Global

United Nations interpreters provide simultaneous translation for a Security Council meeting (November 2008).
UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras

New UN Day honours unsung heroes who ensure diplomats are ‘on the same page’

29 September 2017
UN Affairs

Recognizing the unsung heroes behind international diplomacy, the United Nations is celebrating – for the first time – International Translation Day, paying tribute to the work of the language professionals who play a vital role in facilitating dialogue and understanding among peoples and nations.

A sign outside of the Assembly building highlights the hashtag for attendees to promote the high-level session.
UN Photo/Kim Haughton

FEATURE: See what happened when the world came together at the UN

28 September 2017
UN Affairs

Every year in September, world leaders gather at the United Nations in New York for the General Assembly’s annual high-level session. The diplomatic confab draws veteran politicians as well as new faces from all corners of the globe in what is always an interesting and intense week for all involved. Also in attendance are representatives from civil society, academia, the private sector, the media, and the arts and entertainment worlds.

Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General, United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism briefs the Security Council Meeting on Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

At Security Council, top counter-terrorism officials stress ‘All of UN’ approach to tackle scourge

28 September 2017
Peace and Security

Addressing the Security Council, the head of the newly-created United Nations counter-terrorism office today outlined a framework to devise a cohesive, well-coordinated programme to support Member States as well as the priority areas of such work.

Secretary-General António Guterres presents his annual report on the work of the Organization ahead of the opening of the General Assembly’s seventy-second general debate.
UN Photo/Cia Pak

Repair ‘world in pieces’ and create ‘world at peace,’ UN chief Guterres urges global leaders

19 September 2017
SDGs

Addressing the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations Headquarters, Secretary-General António Guterres today spotlighted several threats – including the nuclear peril, climate change, and ongoing conflicts – that must be overcome to create a better world for all.

Miroslav Lajčák, President of the 72nd session of the General Assembly, addresses the annual general debate.
UN Photo/Cia Pak

President of UN General Assembly urges world leaders to engage in working for the people

19 September 2017
SDGs

Opening the annual general debate, the President of the United Nations General Assembly today stressed the need for more work on prevention, a greater focus on people, and keeping promises made to advance prosperity and protect the planet.

A sign outside the General Assembly building highlights the hashtag for attendees to use to promote the 72nd session's General Debate.
UN Photo/Kim Haughton

UN General Assembly’s annual debate to ‘focus on people,’ ensuring decent life for all

18 September 2017
SDGs

Global leaders gathering at United Nations Headquarters in New York this week for the annual round of top-level diplomatic talks known as the general debate will shine a spotlight on the needs of the world’s people, with discussions on vital issues such as sustainable development and climate change, and set the stage for what the President of the UN General Assembly has dubbed a “year of firsts.”

A man smokes a cigarette in rural Nepal.
Aisha Faquir/World Bank

‘Window of opportunity’ closing on non-communicable diseases, warns UN health agency

18 September 2017
Health

Millions around the globe are dying prematurely from diseases such as cancer or heart disease, the United Nations health agency warned, urging governments to step up efforts to control non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

A woman prepares bread at her home in Faqua village, Jordan for sale in the local market. Since her husband passed away in 2002, she has had to take care of her family of nine children. With her small business of bread, cheese and Jabeen (dry yogurt) she earns enough to survive.
IFAD/Lana Slezic

Put people before profits, UN urges in annual trade report

14 September 2017
Economic Development

Noting that the world economy in 2017 “is picking up but not taking off,” a new United Nations trade and development report has cautioned against fiscal austerity and harnessing finance to support job creation and infrastructure investment.

Mongolian farmers harvest carrots as part of an FAO South-South Cooperation Programme between China and Mongolia.
FAO

South-South cooperation key to overcoming inequalities, says UN deputy chief

12 September 2017
Economic Development

Underscoring the importance of South-South cooperation, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed today urged sustained commitment to mutually beneficial approaches that will ensure shared prosperity and make sustainable development a reality.

Miroslav Lajčák, the President of the 72nd session of the General Assembly, briefs journalists following his election in May 2017.
UN Photo/Manuel Elías

INTERVIEW: UN Assembly President aims to achieve ‘results for people’

12 September 2017
UN Affairs

Miroslav Lajčák hopes that under his presidency the United Nations General Assembly will overcome narrow national interests and produce tangible benefits for people. The career diplomat from Slovakia, who was elected by the 193-member Assembly as its President, highlighted two of the world’s most pressing issues – conflict and migration – as his priorities.