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Global perspective, human stories
Updated: 1 month 3 weeks ago

Empowering women in peace operations remains top priority, says UN peacekeeping chief

Thu, 25/03/2021 - 18:55
Praising women’s fundamental contributions to peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts, the UN peacekeeping chief reiterated on Thursday that empowering women in the military remains a top priority, but to achieve this goal needs “all hands on deck”.

Drug use among older persons a ‘hidden epidemic’, narcotics experts warn

Thu, 25/03/2021 - 17:17
Drug use among older people globally has risen in recent years and countries must act to address this “hidden epidemic”, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) said in its annual report, issued on Thursday. 

Pandemic threatens lost decade for development, UN report reveals

Thu, 25/03/2021 - 17:09
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

Thu, 25/03/2021 - 16:11
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.

Myanmar: UN expert calls for emergency summit, warns conditions ‘likely to get much worse’

Thu, 25/03/2021 - 13:12
The independent UN Special Rapporteur investigating human rights in Myanmar has called on the international community to hold an “emergency” summit of all stakeholders, including the parliamentarians who were democratically elected prior to February’s military coup. 

UN staff must be protected, as they undertake life-saving work, Guterres says on International Day

Thu, 25/03/2021 - 11:22
The United Nations Secretary-General has called on all countries to support the international treaty protecting UN staff and associated personnel, to ensure all those who carry out the vital work of the Organization have the safety they need to fulfill their mission. 

UN emergency fund allocates $14 million for Rohingya refugees left homeless by massive fire

Thu, 25/03/2021 - 09:53
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 Bangladesh, earlier this week. 

Biodiversity at risk, threatens human survival, UN forum hears 

Wed, 24/03/2021 - 21:02
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’s top human rights forum passes resolutions on Belarus, Myanmar

Wed, 24/03/2021 - 20:37
The UN’s top rights forum passed resolutions condemning abuses of fundamental freedoms in Belarus and Myanmar on Wednesday, in response to ongoing concerns over the human rights situation in both countries.

Libya: UN envoy hails new national government after years of ‘paralysis and internal divisions’ 

Wed, 24/03/2021 - 19:03
After years of “paralysis and internal divisions”, progress towards a lasting peace through stable national government and dialogue, is being made in Libya, the top UN envoy for the country said on Wednesday. 

Young people help draw up UN digital protection recommendations

Wed, 24/03/2021 - 18:26
Over 30 years after the invention of the world wide web, The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has laid out the ways that young people and children should be treated in the digital world, and how their rights should be protected.

UN chief reaffirms solidarity with Niger, as second deadly attack rocks country

Wed, 24/03/2021 - 14:48
The United Nations Secretary-General has reaffirmed the Organization’s support and solidarity with Niger, as the second deadly attacks against civilians in less than a week rocked the west African nation. 

Global COVID-19 infections rise for fourth consecutive week, deaths level off

Wed, 24/03/2021 - 13:47
COVID-19 confirmed cases continued to rise around the world for a fourth consecutive week, with around 3.3 million new cases reported in the past seven-day period, the UN health agency said on Wednesday.

UN chief urges ‘clear and credible’ plans to achieve net zero

Wed, 24/03/2021 - 11:27
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. 

Human Rights Council strengthens rights office probe into Sri Lanka’s long civil war

Tue, 23/03/2021 - 22:07
The United Nations Human Rights Council has been given a mandate to collect and preserve information and evidence of crimes related to Sri Lanka's 37-year long civil war that ended in 2009.

Experts debate links between political leadership and preventing violence against women

Tue, 23/03/2021 - 21:49
Ending violence against women in politics is critical to encouraging more women to participate in public life, the President of the UN General Assembly said on Tuesday. 

Guterres welcomes Saudi peace initiative to end fighting in Yemen

Tue, 23/03/2021 - 21:23
The UN Secretary-General on Tuesday welcomed the announcement by Saudi Arabia of steps aimed at helping end the fighting and restart the political process in Yemen.

Do not use weather as a basis to relax COVID-19 control measures, UN agency urges

Thu, 18/03/2021 - 09:59
The UN meteorological agency on Thursday cautioned that weather and climate conditions, including the onset of higher temperatures in the northern hemisphere spring, should not be used as a trigger to relax measures to halt the spread of coronavirus. 

Secretary-General appoints Jean Arnault as his personal envoy on Afghanistan

Thu, 18/03/2021 - 08:12
The United Nations Secretary-General on Wednesday announced the appointment of seasoned mediator Jean Arnault as his new Personal Envoy on Afghanistan and Regional Issues, reflecting the Organization’s continued commitment to the peaceful resolution to the decades-long conflict in the country. 

‘Yemen can’t wait’, UN and partners warn in seeking $3.85 billion for humanitarian response

Wed, 17/03/2021 - 21:21
The UN and its humanitarian partners are seeking $3.85 billion to reach 16 million people in Yemen this year, or nearly 80 per cent of the population, as the country descends deeper into crisis. 

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