United Nations

Energy Security and Transition: Navigating the Global Shift to Renewables

The global shift to renewable energy is reshaping energy security, traditionally reliant on fossil fuels, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and geopolitical dependence on oil-rich nations. Key players like the EU, China, and the U.S. lead this transition, creating jobs, economic growth, and altering geopolitical dynamics centered on critical materials and technology. … Continue readingEnergy Security and Transition: Navigating the Global Shift to Renewables

THE WORST IS YET TO COME IF WE DON’T ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY – AN UPDATE ON DISPLACEMENT CRISES AND ATTITUDES TO MIGRATION ACROSS THE WORLD

At the close of 2020,the UNHCR predicted that the number of displaced persons would, for the first time in history, reach 82.4 million people. The twenty-first century has seen many factors that have contributed to the number of peoples displaced; a global pandemic, climate change, economic crises, a surge in nationalist foreign policies, harsher border policies and domestic as well as interstate conflict. Many people have been left uprooted and unable to stay in their own homes, sometimes even their own country. … Continue readingTHE WORST IS YET TO COME IF WE DON’T ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY – AN UPDATE ON DISPLACEMENT CRISES AND ATTITUDES TO MIGRATION ACROSS THE WORLD

Territorial Integrity since 1945: How the World Has and Hasn’t Changed

‘The current international security system was designed on the premise of protecting territorial integrity. As enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and other foundational documents of the post-1945 system, sovereign states are supposed to respect the boundaries and political decisions of their neighbours, with this norm taking precedence. Yet, by looking at the current events in Ukraine along with other ongoing territorial disputes, this would be hard to believe.’

Pivot examines the concept of territorial integrity in light of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War … Continue readingTerritorial Integrity since 1945: How the World Has and Hasn’t Changed

THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT | THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE

The events of this last week can be described by a certain R.E.M song, as it truly is the End of The World as We Know It. It is hard not to imagine that we are living in a new world now after the events of the past couple of weeks. Russia has invaded Ukraine in a conflict that has already claimed, according to UN sources, 802 civilian casualties since it began over a week ago. … Continue readingTHE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT | THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE

2021 – THE SEQUEL | WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2022

As we enter another year, it is imperative that we reflect on previous significant events in order to anticipate what the coming twelve months may bring. While much of 2021 has been overshadowed by COVID-19, the emergence of the Delta and Omicron variants, and the rollout of various vaccines, significant geopolitical rumblings have brewed and will continue to rumble well into 2022. The following issues may define the upcoming year in international affairs and even have impacts into 2023 and beyond.
… Continue reading2021 – THE SEQUEL | WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2022

Climate Change and the IPCC Report: What Is to Be Done?

‘On August 9th 2021, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the first instalment of its Sixth Assessment Report, AR6. This landmark document will be the subject of deliberations during the COP26 Summit this November in Glasgow. It confirms what scientists have been saying for decades; that human activity is unequivocally responsible for the increases in the earth’s temperature.’

Megha Iyer discusses the pressing need for all countries to adopt the recommendations stipulated in the AR6 and the crucial opportunity that COP26 presents to make this a reality.

This article is the first in a series of articles focusing on environmental policy and politics in the lead up to the COP26 Summit. … Continue readingClimate Change and the IPCC Report: What Is to Be Done?

TECHNOLOGY: THE TOOL TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES?

Developing and transferring technology has been at the forefront of climate action, spearheaded by the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) signed in 1992. The treaty’s implementation is evident in the drive towards renewable energy and utilising technologies to promote redacting carbon emissions. … Continue readingTECHNOLOGY: THE TOOL TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES?

FRAGILE DREAMS: PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF REFUGEE WOMEN

The ongoing situation in Afghanistan has thrown into sharp focus the way in which women and girls often face the consequences of war and conflict in a more pronounced and protracted way. Although some mechanisms for protection do exist, the increase in global conflicts over the past decade merits a global effort to further strengthen and reinforce the rights of refugee women and girls, who face unique challenges to their safety and rehabilitation.
… Continue readingFRAGILE DREAMS: PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF REFUGEE WOMEN

The Illegality and Implications of the Ryanair Flight 4978 Diversion

On the 23rd of May, 2021, a RyanAir flight departing from Greece to Lithuania was forced to land in Minsk by Belarus authorities. Although the Belarusian government maintains that its diversion of the flight was due to a purported bomb threat on-board, it is widely believed in the international community that its sole intention was to arrest dissident journalist Roman Protasevich. … Continue readingThe Illegality and Implications of the Ryanair Flight 4978 Diversion

THE FIGHT FOR NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION MUST CONTINUE

The monstrosity of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) was evidenced by the droppings of ‘Little boy’ and ‘Fat man’ upon the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 75 years ago. Since then, good traction has been made by both state and non-state actors in the global … Continue readingTHE FIGHT FOR NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION MUST CONTINUE

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