Global

Ms. Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary designate of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
UNFCCC

INTERVIEW: 'We are in a very fortunate situation since the Paris Agreement was adopted' - UNFCCC Executive Secretary

31 March 2017
Climate and Environment

The Paris Agreement on climate change remains a momentous diplomatic success, universally supported by all countries when it was adopted in 2015 at a United Nations conference, and as of today, it has been ratified by 141 nations, surpassing the threshold for its entry into force.

The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members marks the anniversary of the abduction of UN staff member Alec Collett.
UN Photo/Milton Grant

On International Day, UN chief Guterres calls on all to stand in solidarity with detained staff

25 March 2017
UN Affairs

On the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the challenges that UN staff face and urged everyone to ensure that they have the safety they need to help those most in need around the globe.

Destruction at the World Heritage site of Palmyra in Syria.
©UNESCO/Francesco Bandarin (file)

Building peace requires culture, education – message of historic UN Security Council resolution

24 March 2017
Culture and Education

Univocally condemning unlawful destruction and pillaging of cultural heritage such as religious sites and artefacts, the United Nations Security Council today adopted an historic resolution that is expected to strengthen protections for such heritage during armed conflicts where they are most vulnerable.

Slavery memorial in Stone Town, Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania.
Israa Hamad

PHOTO FEATURE: The enduring legacy of the transatlantic slave trade

24 March 2017
Human Rights

The transatlantic slave trade was the largest forced migration in history and undeniably one of the most inhumane. According to the United Nations, over a 400-year period, the forcible extraction of Africans from their motherland was unprecedented in the annals of recorded human history.

A UN peacekeeper helps a child aboard a truck during the relocation of residents of a camp for displaced persons.
Logan Abassi UN/MINUSTAH

INTERVIEW: Amid increased suffering, responsibility to protect all the more necessary - UN Special Adviser

24 March 2017
Peace and Security

In 2005, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the outcome of the World Summit in which it, inter alia, underscored that each individual State has the responsibility to protect its populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

Mereani, 29, and her children sitting on brick wall of what used to be their home in Fiji. Their house was just a few metres from the shoreline and suffered extensive damage during strong storm surges at the height of Cyclone Winston.
UNICEF/Sokhin

FEATURE: Humanity at the core as UN readies for first-ever Ocean Conference

22 March 2017
Climate and Environment

Over a year ago, on 20 February 2016, Tropical Cyclone Winston made a category 5 landfall along the north coast of Fiji's largest, most populous island, Viti Levu, killing at least 44 people, and grounding flights to and from the Pacific Island nation.

A wastewater treatment facility in Manila, the Philippines.
Danilo Pinzon/World Bank

Wastewater should be recognized as a valuable resource, UN says on World Water Day

22 March 2017
Climate and Environment

In a world where the demand for water continues to grow and the resource is finite, a new United Nations report argues that wastewater, discarded into the environment every day, once treated, can help meet the needs for freshwater as well as for raw materials for energy and agriculture.

Children doing physical exercises in a school gym in Uzbekistan, among them a child affected by down syndrome.
UNICEF/Giacomo Pirozzi

At UN event, people with Downs Syndrome ‘speak up’ to influence government policy and action

21 March 2017
SDGs

Today, the call that people with Down Syndrome be included to fully and equally participate in all aspects of society echoed widely throughout United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Sustainably managed forests are a key to meeting energy needs of almost a third of the world's population.
UN Photo/Logan Abassi

Greener energy for a third of the world bodes well for all, says UN on International Forest Day

21 March 2017
Climate and Environment

Cautioning the impact of human activity such as practices use of woodfuel on world’s forests, the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today called for better wood-energy conversions technologies and more sustainable management of forests so that everyone benefits.

In Afghanistan, bakeries prepare a special type of cookie, called “Kulcha-e Nowrozi,” which is only baked for Nowruz. Other special dishes include “Haft Mewa,” a fruit salad made from seven different dried fruits, and “Samanak” made by women in a special ceremony that includes singing.
UNAMA/Fardin Waezi

Nowruz a reminder that heritage helps make resilient, sustainable societies – UN cultural agency

21 March 2017
Culture and Education

In a message on the occasion of Nowruz – the day that celebrates the arrival of the spring season – the head of the United Nations cultural agency urged everyone to embrace the day's values and be inspired by its universal message of peace and solidarity.