NEWS



Fourth Committee Chaired by Ambassador Brian Bowler Approves Draft Resolution on Effects of Atomic Radiation


More research into the effects of atomic radiation on humans, especially at low-dose rates, was urgently needed, speakers in the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) said today as it took up the issue this afternoon, unanimously approving a related draft resolution.
By the terms of the draft resolution, titled “Effects of atomic radiation” (document A/C.4/70/L.12), the General Assembly would support the Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation in conducting its programme of work of scientific review and assessment, in particular its next Global Survey of Medical Radiation Usage and Exposures and its assessments of levels of ionizing radiation exposure from electrical energy production. 
Also by that text, the Assembly would request the Scientific Committee to submit plans for its ongoing and future programme of work at its seventy-first session.  Additionally, it would ask the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), to actively support, within existing resources, the effective conduct of the Scientific Committee’s work and the dissemination of its findings. Finally, the Assembly would encourage Member States to make voluntary contributions to the general trust fund established by the Executive Director of UNEP and to make contributions in kind, to support the Scientific Committee’s work and the sustainable dissemination of its findings. Prior to opening its annual general debate on the topic, the Committee heard opening remarks by Yoshiharu Yonekura, Chair of the Scientific Committee, (Photo: Mr. Yonekura with Ambassador Brian Bowler), who also introduced the report of its sixty-second session.  Delegates then engaged in a brief interactive discussion. 
“We are all exposed to ionizing radiation,” Mr. Yonekura said in his opening remarks, adding that, in most locations and for most people, exposure came mainly from natural sources, including from the ground and the bedrock, inhaled radon gas and naturally occurring radioactive substances ingested with food and water.  However, people were also exposed to radiation from artificial sources like medicine or from radiation emergencies.The Committee evaluated the effects of such exposure, including acute health effects that could be observed when exposure was very high, he said.  Much scientific attention had been paid to the high risk of cancer and other effects of lower exposure, including heritable effects, which so far had not been demonstrated in human populations.  Going forward, the Committee had discussed preliminary plans for four projects: appraisal of the health effects of low-dose radiation exposure, selected evaluations of risks to health from radiation exposure, evaluation of the risk of second cancers after radiotherapy, and assessment of the impact on biota of radiation exposure due to the nuclear industry.The Fourth Committee will reconvene at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 27 October, to begin its consideration of questions related to information.


Fourth Committee (Special Political and decolonization ): Ambassador Brian Bowler chairs the 9th meeting.


During the 9th meeting of the Fourth Committee, 70th UNGA. 
Special Political and Decolonization Committee. 
H.E. Ambassador Brian Bowler introduces the Rector of the University for Peace Dr. Francisco Rojas Aravena and H.E. First Lady of Costa Rica Mercedes Peñas Domingo






Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization), chaired on October the 19th by the Ambassador Brian Bowler, unanimously approved a draft resolution on the University for Peace, by which the General Assembly would request the Secretary-General to expand the scope for using that institution’s services as part of his conflict-resolution and peacebuilding efforts.

Ambassador Bowler: "Serving under the blue flag countries and soldiers need to be exemplary".


"Today I attended a meeting close to my heart, as a former soldier I want to salute the Secretary General Ban Ki -Moon for his leadership and adopting "Zero" tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse. The policies that he outlined are spot on and correct. Naming and shaming will bring accountability... Decisive action who restore honor. 
I agree that a trust fund must be set up to assist and help victims. Serving under the blue flag countries and soldiers need to be exemplary, nothing else can be accepted. 
The UN cannot do it alone and we troop contributing countries need to do our part by preparing our troops and training them as well as educating them in important issues. 
It is not about a country reputation it is about all those serving under the blue flag at stake...".
Brian G. Bowler
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Malawi to the UN


Strategy meeting at the Malawi Mission to the UN, for the General Assembly High Level side event with UNAIDS which will take place on September the 27th at the United Nations.




Stockholm: Ambassador of Malawi to the United Nations H.E. Brian Bowler and Ambassador of Sweden to the United Nations H.E. Olof Skoog at a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister of Sweden H.E. Kjell Stefan Löfvén.




Permanent Representative of the Republic of Malawi to the United Nations, H.E. Brian Bowler, met Ms. Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the 37th former Prime Minister of New Zealand.




MLK Jr. Scholarship Gala 2014

NCAE - It was truly a time for dreams to come true during the 2014 MLK Jr. Scholarship Gala. The red carpet affair drew members, students and special guests from across the state, who came together to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Winners of the Multicultural Arts Contest were recognized, along with honorees U.S. Senator Kay Hagan, who received the 2014 Excellence in Equity Award, and Ambassador Brian Bowler (Malawi), who was presented with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit Award. More photos from the elegant evening can be seen on the NCAE Flickr site http://www.flickr.com/photos/ncaephotos

AD HOC WORKING GROUP

 


The second substantive meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group took  place today, Friday, 16 March 2012, at the United Nations. 

Co-chairs: H.E. Ambassador of the Republic of Malawi to the United Nations, Brian Bowler and H.E. Ambassador of Belgium to the UN, Jan Grauls.







 Gender and Nutrition 

The Role of the Rural Women in Improving Nutrition 

   (VIDEO) 

 

Gender and Nutrition

Interview  

Ambassador Brian Bowler and Dr. Grace Malindi

(VIDEO)




Meeting between Ambassadors

2 March, 2012 - This morning at the Permanent Mission of The Republic of Malawi to the United Nations, His Excellency Ambassador Brian Bowler had the honor of hosting a courtesy call from the Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations, His Excellency Ambassador Anastassis Mitsialis. The two representatives took the opportunity to express their continued bi-lateral agreement on a range of issues within the framework of the United Nations structure. Their conversation focused on the concerns of smaller states, especially in regards to achieving and maintaining representation within various significant UN bodies. They maintained the importance of this as a continuing goal in order to fullfill the fundamental purpose of all member nations sharing an equal voice, regardless of their size, level of development, and economic status. Ambassador Bowler and Ambassador Mitisialis further concurred that smaller countries can offer added value and contribute effectively to discussions on UN policy and resolutions, based on their first hand knowledge in dealing with specific issues from the particular perspective of their countries broad experiences.



Ambassador Anastassis MitsialisPermanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations and His Excellency Ambassador Brian Bowler Permanent Representative of the Mission of The Republic of Malawi to the United Nations


Gender and Nutrition
The Role of the Rural Women in Improving Nutrition






March 1, 2012
Event


Co-hosted by the 

PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALAWI TO THE UN


and the


PERMANENT MISSION OF IRELAND TO THE UN


This event will focus on how to empower rural women at all levels to address undernutrition and what role developing and donor country governments, the UN system, civil society and the private sector can play

Chair: H.E. Anne Anderson, Ambassador of Ireland to the United Nations.

Ms. Kathleen Lynch T.D. Minister of Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older Persons, Ireland.

H.E. Ambassador Brian Bowler, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Malawi to the United Nations.

Mr. Anthony Lake, Chair of the Lead Group on the Scaling-Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement and Executive Director of UNICEF

Dr. Grace Malindi, of NASFAM






                         Meetings of the Ad Hoc Working Group

                                     


An organizational meeting took place on Monday, 16 January 2012, at 10 a.m. in New York at the United Nations. The meeting also endorsed the programme of work presented by the Co-Chairs, H.E. Permanente Representative of the Republic of Malawi to the United Nations, Ambassador Brian Bowler and Permanent Representative of Belgium, H.E. Ambassador Jan Grauls.

The meeting took stock of the current situation regarding LDC-specific international support measures as well as existing smooth transition measures. The meeting identified gaps and considered LDCs' concerns related to the phase-out of those measures.

Two graduated countries shared their national experience with smooth transition from LDC status. An open exchange of views followed on what possible approaches could be developed to address those gaps and concerns.

PROGRAMME OF THE FIRST SUBSTANTIVE MEETING

******

Introductory presentations

H.E. Mr. Charles T. Ntwaagae, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Botswana to the United Nations

Ms. Edna Filomena Alves Barreto, Minister Plenipotentiary, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Cape Verde to the United Nations

Interactive exchange: delegations of Nepal, Maldives, Solomon Islands, Australia, European Union, Malawi, Samoa and Zambia.

Thematic presentations and interactive discussions

Special measures for LDCs and implications of graduation in the area of trade

Ms. Annet Blank, Head LDC Unit, Development Division, WTO

Interactive exchange: delegations of Solomon Islands and China

Special measures for LDCs and implications of graduation in the areas of financial support and technical assistance

Mr. Rob Vos, Director, Development Policy and Analysis Division, DESA

Interactive exchange: delegation of Costa Rica

Existing smooth transition measures

Mr. Taffere Tesfachew, Director, Division for Africa, Least Developed Countries and Special Programmes, UNCTAD

Interactive exchange: delegations of Tuvalu, Australia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Zambia and Morocco.





A day with the Ambassador







Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Eileen Gillard 
and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Malawi to the United Nations, Ambassador Brian Bowler.





Malawi and Armenia form diplomatic relations
January 20, 2012

THE VIDEO

 

Ambassador Brian Bowler Co-Chair for ad hoc working group
THE VIDEO


Malawi and Armenia form diplomatic relations
January 20, 2012

H.E. Ambassador of Republic of Malawi to the Un Brian Bowler and Ambassador of Armenia to the UN H.E. Garen Nazarian

Ambassador Brian Bowler Co-Chair for ad hoc working group





Malawi and Mongolia form diplomatic relations


 

Malawi and Mongolia established formal diplomatic relations on Wednesday, December 21st following a signing ceremony which took place at the Permanent Mission of Mongolia to the United Nations in New York.

Malawi’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E. Ambassador Brian Bowler signed the joint communiqué on behalf of the Government of Malawi and Mongolia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E. Enkhtsetseg Ochir signed on behalf of the Mongolian Government.

In an interview on Malawi UN Channel, H.E. Ambassador Ochir spoke about the benefits of establishing diplomatic relations with the Republic of Malawi; she said “This will open up new avenues of cooperation, not only among developing countries in the United Nations but how this could effect developing bilateral relations.” She continued to say that she enjoyed H.E. Ambassador Bowler’s idea of opening up trade between the two countries.

On Malawi UN Channel, Ambassador Bowler said that the establishing of diplomatic relations with Mongolia is not so much for the Mission but for the people of Malawi; he went further to say that Malawi treasures its relations with countries like Mongolia.

Ambassador Bowler also recognized the similarities between the two countries, acknowledging that both Malawi and Mongolia are land-locked countries and both deal in trade of agricultural products.

He continued to say that both countries have great synergies in sharing ideas and technology. He recognized that Mongolia imports a lot of sugar and tea, products which Malawi produces and can greatly benefit from exporting to Mongolia. Ambassador Bowler said, “This is a natural market for my great country, Malawi.”

With the newly established diplomatic relations, the Government of Malawi looks forward to further strengthening their relationship with Mongolia and exporting products, namely tea and sugar to the country. 


      
Ambassador Bowler elected Co-Chair for ad hoc working group 

Earlier today the General Assembly decided to adopt the Second Committee’s programme of work for the upcoming sixty-seventh session, and a draft resolutions decision was made on improving the Committee’s working methods.

President of the General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz-al-Nasser of Qatar stated that he had arranged extensive consultations with Member States, members involved in the Group of Least Developed Countries, the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, the EU and friends of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in order to establish an ad hoc working group to further study and strengthen the implementation of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the LDCs.

The United Nations reported that “The proposed ad hoc working group would undertake an important responsibility with a view to achieving one of the key objectives of the Istanbul Programme of Action, he said.  In order to complete its work and report back to the General Assembly at its next session, the working group needed to commence its work very early in 2012, he stressed, proposing, therefore, that it convene its first meeting in mid-January.  Calling for “whole-hearted engagement” by the United Nations system and its leadership, Member States and all other development partners in the full and effective implementation of the Programme of Action, he strongly recommended that groups representing small island developing States and landlocked developing countries participate regularly in the working group.”

H.E. Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser announced that he had appointed H.E. Ambassador Brian Bowler, Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Malawi to the United Nations and H.E. Jan Grauls, Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Belgium to the United Nations as the groups Co-Chairs.

Ambassador Bowler is honored to have been chosen by H.E. Abdulaziz al-Nasser as one of the ad hoc groups’ Co-Chairs for the Programme of Action and looks forward to working with others in this Programme in the New Year.
      
H.E. Ambassador Brian Bowler with H.E. Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia Kevin Rudd





DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS: MALAWI AND BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA

Video






NEW YORK TIMES

September 27, 2011








Malawi establishes diplomatic relations
with South Sudan




NEW YORK- Malawi entered into formal diplomatic relations with the youngest member of the United Nations, the Republic of South Sudan on 26 September, 2011. The signing ceremony took place in the Bilateral Booth adjacent to the United Nations General Assembly Hall where the 66th session of the General Assembly is currently in session.

Malawi’s envoy to the United Nations His Excellency Ambassador Brian Bowler signed on behalf of the Republic of Malawi and Under Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, His Excellency Mr. Majok Guangdong signed on behalf of South Sudan.

The Republic of South Sudan is the newest, youngest and 193rd member of the United Nations, and also the 54th member of the African Union.


Ambassador Bowler said, “The GoSS can count on Malawi as a friendly country that can be relied upon to assist them in fostering the lasting peace and stability in their region.

“It is my fervent hope that we will have a good working relationship as we endeavor to promote the relations between our two countries, for the mutual benefit of our two peoples,” said Ambassador Bowler.
 


AMBASSADOR BRIAN BOWLER TALKS ABOUT SOUTH SUDAN AND THE ADMITTANCE INTO THE UNITED NATIONS





MALAWI CHAIRS UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION ON 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2011


NEW YORK- Malawi's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, His Excellency Brian Bowler, has been given the prestigious honour of chairing the 19th plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly on Friday, September 23, 2011.  Malawi was elected earlier this year to serve as one of the Vice-Presidents for the 66th Session of the UN General Assembly which began on September 13 and runs for one year.






The 19th plenary meeting is highly significant as both the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be addressing the General Assembly at a time when tensions are running high in the Middle East. It is anticipated that Palestinian President Abbas will submit a letter to the UN Secretary General, H.E. Ban Ki moon, formally seeking UN recognition for the state of Palestine after he addresses the UN General Assembly. However more significant during this morning’s session is the statement made by newcomer to the United Nations family, South Sudanese President HE Mr. Salva Kiir.





Malawi’s leader of delegation to this year’s UN General Assembly debate, is Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Honourable Arthur Peter Mutharika. He was in attendance in the General Assembly Hall when Ambassador Bowler chaired the 19th. plenary meeting.





Speaking to Ambassador Bowler on what this day meant for Malawi, he said this is a very historical day that all Malawians should be very proud of, not only is this a great honour for Malawi to chair this world body at this auspicious time, when all eyes are on the UN, but also on a day that the Palestinians will be pressing to move forward their own agenda for nationhood. The Malawi envoy said it was also heartwarming to hear in the maiden speech of President Kiir of South Sudan in the UNGA debate.

Malawi continues to serve in various high level capacities in the UN, such as on the boards of Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), UNICEF, chairing the 44th session of the Commission on Population and Development, as well as participating in peacekeeping missions.  Ambassador Bowler also announced that Malawi had entered into diplomatic relationships with Montenegro and Georgia and will be signing agreements with Indonesia, South Sudan and the Dominican Republic soon.





July 27, 2011 H.E. Ambassador Brian Bowler 
at the Voice of America - Straight Talk Africa.





You can see the video also in the original link:
http://www.voanews.com/wm/voa/africa/engl/ENGLISHTOAFRICA_STRAIGHT.asx



DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS: MALAWI AND CAMBODIA



July 20, 2011 - Malawi and Cambodia, two great Nations, have entered into formal diplomatic relations and have agreed to mutually provide all necessary assistance for the performance of the functions of diplomatic representatives in accordance with international practice.








THE ROAD TO PROSPERITY


Part 1


Part 2






A NATION OF ACHIEVERS...








THE ITALIAN PRESS TALKS ABOUT MALAWI



LAKE MALAWI IS LISTED AMONG THE 12 MOST BEAUTIFUL LAKES IN THE WORLD



AGI -  ITALIAN PRESS AGENCY  JUNE 17, 2011




Original link
http://www.agi.it/travel80/la-magia-del-lago-malawibr-



AFRICA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Africa 53 Nations A Union - The new challenges

"Malawi is practical example of how a country can transform from chronic food deficit to a vibrant food surplus country. Malawi has been able to feed itself since 2005". H.E. Prof. Ngwazi Bingu Wa Mutharika





AMERICA OGGI - Washington June 15, 2011
  





FIRST LADY CALLS FOR RESOURCES TO FIGHT AGAINST BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER


New York, April 13, 2011
The First Lady of Malawi, Madam Callista Mutharika, has said the main challenge facing women in the fight against cancer is lack of education, information and resources in developing countries.
Madam Mutharika said this on 13 April, 2011 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York at a special event co-hosted by the American Cancer Society, the Permanent Missions of the Republic of Malawi and the Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), organized to highlight current global best practices in breast and cervical cancer control as well as contribute to building momentum for the forthcoming September 2011 United Nations High Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). 
Madam Mutharika, who is the incoming vice chairperson of the Forum of African First Ladies Against Breast and Cervical Cancer, told the gathering, made up of members of the diplomatic community and civil society, that breast and cervical cancers are amongst the leading causes of death for women in developing countries. She said over 80 percent  of all cervical cancer deaths occur in developing countries where girls and women do not have access to prevention services such as education, vaccines and life-saving pre-cancer screening to facilitate early treatment.
According to statistics, breast cancer is appearing 10 to 15 years earlier in developing countries as compared to developed countries. More than 53,000 women die and over 80,000 new cases appear in Africa each year.
“If the resources were there then we would be able to address the education of the women, make sure that information is accessible and that there is adequate infrastructure and medical personnel in our countries,” Madam Mutharika said. 
The special event whose theme was No woman left behind in the fight against NCDs: Towards health services that address breast  and cervical cancer, was held along the margins of the 44th session of the Commission on Population and Development which run from 11 to 15 April 2011.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the session, the Chairman of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), Malawi’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, His Excellency Brian Bowler, said there was an urgent need  for the international community to implement the Program of Action of the International Conference on population and Development (ICPD), whose main objective was to reflect on the growing awareness that population, poverty, patterns of production and consumption and the environment are closely interconnected.  
The Commission on Population and Development, established in 1946 as the Commission on Population, is the oldest of the ten functional commissions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, ECOSOC. Ambassador Bowler was elected the Chairman of the Commission in April last year during the 43rd session of the CPD in recognition of Malawi’s impeccable track record in leadership roles in world bodies.
In another development, just recently, Malawi has received twelve requests from countries which want to establish diplomatic relations with the Republic of Malawi. This is testimony of the trust the international community has in the leadership of the President, His Excellency Ngwazi Professor Bingu wa Mutharika.







THE EXECUTIVE BOARDS OF UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS, UNICEF AND WFP VISIT THE PHILIPPINES 



Philippines, March 26-April 2, 2011 – The  Executive Board members from various United Nations agencies this week saw how their programmes are helping the Philippines recover from years of armed conflict.
The six-day visit gave the inter-agency delegation on-the-ground insight into how joint projects with government and civil society partners are assisting the healing process.




“This is what I believe the UN should be all about – transforming lives positively,” said Brian Bowler, the group’s leader and Permanent Representative of Malawi to the UN. “And in the case of the Philippines, they’re doing it successfully.”

The delegation included Executive Board members from UNICEF, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Office for Project Services, the World Food Programme and UN Women.The recent relative peace in the decades-old armed conflict in the Philippines has been an opportunity for UN agencies to help the country progress towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals.While they were there, the board members stopped by a UNFPA-supported birthing clinic, where they learned the difference that centres like this one have been making in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates.



“Many of the issues to do with poverty, and how poverty limits your choices, are almost universal,” said Ugochi Daniels, Country Representative in the Philippines for UNFPA.
Among other coordinated efforts, the World Food Programme is helping set up seedling nurseries as part of a series of agro-forestry initiatives, while a UNDP-supported initiative aims to develop a culture of peace within the country’s security forces.
During the visit, the Executive Board members split into three groups in order to see as many projects as possible. One toured projects in Mindanao – the second largest island in the Philippines – while a second visited Maguindanao, a province struggling with the after-effects of conflict. The third visited Albay, a province suffering the combined effects of natural disasters, including volcanic eruptions and typhoons, as well as the impact of climate change.
Problems in the Philippines, as in other parts of the world, are not restricted to rural areas. The UN delegation’s itinerary included a visit to one of the poorest districts of Metro Manila, the most populous urban area in the country.
Here, a conditional cash transfer programme is helping some of the most vulnerable families by providing them with financial support in return for completing parent skills training. In an emotional meeting during the visit, mothers told tearful stories of how their lives were being transformed by the scheme. 
It was a message echoed by many others throughout visit. In Mindanao, mothers Analuz Madanding and Gene Datuin said a newly built, UNICEF-supported early childhood centre had already had a profound effect.
“Before, we only had a hut to meet in,” said Ms. Datuin, cuddling her two-month-old baby. Now they were getting real help in caring for their families, she explained, as her older children played happily and noisily in the pre-school class on the other side of the room.


At a neighbouring health centre, staff were caring for the province’s newest citizen, a baby boy born just three hours earlier. Rosalina Roxas, a rural health midwife, was able to tell the visitors how equipment and training from UNICEF was helping the centre fulfil its aim to provide a safe pregnancy and delivery experience. “To have happy mums and happy  babies, that’s our vision,” she said.



As the visit drew to a close, the visiting UN agency Executive Board members were in no doubt about the successes they had seen, as well as the challenges that lay ahead.

“I see a firm commitment here from people on the ground,” said Gillian Joseph, Vice President of the UNICEF Executive Board and First Secretary of Antigua and Barbuda, adding that her message when she returns to headquarters in New York would be one of continued support.