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“This report is a dire warning about the consequences of inaction,” said Hoesung Lee, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). “It shows that climate change is a grave and mounting threat to our wellbeing and a healthy planet. Our actions today will shape how people adapt and nature responds to increasing climate… Continue reading IPCC adaptation report ‘a damning indictment of failed global leadership on climate’

The Security Council voted on Sunday to call for a rare emergency special session of the 193-member UN General Assembly on Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, which will be held on Monday.  The measure convening the General Assembly session was adopted by a vote of 11 in favor, with Russia voting against, and China, India… Continue reading Security Council vote sets up emergency UN General Assembly session on Ukraine crisis

As extreme weather events become commonplace, threatening communities and economies across the world, the UN is helping policy-makers and leaders by projecting the impact of future climate hazards, and recommending the best, most cost-effective ways to adapt. “The floods have grown in intensity and turned into much stronger events that reach neighbourhoods, and areas that… Continue reading Limiting the damage: UN helps policy-makers tackle climate change

Even before the recent events that “convulsed the world” last week, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator reminded that an eight-year-long conflict in Eastern Ukraine had already level three million people in need of humanitarian assistance “on both sides of the contact line”. Martin Griffiths, who also serves as the humanitarian affairs chief, told journalists on… Continue reading 3M Ukrainians already in need – with future repercussions ‘spooling out’ before our eyes

A UN project, in association with one of India’s leading clean energy companies, is training women salt farmers in the Indian state of Gujarat to work in the solar power industry, and build a better life. Salt farming in India is hard work. In Gujarat, women set up huts, dig wells, and pump up brine,… Continue reading Women building a sustainable future: India’s rural energy pioneers

It was not surprising when Russia, a permanent member of the Council, refused to support the draft resolution. While eleven of the 15-member UN body voted in favour, India, China and the United Arab Emirates abstained from the vote. ‘Never give up’ Speaking to journalists after the session, Secretary-General António Guterres, stressed that “we must… Continue reading Russia blocks Security Council action on Ukraine

Perpetrators responsible for recent escalating violence in Unity state, South Sudan, must be held accountable, the UN Mission in the country, UNMISS, said in a statement on Friday.  Fighting between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition and armed youths, which began in Mirmir Payam, has spread to several villages in Koch, Mayiandit and Leer.… Continue reading South Sudan: UN Mission to step up patrols following rising violence in Unity state

“We will convene a series of Constitutional Committee meetings in March, May and June; and we will continue rolling out a set of consultations on step-for step within the wider issues…and on how we can make progress,” he said.  The UN official underscored that the full implementation of Security Council resolution 2585 – on humanitarian… Continue reading ‘Hot conflict’ pushes 12 million Syrians into food insecurity 

The warning comes after tropical cyclone Emnati made landfall on Wednesday in one of Africa’s most storm-prone countries and just days ahead of the launch of a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Four storms in one month Cyclone Emnati is the fourth tropical storm to hit Madagascar in one month. Reports… Continue reading Without climate action, extreme weather will trigger global humanitarian needs

Amid reported deadly missile attacks from Russia’s so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine, including the capital Kiev and other cities, terrified families have been forced to seek shelter underground, the UN said on Friday, adding that at least 100,000 people have likely been displaced by the violence.  “There have been major attacks in Kiev that have created greater fear and… Continue reading Ukraine crisis: Terrified families seek shelter underground in capital

Political leaders in Iraq must urgently overcome their divisions and work for the good of the people, the top UN official in the country told the Security Council on Thursday.  Special Representative Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert reported that four months after parliamentary elections, politicians still struggle to form a government.   .@JeanineHennis: priority should be to urgently… Continue reading ‘Political impasse’ hampering change and reform in Iraq

Despite a sustained UN-led and international diplomatic push to avert military action in Ukraine, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin did just that – triggering a barrage of reactions, beginning with the UN chief, condemning the move and appealing for peace. “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against… Continue reading Ukraine Crisis: Protecting civilians must ‘Priority Number One’; Guterres releases $20M for humanitarian support

Amid reports on Thursday that people were fleeing en masse from the Ukrainian capital of Kiev following Russia’s so-called “special military operation,” UN humanitarians warned of the “devastating” consequences of military action.  “There are no winners in war, but countless lives will be torn apart,” said Filippo Grandi, head of the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.  Civilian lives and infrastructure… Continue reading Ukraine: Humanitarians fear ‘devastating’ consequences  

Hours after diplomats took the floor at the General Assembly to deplore Russia’s actions toward Ukraine and appeal for diplomacy, Mr. Guterres said that instead of repeating what he’d already stated, his political chief would update the Council on “a number of events” that took place during the day. But before handing the microphone to… Continue reading Ukraine: Russia declares special military operation during emergency Security Council meeting

Briefing the Security Council, Tor Wennesland underlined the need for “firm action” that will enable Israelis and Palestinians to re-engage on the path to meaningful negotiations.  “There is no substitute for a legitimate political process that will resolve the core issues driving the conflict,” he said.  West Bank concerns  Mr. Wennesland reported on ongoing worrying… Continue reading Israel-Palestine: No substitute for legitimate political process, UN envoy tells Security Council

He was speaking in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, on the first day of his visit to the country, representing the Secretary-General, António Guterres.  Mr. Lacroix held different discussions with provincial authorities of Ituri and North Kivu and reiterated the need for the international community and other regional partners to support the DRC… Continue reading UN pledges more support for internally displaced persons in DR Congo’s Ituri province

“It is time for restraint, reason and de-escalation. There is no place for actions and statements that would take this dangerous situation over the abyss”, he said, calling for a ceasefire, dialogue and negotiations to save the people in Ukraine and beyond from the scourge of war. He also encouraged all parties to make full… Continue reading Ukraine: UN chief calls for ‘restraint, reason and de-escalation’

Wildfires are projected to rise by 50 per cent by the end of the century due to the climate crisis and changes in land use, according to a report published on Wednesday by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and GRID-Arendal, a non-profit environmental communications centre based in Norway.  The study found that even the Arctic… Continue reading UN-backed report warns of rising wildfire threat

“Our world is facing the biggest global peace and security crisis in recent years – certainly in my tenure as Secretary-General,” he said. Having cut short an overseas visit that included “a very important summit of African leaders”, the UN chief told journalists that “we face a moment that I sincerely hoped would not come.”… Continue reading Ukraine crisis testing ‘entire international system’ – UN chief

The island nation of Madagascar is shoring up for its fourth tropical cyclone in a month, UN aid agencies warned on Tuesday, as they outlined plans to help the authorities assist the most vulnerable.  While tropical cyclone Emnati was due to make landfall in the south of the East African State on Tuesday – on Madagascar’s… Continue reading ‘Race against time’ as Madagascar braces for 4th tropical cyclone in a month

Following Russia’s decision to recognize the independence of certain areas of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Tuesday added her voice to the UN’s growing chorus of alarm. “I am deeply concerned that any significant escalation in military action creates a heightened risk of serious human rights violations as… Continue reading Ukraine: Senior UN officials decry growing risks of dangerous breaches

Weapons exports to the military rulers in Myanmar by UN Member States must stop, the UN independent expert on the human rights situation in the country said on Tuesday. In a report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews insisted that these arms had been used against civilians. He also… Continue reading Stop weapons supply to Myanmar, rights expert urges

Secretary-General António Guterres is “greatly concerned” by the Russian Federation’s decision on the status of certain areas of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions, his Spokesperson said on Monday According to news reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin has formally recognized separatist regions in Ukraine’s east as independent states. In a statement issued by Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, the… Continue reading Latest decision by Russia violates Ukraine’s territorial integrity, UN chief says

Students in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince are getting used to being back in class after gang violence closed their school for three years. The Lycée National de La Saline, which reopened in January, is located in one of the poorest, most troubled and disadvantaged neighbourhoods of Port-au-Prince. Some 5000 people live in La Saline.… Continue reading Students go back to Haitian school three years after gang attack

Attacks on kindergartens and schools have been a sad reality for children in eastern Ukraine over the last eight years, the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said on Friday. Since the beginning of the conflict, more than 750 schools have been damaged. On Thursday, according to media reports and the Ukrainian Government, shells fired by separatists… Continue reading Conflict in Ukraine disrupting entire generation of children, says UNICEF

Special Representative Helen La Lime, who also heads the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), outlined the need for structural reforms to tackle gang violence, address impunity and corruption, strengthen the justice system and sustainably transform the economy. “The contours of a common vision shared by all, will ultimately depend on Haitian stakeholders placing the… Continue reading Haiti remains in ‘acute political and institutional crisis’, Security Council hears

Thousands of Eritrean refugees sheltering at a camp in the Ethiopian Afar region, have fled following a deadly attack on the facility earlier this month, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Friday. At a briefing for journalists in Geneva, a spokesperson the UN agency said that unidentified assailants targeted Barahle camp on 3 February… Continue reading Ethiopia conflict: thousands of Eritrean refugees flee new deadly attack on camp

With tensions continuing to mount over the Ukraine crisis, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday that he still believed military conflict in Europe “will not happen” – although if it did, “it would be catastrophic”. Addressing world leaders at the Munich Security Conference on Friday – amid an intense spike in shelling in eastern Ukraine by… Continue reading Time to ‘seriously de-escalate’ tensions over Ukraine, Guterres tells Munich conference

“Whatever one believes about the prospect of such a confrontation, the reality is that the current situation is extremely dangerous,” said Rosemary A. DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, acknowledging reports of fresh ceasefire violations across the contact line just hours earlier, which if verified, “must not be allowed to escalate.” Call for intense diplomacy She called… Continue reading Ukraine crisis: UN political affairs chief calls for ‘maximum restraint’

Reported incidents of violence against civilians fell by around 42 per cent in 2021 compared with the previous year, according to a new report released by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Thursday. The UNMISS Human Rights Division’s annual brief on violence affecting civilians, documented 3,414 civilian victims subjected to killing, injury, abduction,… Continue reading South Sudan: Sharp decline in violence against civilians

Deadly wildfires, noise pollution and other looming environmental threats could cause widespread ecological damage, and need to be urgently addressed, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said in a new report published on Thursday. “The Frontiers Report identifies and offers solutions to three environmental issues that merit attention and action from governments and the public at… Continue reading New environmental report offers solutions for ‘triple planetary crisis’

Conflict prevention, counter-terrorism and support to Afghanistan, top the list of issues on which the UN and the Collective Security Treaty Organization – a Eurasian regional grouping comprising Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation and Tajikistan – should bolster their cooperation, Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council on Wednesday. “Our founders understood that no single organization can alone ensure peace,… Continue reading Counter-terrorism, Afghanistan, top priorities for UN cooperation with Eurasian security body

Recent attacks on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia indicate how the conflict in Yemen risks spiralling out of control, the chief UN mediator for the country told the Security Council on Tuesday, as he called for “serious efforts” to be made by Yemeni parties, the region and the international community, to end the fighting,… Continue reading Sharp escalation in fighting across Yemen risks spiralling out of control

Somalia’s leaders must put aside their differences and urgently conclude a credible election process, the UN’s senior official in the country told the Security Council on Tuesday, noting that national elections are now more than a year behind schedule and women’s representation remains significantly off-track. James Swan, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the… Continue reading Somalia: Elections must be finalized amid worsening drought, Security Council hears

Amid increasing tension over Ukraine between Russia and Western countries of the NATO alliance, the UN Secretary-General declared on Monday that “there is no alternative to diplomacy.” “I am deeply worried by the heightened tensions and increased speculation about a potential military conflict in Europe”, António Guterres told journalists, in a statement at UN Headquarters in New… Continue reading Ukraine: ‘Do not fail the cause of peace’ Guterres urges

The meeting opened to approve the report of the second IPCC Working Group focusing on impacts, adaptation and vulnerability to climate change which will be added to the Sixth Assessment Report later this month.  The report of the first IPCC Working Group, which focussed on the physical science of climate change, influenced the work of… Continue reading Climate change ‘happening worldwide’ 

As Timor-Leste prepares to choose a new president in March, Roy Trivedy, the senior UN official in the country, explains the Organization’s role in securing the vote for all citizens across the small island nation, which gained independence from Indonesia in 2002, and expresses his hopes for safe, inclusive, and transparent elections. “The United Nations… Continue reading Ensuring safety and inclusive elections in Timor-Leste: A UN Resident Coordinator blog

More than 600 family members of ISIL fighters have been repatriated from Syria to Kazakhstan over the last three years, as part of an initiative to rehabilitate women and children from the country. One formerly radicalized wife who married a member of the terrorist group, has been speaking to UN News about her regrets, and… Continue reading The bittersweet taste of home: Former ISIL wife returns to Kazakhstan

In Ukraine, home to heavy industry and one of the largest coal mining operations in the world, passionate women entrepreneurs are adopting new approaches to business, putting environment and people first. Valentina and Tetiana Denysenko were forced to flee Donetsk in eastern Ukraine after armed conflict broke out there seven years ago. They moved to… Continue reading Women building a sustainable future: green business begins to sprout in Ukraine

The UN chief is “following closely” the latest political crisis unfolding in Libya, which threatens to return the country to a stand-off position between two rival authorities, following the failure to hold presidential elections in December. In a statement issued by his Spokesperson on Friday, Secretary-General António Guterres called on “all parties to continue to preserve stability in Libya… Continue reading Stability for Libya must be ‘top priority’ urges Guterres

The planet is facing the triple crises of climate disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution, Secretary-General António Guterres told the One Ocean Summit on Friday, warning that “the ocean shoulders much of the burden”. As the ocean serves as a giant carbon and heat sink, it is growing warmer and more acidic, causing its ecosystems to… Continue reading World must ‘change track’ to protect oceans from climate crisis: Guterres

Although internal conflict erupted within the world’s youngest country after independence in 2011, Radio Miraya, the news service launched by the UN Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan in 2005, has stuck fast to its original mandate of trying to bring the country together, becoming the most popular and trusted source of information in the country… Continue reading Radio Miraya builds trust in South Sudan, amid hate and disinformation

The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan said on Friday that lack of progress in implementing key provisions of a 2018 peace deal contributes to the persistent insecurity and impunity which allows violations to occur.  “There is consensus amongst key stakeholders that while some progress has been made in implementing the Revitalised Agreement, critical… Continue reading South Sudan: Political violence on the rise, UN rights experts warn

Education needs to be one of the key pillars for action by countries across the world to better protect the seas and oceans from damaging climate change, said the head of the UN Scientific, Educational, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Thursday. “If we want to protect the ocean better, we must teach it better”, said… Continue reading Teaching key to better ocean protection, says UNESCO chief

More than 30 years after the UN Compensation Commission (UNCC) was created to ensure restitution for Kuwait following the Iraqi invasion of 1990, the reparations body announced on Wednesday that it had processed its final claim, amounting to $52.4 billion in total. Around 1.5 million successful claims were awarded, out of a total of around… Continue reading Iraq makes final reparation payment to Kuwait for 1990 invasion

On the last day of a five-day trip to Ethiopia, the Deputy Secretary-General said the East African nation is in “a much better place” to resolve the conflict that erupted 15 months ago in Tigray.  “There is much more conversation and dialogue and talk around the national dialogue itself and the way to peace”, Amina Mohammed told journalists attending a press conference at the airport, as she left… Continue reading Ethiopia in ‘much better place’ to resolve Tigray conflict: Mohammed

The global fight against the shadowy, ever-morphing threat posed by the ISIL terrorist group – known officially as Da’esh – and its affiliates, remains a “long-term game” for which there are “no quick fixes,” the UN counter-terrorism chief told the Security Council on Wednesday. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, said the threat from… Continue reading Battle against Da’esh, a ‘long-term game’, Voronkov tells Security Council

Following the African Union Summit on Saturday, where she represented the Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed left on Sunday for Amhara, one of northern regions affected by the violence which erupted in November 2020, between Government forces and those allied with separatists in Tigray.  She met with a range of people, including the Vice President of Amhara, and witnessed first-hand how the United Nations is trying to assist those most in… Continue reading ‘Peace is indispensable’ says UN deputy chief in Ethiopia, hearing stories of conflict and hope

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday that he is encouraged by the recent engagement between senior Israeli and Palestinian officials. Arguing that “piecemeal approaches” to the question of Palestine would only ensure that the “underlying issues perpetuating the conflict remain unaddressed”, the UN chief urged both sides to “expand these contacts”. “Unilateral steps and illegal actions… Continue reading UN chief ‘encouraged’ by engagement between Israeli and Palestinian officials

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) must ensure civilian protection in the wake of recent deadly raids on camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday.  “Following deadly attacks last week and further attempts over the weekend, there is significant risk that other IDP sites… Continue reading UN rights office warns of risk of further attacks on displaced camps in DR Congo

That was the main message the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary A. DiCarlo, conveyed on Monday to the Security Council during Monday’s debate on sanctions, focused on the unintended consequences that stem from them, especially in the humanitarian context.  According to Ms. DiCarlo, there are currently 14 Council sanctions regimes in place around the world.  These sanctions measures… Continue reading Security Council sanctions: from blunt instrument to vital tool

Tropical Cyclone Batsirai wrought havoc across Madagascar over the weekend, the second deadly storm to batter the African island nation since the beginning of the year. Batsirai made landfall on Saturday night local time, with wind speeds of up to 165 kilometres per hour, and wind gusts of up to 230km/h. The most affected districts… Continue reading Madagascar: Cyclone Batsirai leaves at least 10 dead, thousands displaced

Forty years ago, Martha Isabel Ruiz Corzo, known as Pati, left the Mexican city of Querétaro with her family in search of a simple rural life. Instead, she ended up leading and inspiring a group of some 17,000 local environmental activists, devoted to protecting the remote and beautiful Sierra Gorda. In the early 1980s, Pati… Continue reading Women building a sustainable future: The Mexican violinist who saved the Sierra Gorda

UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, and partners are rushing life-saving aid to more than 20,000 refugees after they fled clashes in Ethiopia’s Benishangul Gumuz region, bordering Sudan and South Sudan.   Fighting broke out on 18 January in the town of Tongo – reportedly between unidentified armed groups and federal forces – and the nearby… Continue reading Ethiopia: UNHCR rushing aid to 20,000 refugees fleeing clashes

Insecurity in Burkina Faso, particularly in the region bordering Côte d’Ivoire, is pushing more people to seek safety both within and outside the country, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, reported on Friday.  The crisis is causing additional strain in Africa’s fragile Sahel region, already plagued by political instability, widespread violence, food shortages and the climate… Continue reading Burkina Faso: Rising displacement adds to Sahel crises

Lives, livelihoods, and vital crops are at risk across Madagascar with Tropical Cyclone Batsirai expected to make landfall within hours. Meanwhile, the island nation off the coast of East Africa is still reeling from the impact of Storm Ana last month, the World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Friday.  “Frequent cyclones during the agricultural season… Continue reading Madagascar: Recovering from one deadly cyclone, bracing for another

The qualities of fair play and solidarity that characterize the Olympics must shine throughout the games and beyond, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a video message to the opening of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, on Friday.  The UN chief congratulated the competitors, saying they embody the Olympic spirit of peace, mutual respect,… Continue reading Olympic spirit needed now more than ever: UN chief

Peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have stepped up their presence in the area around a camp for displaced people in Ituri province following a deadly attack this week, the United Nations said on Thursday.  UN chief Antonio Guterres strongly condemned Tuesday’s assault by Coopérative pour le dévelopement du Congo (CODECO) militias… Continue reading DR Congo: More peacekeepers deployed in wake of deadly camp attack

Following an attack by United States Special Forces in northwestern Syria that culminated in the death of the leader of the ISIL terrorist network, the deputy UN Spokesperson on Thursday expressed concern over reported civilian casualties, but welcomed any move contributing to the group’s defeat. “The UN system, as a whole, has been very united… Continue reading Concerned over civilian deaths, UN Spokesperson welcomes ‘any successes’ against ISIL terror group

At least 50 people, including women and children, were killed in an attack on Tuesday night at a site for internally displaced people in Savo, Ituri Province, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN said on Wednesday. According to the UN Mission in the country (MONUSCO), the attack was carried out by members of the so-called Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO) – a… Continue reading DR Congo: At least 50 dead following militia attack on camp

Following reports on Wednesday of civilian casualties during airstrikes on the Iraqi city of Ninewa, the UN Assistance Mission (UNAMI) reiterated that Iraqi sovereignty and territorial integrity “must be respected at all times”. According to news reports, Turkish warplanes struck suspected Kurdish insurgent positions in Iraq and Syria early on Wednesday, killing at least four… Continue reading UN in Iraq calls for dialogue following attack; civilian casualties reported

The massive volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga followed by another earthquake and aftershocks just days afterwards, has highlighted once again the vulnerability of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), a meeting this week convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has heard. The Global SIDS Solutions Dialogue, focused on the “severe challenge” these often impoverished… Continue reading Island States must bolster resilience to existential climate threats

A new UN partnership announced on Wednesday aims to raise awareness about the environmental and health impacts of microplastics in cigarette butts, the most discarded waste item worldwide.  The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Secretariat of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) will launch a social media campaign to… Continue reading UN partnership aims to combat microplastics in cigarettes

For the first time, the United Nations on Wednesday celebrates World Wetlands Day, recognizing that these fragile ecosystems make a crucial contribution to biodiversity, climate mitigation, freshwater availability, and economic resilience. A broad definition of wetlands includes ecosystems such as lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps, coral reefs, and many others; but also, human-made artificial sites such as fishponds or reservoirs. … Continue reading Wetlands: ‘Unsung heroes’ of the climate crisis

The launch of a possible intermediate-range ballistic missile by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) drew condemnation from UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday. “This is a breaking of the DPRK’s announced moratorium in 2018 on launches of this nature, and a clear violation of Security Council resolutions”, he said in a statement issued by his deputy Spokesperson, Farhan… Continue reading DPR Korea: UN chief condemns missile launch as ‘clear violation’

Following a verdict in the case of the brutal murder of two its experts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) nearly five years ago, the UN on Tuesday urged authorities to uphold their moratorium on the death penalty.  “We reiterate the Secretary-General’s opposition to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances,”… Continue reading Following DR Congo murder trial, UN calls for death penalty moratorium to remain

The United Nations’ Secretary-General on Tuesday made the “strongest possible appeal” for all parties in Ethiopia to immediately end the fighting in Tigray and other areas, in the spirit of the General Assembly’s Olympic Truce which began just a few days ago. Speaking to journalists in New York, António Guterres said that it would allow for effective humanitarian access and relief to all affected populations throughout… Continue reading Guterres asks for immediate cessation of hostilities in Ethiopia

Tens of thousands of tonnes of extra medical waste from the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has put tremendous strain on health care waste management systems around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.   

In the southern United States, WMO’s Committee on Weather and Climate Extremes on Tuesday, officially recognized a single flash that covered a horizontal distance of 768 ± 8 km (477.2 ± 5 miles) on 29 April, 2020. “This is equivalent to the distance between New York City and Columbus Ohio in the United States or between London and the… Continue reading Extreme weather: ‘Megaflash’ lightning records certified by WMO

One year on from Myanmar’s military coup, violence and brutality has only intensified, but “a window of opportunity” does exist, “to build upon a unique unity across religious, ethnic, and communal lines”, the UN’s top envoy for the country said on Monday.  Speaking to journalists in New York, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Noeleen Heyzer, urged… Continue reading ‘Window of opportunity’ for unity opens in Myanmar

The Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is taking advantage of a new initiative, to become the first UN peacekeeping mission to provide gender-sensitive housing and invest in better working conditions for women peacekeepers serving there. UNIFIL’s pioneering move has been made possible thanks to the Elsie Initiative Fund for Women in Peace Operations, a multilateral… Continue reading UN Lebanon mission becomes pioneer in gender-sensitive peacekeeping

Addressing ambassadors, the UN political affairs chief reiterated the UN Secretary-General’s appeal that “there can be no alternative to diplomacy and dialogue”.  Highlighting the “complex and long-standing security concerns and threat perceptions that have been raised”, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary A. DiCarlo, repeated that any military intervention involving Russia, or NATO alliance forces which are… Continue reading ‘No alternative to diplomacy’ in Ukraine crisis, Security Council hears

Tuvalu’s Minister of Justice Simon Kofe made headlines during COP26 this past November by addressing the UN climate conference while standing knee-deep in seawater. “We are sinking,” he said, highlighting the existential danger that climate change fuelled sea-level rise represents to the world’s low-lying island nations. The video from Tuvalu went viral. The image was… Continue reading If you’re not thinking about the climate impacts of thawing permafrost, (here’s why) you should be

As Myanmar nears the first anniversary of the military coup that saw the arrest of national icon Aung San Suu Kyi and her civilian government dissolved, the UN chief said on Sunday that he stands in “solidarity with the people”, and for a return to an inclusive, democratic society. In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Secretary-General António… Continue reading Myanmar: Voices of the people must be ‘heard and amplified’

The UN Mission in Colombia was the target of an attack on Thursday, when three vehicles that were part of a joint expedition travelling through a remote area, were approached by armed individuals, although nobody was ultimately injured during the incident.  In a statement, the mission condemned the attack suffered by its local team in Puerto Nuevo, Guaviare,… Continue reading Team from UN Mission in Colombia attacked, vehicles torched

A UN envoy will travel to Burkina Faso over the weekend on a “good offices mission” in the wake of the military coup last Sunday.  The visit by Mahamat Saleh Annadif, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, was announced on Friday, just hours after regional bloc ECOWAS suspended the country… Continue reading UN envoy on ‘good offices mission’ to Burkina Faso

Airstrikes last week by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen that hit a detention facility in the northern city of Sa’ada, killed some 91 people and injured dozens more, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Friday, citing preliminary figures.  The remand prison was run by the Ansar Allah movement, also known as Houthis, who… Continue reading Yemen: Call for independent probe into deadly prison airstrikes

Ms. Bachelet reported that this week she spoke in person with “determined, courageous” human rights defenders who are pleading for the international community not to abandon them, but to take robust effective measures to ensure their rights are protected and that the military is held accountable.  Heed the call  “I urge governments – in the… Continue reading ‘Urgent, renewed effort’ needed to restore civilian rule in Myanmar: Bachelet

 In its joint report on finance for nature in the G20 countries, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Economic Forum (WEF)  and the Economics of Land Degradation Initiative, examined how wealthy nations can better support nature-based solutions (NbS).  In addition to promoting sustainable farming and supply chains, or intiatives such as creating green spaces in cities to tackle rising heat, G20 States – a group representing… Continue reading UN report finds nature conservation funding must triple globally this decade  

“At this moment, we need the global community – and this Council – to put their hands on the wheel of progress, provide resources, and prevent Afghanistan from spiraling any further,” he said.  Mr. Guterres also outlined action for the de facto rulers of the country, the Taliban, calling on the fundamentalists to expand opportunity… Continue reading ‘We cannot abandon the people of Afghanistan’ Guterres tells Security Council

His appeal came in a video message to a ceremony at the Park East Synagogue in New York to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.  The annual service honours the memories of the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust and was again held virtually this year due to… Continue reading Pledge to ‘never forget’ the Holocaust: Guterres tells synagogue ceremony

Two separate tropical weather systems in Madagascar have left at least 34 dead and triggered flooding and landslides, particularly in the capital, Antananarivo, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Tuesday. Over the last week intense rainfall has pummelled the African island country in the Indian Ocean, sparking multiple crises… Continue reading Madagascar: Deadly tropical storms cause flooding, landslides

Violence in Yemen continues to escalate, raising casualties and spilling across the war-torn country’s borders, the Special Envoy for the country and the Humanitarian Coordinator warned on Tuesday. In a joint statement, Hans Grundberg and David Gressley said they were alarmed by the situation and confirmed that January will “almost certainly” be a record-shattering month for civilian casualties in Yemen. Mr. Grundberg and Mr. Gressley also reiterate… Continue reading January will ‘almost certainly’ shatter records for civilian casualties in Yemen

In fact, António Guterres added, when explosive weapons are used in populated areas, around 90 per cent of those killed and injured, play no part in instigating the violence.   “Civilians can suffer devastating harm both in the immediate aftermath, and in the long-term”, the UN chief explained.  According to him, many victims face lifelong disabilities and grave psychological trauma. Water,… Continue reading More than 50 million worldwide hit by urban conflict

Authorities in South Sudan must investigate a report of deadly intercommunal violence in Jonglei State earlier this week, the UN mission in the country, UNMISS, said on Tuesday.  The attack reportedly occurred on Sunday when armed youth from the Murle community carried out cattle raids in two villages in Baidit, UNMISS said, citing various independent… Continue reading UN mission calls for probe into deadly attack in South Sudan

UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet deeply deplores this week’s military takeover in Burkina Faso, her office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday. OHCHR has called for a swift return to constitutional order and urged the army to immediately release President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré and other high-level officials who were detained in the coup on Monday.… Continue reading Bachelet deplores military coup in Burkina Faso

Amidst spreading conflict and rising tensions, he reminded that the appeal calls on all parties to observe a ceasefire throughout the course of the upcoming winter games. ‘A date with history’ In the spirit of “mutual understanding, hard work and fair play”, the top UN official noted that athletes competing from around the world “have… Continue reading UN chief calls for Olympic Truce to build ‘culture of peace’ through sport

Following Sunday’s coup in Burkina Faso carried out by sections of the armed forces, the United Nations’ Secretary-General is following the developments in the landlocked West African nation with deep concern. In a statement released by his Spokesperson, António Guterres says he is particularly worried about the whereabouts and safety of President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, who hasn’t been… Continue reading Guterres calls on Burkina Faso coup leaders to ‘lay down their arms’

In welcoming positive developments across three different tracks of intra-Libyan dialogue, Rosemary A. DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, also recognized the challenges that must be overcome.   “So many Libyans have told us, the way towards a stable and united Libya is through the ballot box, not the gun”, she said. “We must stand with them”.  Postponed elections  Growing polarization among political… Continue reading Unified Libya will come only via ballot box, ‘not the gun’, Security Council hears 

Those trying to grow crops in the Sahel region are often faced with poor soil, erratic rainfail and long periods of drought. However, the introduction of a state-of-the art heavy digger, the Delfino plough, is proving to be, literally, a breakthrough. As part of its Action Against Desertification (AAD) programme, the FAO has brought the… Continue reading Bringing dry land in the Sahel back to life

Behind all these initiatives, are the young men and women featured in “From Milan to Glasgow: Moroccan Youth Leaders in the Spotlight“, a new campaign launched by the United Nations team in Morocco to empower young people to take climate action and reduce the harmful carbon emissions that are dangerously heating the planet. For the United Nations Resident Coordinator in… Continue reading From Milan to Glasgow, young Moroccans commit to fighting climate change

The UN chief has condemned airstrikes launched early on Friday by the Saudi-led coalition battling Houthi rebels in Yemen, that struck a detention centre in the rebel-held city of Saada, which have left at least 60 dead, and more than hundred injured. The Saudi-led coalition supporting the internationally recognized Government, has been fighting Houthi militants… Continue reading Yemen: UN mission warns of ‘devastating’ loss of life, as Guterres condemns coalition airstrikes

Five years after its signing, the Final Peace Agreement in Colombia is setting down ever deeper roots, the Special Representative for the country told the Security Council on Thursday, as he called on the Government, political parties, former combatants and Colombians across the diverse South American nation, to intensify implementation of the landmark 2016 accord… Continue reading Top UN Colombia official calls for greater implementation of historic peace accord

Although young people have been at the forefront of efforts to build and sustain peace, opportunities for them to make a meaningful contribution remain insufficient, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Thursday.  Addressing the opening of the High-Level Global Conference on Youth-Inclusive Peace Processes, taking place online, he urged the international community to step up… Continue reading Young people must have ‘a seat at the table’ in peace efforts: Guterres

The UN agency that supports Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, on Thursday urged Israeli to immediately halt all evictions and demolitions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, after an entire family was forced out of their long-term home the previous day.   Israeli police evicted the Salhiyya family from their two adjacent houses, according to news… Continue reading UNRWA condemns demolition of Palestinian home in East Jerusalem

One of the largest coral reefs in the world has been discovered by a UN-supported scientific mission off the coast of Tahiti. Announcing the stunning find on Thursday, UNESCO said that divers had explored large rose-shaped corals spanning some three kilometres, at depths of between 30 and 65 metres. Early indications suggest that its depth has protected… Continue reading Rare coral reef discovered near Tahiti is ‘like a work of art’, says diver

Urgent action is required to prevent further deterioration of the economic, security and political situation across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the UN’s Middle East envoy, Tor Wennesland, told the Security Council on Wednesday.  The fiscal situation of the Palestinian Authority (PA) continues to be dire, he said, threatening its stability and putting service delivery at… Continue reading Palestine-Israel: UN envoy highlights urgent need for reform

The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday said he was “delighted” to learn that “a demonstrable effort to make peace” in Ethiopia is finally underway, according to information relayed to him by the African Union High Representative for the Horn of Africa.  According to a statement released by his Spokesperson, António Guterres spoke on the phone with the former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, to exchange views on the conflictthat has affected millions of people across the country and the rest of the region,since fighting… Continue reading UN chief lauds ‘demonstrable effort to make peace’ in Ethiopia

Last year joined the list of the seven warmest years on record, the UN weather agency said on Wednesday, and was also the seventh consecutive year when the global temperature has been more than 1°C above pre-industrial levels; edging closer to the limit laid out under the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Although average… Continue reading 2021 joins top 7 warmest years on record: WMO

Although international action over the past 25 years has led to the release of more than 170,000 boys and girls recruited to fight, more remains to be done, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday.  Mr. Guterres was among senior officials, ambassadors and other members of the international community marking the 25th anniversary of the… Continue reading UN celebrates 25 years of mandate to protect children caught in conflict

The UN agency that supports Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, on Tuesday appealed for $1.6 billion to support its lifesaving work this year amid acute regional crises and chronic funding shortfalls.  UNRWA provides services and programmes, including education, health and food assistance, to more than five million Palestinians across the Middle East.  The 2022 budget proposal includes… Continue reading UNRWA seeks $1.6 billion to support Palestinian refugees in 2022

With COVID-19, the situation for women human rights defenders and the prospects for women’s full participation in building peace, has become “vastly worse”, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Tuesday. Michelle Bachelet was participating in a Security Council debate dedicated to the theme “Protecting Participation: Addressing violence targeting women in peace and security processes”.  The human… Continue reading Bachelet: Women’s participation forging peace worldwide, ‘vastly worse’ post pandemic

Authorities in Sudan must immediately halt unnecessary and disproportionate use of force against protesters, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday, calling for those responsible for abuses to be brought to justice.  Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said the human rights situation in Sudan continues to be of serious concern, with peaceful protestors killed or… Continue reading Sudan urged to stop unnecessary use of force against protestors

Escalating conflict in Yemen has seen an alarming number of air and drone strikes already this year, notably against civilians and non-military targets, the UN rights office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday. “We are deeply concerned by the continuing escalation of the conflict in Yemen. Overnight, air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition on the capital, Sana’a, are reported… Continue reading UN rights office warns over violent escalation in Yemen and beyond

The Secretary-General condemned on Monday the attacks on Abu Dhabi’s International Airport and the nearby Musaffah industrial area, which reportedly caused several civilian casualties and have been claimed by the Yemen-based Houthi rebel group, formally known as Ansar Allah.  According to news agencies, the drone attack targeting an oil facility in the capital of the United Arab… Continue reading Guterres condemns attack on Abu Dhabi airport and oil facility

Delivering the ICC’s 34th report on Darfur to the Council, he emphasized the critical need for cooperation and concrete action, both by the authorities in Khartoum and the international community.  Mr. Khan travelled to the Sudanese capital last August, just two months after taking up his appointment, where he met with Darfur survivors, civil society… Continue reading Concrete action essential to fulfill Darfur promise: ICC Prosecutor

Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, is covered in ash and dust following the underwater volcanic eruption at the weekend, but the situation is calm there and first clean-up efforts are underway, UN humanitarians said on Monday. Further afield in the Pacific archipelago, an update from aid coordinating office OCHA, indicated that there has been significant damage to… Continue reading Tonga volcanic eruption: Too soon to assess damage

Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his deep concern after reports of a tsunami and ash affecting Tonga following the eruption on an undersea volcano near the Pacific nation. The UN chief also aired his concern about the tsunami warnings that have been issued in other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United States.… Continue reading Tonga: The UN stands ready to support after volcano eruption and tsunami

Those first nuclear weapons deployed by the United States, indiscriminately killed tens of thousands of non-combatants but also left indelible scars for the immediate survivors, that they, their children and grandchildren still carry today. “The Red Cross hospital was full of dead bodies. The death of a human is a solemn and sad thing, but… Continue reading Horrors of Hiroshima, a reminder nuclear weapons remain global threat

“A child being hurt is a child too many”, said the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Iraq on Friday, following a rocket attack against a school in Baghdad the previous night, which left a child and woman injured. In a statement, Sheema SenGupta stressed that “children must be protected from attacks at all times” and that… Continue reading Child and woman injured following rocket attack in Iraq

Aid and food distribution operations in northern Ethiopia are about “to grind to a halt” amid ongoing fighting, bloodshed and a lack of funding that is making humanitarian access impossible, the UN World Food Programme, WFP, said on Friday. Escalating clashes in Tigray have meant that no WFP aid convoys have been able to reach… Continue reading Tigray: Aid operations ‘about to grind to a halt’, warns WFP

Despite a steady decrease in grave violations against children in Colombia since the signing of the 2016 Peace Agreement between the Government and FARC rebels, youngsters there continue to suffer from the impact of hostilities, according to a new UN report published on Wednesday. While welcoming a decline in violations, Virginia Gamba, Special Representative for… Continue reading Colombia: Children still ‘used and abused’ despite historic peace accord

“Genuine political will, responsible leadership and adherence to the interest of the entire population is needed”, he said. Military escalations Mr. Grundberg highlighted recent fighting, which he described as being “among the worst…seen in Yemen for years”. Grundberg to #UNSC: “The continued imposition of road closures &checkpoints across the country, as well as the impediments… Continue reading Yemen: ‘Political will, responsible leadership” needed, to end 7-year war

At least four children have been killed and multiple others have been maimed during an escalation of conflict over the past week in Myanmar, said the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday.  Last Saturday, the body of a 13-year-old boy was discovered in Matupi, Chin State, while a 12-year-old girl and 16-year-old boy were… Continue reading At least four children killed during escalation of conflict in Myanmar

Close to 10,000 people are now estimated to be held in detention following the riots. “We understand that the Ministry of Interior has announced that some 9,900 people are in detention as of the 11th of January. Now, this is clearly a huge number,” said OHCHR spokesperson Liz Throssell, briefing reporters at the United Nations… Continue reading ‘Prompt, independent, impartial investigations’ needed in Kazakhstan: UN rights office

A decade after civil conflict erupted in Mali, hopes for an early resolution to insurgency and strife have not materialized, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the country, El-Ghassim Wane, told the Security Council on Tuesday.   Instead, the UN top envoy explained, “insecurity has expanded, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated, more children are of out of school and the country has been affected by… Continue reading Mali: Security Council warned over ‘endless cycle of instability’

The use of explosives that lie dormant, particularly in populated areas, is “a persistent and growing threat to children and their families”, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday, expressing deep sadness over the death of eight students in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. The explosive remnant of war that detonated near a school on Monday… Continue reading Eight Afghan students die in explosion outside school

Amid record global displacement, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, on Monday urged European countries to prioritize the better protection of people fleeing war, conflict and persecution.  UNHCR made the appeal in recommendations to France, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), and the Czech Republic, which assumes the presidency… Continue reading Preserve right of asylum, UN refugee agency urges EU Council presidencies

The Secretary-General, António Guterres, strongly condemned on Monday the “appalling” attacks perpetrated over the weekend in Nigeria’s Zamfara State in which scores of civilians were killed.   According to news agencies, an estimated 200 people were killed and 10,000 displaced in attacks by armed bandits, following military air raids on their hideouts last week.  In a statement, the UN chief extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims,… Continue reading Scores of civilians dead, UN chief condemns ‘appalling’ attacks in Nigeria  

After a recent wave of attempts and coups d’état in Central African Republic, Mali, Sudan and Guinea, The UN Special Representative for the region told the Security Council on Monday this resurgence, particularly in West Africa, “is often the consequence of political practices that are completely out of step with the aspirations of the populations.”  Annadif Khatir Mahamat Saleh, who also heads the UN Office for West Africa… Continue reading UN top envoy: Resurgence of coups d’état, consequence of being ‘completely out of step’  

Recent airstrikes on camps for internally displaced persons and refugees in Tigray, northern Ethiopia, have reportedly killed scores of civilians, including children, and left many more injured.  On Sunday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) told reporters that some aid agencies were suspending operations in an area where a deadly air strike hit a camp for displaced people.   “Humanitarian partners suspended… Continue reading Agencies suspend Tigray aid as ‘scores’ are killed due to airstrikes 

Although everyone has been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact on young people has been “especially heartbreaking”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday.  In a video message to the World Youth Forum in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, he urged participants to help shape a better world after the crisis, in line with… Continue reading ‘Keep speaking out’, UN chief urges in message to World Youth Forum

“At the United Nations, there are two worlds: Headquarters and the field. United Nations Headquarters in New York is our mothership. In iconic rooms such as the General Assembly Hall and the Security Council Chamber, our Member States make decisions that affect people across the globe. Meanwhile, the field is where those decisions are felt… Continue reading First Person: Discovering the reality of life in Iraq

Hopes that the tourism industry would rebound from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been dented by the wildfire spread of the Omicron variant. In an exclusive interview with UN News, Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), called for new ideas to restart the sector. The United Nations… Continue reading Interview: Time to rethink tourism, an economic lifeline for millions

So-called “nature-based solutions” are an important element in tackling the climate crisis, but they also play a major role in addressing other challenges, from food security, to health, and sustainable development. Irrigation schemes enable smallholder farmers, particularly women and young people, to have greater access to water., by © IFAD/FAO/WFP/Petterik Wiggers The UN agricultural development… Continue reading From the Field: Working with nature to transform lives

1. What is the greenhouse effect? In a greenhouse, sunlight enters, and heat is retained. The greenhouse effect describes a similar phenomenon on a planetary scale but, instead of the glass of a greenhouse,  certain gases are increasingly raising global temperatures. The surface of the Earth absorbs just under half of the sun’s energy, while… Continue reading 5 things you should know about the greenhouse gases warming the planet

The Ethiopian Government on Friday freed several high-profile political detainees, a move UN Secretary-General António Guterres hailed as a “significant confidence-building step”.  Some leaders from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which has been battling government forces in the north for more than a year, were among those granted amnesty, according to media reports.  I… Continue reading Release of detainees a ‘significant confidence-building step’ in Ethiopia: UN chief

2021 marked the 25th year in a row in which the key Greenland ice sheet lost more mass during the melting season, than it gained during the winter, according to a new UN-endorsed report issued on Friday.  The data from the Danish Arctic monitoring service Polar Portal – which forms part of the UN weather agency WMO’s annual State of the Climate report – shows that early summer was cold and wet, with unusually heavy and late snowfall in June, which… Continue reading Climate change: For 25th year in a row, Greenland ice sheet shrinks 

The UN is urging authorities in Lebanon to conduct a quick and thorough investigation into an attack earlier this week against peacekeepers maintaining security and stability in the south of the country.  The ‘blue helmets’ were attacked on Tuesday night by unknown perpetrators. Their UN vehicles were vandalized and official items were stolen.  ‘Disinformation’  “Contrary… Continue reading UN calls for investigation into attack against peacekeepers in Lebanon

“Refugees are not and should never be a target”, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said on Thursday, following reports of a deadly airstrike on the Mai Aini refugee camp in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. While UN refugee agency, UNHCR, continues to gather and corroborate details on yesterday’s attack that left three Eritrean refugees dead… Continue reading Two children killed in airstrike on Tigray refugee camp

Izumi Nakamitsu also urged the country to cooperate with international body, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), adding that “full cooperation” is “essential to closing these outstanding issues.”  The UN disarmament chief was presenting an update on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2118 (2013) regarding the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons programme.  According to Ms. Nakamitsu, Syria has submitted 17 amendments and several… Continue reading UN disarmament chief urges Syria to come clean on chemical weapons 

Authorities in Myanmar are being urged to conduct a full investigation into the killing of a journalist last month, reportedly during an army attack in the southeast, the UN’s educational and cultural agency, UNESCO, said on Wednesday.  Audrey Azoulay, the UNESCO Director-General, denounced the killing of Sai Win Aung, also known as A Sai K,… Continue reading UNESCO condemns killing of journalist in Myanmar

Warring parties should never attack children or the services they rely on, a senior official with the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, said on Tuesday, following recent violence and disruption in Syria.  “Only in the past four days – since the new year began – two children were killed and another five were injured in the… Continue reading UNICEF: Grim start to new year as 2 children are killed, 5 injured, in Syria

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan, Volker Perthes, regretted on Monday the Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s decision to step down. According to news agencies, Mr. Hamdok resigned after another day of mass protests that rocked the capital of the country, Khartoum. After being detained during the 25 October military takeover, along with senior officials and political activists, the… Continue reading Special Representative regrets resignation of Sudan’s Prime Minister

Reported killings and injuries during peaceful demonstrations in Sudan is a cause for deep concern, said the UN human rights office on Friday (OHCHR). OHCHR also highlighted attacks which reportedly took place against a hospital and media office on Thursday, during which rights activists were arrested. “We urge authorities to refrain from unnecessary and disproportionate… Continue reading Sudan: Refrain from ‘disproportionate use of force’ against protesters

As the COVID-19 pandemic continued into a second year, many of the exceptional people we featured in 2021 were, unsurprisingly, health workers putting themselves at considerable personal risk to ensure members of their communities survived the pandemic. ‘We pray to God to save us from famine’ These risks are compounded in conflict zones where workers… Continue reading 2021 Year in Review: Celebrating UN values in action

Armed conflict, inter-communal violence and insecurity continued to take a devastating toll on thousands of children throughout 2021, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), warned on Friday.  From Afghanistan to Yemen, and Syria to northern Ethiopia, UNICEF denounced grave violations against youngsters in both protracted and new conflicts.   ‘Dreadful disregard’  Last week, four children were reportedly among the victims of an attack that killed at least 35 people – including two Save the… Continue reading Grave violations rise for children in conflict  

Heading into uncharted territory To avoid catastrophic climate change, global temperatures rises need to be kept to a maximum of 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels, but the odds of the world getting hotter in the next five years continue to increase. The World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) flagship State of the Global Climate report warned in… Continue reading 2021 Year in Review: Climate action, or blah, blah, blah?

According to his statement, airstrikes on Sana’a have resulted in the loss of civilian lives, and damage to noncombatant infrastructure and residential areas.  A continued offensive on Ma’rib, where at least 35,000 people have been forced to flee since September, and unabated missile attacks on the governorate are causing civilian casualties, damage to civilian objects and… Continue reading Escalation in Yemen ‘worst in years’ – UN top envoy 

Long-running conflicts continued in Syria and Yemen this year, whilst fresh unrest caused serious instability in Myanmar, Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Sudan. United Nations “Blue Helmet” peacekeepers suffered losses and injuries, particularly those serving in the peacekeeping missions in Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR). Nevertheless, the UN reaffirmed its commitment to protect those caught… Continue reading 2021 Year in Review: UN support for countries in conflict

UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR) have ousted scores of militants from the embattled town of Boyo, in the south of the country. The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the CAR, known by its French acronym MINUSCA, launched an operation on Saturday to expel from Boyo, in Ouaka prefecture, around 200 members of… Continue reading Central African Republic: Scores of militias forced out of Boyo

The UN cultural agency commemorated on Monday the 50th anniversary of its Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), which created in 1971, has been promoting a long-lasting connection between people and nature. “This is really a programme for the people, because people are part of nature…so they are incorporated in nature protection but also in sustainable… Continue reading UNESCO marks semi-centennial anniversary of biosphere preservation

Authorities in Myanmar must investigate a recent deadly attack against civilians in Kayah state, the UN humanitarian affairs chief Martin Griffiths said in a statement on Sunday. Mr. Griffiths said he was “horrified” by reports that at least 35 people, including at least one child, were killed in the attack, which occurred on Friday.  They… Continue reading Myanmar: UN humanitarian chief calls for probe into ‘grievous’ attack on civilians

Somalia has been riven by decades of conflict and extreme weather events but, says Adam Abdelmoula, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, there are signs of progress amidst a host of ongoing challenges. “I arrived in Somalia in September 2019, two decades after having worked here previously. I knew that I was… Continue reading Former ‘failed State’ Somalia on fragile path to progress: A UN Resident Coordinator blog

In the wake of recent developments in northern Ethiopia, UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday urged warring sides to seize the opportunity to bring an end to more than a year of fighting in the Tigray region.  Mr. Guterres has welcomed the Ethiopian government’s announcement on Friday that the National Defence Force will pause at… Continue reading ‘Grasp this opportunity’, Guterres says, following announcements by Ethiopia and Tigray forces

The Sea Women of Melanesia, a group of divers who give women in the South Pacific region the skills to monitor the health of coral reefs, and create and restore marine protected areas, have been named Champions of the Earth, the UN’s highest environmental award, in the Inspiration and Action category. To most people, fins,… Continue reading Champions of the Earth: The Sea Women of Melanesia

Having arrived in Libya on 12 December, Special Advisor Stephanie Williams said that she has heard “time and again the overwhelming desire of Libyans to go to the ballot box to determine their future and to end the long transitional period through the holding of inclusive, free, fair, and credible elections”. “I have also heard… Continue reading Libyan elections postponed, new date expected within 30 days

Kambou Fofana, Acting UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, made the appeal in a statement on reported excessive use of force against children.  “UNICEF calls on all authorities in Sudan to protect all children from all forms of violence and harm including during conflict and political events. The use of excessive… Continue reading Authorities urged to protect women and children following violence and protests in Sudan

The Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, has been awarded the 2021 Champions of the Earth Award, the UN’s highest environmental honour, for her policy leadership. When the top Barbadian politician stood up in front of the UN General Assembly earlier this year, she was not in a mood to pull punches. In front of… Continue reading Champions of the Earth: Mia Mottley versus the ‘faceless few’

The Security Council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution clearing the way for aid to reach Afghans in desperate need of basic support, while preventing funds from falling into the hands of the Taliban, a move welcomed by the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator as a “milestone” decision that will save lives. Martin Griffiths, who is also Under-Secretary-General… Continue reading Security Council paves way for aid to reach desperate Afghans

A picture of the Krygyz capital Bishkek, covered in a thick blanket of polluted air, spurred Maria Kolesnikova to start an environmental movement. Her efforts have been rewarded, as she’s now 2021 Champion of the Earth for Entrepreneurial Vision. Bishkek, home to roughly one million people, is among the world’s cities with the worst air… Continue reading Champions of the Earth: Kyrgystan’s environmental entrepreneur

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Tuesday expressed concern over the unfolding security situation in the capital, Tripoli, where forces affiliated with different armed groups have been deploying.  The development came as Libyans awaited news about the postponement of long-promised landmark elections, due to take place on Friday.  Appeal for dialogue  The current… Continue reading Libya: Tensions as armed groups mobilize in Tripoli

Tor Wennesland painted a grim picture of “clashes, attacks, military operations” and continued settler-related violence amidst a severe fiscal and economic crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). “It is crucial that all parties take immediate steps to lower tensions and restore calm”, he said, warning that if left unchecked, the situation in the West… Continue reading Middle East: Positive steps needed to restore calm

Ms. Mohammed spoke with young environmental and climate activists there as part of her two-day mission to the Central American country, which concluded on Tuesday.  Communities across #CostaRica are working to restore the mangroves. Thanks to leaders like Estela in Cuajiniquil, Guanacaste leading the way to restoration of these magnificent ecosystems, bringing livelihoods to families.… Continue reading The UN belongs to young people, deputy chief tells young Costa Rican activists

In Sudan, reports of serious sexual violence and the use of live ammunition against protesters at the weekend must be investigated immediately, the UN rights office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday. The allegations surfaced after demonstrations in Khartoum on Sunday, where tens of thousands had massed to mark the third anniversary of protests that led to the… Continue reading Sudan protests: Security forces in spotlight over sexual violence allegations

Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka this year’s Champion of the Earth for Science and Innovation, has spent three decades helping to safeguard some of the world’s rarest primates, including endangered mountain gorillas.  Much of Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka’s work has been in impoverished East African communities that border protected areas, where she has helped improve healthcare and create economic… Continue reading Champions of the Earth: The Ugandan vet protecting people and wildlife

“No one should expect miracles or quick solutions – the path forward will be necessarily incremental. But I hope that this coming year we can work on concrete steps towards the implementation of Security Council resolution 2254,” he said.  .@GeirOPedersen Now is the time to explore whether a political process can meaningfully move forward in… Continue reading UN envoy outlines ‘possibilities for progress’ in Syria next year

The UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan has strongly condemned the killing of a UN-contracted aid worker on Sunday, that also left another injured, after the convoy they were travelling in came under attack. In a press release issued on Monday, Matthew Hollingworth, said the World Food Programme (WFP) convoy had been deliberately targeted, and… Continue reading South Sudan: Senior UN official condemns killing of humanitarian worker

Reports of “utter devastation” caused by Super Typhoon Rai have continued to come in from the Philippines, where the UN is helping respond to urgent needs. In an update posted online early on Monday, the top UN humanitarian coordinator in the archipelago, Gustavo Gonzalez, said that aid assessment teams had reached communities in need of emergency assistance… Continue reading UN humanitarians aid Philippines response to Super Typhoon Rai

“When I arrived in 2016, I set out to go beyond the traditional engagements with governments, the diplomatic and business communities, and engage and interact with the people, and their diverse cultures and traditions. It has been an incredible journey, with milestones and legacies to build on.  In the last five years, as I applied… Continue reading I see a light at the end of the tunnel for Nigeria : A UN Resident Coordinator blog

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) is working with local communities in Indonesia’s Kalimantan forests to protect biodiversity and generate sustainable livelihoods. Traditional weaving in Ensaid Panjang, Kalimantan, Indonesia., by UNDP Indonesia Traditionally, the cultivation of natural dyes are used for traditional weaving in Kalimantan, Indonesia’s territory on the island of Borneo. These methods are being… Continue reading From the Field: Interweaving ecosystems in Indonesia

Secretary-General António Guterres received the Lamp of Peace award on Saturday, a major honour from the Catholic Church, which he said recognizes the work of UN personnel “striving for peace around the world”. Reminding that after the horrors of World War in the 20th Century, “the UN was created in the name of peace”, he… Continue reading In a world of choices, ‘let us choose peace’, urges UN chief

The initiative, launched by the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM), will not only help to improve the environment, it may also provide new housing which is resilient to natural disasters. On the International Day of Migrants, celebrated annually on 18 December, UN Haiti looks at how recycling could make a contribution towards people staying… Continue reading Can recycling cut unsafe migration from Haiti?

In a video message to the people of Lebanon, Mr. Guterres said he was deeply concerned about the hardships they are facing, underlining UN solidarity with the country.   Next week I will be traveling to Lebanon with one simple message: the @UN stands with you. I look forward to engaging with people from all… Continue reading ‘UN stands with the people of Lebanon’, declares Guterres

Intercommunal clashes that erupted in Cameroon’s Far North region over the past two weeks have driven at least 100,000 people from their homes, although the actual number may be much higher, UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, said on Friday.    In the last few days, more than 85,000 people have fled into neighbouring Chad while at least 15,000 Cameroonians have been forced to… Continue reading Cameroon: Intercommunal clashes continue to displace thousands

In a special session held at the request of the European Union, to discuss the impact of conflict that began in Tigray in the north of the country 13 months ago, delegates were told that nine in 10 people in the region now require humanitarian assistance. For a special session to happen, one third of… Continue reading Ethiopia crisis: Human Rights Council sets up international rights probe