Weekly News Update March 8-12, 2021

International Women’s Day 2021 - UN & UN Women Present #IWD2021

Special video message by Eva Longoria, Actress, Activist, Producer and Philanthropist Musical performances by Angelica Hale, Pihcintu Chorus, and Broadway Singers Hosted by Sophia Pierre-Antoine, PSEA Oﬃcer at IOM HQ and Former Board Co-Chair of FRIDA Young Feminist Fund

Virtual Townhall Meeting with Women's Civil Society and UN Secretary-General

UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN-Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka hosted a special Townhall Meeting with Women's Civil Society participants of The Commission on the Status of Women.

"A solemn day of remembrance" - UN Chief on Anniversary of Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

Video message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations on the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunam

Joint Press Release from the President of the French Republic and the Executive Director of UN Women: Dates of the Generation Equality Forum in Paris

08 March 2021

Today on 8 March 2021, we celebrate International Women’s Day. One year ago, we invited thousands of people to join us in July 2020 for the Generation Equality Forum, the most significant convening for gender equality since the Fourth World Conference on Women held in 1995 in Beijing, China. Since last year, the COVID-19 pandemic has further deepened gender inequalities, impacting women disproportionately, as they have been on the frontlines of the response and recovery. As we rebuild societies, it is urgent to take action in a global context of increased pushback against women’s rights. During this crisis, we did not give up, quite the opposite. Despite the pandemic, because of the pandemic, we have redoubled our efforts. We are more determined than ever to make progress and go forward. This is why we have the pleasure to announce today that the rescheduled Generation Equality Forum will be held in Paris from 30 June to 2 July 2021. We will convene Governments, international organizations, civil society, youth, the private sector and activists from the entire world to make concrete, ambitious and sustainable commitments towards achieving gender equality. This convening will be the culmination of a process launched in Mexico this 29-31 March 2021. We invite you to join us to reaffirm the importance of multilateralism through our actions – to give girls equal access to education, to allow women to decide autonomously on their bodies, to stop violence against women and girls, to allow women to have equal opportunities with men in the economy, society and in decision-making, to support feminist movements and women’s human rights defenders. When we promote and defend women’s rights, which are universal human rights, we build more just societies. Together, let’s make Generation Equality a reality. MEDIA ENQUIRIES

clare.winterton@unwomen.org / heba.katoon@unwomen.org

Over 20 Minister Champions Call for Urgent Action in Lead-up to Energy Summit

Expert Groups Prepare 2030 Roadmap for Universal Energy Access and Net-Zero Emissions, as UN Launches Accelerated Drive for Energy and Climate Action

New York, 10 March—Over twenty ministerial-level “Global Champions” from UN Member States have issued messages today calling for urgent action to achieve affordable, clean energy for all by 2030. The messages were issued as the UN is launching a year of accelerated action, kicking off substantive preparations for a Heads of State and Government High-level Dialogue on Energy in September 2021. [Note to media: video remarks from ministers and Dialogue leadership can be viewed from 9:00 a.m. NY time today, at www.un.org/en/conferences/energy2021 or follow @UN_Energy on Twitter] The messages and virtual launch mark the start of deliberations by five Technical Working Groups that together will prepare a global roadmap for achieving affordable and clean energy for all (SDG 7) by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050, to inform the Dialogue, a summit-level meeting to be convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. This will also be an important contribution to addressing the climate crisis, as energy consumption accounts for three-quarters of all greenhouse gas emissions. “Renewable energy is a key dimension of climate action and is crucial for building a sustainable, prosperous and peaceful future,” said Mr. Guterres. “Our challenge is clear: to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the world must cut carbon emissions by at least 45 per cent below 2010 levels within the next decade. With the world way off track, we must use COVID-19 recovery to build a sustainable economy driven by renewable energy. If we want this energy transition to be just, and to succeed in creating new jobs, a cleaner and healthier environment and a resilient future, developing countries need strong support.This year’s High-Level Dialogue on Energy is an opportunity to advance practical solutions to accelerate the deployment of renewables globally and ensure that the developing world has access to them.” In the months ahead, the Global Champion Ministers have agreed to take the lead in galvanizing voluntary commitments. These will take the form of Energy Compacts that national governments, cities, businesses and civil society organizations will present as contributions towards achieving SDG 7 and net-zero emissions, aligned with enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions and long-term climate goals under the Paris Agreement. The global roadmap and Energy Compacts will put forward solutions not only for an energy transition away from fossil fuels, but also to meet the needs of about 800 million people who still lack access to electricity and the nearly 3 billion who lack clean, modern cooking and heating fuels. Solid cooking fuels cause over 1.6 million premature deaths a year, mostly women and children, from indoor air pollution, in addition to their environmental impacts. “The push this year on sustainable energy, leading up to the large-scale commitments we expect to be announced by many stakeholders in advance of the High-level Dialogue, should help us take a giant leap towards achieving SDG 7 by the 2030 deadline,” said Dialogue Secretary-General Liu Zhenmin, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. “This will bring us closer to net zero emissions by 2050.” “We urgently need to scale up investment and financing to drive forward access to sustainable energy for all -- a key element of the SDGs.” said Achim Steiner, Co-Chair of the High-level Dialogue and Admini-strator of the UN Development Programme. “With the cost of renewables coming down dramatically, it makes sense economically for national and local governments, businesses and others to invest now in smart technologies, helping to create new green jobs and supporting a sustainable recovery.” “During such a critical year for the energy transition, we need bold action to ensure we leave no one behind,” said his Co-Chair, Damilola Ogunbiyi, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All. “From powering health clinics to creating new jobs, energy is at the heart of a prosperous future for all. Faster progress on SDG7 will support climate action, allow us to recover better from COVID-19 and achieve our global goals. The High-Level Dialogue will be the global platform where governments, businesses, youth and key stakeholders can come together to recommit to a bold energy future.” Alongside the High-level Dialogue on Energy, 2021 will see a series of UN summits and conferences including the Global Sustainable Transport Conference, the Food Systems Summit, and the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 26) that will provide major opportunities to advance the SDGs and the Paris Agreement. Mobilizing Commitments Each Ministerial-level Champion will work to mobilize voluntary commitments and actions in one of the five thematic areas of the Dialogue: energy access; energy transition; enabling the SDGs through inclusive, just energy transitions; innovation, technology and data; and finance and investment. They will also co-host Ministerial Forums on these issues in June/July. Their advocacy will be based on the findings of the five Technical Working Groups that will put forward, for each area, a roadmap for actions needed by 2030 to achieve SDG 7. Each Working Group, co-led by three relevant UN and international agencies, consists of 25-40 experts from government and international agencies, businesses, development banks, civil society organizations, academic institutions and others. A list of the Global Champions and Co-lead agencies for each issue area follows: Energy Access-- Global Champions:China, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia. Technical Working Group Co-leads: UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN Office for Least Developed, Landlocked and Small Island Developing States (UN OHRLLS), World Bank. Energy Transition– Global Champions:Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, India, Nigeria, Spain, United Kingdom. Technical Working Group Co-leads: International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP). Enabling SDGs through Inclusive, Just Energy Transitions – Global Champions: Iceland, Nauru, Panama, Portugal, United Arab Emirates. Technical Working Group Co-Leads:UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN ESCWA), World Health Organization (WHO). Innovation, Technology and Data– Global Champions: Mauritius, Morocco, Russian Federation,*Technical Working Group Co-leads:the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Finance and Investment– Global Champions:Dominican Republic, Netherlands,* Pakistan, Saudi Arabia*. Technical Working Group Co-leads:European Investment Bank (EIB), International Energy Agency (IEA), UN Economic Commission for Africa (UN ECA). * Supporting role. Media Contacts UN DGC: Dan Shepard, shepard@un.org; HLDE Secretariat, UN DESA: Pragati Pascale, pascale@un.org; Daniella Sussman, daniella.sussman@un.org. See media contacts for partner organizations on the Dialogue website. On the Web: un.org/en/conferences/energy2021 | Twitter: @UN_Energy

News Release EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY (ESA) AND WOC SIGN AGREEMENT FOR COOPERATION ON OCEAN INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT Word Ocean Council and ESA to Collaborate in Advancing Space-Based Systems and Data to Support the Ocean Sustainable Development 10 March 2021

Last month, the (then) Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA) Jan Wörner and the World Ocean Council (WOC) President and CEO Paul Holthus signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) for a partnership to advance support for ocean-related industry through space-based systems and data.

ESA aims to establish a dialogue with the maritime sector to better understand the requirements of businesses involved in the blue economy.

The Agency is seeking to promote the application of existing space solutions to support the sustainable use of the ocean, and is proposing mechanisms to engage maritime players in ESA activities as representatives of the sector, for example through studies, demonstrations and tests of space applications or technologies for the maritime sector. “This Memorandum of Collaboration is an excellent starting point for reinforcing the role, competence and presence of ESA in the global ocean community,” said former ESA Director General Jan Wörner. “Representing ESA’s support for the sustainable use of the ocean, particularly in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it contributes to the realisation of space-driven solutions and reinforces ESA’s commitment to addressing the needs of the maritime sector.”

Through the MoC, ESA and WOC express their intention to identify ‘model users’ who could be available for consultation and knowledge exchange with ESA.

Understanding the needs of the maritime sector will help the Agency plan its future programmes and activities, with the result being that ESA better addresses the ocean community. The ultimate aim is to promote topics of common interest and information on respective programmes and activities for their mutual interest.

ESA recently set up the Blue Worlds Task Force to increase awareness of how space assets – including space technology, systems and data – can support the blue economy and address a variety of challenges faced by the maritime sector.

The MoC, which focuses on cooperation with the European Branch of the World Ocean Council, will be beneficial to both organisations, allowing exchange of expertise between the two and building up on or contributing to the exchanges held in the Task Force between representatives of ESA Member States and ESA experts.

Contact email: info@oceancouncil.org Web: www.oceancouncil.org

PANEL TO EXPLORE IRISH:AMERICAN POST-PANDEMIC RECOVERY DRAWS STRONG SPEAKER GROUP

Speakers include Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Enterprise Ireland CEO Julie Sinnamon, ICON Plc CEO, Steve Cutler, Ambassador Dan Mulhall and Professor Robert Wolcott, Chairman and Co-founder at TWIN Global;

Panel will be moderated by award-winning

author, podcaster and producer, Diane Brady.

Zoom Webinar, March 16, 2021 — Enterprise Ireland, the Irish government agency for the international development of Irish firms, is hosting a compelling panel discussion on how post-pandemic recovery will shape up on either side of the Atlantic. The panel will take place on Zoom Webinar on Tuesday, March 16 at 11:00AM Eastern and will feature Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin; Enterprise Ireland CEO, Julie Sinnamon; ICON Plc CEO, Steve Cutler; Ambassador Dan Mulhall of the Irish Embassy in Washington DC and Robert Wolcott, Chairman and Co-Founder at TWIN Global and Adjunct Professor at Kellogg School of Management and Booth School of Management, University of Chicago. The panel will be moderated by award-winning author, podcaster and producer, Diane Brady.

The panel discussion will cover entrepreneurship, innovation, international trade, medtech and healthcare in a post-pandemic environment. Panelists will share insights and learnings from 2020 and ideas on how 2021 will shape out.

To register for this panel, please click here.

Employment by Irish businesses in the United States at over 110,000 and foreign direct investment from Ireland into the United States economy at $225.5 billion* — ranks Ireland in the top nine investment sources to the United States.

Enterprise Ireland is one of Europe’s leading venture capitalists: the agency is ranked first both in Europe and globally for its seed investments. Enterprise Ireland operates from New York, Boston, Austin, Chicago, Seattle, and San Francisco. In addition to funding support, Enterprise Ireland also provides services including export assistance, assistance with research and development as well as a broad network of key global industry-specific contacts.

About Enterprise Ireland

Enterprise Ireland is the Irish State agency that works with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. Enterprise Ireland partners with entrepreneurs, Irish businesses, and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland’s international trade, innovation, leadership and competitiveness. In this way, we support sustainable economic growth and regional development and help create and sustain employment in Ireland. For more information visit enterprise-ireland.com.

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*The United States Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Contact: Daniel O’Connell

Brand Definition

(212) 660-2555 Ext. 12

Daniel@brand-definition.com

Israeli Ambassador Erdan, USUN Ambassador Thomas Greenfield join forces to urge the world to step up fight against domestic violence

In partnership with Michal Sela Forum, UJA Federation New York and special guest appearance by Gal Gadot

(New York - March 11, 2021) Israel’s Ambassador to the United States and United Nations Gilad Erdan and US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, with a special message from actress Gal Gadot, will co-host their first joint event on Wednesday, March 17, urging nations of the world to unite and apply innovative technologies to the global fight against domestic violence.

Data from around the world shows a shocking increase in the number of domestic violence cases over the past year. The United Nations Women’s group has termed it a “shadow pandemic” – a pandemic within a pandemic. Experts point out that unlike in the global fight against other forms of violence, methods used to deal with this heartbreaking phenomenon have not been updated for more than five decades.

“The coronavirus has affected each one of us, but there is no doubt that women have suffered much more. Domestic violence has intensified and is clearly another global epidemic that we must tackle in the same way we do any other threat,” said Ambassador Erdan, who initiated the event. “Israel has already implemented new technologies in this fight and we will continue to do everything we can to prevent the next attack. I hope that this event will prompt other countries to adopt these new tools – we must do whatever we can to stop this despicable terror at home.”

Set to take place on the sidelines of the UN’s meeting of the Committee on the Status of Women, the high-level event will feature a call for action from actress Gal Gadot and showcase Israeli innovations and technologies already being implemented to help women in violent and abusive relationships.

Ambassador Erdan and Ambassador Thomas-Greenfeld will deliver public remarks, along with the European Union’s UN Ambassador Olof Skoog, who chairs the UN’s Group of Friends for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, and Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director at UN Women Åsa Regnér. Jacqueline Fuller, VP Google and President of Google.org, will also speak at the event.

Organized with the Michal Sela Forum, an Israeli NGO named for a young woman murdered by her husband in front of their infant daughter and dedicated to preventing anyone else from suffering the same fate, and the UJA Federation of New York, the event will urge the world to strive for zero cases of women murdered.

“The support for this initiative is enormous and heartwarming, both in Israel and around the world,” said Lili Ben Ami, Chairperson of the Michal Sela Forum and Michal Sela’s sister. “We are wholly encouraged to have new voices join us in the fight to stop violence against women by harnessing innovation. With the countries of the United Nations and now Wonder Woman at our side, we will not stop until we reach zero murders a year.”

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Daniel Flesch Senior Advisor / Spokesperson Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN T: (212) 499-5570 I M: (847) 814-7009 For all inquiries, please contact me at: amb-adv@newyork.mfa.gov.il