Millions remain invisible – but Asia-Pacific leaders pledge change by 2030

Millions remain invisible – but Asia-Pacific leaders pledge change by 2030

Now, governments have committed to close that gap by 2030. At the conclusion of the Third Ministerial Conference on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Asia and the Pacific, leaders adopted a renewed declaration to strengthen national civil registration systems – the foundational mechanisms that register births, deaths and other vital events. The move extends […]

Ukraine: Increasing hostilities displace civilians, limit humanitarian access

Ukraine: Increasing hostilities displace civilians, limit humanitarian access

Donetsk, Kherson and Sumy regions sustained the most damage, with several civilians reportedly killed, and many displaced, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at a regular news briefing on Thursday. “Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that food insecurity remains a concern in front-line and border regions,” he added. According to a recent assessment by the […]

DR Congo: Conflict survivors ‘have been through hell,’ says UN aid chief

DR Congo: Conflict survivors ‘have been through hell,’ says UN aid chief

Speaking from the Goma region, whose main city was overrun by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in January, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher explained that people had suffered “decades of trauma”. The last few months have been “particularly horrific for so many”, he added, referring to the lawless fall-out from heavy fighting this year between the […]

UN rights office sounds the alarm over forced displacement in the West Bank

UN rights office sounds the alarm over forced displacement in the West Bank

Israeli authorities have stepped up measures to transfer large numbers of people from long-standing Palestinian towns and communities, according to OHCHR’s office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. On 18 June, the High Planning Council in the Israeli Civil Administration issued a directive to reject all building and planning permits submitted by Palestinians in Masafer Yatta, […]

Upcoming elections ‘crucial opportunity’ for Central African Republic, UN top official tells Security Council

Upcoming elections ‘crucial opportunity’ for Central African Republic, UN top official tells Security Council

December’s local, legislative and presidential elections “represent a crucial opportunity” to strengthen democratic governance, promote reconciliation and consolidate stability, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations told ambassadors in the Security Council. The timely holding of presidential and legislative elections is a constitutional requirement, and the Government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to holding local elections, […]

Eighty years on, UN Charter marked by reflection, resolve – and a run

Eighty years on, UN Charter marked by reflection, resolve – and a run

Under cooler skies after days of intense heat, the run ended where it all began, at the original UN Charter – the document that launched the Organization and reshaped the modern international order – now on display at UN Headquarters. Inside the General Assembly Hall, delegates gathered to commemorate the 80th anniversary of its signing. […]

UN calls for restraint after deadly Kenya protests

UN calls for restraint after deadly Kenya protests

At least 400 people were injured, including police officers, according to media reports. The official death toll has not been confirmed, with estimates ranging from eight to 16.  The demonstrations marked the anniversary of last year’s anti-tax protests, when 60 people were reportedly killed and dozens abducted by police. This year, anger intensified following the […]

Despite the fall of Assad, the illicit drug trade in Syria is far from over

Despite the fall of Assad, the illicit drug trade in Syria is far from over

Despite the current government’s hostility to the trade, the country remains a hub for the production and distribution of the drug. During the country’s long-running civil war, the Assad regime was hit by sanctions and diplomatic isolation, and the trade in Captagon is believed to have brought in billions of dollars for the dictator and […]

Sevilla conference on development financing shows optimism for multilateralism

Sevilla conference on development financing shows optimism for multilateralism

Today, a $4 trillion financing gap is hindering progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the end of this decade. In response, the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) will take place in Sevilla, Spain, beginning on 30 June, bringing together stakeholders to advance solutions to the financing challenges threatening sustainable […]

Responsibility to Protect: An unfulfilled promise, a ray of hope

Responsibility to Protect: An unfulfilled promise, a ray of hope

Addressing the General Assembly, António Guterres said that the world is witnessing more armed conflicts than at any time since the end of the Second World War. “Too often, early warnings go unheeded, and alleged evidence of crimes committed by States and non-State actors are met with denial, indifference, or repression,” he told Member States […]

UN rights mission condemns civilian toll in deadly missile strikes on Ukraine

UN rights mission condemns civilian toll in deadly missile strikes on Ukraine

At least 24 people were reported killed and over 300 injured – including 32 children – when ballistic missiles struck Ukraine’s Dnipro and Odesa regions on Monday and Tuesday, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) said on Wednesday. The attacks destroyed homes, schools, hospitals, and other civilian infrastructure, and left hundreds wounded. […]

‘Fuel for Gaza is a matter of life and death,’ UN warns

‘Fuel for Gaza is a matter of life and death,’ UN warns

“Israeli authorities continue to restrict the delivery of fuel into and throughout the Gaza Strip, effectively choking off life-saving services for deprived and starving people,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said during his regular press briefing in New York. Conditions in the enclave remain bleak, as Israeli operations continue to have a devastating impact on civilians, […]

Iran: Return to inspections top priority for UN nuclear agency

Iran: Return to inspections top priority for UN nuclear agency

Rafael Mariano Grossi was speaking to reporters in Austria following a briefing to the Government in Vienna. Israel began launching air and missile strikes against Iranian military and nuclear sites nearly two weeks ago, and the United States carried out surprise bombing raids on three Iranian uranium enrichment facilities this past weekend. A ceasefire between […]

$1 towards a girl’s education = $3 for the global economy: That’s how development works

$1 towards a girl’s education = $3 for the global economy: That’s how development works

Every dollar invested in girls’ education yields an average return of $2.80 – translating into billions in additional GDP. Similarly, each dollar spent on water and sanitation saves $4.30 in healthcare costs. Simple math, not miracles These aren’t miracles – they’re measurable outcomes. Maths doesn’t recognize gender or infrastructure; it simply reflects the truth in […]

Bold new initiative aims to strengthen and improve the UN, senior officials tell Member States

Bold new initiative aims to strengthen and improve the UN, senior officials tell Member States

The informal meeting on the UN80 Initiative also provided a chance for ambassadors to share their views on the reform agenda, launched by Secretary-General António Guterres in March. UN80 is centred around three workstreams focused on efficiencies and improvements, a mandate implementation review, and structural changes and programme realignments across the entire UN system. Improving […]

UN urges renewed diplomacy on Iran nuclear deal, hails Tehran-Tel Aviv ceasefire as ‘significant achievement’

UN urges renewed diplomacy on Iran nuclear deal, hails Tehran-Tel Aviv ceasefire as ‘significant achievement’

Amid this relative calm, the United Nations has renewed its call for a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear issue, warning that the objectives of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – and the resolution that endorsed it – remain unmet. Addressing a planned Security Council meeting on Tuesday to try and revive the […]

Aftermath of Tripoli clashes puts Libya’s fragile stability to the test

Aftermath of Tripoli clashes puts Libya’s fragile stability to the test

Nearly 15 years after Gaddafi’s fall, Libya remains split between the internationally recognised Government of National Unity in Tripoli, and the rival Government of National Stability in Benghazi. Although a truce was reached on 14 May, the outbreak of fighting last month in the capital “temporarily disrupted UN development and humanitarian operations,” said top UN […]