UNcovered by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin | August 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • Security Council addresses evolving situation in Afghanistan• Climate change is widespread, rapid, and intensifying • UN Human Rights Council’s Emergency session on Afghanistan• India’s Presidency of the Security Council • Fear of 76th UN General Assembly being a possible ‘super spreader’ event August is ‘lean’ season for the UN system. However, […]
UNcovered by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin | July 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • Winds of Change in Security Council Dynamics? • Fishy Business Continues• Vienna nuclear talks in limbo until new Iranian President takes over • Many gain UNESCO recognition, one loses it• Sneak Peek of India’s Presidency of the Security Council In July, the Security Council, which returned to the practice of “in […]
UNcovered by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin | June 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • Security Council remains mute while UNGA adopts Myanmar vote • Uncertainty about IAEA-Iran nuclear monitoring hovers over Vienna talks• Cyber Security makes a formal entry in the Security Council • Revised waiver proposal meandering at WTO • Elections, re-elections, appointments and re-appointments In June, there was a return of regular “in person” diplomacy […]
UNcovered by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin | May 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • Israel-Palestine issue figures in many UN fora • 74th World Health Assembly • New hope for WTO waiver proposal• Extension of IAEA and Iran understanding gains more time for JCPOA negotiations • A sneak peek of what awaits multilateral fora in June During May, several multilateral platforms were more active than […]
UNcovered by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin | April 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • TRIPS waiver proposal gains outside support but remains stalled at the WTO • OPCW suspends rights and privileges of Syria • Leaders summit sets tone for higher climate ambition at CoP 26 • Roadmap for return to compliance with JCPOA under preparation • UNSG unable to find common ground to revive Cyprus […]
UNcovered by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin | March 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • Joint WHO-China report unable to provide conclusive answers • A small step at the UN on cyber security • Events in Myanmar remain on active UN agenda • Human Rights Council again adopts resolution on Sri Lanka • National ‘Ring fencing’ of key UN posts Joint WHO-China report unable to provide conclusive answers […]
UNcovered by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin | February 2021 | VOL 02 ISSUE 02
H I G H L I G H T S • IAEA & Iran ‘understanding’ buys some time and space for diplomacy• ICC ruling on jurisdiction for grave crimes in Palestinian Territories• Myanmar in UN Fora• A selection ends another begins• Second time is easier for Covid-related resolution in Security Council IAEA & Iran ‘understanding’ buys some time and space […]
UNcovered by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin | January 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • Biden Administration rapidly re-engaging with UN system• UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres seeking a second five year term• WHO Team probing origins of COVID-19 virus begins China visit• UN Report raises alarm about Human rights situation in Sri Lanka• India assumes non-permanent membership of Security Council Biden Administration rapidly […]
UNcovered by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin | December 2020
H I G H L I G H T S • Growing Climate Ambition• UN-African Union Hybrid Peacekeeping Mission Ends• No consensus on waiver of TRIPS obligations to tackle Covid-19• Vienna-based CTBTO Fails To Elect Executive Head• Virtual Diplomacy unable to bridge divides at UN Growing Climate Ambition 2020 was a year in which for the first time this century, […]
UNcovered by Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin | November 2020
HIGHLIGHTS • Access to Covid-19 vaccine is an issue of global concern• Change is in the air for multilateralism• Western Sahara dispute threatens to reignite • Quest for Director General of WTO in limbo• Elections to the International Court of Justice signal a return to normalcy Access to Covid-19 vaccine is an issue of global concern As news of the most […]