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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Zambia: UN experts concerned over delay in the country’s debt restructuring

17 Apr 2023

UN independent human rights experts on Monday said they were deeply concerned over delays in reaching an agreement on the restructuring of Zambia’s debt and its corresponding negative human rights impact on peoples’ lives there.

‘Let us learn from indigenous peoples’, UN chief declares

17 Apr 2023

In his address marking the opening of the 2023 session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) on Monday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres drew attention to the ways that indigenous peoples are denied their human rights, and saluted them for the pioneering role they play in efforts to protect nature and preserve biodiversity.

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Yemen at ‘critical juncture’ in bid to end eight-year war: UN Special Envoy

17 Apr 2023

An expired truce still delivering positive results, and a recent mass prisoner exchange, are signs of hope in Yemen, but more work remains to end the war between the Saudi coalition-backed Government and Houthi rebels, UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg told the Security Council on Monday. 

WFP chief puts hold on Sudan aid operations, following death of 3 staff in unrest

16 Apr 2023

The World Food Programme (WFP) has temporarily halted all operations, as a result of the fighting between rival military groups, which led to the deaths of three WFP employees on Saturday.

From the Field: Haiti’s ‘hostage population’ struggle to survive

16 Apr 2023

Haiti’s population is being held hostage to brutality and gang violence, according to a report from the UN humanitarian office (OCHA), which contains harrowing testimony from a country seemingly in freefall.

Condemnation from UN, as fighting between Sudan forces continues

15 Apr 2023

Following an outbreak of armed fighting in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on Saturday, the head of the UN Mission in the country has issued a statement strongly condemning the violence, and other senior officials are voicing concern.

New UNESCO report reveals $97 billion barrier to reaching education targets

14 Apr 2023

Without $97 billion in extra funding, a range of countries will fail to meet their 2030 national education targets, a new UN report revealed on Friday, calling for an urgent review of financing.

Haiti: $720 million plan to support millions facing gangs, hunger and cholera

14 Apr 2023

The UN and partners are appealing for $720 million to support more than three million people in Haiti, where gangs, hunger, and cholera have plunged nearly half the population into humanitarian need. 

Chad: aid for displaced desperately needed to avoid hunger

14 Apr 2023

A dire lack of humanitarian funding has left hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced people in Chad facing hunger in the coming months, UN agencies said on Friday.

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Gender inequalities in food and agriculture are costing world $1 trillion: FAO

13 Apr 2023

Levelling the playing field for women working in the food and agriculture sectors can bring growth and help feed millions, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Thursday.

Reform global financial architecture to achieve sustainable development: UN deputy chief

13 Apr 2023

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are “slipping from our grasp” amid cascading global crises, highlighting the need to reform the global financial system, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said in Washington, DC, on Thursday. 

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Lost decade looms for debt-ridden developing countries: UNCTAD

12 Apr 2023

Debt-ridden developing countries face years of economic pain brought on by a global growth slowdown, high interest rates and reduced investment, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warned on Wednesday.

Guterres delivers message of ‘hope and renewal’ for Somalia

12 Apr 2023

UN chief António Guterres on Wednesday reaffirmed the world body’s commitment to supporting the Horn of Africa country as it continues on its path to establishing lasting peace and stability.

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IMF lowers global economic growth outlook as ‘fog thickens’

11 Apr 2023

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast in their latest World Economic Outlook published on Tuesday, that global growth will bottom out at 2.8 percent this year before rising modestly to around three percent in 2024, representing a 0.1 per cent fall on its January projections.

On surprise visit to Mogadishu, UN chief urges “massive international support” for Somalia

11 Apr 2023

Continuing his tradition of carrying out solidarity visits to Muslim countries during the Holy Month of Ramadan, the United Nations chief today landed in Somalia, where he underlined the need for international engagement to alleviate the country’s dire humanitarian situation and aid with state-building efforts.

Türkiye: Protecting cultural heritage after the earthquakes

11 Apr 2023

To help protect the irreplaceable cultural heritage of the earthquake-affected regions of Türkiye, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has delivered a first shipment of twenty containers to archaeological museums in Hatay and Kahramanmaraş.

Afghanistan: UN forced to make ‘appalling choice’ following ban on women nationals

11 Apr 2023

The UN has launched an operational review in Afghanistan, and told national staff to remain at home, following the decision by the Taliban de facto authorities to ban Afghan women from working with the Organization. 

UN commission examines threats to global education goal

10 Apr 2023

Despite global promises and progress, some 263 million children and young people are out of school, indicating that achieving quality education for all by 2030 is “seriously off track”, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed warned on Monday. 

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First Person: Passion to feed a healthier Gambia

08 Apr 2023

The majority of food consumed in The Gambia is imported, but a growing number of young entrepreneurs are starting food production companies, encouraged by the availability of UN-supported training.

Athletes score for people and the planet on International Day of Sport

06 Apr 2023

Athletes are pushing for a more equitable world, both on and off the playing field – one of the messages coming out of the UN on Thursday, the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. 

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Türkiye quake aftermath: Funding needed to stave off risks to millions of children

06 Apr 2023

Two months after devastating earthquakes hit Türkiye and northern Syria, 2.5 million children in Türkiye remain in need of humanitarian support and are at risk of falling into poverty, child labour or under-age marriage, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Thursday.

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‘Green industrial age’ can be sustainable development breakthrough

05 Apr 2023

The UN on Wednesday called for a “sustainable industrial transformation” to close the widening development gap between countries, meet ambitious climate targets, and reach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs.

New WFP chief Cindy McCain warns of funding crunch in fight against hunger

05 Apr 2023

Cindy McCain of the United States takes the helm of the UN emergency food relief agency amid “unprecedented” global hunger fuelled by conflict, climate change and soaring fertilizer prices, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Wednesday.

Somalia: $2.6 billion appeal to aid millions still on the brink of famine

05 Apr 2023

The UN’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, Adam Abdelmoula, made a passionate appeal for sustained support for the country’s most vulnerable on Wednesday, where climate shocks and protracted conflict have created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

Humanitarians launch $877 million plan for Burkina Faso

04 Apr 2023

A staggering 4.7 million people in Burkina Faso, a fifth of the population, will need humanitarian assistance this year, the UN and partners said on Tuesday, announcing a $877 million response plan to meet urgent needs. 

INTERVIEW: Olympic ‘game changer’ boosts sustainability in sport

04 Apr 2023

Measures adopted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and supported by the UN have been described as a “game changer” for future Olympic events in terms of driving sustainability in sport and fighting climate change. Tania Braga, who heads the IOC legacy department, helps host countries stay on track to score global climate action and sustainability goals. She says the 2024 Paris Games will be the first event to implement a full range of new measures aligning sport with development and climate action. UN News spoke with Ms.

Child deaths hit ‘tragic milestone’ in Ukraine

03 Apr 2023

Child casualties in Ukraine have hit a “tragic milestone”, the head of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Monday, as the UN human rights office (OHCHR) released its latest report on rising numbers of deaths and injuries in the country since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.

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WMO calls for more investment in integrated weather and climate services

03 Apr 2023

The global transition to renewable energy will require greater investment in integrated weather and climate services, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Monday. 

Republic of Korea: Breaking barriers, one brushstroke at a time

02 Apr 2023

A periodic exhibit at the Seoul Art Centre in the Republic of Korea features dozens of artists living with autism while reframing some of their developmental disabilities through the fresh perspective of empowerment.

First Person: ‘Simple dreams’ of Syrians following earthquake

01 Apr 2023

Syrians whose lives have been upended by a 12-year civil war and a catastrophic earthquake are looking to return home and rebuild their lives.