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The current El Niño, a weather pattern of devastating droughts and catastrophic floods that can affect tens of millions of people around the globe, is expected to strengthen further by year's end, on track to be one of the three strongest in 65 years, according to the latest update from the United Nations weather agency.

More than five years since the unrest in Syria began, senior United Nations officials today stressed to the Security Council that the status quo in the war-torn country cannot continue, highlighting the effects of the conflict on civilians, especially women and children.

While the G20 Summit opened today in the Turkish city Antalya, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he will stress to world leaders that the global response to terrorism needs to be robust, but always within the rule of law and with respect for human rights.

On the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is highlighting that despite improvements in road safety, the world still faces some shocking injury and fatality figures.

While members of an international support group for Syria engaged in “constructive dialogue” in Vienna on how to end the five-year conflict, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said he is encouraged by the stakeholders reconvening to address the “grave situation” and bring about a political settlement to end the violence as soon as possible.

Consensus at the closing of the 10th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Brazil today underscored the contribution of Information Communications Technologies (ICTs) and the Internet to the achievement of the recently adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nations announced.

Meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ahead of the G20 Summit in Antalya, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the annual event was “happening in somber times that required unity of action.”

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Security Council have condemned the “despicable" terrorist attacks carried out today in various locations in and around Paris, and Mr. Ban has demanded the immediate release of the numerous individuals reportedly being held hostage in the Bataclan theatre.

The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on 12 November in the Beirut suburb of Burj al-Barajneh that killed at least 43 and injured more than 200 people.

Some 30 religious leaders from the Middle East and North Africa are developing a regional strategy to counter hate speech as part of an international effort co-sponsored by the United Nations to intervene when incitement is widespread and the risk of violence imminent.