے لیے اجرت کی مضبوط پالیسیوں کیساتھ ساتھ، منصفانہ ترقی کے لیے ساختی معاونت کی بھی ضرورت ہے۔ ان مشکلات سے نمٹ کر ہی، دنیا کے ممالک اجرتوں کے فرق کو کم کرنے اور دنیا بھر کے محنت کشوں کے لیے منصفانہ اور پائیدار معاشی ترقی کے حصول کی جانب حقیقی پیش رفت کر سکتے ہیں۔عالمی ادارہِ محنت کی اہم تجاویز میں درج ذیل نکات شامل ہیں:سماجی مکالمے کے ذریعے اجرتوں کا تعین:
اجرتوں کا تعین اور ان میں ترمیم اجتماعی سوداکاری یا کم از کم اجرت کے ایسے نظام کے ذریعے کی جانی چاہیے، جو حکومتوں، محنت کشوں، اور آجروں کی شمولیت پر مبنی ہو۔معلومات پر مبنی نکتہ نظر اختیار کرنا:
اجرتوں کا تعین کرنے کے عمل میں، محنت کشوں اور ان کے خاندانوں کی ضروریات اور (متعلقہ) معاشی عوامل کو مدنظر رکھا جانا چاہیے۔مساوات اور مساوی سلوک کے یکساں مواقع کا فروغ:
اجرت کی پالیسیوں کو صنفی مساوات، برابری، اور عدم امتیاز کی حمائیت کرنی چاہیے۔معتبر اعدادو شمار کا استعمال:
تمام فیصلے معتبر اعدادوشمار اور قابلِ بھروسہ معلومات پرمبنی ہونے چاہییں۔کم اجرت کی بنیادی وجوہات سے نمٹنا:
اس حوالے سے تشکیل دی جانیوالی قومی پالیسیاں ہر ملک کے مخصوص سیاق و سباق اور حالات کی عکاسی کریں اور کم اجرت کی متعلقہ وجوہات جیسے غیر رسمی کام، کم پیداوار، اور نگہداشت کی معیشت جیسے شعبوں میں کام کی کم قدر کے مسائل کے کے حل پر توجہ دیں۔For further information please contact:Muhammad NumanCommunication OfficerEmail: numan@ilo.orgMobile: +92 303 5000041***  WFPNEWSHi media colleagues,Below is new video content showing the conditions in Gaza as people struggle to survive another winter living in makeshift shelters when the amounts of food assistance reaching Gazans are at their lowest levels in a year.  With almost all Gazans displaced, the heavy rain and wind is damaging the makeshift shelters. This is despite WFP’s efforts to continue delivering whatever it can in the face of severe restrictions on truck movements and a breakdown of law and order. Meanwhile, WFP-supported bakeries across the Strip are shut or risk closure daily due to the lack of wheat flour and fuel.The lower aid supply comes as harsh winter conditions add to the challenges faced by Palestinians already suffering weakened immunity and malnutrition.Download video, shotlist and info here: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/Pn3iti613GI hope you find useful!Shotlist/Info:WFP News Video: Hungry and Homeless-Gazans Face Another WinterShot: 14-27Nov24Gaza/JerusalemTRT: 2:02 :00-:25Heavy winds hit camps for displaced GazansAs Gazans struggle to survive another winter living in makeshift shelters the amounts of food assistance reaching Gazans are at their lowest levels in a year.  With almost all Gazans displaced, the heavy rain and wind is damaging the makeshift shelters. Many children are without shoes.Deir Al balah, GazaShot: 24Nov24 :25-:30People waiting outside bakeryWFP-supported bakeries across the Strip are shut or risk closure daily due to the lack of wheat flour and fuel.Khan Younis, GazaShot: 18Nov24 :30-:43SOT Abu Muhammad (Arabic)“We are displaced from the north. I am coming from Al Rimal area. I have three kids; the oldest is 11 and the youngest is a year and three months. I swear that I feed them bread and tea. If I go home without this bread bundle, my kids would starve to death”Khan Younis, GazaShot: 18Nov24 :43-:49People waiting outside bakeryKhan Younis, GazaShot: 18Nov24 :49-1:10SOT Antoine Renard, WFP Palestine Country Director (English):“The levels of hunger, devastation and destruction we are seeing now in Gaza is worse than ever before. People cannot cope anymore. There is barely any food coming in while markets are empty. Now with the rain and winter sweeping away tents, it is a daily struggle for survival.”JerusalemShot:27Nov24 1:10-2:02WFP Hotmeals DistributionDespite the mounting challenges, WFP has reached around 815,000 people with some form of aid in November. About half a million people received a single food parcel considered to be one third of the normal monthly ration, while around 300,000 have received hot meals.Khan Younis, GazaShot: 18Nov24ENDSInfo:The escalating conflict in the North and breakdown of public order in the South risk tipping Gaza into famine. Gaza is currently facing unacceptable levels of food insecurity : no fresh food (fruit, vegetables, meat, fish), empty shops, bakeries nearly non-operable (lack of fuel/flour).  The humanitarian response in Gaza is nearing collapse as the threat of famine gets closer. The breakdown of law and order and disregard for international humanitarian principles are placing humanitarian staff, operations and the people of Gaza at increasing risk WFP and partner humanitarian agencies need solutions that address the breakdown of law and order, and for all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law to allow for the safe passage of aid.  Food security in Gaza is worsening with people becoming more vulnerable by the day. November is the third month in a row where more than half the population who rely on WFP assistance did not receive it. Barely any food has gone into North Gaza for 50 days. Amount of food WFP was able to bring into Gaza in November  26 percent of WFP needs (7900 metric tons). Proportion of population expected to be in crisis levels of food insecurity, or worse, from November according to latest IPC More than 90 percent Number of people expected to face catastrophic hunger,  risking death More than 300,000   Funding requirement for the next six months (for Gaza + WB)       US$179 million      

 UNDPPRESS RELEASEIn a transformative step towards a resilient Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 700 young people have acquired market driven skills through vocational training supported by the Government of JapanIslamabad, 21 November 2024— Supported by the Government of Japan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) have successfully concluded a market-driven vocational and technical skills training programme designed to empower youth from Kurram and Orakzai districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). A closing ceremony was held in Islamabad to mark its successful completion.The three-month programme equipped 700 young individuals, including 375 women, with hands-on skills such as cell phone repair, LED bulb assembly, eco-friendly packaging, jewellery making, motorcycle repair, electrician, plumbing, solar system, and UPS installation. Graduates also received certificates and customized toolkits to help them apply their skills to start small businesses or secure employment opportunities.Speaking at the occasion, chief guest Mr. Rana Mashood, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, said in his statement,“ Women’s empowerment is a key focus of our Prime Minister’s Youth Programme. I am delighted to see that 375 women have been trained in hands-on skills under this initiative. On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I would like to express our gratitude to the Government of Japan, the United Nations Development Programme, and SRSP for their valuable contribution to this skills training program in remote areas.”As part of a broader effort to develop youth leadership, empower young women, and generate actionable strategies to build climate resilience, youth from Kurram and Orakzai also participated in a grand dialogue on “Climate Adaptation and Girls’ Education” during the closing ceremony.Ms. Van Nguyen, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan, expressed gratitude for the collaboration and said, “We are grateful to the Government of Japan for their long-standing partnership with UNDP. Through their support, this programme has demonstrated the potential of young people in Kurram and Orakzai. By empowering young women and men with skills for income generation, we are confident that this project will foster gender-sensitive economic recovery in the region and contribute to its long-term stability.Mr. ITO Takeshi, Charge d’ Affaires ad interim of Japan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in his speech, stated, “The long-standing partnership between Japan and UNDP has enabled us to support projects that build strong communities and bring positive change. Our key initiatives have focused on creating safe spaces for women to engage in community decision-making and access economic opportunities. Through these interventions, we have enabled women to take on more active roles contributing to social cohesion and economic stability. Our development partnership is based on the principal of 'Leave No One Behind'".This initiative is part of an ongoing project worth USD 4.1 million, supported by the Government of Japan and UNDP, that aims to stabilize and help revive economic recovery in Kurram and Orakzai districts through a people- and institution-centered approach. Focusing on social cohesion, local governance, and livelihood creation, the project places youth and women at its core as key agents of change and will benefit over 200,000 people, including 50 percent women###  ###  ###For additional information, please contact:Ms. Fizza Bangash, Communications Analyst, UNDP Pakistan, fizza.bangash@undp.org or +92 (51) 835 5631Mr. Sajid Abbasi, Senior Special Advisor, Press and Information, Embassy of Japan in Islamabad sajid.abbasi@ib.mofa.go.jp or +92 333 5117 548UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.  Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP. ***UNICEFSTATEMENTStatement from UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell at the conclusion of COP29NEW YORK, 24 November 2024 - "UNICEF stands ready to work with governments, partners, and the private sector to ensure that the new $300 billion climate finance target agreed today at COP29 is met, and that it is followed by concrete climate action – action which is desperately needed by the world’s 2.4 billion children to protect their rights, lives and futures.“We welcome partners’ efforts to emphasize the unique and disproportionate impacts of climate change on children in the Global Goal on Adaptation. This agreement is a positive response to the demands made by children and young people at COP29.“As we look ahead, we encourage all countries to use the coming weeks and months to increase their ambition in their new national climate plans – also known as National Determined Contributions 3.0 – and in their National Adaptation Plans. It is essential that these plans prioritize the rights and wellbeing of children.“Children cannot afford for world leaders to backtrack on their promises when storms are destroying their schools, wildfires are harming their lungs, their homes and health services are being washed away, and life-sustaining crops are dying from droughts.“We urge world leaders to begin work immediately to ensure the world can reconvene at COP30 with the sense of urgency and ambition required to meet our promises to the world’s children.”#####Notes for editors:NEW: Subscribe to UNICEF’s global media updates on WhatsApp.About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.For more information about UNICEF and its work, visit unicef.orgFollow UNICEF on X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTubeFor more information, please contact:Helen Wylie, UNICEF New York, +1 917 244 2215, hwylie@unicef.org

Islamabad, November 21, 2024 – Fatima Fertilizer has the distinct honor of becoming the first private sector entity in Pakistan to collaborate with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) by adopting the SDG Impact Framework. Fatima Fertilizer in partnership with UNDP, held the launch event of “SDGs Impact through Businesses: Sustainability Framework for Fatima Fertilizer” Report.The event brought together government officials, development actors, private sector partners, and sustainability experts to celebrate Fatima Fertilizer’s remarkable achievements towards promotion of sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.Asad Murad, Chief Operating Officer of Fatima Fertilizer, underscored the company’s unwavering commitment to both national and global development, stating, “At Fatima Fertilizer, we firmly believe that sustainable development represents the future of responsible business. This collaboration with UNDP for designing our Sustainability Framework represents our strong commitment to making meaningful contributions. We aim to positively impact Pakistan’s food security, the empowerment of women, environmental sustainability, and the advancement of innovative sustainable agricultural practices.”Mr. Jamil Ahmed Qureshi, Secretary of the Special Investment Facilitation Council, Government of Pakistan, commended the UNDP for its proactive engagement with the private sector to contribute to Agenda 2030. He praised Fatima Fertilizer for taking the lead in launching its Sustainability Framework entailing sustainability commitments and goals. In his remarks, he stated, “The achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals can only be realized when all stakeholders— Government, private sector, and the UNDP—work in partnership toward a common purpose.”Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan, commended Fatima Fertilizer for its efforts to integrate the SDGs into its business strategies and operations. He noted that this pioneering step aligns Fatima Fertilizer’s sustainability initiatives with SDG targets relevant to its core business operations. "By voluntarily designing its own SDG reporting framework with UNDP’s support, Fatima Fertilizer has demonstrated that businesses can achieve both financial benefits and contribute positively to societal well-being through sustainable practices," he remarked.Rabel Sadozai, Director of Marketing and Sales at Fatima Group, further emphasized the significance of the report launch, stating, “This sustainability framework will strengthen our resolve and inspire us to further accelerate our efforts in sustainable development. We hope our example will encourage others to embrace sustainable practices.”                                                #############################
For additional information, please contact Fizza Bangash at fizza.bangash@undp.org or +92 (51) 835 5631
 About UNDP:UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.Learn more at undp.org.