Latest News

The top United Nations envoy in Somalia today called on the country’s international partners to boost support to aid peacebuilding and humanitarian efforts there, while reaffirming that the world body has no plans to withdraw amid attacks by Al-Shabaab militants.

Calling for continued cooperation with regional organizations to support Mali’s steady efforts towards peace and stability through inclusive talks, a senior United Nations official today told the Security Council that despite progress, the security situation in the country’s restive north remains “very fragile” with increased activity by terrorist groups.

Countries need to shift to more sustainable food systems to adapt to the effects of climate change, the Director-General of the United Nations Food and Drug Organization (FAO) José Graziano da Silva told a conference in Morocco today, warning that the phenomenon has the potential to reshape the planet’s food production scenario.

Mobile technology can advance literacy and learning in underserved communities around the world, according to a new report published today by the United Nations education agency on the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day.

Calling urgently on Syrian authorities and the opposition to allow aid access, end siege warfare and halt the indiscriminate bombing of civilians, the top United Nations humanitarian officials today also issued a strong challenge to “those with the responsibility, power and influence” to find the courage to re-energize a thus-far failed diplomatic push to end the brutal three-year conflict.

A United Nations human rights expert today called on authorities in Côte d’Ivoire to undertake broad consultations on the reform of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to prevent the country from “falling back into crisis.”

Warning today that the surging violence in South Sudan is clear evidence that the United Nations can no longer operate in “business-as-usual” mode in the county, the Organization's peacekeeping chief declared that the fighting must stop immediately; the Government has a duty to protect civilians; and the warring parties should negotiate a genuine ceasefire that will be respected by all sides.

Recent fighting between Government forces and Kachin rebels in Myanmar, and the resulting displacement of thousands of people, has significantly increased the risks to young people, including possible recruitment, limited access to basic services and the threat of landmines, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned today.

Confirming that children were killed in South Sudan during recent brutal attacks on displaced civilians or as a result of being recruited by armed groups, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned today that the surging violence is exacerbating an already “very dangerous” malnutrition crisis.

Following the murder earlier today of Somali parliamentarian Abdiaziz Isaaq Mursal – the second lawmaker to be killed in less than 48 hours in Mogadishu – the top United Nations official in the country strongly condemned the incident and pledged the world body’s resolve in standing by the Somali people as they worked to build a stable, peaceful country.