Podcasts about un under secretary general

Officials from around the world are condemning the killing of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington DC. The attack comes at a time of heightened threats towards Israeli embassies globally, and a global rise in antisemitism, amid outrage over the country's conduct in Gaza. Correspondent Alex Marquardt joins the show from Washington, DC to discuss.  Also on today's show: South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola; UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher; NYT investigative reporter Kate Kelly  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

UN Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher discusses the EU's "Standing with Syria" conference in Brussels, and the humanitarian aid that is needed globally. He speaks with Bloomberg's Guy Johnson, Kriti Gupta, and Lizzy Burden.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), this year we are featuring a special series of interviews with experts, practitioners, academics and civil society and human rights defenders who will reflect on conceptual and operational development of R2P over the past two decades, as well as the impact of R2P and atrocity prevention on their work. In this episode, we sat down with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations since 2017. He shares insights into his evolving role and discusses R2P's influence on UN peacekeeping missions, particularly in civilian protection. Under-Secretary-General Lacroix also reflects on key challenges, lessons learned and the recent shifts in multilateralism and their impact on mission mandates.

Press conference by Mr. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Shantanu Mukherjee, Director, Economic Analysis and Policy Division at UN DESA and Mr. Hamid Rashid, Chief, Global Economic Monitoring Branch, Economic Analysis and Policy Division at UN DESA, on the launch of the World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) report 2025. The WESP report will also be launched regionally in Bangkok, Beirut, Geneva, Mexico, Moscow and New Delhi in early January. --- According to a UN flagship report released today (9 Jan), the global economic growth is projected to remain at 2.8 percent in 2025, unchanged from this past year. The World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2025 report shows that despite withstanding a series of mutually reinforcing shocks, global economic growth has stagnated and remains below the pre-pandemic annual average of 3.2 percent. The report produced by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), highlights the enduring impact of weak investment, sluggish productivity, and high debt levels on global economic performance. It also underscores the importance of global cooperation and prudent policies to lift growth and place it on a stable and equitable pathway that can accelerate progress towards the SDGs. Talking to the press today, Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said, “Our current assessment indicates that the world economy has largely avoided a broad-based contraction despite the unprecedented shocks of the last few years, and the most prolonged period of monetary tightening in recent history. For 2025, we project a global growth of 2.8 percent, similar to 2024. Lower inflation, monetary easing, and the recovery of international trade underpin this relatively stable outlook.” He added, “Nevertheless, we note that this rate remains well below the pre-pandemic average of 3.2 percent, recorded over 2010-2019. The recovery remains uneven, driven primarily by a few large economies. Subdued growth prospects pose significant challenges, particularly for developing countries.” This year's thematic chapter takes a deep dive into the subject of critical minerals for the energy transition that can ramp up climate action while presenting opportunities for many developing countries to create jobs, generate public revenues and reduce poverty and inequality. He said, “Addressing debt challenges, curbing illicit financial flows and strengthening domestic resource mobilization can increase the public revenues for investing in the SDGs. For many countries, the rising global demand for minerals critical for the energy transition presents a unique opportunity to stimulate growth, create jobs, and reduce poverty and inequality.” Such favorable outcomes are not inevitable, however, and need coherent national policies as well as international support to become possible. Li Junhua concluded, “Urgent actions are needed to address the debt sustainability challenges in many countries; to close the gaps in technology, financing, and infrastructure that hinder equitable growth; and to ensure that an accelerated energy transition reduces climate risks for all. The challenges we face are complex, but the solutions are within our reach – if we work together. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith holds a news conference in Calgary to discuss the establishment of a new working group between the provincial government and Enbridge with the aim moving more Alberta oil and gas across Canada and to the United States. She is joined by Enbridge CEO Greg Ebel. Working with Enbridge to develop opportunities to expand the company's footprint and increase global market access is aligned with the Alberta government's goal of doubling oil and gas production. Responding to questions from reporters, Smith comments on Justin Trudeau's announcement that he intends to step down as prime minister and federal Liberal leader. Premier Smith also discusses the need for a concerted approach to respond to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all imports from Canada. n many countries of the Northern Hemisphere, trends in acute respiratory infections increase at this time of year. These increases are typically caused by seasonal epidemics of respiratory pathogens such as seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other common respiratory viruses, including human metapneumovirus (hMPV), as well as mycoplasma pneumoniae. Many countries conduct routine surveillance for acute respiratory infections and common respiratory pathogens. Currently, in some countries in the temperate Northern hemisphere, influenza-like illness (ILI) and/or acute respiratory infection (ARI) rates have increased in recent weeks and are above baseline levels, following usual seasonal trends. Seasonal influenza activity is elevated in many countries in the Northern hemisphere. Where surveillance data is available, trends in RSV detections currently vary by region with decreases reported in most regions except in North America. Recently, there has been interest in hMPV cases in China including suggestions of hospitals being overwhelmed. hMPV is a common respiratory virus found to circulate in many countries in winter through to spring, although not all countries routinely test and publish data on trends in hMPV . While some cases can be hospitalized with bronchitis or pneumonia, most people infected with hMPV have mild upper respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold and recover after a few days. Based on data published by China, covering the period up to 29 December 2024, acute respiratory infections have increased during recent weeks and detections of seasonal influenza, rhinovirus, RSV, and hMPV, particularly in northern provinces of China have also increased. The observed increase in respiratory pathogen detections is within the range expected for this time of year during the Northern hemisphere winter. In China, influenza is the most commonly detected respiratory pathogen currently affecting people with acute respiratory infections. WHO is in contact with Chinese health officials and has not received any reports of unusual outbreak patterns. Chinese authorities report that the health care system is not overwhelmed and there have been no emergency declarations or responses triggered. WHO continues to monitor respiratory illnesses at global, regional and country levels through collaborative surveillance systems, and provides updates as needed.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faith-love-trust--3493635/support.

Press conference by Mr. Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Shantanu Mukherjee, Director, Economic Analysis and Policy Division at UN DESA and Mr. Hamid Rashid, Chief, Global Economic Monitoring Branch, Economic Analysis and Policy Division at UN DESA, on the launch of the World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) report 2025. The WESP report will also be launched regionally in Bangkok, Beirut, Geneva, Mexico, Moscow and New Delhi in early January. --- According to a UN flagship report released today (9 Jan), the global economic growth is projected to remain at 2.8 percent in 2025, unchanged from this past year. The World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2025 report shows that despite withstanding a series of mutually reinforcing shocks, global economic growth has stagnated and remains below the pre-pandemic annual average of 3.2 percent. The report produced by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), highlights the enduring impact of weak investment, sluggish productivity, and high debt levels on global economic performance. It also underscores the importance of global cooperation and prudent policies to lift growth and place it on a stable and equitable pathway that can accelerate progress towards the SDGs. Talking to the press today, Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said, “Our current assessment indicates that the world economy has largely avoided a broad-based contraction despite the unprecedented shocks of the last few years, and the most prolonged period of monetary tightening in recent history. For 2025, we project a global growth of 2.8 percent, similar to 2024. Lower inflation, monetary easing, and the recovery of international trade underpin this relatively stable outlook.” He added, “Nevertheless, we note that this rate remains well below the pre-pandemic average of 3.2 percent, recorded over 2010-2019. The recovery remains uneven, driven primarily by a few large economies. Subdued growth prospects pose significant challenges, particularly for developing countries.” This year's thematic chapter takes a deep dive into the subject of critical minerals for the energy transition that can ramp up climate action while presenting opportunities for many developing countries to create jobs, generate public revenues and reduce poverty and inequality. He said, “Addressing debt challenges, curbing illicit financial flows and strengthening domestic resource mobilization can increase the public revenues for investing in the SDGs. For many countries, the rising global demand for minerals critical for the energy transition presents a unique opportunity to stimulate growth, create jobs, and reduce poverty and inequality.” Such favorable outcomes are not inevitable, however, and need coherent national policies as well as international support to become possible. Li Junhua concluded, “Urgent actions are needed to address the debt sustainability challenges in many countries; to close the gaps in technology, financing, and infrastructure that hinder equitable growth; and to ensure that an accelerated energy transition reduces climate risks for all. The challenges we face are complex, but the solutions are within our reach – if we work together. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith holds a news conference in Calgary to discuss the establishment of a new working group between the provincial government and Enbridge with the aim moving more Alberta oil and gas across Canada and to the United States. She is joined by Enbridge CEO Greg Ebel. Working with Enbridge to develop opportunities to expand the company's footprint and increase global market access is aligned with the Alberta government's goal of doubling oil and gas production. Responding to questions from reporters, Smith comments on Justin Trudeau's announcement that he intends to step down as prime minister and federal Liberal leader. Premier Smith also discusses the need for a concerted approach to respond to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all imports from Canada. n many countries of the Northern Hemisphere, trends in acute respiratory infections increase at this time of year. These increases are typically caused by seasonal epidemics of respiratory pathogens such as seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other common respiratory viruses, including human metapneumovirus (hMPV), as well as mycoplasma pneumoniae. Many countries conduct routine surveillance for acute respiratory infections and common respiratory pathogens. Currently, in some countries in the temperate Northern hemisphere, influenza-like illness (ILI) and/or acute respiratory infection (ARI) rates have increased in recent weeks and are above baseline levels, following usual seasonal trends. Seasonal influenza activity is elevated in many countries in the Northern hemisphere. Where surveillance data is available, trends in RSV detections currently vary by region with decreases reported in most regions except in North America. Recently, there has been interest in hMPV cases in China including suggestions of hospitals being overwhelmed. hMPV is a common respiratory virus found to circulate in many countries in winter through to spring, although not all countries routinely test and publish data on trends in hMPV . While some cases can be hospitalized with bronchitis or pneumonia, most people infected with hMPV have mild upper respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold and recover after a few days. Based on data published by China, covering the period up to 29 December 2024, acute respiratory infections have increased during recent weeks and detections of seasonal influenza, rhinovirus, RSV, and hMPV, particularly in northern provinces of China have also increased. The observed increase in respiratory pathogen detections is within the range expected for this time of year during the Northern hemisphere winter. In China, influenza is the most commonly detected respiratory pathogen currently affecting people with acute respiratory infections. WHO is in contact with Chinese health officials and has not received any reports of unusual outbreak patterns. Chinese authorities report that the health care system is not overwhelmed and there have been no emergency declarations or responses triggered. WHO continues to monitor respiratory illnesses at global, regional and country levels through collaborative surveillance systems, and provides updates as needed.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Gaza most dangerous place for aid delivery, says UN The UN names Gaza the world's most perilous zone for aid delivery, as Tom Fletcher warns of a spiralling crisis. "In a record-breaking deadly year for humanitarians, Gaza tops the danger list," says the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator's chief. Israel's-genocide-in-Gaza, now-in-its-four-hundred-and-forty-fifth-day, has killed-at-least-forty-five-thousand-three-hundred-and-seventeen-Palestinians and-wounded-one-hundred-seven-thousand-seven-hundred-and-thirteen-others. Israel admits to killing Hamas' Haniyeh for first time Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has revealed the assassination of ex-Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran this July. Katz vowed to target Yemen's Houthi leadership with similar intensity, citing Israel's prior strikes on key figures in Gaza and Lebanon. The statement marks Israel's first public admission of Haniyeh's killing, amid escalating tensions. Mangione pleads not guilty to US CEO murder case Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering a UnitedHealthcare executive, pleaded "not guilty" to state charges, including "terrorist" murder. The courtroom was packed as Mangione, handcuffed and shackled, entered. His lawyer argued that the intense media scrutiny and public support for Mangione could make a fair trial impossible. Protesters outside the courthouse expressed support for Mangione and anger at the healthcare system. Mangione faces life in prison if convicted. His next court appearance is set for February 21st. Greenland rebuffs Trump's offer to buy island Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede firmly declared, "We are not for sale," in response to US President-elect Trump's renewed interest in the Arctic island. Denmark's opposition calls for clear resistance, while Greenland's strategic value and rich resources remain a global focus. Trump's prior bid was dismissed as "absurd," reigniting geopolitical tensions. Japan's Honda and Nissan announce merger talks Japanese auto giants Honda and Nissan announced a merger plan, aiming to create the world's third-largest automaker. The decision comes as the industry undergoes a major shift towards electric vehicles. The proposed merger would see the companies form a joint holding company, with Honda initially leading the management. However, the success of this merger hinges on the ability of both companies to navigate market challenges and effectively integrate their operations.

Syria's new leaders are pushing for legitimacy on the world stage and have been meeting with United Nations and European officials this week. The United Nation's Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, has been meeting Syria's new authorities in Damascus. He joins the show from the Syrian capital.  Also on today's show: former Washington Post Exec Editor Martin Baron; Brady United Against Gun Violence President Kris Brown  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The Horn, guest host Murithi Mutiga is joined by Hanna Tetteh, former UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa. They discuss the challenges of peacemaking in Africa amid regional conflicts and a shifting global order. They talk about the state of the African Union and how it can become more effective in resolving conflicts across the continent. They discuss why mediation efforts have yielded little success in Sudan and ways to strengthen diplomatic initiatives to end the conflict. They discuss ECOWAS as a model for regional integration and how the West African bloc can preserve unity amid recent tensions with Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali. They touch on the implications of a second Trump presidency on UN funding and U.S.-Africa policy. They also reflect on Ghana's successful transition from military rule to a stable democracy. This episode is produced in partnership with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.For more on the topics discussed in this episode, check out our Hold Your Fire! podcast episode Trump in Africa, and our Africa program page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martin Griffiths, former UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, on the role of the international community amid Israel's plans to ban UNRWA.

Mishal Husain speaks to Martin Griffiths, former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs

UN Under Secretary-General for Policy Guy Ryder said that “The idea” of the Summit of the Future “is to render the United Nations a multilateral system more effective in the fulfillment of its mandate, to make it more participatory, more networked, this in the face of the very clear global challenges that we face.”Briefing the press today (11 Sep) on the programme and objectives of the UN's Summit of the Future, Ryder said, “The summit will be adopting 3 outcome documents: A Pact for the Future to which will be annexed 2 other documents, a global digital compact and a declaration on future generations.”The Summit of the Future (22-23 Sep) will produce an inter-governmentally negotiated, action-oriented Pact for the Future with chapters on Sustainable development and financing for development; International peace and security; Science, technology and innovation and digital cooperation; Youth and future generations; and transforming global governance.The Summit of the Future Action Days (20-21 Sep.) will focus on multistakeholder partnerships and action paving a way towards the next chapter of multilateralism that is more inclusive and networked.Ryder said, “Part of the objective of this summit is to complete and to improve our business around the 2030 agenda. This is an accelerator for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”He added, “Secondly, we have a section on peace and security - designed in accordance with proposals presented by the Secretary General, under the title of ‘A new agenda for peace' - to address the whole spectrum, the whole continuum of peace.”He said, “The objective of the global digital compact is to make technology work for humanity equitably. We are aiming at closing digital divides, expanding inclusion in the digital economy, creating an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space, working on equitable data governance and also, and this has perhaps attracted more attention anything else, creating the systems of governance of artificial intelligence that will benefit humanity.”He continued, “A declaration on future generations is intended to codify what is happening in many of our member states, the need to ensure that decisions we take today take into full account the needs and interests of future generations.”He concluded, “And the last chapter, and it captures a lot of different issues, is around the transformation of global governance. This is a very wide-ranging area of the pact. It addresses Security Council reform, and we have the potential to take important steps forward on Security Council reform. It addresses the revitalization of the General Assembly and ECOSOC. Critically, it contains extensive language of the current state of negotiations on reform of the international financial architecture.”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

A discussion of how American and Middle East states' interests and behaviour affect the Israeli-Palestinian conflict historically and today. Cristina Gallach, former UN Under-Secretary-General and Former Spanish State-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, is the session's moderator. The panelists are Elham Fakhro, Hussein Ibish, Daniel Kurtzer and Nimrod Novik. Elham Fakhro is a Research Associate at the Chatham House Middle East and North Africa program and Research Fellow at Exeter University's Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies. Hussein Ibish is a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. Daniel Kurtzer is the S. Daniel Abraham Professor of Middle East Policy Studies at Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs and is the former United States Ambassador to Israel and Egypt. Dr. Nimrod Novik is the former Senior Policy Advisor to the late Prime Minister Shimon Peres, and served as Special Ambassador of the State of Israel and as an Advisor to the Israeli National Security Council.

*As Martin Griffiths serves his last month at the helm of OCHA, take another listen to this episode from January 26, 2022 on his vision for the future of humanitarian aid, and his hopes for a non-British successor. ____ In the final episode of Season 2 of the Rethinking Humanitarianism podcast, host Heba Aly sits down with UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths to discuss his priorities in the role, how he intends to address unequal power dynamics in the aid sector, the increasing influence of donors, and why humanitarians should push back against an ever-expanding scope of activity. ____ Got a question or feedback? Email podcast@thenewhumanitarian.org or have your say on Twitter using the hashtag #RethinkingHumanitarianism. ____ SHOW NOTES Griffiths steps down as relief chief UN aid chief seeks more focused and inclusive humanitarian efforts The next UN humanitarian chief should be picked on merit

The number of civilians killed in Gaza is continuing to rise on an "unparalleled and unprecedented" scale, according to the UN Secretary General. Israel's siege on Gaza means basic necessities like food, water, medicine and fuel are close to running out completely. To discuss the situation, UN Relief Chief Martin Griffiths joins Christiane from UN HQ in Geneva.  Also on today's show: Documentary filmmaker Daniel Lombroso & Holocaust survivor Nina Gottlieb; Grammy-winning artist Jon Batiste & Matthew Heineman, director of “American Symphony” on Netflix  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Sackur speaks to Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. From the Ukraine war to Yemen, Syria, Sudan, Myanmar and Ethiopia, is the UN system failing those in greatest need?

Cristina Duarte always brings great passion to any task she takes on. Now Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, she works tirelessly to help the continent imagine a better tomorrow, one which not only meets its people's needs, but also fulfills their dreams. “The Africa we want is the Africa the world needs … [one that gives Africans] the social space to fully exercise all the entitlements of a human being.” Born to an activist father who was integral to independence movements across Lusophone Africa, Cristina Duarte grew up instilled with Pan-African values. In this episode, the former finance minister reflects on her role in reforming Cabo Verde's economy, on bringing power to remote villages, and how one chance encounter changed her mind about marriage.

It is well documented that women's participation in democratic transitions improves the likelihood of peace negotiations arriving at settlements and parties reaching sustainable agreements. While there have been landmark achievements since the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda was established through the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000, there is a need for honest reflection on remaining challenges and the way ahead. Major General O'Brien discusses the essential next steps that the international community must take to advance the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, both on the ground and in international policy. About the Speaker: A native of Galway city, Major General Maureen O'Brien graduated from University College Galway (UCG) with B.Sc. and H.Dip.Ed before being awarded a cadetship in Óglaigh na hÉireann in 1981. In 2021, Major General O'Brien was appointed to her current role as Deputy Military Advisor to the UN Under Secretary General for Peace Operations. She is Ireland's first female officer to reach the rank of Brigadier General. During her career, Maj-Gen O'Brien has amassed extensive overseas service, most recently as Deputy Force Commander in UNDOR in Syria, and prior to that, peacekeeping experience in Chad and Lebanon.

G7 leaders are gathering in Hiroshima, Japan for a high stakes session and the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will address the summit via video link. He once again is asking the world's most powerful leaders to support his fight against Russian aggression. South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa is trying to mediate, saying both countries accepted his proposal to host an African peace mission. Patrick Gaspard, president of the Center for American Progress and a former US Ambassador to South Africa, joins the show to discuss.  Also on today's show: Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator; Marie Yovanovitch, Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

The UN's humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths has described the earthquake in Turkey as the worst natural disaster he'd ever seen in his decades of humanitarian work. While visiting the Turkish city of Kahramanmasa he told the BBC that the UN would work actively and firmly to open more crossings into north west Syria where so little aid has arrived. Also in the programme: we hear from the WHO Syria representative in Aleppo; and a reporter who's crossed into parts of northern Syria controlled by Turkish-backed militias. (Photo: Martin Griffiths, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, gestures during a presser in Maras, Turkey, 11 February 11 2023. Credit: Reuters/Emilie Madi)

How are search and rescue teams saving people in Turkey and Syria? The BBC's Anna Foster describes how the relief effort is playing out on the ground in one of the cities hardest hit by the earthquakes. Baroness Amos, Labour member of the House of Lords, and former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, gives a bit of perspective on the situation in Turkey and Syria. And Lord Frost, former Conservative minister and chief Brexit negotiator talks Brexit, government reform and Liz Truss. Today's episode was presented by Adam Fleming and Chris Mason and was made by Chris Flynn with Danny Wittenberg. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham.

①A senior official with China's top economic regulator says it's wrong to think that by focusing on its domestic economy, China will scale back its opening-up efforts. (00:56) ②We talk to a former UN Under-Secretary-General about how he looks at China's climate commitments and his understanding of the CPC. (14:36) ③UK Prime Minister Liz Truss is fighting for her political survival, with conservative MPs threatening to oust her. We look at the UK's latest political crisis. (25:06) ④Brussels is reportedly ready to freeze payments of regional aid to Poland because of the long-running stand-off over rule of law. (36:35) ⑤Tunisia has reached a preliminary agreement with the IMF for a $1.9 billion rescue package. What would it mean to the crisis-hit country? (44:23)

A missile strike on a railway station packed with civilians escaping the fighting in eastern Ukraine has killed dozens of people. The mayor of Kramatorsk said 4,000 people were at the station at the time, mostly women, children and the elderly. Hundreds are reported injured. Also in the programme: we hear about the humanitarian crisis after six weeks of war in Ukraine from UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths; and we hear from Sri Lanka where the opposition has demanded a no-confidence vote after the economic crisis. (Photo: A shows the remains of a rocket after a missile strike hit the railway station in Kramatorsk, Donbass region, eastern Ukraine. Credit: BBC).

In the final episode of Season 2 of the Rethinking Humanitarianism podcast, host Heba Aly sits down with UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths to discuss his priorities in the role, how he intends to address unequal power dynamics in the aid sector, the increasing influence of donors, and why humanitarians should push back against an ever-expanding scope of activity.

In this episode, Dr Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka, former UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women discusses how the UN system, Member States and other parties at all levels work to uphold their commitments to implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. She shares her insights on the importance of political will in moving the needle on women's rights and the central role youth play in this.

A former UN Under-Secretary General and Chief of Staff to the Secretary General explains why women´s empowerment is a vital force for transformation, from UN reform to the future of multilateralism, the response to a global pandemic and global prosperity.For more information about this episode and the Global Governance Forum visit GlobalGovernanceForum.org

The G7 in Cornwall was a big opportunity for Boris Johnson to set out his vision for Global Britain. On the agenda was famine prevention, girls' education, tackling climate change and, of course, recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. But the summit also took place against the backdrop of criticism, at home and abroad, of the government's decision to cut the UK's foreign aid budget. To assess how much the summit achieved and to discuss what needs to happen next for the UK to reach its global ambitions and priorities, and how it can be a force for global good, the Institute for Government was delighted to bring together the following expert panel: Mike Adamson, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross The Rt Hon Baroness Amos, Master of University College, Oxford and former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator and former Secretary of State for International Development Tobias Ellwood MP, Chair of the Defence Select Committee Laila Johnson-Salami, Journalist at Arise TV and Founding Member of Feminist Coalition The event was chaired by Tim Durrant, Associate Director at the Institute for Government.

The G7 in Cornwall was a big opportunity for Boris Johnson to set out his vision for Global Britain. On the agenda was famine prevention, girls' education, tackling climate change and, of course, recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. But the summit also took place against the backdrop of criticism, at home and abroad, of the government's decision to cut the UK's foreign aid budget.To assess how much the summit achieved and to discuss what needs to happen next for the UK to reach its global ambitions and priorities, and how it can be a force for global good, the Institute for Government was delighted to bring together the following expert panel:Mike Adamson, Chief Executive of the British Red CrossThe Rt Hon Baroness Amos, Master of University College, Oxford and former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator and former Secretary of State for International DevelopmentTobias Ellwood MP, Chair of the Defence Select CommitteeLaila Johnson-Salami, Journalist at Arise TV and Founding Member of Feminist CoalitionThe event was be chaired by Tim Durrant, Associate Director at the Institute for Government.#IfGG7We would like to thank British Red Cross for kindly supporting this event. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN-Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, concludes her visit to Mozambique, today. The visit stems from the need to strengthen the partnership and cooperation relations between Mozambique and UN-Women. Milton Maluleque reports...

Colleen is the CEO of the Amos Bursary, founding the charity due to her passion for education and tackling underachievement. Through her expert skills of bringing together elite universities and leading international firms, providing internships and personal development programmes, she has transformed the live of countless young men to secure professional careers by developing them into the UK’s future leaders.   Baroness Amos, now a patron of the charity she co-founded, has been widely recognised as one of the world’s great humanitarians. Whether as UN-Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, in the Cabinet as a member of the House of Lords, or any of a countless list of non-governmental international development, charitable and educational roles – including as the first black woman to lead a British university as director of SOAS – Baroness Amos has been a pioneer for equality everywhere.

The Covid-19 vaccine is finally here. Finding the vaccine was the first step, but the Covid-19 pandemic poses many challenges about international cooperation and distributing a vaccine, public confidence, digitalisation in health care and many more. How can we produce enough vaccines to make an impact? How can we ensure that the vaccine is accessible for everyone? And once accessible, does the general public have enough trust in the vaccine to take it? Host: Anthony Gooch Interviewees: Mark Pearson, OECD Deputy Director of Employment, Labor and Social Affairs Seth Berkeley, CEO, GAVI Joanne Liu, International Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary General for Global Communications To learn more on the OECD's work on the Covid-19 pandemic, go to: www.oecd.org/coronavirus

In his new book, Imperialism and Development – the East African groundnut scheme and its legacy, Dr Nicholas Westcott, Director of the Royal African Society, explores one of the most expensive and disastrous development schemes ever undertaken by a British government. What lessons can be learned, more than 70 years on, from the ill-fated launch of a scheme to grow peanuts in Tanganyika (now Tanzania)? How are major decisions on major projects made today? Who is held accountable if they go wrong? How do civil servants and ministers work together to ensure money isn't wasted on major projects? What has actually changed, since the groundnut scheme was abandoned in 1951, to ensure mega projects don't become mega disasters? Bronwen Maddox, Director at the Institute for Government is in conversation with Dr Nicholas Westcott, Director of the Royal African Society, Rt Hon Baroness Amos, former UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and former Secretary of State for International Development, Professor John Kay, economist and former Financial Times columnist, Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. Audio production by Candice McKenzie See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The onslaught of COVID-19 combined with a host of upcoming elections are putting Africa’s peacebuilding institutions and democratic resilience to the test. Managing the overlapping challenges in many countries, several of them undergoing critical transitions, will require a balance between forming consensus internally and collaborating with external partners.  Joining Alan this week to discuss peace and security on the continent is Hanna Tetteh, UN Under Secretary General and Special Representative to the Secretary General to the African Union. Drawing on her own experience and the cases of Sudan and South Sudan in particular, she shares her thoughts on the importance of finding solutions on common issues within multilateral frameworks, strengthening the partnership between the AU and UN and building truly inclusive peace processes. 

Lecture summary: The lecture attempts to look at some important concepts and landmarks in international law and analyse how they have been impacted by developments in the field of women and children's rights. The sources of international law, sovereignty, state responsibility, human rights and the status of non state actors have all been transformed by issues concerning women and children. These developments have created a more intrusive international law framework while highlighting universal global values. The lecture will also look at the some of the critiques of this new approach to international law while looking to the future to see how these issues will unfold. Welcome by Dr Ivan Berkowitz Chaired by Professor Eyal Benvenisti Radhika Coomaraswamy received her BA from Yale University, her J.D. from Columbia University and her LLM from Harvard University. In Sri Lanka, she was Director of International Centre for Ethnic Studies from 1982 to 2005 and the Chairperson of the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission from 2003 to 2006. Recently, from 2015-2018, she was a member of the Constitutional Council. Internationally, Radhika Coomaraswamy served as UN Under Secretary General and as Special Representative of the Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict from 2006 until her retirement in 2012. Earlier, from 1994 to 2003, she was the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, an independent expert attached to the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva. In 2014, the UN Secretary General asked Radhika Coomaraswamy to lead the Global Study to review the fifteen year implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. In 2017 she was appointed to the UN Fact Finding Mission on Myanmar and also appointed as a member of The Secretary General’s Board of Advisors on Mediation. She was been privileged to be asked to deliver the Grotius Lecture of the American Association of International Law in 2013 and has received numerous honorary degrees and honors. These lectures are kindly supported by Dr and Mrs Ivan Berkowitz who are Friends of the Centre.

Lecture summary: The lecture attempts to look at some important concepts and landmarks in international law and analyse how they have been impacted by developments in the field of women and children's rights. The sources of international law, sovereignty, state responsibility, human rights and the status of non state actors have all been transformed by issues concerning women and children. These developments have created a more intrusive international law framework while highlighting universal global values. The lecture will also look at the some of the critiques of this new approach to international law while looking to the future to see how these issues will unfold. Welcome by Dr Ivan Berkowitz Chaired by Professor Eyal Benvenisti Radhika Coomaraswamy received her BA from Yale University, her J.D. from Columbia University and her LLM from Harvard University. In Sri Lanka, she was Director of International Centre for Ethnic Studies from 1982 to 2005 and the Chairperson of the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission from 2003 to 2006. Recently, from 2015-2018, she was a member of the Constitutional Council. Internationally, Radhika Coomaraswamy served as UN Under Secretary General and as Special Representative of the Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict from 2006 until her retirement in 2012. Earlier, from 1994 to 2003, she was the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, an independent expert attached to the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva. In 2014, the UN Secretary General asked Radhika Coomaraswamy to lead the Global Study to review the fifteen year implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. In 2017 she was appointed to the UN Fact Finding Mission on Myanmar and also appointed as a member of The Secretary General’s Board of Advisors on Mediation. She was been privileged to be asked to deliver the Grotius Lecture of the American Association of International Law in 2013 and has received numerous honorary degrees and honors. These lectures are kindly supported by Dr and Mrs Ivan Berkowitz who are Friends of the Centre.

Listen to Episode 3 of Life Beyond Sport as host Nick Keller is joined by leading diplomat, politician, and former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief, Baroness Valerie Amos, to discuss the three sporting moments that defined her life.And don't forget, #LifeBeyondSport asking YOU to share your three stories across social alongside a donation to the Sport For Good Response Fund – helping organisations to support communities around the world. A donation of £3, £30, or £300 to match the three stories you pick. Donate here: https://bit.ly/2XalmzI

Due to South Africa’s nationwide lockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, this week we will be running a re-broadcast of our previous show with Mrs Zainab Hawa Bangura, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict and former Minister of Health and Sanitation as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs in Sierra Leone. We discuss some of the highlights in her career, particularly the work in her current position to combat sexual violence against women in conflict countries. We address the importance of progressive men occupying leadership positions, who are supportive of empowering women by driving both policy reform and cultural shifts. We acknowledge the multiple roles of women in society and their capacity as change agents to positively transform their families, communities, country and continent. Tune in for more…

What is the first thing you think of when you hear the words "United Nations"? Melissa Fleming, UN Under Secretary General for Global Communications, spends a lot of time thinking about how people all over the world answer that question. A newcomer to UN headquarters in September, with a big agenda ahead (like the UN's 75th anniversary), Fleming wants the UN to become synonymous with positivity and real solutions. In the process, can she improve what some see as the UN's image problem? ------- Hey there! Did you know UN-Scripted is part of a publication called PassBlue? We're a women-led news site with smart, exclusive articles on the UN almost daily. You can subscribe to get our articles right in your inbox by visiting www.passblue.com. ------- Support for UN-Scripted comes from the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs at Fordham University. This spring, they’re offering online humanitarian training courses. Topics include cash, commodities, and services in a humanitarian response, managing or negotiating humanitarian responses, and more. Courses runs from March 16 through April 25. Or, earn an International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance. It’s a 4-week intensive taught by practicing humanitarian professionals, in New York City, from May 31st through June 27th. For more information, email miha@fordham.edu.

In today's episode, we are joined by the most humble and amazing UN Under Secretary General and Special Adviser on Africa, Dr. Beance Gawanas. She took the time to interview despite being so busy with preparations for UNGA 2019. Ms. Gawanas was appointed in January 2018 as Special Adviser on Africa for the United Nations after having served as Commissioner for Social Affairs at the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government, from 2002 to 2012. She was a Commissioner on the Public Service Commission in Namibia from 1991 to 1996, and an Ombudswoman in the Namibian Government from 1996 to 2003. She has also been a lecturer in Gender Law at the University of Namibia, Director of the Board of the Central Bank of Namibia, and involved in many non-governmental organizations including Secretary-General of the Namibian National Women's Organization and patron of Namibian Federation of Persons with Disabilities. As Chairperson of the Law Reform Commission she oversaw the passage of the Married Persons' Equality Act. The commission also did extensive work on Rape Acts and other important laws that were eventually passed after her time. I hope you all are as inspired as I was in being around her. We do have this podcast on video and will publish it on Ladyship's blog soon. After listening to her, it reaffirmed the vision that I have set for Ladyship. Follow bienceg on Twitter to see her comment about Ladyship!

Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury ’s legacy and leadership in advancing the best interest of the global community are boldly imprinted in his pioneering initiative in March 2000 as the President of the Security Council that achieved the political and conceptual breakthrough leading to the adoption of the groundbreaking UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in which the Council recognized for the first time the role and contribution of women in the area of peace and security. As a career diplomat, Permanent Representative to United Nations, President of the UN Security Council, President of UNICEF Board, UN Under-Secretary- General, the Senior Special Advisor to the UN General Assembly President, and recipient of the U Thant Peace Award, UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal for Culture of Peace, Spirit of the UN Award and University of Massachusetts Boston Chancellor’s Medal for Global Leadership for Peace, Ambassador Chowdhury has a wealth of experience in the critical issues of our time - peace, sustainable development, and human rights.  

José Antonio Ocampo (Banco de la República, Colombia & Columbia University) Inaugural SOAS Central Banking Lecture: Essential Reforms for a Sound 21st Century International Monetary System. The inaugural SOAS Central Banking Lecture will be delivered by Professor José Antonio Ocampo. The SOAS Central Banking Lectures have been established by the SOAS Department of Economics to provide a forum for distinguished scholars and practitioners to address topics of broad interest in the areas of central banking and international monetary and financial policy. The lecture will scrutinise the need for and the challenges of reforming the international monetary system. The 2007-09 global financial crisis, as the emerging market crises of the late twentieth century, show that the ad hoc international monetary system that evolved out of the crisis of the Bretton Woods arrangements in the early 1970s needs fundamental reforms. This lecture, based on José Antonio Ocampo’s recent book, Resetting the International Monetary (Non)System, will analyse the areas in need of fundamental reform: the global reserve system, macroeconomic policy cooperation, prevention and management of balance of payments crises, and governance of the system. Professor Ocampo’s lecture will be followed by comments by Stephany Griffith-Jones (Columbia University) and Ulrich Volz (SOAS). Spearker biography: José Antonio Ocampo is Member of the Board of Banco de la República, Colombia’s central bank, and Chair of the Committee for Development Policy of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). He is also Professor (on leave) at the School of International and Public Affairs, co-President of the Initiative for Policy Dialogue and Member of the Committee on Global Thought at Columbia University. He has occupied numerous positions at the United Nations and his native Colombia, including UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and Minister of Finance, Minister of Agriculture and Director of the National Planning Office of Colombia. He has received numerous academic distinctions, including the 2012 Jaume Vicens Vives award of the Spanish Association of Economic History for the best book on Spanish or Latin American economic history, the 2008 Leontief Prize for Advancing the Frontiers of Economic Thought and the 1988 Alejandro Angel Escobar National Science Award of Colombia. He has published extensively on macroeconomic theory and policy, international financial issues, economic and social development, international trade, and Colombian and Latin American economic history. Speakers: José Antonio Ocampo (Banco de la República, Colombia & Columbia University), Stephany Griffith-Jones (Columbia University) and Ulrich Volz (SOAS). Released by: SOAS Economics Podcasts

The fourth episode of Learning in the Digital Age: A Better Angels special with Tom Fletcher continues to explore jobs of the future and the skills people will need for these, such as creativity, problem solving and the tasks humans can do better than the robots. Tom speaks to British Labour politician Cathy Ashton, Emirati politician and President of Zayed University Sheikha Lubna, 2018 Global Teacher Prize winner Andria Zafirako and former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos.

This week we talk to Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka about UN Women’s activities in five priority areas to advance gender equality, which include increasing women’s leadership and participation; ending violence against women; engaging women in peace and security processes; enhancing women’s economic empowerment; and making gender equality an essential part of national development planning and budgeting. Dr. Mlambo-Ngcuka, draws attention to campaigns such as HeforShe which encourages constructive masculinity for men to stand up for women, as well as Impact 10x10x10 where heads of state champion a gender issue of their choice, for instance the President of Malawi is focussing on child marriage; ultimately these campaigns seek to get men to take responsibility in the fight against gender inequality. We mention the role of technology as a game changer in the innovation stakes, but remark that efforts must be undertaken to ensure equal access to prevent a digital divide. Dr. Mlambo-Ngcuka also shares some highlights of her address for the 9th Thabo Mbeki Africa Day lecture on gender equality and women empowerment. Tune in for more….

On 8 September, PHAP hosted the first of four discussion and consultation events on practical dilemmas of principled humanitarian action. The event began with a lecture on the topic by Dr Hugo Slim, Head of Policy at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This was followed by a moderated discussion among a panel of experts, featuring Sir John Holmes, Director of the Ditchley Foundation and was previously the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator; Andy Hill, Civil-Military Adviser in the UK Department for International Development (DFID); and Karen Welsh, the founder and CEO of Blue Glass Development. The event provided the opportunity for participants to provide their perspectives on the topic discussed, through the live chat, through posing questions to the panelists, and through live pollsRead more at https://phap.org/8Sep2015

On 8 September, PHAP hosted the first of four discussion and consultation events on practical dilemmas of principled humanitarian action. The event began with a lecture on the topic by Dr Hugo Slim, Head of Policy at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This was followed by a moderated discussion among a panel of experts, featuring Sir John Holmes, Director of the Ditchley Foundation and was previously the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator; Andy Hill, Civil-Military Adviser in the UK Department for International Development (DFID); and Karen Welsh, the founder and CEO of Blue Glass Development. The event provided the opportunity for participants to provide their perspectives on the topic discussed, through the live chat, through posing questions to the panelists, and through live pollsRead more at https://phap.org/8Sep2015

In our second episode on the 25th AU Summit, we speak to Mrs Zainab Hawa Bangura, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict and former Minister of Health and Sanitation as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs in Sierra Leone. We discuss some of the highlights in her career, particularly the work in her current position to combat sexual violence against women in conflict countries. We address the importance of progressive men occupying leadership positions, who are supportive of empowering women by driving both policy reform and cultural shifts. We acknowledge the multiple roles of women in society and their capacity as change agents to positively transform their families, communities, country and continent. Tune in for more

The scale of humanitarian suffering in Syria is impossible to capture in words delivered from the comfort of a radio studio - 12 million people are in dire need of emergency aid. Hardtalk speaks to Valerie Amos, head of the UN's humanitarian affairs operation. Is Syria part of a wider story of international humanitarian failure?(Photo: Valerie Amos, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. Credit: Joseph Eid/AFP/Getty Images)

The doctrine of the international community's responsibility to protect the citizens of a country whose government has failed them has strengthened the presumption in favour of international intervention for humanitarian reasons. Sir John Holmes asks: 'When can international intervention be justified and effective?'Since the Rwandan genocide, the development of the doctrine of the international community's 'responsibility to protect' the citizens of a country whose government has failed them has strengthened the presumption in favour of international intervention for humanitarian reasons. At the same time the problems and failures in Iraq and Afghanistan have strengthened the arguments against such intervention. Both sides have seen in the case of Libya, while Syria has left everyone cautious but frustrated. Where does the debate now stand, and in what circumstances can intervention be both in accordance with international law, and successful?Sir John Holmes GCVO, KBE, CMG is the Director of the Ditchley Foundation and co-chair of the International Rescue Committee UK. He is the former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. A career diplomat, he has served the British government for more than thirty years and has extensive experience on conflict. Having worked on the Lebanon and Middle East peace processes, he was awarded a knighthood in 1998 primarily for his role in the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Good Friday Agreement. He served as Private Secretary (Overseas Affairs) to John Major before becoming Principal Private Secretary to Tony Blair in 1997.

The doctrine of the international community's responsibility to protect the citizens of a country whose government has failed them has strengthened the presumption in favour of international intervention for humanitarian reasons. Sir John Holmes asks: 'When can international intervention be justified and effective?'Since the Rwandan genocide, the development of the doctrine of the international community's 'responsibility to protect' the citizens of a country whose government has failed them has strengthened the presumption in favour of international intervention for humanitarian reasons. At the same time the problems and failures in Iraq and Afghanistan have strengthened the arguments against such intervention. Both sides have seen in the case of Libya, while Syria has left everyone cautious but frustrated. Where does the debate now stand, and in what circumstances can intervention be both in accordance with international law, and successful?Sir John Holmes GCVO, KBE, CMG is the Director of the Ditchley Foundation and co-chair of the International Rescue Committee UK. He is the former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. A career diplomat, he has served the British government for more than thirty years and has extensive experience on conflict. Having worked on the Lebanon and Middle East peace processes, he was awarded a knighthood in 1998 primarily for his role in the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Good Friday Agreement. He served as Private Secretary (Overseas Affairs) to John Major before becoming Principal Private Secretary to Tony Blair in 1997.

In this 19th issue, the Foreign Ministers of Chile and Finland, Alfredo Moreno and Erkki Toumioja, make a strong political pitch for the Treaty and also highlight the contribution of CTBT verification data for disaster mitigation. They are joined by two prominent South Asian thinkers: former UN Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs Jayantha Dhanapala, and Hindustan Times Foreign Editor Pramit Pal Chaudhuri. Nuclear physicist Siegfried Hecker explains why nuclear armed States stand to gain more than they lose from CTBT ratification and Tatsujiro Suzuki, Vice Chairman of the Japan Atomic Energy Commission, provides an invaluable insight into the Fukushima accident. Elena Sokova from the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation explains why nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation education should be sustainable and global, with the CTBTO’s Capacity Development Initiative a welcome development in this field. Ik Bum Kang from the Korea Institute of GeoScience and Mineral Resources outlines some of the challenges of operating and maintaining primary seismic station PS31, one of the CTBTO’s closest station to the North Korean nuclear test site. Former CTBTO staff member Kirsten Haupt describes how practice makes future on-site inspection inspectors perfect, and guest writer Angela Leuker how the perception of nuclear war has changed over recent decades.

This podcast was recorded at the Refugee Studies Centre's Annual Harrell-Bond Lecture which was on Wednesday 18th November 2009 at the Museum of Natural History, University of Oxford. This podcast was recorded at the Refugee Studies Centre's Annual Harrell-Bond Lecture which was on Wednesday 18th November 2009 at the Museum of Natural History, University of Oxford. The Harrell-Bond Lecture is held annually in honour of Dr Barbara Harrell-Bond, founding former director of the Centre and of the academic field of refugee studies or forced migration studies. Jan Egeland, former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator and currently director of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs gave the 2009 lecture on the subject of 'Beyond Blankets: in search of political deals and durable solutions for the displaced'.