UNO - Current Affairs for February, 2016

Close to 95% of India’s trade (by value) and 68% in terms of value is by sea. UNCTAD has estimated that India with 11.7 million 20 foot equivalent units of container and a world share of 1.7% ranked 9th in 2015 in containership operations among developing nations. Cargo traffic of Indian ports rose by 8.2% to 1052.21 MT in 2014-2015. India’s Maritime Agenda envisages 3130 MT of port capacity by 2020.

United Nations Postal Administration has released 6 new postage stamps for promoting equality for lesbian, gat, bisexual and transgender persons. The stamps were designed by UNPA art director and artist Sergio Baradat. They mark the first time the global body post office has issued stamps with this theme. The stamps support the UN Human Rights Office’s Free and Equal campaign to spread global public education on LGBT equality. The move also aims to promote awareness regarding violence and discrimination faced by LGBT community members.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has named Major General Menon has Head of Mission and Force Commander of United Nations Disengagement Observer Force. He succeeds Nepal’s Purna Chandra Thapa whose assignment will finish on February 7th. Major General Menon was earlier Additional Director General Equipment Management in the Indian Army. From 2012-2013, he was a General Officer as well as Commanding an infantry division. He has also served as the Military Observer in United Nations Operation in Mozambique. He has also worked in the UNFIL or United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

Human Rights Up Front Initiative was prominently featured in the news as UNGA called on member states, ECOSOC and UNSC to fulfil an important role in promoting changes sought by the initiative. This initiative was launched by Secretary General Ban-ki moon in December 2013 for preventing and responding to serious violations of humanitarian law and human rights. This initiative is oriented towards cultural change, operational change and enhanced engagement.