Heads of State and Government of African Union Member States, together with representatives of international organizations, civil society organizations, private sector, cooperatives, farmers, youths, academia and other partners have unanimously adopted a Declaration to end hunger in Africa by 2025.

The Earth Anthem has been composed and sung by Nepalese musicians Sapan Ghimere and Shreya Sotang and highlights people-to-people relations between Nepal and India, for a better world. Veteran Nepali actor Rajesh Hamal emphasised the need for greater and intensive cultural diplomacy between Nepal and India to advance the interests of both the countries as well as their peoples.

The initiative, titled the “Global Conversation,” uses digital media, mobile phone technology, and meet-ups to enable people from the world over to take part in setting priorities for the future global development agenda.

The Japanese government’s failure to provide tuition-wavers for students attending pro-North Korean schools inside Japan “constitutes discrimination,” a UN committee has said in a new report.

There has never been a time in the history of the United Nations when its leader could be more useful in taking an active role in curing the world’s ills. African terrorists, warlords, revolutions, authoritarianism and a million other plights threaten to destroy international peace and stability. In all of this, where is the secretary-general? Former secretary-general Kofi Annan was more of a general and less of a secretary when it came to public diplomacy and social engagement. Ban is more of a secretary and less of a general.

Water-related conflicts arise largely due to inadequate resource management and poor governance. Traditional Cultural Diplomacy would thus prove beneficial in terms of providing clear and accurate information, diffusing mistrust and tensions, and improving communication between riparian states. Improved dialogue between countries would allow for the assessment of mutual benefits of cooperation, and consequently assist the process of converging national water agendas.

Patrick Ho says Americans' distrust of China can be melted by reassuring skeptics that China is a nation of "peace-loving people". "We want to do away with what is called China bashing," said Ho, deputy chairman and secretary-general of the China Energy Fund Committee. "Having a big GDP doesn't mean we carry a big stick. A big GDP means we're prosperous."