UN Affairs

FAO/IFAD/WFP/Luis Tato

UN emergency relief fund has ‘never been more critical’: Guterres

7 December 2018
Global

The mission of the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which enables humanitarian responders to deliver life-saving assistance whenever and wherever crises strike, is more critical than ever, said Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday, as a key pledging conference got underway at UN Headquarters in New York.  

UN Photo/Laura Jarriel

Syrian civilians must be protected amid ISIL executions and airstrikes: Bachelet

5 December 2018

Reports that violent extremists in Syria have executed civilians in the east of the war-torn country have been condemned by the UN’s top rights official, Michelle Bachelet.

UN Photo/Yutaka Nagata

UN chief saddened at news of death of former US President George H.W. Bush

1 December 2018

In a statement released on Saturday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed his sadness at the news of the death of former US President George Herbert Walker Bush, who died on Friday.

UNDP Chad/Jean Damascene Hakuzim

#TakeYourSeat at the UN Climate Change Conference: a way for all people to join the global conversation

23 November 2018
Global

To bring the voice of the people to the upcoming Climate Change Conference in Poland (known by the shorthand 'COP 24', from 2 to 14 December), the United Nations has launched  the ‘People’s Seat’ initiative, calling millions of change advocates worldwide to submit messages for an address that will be delivered to leaders attending the conference, by renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough.

UN Photo/Manuel Elias

UN General Assembly President defends ‘landmark’ migration compact

21 November 2018

Addressing recent reports that some countries are backing out of the United Nations global migration compact set to be adopted in December, UN General Assembly President Maria Espinosa on Wednesday defended the accord as a tool that would ensure all migrants everywhere have their rights safeguarded.

UN Photo/Marco Dormino

UN chief advocates for a strengthening of peacekeeping in Africa

20 November 2018
Africa

Citing the “encouraging progress” achieved by United Nations peacekeeping operations in Africa – which hosts half of all ongoing missions – UN chief António Guterres on Tuesday called the international community to strengthen cooperation and commitment to peacekeeping, during an open debate held at the Security Council.

UN Photo/Manuel Elias

Artificial Intelligence raises ethical, policy challenges – UN expert

16 November 2018

Digital solutions are transforming lives: Think of robots that help the elderly, a mobile phone app that identifies crop pests, or surgical robots in hospitals. These advances are all due to Artificial Intelligence and an extraordinary new era of machine learning.

World Bank/ Ivelina Taushanova

UN chief appoints Luis Alfonso de Alba as Special Envoy for the 2019 Climate Summit

10 November 2018
Global

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced on Friday the appointment of Luis Alfonso de Alba of Mexico as his Special Envoy for the 2019 Climate Summit. 

UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

Multilateralism more vital than ever, as World War centenary looms: Security Council

9 November 2018
Global

With the centenary of the end of the First World War just days away, the Security Council reaffirmed the crucial importance of multilateralism – or international cooperation and collective problem-solving – and highlighted the key role played by the United Nations since its creation 73 years ago.

UN Photo/Hervé Serefio

UN recorded 64 new allegations of sexual exploitation or abuse in the past three months

5 November 2018
Global

Across its various offices, agencies, and partner organisations implementing its programmes, the United Nations received 64 new allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), involving 77 victims, between July and September, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Monday.