SDGs

Women parliamentarians of the Afghan Lower House (Wolesi Jirga or “House of the People”) arrive at their inauguration ceremony in Kabul (2001).
UN Photo/Eric Kanalstein

Parliaments can be pillars of democracy and defenders of human rights, says UN chief on International Day

30 June 2018
Global

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has underscored the “pivotal role” played by parliaments and their importance to “advance the aspirations” of the citizens they represent.

Drought has affected residents of the Mbera refugee camp, Mauritania, in the Sahel region of Africa.
WFP/Justin Smith

UN launches plan to promote peace, inclusive growth in Africa’s Sahel

30 June 2018
Africa

The United Nations has launched a major support plan to promote sustainable peace and inclusive growth as well as empower women and youth in Africa's vast Sahel region.

A Syrian refugee from Damascus, Almas is one of 12 Jordanian and Syrian women employed by Teenah, a social enterprise in Irbid, northern Jordan making eco-friendly tote bags for export to European supermarkets.
UNICEF/UN0201091/Herwig

At Ministerial session, UN regional office in Beirut to focus on technology for sustainable development

26 June 2018
Middle East

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is set to hold its 30th Ministerial Session in Beirut, Lebanon on 27 and 28 June with a focus on technology for sustainable development.

European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli presents the SDG flag he flew abroad the International Space Station to UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo.
UNIS Vienna

Use space technology to build a better world for all, urges UN chief

20 June 2018
Global

Not only has space exploration captured the world’s imagination, it can also help humankind address existential challenges back on earth, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday, in his message to the UN’s key forum on space affairs.

A pastoralist in northern Somalia, a region hit hard by drought. He lost almost half of his sheep flock that originally numbered 70.
UNICEF/Sebastian Rich

Conflict and climate change challenge sustainable development effort: UN report

20 June 2018
Global

Although more people are leading better lives than a decade ago, persistent poverty and hunger, as well as rapid urbanization, are challenging global efforts to create a more just and equitable world, according to a United Nations report launched on Wednesday.

Crew of the International Space Station join UNISPACE+50, via video link, from 400 kilometers above the Earth's surface.
UN News/Vibhu Mishra

From low-earth orbit, ‘envoys’ of humanity join UN space forum

20 June 2018
Global

Floating in near zero-gravity, 400 kilometres above the Pacific Ocean and flying at over 28,000 kilometres per hour, the six crew members onboard the International Space Station (ISS) joined the key United Nations forum on outer space affairs via video link on Wednesday, to discuss the importance of working together.

UN Champion for Space Scott Kelly delivers the keynote address at UNISPACE+50.
UNIS Vienna

If we can build the International Space Station, ‘we can do anything’ – UN Champion for Space

19 June 2018
Global

The sight of Earth, from hundreds of kilometers away in open space while you are tethered only to the International Space Station, is “absolutely amazing”, said Scott Kelly, the UN Champion for Space and former US astronaut, stressing that the world we live on “is our only planet.”

The breaking of dawn over planet Earth, seen from the International Space Station.
Scott Kelly/NASA

Space science now a ‘fundamental pillar’ of 21st century human development: top UN space official

18 June 2018
Global

After “relentless” progress in space technology, the focus for the international community must now shift to ensuring that the benefits of space science are available to everyone, everywhere, a senior United Nations official told a major conference on Monday.

A member of a local non-governmental organization that helps to raise awareness about desertification waters plants grown in a garden in Bol, the capital of Lac Region, Chad.
UNICEF/Patricia Esteve

On World Day to Combat Desertification, UN shines spotlight on ‘true value’ of land

17 June 2018
Global

Land is not a limitless resource and ignoring its role in our everyday lives threatens food and water supplies, biodiversity and the security of us all, the United Nations agency that fights desertification worldwide has said.

A night Earth observation photograph taken from the International Space Station, as it passes over Japan. Also in the picture are a Soyuz Spacecraft, connected to the Station’s Mini Research Module 1, and a Progress Spacecraft.
Scott Kelly/NASA

UN forum to explore use of outer space to improve lives, protect planet

16 June 2018
Global

Marking 50 years since the world first came together to discuss the peaceful uses of outer space, government leaders, policy makers, civil society representatives and space experts will gather at a United Nations forum in Vienna from Monday to explore the future course of global space cooperation for the benefit of humankind.