Administrator

The Bonn Climate Conference (SB56) 6-16 June 2022 is to express purpose of beginning to take stock of where the world stands when it comes to implementing the Paris Climate Change Agreement.


We are in the midst of a climate emergency, which is causing human rights violations, destroying ecosystems and biodiversity, and drastically increasing inequality across the globe.

The Global Stocktake (GST) discuss about the outcomes of the UNFCCC Climate Change Conference in Glasgow and the IPCC reports on impacts input to the technical assessment. But also about the energy, agriculture, land, ecosystems and (ground) water scarcity.

Recommendations for SB56

After extensive deliberations in the past two weeks, Global Stocktake and parties agreed on:
Human Rights
Ensure and promote the human rights of millions of people around the world including the rights of Indigenous Peoples who are threatened by loss of food and water sources, displacement, and aggravated conflict over scarce natural resources associated with the climate crisis.

Food Security (Agriculture)
Recognizing the fundamental priority of safeguarding food security and ending hunger, and the particular vulnerabilities of food production systems to the adverse impacts of climate change by including agroecology and its value for food security, the climate, and biodiversity in the implementation and policies as highlighted by the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land. Food security is already and will increasingly be affected by the climate crisis.

Ecosystem Integrity
Invest in gender-transformative climate action and in biodiversity conservation measures and the importance of ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems including oceans, divest from fossil fuels and ensure that a healthy and sustainable environment is to the full enjoyment of human rights, including the rights to life, health, food, and water.

Just Transition and Decent Work
Promoting decent work by ratifying, funding, and enforcing ILO conventions on collective bargaining and freedom of association as well as on domestic workers and on the
elimination of violence and harassment. A just transition is central to ensuring socially just and equitable climate action as it is fundamentally about realizing the transition from a fossil-fueled economy to a fossil-free one in a fair and inclusive way for workers and in a manner that creates decent work conditions.

Ruth attended the SB56 KCI-6 meetings and workshops (KCI: Katowice Committee of Experts on the Effects of the Implementation of Response Measures) and the Global Stocktake SB56 meetings at the June Climate Conference in Bonn. They spoke about several urgent topics that could affect the rest of the world.

The IPCC reports have reaffirmed the urgency, with the devastating impacts on human life and biodiversity (including food security and land water scarcity) of exceeding 1.5°C, and the serious inadequacy of current mitigation pathways. In addition, the tragic Russian invasion of Ukraine, financed by fossil fuels, has highlighted the greater risks of our continued dependence on oil and gas.

This year’s UN annual climate conference in Bonn aims to lay the groundwork for success at COP27 (November 6-18, 2022) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

 At COP27 in Egypt 6-18 November 2022, GST will primarily focus on implementation, and nations are expected to show how they will, through legislation, policies and programs, and throughout all jurisdictions and sectors, begin putting the Paris Agreement into practice in their home countries.

I, Ruth Richardson (INLW) will be working together with Women and Gender Constituency to ensure decisions reached do not come at the expense of ambition, climate change and of human rights, including the rights of Indigenous Peoples, but instead help enable meaningful action at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt, later this year.

Information about Women and Gender Constituency / Wedo

The Women and Gender Constituency (WGC) is one of the nine stakeholder groups of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Established in 2009 and granted full constituency status in 2011, the WGC consists of 33 women’s and environmental civil society organizations, who are working together to ensure that women’s voices are heard and their rights prioritized in the fight against
climate change. The Women and Gender Constituency, consisting of a broad variety of national and regional network organizations, represents hundreds and thousands of people across the globe, with advocates from over 90 countries.

CSW66 – APL / INLW

Parallel Event #2_12972

Gender Equality in Leadership and Economic Power

Parallel Event Description:

Join us as we celebrate path-breaking women in leadership and discuss the real challenges that remain for gender equality and economic power. While some places are seeing greater participation of women in leadership roles, significant barriers prevent more women from entering the same ranks. Many women experience “double workload” pre- and post-pandemic. What rules need to change to prevent this? How can the “standard career path” narrative be changed for greater fairness? What can organizations do to create better “family support” and provide opportunities for decision-making positions and economic power to more women?

The second session (CSW Event #12972) on March 18th, 9:00 pm EST, with the theme: “Gender Equality in Leadership and Economic Power”, was opened by Chairperson of the International Network of Liberal Women Jayanthi Balaguru, and moderated by this year’s event organizer Josephine Wu Vuylsteke.

In Chairperson Balaguru’s opening remarks, she reported on gender equality status in Asia and indicated that there is still a lot of work to be done to benefit the rights of women around the world.

The participants were President of East-West Center and Retired Army Major General Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum, Chairperson of CALD Youth Democratic Party (DP) of Thailand Siripa Nan Intavichein, Director of Dept. of Women’s Affairs for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwan Chia Tien Hsu, and Shiuan Ru Wang, a member of the “Open Government National Action Plan Promotion Group” of Taiwan.

Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum is the first female president of Hawaii’s East-West Center since its establishment 62 years ago. She mentioned that when she was young, she never imagined that she would one day hold a supervisory position that used to be held by men.

She also emphasized that for women to take care of work and family requires the cooperation of spouses and family members in domestic work. Therefore, “good men” are very important to promote gender equality. Chairperson Siripa Nan Intavichein shared that women in Thailand are currently engaged in politics, salary, employment, job opportunities, although even during the coronavirus epidemic, there was a gender gap between men and men. Director Chia Tien Hsu shared the development and challenges of gender equality in Taiwan in recent years.

The proportion of women in politics and government units in Taiwan ranks among the best in Asian countries. She also suggested that President Tsai Ing-wen’s election as Taiwan’s first female president was an important milestone for the development of Taiwan’s gender equality.

Delegate Shiuan Ru Wang is only 20 years old. When she was 16 years old, while she was still a high school student, she advocated for the reduction of one-time use tableware through online platforms and successfully influenced government policy.

Taiwan began to ban plastic straws as a result of her actions. It is impressive that young women can play a key role in major government policies.  At the same time, they are more optimistic about the future development of gender equality.

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CSW66APLW / INLW

NGO CSW66 Parallel Event
2022 March 17, 9:00PM EST (March 18, 9:00AM/Taiwan Time)

Government Policy for Substantial Carbon Reduction

Parallel Event Description:

What kind of planet will we leave for the next generation? As the impacts of climate change become visible around the world, the need for action by world governments is becoming more urgent than ever. The pandemic created an additional crisis for decision makers, but it also offers opportunity for sweeping change. What are governmentsrole in balancing economic recovery with environmental policy? Besides economic barriers, what barriers exist for governments to enact substantial change in carbon reduction — and how can they be overcome by citizen groups? We hope to discuss tools and strategies that can be used for the challenges ahead.

The first session (CSW Event) held on March 17th, with the theme: “Government Policy for Substantial Carbon Reduction“, was opened by Chairperson of Asia Pacific Liberal Women Association Maysing Chen and moderated by Dr. Ketty Chen, Vice President of Taiwan Democracy Foundation.

In her opening remarks, Chairperson Maysing Chen expressed that we are very honored to have such distinguished policy-makers and environmental protection advocates as speakers for this event. We sincerely hope through this event that both women and men will be inspired to preserve the richness of our planet for future generations.

The participants were U.S. Representative Ed Case from Hawaii, Taiwan’s Ambassador-at-Large for Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability

Dr. Eugene You-hsin Chien, former member of Parliament for the Democratic Party in Thailand

Dr. Monthip Sriratana-Tabucanon, and Barbara Finamore, former lawyer for the American NGO, Natural Resources Defense Council, and currently a senior visiting scholar at the University Energy Research Institute.

Congressman Ed Case pays special attention to the issue of climate change in the Asia-Pacific region, noting there are more than 200 climate change related bills proposed at the federal level. He mentioned that when undeveloped or developing countries suffer from the disasters brought about by climate change, the most direct victims are often disadvantaged children and women.

Ambassador Eugene Chien has devoted himself to environmental protection and sustainable development projects in recent years. He has been deeply engaged in education from primary schools, secondary schools, universities and business circles, but he also expects the Taiwanese government to keep up with the United Nations’ timetable and goals for sustainable development.

Dr. Monthip Sriratana-Tabucanon, former member of the Thai Democratic Party, focuses on climate change issues and serves as a director of many international sustainable development organizations. Lawyer Barbara Finamore pointed out that the problem of air pollution in the Asia-Pacific region is the key. 40% of the world’s air pollution comes from the Asia-Pacific region, 60% is from other regions, and China is particularly serious. Barbara is a well-known lawyer, focusing on environmental protection law and clean energy for more than 40 years.

All participants advocate that governments must work together with representatives of civil society and big business corporations to create substantial policy for meaningful carbon reduction around the globe.

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Ruth A. Richardson
Ruth Richardson Board member INLW

Ruth on her way to the UN Water Conference March 2023 in New York

After 46 years, another UN water conference will finally take place in March 2023. This time held in New York (March 22- 24, 2023). The first of its kind since 1977! The Netherlands and Tajikistan will host the conference.

Conference preparations
Preparations for the conference are in full swing. For example, colleague Ruth Richardson spoke on behalf of the water boards and the INLW (International Network of Liberal Women = link to website) at the Pan-European Regional Preparatory Assembly for the United Nations Water Conference 2023 in Geneva. She did this during session 3 where it was about ‘strengthening water management at national and cross-border level’. (link to calendar).

Read Ruth’s statement (link to statement) or listen to the audio recording.

Includes character
It is important for the Netherlands that the UN Water Conference 2023 is inclusive, giving civil society the opportunity to contribute to the conference. Important topics are, for example, water, energy, climate and food security.
Since 2017, Ruth has been a General Board member of INLW (International Network of Liberal Women). She wants to draw attention to the role of women in combination with water management (water, hygiene and health) and biodiversity.
“Equal rights for women (and girls) must be at the heart of human rights policy.”
“Fight for the things we should care about, do it in a way that will get others to join you.
She focuses on many issues affecting women’s and girls’ rights and humanity around the world.

Support group formation
Recently, Ruth and Thea Fierens formed a support group (steering group). The members in the support group feed Ruth with information so that the subject is put on the UN agenda.

More information:
More information about the UN Water Conference can be found on this website:
https://www.unwater.org

Young city council candidates speak at APLW spring gathering

(Taipei, March 12, 2022) The Asia-Pacific Liberal Women Association (APLW) held its annual spring gathering in Taipei on March 12. The event was attended by 38 members.

Angel Wu, APLW secretary general, presented the calendar of activities for the coming year. Apart from an upcoming parallel meeting at NGO CSW66 this week, scheduled events include documentary screenings, a workshop on disinformation, and promotional events in the north, center, and south of Taiwan.

Participants gave their full support to three young APLW members who are running for seats in the Taipei City Council elections in November. All standing for the Democratic Progressive Party, the candidates are Chien Shu-pei, Chen Hsien-wei, and James Chan.

Addressing the gathering, the three candidates spoke about the impact of the war in Ukraine on the political situation in Taiwan, the shift toward liberal politics and values among the Taiwanese people, and the needs and aspirations of Taipei citizens.

In her opening remarks, APLW Chairperson Maysing Yang made a special point to welcome the male members of the APLW. She reminded everyone that, since its inception, the APLW has encouraged men to contribute to the work of the organization, according to the ideals of the global “HeForShe” campaign.

Currently, the APLW has a total of 60 members, eight of whom are men. Members have distinguished backgrounds in a range of fields, including business (22%), government (18%), politics (15%), academia (13%), NGOs (13%), health care (7%), media (5%), and others.

Spring gatherings are popular events in Taiwan to celebrate the beginning of the lunar new year. Companies, government agencies, and other organizations hold the banquets to thank their partners, employees, members, and customers.

APLW / INLW
NGO CSW66 Parallel Event on March 18th, 9:00PM EST

EVENT #2 _ 12972 (120 min):
Challenges of Gender Equality in Leadership and Economic
Power

Discusson Topics:
◆ Practical Issues of Gender Equality
◆ Fair game rules on the career path
◆ Better family support backup system
◆ Equal opportunities for important government positions
◆ During pandemic & Post pandemic period – women’s role to improve the world


Parallel Event Description:
Join us as we celebrate path-breaking women in leadership and discuss the real challenges that remain for gender equality and economic power. While some places are seeing greater participation of women in leadership roles, significant barriers prevent more women from entering the same ranks. Many women experience “double workload” pre- and post-pandemic. What rules need to change to prevent this? How can the “standard career path” narrative be changed for greater fairness? What can organizations do to create better “family support” and provide opportunities for decision-making positions and economic power to more women?

Join online: https://meet.google.com/ebc-quja-sfk

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APLW / INLW
UN NGO CSW66 Parallel Event on March 17th, 9:00PM EST

EVENT #1 12973 (120 min):
Government Policy for Substantial Carbon Reduction

Discussion Topics:
◆ Environmental protection and carbon reduction
◆ The environmental protection challenges under global warming
◆ What will the world look like the day after tomorrow?
◆ Government policy vs. economic benefits
◆ What can civil society do to address these challenges?


Parallel Event Description:
What kind of planet will we leave for the next generation? As the impacts of climate change become visible around the world, the need for action by world governments is becoming more urgent than ever. The pandemic created an additional crisis for decision makers, but it also offers opportunity for sweeping change. What are governments’ role in balancing economic recovery with environmental policy? Besides economic barriers, what barriers exist for governments to enact substantial change in carbon reduction — and how can they be overcome by citizen groups? We hope to discuss tools and strategies that can be used for the challenges ahead.


Join online: https://meet.google.com/ebc-quja-sfk

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Dear LI Membership,

There are just three days left to register for our virtual panel at the UN Commission on the Status of Women on Monday, March 14, 8AM EDT / noon GMT. 

“Political Women Addressing Gender, Climate Change & Conflict” brings together female political and climate leaders from around the globe to discuss the solutions for the impact of climate change and conflict on continuing gender inequality and women’s disempowerment and what meaningful access to the policy spaces where decisions are made should look like.

Featuring:
Hakima el Haité (opening remarks) – President of Liberal International
Gloria Hutt – Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications of Chile, participating on behalf of Red Liberal de América Latina (RELIAL)
Jayanthi Balaguru – President of INLW and Chairperson of CALD Women’s Caucus
Mphatso Jumbe – Founder and Executive Director MOVE, Managing Director/Owner, Mafe Dairy Farm.
Susanna Rivero-Baughmann – Foreign Affairs & Cooperation Advisor, Ministry for Environment & Sustainability in the Government of Catalonia
Birgitta Ohlsson (moderator) – Director of National Parties, National Democratic Institute

Don’t miss out, join us on Monday, March 14, 8am EST for #CSW66. 

Register here: Webinar Registration – Zoom

Kind regards,
Irene Irene Wang | Human Rights Programme Officer
Liberal International | 
1 Whitehall Place, London – SW1A 2HD
www.liberal-international.org