News

Our news page provides you with a round up of UN news related to economic development, humanitarian aid, climate change, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). You will find the summary of news articles together with a link to the news source.

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‘Full scale’ humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ethiopia’s Tigray: UNHCR

17 Nov 2020

A “full-scale humanitarian crisis” is unfolding as thousands of refugees flee ongoing fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray region each day to seek safety in eastern Sudan, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reported on Tuesday. 

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Rising hunger, ‘an outrage in a world of plenty’: Guterres

16 Nov 2020

“Hunger is an outrage in a world of plenty”, the UN chief told the governing body of the Organization’s food agency on Monday, highlighting the important role of food security in cementing peace.   

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Climate change: UN chief calls for ‘great leap’ towards carbon neutrality

16 Nov 2020

As countries work to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic, they also have the chance to “get it right” on climate change, the UN Secretary-General told a virtual gathering of influential leaders on Monday. 

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New Asian trade bloc could play key role in driving investment 

16 Nov 2020

A new trade bloc covering a huge swathe of the Asia-Pacific region will play an important role in developing poorer economies and in post-pandemic stimulus, according to a report published on Monday by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).  

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A deep dive into Zero Hunger: the seaweed revolution

14 Nov 2020

If just two per cent of the Ocean were to be sustainably farmed, the world could easily be fed, according to experts. In the first story of a two-part series looking at the opportunities and challenges facing Ocean farming, we take a look at the huge potential role of seaweed in mitigating climate change, cutting marine pollution, and achieving the UN goal of Zero Hunger.

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Deputy UN chief looks to ‘new dawn for Mali’, promotes participation of women in country’s transition

13 Nov 2020

The UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed on Friday has been strongly advocating for the greater participation of women and youth in Mali’s ongoing transition towards a durable peace, and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as she continues her solidarity visit to West Africa and the Sahel.

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Reported Ethiopia massacre: UN rights chief warns of spiralling situation, war crimes 

13 Nov 2020

Disturbing reports of an alleged massacre have surfaced in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, amid fighting between national and regional forces that may become impossible to control, the UN human rights chief warned on Friday. 

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‘No way’ to get vital humanitarian aid into Ethiopia’s Tigray region, UN warns

12 Nov 2020

With telephone lines still cut and transport links disrupted, it is impossible for humanitarians to get vital supplies into Ethiopia’s Tigray region or assess evolving humanitarian needs, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has said. 

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Seafarers, heroes of the pandemic as shipping plays vital role in crisis

12 Nov 2020

The global shipping industry has played a vital role in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and demand for its services has limited the annual decline in maritime trade volumes to around 4.1 per cent in 2020, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said in its annual report on the shipping industry on Thursday. 

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Beirut blast aftermath: Healing underway, city needs more support to cleanse ‘deep wounds’

11 Nov 2020

Those affected by the devastating explosions that tore through Beirut 100 days ago, killing more than 200 people, remain in need of crucial support, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Wednesday. 

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UN envoy urges Yemen’s warring parties to place ‘a firm bet on peace’, as famine threat continues

11 Nov 2020

The plight of Yemenis demands “nothing less than a firm bet on peace”, the UN Special Envoy told the Security Council on Wednesday.  

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COVID-19: Slow road to jobs recovery for Latin America and the Caribbean

10 Nov 2020

The labour market in Latin America and the Caribbean faces a slow recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for “active macro policies” and other measures to promote sustainable development alongside getting people back into the workforce. 

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UN chief stresses need for greater speed to achieve carbon neutrality

09 Nov 2020

Although more Governments and businesses are committing to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the world is still falling far short of that goal, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday in his latest push for a cleaner, greener future. 

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WHO’s Tedros says it is time for the world to heal, pushing back on ‘misguided nationalism’ 

09 Nov 2020

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told Member States on Monday that efforts to tackle climate change and poverty had been set back by a lack of global unity since major agreements were struck five years ago, and welcomed the chance to work with the presumptive new US administration of president-elect Joe Biden.  

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‘Super typhoon’ Goni: UN, partners seek $45 million in immediate relief for affected populations

09 Nov 2020

The United Nations and humanitarian partners in the Philippines launched, on Monday, a response plan for $45.5 million to bring life-saving assistance and protection to hundreds of thousands of people affected by Typhoon Goni. 

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FROM THE FIELD: millions at risk in Sahel, each one with a story to tell

08 Nov 2020

Some 13 million people in the central Sahel region of north Africa require urgent humanitarian assistance, due to violence, insecurity and extreme weather events. Behind these stark figures lie personal stories of tragedy, resilience and hope.

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Myanmar’s farmers battle climate and health uncertainty

08 Nov 2020

For farmers in Myanmar, the COVID-19 pandemic is adding to growing unpredictability, in a sector already struggling to cope with the effects of climate change. The UN is working closely with the country’s government to help them to adapt and thrive.

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Climate Action Superheroes empower children to protect the planet

06 Nov 2020

Eight new animated characters on a mission to protect the planet, have been pressed into service by the UN to empower children worldwide and boost the drive towards sustainability by 2030. 

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Long-term displacement worries for families hit hard by ‘super typhoon’ Goni

06 Nov 2020

The trail of devastation left by Typhoon Goni in the Philippines, runs straight through some heavily populated areas – including places where COVID-19 cases are high, and where returning migrants are concentrated - UN agencies reported on Friday.  

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Aid agencies call for urgent action to prevent famine in hunger hotspots

06 Nov 2020

People in four food insecurity “hotspots” inside Burkina Faso, northeastern Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen, need help urgently to avoid sliding into famine, UN humanitarians said on Friday.

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Six humanitarians killed in ‘obscene’ attacks in one week

06 Nov 2020

The UN’s top relief official has strongly condemned recent attacks on aid workers in different parts of the world, demanding that those who target humanitarians are brought to justice.

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FROM THE FIELD: coping with COVID in refugee camps

05 Nov 2020

Physical distancing, handwashing with soap, wearing masks: these are some of the most basic, recommendations for slowing the spread of COVID-19, but for many refugees, and other displaced people, they can be very difficult to follow.

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Dozens displaced in largest demolition in years in the West Bank, reports UN relief office

05 Nov 2020

Seventy-three people, including 41 children have been displaced after Israeli authorities demolished their homes and other structures, and destroyed belongings in the Palestinian community of Humsa Al Bqai’a in the West Bank, the UN humanitarian wing has reported. 

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Effective disaster risk governance saves lives, UN highlights on World Tsunami Awareness Day

05 Nov 2020

Top UN officials have underscored the importance of continuous risk assessment and preparedness to safeguard coastal communities worldwide from the disastrous impact of tsunamis, marking World Tsunami Awareness Day on Thursday.

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UN and partners express regret over US departure from Paris climate accord

04 Nov 2020

The UN climate change secretariat, UNFCCC, has underlined its commitment to work with stakeholders in the United States and beyond, to accelerate climate action, in line with an historic treaty on limiting global warming and curbing greenhouse gas emissions. 

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Super typhoon Goni: Several towns cut off; response complicated by COVID-19

03 Nov 2020

Super typhoon Goni has left several towns inaccessible and destroyed thousands of homes in the Philippines, the UN humanitarian wing has said, adding that relief efforts have been complicated by the coronavirus pandemic. 

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Philippines: Humanitarians respond as millions caught in wake of devastating ‘super typhoon’

02 Nov 2020

UN agencies and humanitarian actors in the Philippines are mobilizing to support communities hit by super Typhoon Goni, which has barrelled across the country, leaving massive devastation in its wake.  

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UN ‘stands ready to assist’ in Aegean Sea earthquake tragedy – Guterres

31 Oct 2020

Secretary-General António Guterres is saddened by the loss of life and damage caused by the powerful earthquake in the Aegean Sea on Friday. 

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Sustainable urbanization critical to COVID-19 recovery, better quality of life

31 Oct 2020

Cities will be critical for the world to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and the worst recession for decades, according to the latest report published by UN-Habitat, the UN agency working on urban issues. 

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FROM THE FIELD: Planning a route to green cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina

31 Oct 2020

Bosnia and Herzegovina  is showing how even highly polluted cities can be transformed into well-planned, climate-resilient urban hubs.