General News

Transitioning to a “green” economy will require a buy-in from governments, businesses and employees, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The UN agency has been studying how to ensure a “just transition” to economic growth that provides decent jobs and is also environmentally sustainable.

Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo, the Minister of Labour, Human Resources and Social Security in Barbados, recently chaired an ILO expert meeting on the subject.

Although Africa is on the path to economic development and greater integration, conflict continues to be a “big obstacle” to progress, according to a senior officer with a regional organization on the continent.

Daniel Yifru Sentayehu, Senior Peace and Security Adviser at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), is in New York for Africa Week at UN Headquarters.

Unmanned-drones used for civilian protection could be taking to the skies of South Sudan following changes to the UN mission’s mandate there.

The world’s youngest nation has been wracked by civil war for the past 18 months, which has left thousands dead, and displaced more than two million people.

More than 200,000 civilians are currently sheltering inside UN bases.

It’s all about Africa as Africa Week kicks off this Monday at UN Headquarters in New York.

During this special week the UN showcases the continent’s advancement.

It’s also an opportunity to look at ongoing and emerging challenges.

Raul De Melo Cabral is Director of the Advocacy Branch in the Office of the UN Special Adviser on Africa.

Dianne Penn asked him why it was important to devote an entire week to the continent.

Duration: 2'30"

A new approach to combating tuberculosis, or TB, has been announced by UN health experts, who say the mobile phone and the internet are potential key tools in the fight against the killer disease.

Under proposals by the World Health Organization (WHO) and partner the European Respiratory Society (ERS), national governments will be encouraged to use so-called “digital health” solutions to share life-saving information about TB with medical staff.

Africa’s plan to create a free trade zone across the continent will be fully supported by the UN, according to a senior official working on African issues.

Political leaders have set the target of 2017 for the Continental Free Trade Agreement to be implemented.

It’s one of the issues that are expected to be discussed during Africa Week 2015, which is getting underway at the UN on Monday.

A housing crisis is looming which has left at least 100 million people living in homes they cannot afford, the UN has warned.

According to a UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) report that covers 56 countries, the problem threatens global Sustainable Development Goals, too.

The 2008 financial crisis is believed to be largely responsible for the situation, by causing a sharp increase in demand for state-financed housing, as UNECE’s Jean Rodriguez explained to Daniel Johnson.

Duration: 3’24”

The award of the Nobel Peace Prize to a quartet of Tunisian organizations has been described by the UN in the North African country as amazing and unexpected.

The Nobel Committee in Oslo, Norway, said the four civil society groups had made a “decisive contribution to democracy” following a revolution in Tunisia in 2011.

Kaouther Bizani is from the UN information centre in Tunisia.

May Yaacoub asked for her reaction to the news.

Duration: 3'07"

Young people have the power to make a lasting impact on ending extreme poverty and addressing climate change, according to the World Bank.

Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund are taking place in in Lima, Peru, where issues including the new global development goals are being discussed.

World Bank President Jim Yong Kim has been speaking to Pabsy Pabalan.

Those suffering from mental illness should be empowered to live lives of dignity.  That’s the focus of this year’s World Mental Health Day, which will be commemorated globally on Saturday.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is using this year’s Mental Health Day to highlight the stigma, discrimination and wide-ranging violations which often strip those with mental illness of their dignity.