Contemporary Global Challenges: Climate Change, Migration, Terrorism, Human Rights
Climate
Know the UNFCCC (1992), Kyoto Protocol (1997), Paris Agreement (2015) with NDCs, the 1.5°C target, common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR), climate finance (USD 100 billion pledge, Green Climate Fund, loss and damage fund agreed at COP27), and adaptation versus mitigation. Bangladesh's role: Climate Vulnerable Forum, adaptation innovation, delta planning.
Migration
Distinguish refugee (1951 Convention, non-refoulement, UNHCR mandate) from migrant (economic, IOM, 1990 Convention on migrant workers). Know internal displacement, climate displacement (no binding status yet), labour migration governance (Kafala reform), and the Global Compact for Migration (non-binding). Rohingya: statelessness, 1982 citizenship law, and repatriation dilemmas.
Terrorism and human rights
Terrorism definitions remain contested; know the UNSC counter-terrorism resolutions (1267 sanctions, 1373), FATF and AML/CFT, and the balance between security and civil liberties. Human rights: UDHR (1948), the two covenants (ICCPR, ICESCR), treaty bodies versus the Human Rights Council and UPR, and R2P (2005 World Summit).
Traps
Do not call the Paris Agreement legally binding on emissions targets - it is binding procedurally (NDCs, reporting), not on outcomes. Do not equate refugees with migrants, or the Human Rights Council with the Security Council. Avoid claiming climate displacement has a dedicated legal status.
Rule of thumb
For any challenge, separate norm, institution, finance and compliance - that four-part test exposes the gap between commitments and enforcement.