Our AGM will take place on Saturday 26 June from 10:30am until 12:00pm


The meeting will take place on Google meets- you can access the meeting here.   


If you have any questions please contact gaya.paranisamy@unanz.org.nz or if you have technical issues on the day please contact rob.clarke@unanz.org.nz 
 

The United Nations Association of New Zealand (UNA NZ) is excited to launch our Secondary School Speech Award for 2021. 

The United Nations Association of New Zealand has held regional secondary school speech awards for over 35 years. This year the competition will again be held online in light of the ongoing COVID19 situation.

Students must speak for a minimum of 6 minutes and no longer than 8 minutes and must make a particular reference to the aims, work and aspirations of the United Nations. The topic that students are asked to address is:

“The role of the United Nations (and its broader system, including for example, the WHO) in addressing global challenges such as COVID-19 reinforces the need for governments, NGOs, the private sector and people everywhere to support and develop the United Nations. What should this support and development look like?”

We suggest that the UN Website www.un.org and UNA NZ website www.unanz.org.nz be explored. Students are encouraged to do their own research, though, and add their own perspective. Certificates are awarded to all who participate. The deadline for entries is 30 June 2021.

We invite you to share this announcement widely and encourage a wide range of students to apply by submitting a recording of them delivering their speech via our online form: http://bit.ly/UNANZSpeechAward2021

For any queries please contact office@unanz.org.nz or joy.dunsheath@unanz.org.nz


Submit your entry here.

On the 11th of June our current President Gaya Paranisamy and past President Joy Dunsheath met with the Irish ambassador Peter Ryan. 

Ambassador Ryan Tweeted: "Delighted to welcome President Gaya Paranisamy and former president Joy Dunsheath of the New Zealand United Nations Association to the Embassy today and Learn more about their valuable work"





 

The event titled "Unleashing Potentials: Transition to a Sustainable Marine Economy" was hosted in both Wellington and Auckland, connected via zoom on 9 June. 
 

The United Nations has proclaimed a Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean.

"It was a great start with a very engaging session with some of the key scientists from the sustainable seas Challenge in New Zealand, Economists, and business strategy developers coming from various backgrounds including academics, government, industry, NGO, community and media."

Collaborating, connecting, and working together has never been more important than right now.  Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals, is our collective way forward. Join us for the next part in the 2020-2021 Aotearoa/New Zealand Sustainable Development Goals Summit Series and see how by Working Together for Change, we can create the world we want, and the world that we need!

This final online hui in the 2020-2021 Summit Series will build on kōrero from Hui#1 and Hui#2, and will be made up of panel discussions, an interactive workshop stream and a creative moment.

With topics for you to delve into ranging from Intergenerational Conversations and Justice, to the SDGs within the context of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific, this third online hui will create an opportunity for more in-depth discussion and more time in small workshop groups, to explore and unpack our learnings.

WHEN: Thursday 24 June, 7:00pm - 9:00pm

WHERE: Online

Secure your ticket here.

Get your tickets here


 

This month some of our National Executive Committee were thrilled to attend the launch of Te Tini a Tangaroa at Parliament. 

The New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO in its press release said it has developed a new website -www.tetiniatangaroa.org.nz - which showcases the outstanding work currently taking place in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific in the ocean science space.

The website has been developed to highlight Aotearoa New Zealand’s contribution to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021 to 2030).

The UN Decade of Ocean Science (the Decade) aims to reverse the global decline in ocean health and campaign for transformative ocean science to inform solutions that will contribute to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO is leading New Zealand’s response to the Decade.

“The ocean is integral to the lives and wellbeing of all people of the Pacific. Therefore, we are making the Decade of Ocean science a priority. We want to showcase and support activities that weave together different knowledge systems, enabling multidisciplinary research and the promotion of mutual learning, both within Aotearoa New Zealand and globally,” says New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO Chair Robyn Baker.

"Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, in a statement issued on Monday, said the Government would send $5.5m to the United Nations’ agencies and non-governmental organisations assisting the Rohingya in Bangladesh, and $2.75m for displaced people in Myanmar."

"More than 700,000 Rohingya, an ethnic group that lived in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state, fled across the border to Bangladesh in 2017 as the Tatmadaw waged a brutal campaign against them. A United Nations fact-finding mission in 2018 said the country’s top military generals, including Min Aung Hlaing​, who seized power in the coup, should be prosecuted for genocide. "

Read more here

Last month the United Nations (UN) released its final report and recommendations on the Special Rapporteur’s visit to New Zealand in February 2020. The report acknowledges the government is not sitting on its hands but offers 27 recommendations to address  New Zealand’s housing shortage.

"The UN report acknowledges that New Zealand has ratified most international human rights treaties but has not yet enshrined in law the right to adequate housing despite being bound to do so in international law. It also highlights the need to develop and implement a National Rights-Based Housing Strategy. A national housing strategy would provide the foundation for sustained, long-term, and bipartisan housing investment.

The Shift Aotearoa – Aotearoa’s #right2housing conference resources are already up on the website. Registration is required to access exclusive conference content and material produced during Community Housing Aotearoa Event Series from June – September." said  Community Housing Aotearoa 

Read the full press release here.

UN Chief adds voice to Samoan constitutional crisis "He urges the leaders in Samoa to find solutions to the current political situation through dialogue in the best interest of the people and institutions of Samoa." 

You can read the full story here.
 

There has never been a more urgent need to revive damaged ecosystems than now, according to the UN Environment Program who will launch the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration this month. In June, as the world marks several days, events and campaigns relating to restoration and conservation of our natural environment, the Goal of the Month editorial looks at Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life under Water) and 15 (Life on Land).
 

HIGHLIGHTS
World Environment Day and Ecosystem Restoration 
What to expect on World Oceans Day
First draft of the new Global Biodiversity Framework