Calendar

May

Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

7th session, New York, 21 April-2 May

Economic and Social Council

Special event on the MDGs and climate change, New York, 2 May

Workshop on Coordination of Reporting Mechanisms and Data Discrepancies in MDG Monitoring

Kampala, 5-8 May

Commission on Sustainable Development

16th session, New York, 5-16 May

DESA/Eurostat Conference on International Outreach and Coordination in National Accounts for Sustainable Growth and Development

Luxembourg, 6-8 May

UNCRD International Training Course on Regional Development

Nagoya, 15 May-25 June

GAID Annual Meeting and Global Forum on Access, Connectivity and Innovative Funding

Kuala Lumpur, 18-20 May

DESA/ESCWA Regional Workshop on Census Data Processing

Doha, 18-22 May

Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development

Preparatory review session on international trade, New York 19-20 May

Expert Group Meeting on Youth in Civil Society and Youth and Well-being

New York, 19-21 May

Workshop on Convention of Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Monrovia, 19-21 May

DESA/UNEP/ECOWAS Workshop on Environment Statistics

Abuja, 19-23 May

Economic and Social Council

Special meeting on the emerging food crisis, New York, 20 May

Expert Group Meeting on Good Practices in Legislation on Violence against Women

Vienna, 26-28 May

Capacity-Building Workshop on Back Office Management for e/m-Government in the Asia-Pacific Region

Shanghai, 27-28 May

DESA/ECA Workshop for Anglophone African Countries on the Implementation of International Recommendations for Distributive Trade Statistics

Addis Ababa, 27-30 May

DESA/UNDP/UNCDF/MDP Ministerial Conference on Leadership Capacity Development for Decentralized Governance and Poverty Reduction in Africa

Yaoundé, 28-30 May

Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations

Resumed regular session for 2008, New York, 29 May-6 June

June

Workshop for Francophone African Countries on the Implementation of International Recommendations for Distributive Trade Statistics

Bamako, 17-20 June

Informal Hearings with Representatives of Civil Society and the Business Sector on Financing for Development

New York, 18 June

Economic and Social Council

Substantive session for 2008, New York 30 June-25 July

Observances

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – Entry into Force

3 May

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities received its 20th ratification on 3 April 2008, triggering the entry into force of the Convention and its Optional Protocol 30 days later. This marks a major milestone in the effort to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.

A commemorative event for the entry into force is being organized by the DESA Division for Social Policy and Development on 12 May in the General Assembly Hall.  Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, Under-Secretary-General Sha Zukang, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kyung-what Kang, as well as high-level government officials and civil society, are scheduled to attend. Registration required.

For more information: http://www.un.org/disabilities/

International Day of Families

15 May

The International Day of Families provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to the family as the basic unit of society as well as to promote appropriate action to recognize and promote the importance of families. The day can become a mobilizing factor on behalf of families in all countries to avail themselves of this opportunity and to demonstrate support of family issues appropriate to each society. The 2008 observance of the International Day of Families also offers a valuable opportunity for families to demonstrate their solidarity in the quest for better standards of life. The theme for this year is fathers and families: responsibilities and challenges.