UN adopts new Global Goals, charting sustainable development for people and planet by 2030

25 September 2015 – The 193-Member United Nations General Assembly today formally adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, along with a set of bold new Global Goals, which Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed as a universal, integrated and transformative vision for a better world. 

“The new agenda is a promise by leaders to all people everywhere. It is an agenda for people, to end poverty in all its forms – an agenda for the planet, our common home,” declared Mr. Ban as he opened the UN Sustainable Development Summit which kicked off today and wraps up Sunday.

The UN chief’s address came ahead of the Assembly’s formal adoption of the new framework, Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is composed of 17 goals and 169 targets to wipe out poverty, fight inequality and tackle climate change over the next 15 years. 

The Goals aim to build on the work of the historic Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which in September 2000, rallied the world around a common 15-year agenda to tackle the indignity of poverty.

The Summit opened with a full programme of events, including a screening of the film The Earth From Space, performances by UN Goodwill Ambassadors Shakira and Angelique Kidjo, as well as call to action by female education advocate and the youngest-ever Nobel Laureate, Malala Yousafzai along with youth representatives as torch bearers to a sustainable future. 

The adoption ceremony was presided over by Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who stressed the successes of the MDGSs and the need for the full implementation of the new Agenda.

Speaking to the press after the adoption of the Agenda, Mr. Ban said: “These Goals are a blueprint for a better future. Now we must use the goals to transform the world. We will do that through partnership and through commitment. We must leave no-one behind."

In his opening address to the Assembly, which also marks the Organization’s 70th anniversary, the UN chief hailed the new framework as an agenda for shared prosperity, peace and partnership. “It conveys the urgency of climate action. It is rooted in gender equality and respect for the rights of all.” 

Mr. Ban urged the world leaders and others convened at the event to successfully implement the Global Goals or Agenda 30 by launching ‘renewed global partnership.’

“The 2030 Agenda compels us to look beyond national boundaries and short-term interests and act in solidarity for the long-term. We can no longer afford to think and work in silos. 

Institutions will have to become fit for a grand new purpose. The United Nations system is strongly committed to supporting Member States in this great new endeavour,” said Mr. Ban.

“We must engage all actors, as we did in shaping the Agenda. We must include parliaments and local governments, and work with cities and rural areas. We must rally businesses and entrepreneurs. We must involve civil society in defining and implementing policies – and give it the space to hold us to account. We must listen to scientists and academia. We will need to embrace a data revolution. Most important, we must set to work – now,” added the Secretary-General.

“Seventy years ago, the United Nations rose from the ashes of war. Governments agreed on a visionary Charter dedicated to ‘We the Peoples’. The Agenda you are adopting today advances the goals of the Charter. It embodies the aspirations of people everywhere for lives of peace, security and dignity on a healthy planet,” said Mr. Ban.

General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft called the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development “ambitious” in confronting the injustices of poverty, marginalization and discrimination. 

“We recognize the need to reduce inequalities and to protect our common home by changing unsustainable patterns of consumption and production. And, we identify the overwhelming need to address the politics of division, corruption and irresponsibility that fuel conflict and hold back development,” he said.

On the adoption of the new agenda, UN Economic and Social Council President (ECOSOC) Oh Joon said action on Sustainable Development Goals must start immediately. “The Economic and Social Council stands ready to kick-start the work on the new agenda,” he added.

Recruitment of Volunteers - Velo Vert

Velo vert is looking for 5-10 interns /volunteers to work for Ms Nathalie Daruty, farmer in the north, in her new organic field under 3 acres. This is an opportunity to gain experience in organic farming.

Interested students can contact Mrs. Geraldine d'Unienville on the following for more information:

Email: levelovertilemaurice@gmail.com

M. (+230) 5259 3630

T. (+230) 676 3860

8th Edition of the University of Mauritius Research Week - 21 to 25September 2015

The forthcoming Higher Education Bill will definitely encourage a culture of research across institutions, stated the Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, yesterday at Engineering Lecture Theatre 2, Prof Sir E Lim Fat Engineering Tower, University of Mauritius (UoM), in Réduit.

The Minister was speaking at the launching of the eighth edition of the UoM's Research Week which aims at showcasing ongoing research undertaken at inter and intra-departmental levels across the UoM.

In her address, the Minister stated that by providing a strong legal framework and regulatory body, her Ministry intends to pass on the message that it is healthy for all the country's Tertiary Education Institutions to embark on new research ventures and to innovate, especially through relevant research that aligns itself to the local and regional needs.

The tertiary education sector, said the Minister, is now seen as the driver par excellence of economic competitiveness in an increasingly knowledge-dominated global economy. Universities, therefore, are compelled to go much beyond their traditional role of being mere purveyors of knowledge, she stressed.

Minister Dookun-Luchoomun also expressed confidence that the UoM will stand guided by its experience and will, through its various interactions with the public and private sectors, continue to contribute to our country's progress.

Research Week 2015

Organised by the Office of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academia) UoM, the five-day Research Week is focusing on showcasing the research undertaken at the UoM through various events being attended by staff, students and other stakeholders. Each Faculty and Centre is having its own research day. Exhibition of posters, oral presentations and discussions are also being held.

The Research Theme for the Week is 50 Years and Forward: Advancing Research and Innovation, given the fact that 2015 marks the 50 years of existence of the UoM.

 
The Faculty of Agriculture Research Day 

was held 

on 

Tuesday 22nd September 2015  

• THEME: Innovation and Technology Transfer: Advancing Sustainable Agri-Food Production
  

 Given that this year marks the 50 years of existence of the UoM, the Research Theme for the Research Week 2015 is '50 Years and Forward: Advancing Research and Innovation'. This 8th Edition of the Faculty of Agriculture focuses on showcasing its research portfolio undertaken by staff, students and other stakeholders. This year research week papers and posters covers various areas in the following themes: 


ADVANCES IN AGRICULTURE, FOOD SAFETY & PUBLIC HEALTH, Agribusiness, and Biotechnology. 

Wholesale Market of Vegetables in Mauritius

Do you know how fruits and vegetables produced in Mauritius reach the consumers?

 115 mille tonnes de fruits et légumes sont produits chaque année à Maurice. Une grosse majorité est écoulée dans les ventes à la criée à Port Louis, Vacoas et Flacq. Cela dure depuis des années mais les conditions ne sont pas toujours au goût des opérateurs ou des décideurs. Pour y remédier, un marché national sera construit à Belle Rive au coût de Rs 345 millions . 

The setting up of a National Wholesale Market was the main theme of a half-day Stakeholder's Consultative Meeting which was held today at the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute, Réduit in the presence of the Minister of Agro Industry and Food Security, Mr Mahen Kumar Seeruttun.

In his address, the Minister outlined that the present marketing conditions of fruits and vegetables in Mauritius are considered unsatisfactory by almost all local operators of the production and marketing chain. Small growers have made representations to the Ministry for an alternative marketing solution other than the existing auction markets of Port Louis, Vacoas and Flacq, he said.

According to Mr Seeruttun, to address these issues, a National Wholesale Market will be set up and the wholesale marketing of fruits and vegetables will be reorganised at national level through concentration of volumes in a single place. Land to an extent of 30 Arpents has been earmarked at Five Ways, Belle Rive and the project is estimated to cost Rs 345 million.

With the coming into operation of a National Wholesale Market, there will be better market efficiency, synergies and cost sharing among operators. Such an infrastructure will provide better transparency in market dealings and at the same time put up modern and adequate premises to the fruits and vegetables food system, said the Minister.

Cattle and Goat Semen Production in Mauritius - Aadicon Biotechonologies

Did you know that Mauritius has a private laboratory that produces bovine semen for Artificial Insemination?

Maurice a arrêté l’importation des semences bovine et caprines. Elle les produit depuis plus de deux ans a travers Le Aadicon Biotechnologies Ltd implanté a Maurice depuis plusieurs années déjà et qui travaille sur le Développement génétique des bovins. L’objectif maintenant est de faire de Maurice une plateforme pour l’exportation des semences en Afrique.

Campagne de stérilisation nationale pour les chiens et chats.

 
CHIENS ET CHATS ERRANTS : Mahen Seeruttun, « Nous sommes dans une situation alarmante »
How many stray dogs are there in Mauritius?
What is the dog population in Mauritius? 

Le Ministère de l’Agro-Industrie et la MAURITIUS SOCIETY FOR THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS ont lancé une campagne nationale de stérilisation destinée aux chiens et chats du pays. Un exercice nécessaire selon les autorités, cela en raison élevé de chiens errants dans le pays. Cette campagne a débuté à Union Park dans le sud de l’ile et touchera d’autres régions de l’ile également. A terme les autorités entendent stériliser près de 5 mille chiens et chats. Toujours dans cette volonté de réduire le nombre d’animaux errants et d’assurer leur bien-être, les autorités ont aussi demandé à la responsabilité des mauriciens. Il se pourrait même que les maitres irresponsables soient sanctionnés à l’ avenir.
Date: 2015-09-03, Published by: MBC News, Time Published: 09:51

Article paru dans Le Mauricien |3 September, 2015 - 19:00

Intervenant à Union Park, au siège de la Mauritius Society for Animal Welfare (MSAW), hier, lors du lancement d’un programme de stérilisation en masse des chiens et des chats, le ministre de l’Agro-industrie, Mahen Seeruttun, a qualifié d’« alarmante » la situation dans laquelle se trouve le pays avec un grand nombre de chiens et de chats errants.

Selon le ministre, le ratio chiens/membres de la population commence à devenir important, soit un chien pour quatre personnes. « Nous devons commencer à appliquer les méthodes de contrôle de la population canine », a-t-il affirmé, avant d’insister que ce problème ne concerne pas seulement le gouvernement « mais tout le monde ». Tout le monde, dit-il, a le droit d’avoir des chiens ou chats mais on a aussi des responsabilités envers ces animaux ainsi qu’envers la société. De nombreux propriétaires de chiens, déplore-t-il, lâchent leurs animaux dans la nature le soir. « Il n’y a aucun contrôle sur eux », a-t-il ajouté. Outre une campagne de stérilisation en masse de ces animaux, affirme le ministre, il faut une campagne de sensibilisation de la population, surtout auprès de ceux qui possèdent ces animaux domestiques, sur leur rôle et leur responsabilité. Il a indiqué que seuls 5 % des chiens sont enregistrés auprès de la MSAW.Citant des chiffres, Mahen Seeruttun affirme qu’il y aurait environ 60 000 chiens errants dans le pays, traînant les rues, les quartiers et même les plages. « Maurice est un pays à vocation touristique ; les touristes aiment les animaux domestiques et ils sont choqués en voyant les chiens errants qui traînent sur les plages. Ils font des commentaires négatifs sur l’image de notre pays », a-t-il fait ressortir. La MSAW, poursuit-il, reçoit beaucoup de requêtes de la part de la population pour attraper les chiens errants dans les rues. « Ce n’est pas un travail facile, nous devons donner des moyens, de la formation et les outils nécessaires à ceux qui font ce travail pour que cet exercice se fasse dans les meilleures conditions possible ». Après Union Park, la MSAW se rendra à Port-Louis, Rose Hill, Calodyne et Flacq pour mener ce même exercice.Pour sa part, le président de MSAW, le Dr Dewan Sibartie, a souligné que Maurice est l’un des pays où vivent le plus grand nombre de chiens. « Il y a quatre personnes par chien chez nous contre 3,8 aux Philippines, 3,9 au Mexique, 10 en Europe et aux États-Unis, 36 en Inde et 48 en Chine. Maurice a, donc, un des taux de population canine les plus élevés au monde ». Les États-Unis, poursuit-il, comptent une centaine de shelters pour chiens. Les Américains capturent environ 8 millions de ces animaux par an, mais ils tuent la moitié d’entre eux. « Nous avons l’avantage de pouvoir stériliser en masse ces animaux qui polluent notre environnement, propagent des maladies et attaquent les autres animaux tels que les chèvres et les poules ». Les chiens et les chats, rappelle-t-il, peuvent transmettre une centaine de maladies aux humains. « Il y a la rage qui se transmet aux humains et qui provoque des souffrances atroces avant de tuer. Si par malheur cette maladie propagée par les chiens entre dans notre pays, dimounn pou mor kouma pis », a-t-il affirmé, avant d’ajouter : « Il est grand temps de se pencher sur ce problème très grave. »

FANRPAN Regional CSA Policy Dialogue

 

FANRAPN Climate Smart Agriculture Projects

Within its Natural Resources and Environment thematic thrust, FANRPAN implements a number of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) projects supported by Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), CORAF/WECARD, International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). The FANRPAN CSA programme currently covers the following countries: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

What is CSA?

CSA is agriculture that sustainably increases productivity, resilience (adaptation), reduces/removes greenhouse gases (mitigation), and enhances achievement of national food security and development goals. CSA promotes agricultural best practices, particularly integrated crop management, conservation agriculture, intercropping, improved seeds and fertilizer management practices, as well as supporting increased investment in agricultural research. CSA encourages the use of all available and applicable climate change solutions in a pragmatic and impact-focused manner.

FANRPAN Regional CSAPolicy Dialogue

The FANRPAN Regional CSA Policy Dialogue was held from the 26-28^th August 2015 in Lusaka, Zambia at the Intercontinental Hotel before the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris, France scheduled  for December 2015. The theme was ‘Creating an Enabling Environment for Scaling up CSA: The Road to Paris’.

The objectives of the workshop were to share the synthesis result of CSA policy scoping study results from 15 countries, to share evidence, and dialogue on issues of domestic climate financing, and adaptation options like the Weather Based Index Insurance, to solicit policy recommendations for advocating for CSA policies at regional Level , to identify opportunities for scaling up CSA at national level, to chart a way forward on how best to develop synergies among different stakeholders and sectors, with the aim of scaling up and out CSA best practices and technologies under the NEPAD led Alliance for CSA in Africa and to concretise a unified position on African Agriculture ahead of CoP 21.

 

Mr Shane Hardowar from the Department of Agricultural Production and Systems, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius was the panelist for the session: Strengthening the Capacity for Climate Smart Agriculture Research and Training. The following questions were on the agenda:

• What is your understanding of capacity development and why is it so important for climate change?
• Where are the major capacity gaps? And why is it like that?
• Has the curriculum changed to respond to the current climate change environment? What did it take or what will it take to ensure that we produce graduates that can be utilised to mainstream CSA into the current climate change situation? Read more below