The Week Ahead at the United Nations, 24 - 30 November, 2012.

THE WEEK AHEAD AT THE UNITED NATIONS: THE EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE (44/12) 24-30 November 2012 (and beyond) This document is for planning purposes only and is subject to change.

Please check also our website for latest changes http://www.unric.org or call + 32 476 215 485

VIP Visits 

Anand Grover, UN Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health: Japan (till 26 Nov.).

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Gabriela Knaul, UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers: El Salvador (till 26 Nov.).

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Michel Forst, UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti: Haiti (25-30 Nov.).

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François Crépeau, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants: Greece (25 Nov.-3 Dec.).

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The UN Secretary-General: Vienna (26-27 Nov.).

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Lamberto Zannier, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Brussels (26 November).

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Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament: Washington (26-28 Nov.).

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Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the EU Commission, in charge of Industry and Entrepreneurship: Morocco (26-27 Nov.); Tunisia (27-28 Nov.).

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Catherine Ashton, Vice-President of the EU Commission, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Georgia: (26 Nov.); Kyrgyzstan (27 Nov.); Uzbekistan 28 Nov.); Tajikistan (29 Nov.); Kazakhstan (30 Nov.).

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Christof Heyns, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions: Turkey (26-30 Nov.).

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Androulla Vassiliou, EU Commissioner on Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth: China (29 Nov.-1 Dec.).

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José Manuel Barroso, President of the EU Commission: Moldova and Armenia (30 Nov.-1 Dec.).



Michel Barnier, EU Commissioner on Internal Market and Services: Beirut (30 Nov.-2 Dec.).

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Saturday, 24 November Paramaribo: ACP Parliamentary Assembly; Joint ACP-EU Parliamentary Assembly (till 28 Nov.).

Sunday, 25 November 2012 Int. Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: 16 Days of Activism (till 10 Dec.) Amsterdam: 8th World Conference on Sport, Education and Culture (till 27 Nov.).

Monday, 26 November Launch of the Least Developed Countries UNCTAD Report 2012: Harnessing Remittances and Diaspora Knowledge to Build Productive Capacities (Embargo till 5:00 p.m. GMT.).

Brussels: Eurogroup.

-Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council (till 27 Nov.).

-European Parliament: Putting victims‘ rights into practice”-How to implement EU directive on victims‘ rights across the EU. 14:00 – 18:30.

- European Parliament - Discussion with Lamberto Zannier, Secretary General of OSCE. - European Parliament - Committee on Foreign Affairs -Topical debate: the situation in Gaza.

Doha: Climate Change Conference – COP 18 (till 7 Dec.).

Geneva: Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (till 30 Nov.).

New York: Security Council- open debate on working methods.

-ECOSOC - Resumed Substantive Session. Elections will also be held to fill vacancies in the Commission on Population and Development, the Commission for Social Development, the Committee for Programme and Coordination, the Committee for the UN Population Award, and the Programme Coordinating Board of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS. The Hague: States Parties to the Conv. on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (till 30 Nov.).

Tuesday, 27 November Brussels: - "Intergenerational Solidarity: Setting the Parameters for Tomorrow's Society in Europe" - meeting between philosophical and non-confessional organisations and EU Commission/EU Council and European Parliament.

- European Parliament - outcome of the special summit with President Herman Van Rompuy.

-European Parliament-Discussion with the Foreign Minister of fYRoM, on recent developments in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and on the situation in the Western Balkans.

-European Parliament - Debriefing on the Delegation to the UN General Assembly.

-Presentation of the World Development Report 2013. WB Office. 14:00-16:00.

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Budapest: Council of Europe - Conference on hate speech (till 28 Nov.).

Geneva: Forum on Minorities Issues (till 28 Nov.).

New York: -Security Council- briefing and consultations on the Middle East.

-Security Council - debate on the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

Rome: International Rice Commission (till 28 Nov.).

Wednesday, 28 November Launch of the UNCTAD Information Economy Report 2012 - The Software Industry and Developing Countries (Embargoed 5:00 p.m. GMT).

The World Meteorological Organization will release its provisional annual statement on the state of the global climate in 2012.

Brussels:-Agriculture and Fisheries EU Council (till 29 Nov.).

-European Parliament - hearing on Anti-Money Laundering.

-European Parliament - Security situation in the Sahel region - discussion with Gilles de Kerchove, EU counter-Terrorism Coordinator and a representative from EEAS - European Parliament -State of Play on the negotiations on an Arms Trade Treaty.

- European Parliament - Discussion with Stavros Lambrinidis, EU Special Representative for Human Rights; -Hearing on human rights in Iran. Dr. Shirin Ebadi, lawyer and human rights defender, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 will take the floor during the discussion and video message by the UN special rapporteur Ahmed Shaheed will also be presented.

- AidWatch Special Report 2012 on EU development cooperation effectiveness. Organizer: Concord –the European Confederation for Relief and Development. http://www.amiando.com/2AIDWATCHREPORTLAUNCH.html?page=854845

New York: -Security Council - resolution on sanctions on the DRC (tbc).

-Security Council- briefing and consultations on the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and on Sudan/South Sudan.

-Security Council briefing on Yemen.

-Security Council consultations on Western Sahara.

Strasbourg: Prevention of chemical precursors diversion. http://www.coe.int/T/DG3/Pompidou/default_en.asp

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Thursday, 29 November Int. Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People http://www.un.org/en/events/palestinianday/index.shtml Launch of the UNIDIR Landmine Monitor 2012.

Brussels: -Foreign Affairs Council (Trade issues).

-European Parliament- Funding crisis at the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria and its impact on EU countries most affected by multi-drug resistant TB New York: -Security Council-consultations on Syria.

-Security Council briefing and consultations on the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

-Security Council- consultations on the 1701 report (Lebanon) and on the 1718 Committee (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea sanctions).

-Briefing on “Enhancing African peacekeeping training and research capacities for complex peace and security emergencies in Africa” by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).

Friday, 30 November New York: Security Council - open debate on women and peace and security (Resolution 1325).

Washington: EU–US Interparliamentary Meeting and Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue Meeting (till 1 Dec.).

And beyond: Other dates to pin 1 December Morocco assumes the monthly rotating Presidency of the Security Council World AIDS Day

http://www.un.org/en/events/aidsday/

2 December International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

http://www.un.org/en/events/slaveryabolitionday/

3 December International Day of Persons with Disabilities: "Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all" http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=111 Brussels: -Transport, Telecoms and Energy Council (Energy).

-Eurogroup.

- Conference on Children’s Rights and Business Principles. Organizers: Global Compact Network Belgium and the King Baudouin Foundation, Egmont Palace. www.globalcompact.be Geneva: Meeting of State Parties of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (till 7 Dec.).

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4 December

Launch of World Economic Situation and Prospects 2013 (and 17-18 January 2013) Brussels: -Economic and Financial Affairs EU Council (ECOFIN).

-High-level meeting between the ILO and European Commission (till 5 Dec.). http://www.ilo.org/brussels/meetings-and-events/WCMS_193226/lang--en/index.htm

- European Voice -The battle over Europe's infrastructure: can the EU bridge the gap between European and local politics?" http://www.europeanvoice.com/page/europe-s-infrastructure-home/3603.aspx 5 December International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/intl-vol-day.html UN Young Professional Programme Examinations https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=NCEETT Brussels: -EU Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and US Attorney General Eric Holder will launch a Global Alliance against Child Sexual Abuse Online, with participation of Ministers and other high-level officials from 45 countries. Available on EbS -‘Sustainable Energy for All: A focus on Africa’ – debate organized by Friends of Europe. http://www.friendsofeurope.org/Contentnavigation/Events/Eventsoverview/tabid/1187/EventType/EventView/EventId/ 1184/SustainableenergyforallAfocusonAfrica.aspx

New York: Annual UN Student Human Rights Conference (till 7 Dec.) Theme: “The Future We Want: A Better World Through Human Rights.” It will connect students in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America among other regions. Webcast live from UN HQ on 6-7 Dec. Contact: yotive@un.org 6 December Brussels: -Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs EU Council (till 7 Dec.).

-Justice and Home Affairs EU Council (till 7 Dec.).

7 December International Civil Aviation Day [ICAO] 9 December International Anti-Corruption Day http://www.un.org/en/events/anticorruptionday/ Brussels: Eurogroup

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10 December Human Rights Day "Inclusion and the right to participate in public life” http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Day2012/Pages/HRD2012.aspx

Brussels: -Competitiveness EU Council (till 11 Dec.).

-EU Foreign Affairs EU Council (GAC).

Malabo: ACP Council of Ministers, Summit of ACP Heads of State and Government (till 14 Dec.).

Oslo: Nobel Peace Prize to Be Awarded.

Strasbourg: European Parliament Plenary Session (till 13 Dec.).

11 December International Mountain Day

http://www.fao.org/mnts/en/

Brussels: -EU General Affairs Council -Human Rights day film ‘No’! Venue: BOZAR. 12 December Brussels: European Economic and Social Committee: 5th edition of the EESC Civil Society Prize.

13 December Brussels: European Council (till 14 Dec.).

Luxembourg: 'The transition to a green economy in Luxembourg: opportunities and challenges for green and decent jobs and for social inclusion' Organizers: ILO/ Government of Luxembourg.

17 December Brussels: Environment Council 18 December International Migrants Day

http://www.un.org/en/events/migrantsday/

20th Anniversary of the Declaration on Minority Rights Brussels: Agriculture and Fisheries Council (till 20 Dec.).

20 December International Human Solidarity Day http://social.un.org/index/InternationalDays/InternationalHumanSolidarityDay.aspx

Brussels: Transport, Telecoms and Energy EU Council (till 21 Dec.).

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UN Campaigns For a more complete list of Competitions, Mobile Apps, Campaigns and Games visit: http://www.unric.org/en/competitions-campaigns-mobile-apps-a-games

Global Good Challenge http://www.unric.org/en/competitions The United Nations Foundation's "Global Good Challenge" is an innovative new way for individuals to help tackle some of the world's biggest challenges while earning the chance to win once-in-alifetime experiences.

It encourages individuals to use technology and social media to take action and help create a better world. In return, participants will earn points that can be used to win prizes.

TechNeedsGirls http://www.unric.org/en/competitions Tech Needs Girls is calling on all girls aged 9-18 to lend their talents and creativity to inventing and improving our future. Enter one, or more, of the competitions to flex your ICT skills and start a journey celebrating girls (and women) in tech around the world.

Visit the website as details of the prize and competitions will be released over the coming weeks.

22nd International Children’s Painting Competition http://www.unric.org/en/competitions The International Children’s Painting Competition on the Environment is organized every year by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Japan-based Foundation for Global Peace and Environment (FGPE), Bayer and Nikon Corporation.

It has been held since 1991 and has received more than 3 million entries from children (6 - 14) in over 150 countries. The theme of the 22nd painting competition will be “Water: The Source of Life”.

The submission deadline is 28 February, 2013

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