UN : Biodiversity Convention decides to address conflicts of interest (PRIV)
(Lim Li Lin, Denpasar)
Parties to the UN Convention on Biologica l Diversity (CBD) have approved conflicts of interest procedures to limit the influence of private sector industry and other economic and vested interest s from unduly influencing decisions taken to protect biological diversity.

UN : Senior UN official resigns undermining sexual abuse charges (PRIV)
(IPS, New York)
The UN's heavily-hyped "zero toleranc e" policy on sexual abuse is being ridiculed once again - this time with the a brupt resignation of the head of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC ) who faced charges of sexual harassment and was the subject of an inquiry by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).

Mideast : Can overcome pressing challenges by developing blue economy (PRIV)
(IPS, Rome)
The Blue Economy is becoming an "El Dorado", a new frontier for traditionally arid and water-stressed nations in the Mid dle East and North Africa (MENA), according to Christian Averous, Vice President of Plan Bleu, one of the Regional Activity Centres of the Mediterranean Action Plan developed under the UN Environment Regional Seas Programme.

Costa Rica : First country to protect sustainable fisheries of large pelagic species (PRIV)
(IPS, San Jose)
Twelve years ago, in a restaurant in Puntarenas on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, a group of lon gline fishermen met with three UNDP conservation specialists.