Global

People in sanction-targeted countries like Venezuela sink into poverty because they cannot get the essential services they need.
OCHA/Gema Cortes

Punishment of ‘innocent civilians’ through government sanctions must end: UN experts 

11 August 2021
Economic Development

Unilateral coercive measures by some governments are denying many people around the world the right to personal development, as well as holding back sustainable national development, four independent UN human rights experts said on Wednesday. 

Indigenous authorities in Tarapacá, Colombia, were consulted with before COVID vaccinations began.
OPS Colombia/Karen González Abr

End inequalities, recognize abuses, UN chief says on International Day of Indigenous Peoples

9 August 2021
Human Rights

Although some countries have begun to rectify their “heinous legacy” of discrimination against indigenous people, more action is still needed, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday. 

A wildfire burns in a national park in Oregon, USA.
Unsplash/Marcus Kauffman

IPCC report: ‘Code red’ for human driven global heating, warns UN chief

9 August 2021
Climate and Environment

Climate change is widespread, rapid, and intensifying, and some trends are now irreversible, at least during the present time frame, according to the latest much-anticipated Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, released on Monday.

The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines can help stem the pandemic, but only if everyone, everywhere is inoculated as quickly as possible.
© UNICEF/Jake Verzosa

COVID-19 vaccine equality, ‘most pressing issue of our times’ – UN chief

5 August 2021
Health

The remarkable and rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines offers “great hope” that the devastating pandemic can be overcome, the UN chief told the first International Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine Cooperation on Thursday, but everyone must be reached everywhere, “as quickly as possible”. 

A woman sews face masks to sell during the COVID-19 crisis in South Africa.
IMF Photo/James Oatway

Latest COVID-19 data confirms infections have risen globally for four consecutive weeks

4 August 2021
Health

COVID-19 infections have continued to rise globally for more than a month now, with over four million cases reported in the past week alone, the UN health agency said on Wednesday. 

Disabled Liberian atheletes push their wheelchairs forward at the start of a 10k mini marathon for disabled persons in downtown Monrovia, Liberia (file photo).
UNMIL/Staton Winter

Lace up and join the UN to help win #TheHumanRace against climate change

2 August 2021
Humanitarian Aid

The United Nations is encouraging everyone across the world to participate in the literal race against the climate emergency. 

An eight-year-old girl hides her face at a UNICEF-supported centre in Haiti that provides temporary care and support for trafficked children while authorities search for their parents. (file)
UNICEF/Marco Dormino

Human trafficking: UN chief calls for action as COVID leaves ‘many millions’ more vulnerable

29 July 2021
Law and Crime Prevention

UN Secretary General António Guterres on Thursday urged States to take action against human trafficking, where a third of all victims are children.

Nursing students posing in front of a mural in Mexico.
ONU Mexico/Teresita Moreno

COVID-19 infections rise, Delta variant spreads to 132 countries 

28 July 2021
Health

COVID-19 infections rose eight per cent last week to more than 3.8 million, the UN health agency reported on Wednesday.  

Refugees from Kosovo arrive in Blace, North Macedonia in 1999. (file)
© UNHCR/Roger LeMoyne

Cornerstone treaty of refugee protection turns 70

28 July 2021
Migrants and Refugees

It has never been more urgent to recommit to the spirit and fundamental principles of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the UN refugee agency said on Wednesday as it marked the 70th anniversary of the key international treaty. 

Two and a half million people in the Central African Republic (CAR) are facing hunger.
WFP/Bruno Djoye

Together, we must tackle growing hunger, urges Guterres  

26 July 2021
Climate and Environment

Inefficient global food production is at the root of a huge rise in hunger as well as one-third of all emissions and 80 per cent of biodiversity loss, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned, in a call to all countries to transform food systems to speed up sustainable development.