Sharks and rays at risk get stronger protection. From Sunday 14 September onward, international trade in specimens of five shark and all manta ray species will need to be accompanied by permits and certificates confirming that they have been harvested sustainably and legally. Sharks and rays are consumed in many parts of the world. Shark’s fin soup is served at important events such as weddings and banquets in parts of Asia while fish and chips meals are made from shark meat in Europe. John Scanlon, CITES Secretary-General David Morgan, Head of Scientific Services Haruko Okuso, Capacity Building Coordinator
Press Conference by OHCHR / Special Rapporteur on Transitional Justice
Prosecution strategies in the fight against impunity. The UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, Pablo de Greiff
Publication of the Trade and Development Report 2014: Global Governance and Policy Space for Development. (Embargo 10/09 at 5:00 p.m. GMT, 7:00 p.m. CET) Mukhisa Kituyi, UNCTAD Secretary-General Alfredo Calcagno, Chief, Macroeconomic and Development Policies Branch, Division on Globalization and Development Strategies, UNCTAD
Human rights to water and sanitation: How they are violated and how they can be realised. Catarina de Albuquerque, UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation.
U.S. Mission - Press briefing by the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes
Justice and accountability in atrocity crime situations and the importance of related human rights investigations in countries including Iraq, Syria, Ukraine and CAR. Stephen Rapp, Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues
Update on the humanitarian health situation in conflict-affected areas of Ukraine, plus the ongoing challenges, needs and actions of the World Health Organization and partners. Dr Dorit Nitzan, World Health Organization Representative and Head of Country Office, Ukraine.
Release of WMO annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin. Michel Jarraud, WMO Secretary General Oksana Tarasova, Chief WMO Atmospheric Environment Research Division
The urgent need to create trade and employment opportunities by increasing the competitiveness of SMEs will be at the core of the discussions between global thinkers, business leaders and practitioners at the 14th World Export Development Forum (WEDF), to be held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 16-17 September 2014. For the first time ever ITC, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, will bring its flagship event to Africa. Hosts: The Government of Rwanda through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). The global forum will be dedicated to business-led development. WEDF will bring together over 400 representatives of governments, the private sector and TSIs from around the world to contribute to the global debate on ways to achieve trade-led inclusive sustainable development through entrepreneurship, trade competitiveness of SMEs, employment and economic growth. This year, WEDF will be held in conjunction with ITC’s Women Vendors Exhibition and Forum (WVEF) the flagship event of the Global Platform for Action on Sourcing from Women Vendors. There are 8-10 million women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries, representing 31 to 38% of total SMEs yet they receive a paltry share of procurement contracts. Led by the International Trade Centre (ITC), the Global Platform is a 10-year initiative that aims to increase the amount of corporate, government and institutional procurement secured by women vendors for the ultimate purpose of bringing economic benefit to women and their communities. Arancha González, Executive Director, ITC
Informal press briefing on the upcoming 27th session of the Human Rights Council (8-26 September). Rolando Gómez, Public Information Officer for the Human Rights Council, OHCHR
