Global

Mother and daughter injured during a terrorist attack. (file)
UN News

Terrorists become increasingly ‘innovative’, in a world shaken by COVID-19

30 June 2021
Peace and Security

Despite “significant progress” in the fight against terrorism, the UN counter-terrorism chief warned on Wednesday that amidst new and more diverse threats, COVID-19 has triggered increased activity throughout many countries.

People protest in a demonstration for women's rights in Ecuador.
UN Women/Johis Alarcón

Women must no longer be ‘squeezed into a small corner’, landmark Forum declares 

30 June 2021
Women

In a bid to put gender equality at the heart of COVID recovery, UN Women kicked off a three-day “landmark effort” in Paris on Wednesday, aiming to lay out ambitious investments and policies to bridge the chasm between where women stand in the world today, and where they should be, by 2030.
 

A Vietnamese migrant worker harvests rice in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand.
UN Women/Pornvit Visitoran

Migrant worker numbers rise by five million: ILO

30 June 2021
Migrants and Refugees

The number of international migrant workers has increased from 164 to 169 million, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said on Wednesday, noting a marked rise in the number of young people seeking opportunities abroad, too.

Airplane passenger numbers dropped by 60 per cent in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unsplash/Ismail Mohamed - SoviLe

COVID-19 impact on tourism could deal $4 trillion blow to global economy: UN report

29 June 2021
Economic Development

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism could result in a more than $4 trillion loss to the global economy, UN trade and development body UNCTAD said on Wednesday in a report issued jointly with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). 

The UN Mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, works with the South Sudanese to protect civilians and build durable peace.
UNMISS/Isaac Billy

‘Highest standards of conduct’ required for successful UN peacekeeping 

29 June 2021
Peace and Security

Successful peacekeeping requires the “highest standards of conduct” by civilian and uniformed peacekeepers, the UN chief told a High-Level Meeting this week on Strengthening the Conduct of Peacekeeping Personnel. 

Violence against women and girls has increased 83 per cent from 2019 to 2020, and cases reported to the police have grown by 64 per cent, according to the United Nations.
© UNDP India

Generation Equality: Alongside COVID lies an ‘equally horrific pandemic’ threatening women

29 June 2021
Women

As the world grapples unevenly with the effects of COVID-19, “a parallel and equally horrific pandemic” has threatened half the world’s population, the UN chief said on Tuesday, in the lead up to the Generation Equality Forum in France.

In today's digital era, governments are increasingly relying on digital surveillance technology to support national security.
© UNICEF/Elias

‘Remain vigilant’ against malicious technologies that could imperil future generations

29 June 2021
Peace and Security

With over 4.6 billion internet users around the world, digital advances continue to revolutionize human life, but “we must remain vigilant” in the face of malicious technologies that “could imperil the security of future generations”, the head of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA) told the Security Council on Tuesday. 

Seattle has set record temperatures as a dome of extremely hot air settled over the US Pacific Northwest.
Unsplash/Alex Mertz

Record-breaking ‘pressure-cooker’ heatwave hits Canada, US northwest

29 June 2021
Climate and Environment

A "pressure-cooker" heatwave that's broken temperature records twice in 48 hours in the US northwest and western Canada is being mirrored across large parts of the northern hemisphere, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Tuesday.

Member States must prioritize human rights, gender equality and civil society engagement when countering terrorism.
UNODC

Despite advances, terrorist threats continues to persist and diversify

28 June 2021
Peace and Security

Although the fight against terrorism has made important advances in thwarting attacks across the world, the UN chief said on Monday that threats continue to persist and diversify.

Djibouti is a favoured destination for migrants and refugees from countries in the region, notably Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia.
OIM/Alexander Bee

Violence against smuggled migrants widespread, but justice is lacking: UN report

28 June 2021
Migrants and Refugees

Migrants smuggled across borders are often subjected to extreme violence, torture, rape and kidnapping, whether in transit or in captivity, but authorities take little action to address these offences, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in a report published on Monday.