News
‘Africa has both the energy and the determination’ to make sustainable development happen, says UN deputy chief
26 February 2020
The United Nations and the African Union (AU) should do more to ensure all Africans see their futures in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)and the goals of Africa’s Agenda 2063, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said on Tuesday in Z
UN study projects $32 billion loss for UK post no-deal Brexit
26 February 2020
The United Kingdom (UK) risks losing up to 14 per cent of its exports to the European Union (EU) in a so-called “no-deal” Brexit, according to a new study by the UN Conference on Trade, Investment and Development (UNCTAD).
A UN-backed boost for women-run businesses in the developing world
26 February 2020
Many women running small businesses in emerging markets have to juggle their business objectives with family obligations and personal savings goals.
‘It’s your future to define’, says UN deputy chief, urging young African leaders to push for Global Goals
25 February 2020
Meeting in Zimbabwe with young leaders from across the African continent,UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on Monday encouraged the lively gathering to “use your youth power, for it’s your future to define”, telling them to use technology
One in three Venezuelans not getting enough to eat, UN study finds
25 February 2020
Hyperinflation in Venezuela means that roughly one-third of the population – more than nine million people – do not get enough to eat and are in need of assistance, according to estimates published on Tuesday by the World Food Programme (WFP).
More funding needed to combat locust swarms ‘unprecedented in modern times’
25 February 2020
Along with climate shocks, conflict and acute food insecurity, the East Africa region now faces a hunger threat from desert locusts, top UN relief officials warned on Tuesday, saying action now, will avert a major food crisis later.
Biodiversity ‘fundamental’ for global food systems, at “heart’ of development – UN agriculture chief
24 February 2020
Because the production of everything we eat transforms the environment, the United Nations agriculture chief told a high-level UN meeting on biodiversity that careful discussions are needed to decide on the scale of acceptable transformations.
Climate change takes toll on Zimbabwe’s natural habitat, UN deputy chief observes
23 February 2020
Alongside the human population, Africa’s animals are suffering greatly from the effects of climate change, United Nations Deputy Secretary General Amina Mahommed saw first-hand on Sunday in Zimbabwe.
Ten new migratory species protected under global wildlife agreement
22 February 2020
Asian elephants, jaguars and great Indian bustards were among 10 new species added to a global wildlife agreement on Saturday.
Ten new migratory species protected under global wildlife agreement
22 February 2020
Asian elephants, jaguars and great Indian bustards were among 10 new species added to a global wildlife agreement on Saturday.
UN chief appeals for end to Syria’s ‘man-made humanitarian nightmare’
21 February 2020
In a tersely delivered statement on Friday, the UN Secretary-General appealed for an end to the “man-made humanitarian nightmare” currently unfolding in Syria, where ongoing military operations in the north-west have displaced hundreds of thousand
On World Social Justice Day, the UN labour agency says ‘put people and planet first'
20 February 2020
Reduce inequality around the world, the United Nations labour agency urged on Thursday, World Social Justice Day.
More than $1 billion pledged for post-earthquake recovery in Albania
20 February 2020
The international community has pledged $1.25 billion to help Albania recover from a devastating earthquake during a European Union-led donors’ conference in Brussels.
At Stockholm road safety summit, UN officials join global call to end ‘scourge’ of preventable deaths
19 February 2020
Road traffic accidents take some 1.35 million lives every year and cost most countries three per cent of their gross domestic product, the top UN health official said on Wednesday as the Third Global Ministerial Conference On Road Safety kicked of
Millions of children and families in Niger struggle as humanitarian needs mount – UNICEF
19 February 2020
Malnutrition, disease, floods, droughts and displacement in Niger have put nearly three million people, more than half of them children, in need of humanitarian assistance, UNICEF said on Wednesday, calling for increased attention to their plight.
Security Council urged to find political way forward in Syria
19 February 2020
With progress stalled on both the peace and political fronts in Syria, UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen urged ambassadors in the Security Council on Wednesday to “put their weight” into finding a solution to end nearly nine years of conflict.
Yemen: Recent uptick in fighting contradicts desire for peace
18 February 2020
A recent escalation in fighting between warring parties in Yemen contradicts their stated desire to peacefully end nearly five years of conflict, UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths said in a briefing to the Security Council on Tuesday.
Amid ‘horrifying’ new level of violence in north-west Syria, UN relief chief says ceasefire is the only option
17 February 2020
The crisis in north-west Syria has reached a “horrifying new level”, the UN Humanitarian Affairs chief warned on Monday.
Amid global ‘learning crisis’, Parliaments can ensure adequate resources for education, says UN Assembly President
17 February 2020
Education is the “great equalizer” and Parliaments have a major role to play in scaling up action to ensure that adequate financial resources are allocated to education, girls’ education and technical and vocational training throughout in national
Protecting migratory species in a rapidly changing world
17 February 2020
Many animals – including birds, fish and mammals – migrate along set routes in search of food or breeding grounds. How best to protect them in a rapidly changing world is the focus of a major UN wildlife meeting which opened in Gandhinagar, India,
In Pakistan, Guterres urges world to step up climate action, praises support to Afghan refugees
16 February 2020
UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday began a three-day visit to Pakistan, recognizing the country’s decades of “outstanding generosity and solidarity” as one of the world’s largest hosts of refugees, and highlighting its place in confro
World Urban Forum ends with call for united action to ensure sustainable future for cities and towns
14 February 2020
The premier international gathering on the future of cities wrapped up on Thursday in Abu Dhabi with delegates urging action on all aspects of rapid urbanization, recognizing that an increasingly urbanized world is a ‘transformative force’ that ca
Vital Idlib aid deliveries resume after ‘heavy bombing’ - WFP
14 February 2020
Urgently-needed aid deliveries to embattled civilians in north-west Syria have started again after a day-long break in distributions caused by escalating hostilities, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday.
Mobile game aims to bridge gap between citizens and leaders on climate action
13 February 2020
Millions of people worldwide will get to share their views on climate action through a UN campaign launched on Thursday aimed at connecting them with Governments and policy makers.
Ai Wei Wei sculpture celebrates pedal power, as Urban Forum continues in Abu Dhabi
12 February 2020
“You can walk down to the sculpture,” said the guide, “or,” and he paused to pique interest, “you can use one of these new public bicycles and follow the bike lane.” He gestured enticingly at a row of brand new, green, semi-electric bicycles.
$683 million appeal to deliver reproductive health services, where they’re most needed
11 February 2020
With more than half of all maternal deaths occuring in countries affected by humanitarian crises and fragility, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) is calling for greater international support to provide life-saving reproductive health and protection s
‘Don’t forget Madagascar’s children’, UN appeals for long-term help as emergency worsens
11 February 2020
Since 2012, the plight of children in Madagascar has not improved and is in many cases getting worse, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
Victim-centred laws ‘paramount’ to combat online sexual abuse against children
11 February 2020
Comprehensive national strategies are urgently needed to prevent child sexual abuse online and other Internet issues for children, independent UN human rights experts said on Tuesday, Safer Internet Day.
With science ‘held back by a gender gap’, Guterres calls for more empowerment for women and girls
10 February 2020
Fewer than 30 per cent of the world’s scientific researchers are women: that’s just one of the statistics showing how many challenges remain for women and girls in the scientific field, as the world marks the International Day of Women and Girls i
Act now to prevent Desert Locust catastrophe in Horn of Africa: UN agencies
10 February 2020
With the rainy season fast approaching, countries in the Horn of Africa are in a race against time to tackle a Desert Locust invasion amidst ongoing humanitarian challenges, the United Nations warned on Monday.