The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, voiced concern over water shortage and ineffective management of water resources in Iraq.
The warnings of the UN representative, which she addressed to political leaders through a message distributed by the UNAMI mission, come as the country faces a severe drought and a decline in the water levels of most of Iraq’s rivers.
“In Iraq, water resources’ availability and proper management are particularly significant,” Hennis-Plasschaert tweeted. “Last month, I visited the Mesopotamian Marshes in the south, witnessing firsthand the many challenges Iraq faces.”
She continued: “Lower precipitation, water shortages, salinization of soils and water, ineffective management of resources, and population growth have all taken their toll throughout the country… In addition to climate change, the active reduction of water inflows from neighboring countries is another serious threat.”
The message, which was published on World Water Day 2022, stressed that water scarcity’s impact on poverty, displacement, and conflict would have grave implications for Iraq’s stability and long-term prosperity.
Iraq has complained for years about the water policies of its neighbors, Turkey and Iran. The two countries have prevented sufficient flow of water from reaching the territory of Iraq, by building dams on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in the case of Turkey, and by diverting the rivers’ courses and not allowing them to reach the Iraqi tributaries, in the case of Iran.
“Iraq’s neighbors should be engaged in meaningful discussions on water sharing and resource management,” the UN special representative stated, adding: “The United Nations family is working in partnership with Iraq on water resource management, and all of us can do our part by seeking to limit our impact on the environment.”
The performance of Iraqi women in the October elections marks a major improvement from the 2018 elections, with 29 percent representation up from 25 percent. The fact that 57 women from 16 governorates, out of the 95 women candidates, won outside the quota demonstrates Iraqi women’s ability to win on their own merits. Notwithstanding this achievement, the quota remains a key instrument to guarantee women’s representation in the Council of Representatives, the report added.
The analysis highlighted impediments to women’s advancement in the elections, such as security challenges, cultural and traditional gender roles in rural areas, violence against female candidates, limited training, insufficient political party support and financial resources. The report revealed that the majority of women who won were politically affiliated, indicating that political parties remain a key avenue to enter parliament.
The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq for Political and Electoral Affairs, Ingibjörg Sólrún-Gísladóttir, said: “Iraqi women have proven that when they have the opportunity to enter politics, they excel. The 2021 election is a case in point – an unprecedented number of seats went to women candidates, above their quota. I encourage this success to be reflected in the government formation and with senior appointments. Women should take their rightful place in politics and all decision making in the society. The exemplary performance of women in the October elections should be translated into advances in other areas.”
The report recommended measures to bring Iraq into compliance with international standards such as the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) to which it is a party, in order to end gender-based discrimination in politics and create a more enabling environment for women’s political participation and electoral representation. Measures beyond quotas could be introduced, including financial support, lower thresholds for candidate…
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert asserts need for ‘sense of urgency to overcome internal divisions’
Chief of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has urged political powers in Iraq to overcome differences and form a new government.
“Many Iraqis increasingly wonder whether the national interest is actually ‘front and center’ in the ongoing negotiations,” UN envoy for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, said in a briefing on Thursday.
The special envoy said that after over four months of parliamentary elections, “hampering the change and reforms the country so desperately needs,” has been witnessed in the Arab country.
She asserted the need for “a sense of urgency to overcome internal divisions, to agree on a program informing Iraqis on what they can expect in the next 4 years, to manage public expectations, and to rise to the challenge of meeting the aspirations of the 40 million people who call Iraq home.”
“A weak home front creates vulnerabilities. To Daesh for instance, ready to take advantage of any political and security vacuum. But also to continued external interference. In the case of Iraq, not a hypothetical point,” she warned.
Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, whose Sairoon Alliance led the Oct. 10, 2021 parliamentary elections results with 73 seats out of 329, seeks to form a national majority government.
The Council of Representatives, Iraq’s parliament, elects the president and confirms the prime minister.
Hennis-Plasschaers said lawmakers met for the first time last month and elected a speaker and two deputies. However, they failed to reach a quorum for the Feb. 7 session to elect a president.
While the nomination period was re-opened for another three days, the Federal Supreme Court ruled that one candidate, former Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, is ineligible.
The UN official explained that once elected, the president will have 15 days to task the prime minister-designate, the nominee of the…
In many Belgian municipalities it is raining fines for speeding offenses due to the unannounced activation of section controls and the (simultaneous) removal of warning signs. One motorist has already received 11 fines.
In many Belgian municipalities it is raining fines for speeding offenses due to the unannounced activation of section checks and the (simultaneous) removal of warning signs. One motorist has already received 11 fines.
Belgium is full of route checks. They are being installed at lightning speed, especially in Flanders. 225 section checks are planned, many of which have already been activated. The other checkpoints will be turned on in the coming months. In Wallonia, ‘only’ 25 section checks are planned, some of which have yet to be installed.
Although several new section checks were activated in recent weeks, the federal police failed to inform the municipalities. At the same time, the warning signs for section checks were also removed in many places by the Belgian Agency for Roads and Traffic. The result was a huge amount of fines in some regions.
Eleven fines
Many people were angry and frustrated that on average the fines did not arrive until two weeks later, so that the offenders were not immediately aware of their mistake. Several people have already received two or three fines for slightly exceeding the speed limit – 72 or 73 km/h where you can drive 70 km/h – but fear many more will follow. One motorist has already received eleven fines in the bus.
“Our goal is to make people drive slower, not to issue fines,” said the mayor of Kinrooi Jo Brouns to the Belgian newspaper. The newspapaer in a comment. “By silently activating the speed cameras and removing the warning signs, you only create frustration and misunderstanding. That is why the commissioning of a new speed camera or route control is always preceded by an information campaign.”
You can find the route checks in Flanders here. And…
unami fines removed warning from check department Belgium | the cars
In many Belgian municipalities, fines are imposed for speeding offenses due to the sudden activation of section controls and the (simultaneous) removal of warning signs. One motorist has already received 11 fines.
Belgium is full of road checks. They are installed at lightning speed, especially in Flanders. 225 department checks are planned, many of which have already been activated. Other checkpoints will be activated in the coming months. In Wallonia, it was planned to check “only” 25 departments, some of which have not yet been installed.
Despite activating several new departmental checks in recent weeks, the federal police have failed to inform municipalities. At the same time, the Belgian Road and Traffic Agency has removed the warning signs for section checks in many places. The result was a huge amount of fines in some areas.
eleven fine
Many people were angry and frustrated that fines, on average, did not arrive until two weeks later, so that offenders were not immediately aware of their wrongdoing. Many people have already received two or three fines for slightly exceeding the speed limit – 72 or 73 km/h where you can drive at 70 km/h – but many fear that will follow. Motorist already received 11 fine on the bus.
“Our goal is to get people to drive slower, not to impose…
King of Prussia, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that construction is scheduled to begin on Monday, February 14, to rehabilitate the Swamp Creek Road bridge over Unami Creek in Marlborough Township, Montgomery County.
PennDOT’s contractor will repair the structure’s foundation at the pier and near abutment to prevent future scouring. The three-span stone masonry arch bridge was closed in late December 2021 after undermining of the bridge pier was discovered during an underwater bridge inspection.
Since the closure, motorists have been directed to use Geryville Pike, Route 63 (Sumneytown Pike), Route 563 (Ridge Road), and Whites Mill Road. The closure will remain in place until late March.
Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling near the work area because backups and delays will occur. The schedule is weather dependent.
Before the recent December closure, the Swamp Creek Road bridge was initially closed in September 2021 to repair the approach roadway due to damaged caused by Tropical Storm Ida. Approximately 203 vehicles travel across the 130-year-old, 89-foot-long, 20-foot-wide structure daily.
Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.
For a complete list of construction projects impacting state-owned highways in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, visit the District 6 Traffic Bulletin.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties at www.penndot.gov/District6.
According to António Guterres, the hateful attacks are being directed at some, “simply because of their religion or belief, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.”
The UN chief’s message was broadcast during a virtual panel discussion with Member States, religious leaders, faith actors and civil society representatives, organized by the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in partnership with the Permanent Missions of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The designation of 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity is the result of a UN General Assembly resolution adopted in December 2020, as a way to promote greater cultural and religious tolerance.
Opportunity
Celebrating the date for the second time, the UN chief said it should be an opportunity to reflect on the importance of cultural and religious understanding, and mutual respect.
“I am grateful to religious leaders across the world who are joining hands to promote dialogue and interfaith harmony”, Mr. Guterres said.
The Secretary-General also highlighted the declaration, Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, co-authored by the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Egyptian Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, calling it “a model for compassion and human solidarity.”
“We need this spirit more than ever”, he declared.
Appeal
From deepening poverty and widening inequalities, to conflict, division, and mistrust, Mr. Guterres said that “our human family faces a cascade of challenges.”
“To confront them, we need to challenge those who exploit differences, traffic in hate, and instill fear of ‘the other’ in anxious hearts”, he continued.
Mr. Guterres believes “these heinous acts are violations of human rights and affronts to the values of the United Nations.”
The UN chief concluded with an appeal to stand firm against bigotry wherever and…
New York: Following reports on Wednesday of civilian casualties during airstrikes on the Iraqi city of Ninewa, the UN Assistance Mission (UNAMI) reiterated that Iraqi sovereignty and territorial integrity “must be respected at all times”.
According to news reports, Turkish warplanes struck suspected Kurdish insurgent positions in Iraq and Syria early on Wednesday, killing at least four people.
In a post on Twitter, UNAMI reiterated that “local populations must be protected” and “disputes should be addressed through dialogue and cooperation.”
Explosives on the ground
In the meantime, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Wednesday that four children - three boys and a girl – have died, and two have been maimed over the past week, due to explosive devices left behind by combatants.
The incidents occurred in Babel province and the capital, Baghdad, while children were simply carrying out daily chores, such as collecting wood.
According to the agency, these are not isolated incidents.
Over the last year, 125 children were killed or maimed by explosive remnants of war (ERW) and unexploded ordnance; 52 lost their lives, and 73 were seriously injured.
UNICEF says stronger efforts are needed to reduce the harm they cause, especially to curious boys, as the number of child casualties grew 67 per centcompared to the previous year.
In a statement, the agency Representative in the country, Sheema SenGupta, reminded all stakeholders that child safety must always remain the primary consideration.
“ERW continues to be a primary reason for the civilian casualties, with children being especially vulnerable – their smaller size makes them more likely to receive the full impact…
According to António Guterres, the hateful attacks are being directed at some, “simply because of their religion or belief, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.”
The UN chief’s message was broadcast during a virtual panel discussion with Member States, religious leaders, faith actors and civil society representatives, organized by the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in partnership with the Permanent Missions of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The designation of 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity is the result of a UN General Assembly resolution adopted in December 2020, as a way to promote greater cultural and religious tolerance.
Opportunity
Celebrating the date for the second time, the UN chief said it should be an opportunity to reflect on the importance of cultural and religious understanding, and mutual respect.
“I am grateful to religious leaders across the world who are joining hands to promote dialogue and interfaith harmony”, Mr. Guterres said.
The Secretary-General also highlighted the declaration, Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, co-authored by the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Egyptian Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, calling it “a model for compassion and human solidarity.”
“We need this spirit more than ever”, he declared.
Appeal
From deepening poverty and widening inequalities, to conflict, division, and mistrust, Mr. Guterres said that “our human family faces a cascade of challenges.”
“To confront them, we need to challenge those who exploit differences, traffic in hate, and instill fear of ‘the other’ in anxious hearts”, he continued.
Mr. Guterres believes “these heinous acts are violations of human rights and affronts to the values of the United Nations.”
