Environmental Peacebuilding Association

International

Myanmar: Fragrant Oil, Rare Fungi, Big Bucks

Jun 7, 2016 | Ann Wang, Frontier

The remote northern town of Putao is poised to reap rich rewards from a project that capitalises on the production of a prized raw ingredient…

Colombia: In Colombia, Abundant Water Brings No Security

Jun 7, 2016 | Stratfor

The country is just as vulnerable as those that have much less water.

Myanmar: Myanmar Targets Closure of Notorious Wildlife Trade Hub on Chinese Border

Jun 7, 2016 | Agence France-Presse

Myanmar authorities plan to shut down a notorious border town where exotic animal parts are sold openly, an official said on Tuesday, as Southeast Asia…

China: We Have No Fear of Trouble': China Talks Tough over South China Sea

Jun 6, 2016 | Tim Hume, CNN

A senior Chinese admiral strongly defended his country's activities in the South China Sea Sunday, restating Beijing's sovereignty in the region and warning it "had…

Afghanistan: Illegal Mining of Lapis Lazuli Fuels Taliban's Rise in Afghan Province

Jun 6, 2016 | Joe Boone, The Guardian

Struggle for control of mines producing blue stone is claiming lives in Afghanistan’s once peaceful province of Badakhshan.

Afghanistan: Blood Lapis: How Mining Funds Afghanistan’s Violence

Jun 6, 2016 | Megan Alpert, Foreign Policy

In northern Afghanistan, a man ties a 200-pound chunk of lapis lazuli to his back and hauls it down a mountain that is too steep…

Afghanistan: India Out to Damage Pakistan’s Water Interests on Kabul River

Jun 5, 2016 | Khalid Mustafa, The News

Afghanistan’s authorities with the help of Indian experts have completed the feasibilities and detailed engineering of 12 hydro-power projects with capacity to generate 1,177MW of…

Afghanistan: Greed, Corruption and Danger: A Tarnished Afghan Gem Trade

Jun 5, 2016 | Mujib Masal, New York Times

The local people called the militia’s takeover of the giant lapis mine in northeastern Badakhshan Province a white coup — easy and bloodless. Perhaps, but…

Afghanistan’s First-Ever Environmental Short Films Contest Held for World Environment Day

Jun 5, 2016 | UNDP

Filmmakers, actors and writers from across Afghanistan today received awards in the country’s first-ever Environmental Short Films Contest, organized by the United Nations Development Programme…

Iraq: As Iraq Repays Debt, Lukoil Pledges to Unlock Investment

Jun 3, 2016 | Dmitry Zhdannikov, Reuters

Iraq has positively surprised oil majors by starting quickly to repay accumulated debts, the head of Russia's Lukoil said, pledging more investment to allow OPEC's…

South Sudan: IMF Warns of Further Deteriorating Economy in South Sudan

Jun 3, 2016 | Sudan Tribute

The world’s economic centre house - the International Monetary Fund (IMF) based in New York - has warned of further deteriorating economic situation in South…

Japan: Japan Protests Chinese Gas Rig Construction in East China Sea

Jun 3, 2016 | Ryutaro Abe, The Asahi Simbun

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida lodged a protest with the Chinese Embassy on June 2 after the ministry confirmed that China is constructing drilling towers in…

Myanmar: Minister Promises to Ban Timber Trade

Jun 3, 2016 | Eleven Myanmar

Ohn Win, minister for natural resources and environmental conservation, says he is working to stop timber extraction completely this financial year.

Myanmar: Chinese Delegation Visits Myanmar Locals Displaced by Controversial Dam Project

Jun 3, 2016 | Kyaw Myo Min, Radio Free Asia

China’s ambassador to Myanmar met on Friday with residents forced to relocate for the construction of the controversial China-backed Myitsone Dam project in Kachin state…

Myanmar: USDP to Sue Newspapers over Gems Corruption Story

Jun 3, 2016 | Sam Yamin Aung, The Irrawaddy

The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), has said it will sue two Burmese weekly newspapers... for defaming former President Thein Sein and the USDP…

Colombia: Two Die, Dozens Hurt in Colombia Protests

Jun 3, 2016 | Emirates 24/7

Two people were killed and dozens injured Thursday in Colombia as more than 30,000 farmers joined a growing anti-government protest, blocking roads and clashing with…

Afghanistan: Afghan Government Money Reaching Taliban through Marble Trade

Jun 3, 2016 | Sune Engel, The Guardian

Intent on maintaining a marble industry, government buys stone from firms who in turn pay fees and taxes to Taliban.

Ogoniland/Nigeria: A Future for Ogoniland

Jun 2, 2016 | UNEP

Speech by UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner at the Launch of the Ogoniland Clean-up and Restoration Programme

Climate Change: At Security Council, Climate Change Cited among Factors Impacting Stability in Sahel

Jun 2, 2016 | Climate Diplomacy

At a meeting today in the United Nations Security Council on the situation in the Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa, senior UN officials stressed that…

India: PM Modi To Inaugurate Afghan-India Friendship Dam On June 4

Jun 2, 2016 | NDTV

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Afghanistan on Saturday where he will hold talks with President Ashraf Ghani and inaugurate the Afghan-India Friendship Dam, earlier…

Myanmar: Gems Traders Accuse Ex-President of Misusing More Than US$1 Million

Jun 2, 2016 | Kyaw Hsu Mon, The Irrawaddy

At one time, the Myanmar Gems Traders Association had €93 million (US$103.9 million) in its bank account. But, now, all that money is gone, and…

South Sudan: South Sudan’s Oil Fields are Becoming a Wildlife Trafficking Hotspot

Jun 2, 2016 | Jason Patinkin, Quartz Africa

South Sudan’s oil industry, plagued by violence, corruption allegations, and environmental ruin, faces another crisis: the smuggling of illegal wildlife products.

Myanmar: Tribunal to Investigate Gem Association Embezzlement Claims

Jun 2, 2016 | Chan Mya Htwe, Myanmar Times

A Tribunal has been established to investigate almost US$100 million that reportedly went missing from a gems and jade industry body during U Thein Sein’s…

Nigeria/Ogoniland: Nigeria Launches $1 Billion Ogoniland Clean-up and Restoration Programme