The sun’s impact on Earth and weather celebrated, as planet marks World Meteorological Day

22 March 2019
Climate Change
WMO/Gyuho Shin

Against a background of serious warnings against the effects of climate change, World Meteorological Day this year celebrates the crucial role played by the sun in powering all life on Earth, and in driving the weather, ocean currents and the hydrological cycle.

‘Mosques should be safe havens, not sites of terror’, says Guterres announcing UN plan to help safeguard religious sites

UN chief calls for ‘far greater support’ for Cyclone Idai response

Gender equality, justice in law and practice: Essential for sustainable development

UN conference agrees better ways for Global South countries to work together on sustainable development

Hunger, displacement and disease: 4.3 million people remain in dire need of aid in Chad

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Ferry capsizes near Mosul, UN chief offers solidarity, support ‘as needed’ 

UN Affairs

As many Iraqis across the country celebrated Norwuz, the first day of spring, a passenger ferry in the Tigris River capsized on Thursday, prompting Secretary-General António Guterres to offer the United Nations’ support “as needed”. 

UNICEF/Souleiman

More children killed by unsafe water, than bullets, says UNICEF chief

Peace and Security

A lack of safe water, is far deadlier for children than war in more than a dozen conflict-affected countries, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Thursday, in a report launched to coincide with World Water Day, marked on 22 March.

Natalia Staroverova - International Forest Photo Contest

Education critical to ensure future of forests, and reverse their destruction

Climate Change

The UN drew attention to the vital role that forests play in addressing some of the world’s greatest environmental challenges on Thursday, and the importance of tackling the issues that threaten them, such as deforestation, and land degradation.

UNICEF/Claudio Versiani

Marking international day, UN experts call for urgent action to end racial discrimination, in wake of New Zealand anti-Muslim attack

Human Rights

States must take urgent action, to “stem the tide of hate and discrimination” and ramping up of “ethno-nationalist populism”, which helped fuel the deadly shootings in two New Zealand mosques last Friday by a self-declared white supremacist, several top UN officials and human rights experts have stressed, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

UNOCHA

‘Massive and protracted’ humanitarian crisis in DR Congo can be ‘beaten back’ if donors step up

Humanitarian Aid

“Urgent and sustained funding” for a Government-led response to what is now a “massive and protracted” humanitarian crisis across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is required, said the head of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN relief chief on Thursday.

Headlines at a glance

Idai disaster: Stranded victims still need rescue from heavy rains as UN scales up response

Service and Sacrifice: Malaysian peacekeepers in Lebanon proud to serve their homeland and the United Nations

‘Growing alarm’ over Fall Armyworm advance, with cash crops ‘under attack’ across Asia

Global South cooperation ‘vital’ to climate change fight, development, Guterres tells historic Buenos Aires summit

UN allocates $20 million in emergency funding, as Cyclone Idai disaster unfolds

Venezuela: ‘A worrying destabilizing factor in the region’, Bachelet tells Human Rights Council

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