Global

Fishermen unload their catch of mackerel at a fish market.
UN Photo/M Guthrie

Countries signed to UN-brokered illegal fishing treaty meet for first time

29 May 2017
Economic Development

For the first time since a United Nations-brokered treaty to stop illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing went into force, the countries that endorsed it are meeting in Norway to discuss how to make it a success.

A member of the UN Police Unit during a patrol in the Malian city of Timbuktu.
MINUSMA/Harandane Dick

FEATURE: "We invest in peace"

23 May 2017
Peace and Security

More than 100,000 UN peacekeepers serving around the world will be honoured this month as the United Nations celebrates the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, observed annually on 29 May.

Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction Robert Glasser.
UNISDR

INTERVIEW: Achieving global development goals ‘inconceivable’ without reducing disaster risk, stresses UN official

23 May 2017
Climate and Environment

According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), disaster risk reduction is an integral part of social and economic development, and is essential if development is to be sustainable for the future. In 2015, for example, there were nearly 350 reported disasters, over 22,000 deaths, 98.6 million people affected, and $66.5 billion in economic damage.

Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
Photo: MINUSMA/Sylvain Liechti

INTERVIEW: ‘Our peacekeepers are saving lives every day’ – new UN peacekeeping chief

22 May 2017
Peace and Security

With United Nations peace operations being carried out in highly complex environments and facing multiple challenges, Secretary-General António Guterres recently stressed the need to adapt peacekeeping to “our changing world.”

Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.
MINUSMA/Sylvain Liechti

INTERVIEW: ‘Our peacekeepers are saving lives every day’ – new UN peacekeeping chief

22 May 2017
Peace and Security

With United Nations peace operations being carried out in highly complex environments and facing multiple challenges, Secretary-General António Guterres recently stressed the need to adapt peacekeeping to “our changing world.”

Buddhist monks meditate at the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Nepal.
UN News/Vibhu Mishra

Buddha's message of compassion 'timeless' says UN chief on international day

10 May 2017
SDGs

Observing the Day of Vesak, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on the global community to draw inspiration from the journey of Lord Buddha and embrace his message of compassion.

Healthy oceans have a central role to play in solving one of the biggest problems of the 21st century – how to feed 9 billion people by 2050.
FAO

PODCAST: Saving ‘the blue heart of the planet’ with Sylvia Earle

8 May 2017
Climate and Environment

As a little girl, Sylvia Earle, today perhaps the world’s best known woman marine scientist, literally fell head over heels in love with the ocean.

Road injury is the leading cause of death in males 10-19 years, killing 115,000 a year.
WHO

On Global Road Safety Week, UN health agency urges 'Save Lives: Slow Down'

5 May 2017
Health

Spotlighting the relationship between speeding and traffic fatalities – speeding contributes to one in three traffic deaths – the UN health agency, ahead of Global Road Safety Week, is urging countries to take measures to curb dangerous driving behaviour.

Journalists wait for the arrival of official delegations at the Geneva II Conference on Syria, in Montreux, Switzerland.
UN Photo/Violaine Martin

In 'post truth' era, leaders must defend objective, independent media, UN says on Press Freedom Day

3 May 2017
Human Rights

In a “post-truth” world with “fake news” on the rise, and media accountability and credibility falling under question, free, independent and professional journalism has never been more important, the United Nations today said.