Global

Participants at the Midterm Review of the Istanbul Programme of Action, in Antalya, Turkey. 27 May 2016.
UNOHRLLS

LDCs: UN calls for greater support to least developed countries, adopts new declaration in Turkey

29 May 2016
Economic Development

A major United Nations meeting focusing on the world's least developed countries (LDCs) has closed today in Antalya, Turkey, with a call for greater support to the world's most vulnerable nations, and the adoption of an outcome document paving the way for further concrete action and progress in the years to come.

It is not uncommon in Myanmar that an older sibling looks after one younger.
Tom Cheatham/World Bank

‘We have an opportunity in the next 15 to 20 years to really change our world’ – UN envoy for the least developed countries

26 May 2016
SDGs

Starting on Friday, the 48 least developed countries (LDCs) of the world will be the focus of a global United Nations conference in Antalya, Turkey, that aims to review their progress over the past five years.

Special intervention brigade forces from Tanzania, part of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - MONUSCO, on duty in Sake, North Kivu (July 2013).
MONUSCO/Sylvain Liechti

INTERVIEWS: Top UN peacekeeping, logistical officials discuss threats to 'blue helmets'

26 May 2016
Peace and Security

In extreme circumstances like deliberate targeting by jihadists and traffickers to more complicated assignments, today's United Nations peacekeepers need courage, a high degree of professionalism and resilience, the head of the so-called 'blue helmets' today said.

United Nation Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on stage at the closing ceremony of the World Humanitarian Summit. 24 May 2016.
UNOCHA

WHS: Humanitarian summit has ‘set new course,’ says Ban, calling for action on commitments

24 May 2016
Humanitarian Aid

Hailing the global community’s achievements at the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for commitments made to be taken forward for transformative change from the top down and from the ground up.

Outside a Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka.
IRIN

On Day of Vesak, UN chief says Buddhism can help enlighten world about pressing issues

20 May 2016
SDGs

Observing the Day of Vesak, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlighted how the teachings of Buddhism can help the international community tackle pressing challenges, including mass population movements, violent conflicts, atrocious human rights abuses and hateful rhetoric aimed at dividing communities.

Under-Secretary-General Stephen O'Brien pays a visit to a camp in Saint Saveur, Central African Republic. MINUSCA/Nektarios Markogiannis

FEATURE: UN aid chief calls on leaders to ‘make commitments for the future’ at World Humanitarian Summit

19 May 2016
Humanitarian Aid

Commitments to strengthening the humanitarian system so that preparedness and resilience are taken more seriously, with local response at the heart of the efforts, are the focus of next week’s World Humanitarian Summit according to the United Nations aid chief.

Children watching a virtual reality film in a refugee camp. Screen shot from UNTV 21st Century's Virtual Reality: Creating Humanitarian Empathy

FEATURE: UN uses virtual reality to inspire humanitarian empathy

19 May 2016
Humanitarian Aid

It is one thing to say that you understand someone's pain and worries, but quite another to experience them. From living in a refugee tent to facing the Ebola epidemic, the United Nations is using virtual reality to create awareness of humanitarian crises around the world in hopes of changing how a person acts towards others.

Inspectors will be able to check on actual fish catches on visiting ships under the new Agreement.
FAO

UN agricultural agency accord on illegal fishing set to enter into force

16 May 2016
Economic Development

The world’s first-ever international agreement specifically targeting illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing is set to enter into force next month, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported today, highlighting the accord’s importance in efforts to ensure sustainable fisheries and responsible fish stock management globally.

Air pollution in Cairo, Egypt.
World Bank/Kim Eun Yeul

UN health agency warns of rise in urban air pollution, with poorest cities most at risk

12 May 2016
Health

More than 80 per cent of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO), with populations in low-income cities the most at risk for respiratory diseases and other long-term health problems.

Karen AbuZayd, Special Adviser on the Summit on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants.
Jean-Marc Ferré

Interview with Karen AbuZayd, Special Adviser on the Summit on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants

6 May 2016
Migrants and Refugees

Karen AbuZayd wants you to think of refugees and migrants in a positive way. The United Nations Special Adviser has been working behind the scenes since January to raise support for global compacts to support large movements of refugees and migrants. These will be up for discussion on 19 September 2016, when the UN will host a high-level meeting to address large movements of refugees and migrants, with the aim of bringing Member States together behind a more humane and coordinated approach.