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Urging the international community to “come together at the highest political level” to halt the escalation of wildlife and forest crime, the United Nations crime chief said today that the $8-$10 billion reaped annually from this “ruthless trade” ranks it alongside the trafficking of human beings, arms and drugs in terms of illicit profits.

Despite progress in maternity benefits and a positive trend in supporting new fathers, at least 830 million women workers still do not have adequate protection, the United Nations labour agency today reported.

Stressing the need to educate all children, the head of the United Nations education agency today condemned the abduction of schoolgirls in Nigeria – calling it “an attack against the aspirations of these girls” – and urged greater cooperation among Member States on educational needs.

Ensuring that there is no impunity for those alleged to have committed serious crimes in Libya is crucial to bring lasting peace to the country, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) stressed today, as she lamented the slow progress to date in this vital aspect of the democratic transition.

Amidst an international community “hopelessly divided” over how to end more than three years of bloodshed in Syria, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced that he has regretfully accepted the resignation of Lakhdar Brahimi, the Joint United Nations-League of Arab States Special Representative on the crisis.

The United Nations today voiced deep concern at the rising death toll from boat accidents in the Mediterranean Sea this year as increasing numbers of asylum-seekers and refugees make the journey on unsafe vessels, often at the hands of ruthless smugglers.

The Buddhist teachings of peace, compassion and love should help guide governments and the international community, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, urging international cooperation for the betterment of all humankind.

There is still time to avert a full-blown conflict in Ukraine, where the crisis continues to escalate, particularly in the east and south of the country, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.

The United Nations mission in Libya today voiced deep concern about ongoing violence across the country and condemned attacks on security personnel and civilians.

Continued inaction in the Middle East peace process could lead to further instability in the region, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned today at an international meeting in Turkey, reiterating his calls on Israelis and Palestinians to avoid unilateral steps that would aggravate the situation and diminish prospects for negotiations to resume.