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UNDP Pakistan

Microplastic pollution is everywhere, but not necessarily a risk to human health

21 August 2019
Health

Tiny plastic particles known as microplastics are “everywhere – including in our drinking-water”, but they are not necessarily a risk to human health, UN experts said on Thursday.

WFP/Saleh Baholis

Wednesday’s Daily Brief: Yemen aid programmes closing, Guterres Idlib concern, Somalia insecurity, honouring terror victims

21 August 2019
Peace and Security

Today’s stories: aid money promised for Yemen fails to materialize, prospects of new Idlib conflict put millions at risk, new Sudanese transitional government welcomed by UN chief, insecurity threatens Somalia progress.

OCHA/Giles Clarke

Lack of funds forces UN to close down life-saving aid programmes in Yemen

21 August 2019
Humanitarian Aid

The United Nations announced on Wednesday that it is being forced to close down several humanitarian programmes in Yemen because money pledged by Member States to pay for them has “failed to materialize”. 

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Scars of terrorism ‘run deep’, UN chief says, paying tribute to victims 

21 August 2019
Peace and Security

The scars of terrorism “run deep”, and while they may fade with time, “they never disappear”, the United Nations chief said on Wednesday, in his message for the second International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. 

UN Photo/Manuel Elias

Somalia security remains a concern, head of UN Mission warns Security Council

21 August 2019
Peace and Security

Despite “encouraging” developments, insecurity across Somalia remains a serious concern, James Swan, head of the UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), warned the Security Council, in his first briefing to the world body since taking office.

UN Photo/Manuel Elias

Urgent need for ‘restraint and genuine dialogue’ in Middle East to avoid major confrontation

20 August 2019
Peace and Security

Briefing the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, the Chef de Cabinet of the Secretary-General, Maria Luiza Viotti, said on Tuesday that “restraint and genuine dialogue are urgently needed”, in order to avoid a major confrontation, which would have disastrous consequences, even well beyond the region. 

UN Environment Programme

Tuesday’s Daily Brief: water quality crisis, Yemen and Libya updates, Venezuelan children appeal, ocean protection

20 August 2019
Peace and Security

This Tuesday, we cover: new report on water quality worldwide; Yemen envoy briefs the Security Council on Aden; intensifying clashes in southern Libya; UNICEF appeals for increased aid for Venezuela youngsters; and UN negotiations continue over a new ocean protection agreement.  

John Hogg / World Bank

‘Invisible’ crisis of water quality threatens human and environmental well-being: World Bank report

20 August 2019
Economic Development

Deteriorating water quality worldwide is slashing the economic potential of heavily polluted areas, according to a new World Bank report, released on Tuesday. It also warns that the “invisible crisis of water quality” is threatening human and environmental well-being.

UNEP/NOOR/Kadir van Lohuizen

Negotiating legally-binding agreement to provide future generations with a ‘healthy, resilient and productive ocean’

20 August 2019
SDGs

While the world’s oceans contain some 200,000 identified living species, the actual numbers could reach the millions ­­– all exposed to the dangers of climate change, pollution and over-exploitation. To stem these threats, the United Nations is meeting to negotiate a treaty that would protect three-quarters of the earth’s surface by 2030.

© UNHCR/Saleh Bahulais

‘No time to lose’ UN envoy tells Security Council, ‘Yemen cannot wait’

20 August 2019
Peace and Security

One month ago, the United Nations top Yemen envoy told the Security Council the country was facing “a crucial moment” in the course of its long and bloody conflict, and on Tuesday, he again urged members to acknowledge that recent infighting around the Government stronghold of Aden were “a clear sign” that the conflict must be brought to a swift, peaceful end.