Goal 3 - SDGs for All

Did US Biotechnology Help to Create COVID-19?

Viewpoint by Neil Harrison and Jeffrey D. Sachs

This article was issued by Project Syndicate and is being republished with the authors’ permission.

NEW YORK (IDN) — When US President Joe Biden asked the United States Intelligence Community to determine the origin of COVID-19, its conclusion was remarkably understated but nonetheless shocking. In a one-page summary, the IC made clear that it could not rule out the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) emerged from a laboratory.

: IDN-INPS Editor; Goal 3; 30 May 2022

Image: Beachcomber Resort Island. Credit: Kalinga Seneviratne.

South Pacific: Fiji Tourism Is Back on Its Feet with Focus on Sustainability

By Sheryl Lal and Akansha Narayan*

NADI, Fiji (IDN) — Though Fiji Islands was unaffected by the first wave of COVID-19, its tourism sector, the lifeblood of the economy, has been devastated by border closure across the world due to the pandemic in the past two years. Thus, when the Fijian Tourism Expo (FTE) returned after a break of two years, Fiji Tourism’s CEO Brent Hill was in an upbeat mood, especially because they have been able to attract over 500 participants to the Expo in these competitive times for the travel industry. But, having experienced the vulnerabilities, sustainability was very much in focus during presentations at the event here.

: Kalinga Seneviratne; Goal 3; 24 May 2022

Photo: President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana gives opening remarks at the ECOSOC Financing for Development Forum, 25 April 2022. Credit: UNDESA/Predrag Vasic

A New Integrated Financing Facility to Help Achieve UN’s Development Goals by 2030

By Thalif Deen

UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — The UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which primarily include the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger by 2030, are in deep financial trouble.

The goals have been severely undermined by the cumulative effects of several factors, including the economic fallout from the war in Ukraine and, most importantly, the widespread COVID-19 pandemic which has had a devastating impact on both the world’s rich and poor nations. (P03) JAPANESE TEXT VERSION PDF | SPANISH | SWAHILI | TURKISH

: IDN-INPS Editor; Project Articles; 30 April 2022

Photo: Handful of tourists in a deserted Khaosan which was before the pandemic filled with street stalls and tourists. Credit: Pattama Vilailert.

Street Vending: Covid Seems to Have Killed a Bangkok Icon

By Pattama Vilailert

BANGKOK (IDN) — Street vendors have been an iconic attraction for millions of tourists that visited Bangkok each year before the COVID-19 pandemic. In perfect tune with the Thais' approach to enjoying life to its fullest, including eating and shopping, street vendors have set their carts in the heart of Thai people and Bangkok for a century, serving both Thais and foreigners. (P02) INDONESIAN | JAPANESE TEXT VERSION PDF | THAI

: IDN-INPS Editor; Project Articles; 22 April 2022

Pandemic Pushes SDGs Further Out of Reach of Asia and The Pacific

Viewpoint by Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana

BANGKOK (IDN) — 2022 marks the second anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, and while an end to the pandemic is in sight, it is far from over and the consequences will be felt for decades to come. At the same time, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is becoming increasingly distant. The region must use the 17 Sustainable Development Goals as a roadmap to a fairer recovery.

: IDN-INPS Editor; Goal 3; 19 March 2022

Photo: Two newborn babies being cared for at a makeshift maternity clinic in Ukraine. Credit: UNICEF/2022/Ratushniak

Three UN Agencies Call for Stopping Attacks on Health Care in Ukraine

By Jaya Ramachandran

GENEVA | NEW YORK (IDN) — Three UN agencies have called for an immediate ceasefire in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, enabling unhindered access so that people in need can avail of humanitarian assistance. "A peaceful resolution to end the war in Ukraine is possible,” says a joint statement issued by UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell, her counterpart at UNFPA, Dr Natalia Kanem, and WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

: IDN-INPS Editor; Goal 3; 14 March 2022

Photo: Women travel long distances to get water in a single pump in Batugade, Bobonaro, Timor Leste. Credit: Annamarie Reyes

Timor Leste: Oil Revenue Fails to Address Child Stunting

By Annamarie Reyes

DILI, Timor Leste (IDN) — The world’s newest democracy of Timor Leste is currently confronting a surge of omicron cases after being one of the safest countries from Covid. But as it continues to manage the pandemic fairly well, the story is quite the opposite when it comes to the problem of child stunting. (P30) INDONESIAN | JAPANESE TEXT VERSION PDF | PORTUGUESE | SPANISH

: IDN-INPS Editor; Project Articles; 11 February 2022

Coronavirus Cases Are Shooting Up Across Africa

By Jeffrey Moyo

HARARE (INPS) — There are over 228 000 coronavirus cases in Zimbabwe, with more than 5000 deaths while north of this country stands Zambia laden with over 300 000 coronavirus cases and more than 3000 COVID-related deaths and not to be left out, is Mozambique east of Zimbabwe, contending with more than 200 000 coronavirus cases, this with over 2000 deaths related to the feared pandemic. (P28) INDONESIAN | JAPANESE TEXT VERSION PDF | SWAHILI

: IDN-INPS Editor; Project Articles; 28 January 2022

Photo: Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Afghanistan. ©WHO

Health System in Afghanistan Is on The Brink of Collapse

By Jaya Ramachandran

GENEVA (IDN) — The World Health Organization (WHO) a specialized agency of the United Nations, has warned that fundamental and life-saving primary health care services in Afghanistan are under severe threat. It is, therefore, making an urgent appeal to international donors to rapidly finance the Sehatmandi programme, as they have done for almost two decades.

The programme is the backbone of Afghanistan’s health system, providing care for millions of people through 2 331 health facilities.

: IDN-INPS Editor; Goal 3; 24 January 2022

Photo: An employee arranges vegetables in a supermarket in Indonesia. © ILO/Feri Latief

Global Pandemic Halts Economic Recovery, Says UN Report

By Radwan Jakeem

NEW YORK (IDN) — A new United Nations report shows that the rapid spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant has halted a rapid recovery, countering signs of solid growth at the end of 2021. The report titled, 2022 World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) cites problems contributing to the slowing down of the economy: new waves of COVID-19 infections, persistent labour market and lingering supply-chain challenges, as well as rising inflationary pressures.