News
Put ‘people before politics’ in Lebanon, urges Guterres, following Beirut disaster
It’s time that leaders across Lebanon put “people before politics” following last month’s explosions in Beirut port, said the UN chief on Wednesday, which must serve as a wake-up call following a year of upheaval and clamour for reform on all fron
Impact on workers of COVID-19 is ‘catastrophic’: ILO
COVID-19 has had a “catastrophic” impact on workers, the head of the International Labour Organization (ILO) said on Wednesday, with lost working hours higher than originally forecast, and equivalent to 495 million full-time jobs globally in the s
UN stands ready to support landlocked nations in pandemic recovery
The UN system is standing in solidarity with landlocked developing countries, which lack access to vital trade links, and supporting them in their efforts to rebuild once the global coronavirus pandemic abates, Secretary-General António Guterres s
Violence leaves over 300,000 ‘completely reliant’ on assistance in northern Mozambique
Worsening conflict, on the back of a precarious humanitarian situation, has forced more than three hundred thousand people to flee their homes and villages in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, leaving them completely reliant on humanitarian assi
One million people share hopes and fears for future with the UN
The results are in from a massive, unprecedented crowd-sourcing survey of international opinion, launched in January 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of the United Nations.
LIVE: UN75 commemorations
On Monday the UN commemorates the 75 years of the Organization. The theme is, “The future we want, the United Nations we need”, and there is a strong focus on the role of youth, and ensuring the UN remains relevant for future generations.
Fighting drug trafficking in the Golden Triangle: a UN Resident Coordinator blog
Drug trafficking has long been a problem in the Golden Triangle, the region where Thailand’s Chiang Rai province meets Myanmar and Laos.
Survival of wildlife reserves under threat in Namibia
After six months of lockdown, the Namibian government ended travel restrictions and curfews on Friday, in light of a drop in new COVID-19 cases.
Sustainable Development goals are ‘the future’ Malala tells major UN event, urging countries to get on track
The Global Goals represent the future for millions of girls who want education, women who fight for equality, and youth fighting for clean air, UN Messenger of Peace Malala Yousafzai said on Friday, at a side event of the General Assembly, challen
Leveraging youth to shape a better future, UN announces 17 Young Leaders for SDGs
The United Nations, on Friday, recognized 17 young advocates for sustainable development, who are leading efforts to combat some of the world’s most pressing challenges and inspiring the younger generation for a better future for all.
New wave of famine could sweep the globe, overwhelming nations already weakened by years of conflict, warn UN officials
The global hunger crisis caused by conflict – and now compounded by COVID-19 – is moving into a dangerous phase, the head of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Thursday, stressing that without resources, a wave of famine could sweep the glo
Reversing land degradation can ‘preempt and manage’ conflicts
To help prevent conflicts and at the same time protect the planet, “we all must tackle environmental degradation”, a top UN official told the Security Council on Thursday.
Syria COVID spread may be much higher than figures suggest, Lowcock tells Security Council
Reports from inside Syria are pointing to a much broader spread of COVID-19 than the number of confirmed cases – currently 3,618 – suggests, the UN’s top humanitarian official says.
Protect lives, mitigate future shocks and recover better: UN-wide COVID-19 response
Over the course of 2020 thus far, the coronavirus has taken hundreds of thousands of lives, infected millions of people, and wreaked socio-economic, humanitarian and human rights havoc, the United Nations said in a new report released on Wednesday
South Sudan: Progress on peace agreement ‘limps along’, UN envoy tells Security Council
Although the transitional government in South Sudan continues to function, with state governors now appointed, among other developments, progress on the 2018 peace agreement “limps along”, the top UN official in the country told a virtual meeting
Governments urged to protect poor against modern slavery, step up development financing
Unless governments act now, millions of the world’s most vulnerable people could be pushed into contemporary forms of slavery and other exploitation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a UN independent human rights expert has said.
Ozone treaties ‘inspiring examples’ of political will, UN chief says on International Day
The United Nations commemorated the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, on Wednesday, recognizing the success of landmark global agreements in helping restore the protective layer around Earth.
Famine threat returns to Yemen, amid upsurge in fighting
The spectre of famine has returned to Yemen as donor countries fail to make good on their 2020 pledges, amidst an upsurge in fighting, fresh hurdles for aid deliveries, and ongoing efforts to nail down a nationwide ceasefire, the Security Council
Climate change: Record northern heat, fuels concerns over US wildfire destruction
The northern hemisphere experienced its warmest August ever, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Tuesday, amid searing conditions that have contributed to devastating wildfires on the west coast of the United States.
Climate change: Record northern heat, fuels concerns over US wildfire destruction
The northern hemisphere experienced its warmest August ever, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Tuesday, amid searing conditions that have contributed to devastating wildfires on the west coast of the United States.
UN report highlights links between ‘unprecedented biodiversity loss’ and spread of disease
The continued degradation of the environment is increasing the likelihood of diseases spreading from animals to humans, warns a UN report on biodiversity, released on Tuesday.
Countries must ‘get their hands dirty’ to stem COVID and prevent future pandemics
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended a world embroiled in chaos, unleashing catastrophic health, social and economic consequences along with irreparable harm to humanity, according to UN-backed report published on Monday.
A youthful 75: next generation to carry the torch for UN values
75 years on from the founding of the UN, young people are being enlisted to share their visions of a better planet, and help decide the next chapter of the Organization.
New fires at Greek island refugee camp destroy last remaining shelters
Fresh fires at a Greek island centre for thousands of refugees and migrants, have destroyed all remaining accommodation for those affected by the initial blaze on Tuesday evening.
Nations of the South display spirit of ‘global solidarity’ – UN chief
“The spirit of South-South cooperation and global solidarity”, is alive and well across the hemisphere as the word grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, said the UN chief in a message relayed to countries of the Global South on Thursday.
Distrust of public institutions, health inequities could push more countries into conflict, UN political affairs chief warns
The erosion of trust in public institutions, unequal access to health care and tensions around delicate peace negotiations, are among the risks amplified by COVID-19, which if not mitigated, could push more countries into violence, the UN politica
Science, solidarity and solutions needed against climate change: Guterres
Concentrations of greenhouse gases in atmosphere are at record levels, emissions that saw a temporary decline due to the pandemic are heading towards pre-COVID levels, and global temperatures continue to hit new highs, these are the findings of a
Greece: Devasting fire compounds overcrowding and COVID-19 challenges in refugee camp
UN agencies have offered support to Greek authorities on Wednesday after a major fire ripped through an overcrowded refugee camp overnight, destroying dwellings and forcing thousands to flee, many reportedly suffering from smoke inhalation.
Under ‘extraordinary circumstances’, General Assembly continues to serve the people
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Assembly has worked hard, under “extraordinary circumstances” to uphold its vital mandates, perform essential services, and ensure continuity in the name of the people the Organization serves, the pres
Finance Ministers meet to refine ‘single ambitious menu’ for COVID-19 recovery and beyond
The UN Deputy Secretary-General has reminded Finance Ministers from across the world of their duty to help countries emerge from the social and economic chaos brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.