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The net rate of forest loss in Africa is the second highest in the world, behind Latin America, often due to lax enforcement of laws, and the continent leads the globe in the frequency of forest fires, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported today.

Klaus Toepfer, who led the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) over an eight-year period that saw environmental sustainability become central to international development goals, bid farewell to the agency today during ceremonies in Nairobi.

With rates of violence and injury in Africa among the world's highest, ranging from war deaths to road accidents to poisoning, the continent will host its first ever major international conference on the issue next week when more than1,000 experts from nearly 130 countries gather under United Nations auspices in Durban, South Africa.

Some $90 million worth of cocaine went up in smoke in Nairobi, Kenya, today in a United-Nations back incineration that underlined the world body's major role in combating the global illicit drug trade.

The world’s first broadband TV channel dedicated to environmental issues – called ‘green.tv’ and developed with support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – is being launched today, aiming to become a “one-stop shop” of broadcast information on the environment covering everything from climate change to children’s stories on wildlife.

Without an urgent infusion of funding, millions of people throughout Sudan will face a significant rise in cases of malaria, meningitis, diarrhoeal diseases, acute respiratory infections and measles, the United Nations health agency has warned.

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) until 15 October, subject to any changes to the peacekeeping force deployed there by the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) made up of countries that used to be part of the Soviet Union.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan travels to Spain and the Netherlands next week to chair a meeting of top United Nations executives and help celebrate the 60th birthday of the World Court, the UN’s top judicial body.

A proactive, holistic approach is needed for developing countries to effectively deal with trade regulations on environmental health-related concerns, according to a report released today by a United Nations agency.

Denouncing the re-recruitment of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations officials have called for the immediate release of youngsters by the various armed groups in the faction-ridden country.