Global

Collen Vixen Kelapile of Botswana, the newly-elected President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
UN Photo/Mark Garten

New ECOSOC President aims to maximize ‘reach, relevance and impact’

23 July 2021
SDGs

The role of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in promoting development has become “even more critical” as a way of guiding and informing the COVID-19 pandemic response worldwide, Collen Vixen Kelapile said on Friday, speaking for the first time as the UN body’s president. 

A farmer in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has received agricultural training, tools, and seeds from FAO.
© WFP/Arete/Fredrik Lerneryd

FAO head urges G20 to invest in a healthy planet for healthy food

22 July 2021
Climate and Environment

The head of the UN food relief agency called on the world’s richest nations on Thursday to invest more in sustainable living, to feed the world’s growing population.
 

Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa speaks at the General Assembly’s informal plenary meeting for Nelson Mandela International Day.
UN Photo/Loey Felipe

Nelson Mandela: 'Synonymous with the fight for justice and equality'

21 July 2021
Human Rights

Celebrating what would have been Nelson Mandela’s 102nd birthday on Wednesday, the UN deputy chief hailed the man who led the struggle that ended the racist apartheid system in his native South Africa as exemplifying “courage, compassion and an unwavering commitment to social justice and equality”.   

The United Nations recognizes chess as a global game that promotes fairness, inclusion and mutual respect,
Unsplash/Jeshoots

Chess calms nerves, improves mental health amidst COVID crisis

20 July 2021
Health

Marking World Chess Day on Tuesday, the UN is celebrating the fact that while COVID-19 has forced most sports to scale down, this ancient game of intellect, not brute strength, has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability throughout months of lockdown worldwide.

The UN says it's concerned about the potential misuse of surveillance technology to illegally undermine people’s human rights.
Unsplash/Chris Yang

Pegasus: Human rights-compliant laws needed to regulate spyware

19 July 2021
Human Rights

The UN human rights chief on Monday said the apparent widespread use of Pegasus spy software to illegally undermine the rights of those under surveillance, including journalists and politicians, was “extremely alarming” and confirmed “some of the worst fears” surrounding the potential misuse of such technology. 

A garment worker inspects clothing in a factory in Nicaragua.
ILO Photo/Marcel Crozet

Fewer women than men will regain work during COVID-19 recovery: ILO 

19 July 2021
Women

Fewer women will regain jobs lost to the COVID-19 pandemic during the recovery period, than men, according to a new study released on Monday by the UN’s labour agency.  

Nelson Mandela International Day recognizes his struggle for democracy and a culture of peace throughout the world.
Unsplash/John-Paul Henry

Call for ‘dignity, equality, justice and human rights’ rings out on Mandela Day 

18 July 2021
Human Rights

Nelson Mandela International Day is an opportunity to reflect on the life and legacy of “a legendary global advocate for dignity, equality, justice and human rights”, the UN chief said on Sunday.  

One in three prisoners worldwide is being held without a trial, according to UNODC. (file)
Unsplash/Matthew Ansley

Prison population surge triggers overcrowding, COVID casualties

16 July 2021
Human Rights

One in three prisoners around the world is being held without having stood trial or been found guilty by any court, according to a new study published on Friday by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). 

Security and humanitarian challenges plague Mali, considered the UN's most dangerous peacekeeping mission.
UN Photo/Marco Dormino

UN deputy chief warns of ‘hurricane of humanitarian crises’ 

16 July 2021
Humanitarian Aid

There is a “bloody surge” impacting humanitarian crises around the world, with civilians in conflict zones paying the highest price, the UN deputy chief told the Security Council on Friday. 

The UN Convention on Biological Diversity aims to provide solutions to help humans live 'in harmony with nature' in places like the Amazon forest in Brazil.
IMF/Raphael Alves

UN body unveils new plan to end ecological destruction, ‘preserve and protect nature’

13 July 2021
Climate and Environment

Equitably “redirecting, repurposing or eliminating incentives” that harm biodiversity by at least $500 billion per year is just one of the 21 ambitious targets of a new draft agreement released by a UN body in the lead up to the landmark November climate conference, COP26, in the United Kingdom.