From summits to street art to schools: Here’s how we’re marking World Environment Day

From summits to street art to schools: Here’s how we’re marking World Environment Day

Around the world, civil society groups and UN teams are hosting webinars, forums, summits and other diverse celebrations. It’s a collective effort that’s drawing together different wings of the UN from Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to UN Peacekeeping. Worldwide events On Tuesday, Qatar launched a national biodiversity database, concluding a three-year UNEP-led project. […]

UN chief urges world leaders to keep two-State solution ‘alive’

UN chief urges world leaders to keep two-State solution ‘alive’

“It is absolutely essential to keep alive the two-State solution perspective with all the terrible things we are witnessing in Gaza and the West Bank,” Mr. Guterres told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York. He was responding to a question about his message to leaders gathering at a high-level international conference later this month […]

UN chief urges world leaders to keep two-State solution ‘alive’

UN chief urges world leaders to keep two-State solution ‘alive’

“It is absolutely essential to keep alive the two-State solution perspective with all the terrible things we are witnessing in Gaza and the West Bank,” Mr. Guterres told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York. He was responding to a question about his message to leaders gathering at a high-level international conference later this month […]

In Gaza, daily food intake has fallen well below ‘survival’ level

In Gaza, daily food intake has fallen well below ‘survival’ level

Latest data simulations from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) point to the average Gazan eating just 1,400 calories per day – “or 67 per cent of what a human body needs to survive” (2,300 calories) as of May. Between October 2023 and the end of December 2024, average intake was 1,510 calories per day, […]

The world’s oceans are dying. Can a UN summit in Nice turn the tide?

The world’s oceans are dying. Can a UN summit in Nice turn the tide?

From June 9 to 13, the coastal city of Nice will host the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), a high-level summit co-chaired by France and Costa Rica. Its mission: to confront a deepening ocean emergency that scientists warn is nearing a point of no return. “The ocean is facing an unprecedented crisis due to climate […]

Top UN advocate sounds alarm over sexual violence crisis in gang-ravaged Haiti

Top UN advocate sounds alarm over sexual violence crisis in gang-ravaged Haiti

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on 21 May that widespread armed violence continues to expose Haitian children to widespread sexual abuse, exploitation and recruitment by the gangs which now control whole swathes of the country. Escalating sexual violence UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, raised the alarm […]

SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: US vetoes new resolution calling for immediate Gaza ceasefire, unconditional release of hostages

SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: US vetoes new resolution calling for immediate Gaza ceasefire, unconditional release of hostages

The United States has vetoed a new draft resolution on Gaza, standing as the lone vote against the text which called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas and others and the immediate lifting of all aid restrictions. Follow live coverage from our Meetings Coverage Section and […]

World Environment Day: UN sounds alarm on plastic pollution crisis

World Environment Day: UN sounds alarm on plastic pollution crisis

Between 19 and 23 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems annually, and without urgent action, this figure is expected to rise by 50 per cent by 2040. Plastic pollution is contaminating every corner of the planet, threatening ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. Microplastics are found in food, water and air, with the […]

‘Our worst held fears are being confirmed’: Dozens of bodies discovered in Libya mass graves

‘Our worst held fears are being confirmed’: Dozens of bodies discovered in Libya mass graves

“Our worst held fears are being confirmed: dozens of bodies have been discovered at these sites, along with the discovery of suspected instruments of torture and abuse, and potential evidence of extrajudicial killings,” Türk said. The sites where bodies were discovered are run by the Stabilization Support Apparatus (SSA), an armed group tasked with increasing […]

Haiti: WFP concerned over humanitarian situation as hurricane season begins

Haiti: WFP concerned over humanitarian situation as hurricane season begins

With roughly half the population, 5.7 million people, facing some sort of emergency level of hunger, Haiti is one of five countries in the world with catastrophic levels of hunger.   “Despite all the violence, displacement and collapse”, WFP remains in Haiti, Lola Castro, Regional Director in Latin America and the Caribbean, said during a briefing […]

World News in Brief: Aid for Syria, children under attack in Mozambique, rights-based climate action

World News in Brief: Aid for Syria, children under attack in Mozambique, rights-based climate action

Despite limited resources, the UN and partners are reaching some 2.5 million people each month across the country. In May alone, more than one million people received assistance, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Cross-border aid has significantly increased this year. Since January, 1,185 humanitarian trucks have crossed from Türkiye […]

Five humanitarians killed in ‘horrendous’ attack on aid convoy in Sudan

Five humanitarians killed in ‘horrendous’ attack on aid convoy in Sudan

The World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) condemned the attack on the joint humanitarian convoy and reminded the international community that under humanitarian law, aid must be able to move securely.   “Aid convoys must be protected and parties have the obligation to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of […]

As displacement surges in South Sudan, regional humanitarian crisis deepens

As displacement surges in South Sudan, regional humanitarian crisis deepens

Violence between armed groups in Upper Nile state and other flashpoints has crippled essential services, triggered food insecurity and worsened disease outbreaks, including cholera – forcing some to be displaced repeatedly. Roughly 65,000 have been internally displaced in Upper Nile state alone.  Access to aid in conflict hotspots is limited, with fighting and movement restrictions […]

Sudan: Rise in people fleeing to Chad as violence surges

Sudan: Rise in people fleeing to Chad as violence surges

Overall, some 1.2 million Sudanese have found shelter in eastern Chad, mostly after fleeing intensifying violence in their country.  More than 844,000 crossed the border after war broke out in Sudan in April 2023. Prior to this, Chad was hosting roughly 409,000 Sudanese refugees who had fled earlier conflict in Darfur. ‘A crisis of humanity’ […]

Five countries elected to serve on UN Security Council

Five countries elected to serve on UN Security Council

They will serve through the end of 2027 on the UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security. They will join the five non-permanent members elected last year – Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia – who will serve through 2026. The Security Council has 15 members: five permanent members – China, France, Russia, […]