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Many countries spending more on debt than education, health and social protection combined
Around one in eight nations spends more on debt than on social services, according to a new report from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched on Thursday, calling for debt service relief and restructuring to enable countries to bounce back from
Climate change top challenge over the next decade, UNESCO global survey finds
Climate change and loss of biodiversity is seen as the most pressing challenge over the decade, according to the World in 2030 Survey report published on Wednesday by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
More climate action needed during ‘make-or-break year’ for people and planet
The world needs “a major breakthrough” to slow the pace of climate change and build resilience to protect the most vulnerable from increasingly severe and frequent climate impacts, the deputy UN chief told a crucial high-level meeting on Wednesday
More climate action needed during ‘make-or-break year’ for people and planet
The world needs “a major breakthrough” to slow the pace of climate change and build resilience to protect the most vulnerable from increasingly severe and frequent climate impacts, the deputy UN chief told a crucial high-level meeting on Wednesday
UN agencies ramp up response for Rohingya refugees in wake of ‘unprecedented’ fire
United Nations agencies have stepped up their efforts to assist thousands of Rohingya refugee families left homeless after last week’s devastating fire at the Kutupalong refugee camp in southern Bangladesh.
Plastic pollution disproportionately hitting marginalized groups, UN environment report finds
Vulnerable communities disproportionately bear the brunt of environmental degradation caused by plastics pollution, and action is urgently needed to address the issue and restore access to human rights, health and well-being, according to a new UN
Ending Syria’s war is our collective responsibility, UN chief tells donor conference
Ending the 10-year conflict in Syria is the collective responsibility of the international community, Secretary-General António Guterres reaffirmed during a major pledging event on Tuesday co-chaired by the UN and the European Union.
Grave concern for women and children targeted in northern Mozambique
Disturbing reports of targeted attacks against civilians have continued to emerge from the northern Mozambique town of Palma, marking a serious escalation of violence and volatility in the Cabo Delgado region.
UN-Habitat report calls for cities post-pandemic to lead the way to a fairer, greener, healthier future
A new report on pandemics and cities from UN-Habitat, points the way to how hard-hit urban centres can reduce the impact of future outbreaks and become more equitable, healthy and environmentally friendly.
Guterres calls on US to lead global vaccination plan effort, climate action
The Secretary-General welcomed a recommitted and re-engaged United States administration to United Nations Headquarters on Monday, albeit virtually, calling on it to play a leadership role in drawing up a global vaccination plan to beat COVID-19,
Guterres urges ‘decisive action’ to stave off debt crisis in developing world
Though significant steps have been taken to prevent a debt crisis on nations hit hard by impact of the coronavirus pandemic, they have not been sufficient to restore economic health, according to a policy brief issued by the UN Secretary-General o
‘No respite’ for civilians in Syria, UN officials urge international support
Senior United Nations officials have called on the international community to set up funding for relief programmes supporting millions of people in Syria and the region, who depend on the life-saving assistance and livelihood support after a decad
Earth Hour: ‘Make peace with nature’ – UN chief
The world began to ripple to darkness on Saturday as countries globally dimmed their lights at 8:30 pm local time for Earth Hour – an event that, according to the UN, encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential el
FROM THE FIELD: Preparing for disaster in Nepal
The UN is scaling up its efforts to help Nepal, which faces numerous natural threats, to become more resilient, minimize human casualties and preserve livelihoods.
Deep concern for thousands of Eritrean refugees ‘scattered’ in Ethiopia’s Tigray
In Ethiopia’s embattled Tigray region there’s deep concern for thousands of Eritrean refugees whose camps have been found burned to the ground, confirming satellite imagery and testimony from those who have fled attacks.
Pandemic threatens lost decade for development, UN report reveals
The COVID-19 pandemic has reversed development gains for millions in poor countries, creating an even more sharply unequal world, according to a new UN report released on Thursday.
Probe announced into alleged Tigray rights violations: UN rights office
Alleged serious abuses and rights violations in Ethiopia’s Tigray region are to be investigated by the UN, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said on Thursday.
UN emergency fund allocates $14 million for Rohingya refugees left homeless by massive fire
The United Nations’ top relief official on Wednesday released $14 million in emergency funding to provide life-saving assistance to thousands of Rohingya refugee families, after a massive fire ripped through the Kutupalong camp in southern Banglad
Biodiversity at risk, threatens human survival, UN forum hears
As the living tissue of the earth, biodiversity is “intimately linked to human health” the head of the UN’s scientific agency told a global forum on Wednesday, noting that “we are part of that living tissue”.
Biodiversity at risk, threatens human survival, UN forum hears
As the living tissue of the earth, biodiversity is “intimately linked to human health” the head of the UN’s scientific agency told a global forum on Wednesday, noting that “we are part of that living tissue”.
UN chief urges ‘clear and credible’ plans to achieve net zero
The United Nations Secretary-General on Tuesday urged all countries, companies and financial institutions to commit to net zero or carbon neutrality, with “clear and credible” plans to achieve the target, starting immediately.
UN agencies call for urgent action to avert famine risk in 20 ‘hunger hotspots’
Famine is already on the doorstep of millions of families in 20 countries, two UN agencies warned on Tuesday in a report that calls for urgent action to avert rising hunger due to factors such as conflict, climate extremes and the COVID-19 pandemi
‘Seize the moment’ to recover and rebuild better, UN deputy chief urges Asia-Pacific nations
Confronting major setbacks due to the coronavirus pandemic, countries in Asia and the Pacific “must now seize the moment” to rebuild and recover better together, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General said on Tuesday.
Inventions boom in ‘assistive tech’ offers wider benefits for all
Rapid growth in innovations that are designed to help people overcome their disabilities could soon offer a fix to all manner of mobility, sight and other difficulties, UN patent experts WIPO said on Tuesday.
Mozambique: Cabo Delgado displacement could reach 1 million, UN officials warn
Senior leaders with the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, warned on Monday of the urgent need to address the growing humanitarian crisis in the Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique, where an ongoing deadly insurgency has uprooted hundreds of tho
Oceans under threat like never before, warns World Meteorological Organization
Climate change has hit the world’s oceans hard, UN weather experts said on Monday, in a call for lifesaving monitoring and early warning services that were interrupted by COVID-19 to be ramped up again, to protect shipping and coastal communities
Recognize ‘true value’ of water, UN urges, marking World Day
The UN is marking World Water Day on Monday with a global conversation on how people value the lifegiving resource in different parts of the world, according to local needs.
FROM THE FIELD: Costa Rica communities fight duel COVID and climate threat
Local communities in Costa Rica are working together to fight the challenging combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, thanks to support from the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
Exploited and marginalized, Bangladeshi tea workers speak up for their rights
Tea garden workers in Bangladesh, who are mainly women, are one of the most marginalized groups in the country, with limited access to education for their children and prone to dire health risks.
First Person: ‘I did it, dad!’ A father's experience of Down syndrome
Millions of people around the world are affected by Down syndrome, a chromosome disorder.