In spite of everything, a culture of peace is emerging in all fields of human endeavour
monthly, year 25th, number 330 – 4th March 2025
Good News Agency carries positive and constructive news from all over the world relating to voluntary work, the work of the United Nations, non-governmental organizations and institutions engaged in improving the quality of life – news that doesn’t “burn out” in the space of a day. It is distributed free of charge through Internet to media and editorial journalists, NGOs, service associations and high schools and colleges around the world.
It is an all-volunteer service of Associazione Culturale dei Triangoli e della Buona Volontà Mondiale, an educational charity associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information It is a supporter of the Global Movement for the Culture of Peace. In the final report of the Decade for a Culture of Peace project (2001-2010) provided to the UN Secretary-General for presentation to the UN General Assembly, Good News Agency is included among the three NGOs that have been playing an active role in the field of Information through Internet.*
Government and politics – Education and teaching – Economy, finance and planning
Arts of living and relationships – Work, science and industry
Society and communication –Rules, regulations and environment
Measuring a Country’s progress goes well beyond GDP
(by Human Rights Watch)
February 11, 2025 - (…) Today, the United Nations Human Rights Council held a session exploring reforms of global economic rules to better align with human rights. Specifically, experts discussed developing indicators to measure progress other than Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The shortfalls of measuring a country’s headway using GDP is an issue of rising importance on global agendas and was a clear recommendation in the 2024 Pact for the Future, a UN declaration that pledges action on numerous issues. (…)
News related with SDGs number 16-Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/208 of 30 January 2025 in support of a project on the promotion of effective arms export controls
January 31, 2025 - The Council of the European Union (…) has adopted this Decision:
Article 1
1. With a view to the implementation of the EU Strategy against illicit firearms, small arms and light weapons and their ammunition, entitled ‘Securing Arms, Protecting Citizens’, and Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, the Union shall further support a project on the promotion of effective arms export controls.
2. The objective of the project referred to in paragraph 1 shall be:
(a) to render international trade in conventional weapons more responsible and transparent;
(b) to mitigate the risk of the diversion of arms to unauthorised users.
The objectives set out in the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall be achieved through the transfer of expertise with the aim of supporting alignment with the legal and operational standards of the Union and its Member States, in line with Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, with a particular focus on the Union candidate countries. (…)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202500208
News related with SDGs number 16-Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/35 of 13 January 2025 implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 of the European Parliament and of the Council by determining the procedures for the in-service verification of the CO2 emissions of heavy-duty vehicles
January 22, 2025 - The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union (…) have adopted this regulation:
Article 1
Subject matter and scope
1. This Regulation defines detailed procedures for the in-service verification of heavy-duty vehicles referred to in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1127.
2. This Regulation also lays down detailed rules on reporting deviations found in the CO2 emission values of heavy-duty vehicles in-service as compared to the values that are indicated in the certificates of conformity or in the customer information files, as a result of in-service verification and for taking those deviations into account in the calculation of the average specific CO2 emissions of the manufacturers for which a deviation in the CO2 emission values was found as a result of the in-service verification. (…)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202500035
News related with SDGs number 13-Climate Action
United Nations – General Assembly – Seventy-ninth session – Agenda Item 65 (b) –Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 15 January 2025: Promotion of durable peace through sustainable development in Africa
January 16, 2025 - The General Assembly (…)
2. Recalls the advice submitted for the first time in 2021 by the Peacebuilding Commission on the item on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa, as contained in the letter from the Chair of the Commission addressed to the President of the General Assembly (…)
6. Reiterates that we are setting out together on the path towards sustainable development in its three dimensions – economic, social and environmental – in a balanced and integrated manner, including through international cooperation and partnership on the basis of mutual trust and the full benefit of all, in a spirit of global solidarity (…)
https://docs.un.org/en/A/RES/79/264
News related with SDGs number 8-Decent Work and Economic Growth
Valuing teachers: young people's perspectives on transforming the teacher profession for a global impact
February 13, 2025- The 2024 Global Education Meeting highlighted the urgent need to enhance, diversify and invest in teachers to address global education challenges and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4). the final document of the meeting, reflected the contributions of several regional consultations and stakeholders and set the stage for actionable strategies to transform education systems globally.
News related with SDGs number 4-Quality Education
Prisons around the world are reducing their sentence days for every book read by their inmates.
February 5, 2025- For 13 years, the Brazilian government has offered its incarcerated citizens a simple deal: read a book and serve less time. This “Remission for Reading” program is now serving as a model for other nations, and prison populations are benefiting from similar arrangements in countries such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Its slightly more religious southern neighbor, Uzbekistan, has formulated a redemptive reading protocol with works curated by the “Center for Spirituality and Enlightenment.” Officials in the Russian State Duma are also pushing for ransom readings to be introduced in Russian prisons.
News related with SDGs number 4-Quality Education
Ukraine: Unesco director general in Lviv to strengthen support for culture
January 28, 2025- Lviv is a historically multicultural city, heir to many influences and a jewel of Ukrainian architecture. Even before the war, it was one of the country's cultural capitals and boasted an extraordinarily rich arts scene. Over the past three years, it has also become a city of refuge for artists from all over Ukraine, which is why UNESCO is mobilizing substantial resources here.
News related with SDGs number 4-Quality Education
PM Modi: Energy reforms to drive India’s growth and sustainability
(by Pradeep Kaimal)
February 11, 2025 - Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his remarks at the India Energy Week 2025 via video message today. (…) He emphasized that India's energy ambitions are built on five pillars: harnessing resources, encouraging innovation among brilliant minds, economic strength and political stability, strategic geography making energy trade attractive and easier, and commitment to global sustainability. The Prime Minister noted that these factors are creating new opportunities in India's energy sector. (…)
News related with SDGs number 8-Decent Work and Economic Growth
Development of capital markets in Latin America: exploring the growth and challenges
(by Jessica Weisman-Pitts)
January 28, 2025 - Latin America's capital markets have witnessed a dynamic evolution over recent years, with new integrations and transformations taking center stage. The growth trajectory, driven by factors such as unified stock exchanges and digital transformation, contrasts with inherent challenges like fiscal sustainability and demographic shifts. This report delves into both the burgeoning growth potential and the obstacles that these markets confront as of 2025, providing an analytical lens on the region's capital landscape, supported by data and insights from multiple sources. (…)
News related with SDGs number 8-Decent Work and Economic Growth
Global Sustainable Tourism Market Size/Share
January 28, 2025 - According to a market research study published by Custom Market Insights, the demand analysis of Global Sustainable Tourism Market size & share revenue was valued at approximately USD 3.4 Trillion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 4 Trillion in 2024 and is expected to reach around USD 13 Trillion by 2033, at a CAGR of 13.5% between 2024 and 2033. (…)
News related with SDGs number 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities
Pakistan’s economic revival: a path towards sustainable and inclusive growth
(by Muhammad Aurangzeb)
January 21, 2025 - Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Pakistan implemented a series of reforms, including tightening fiscal policies, and curbing inflation. Central to this effort is ‘Uraan Pakistan’, an economic transformation plan that aims for sustainable, export-led 6% GDP growth by 2028. Global stakeholders are invited to support Pakistan’s journey by investing in priority sectors such as agriculture, IT, renewable energy and pharma. (…)
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/01/pakistan-economic-revival-sustainable-and-inclusive-growth/
News related with SDGs number 8-Decent Work and Economic Growth
The impact of Better Work Bangladesh: a decade’s legacy
January 8, 2025 – (…) Since its launch in 2014, Better Work Bangladesh (BWB) (…)) has driven significant advancements in workplace safety, workers’ rights, and business competitiveness across 480 garment factories in Bangladesh, impacting over 1.3 million workers, 51% of whom are women. Key achievements include improved compliance with labour laws, especially in occupational safety and health (OSH). Factories have made strides in reducing non-compliance rates for emergency preparedness and OSH management, fostering safer workplaces. Social dialogue mechanisms, such as Participation Committees, have empowered workers to address workplace issues collaboratively, with improved representation and gender balance. (…)
News related with SDGs number 8-Decent Work and Economic Growth
What is the triple bottom line?
(by Alexandra Jonker)
January 2025 - The triple bottom line (TBL) is a sustainability framework that revolves around the three P’s: people, planet and profit. By maximizing all three bottom lines, organizations are more likely to have a positive impact on the world while still improving financial performance. The triple bottom line concept suggests that business outcomes cannot be measured by just the financial bottom line. Instead, they must also consider the well-being of people and the planet. This means organizations that adopt TBL frameworks are accountable to all stakeholders—not just shareholders. (…)
https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/triple-bottom-line
News related with SDGs number 8-Decent Work and Economic Growth
The State of Qatar and the United Nations reinforce their commitment to protecting children in armed conflict with the extension of the Analysis and Outreach Hub in Doha
February 7, 2025- In a significant step toward strengthening efforts to protect children affected by armed conflict, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG-CAAC), Ms. Virginia Gamba, and Her Excellency Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations in New York, signed an agreement extending and expanding the work of the UN Analysis and Outreach Hub in Doha. Since its establishment in 2022, the Hub has worked to promote research, collaboration, and capacity-building efforts to support the protection of children in conflict zones. With continued support from the State of Qatar, the Hub will enhance its activities, broadening its reach to new conflict-impacted regions and deepening engagement with affected communities, practitioners and other relevant stakeholders. [...]
News related with SDGs number 16-Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Essex's woman's battle with cancer inspired her to become a paramedic
February 2025- A young woman who has survived cancer three times became a paramedic - to "give back" to the NHS. Katherine Murrell, from Great Dunmow was first diagnosed with cancer when she was just 16.
She underwent six months of grueling daily chemotherapy before being given the all-clear - but later received two further diagnoses. Now 27, Katherine is finally cancer-free - and has said her experience with the NHS is what inspired her to join the London Ambulance Service. […]
https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/essexs-womans-battle-cancer-inspired-9922384
News related with SDGs number 3-Good Health and Well-Being
Essaouira: The “Warriors of Peace” nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2025
February 2025- As a symbolic space for all dialogues and all possibilities, Dar Souiri has made a date with Peace on January 17 with the premiere screening in Morocco of the film “Résister pour la paix”. Released in 2024, the film is “resolutely committed and militant to give a new chance to peace that gives the same rights to the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.” The film, produced at the initiative of Sabrina Azoulay, retraces the journey of Hanna Assouline and Sonia Terrab founders of the collective “Guerrières de la Paix” that was launched at the “World Forum of Women for Peace” meeting in Essaouira on March 8, 2023. The film gives a voice and offers a platform to “Palestinian and Israeli activists working hand in hand to build bridges and promote a Peace that does justice to the fundamental rights of both peoples.” It was screened at Dar Souiri in front of a packed room listening to these moving testimonies nourished by “truth stories” strong embodiment of the resilience and the determined and courageous commitment of the founders of the Guerrières de la Paix” all of Moroccan origin.
https://cpnn-world.org/new/?p=36229
News related with SDGs number 16-Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
The next-generation solar cell is fully recyclable
February 14, 2025 - Researchers developed a method to recycle all parts of a solar cell repeatedly without environmentally hazardous solvents. The recycled solar cell has the same efficiency as the original one. The solar cell is made of perovskite and the main solvent is water. (…)
News related with SDGs number 9-Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Oceans 2050 study shows significant climate mitigation potential of seaweed farming
(by Meghan Sapp)
February 14, 2025 - In Washington, Oceans 2050 has unveiled landmark findings published in Nature Climate Change that demonstrate the significant climate mitigation potential of seaweed farming. (…) Conducted across 20 seaweed farms spanning five continents, the study confirms that seaweed farming can sequester carbon in the sediments below at rates comparable to vegetated coastal ecosystems like mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses. This research highlights the dual benefits of seaweed farming: meeting food security and economic development goals while advancing climate change mitigation efforts.
News related with SDGs number 13-Climate Action
European Commission launches Biotech and Biomanufacturing Hub
(by Meghan Sapp)
February 11, 2025 - In Belgium, the European Commission has launched a new Biotech and Biomanufacturing Hub to support companies – particularly start-ups and SMEs – in bringing innovative products to the EU market and increase their competitiveness. The Hub will also help companies identify the support available to them at EU level and how to access this support to help them to expand and grow.
News related with SDGs number 9-Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Environment Agency secures record £22bn in water investment
(by James Murray)
January 29, 2025 - Water companies agree to 24,000 actions to improve water quality and restore nature, delivering a four-fold increase in investment. Water companies have committed to invest a record £ 22.1bn. over the next five years to improve water quality, protect the environment and restore nature under an agreement with the Environment Agency (…)
News related with SDGs number 6-Clean Water and Sanitation
Lidl and WWF join forces to promote plant-based and sustainable diets
January 24, 2025 - Lidl aims to increase proportion of plant-based foods sold by 20 per cent by 2030, as it seeks to align with Planetary Health Diet guidelines by 2050. (…)
News related with SDGs number 15-Life on Land
Airbus Journey towards Zero Emissions Aircraft
January 22, 2025 - Airbus Journey towards Zero Emissions Aircraft Airbus continued its pioneering efforts, focusing on various applications such as cryogenic hydrogen storage and hydrogen fuel cells. These innovations aim to power electric motors efficiently and generate thrust via hydrogen combustion. (…)
https://www.inoreader.com/article/3a9c6e7783143dd8-airbus-journey-towards-zero-emissions-aircraft
News related with SDGs number 12-Responsible Consumption and Production
Transforming mentalities: engaging men & and boys: a report on pathways to gender equality in India
February 17, 2025- The quest for gender equality has seen progress, yet gender-based discrimination and violence persist in various forms around the world. This situation calls for urgent action, that involve everyone – especially men and boys. Their role in challenging harmful masculinities and supporting gender equality is crucial to building inclusive, peaceful and equitable societies, but also for their own well-being. Working with men is crucial because they, too, are shaped by the same norms, biases and prejudices that often deny women their rights and dignity.
https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/engaging-men-and-boys-report-pathways-gender-equality-india
News related with SDGs number 5-Gender Equality
Digital rights, media freedom and online safety.
February 13, 2025- As digital technologies continue to shape public discourse, UNESCO remains committed to supporting press freedom, online safety and the responsible use of digital platforms in Tanzania and beyond. UNESCO and JamiiForums will continue to explore further opportunities to promote freedom of expression, digital rights and gender-sensitive policies in the media and ICT sectors.
News related with SDGs number 3-Good Health and Well-Being
Gender parity in US big screen lead roles for first time
February 12, 2025- New research reveals that the top-grossing films of 2024 were led by female protagonists as much as by men. Women achieved gender parity on the big screen in 2024 for the first time in the US, according to two new studies. Out of the 100 top-grossing films of last year, women led 42 percent of the films, the same percentage as their male counterparts, with 16 percent led by ensembles. That's according to Dr Martha Lauzen’s annual It’s a Man’s (Celluloid) World report. The report, now in its 23rd year, said that 2024 “offered one of the richest slates of films featuring female protagonists in recent memory”.
https://www.onlygoodnewsdaily.com/post/gender-parity-in-us-big-screen-lead-roles-for-first-time
News related with SDGs number 5-Gender Equality
13th century fresco believed to depict the use of an Islamic tent in a Christian church
February 3, 2025 -A 13th-century fresco rediscovered in Ferrara, Italy, provides unique evidence of the use of Islamic curtains in medieval churches to hide their high altars. According to the study, the fresco provides crucial evidence of the use of Islamic curtains in a medieval church for major Christian practices, including mass. The 700-year-old fresco is believed to be the only image of its kind still in existence and is a valuable testimony to a little-known Christian practice.
News related with SDGs number 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities
Jubilee 2025: art becomes an instrument of hope and rebirth.
January 23, 2025 - After the official start of the 2025 Jubilee, a symbolic event took place on December 26, when Pope Francis opened a second Holy Door inside the Roman prison of Rebibbia, an emblematic place chosen to convey a message of inclusion and redemption. In this context, the artist Marinella Senatore created the installation Io Contengo Moltitudini, a work of participatory art created in collaboration with the inmates of the facility. The installation, six meters high and three meters wide, is made up of lights and phrases in different languages and dialects, the result of a workshop that involved several inmates.
https://www.buonenotizie.it/cultura-e-tempo-libero/2025/01/23/giubileo-2025-arte/eva-adele-ricevuto/
News related with SDGs number 4-Quality Education
Rules, regulations and environment
(top)
Solar power surpasses coal in EU for first time
January 23, 2025 - Solar overtook coal in the European Union's electricity production in 2024, with the share of renewables rising to almost half the bloc's power sector, according to a report released Thursday. Gas generation, meanwhile, declined for the fifth year in a row and fossil-fuelled power dipped to a "historic low", climate think tank Ember said in its European Electricity Review 2025. (…)
https://www.inoreader.com/article/3a9c6e7782217cbb-solar-power-surpasses-coal-in-eu-for-first-time
News related with SDGs number 7-Affordable and Clean Energy
Kassø Power-to-X produces first batch of green hydrogen
(by Meghan Sapp)
February 13, 2025 - In Denmark, Fuel Cells Works reports Kassø Power-to-X has succeeded in producing green hydrogen in its first step to producing e-methanol at its commercial-scale facility. The facility produces hydrogen through the electrolysis of purified water. Green hydrogen will then be synthesized with biogenic CO2 to produce e-methanol using electricity from the facility’s own solar park. The fuel is intended for shipping fuel or for green chemistry. (…)
News related with SDGs number 7-Affordable and Clean Energy
First 100% Green Corridor Between Spain & Morocco — Two 100% Electric “Fast Ferries”
(by Cynthia Shahan)
January 30, 2025 - Baleària, a Spanish ferry operator, has launched a concept to create the first green corridor between Spain and Morocco, which will be served by two 100% electric, zero-emission fast boats. These twin ships will be used to connect the cities of Tangier, Morocco, and Tarifa, Spain, on the “most sustainable” route between Europe and Africa. (…)
News related with SDGs number 9-Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Bigger in Texas? Clean energy contributes billions to the Lonestar State, report finds
(by Sean Wolfe)
January 29, 2025 - Everything is bigger in Texas, but does that include the benefits of clean energy projects? It just might, according to a new report that aims to quantify the financial ripples of utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage in the Lonestar State. Existing and expected utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage projects will contribute over $20 billion in total tax revenue — and pay Texas landowners $29.5 billion — over the projects’ lifetimes, according to new data (…)
News related with SDGs number 9-Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Five countries sign joint declaration of intent to continue work on southern hydrogen corridor
(by Charley Rattan)
January 27, 2025 - Italy, Germany, Austria, Algeria and Tunisia have signed a joint declaration of intent in Rome on the Southern Hydrogen Corridor, an infrastructure project to transport renewable hydrogen for over 3300 kilometres from North Africa to Italy, Austria and Germany (…)
News related with SDGs number 17-Partnerships for the Goals
Ezra Group powers ahead with renewable energy in South Sudan
Jan 27, 2025 - South Sudan celebrates its first major renewable energy project, marking a milestone in the country’s transition to sustainable power. (…)
News related with SDGs number 7-Affordable and Clean Energy
AM Green, DP World to build green fuel export projects
(by Juan Pedro Tomas)
January 19, 2025 - In India, Reuters reported that India’s AM Green has partnered with Dubai-based global port and logistics firm DP World to develop infrastructure to export 1 million ton per annum (MTPA) each of green ammonia and methanol. The report noted that the partnership includes building infrastructure across the European Union, the Far East region, and the United Arab Emirates. (…)
News related with SDGs number 17-Partnerships for the Goals
* * * * * * *
(top)
Good News Agency is published monthly (except August) in English, Italian and Portuguese. Past issues are available at www.goodnewsagency.org . Rome Law-court registration no. 265 dated 20 June 2000. Managing Editor: Fabio Gatti. Editorial research by Fabio Gatti, Isabella Strippoli, Elisa Minelli, Salvatore Caruso Motta, Chiara Damilano, Francesco Viglienghi, Carlo Toraldo, Andrea Landriscina, Nazzarena Franco. Webmaster, media and NGO coverage: Simone Frassanito (simone.frassanito@goodnewsagency.org)
Good News Agency is distributed free of charge through Internet to media and editorial journalists of the daily newspapers and periodical magazines and of the radio and television stations, NGOs, service associations, high schools and colleges as well as over 26,000 Rotarians around the world.
It is an all-volunteer service of Associazione Culturale dei Triangoli e della Buona Volontà Mondiale, a registered, not-for-profit educational charity chartered in Italy in 1979 The Association operates for the development of consciousness and promotes a culture of peace in the ‘global village’ perspective based on unity in diversity and on sharing. It is based in Piazzale degli Eroi 8, 00136 Rome, Italy. The Association is a member of the World Association of Non Governmental Organizations.
* http://decade-culture-of-peace.org/2010_civil_society_report.pdf - In section A - International Organizations, page 12, the Report says: ”Diffusion and exchange of culture of peace information via the Internet has become the major instrument for several international organizations, notably the Culture of Peace News Network, the Good News Agency and the Education for Peace Globalnet.”