Global

Women on the job at a workshop in the Dominican Republic.
UNDP Dominican Republic

UN labour agency advocates policy changes to address rise in non-standard forms of employment

14 November 2016
Economic Development

The United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) has released a report on the rising rate of non-standard jobs, including regional and global trends and policy recommendations to respond to concerns for both workers and businesses.

Priscilla Makotose speaks during the International Association of Women Police Annual conference. Makotose hold the title of United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Police Commissioner, and is the highest-ranking female police officer in the UN system.
UNAMID

INTERVIEW: ‘Policing is about the passion to serve people’- UNAMID Police Commissioner Priscilla Makotose

12 November 2016
Peace and Security

“The police in the UN peacekeeping operations are there to assist the host country police,” says Priscilla Makotose, United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur UNAMID Police Commissioner, the highest-ranking female police officer in the UN system, appointed in March 2016.

Women in Abu Shouk Camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) near El Fasher, North Darfur, attend English classes conducted by volunteer teachers and facilitated by the police component of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).
UN Photo/Albert González Farran

FEATURE: UN Police heavyweights steer strategies for safer world

10 November 2016
Peace and Security

Crisp uniforms and the jingle-jangle of brass filled the corridors. With them, came an extra sense of security that permeated United Nations Headquarters in New York this week. For the eleventh year running, erect posture and striding confidence was the daily modus operandi, as the Heads of United Nations Police Components amassed for UN Police (UNPOL) Week 2016, which runs from 7-11 November.

A view of the vast destruction of Moratuwa, a coastal town in the Southwest of Sri Lanka, caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider

UN chief highlights importance of preparedness to reduce tsunami risks

5 November 2016
Humanitarian Aid

In his message marking the first World Tsunami Awareness Day, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the importance of reducing current and future levels of risk, particularly through strengthening preparedness.

An aerial view of the vast destruction of the Indonesian coast, between the towns of Banda Aceh and Meulaboh, caused by the 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider

INTERVIEW: ‘Education has power to save lives,’ survivors say, ahead of first Tsunami Awareness Day

4 November 2016
Climate and Environment

Ahead of the inaugural World Tsunami Awareness Day on 5 November, two survivors of the most devastating tsunami in recent history – a Czech supermodel and a member of the Spanish family featured in the film The Impossible (2012) – have joined the United Nations’ commemoration of the Day.

A view of participants in a march for freedom and solidarity in Paris, held in the wake of the deadly terrorist assault on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. UNESCO/C. Darmouni

FEATURE: Impunity for crimes against journalists must end to protect open democratic societies – experts tell UN

2 November 2016
Human Rights

On the morning of 1 November 2015, the day before the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists last year, Abdalaziz Alhamza, co-founder of a campaign to expose atrocities committed against civilians in the Syrian city of Raqqa, received two photos. One was of his colleague – with no head.

Izumi Nakamitsu.
UN Photo/JC McIlwaine

UN chief appoints Izumi Nakamitsu of Japan as special adviser for refugee summit follow-up

1 November 2016
Migrants and Refugees

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Izumi Nakamitsu of Japan as Special Adviser on Follow-up to the UN Summit on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants, which was held on 19 September 2016.

Brigadier General Zewdu Kiros Gebrekidan, an Ethiopian national, was recently appointed as Deputy Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
UN Photo/Lulu Gao

INTERVIEW: Female peacekeepers connect better with women and children – UNISFA Deputy Force Commander

31 October 2016
Peace and Security

16 years ago today, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution (S/RES/1325) on women, peace and security, which has since come to be famously associated with the number 1325 within the UN system.

The tramway service between Rabat and Salé in Morocco.
World Bank/Arne Hoel

Achieving Global Goals hinges on 'determined pursuit' of sustainable transport – UN expert report

28 October 2016
Economic Development

Greater investment in greener, more efficient and sustainable transport can save trillions of dollars and help achieve the global sustainability goals, according to a United Nations report launched today that provides 10 recommendations on how resources can be redirected to the transport sector.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) – also known as sheep and goat plague – has spread to some 70 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, causing annual damage estimated at $1.4 to $2.1 billion.
FAO/Marco Longari

UN agricultural agency launches programme to eradicate deadly goat disease

28 October 2016
Health

The United Nations agricultural agency today launched the first phase of a new, 15-year global programme to eradicate a highly contagious viral animal disease affecting more than 70 countries in Africa, Middle East and Asia, which account for about 80 per cent of the world’s sheep and goats and where millions of families depend heavily on these animals for nutrition and livelihoods.