News headlines in 2015, page 52

UNITED NATIONS, Jul 08 (IPS) - On the eve of World Population Day, the United Nations is fighting a virtually losing battle against growing humanitarian emergencies triggered mostly by military conflicts that are displacing people by the millions – and rendering them either homeless or reducing them to the status of refugees.

ROME, Jul 08 (IPS) - More than four decades ago, the richer members of the international community committed to deliver at least 0.7 percent of their respective national incomes as official development assistance.

PARIS, Jul 07 (IPS) - The cost of inaction is high when it comes to climate change and, so far, countries' commitments to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are not enough, says Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

WASHINGTON, Jul 07 (IPS) - Fifty-five percent of the world's poor still have limited protection from hunger and economic, social or political crises despite expansion of social safety programmes in developing countries in recent years.

BAMAKO, Jul 07 (IPS) - The recent peace agreements in Mali offer grounds for optimism. It's now time to capitalise on the accord to accelerate recovery, reconciliation and development. An important part of that process will entail placing the country's youth at the center of the country's agenda for peace and prosperity.

UNITED NATIONS, Jul 07 (IPS) - Just days ahead of a summit of the BRICS group of emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) in which the five countries are expected to formally launch their New Development Bank (NDB), 40 NGOs and civil society groups have penned an open letter to their respective governments urging transparency and accountability in the proposed banking process.

UNITED NATIONS, Jul 07 (IPS) - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, addressing delegates in a run-up to an international Ebola recovery conference, said last month that "all of the investments, all of the sacrifices and all of the risks by relief workers" would be squandered if an outbreak of the disease recurs.

UNITED NATIONS, Jul 07 (IPS) - Ethiopia will host an important meeting on Financing for Development (FfD) Conference next week. One of the most-asked questions is:  How much will it cost us to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

BOGOTÁ, Jul 07 (IPS) - There is a growing sensation in Colombia that the peace talks with the FARC guerrillas are "about to come to an end" – in success or failure, according to the government's chief negotiator, Humberto de la Calle.