United Nations (UN)

United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in partnership with the government and other development partners to empower women and expose their potential.

UN Resident Coordinator, Richard Howard Junior, emphasized that this year got off to a rough start with the January 10 tragedy, but says things could have been different if many women held leadership positions in the country.

A series of workshops in Angoram, East Sepik Province, and Aitape, West Sepik Province, are equipping local entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable development.

The initial workshop in Angoram centred on vital MSME success factors, including group dynamics, leadership skills, and effective communication.

The active participation of the Kandangapma Women's Business Group, renowned for their businesses in fish processing and sewing, was a highlight.

In this context, Information Communication Technology (ICTs) offer enormous opportunities for enhanced agricultural innovation for food security, income, and economic growth.

This is why the United Nations General Assembly has designated June 27 as “Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day”.

“MSMEs account for 90 percent of businesses, 60 to 70 percent of employment and 50 percent of GDP worldwide,” said the UN.

“As the backbone of societies everywhere, they contribute to local and national economies and to sustaining livelihoods, in particular among the working poor, women, youth and groups in vulnerable situations.”

Also losing voting rights are Iran, Venezuela, Sudan, Antigua and Barbuda, Republic of Congo and Guinea, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in the letter to General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid on Wednesday.

The suspension takes effect immediately.

The UN Charter states that members whose arrears equal or exceed the amount of their contributions for the preceding two full years lose their voting rights.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Dirk Wagener said Sorcery Accusation-Related Violence (SARV) must be investigated and prosecuted consistent with the law.

“Those found responsible must be held accountable. This recent event once again highlights the continuing challenge of addressing sorcery accusation-related violence in Papua New Guinea.

“Those acting as glasman or glasmeri must be held responsible for the accusations that lead to these behaviors and crimes,” said Mr. Wagener.

The referendum will give the people of Bougainville the opportunity to express their opinion on the future political status of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, as guaranteed in the 2001 Peace Agreement.

Following the Joint Supervisory Body’s (JSB) decision last week, polling for the referendum will start on 12^th October 2019.

The JSB also endorsed the work of the Post-Referendum Planning Taskforce, which will meet again in the week of 4 March with UN support.