UN Department of Public Information 2012 Communications Priorities (UN - 2011)

8/3/2019 UN Department of Public Information 2012 Communications Priorities (UN - 2011)

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U N I T E D N A T I O N S N A T I O N S U N I E S

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

WE THE PEOPLESNew York, 21 September 2011

As delivered

Mr. President,Distinguished Heads of State and Government,Excellencies,Ladies and gentlemen,

Late next month, a child will be born the 7 billionth citizen of our planet Earth.

Let us assume this child is a girl. Most likely she will be poor. She may or may not grow up to behealthy and strong.

If she is especially lucky, she will be educated and go out into the world, full of hopes anddreams.

Beyond that, we know only one thing with certainty: she will enter a world of vast andunpredictable change environmental, economic, geopolitical, technological, demographic.

The worlds population has tripled since the United Nations was created. And our numbers keep

growing.

So do the pressures on land, energy, food and water.

The global economic crisis continues to shake businesses, governments and families around theworld.

Joblessness is rising. Social inequalities grow wider. Too many people live in fear.

Excellencies,

The UN exists to serve those in whose name it was conceived WE THE PEOPLES.

During the past five years as UN Secretary-General, I have travelled the world to meet peoplewhere they live, to hear their hopes and fears.

Two weeks ago I visited Kiribati and the Solomon Islands. Villagers told me of their fear ofclimate change. Rising seas are washing into their homes. One day, they might be swept awayentirely.

A young girl named Tamauri mustered her courage to speak. What will become of us," she


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asked. "What can the United Nations do for us?"

Today, I pose her question to all of you distinguished Heads of State and Government andleaders of the world.

What can we do?How can we help our people find greater peace, prosperity and justice in a

world of crises?

Excellencies,Ladies and gentlemen,

As I reflect on my time in office during the last five years, I am full of passionate conviction unshakable faith in the enduring importance of this noble United Nations.

Today, I would like to share with you my perspective on the way ahead. As I see it, we have fiveimperatives five generational opportunities to shape the world of tomorrow by the decisionswe make today.

The first and greatest of these is sustainable development the imperative of the 21st century.

Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth these are one andthe same fight.

We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, globalhealth, food security and womens empowerment. Solutions to one problem must be solutions forall.

Rio+20 must succeed.

We must make progress on climate change.

We cannot burn our way to the future. We cannot pretend the danger does not exist or dismissit because it affects someone else.

Today, I call on you to reach a binding climate change agreement an agreement with moreambitious national and global emissions targets.

And we need action on the ground, now on cutting emissions and on adaptation.

Excellencies,Ladies and Gentlemen,

Energy is key to our planet, to our way of life. That is why we have launched a pioneering newinitiative, Sustainable Energy for All.

We must invest in people particularly in education and womens and childrens health.Development is not sustainable unless it is equitable and serves all people.

We must intensify our efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, and more.

Today, I urge you to think even bigger and beyond the 2015 deadline.


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Let us develop a new generation of sustainable development goals to pick up where the MDGsleave off. Let us agree on the means to achieve them.

Excellencies,

A second great opportunity: prevention.

This year, the UN peacekeeping budget will total $8 billion.

Consider the savings if we act before conflicts erupt by deploying political mediationmissions, for example, rather than troops.

We know how to do this. Our record proves it in Guinea, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan.

To prevent violations of human rights, we must work for the rule of law and stand againstimpunity. We have carved out a new dimension for the Responsibility to Protect. We willcontinue.

To prevent runaway damage from natural disasters, we must work for better disaster-riskreduction and preparedness.

And let us remember: development is ultimately the best prevention.

Today, I ask your support.

Let us commit the resources required. Let us raise prevention from an abstract concept to a coreoperating principle, across the spectrum of our work.

Ladies and gentlemen,

A third imperative: building a safer and more secure world our core responsibility as theUnited Nations.

This year we were sorely tested. In Cte dIvoire, we stood firm for democracy and human rights.Working closely with our regional partners, we made a difference in the lives of millions ofpeople.

In Afghanistan and Iraq, we will carry on our missions with determination and commitment to thepeople of these proud nations.

In Darfur, we continue to save lives and help keep peace under difficult conditions. Our success

demands the cooperation and full support of the international community, the parties on theground and the Sudanese Government.

In Sudan, the parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement must work together to preventconflict and settle outstanding issues.

In the Middle East, we must break the stalemate. We have long agreed that Palestinians deserve astate. Israel needs security. Both want peace. We pledge our unrelenting efforts to help achievethat peace through a negotiated settlement.


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We must be innovative in maximizing the unique force for good that is UN peacekeeping. We arepioneering new approaches. We have strengthened our field support and reconfigured thearchitecture of peacekeeping operations.

In places like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone, we are building peace by

advancing civil society, promoting the rule of law and creating institutions of honest and effectivegovernance.

Today we are capable of more rapid and effective response than ever before, and we willcontinue.

We remain the worlds first emergency responders in Pakistan, Haiti and beyond.

It is essential that we continue to build on our most innovative and effective tool for humanitarianrelief the Central Emergency Response Fund, or CERF.

Famine in Somalia continues to spread. I appeal to you: help save the children of the Horn of

Africa.

As we learned in Fukushima and elsewhere, nuclear accidents do not respect national borders. Weneed global action. We need strong international safety standards to prevent future disasters.

Let us keep pushing on disarmament and non-proliferation. Let us fulfil the dream a world freeof nuclear weapons.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The fourth big opportunity: supporting nations in transition.

This years dramatic events in North Africa and the Middle East inspired us. Let us help make theArab Spring a true season of hope for all.

In Libya, we are deploying a new UN support mission to assist the Libyan authorities establish anew government and legal order, consistent with the aspirations of the Libyan people.

Syria is a special concern. For six months we have seen escalating violence and repression. TheGovernment has repeatedly pledged to undertake reforms and listen to its people. It has not doneso. The moment to act is now. The violence must stop.

Others also look to us.

A country may be emerging from war. It may be moving from autocracy to democracy, frompoverty to a new prosperity.

The UN must help that country find the right path.

That may involve support to restore justice or build back public services. It may mean helping toorganize elections or write a constitution.

Our challenge today is to cement this progress and apply the lessons learned.


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Nowhere is this challenge more clear than in our efforts to help South Sudan build a functioningstate after decades of conflict.

Fifth and finally: we can dramatically advance our efforts in every sphere by working with andworking for women and young people.

Women hold up more than half the sky and represent much of the worlds unrealized potential.They are the educators. They raise the children. They hold families together and increasinglydrive economies. They are natural leaders.

We need their full engagement in government, business and civil society. And this year, forthe first time, we have UN Women our own unique and powerful engine for dynamic change.

I am especially pleased to see so many women at this years General Assembly. I welcome, inparticular, the next speaker Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, the first woman in UN historyto open our General Debate.

We can be proud of how many women leaders we have at the United Nations. We will continueour policy of promoting women at all levels of the Organization.

And we will focus on the new generation. Young people are more than our future. They are alsoour present, both in numbers and how they drive political and social change. We must find newways to create decent jobs and opportunities for them around the world.

Excellencies,These are extraordinary challenges. We cannot respond in ordinary ways.

We need one thing above all else solidarity.

That begins with the obvious: without resources, we cannot deliver.

Today, I ask governments that have traditionally borne the lions share of the costs to not flag intheir generosity.

Budgets are tight. Yet we also know that investing through the UN is smart policy. Burden-sharing makes the load lighter. Scaling back is no answer.

To the rising powers among you, whose dynamism increasingly drives the global economy with power comes responsibility.

For all, I ask that you give what you can expertise, peacekeepers, helicopters. Never

underestimate the power of your leadership. Again and again, I have seen how the smallestnations make some of the largest contributions to our work.

Governments cannot do the job alone. To deliver for those in need, we must broaden our base andextend our reach. We must harness the full power of partnership across the Organization.

Our successes against malaria show the way. We see the transformative power of partnership inour Every Woman Every Child initiative, with funding commitments of more than $40 billion four times the annual UN budget.


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When we combine the UNs unparalleled convening authority and technical resources with thevarious strengths of governments, the private sector and civil society, we are a formidable forcefor good.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Finally, we must adapt to changing times.

At this time of austerity, we must do more with less. We must invest the global taxpayers moneywisely, eliminate waste and avoid duplication by Delivering as One.

Accountability and transparency remain our watchwords. We are accountable to the MemberStates. Yet we cannot become more efficient without their strong and consistent support.

We need to streamline the budget process and help the UN to deliver at a cost no nation canmatch on its own.

We must keep pushing to build a more modern and mobile workforce a UN that is faster and

more flexible, a UN that innovates and draws on the power of social media and new technologies,a UN that helps solve real-world problems in real-time.

Last but hardly least, let us do everything we can to protect our UN staff. We have lost so manylives; the UN has become too soft a target.

Today, we remember with gratitude those who serve with such dedication in so many dangerousplaces.

Excellencies, Distinguished Heads of State and Government,

Here in this great hall, the shrinking islands in the vast Pacific may seem far away. Yet I hear that

young girls plea as clearly as if she were next to me.

Perhaps that is because, 60 years ago, I was that child.

The United Nations is the answer, as it was then.

Standing here today, I hear many millions of other young boys and girls asking our help,looking for hope.

WE THE PEOPLES.

Seven billion now look to us the worlds leaders.

They need solutions. They demand leadership. They want us to act.

To act with compassion, courage and conviction.

To act in concert nations united at the United Nations.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen: Let us carry on this journey together. Thank you.


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2012 Communications Priorities

Strategic Communications Division

UN Department of Public Information

15 December 2011

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UN Department of Public Information2012 Communications Priorities

The purpose of DPI communications is to help achieve the UNs substantive goals within the

three broad pillars of its work development, human rights, and peace and security. DPIs

communications priorities reflect those thematic areas within the three pillars that will be in the

forefront of the Organizations concerns for 2012. Key dates are markers around whichcommunications strategies and/or activities will be developed over the course of the year.

DPIs communications priorities also reflect the Secretary-Generals broad strategic priorities

the five imperatives to shape the world of tomorrow by the decisions we make today, outlinedin his report to the General Assembly on 21 September 2011 (attached). They are: sustainable

development; prevention; building a safer and more secure world; supporting nations in

transition; and working with and for women and young people.

DEVELOPMENT

Sustainable Development: The UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20)will be a major focus of work for the entire UN System during the first half of 2012. In

the lead-up to the conference, The Future We Want campaign, launched in November

2011, will aim to generate a global conversation on that theme, to build public awareness

and support for sustainable development. There will be a number of opportunities to

generate media interest, including by promoting the report of the Secretary-Generals

High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability in January, and various international days and

preparatory meetings. Several mini-campaigns on key issues including energy, water,

oceans, sustainable cities, jobs/equity, food/agriculture and resilience to disasters will

create further opportunities in the lead-up to Rio. A process may be launched whereby

Governments will seek agreement on sustainable development goals to build upon the

MDGs, post-2015.

Key dates:

12 January: Report of the High-level Panel on Global Sustainability (New York)

16-17 January: Initial discussions on the zero draft of outcome document for Rio+20(New York)

6-7 March: Third Intersessional Meeting on Rio+20 (New York)12-17 March: 6th World Water Forum (Marseille)

March (tbc): Launch of World Water Assessment Report22 March: World Water Day (Worldwide)

26-27 March: Third Intersessional Meeting of UNCSD, UN Secretariat (New York)

21-26 April: UNCTAD XIII Development-centred globalization: Towards inclusive andsustainable growth and development (Doha)

23-27 April: Commission on Population and Development (CPD); Theme: Adolescentsand Youth (New York)

15-22 May: G8 Summit (Chicago)

13-15 June: Third Meeting of the Preparatory Committee on Rio 2012 (Rio de Janeiro)

17-19 June (tbc): G20 Summit (Mexico)

20-22 June: UNCSD (Rio+20) (Rio de Janeiro)


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Sustainable Energy for All: As a key input to Rio+20 and beyond, the Secretary-General has launched a Sustainable Energy for All Initiative(www.sustainableenergyforall.org). He has announced three goals for 2030: to ensure

universal access to modern energy services; to double the rate of improvement of energy

efficiency; and to double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

Significant commitments are expected to be announced at Rio+20. The initiative is

working closely with those organizing the International Year of Sustainable Energy forAll (2012). After the January launch in Abu Dhabi, key events for the year will also

include a report to the UN General Assembly and a closing observance.

Key dates:16-19 January: The World Future Energy Summit - Launch of the International Year ofSustainable Energy for All (Abu Dhabi)

20-22 June: Rio+20 (Rio de Janeiro)

18-21 September: Report of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly on Year of

Sustainable Energy for All (New York)

1-31 December: Closing Event - International Year of Sustainable Energy for All (NewYork)

Millennium Development Goals: The UN System continues to push for acceleration ofMDG achievement, as the 2015 target date looms. An integrated advocacy strategy for

2012-2015 is being developed under the UN Development Group (UNDG) Task Force on

the MDGs, and the supportive communications plan by the UNCG Task Force on the

MDGs. At the same time, the Secretary-General has outlined internally, through the

UNDG, his plan for building consensus on the post-2015 development agenda. First, an

internal Task Team is to be convened, and then a High-level Panel of Eminent Persons

will be appointed, to issue their report in 2013, followed by a Secretary-General report, as

inputs to the 2013 MDG Summit. The Secretary-General has already proposed, in several

prominent speeches, that there should be a set of sustainable development goals that willbuild upon the MDGs, post-2015.

In communications, we continue to stress the significant progress that the MDGs have

generated, with success stories compiled and featured across the UN System, as well as

the importance of accelerating action to achieve the Goals. Various reports andinternational days provide a steady flow of opportunities to get out the main messages.

The Secretary-General continues to actively promote his Every Woman, Every Child

umbrella initiative on womens and childrens health, under which large-scale and

concrete commitments are being carried out to achieve MDGs 4 and 5. The MDG

Advocacy Group has agreed on an action plan, which should enable UNICs to betterutilize them with the media. The MDG celebrity champions have been invited to renew

their commitment through 2015.

Key dates:March (tbc): SG appoints High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on post-2015 agenda8 March: International Womens Day (Worldwide)

12-17 March: 6th World Water Forum (Marseille)

March (tbc): Launch of World Water Assessment Report

22 March: World Water Day (Worldwide)


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24 March: World TB Day (Worldwide)25 April: World Malaria Day (Worldwide)

3-4 May: MDG Review Exhibition and Summit 2012 The power of business as one ofthe solutions to the MDG challenges (Cape Town)

June (tbc): Launch of MDG Report20-22 June: Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio)

First week of July: High-level Segment of ECOSOC (New York) (Theme for AnnualMinisterial Review: Promoting productive capacity, employment and decent work to

eradicate poverty in the context of inclusive, sustainable and equitable economic growth

at all levels for achieving the MDGs)

First week of July: Launch of the World Economic and Social Survey 2012: InnovativeSources of Financing for Development: Possibilities and Pitfalls22-27 July: XIX International AIDS Conference (Washington, DC)

September (tbc): Launch of MDG Gap Task Force Report

September (tbc): Every Woman, Every Child event to report on commitments16 October: World Food Day

17 October: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty / Stand Up against Poverty

1 December: World AIDS Day

Climate change: Countries will begin a new process to negotiate a legally bindinginstrument, protocol, or outcome with legal force, as well as to strengthen global efforts

to address climate change, at the Climate Change Conference in November/December

2012 in Doha, Qatar. In addition to the negotiations on a legally binding agreement,

negotiations will also focus on issues relating to the implementation of the second

commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, the management of the new Green Climate

Fund, and the implementation of the Durban Platform. Another important issue that will

be discussed in Qatar is the need for progress on climate financing. A strategy will be

developed in early 2012 to raise awareness of Durban Platform and next steps.

Key dates:

26 November-7 December 2011: Climate Change Conference COP 18 (Doha, Qatar)

Food security: Food security and agriculture have been ranking global concerns sincethe crisis of 2008. The pattern that has ensued since then economic downturn making it

harder for the poor to access food; economic recovery driving global prices to ever-

higher levels is likely to continue through 2012 and beyond. Food and agriculture are

also at the centre of the Rio+20 sustainable development agenda, closely linked with

water and energy (see above); and of prospects for advancing the LDCs and the IstanbulProgramme of Action.

Key dates:8 February: TheEconomists Feeding the World Conference (Geneva)

13 February: Challenges for Global Food Systems to 2050 Forum (Adelaide, Australia)22 February: European Food Security Conference (Brussels)

7-9 March: Global Food Security Forum (Rabat, Morocco)

27-29 April: World Public Health Nutrition Association Congress (Rio de Janeiro)

15-20 October: Committee on World Food Security (Rome)

16 October: World Food Day (Worldwide)


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Economic Recovery and Crisis: As the world economy struggles to recover from thecrisis of 2008-09, and the European debt situation shakes confidence in the markets,

DESAs World Economic Situation and Prospects 2012 offers two scenarios: the

negative (muddling through), and the more negative (a double-dip recession). The globalanalysis will be launched on 1 December 2011 in New York, and regional analyses will

be launched around 17 January in key regional hubs. A mid-year update will come out in

June.

Key dates:17 January: regional launches of World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP)

Report (multi-site)

20-22 April: World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings (Washington, DC)

June (tbc): WESP Mid-Year Update ReportJuly (tbc): World Economic and Social Survey

12-14 October: World Bank/IMF annual meetings (Tokyo)

Gender equality and womens empowerment: Working with and for women has beenidentified by the Secretary-General as major priority for the Organization over the next

five years. This includes efforts to bolster UN Women, which was launched early in

2011. The theme of the 56th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, to take

place at UN Headquarters in February, will be the empowerment of rural women and

their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges.

Reflecting this theme, the slogan for International Womens Day 2012 is Empower rural

women end hunger and poverty.

Key dates27 February-9 March: 56th session of the Commission on the Status of Women

8 March: International Womens Day23 June: International Widows Day15 October: International Day of Rural Women

25 November: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women25 November 10 December: 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence

Youth: Following the General Assembly High-level Meeting on Youth and theculmination of the International Youth Year in 2011, a focus on young people as drivers

of political and social change has been identified by the Secretary-General as a priority

for the next five years. The issue of youth employment the theme of the next WorldYouth Report will be highlighted in particular.

Key dates:January: Launch of World Youth Report 2011

23-27 April:Commission on Population and Development (Theme: Adolescents andYouth)

20-22 June: UNCSD (Rio+20)

21 August: International Youth Day


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Africa: Raising public awareness of key African development challenges andaccomplishments and the activities of the New Partnership for Africas DevelopmentPlanning and Coordinating Agency (NEPAD Agency), which commemorated its 10th

anniversary in 2011, remain communications priorities. Strategic information campaigns

promoting African economic, social and political development issues will be undertaken

in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) and the

Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). During 2012, the campaigns will promote theannual MDG Report, the Secretary-Generals reports on Africa and annual reports on the

implementation of NEPAD projects, and several OSAAs expert group meetings, as well

as ECAs flagship reports on economic, social and political issues.

DPI will also provide strategic guidance on immediate communication priorities andpreparation of key messages on African development topics, tailoring the UNs broad

priority issues to the specifics of the Africa region, and ensuring that other parts of DPI

are aware of Africas priorities. Several broad themes have been identified for 2012:

NEPAD Agencys priorities on economic development; MDGs, with focus on gender,

trade, aid, HIV/AIDS, and maternal health; sustainable development and climate change

mitigation in Africa; peacekeeping, peacebuilding and human rights.

Key dates:29-30 January: African Union Summit (Addis Ababa)7 April: Commemoration of the 18th Anniversary of the Rwanda Genocide (Worldwide)

25 April: World Malaria Day

25 May: Africa Day

18 July: Nelson Mandela International Day

July (tbc): African Union Summit15 September: International Day of Democracy

HUMAN RIGHTS

Minorities/Racism: Related to the broader and continuing priority theme of non-discrimination, the 20

thanniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Minorities in 2012

provides an opportunity to focus on ending discrimination against national, ethnic,linguistic and religious minorities, including indigenous peoples worldwide. This could

also build on the momentum from the Lets Fight Racism campaign, launched in the

late 2011. Key objectives are to raise awareness of the essential standards contained in

the Declaration and in other documents such as the Durban Declaration and Programme

of Action and to inspire individuals to take action to fight discrimination in their owncommunities. The Lets Fight Racism campaign is a key tool for communicating this

message.

Key dates:27 January: International Day of Commemoration to Honour the Victims of theHolocaust

8 March: International Womens Day

21 March: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

7 April: Commemoration of the 18th Anniversary of the Rwanda Genocide


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7- 18 May: Eleventh Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues26 June: International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

18 July: Nelson Mandela International Day

9 August: International Day of the Worlds Indigenous People

10 December: Human Rights Day18 December: 20th anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Minorities

Rule of Law: In 2011, in the midst of developments in the Middle East and northernAfrica, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon referred to the rule of law as the worlds best

hope for building peaceful, prosperous societies. The UN plays an important supporting

role to assist Member States in strengthening the rule of law, with an emphasis on

promoting good governance, transparency, trustworthy legal systems and accountabilityfor crimes. The High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly in September 2012 will be

an opportunity to highlight the UN as a forum for dialogue on this issue. The work of the

United Nations in the area of promoting international law and providing technical

assistance can also be highlighted.

Key dates:

September (tbc): High-Level Meeting on the Rule of Law15 September: International Day of Democracy

September (tbc): 2012 Treaty Event (Rule of Law theme)

Human Rights Defenders: Followinga year where human rights activists have been onthe frontlines of change in authoritarian societies throughout the Middle East and

northern Africa, DPI and OHCHR will work to highlight the work of human rights

defenders worldwide. By raising the profile of the work of human rights defenders, from

Special Rapporteurs to grassroots activists, we can achieve two main objectives

inspiring others to defend the human rights of themselves or others; and providing some

measure of protection through awareness of their work and situation.

Key dates:Various human-rights related international days could highlight the work of human rights

defenders:

8 March: International Women's Day21 March: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

26 June: International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

9 August: International Day of the Worlds Indigenous People

3 December: International Day of Persons with Disabilities

10 December: Human Rights Day18 December: 20th anniversary of the Declaration on the Rights of Minorities

Ad hoc: Country visits of Special Rapporteurs

Late October: Third Committee of the General Assembly briefings by Special

Rapporteurs

Ending violence against women and girls: The Secretary-Generals UNiTE to EndViolence Against Women campaign, which will run until 2015, continued to gain traction

in 2011. Three regional components of the campaign are now active in Latin America

and the Caribbean, Africa and Asia-Pacific.


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UNiTE communications guidelines were developed in 2011 to help ensure coherence inmessaging and branding across the regions and the UN system. A new strategic direction

was also developed following the campaigns mid-point review and the first global

meeting of UNiTE campaign focal points.

Establishing violence against women as a human rights abuse in all countries as

opposed to an issue affecting primarily developing countries remains a communicationschallenge to be addressed as the campaign moves into its second phase. The focus of

messaging is now shifting from highlighting the problem as a global pandemic to

stressing why ending violence against women matters to everyone, including its

economic consequences, and how exactly it can be achieved in all countries.

The Secretary-Generals Network of Men Leaders will soon be expanded to include at

least 50 prominent members who will be leveraged next year to increase support and

visibility. Young women and men will be a target audience of the UNiTE campaign in

2012.

Key dates:

18-20 January: International Expert Group Meeting on combating violence againstindigenous women and girls

27 February-9 March: 56th session of the Commission on the Status of Women

8 March: International Womens Day

8-13 March: UNiTE Kilimanjaro Climb

19-22 April: 12th AWID International Forum (Istanbul)

30 September: Third anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1888 on women andpeace and security (addressing sexual violence in conflict)

25November: International Day to for the Elimination of Violence against Women

25 November-10 December: 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence

29 November: Human Rights Defenders Day

10 December: Human Rights Day

PEACE AND SECURITY

Disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and arms control issues: DPI will continueto help raise public awareness and understanding of the objectives and the work of the

United Nations in the area of disarmament, arms control and related fields, including by

promoting the Organizations conferences, meeting, events and observances. Small armsand the arms trade will be a focus, with the two major UN Conferences to be held in the

course of 2012:

2-27 July: UN Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty (New York) 27 August-7 September: UN Conference to Review the Implementation of

the Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and LightWeapons (New York)

In addition, the following disarmament-related events will be held in 2012:

Beginning 23 January: Conference on Disarmament (Geneva) This sessionmay have special significance in the light of the long impasse in the CD'swork and urgent calls for progress from many quarters


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26-27 March: Nuclear Security Summit (Seoul) 30 April-11 May: First NPT Preparatory Committee (Vienna, in preparation

for the 2015 NPT Review Conference)

Conference on the nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, scheduledtentatively for summer (Finland)

Other key dates:

1 January: 10th anniversary of the Open Skies Treaty entry into force

11 January: 60th anniversary of the UN Disarmament Commission18 May: 40th anniversary of the Seabed Treaty29 August: International Day against Nuclear Testing

24-30 October: Disarmament WeekGlobal Week of Action against Gun Violence (tbc)

12th

Meeting of the States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention

(dates/venue tbc)

21 November: 10th anniversary of the Inter-American Convention on Transparency

Peacekeeping: As UN peacekeeping further consolidates its operations around theworld, DPI will continue to focus on promoting peacekeeping as the UNs flagship peace

and security enterprise, as well as continue to provide strategic communications guidance

and daily support at Headquarters and to UN field operations.

Partnerships: In view of the increasingly complex and multi-facetedmandates given to peacekeeping operations and recognizing the diverse array

of stakeholders involved, DPI will be working with DPKO/DFS in

emphasizing the importance of partnerships, including with Member States

and regional organizations, such as the African Union, among others.

Global Field Support Strategy: Another point of advocacy, through thecontinued implementation of the Global Field Support Strategy, will be to

demonstrate how UN peacekeeping is a highly cost effective instrument for

international peace and security. Effectiveness, efficiency and accountabilitywill be key messages and communications will underscore the importance of

capacity development for peacekeeping operations.

Role of women: Expanding the base of troop and police contributingcountries will also be a point of focus. While working with Member States to

achieve this expansion, the importance of increasing role of women in

peacekeeping will continue to be a key message. The goal to reach the target

of 20% women in UN Police will be a focus.

Protection of civilians: The capacity to quickly and effectively respond tochanging conditions on the ground, particularly in crisis response and

protection of civilians, will be consistently emphasized.

Conflict prevention, preventive diplomacy and mediation: DPI will work with DPAto highlight the UNs work in preventive diplomacy, good offices and mediation, helpingto bring greater visibility to the efforts of UN envoys and special political missions in the

field and the need to strengthen capacities and support arrangements to ensure their

effectiveness. In this regard, an increasingly important role played by the UN regionalpolitical offices in West Africa, Central Africa, and Central Asia will be highlighted.

DPI will also draw attention to the growing emphasis placed on the inclusion andparticipation ofwomen in peace processes.


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Supporting countries in transition: DPI in conjunction with DPA will redouble effortsto communicate the UNs support for countries in transition, including its consistent

appeals for dialogue and peaceful change in countries such as Syria and Yemen, and itsencouragement and assistance to democratic transitions underway in Tunisia, Egypt and

Libya. UN messages will continue to emphasize human rights, peaceful and inclusive

dialogue and respect for national ownership of processes of change in the region.

Middle East peace process: The Middle East peace process and the question ofstatehood for Palestine will remain a key priority for the UN and the focus of media

attention in 2012. DPI will work with DPA to continue to highlight the UNs efforts

through the Middle East Quartet and UNSCO to discourage violence and to support a

peaceful, negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Public

information will also put the spotlight on the work of the United Nations to manage

tensions and seek improved humanitarian conditions on the ground.

DPIs International Media Seminar on the question of Palestine, now scheduled to take

place in the second week of June 2012 in Geneva, with the Government of Switzerland as

a co-host, will provide an opportunity to examine the prospects for peace in the regionand the role the international media can play in promoting the peace agenda.

Key dates:The week of 11 June: DPI International Media Seminar on peace in the Middle East(Geneva)

29 November: International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

Elections: DPI will work with UN partners (DPA, DPKO, UNDP) to increase awarenessof the critical work of the United Nations to support Member States in the holding of

peaceful, credible and democratic elections around the world.

Post-conflict peacebuilding: UN efforts to consolidate the peacebuilding processes incountries still rebuilding after conflict, such as Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau and the

Central African Republic (CAR), will be an important focus in the year ahead. Sierra

Leone faces key elections in 2012 to be supported by the work of UNIPSIL. In Guinea-Bissau, a process of national dialogue has been launched to build unity and

reconciliation. In CAR, the challenge of disarmament, demobilization and reintegrationof former combatants will be an important focus in 2012.

Women, peace and security: The Security Council marked the 11th anniversary ofresolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security in October 2011 with an open

debate on the theme of Womens Participation and Role in Conflict Resolution and

Mediation. The need to strengthen implementation of resolution 1325 and follow-on

resolution 1889 (2009) was highlighted at the debate and will be a major focus of effortsin this area next year, with a new UN system in place to track progress though an agreed

set of 26 indicators. Communications activities in 2012 will focus heavily on supporting

the implementation of the Seven-point Action Plan on Women in Peacebuilding.


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15 December 2011

10

Key dates;30 September: Third anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1888 on women and

peace and security (addressing sexual violence in conflict)

Late October: 12th anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 on women and peace

and security and submission of the strategic framework for implementation of the

resolution

Country and peace mission-specific priorities Libya will be a key focus with public information efforts highlighting the UNs

support role to the country through the recently established United Nations

Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). It is anticipated that 2012 will mark thetransition from UNSMILs initial three-month deployment to a proposed larger

mission of longer duration to respond to Libyas post-conflict needs.

South Sudan will remain a priority, with UNMISSs mandate to support theGovernment and people of the newest Member of the United Nations. With

UNAMID in Darfur and UNISFA in the disputed territory of Abyei, thesituation in the wider Sudan and South Sudan area will continue to be a key

focus of UN peacekeeping communications, including the management ofpotential tensions between Sudan and South Sudan as they seek to implement

outstanding commitments.

The year ahead will be pivotal for peace and security in Somalia, where the UNplays an important role through UNPOS. Benchmarks to be completed during

2012 under the Kampala Accord include constitution-drafting and the holding of

broad-based elections to bring the transitional period of Somalias political

institutions to a close. The UNs efforts on the political, humanitarian and

security side, in support of African Union peacekeepers (AMISOM), will be

highlighted.

The security transition in Afghanistan will be at the centre of both internationaland national media attention in 2012, with an unclear future regarding efforts to

negotiate an end to the conflict. The role of and demands on the UN may grow asinternational troops begin withdrawing amidst challenging security and

operational conditions.

2012 will mark another important transition year as Iraqs authorities continue toassert their sovereignty and assume fuller responsibilities for security (the

country could face serious security challenges due to the planned US withdrawal

from Iraq). The United Nations through UNAMI will continue to assist the

government and the people of Iraq in addressing ongoing challenges of politicaldialogue and reconciliation, human rights and economic development.

The Arab Spring developments since December 2010 will have significant yetunforeseeable consequences for the peacekeeping missions in the Middle Eastand North Africa region (UNIFIL, UNDOF, UNTSO and MINURSO).

Communications must be poised to meet new needs in this region. The situation in Cte dIvoire is likely to remain fragile in 2012, as the country

recovers from the post-electoral crisis of 2011.

Reconstruction efforts in Haiti will remain a priority and the communicationchallenges will include managing expectations of MINUSTAH and its role.


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15 December 2011

11

2012 will be crucial for Timor-Leste with the presidential and parliamentaryelections in March and July, respectively, and the expected withdrawal of

UNMIT by the end of the year. DPI will continue working with the Mission on

the exit communications strategy.

2012 will see other key missions enter transition or drawdown phases, andcommunications on these will need to be managed effectively: UNMIL in

Liberia is likely to enter a new phase of transition leading toward drawdown andMONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of Congo will likely reposition itselffollowing national elections at the end of 2011.

Myanmar remains an important issue on the UN agenda and 2012 may offeradditional opportunities to support positive change in the country. The UnitedNations continuing efforts to encourage progress by Myanmars authorities and

other key actors toward national reconciliation, democratic change and economic

development will be highlighted.

Key dates:4 April: International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action

29 May: International Day of UN Peacekeepers

21 September: International Day of Peace

Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking: Following the recent establishment of the UNSystem Task Force on Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking, DPI will work with

UNODC, DPA and other members of the task force in developing a communications and

advocacy strategy in this area, as well as in preparing the Decade of Action against

organized crime and drug trafficking.

Key dates:26 June: International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

9 December: International Anti-Corruption Day

Counter-terrorism: A new UN centre on counter-terrorism was established in 2011. In2012, DPI will be working with CTITF, CTED and other UN partners in promoting the

global strategy to counter terrorism, inaugurated in 2006, and the UNs de-

radicalization approach, which stresses removing motivations for terrorism in additionto military and security measures.

*****


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DPI 15 December 2011

1

Communications Priorities 2012

Calendar of Events

DATE EVENT LOCATION LEAD

201211 January 60th anniversary of the UN Disarmament

Commission

New York ODA

12 January Report of the High-level Panel on Global

Sustainability

New York EOSG

16-17 January Initial discussions on the zero draft of outcome

document for Rio+20

DESA

16-19 January The World Future Energy Summit - Launch of

the International Year of Sustainable Energy for

All

Abu Dhabi

17 January Regional launches of World Economic Situation

& Prospects report (WESP) Report.

(multi-site) DESA

23 January Start of the 2012 session of the Conference onDisarmament

Geneva ODA

25-29 January World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2012:

The Great Transformation: Shaping New

Models

Davos WEF

29-30 January African Union Summit Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia

OSAA

27 Feb 9

March

56th Commission on the Status of Women: The

Empowerment of Rural Women and their Role

in Poverty and Hunger Eradication,

Development, and Current Challenges

New York UN Women

6-7 March Third intersessional meeting on Rio+20 New York DESA

8 March International Womens Day Worldwide UN Women

8-10 March 2012 Women in the World Summit New York Daily Beast

12-17 March 6th

World Water Forum Marseille,

France

World Water

Council

March Launch of World Water Assessment Report UNESCO

22 March World Water Day Water and Food Security Worldwide FAO

23 March World Meteorological Day Worldwide WMO

24 March World TB Day

26-27 March Nuclear Security Summit Seoul ODA

26-27 March 3rd Intersessional Meeting of UNCSD, UN

Secretariat

New York DESA

4 April International Day for Mine Awareness and

Assistance in Mine Action

Worldwide UNMACC

7 April World Health Day WHO

20-22 April World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings Washington,

DC

WB/IMF

21 26 April UNCTAD XIII Development-centred

globalization: Towards inclusive and sustainable

growth and development

Doha, Qatar UNCTAD

23-27 April Commission on Population and Development New York DESA


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2

(CPD): Adolescents and Youth is the theme

25 April World Malaria Day WHO

30 April 11

May

First NPT Preparatory Committee (in

preparation for the 2015 NPT Review

Conference)

Vienna ODA

3 May World Press Freedom Day Worldwide UNESCO

3-4 May MDG Review Exhibition and Summit 2012: Thepower of business as one of the solutions to the

MDG challenges

Cape Town,South Africa

NEPAD

15-22 May G8 Summit Chicago

28-30 May 3rd preparatory committee meeting, UN

conference on sustainable development

Rio de Janeiro

29 May International Day of UN Peacekeepers Worldwide DPKO/DPI

Summer Conference on the nuclear-weapon-free zone in

the Middle East, scheduled tentatively for

summer in Finland

Finland ODA

13-15 June Third Meeting of the Preparatory Committee on

Rio 2012

Rio, Brazil DESA

20-22 June UNCSD (Rio+20) Rio, Brazil DESA

26 June International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit

Trafficking

Worldwide UNODC

June World Economic Situation and Prospects Mid-

year Update Report

New York DESA

June SG appoints High-level Panel of Eminent

Persons on post-2015 development agenda

New York EOSG

June Launch of MDG Report 2012 DESA

June (week of

11 June)

DPI media seminar on the question of Palestine

and the United Nations

Geneva DPI

July High-level Segment of ECOSOC Theme of

Annual Ministerial Review: Promotingproductive capacity, employment and decent work

to eradicate poverty in the context of inclusive,

sustainable and equitable economic growth at all

levels for achieving the MDGs

New York DESA

2-27 July UN Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty New York ODA

11 July World Population Day UNFPA

18 July Nelson Mandela International Day Worldwide DPI

22-27 July XIX International AIDS Conference Washington,

DC

Intl AIDS

Society

27 July -12August

2012 Summer Olympics London IOC

12 August International Youth Day Worldwide DESA

27 August-7

September

United Nations Conference to Review the

Implementation of the Programme of Action on

the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light

Weapons

New York ODA

29 August International Day Against Nuclear Tests Worldwide ODA/DPI

September World Urban Forum -- Urban Futures Naples, Italy UN-HABITAT

September UN General Assembly New York


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3

September Launch of MDG Gap Task Force Report DESA/UNDP

15 September International Day of Democracy Worldwide UNDEF

18-21September

Report of the Secretary General to the General

Assembly on Year of Sustainable Energy for All

New York UNIDO

21 September International Day of Peace Worldwide EOSG/DPI

12-14 October World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings Tokyo WB/IMF16 October World Food Day FAO

17 October International Day for the Eradication of

Poverty/ Stand Up against Poverty

Worldwide DESA/UNDP/

MC

24-30 October Disarmament Week Worldwide ODA/DPI

October State of World Population Report UNFPA

25 November International Day for the Elimination of

Violence Against Women

UN Women

November Human Development Report TBC UNDP

26 November-

7 December

Climate Change Conference COP 18 Doha, Qatar UNFCCC

29 November International Day of Solidarity with the

Palestinian People

Worldwide DPA,

PalestinianRights

Committee

1 December World AIDS Day Worldwide UNAIDS

9 December International Anti-Corruption Day Worldwide UNODC

10 December Human Rights Day OHCHR

December Closing Event - International Year of

Sustainable Energy for All

New York UNIDO

December Climate Change Conference TBC UNFCCC

Dates not set Internet Governance Forum Azerbaijan IGF

Dates not set Global Week of Action against Gun Violence

2012

Worldwide ODA

Dates not set 12th Meeting of the States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention

N/A UNMACC


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2012 International Years

International Year of Sustainable Energy for AllRecognizing the importance of energy access for sustainable economic development and

achievement of the MDGs, the United Nations General Assembly has designated 2012 as the

International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. More than 1.4 billion people worldwide have noaccess to electricity, and 1 billion more only have intermittent access. Some 2.5 billion people

almost half of humanity rely on traditional biomass for cooking and heating. The Year will be

launched at the World Future Energy Summit, 16-19 January, in Abu Dhabi. Other key events for

the Year will include Rio+20, a report to the General Assembly in September, and a closing event

in December. Information about national organizing committees can be found on the website. The

Year is closely linked to the Secretary-Generals Sustainable Energy for All Initiative.

Lead Agencies: UNIDO, UN-Energy, UN Foundation and many partners

Website: www.sustainableenergyforall.org

International Year of Cooperatives

The International Year of Cooperatives (2012) highlights the contribution of cooperatives tosocio-economic development, particularly their impact on poverty reduction, employment

generation and social integration. Under the theme Cooperative Enterprises Build a BetterWorld, the Year seeks to encourage the growth and establishment of cooperatives all over the

world. Individuals, communities, non-governmental and government agencies are encouraged to

recognize the role cooperatives can play in helping to achieve the Millennium Development

Goals. The IYC Secretariat has compiled a list of events planned by partner organizations in

2012; this is available on their website, subject to change. The IYC website also lists contacts fornational committees working to promote the Year at country level.

Lead Agency: DESA

Website: http://social.un.org/coopsyear

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UN Department of Public Information 2012 Communications Priorities (UN - 2011)

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