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Updated: 1 day 12 hours ago

Cutting-edge tech a ‘double-edged sword for developing countries’: UN report

Mon, 08/10/2018 - 22:28
The latest technological advances, from artificial intelligence to electric cars, can be a “double-edged sword”, says the latest UN World Economic and Social Survey (WESS 2018), released on Monday.

FROM THE FIELD: Comoros farmers battle climate change

Mon, 08/10/2018 - 22:26
Farmers in the Comoros islands are learning, with the support of the UN, to adapt to dramatic shifts in the climate which have contributed to the deterioration of agriculture across the Indian Ocean archipelago.

‘Stronger’ effort must be made to cement peace deal for South Sudanese women and girls: UN Women chief

Mon, 08/10/2018 - 21:24
Putting the latest peace deal into real effect across South Sudan, must include addressing “in a stronger manner, the challenges facing women and girls”, said the UN’s leading voice for gender-equality, who is part of a joint United Nations-African Union delegation to the country this week.

Global warming report, an 'ear-splitting wake-up call' warns UN chief

Mon, 08/10/2018 - 04:24
A special report on limiting global warming released on Monday by a UN scientific panel, should be heard around the world as an "ear-splitting wake-up call" said UN chief António Guterres. He said the long-awaited findings show that "climate change is running faster than we are - and we are running out of time."

In Chad, top UN officials say humanitarian response must go ‘hand in hand’ with longer-term recovery

Mon, 08/10/2018 - 01:26
Senior United Nations officials on Sunday called for stronger joint humanitarian and development interventions in Chad as the crisis-riven central African country as it tackles poverty, displacement, malnutrition, and lack of access to basic social services.

Afghanistan: Civilian casualties caused by IEDs has reached ‘extreme levels’, UN warns

Mon, 08/10/2018 - 00:16
The United Nations on Sunday called on anti-Government elements in Afghanistan to immediately stop using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in civilian areas, after the UN mission in the country recorded a sharp rise in civilian casualties caused by the explosives this year.

UN ‘stands ready’ to support Haiti after earthquake hits northern coast – Guterres

Sun, 07/10/2018 - 18:55
In the wake of the 5.9 magnitude earthquake that struck north-west Haiti overnight, Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday extended condolence to the island nations’ people and Government, and said the United Nations stands ready to help with the response.

Restore hope that peace will come to the Middle East, UN negotiator urges Security Council

Fri, 21/09/2018 - 00:14
Negative humanitarian, security and political developments in Gaza outweigh any positive news concerning the search for peace in the Middle East, the United Nations negotiator for the process has said, urging the international community to help restore hope that a solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict can be found.

Adjust UN force in Abyei to current realities, peacekeeping chief urges Security Council

Thu, 20/09/2018 - 23:49
Amidst an increase in criminal activity in the Abyei area, which is contested by Sudan and South Sudan, the United Nations top peacekeeping official on Thursday called for deployment of additional police units, to enhance the UN’s focus on maintaining law and order there, and furthering peace between local communities.  

UN chief seeking ‘renewed commitment’ to global rules and values, as world leaders head to New York

Thu, 20/09/2018 - 22:12
UN chief António Guterres on Thursday called for a “renewed commitment to a rules-based global order” and to the organization he leads, highlighting his key themes for discussion during the High-Level week of the General Assembly, beginning on Monday.

Globally, youth are the largest poverty-stricken group, says new UN report

Thu, 20/09/2018 - 22:02
Half of all people living in poverty are younger than 18 years old, according to estimates from a new report released on Thursday by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and partners.

Conflicts and extreme climate change threatens access to food in 39 countries – UN agriculture report

Thu, 20/09/2018 - 21:28
Unrelenting conflict and rapid climate change is continuing to reshape agriculture across the world, and contributing to major food shortages across 39 countries, which continue to rely on help from the United Nations to meet their food needs, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Thursday.

Idlib deal could save three million ‘from catastrophe’ says UN chief, as militants are urged to lay down arms

Thu, 20/09/2018 - 19:14
A deal reached between Russia and Turkey to create a demilitarized buffer zone protecting citizens “from catastrophe” in Syria’s Idlib region is a welcome development, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Thursday, before urging all parties to make a “strong commitment” to it.

6 things to know about the General Assembly as UN heads into high level week

Thu, 20/09/2018 - 17:56
Every year, in September, global leaders and change-makers gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York for two weeks, to discuss the burning issues of our time and set the global agenda for the year ahead. The 73rd session of the UN General Assembly opened this week and the body’s annual high-level segment – formally known as the ‘general debate’ – begins on Tuesday, 25 September, where every country’s leader gets to address the world.

It’s ‘time for concrete action’ says UN chief, welcoming inter-Korean agreement

Thu, 20/09/2018 - 16:56
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, on Thursday welcomed the outcome of the third inter-Korean summit this year, and the “important agreements” contained in the Pyongyang Joint Declaration, issued by the leaders of the two Koreas.

Indigenous peoples ‘lag behind on all social and economic indicators’: UN deputy human rights chief

Wed, 19/09/2018 - 19:01
Progress that destroys traditional culture, language, land and human heritage “is not development, but willful destruction”, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Wednesday, in defence of indigenous peoples everywhere.

A third of world’s out-of-school youth live in conflict, disaster-affected countries: UNICEF report

Wed, 19/09/2018 - 18:45
Childhood is a time for growth, a time for school. But conflict or disaster are depriving 104 million young people between the ages of five and 17 of that foundation, according to a new study by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

South-South Cooperation Day focuses in on sustainable development, a ‘new phase of cooperation’

Wed, 12/09/2018 - 23:15
As part of the 40th anniversary of the International Day for South-South Cooperation, the United Nations drew together on Wednesday, more than 100 best-practices developed in the countries of the Global South, which embody the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Artificial Intelligence: a danger to mankind, or the key to a better world?

Wed, 12/09/2018 - 22:28
Siri, Alexa and Cortana are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Artificial Intelligence (or A.I.), which is playing an increasingly pervasive role in our lives.

Economy and living standards of Gaza ‘eviscerated’ by crippling blockade – UN trade and development report

Wed, 12/09/2018 - 22:26
The Occupied Palestinian Territory now suffers the highest unemployment rate in the world, with incomes and agricultural production going down, the United Nations trade and development agency said on Wednesday, noting that women and young people were worst affected, as the Israeli occupation continues.

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