November 6: International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict

Every year, the International Day for Preventing the exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict is marked on November 6. The resolution to celebrate the day was passed in 2001.

Need

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, a least 40% of internal conflicts are linked to the exploitation of natural resources in the last 60 years.

European Union-United Nations Partnership on Land and Natural Resource Conflicts

The six agencies of United Nations namely United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Development Programme, UNHABITAT, Department of Political Affairs, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and Peace Building Support Office (PBSO) have partnered with the European Union to help countries prevent tensions arising due to natural resources. This is a part of peacebuilding programmes of the United Nations and its conflict prevention measures.

Global Research Programme on Post Conflict Peacebuilding

The United Nations Environment Programme along with the Environmental Law Institute and Universities of Tokyo and McGill have initiated the Global Research Programme to adapt good practices on managing natural resources in the post-conflict peacebuilding period.

Climate Change and Conflict

In 2007, the conflict in Sudan Darfur region was declared the first Climate Change Conflict. The changes in rainfall patterns resulted in water scarcity in the region that in turn contributed to the conflict. According to the United Nations 1% increase in global temperature leads to 4.5% of civil war.

UN Peace Keeping Mission

In order to bring peace in the conflict prone regions, United Nations created the UN Peace Keeping forces. These forces are guided by three principles namely consent of the parties, impartiality and non-use of force except for self-defence.

Currently there are 13 different peacekeeping operations deployed in different regions of the world. In the modern world, the peace keeping forces of the UN are called to facilitate political processes, demobilization, disarmament, protect civilians and protect and promote human rights.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2020