Economic Development

© UNICEF/Santiago Arcos

270 million people are migrants, who send home a staggering $689 billion

27 November 2019

The number of international migrants in 2019 is now estimated at 270 million and the top destination remains the United States, at nearly 51 million, the UN migration agency said on Wednesday.

UNEP/Lisa Murray

‘Maximize the positive’ from new technologies, for our digital future, Guterres urges

21 November 2019

Both positive and negative technological developments are jolting the world at “unprecedented speed”, the UN chief said on Thursday, underscoring the need to “maximize the benefits…whilst mitigating harms”.

UN Photo/Manuel Elias

Wednesday’s Daily Brief: Israeli settlements, World Children’s Day, fossil fuel overuse

20 November 2019
Global

A recap of Wednesday’s stories: UN envoy reiterates position on illegality of Israeli settlements, World Children’s Day marked with calls for rights of children to be upheld, new report highlights major gap between use of fossil fuels and commitments to limit global warming.

UNDP/Louis Fourmentin

UN chief calls for ‘green and clean’ development in message for Africa Industrialization Day

20 November 2019
Africa

As African countries gear up to implement an historic free trade agreement, the UN Secretary-General is urging leaders to pursue economic growth that benefits both people and the planet.

MINUSMA/Gema Cortes

Tuesday’s Daily Brief: Israeli settlements, Sahel crisis, Iran protests, reconciliation for peace, World Toilet Day

19 November 2019
Global

A recap of Tuesday’s stories in brief: UN ‘regret’ over US settlements reversal; Almost daily attacks plunge Sahel into ‘three-country crisis’;  live ammunition reportedly used against Iranian protesters; reconciliation helps ‘repair fractures’, promote peace; call for poorest countries to take leading role in their own development agendas; and World Toilet Day.

© WSSCC/Jason Florio

‘Transformational benefits’ of ending outdoor defecation: Why toilets matter

18 November 2019
Global

Ending the practice of defecating in the open, rather than in a toilet, will have “transformational benefits” for some of the world’s most vulnerable people, says the UN’s partner sanitation body, the WSSCC (Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council). 

UN News / Abdelmonem Makki

In Bahrain, Global Forum for Entrepreneurs and Investment examines empowerment of women, youth through innovation

12 November 2019
Global

Spotlighting the role of targeted investment and innovation towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with special focus on ‘Harnessing the Potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the Digital Economy,’ the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum kicked off on Tuesday in the Bahraini capital, Manama.

Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo

New UN forestry project bids to help countries meet climate change commitments

11 November 2019

More than two dozen countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America are set to benefit from a UN project to help tackle climate change through better forestry management.

UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Cuba: UN Members overwhelmingly support end of US embargo, as Brazil backs Washington

7 November 2019
Americas

For the 28th consecutive year, the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution calling for an end to the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba.

IMO

US-China trade war is a ‘lose-lose’ situation for them and the world, warn UN economists

5 November 2019

The trade tariff spat between China and the United States has been a “lose-lose” situation for both countries and the wider world and it is likely to deteriorate unless a deal is reached, UN economists said on Tuesday.