Negotiations on Montreal protocol one step closer to phasing out HFCs

Slight progress made, much anticipated in the next meeting in July

COP14 on wetlands begins; draft resolution for international mangrove centre in China on agenda

Experts in India have expressed surprise at China, a temperate country, offering to host an international mangrove centre 

Non-profits from 22 countries including India prevented from attending WTO meet

The civil society representatives allege that the move to restrict access for non-profits aims to de-democratise the organisation

CITES CoP 2019: Otters given highest protection from trade

Asian small-clawed as well as smooth-coated otters have been included in Appendix I of CITES

India’s first forest-certification scheme gets global recognition

A Geneva-based non-profit recently decided to endorse the Certification Standard for Sustainable Forest Management designed for Indian forests

Chameleons use nanocrystals to change colour

Scientists say change in colour and intensity of the hue depends on the social interaction of the lizard

Geneva WTO meet 2022: ‘Disaster’, not ‘win’ for India’s small fishers

With no protection from Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT), Indian fishers are vulnerable to having their subsidies stripped

CITES CoP 2019: 18 endangered sharks and rays afforded protection

Mako sharks, giant guitarfish and wedgefish are among those which have now been included in Appendix II of CITES, enabling sustainable trade in them

Don't hold digital trade talks in WTO: Civil society groups call on governments

Developing countries must come up with their own agenda for digital industrialisation instead of advancing ones by tech giants, say …

WHO launches new five-year plan for universal health coverage

This three-point strategy aims at ensuring that 1 billion people get health coverage, are better protected from emergencies and enjoy wellbeing …

India is committed to achieving universal health coverage, says Nadda

At the 71st World Health Assembly, the Union minister spoke about India’s efforts to provide more people with access to health services

Excluding mobile air conditioning from amendment may solve IPR issue in HFC phase down

Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) sector is the main source of IPR impediment and accounts for only 8 per cent of global HFC emissions, finds a CSE study

WTO’s MC12 ends, India’s demand on public stockholdings for food grains pushed to 2023

India had pressed for a concrete solution to the issue; but some other countries hardened their positions, resulting in a lack of consensus, …

Demand for fresh water to be 40% higher than supply by end of decade: UNGA president 

Csaba Kőrösi said main task of upcoming UN Water Conference will be to find game changers for water management

World Health Assembly: Political will needed to curb non-communicable diseases

Non-communicable diseases kill 41 million people each year, low and middle-class countries account for 80 per cent of these deaths

World Health Assembly: bogged down by slow decisions

Crucial decisions, like those on curbing antimicrobial resistance and tackling air pollution and its health effects, are yet to be taken

India seeks permanent solution on fisheries subsidies, public stockholdings ahead of WTO meet  

Civil society members claim current negotiations tabled at the WTO’s MC12 do not favour developing countries  

UN conference calls for global action to save people from toxic chemicals

Delegates agreed though that the key 2020 goal for sound chemical management could not be met by that year

Large Hadron Collider’s second phase resumes after technical glitch

World’s largest particle collider that was first started up on September 10, 2008 was shut down for maintenance in 2013

No consensus

The UN Forum on Forest's fourth meet ended half a day ahead of schedule, raising doubts on the convention's ability to frame an agenda. Clifford …

HIV positive people in Sri Lanka to now get health coverage

Four insurance firms will bear HIV-related medical costs; move aimed at increasing access to treatment

Bonn: Developing countries push for adaptation to be included in Paris agreement

Differences between developed and developing countries continue to mar progress of negotiations

Response to Ebola, obesity high on the agenda

WHO will evaluate performance related to MDGs and set priorities for the coming year, including plans to fight antimicrobial resistance

Governments need to recognise role of migrants in development: World Migration Report

Report by International Organization for Migration claims it is first assessment of well-being of migrants

Great expectations from Bonn climate talks, but sticky issues need resolving

Drafting a universal climate change agreement enters critical stage of negotiations and streamlining of agreement text