The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security has released the May 2017 version of Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace and Security for the UN Security Council.

Defend International is pleased to inform its members and supporters that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the historic United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030 and that the United Nations Forum on Forests will meet for its 12th session from 1 to 5 May 2017 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

In a new newsletter, Mr. Scotty Bruer, DI supporter and founder of Peace Now, shared his thoughts on justice in Syria. As the debate on the crimes against humanity committed in Syria goes on, Mr. Bruer says that we must hold leaders personally accountable for the murders, wars, and their crimes against humanity.

This year’s Global Day of Action for Stop Explosive Investment will take place on 23 May 2017. We ask our members to get involved in (1) calling on all financial institutions worldwide to end all investments in cluster munition producers, and to (2) encourage governments to adopt or enact legislation to ban investments in all companies that produce cluster munitions.