At COP29, the biggest sticking point in negotiations over a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) is “who pays?” Whatever the outcome, multilateral development banks (MDBs) will play a critical role.
Interviews
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Karim Makdisi, Associate Professor of International Politics at the American University of Beirut, discusses the role of UNIFIL—both historically and today—including its mandate to protect civilians.
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The next year could be decisive for Myanmar as the military junta weakens, the humanitarian crisis worsens, and genocidal acts against the Rohingya people are again escalating. In this interview, Chris Sidoti, a member of the Special Advisory Council on Myanmar and a former member of the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, provides recommendations on how the UN could improve its response.
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In her interview with Bitania Tadesse, Dallia Abdel Moniem, a Sudanese political analyst and commentator, describes the conditions civilians are facing in Sudan, including the rampant sexual violence committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). She also discusses the cost of inaction and the urgent need for greater support from the international community.
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In this interview, Amgad Fareid Eltayeb, Executive Director of Fikra for Studies & Development, a Sudanese think tank, discusses the shortcomings in the international response to the situation in Sudan and options for the protection of civilians.
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In this interview, Nudhara Yusuf discusses whether the Pact for the Future reflects the priorities of civil society and how to ensure the inclusion of civil society in the UN’s future work, particularly in emerging areas such as the governance of artificial intelligence.
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Youssef Mahmoud talks about the UN’s upcoming Summit of the Future and its Pact as it relates to people and the planet, the role of civil society, and the question of transformative action versus reform to sustain peace. Youssef also speaks to the ways the global majority is asserting its agency in the multilateral system, and the need to decolonize our thinking so as to make it work for everyone.
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In this interview, Deqa Yasin recounts her experiences as a Somali Minister and a survivor of online attacks, and talks about the role of the international community in combating online gender-based violence, how women in leadership roles can be supported, and what the future holds for women’s rights in Somalia.
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It is an especially dangerous time for civilians in conflict. Hichem Khadhraoui, Executive Director at Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), details a frank assessment of the topic.
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In this interview around this year’s PoC week, Dirk Druet, a researcher, policy adviser and former official in international peace and security pillar of the United Nations, and a non-resident fellow at the Brian Urquhart Center for Peace Operations at the International Peace Institute, answers questions for Global Observatory Editor Jill Stoddard on some topics from this year’s PoC week.
