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Despite progress in recent years to universally abolish the death penalty, major challenges persist, the United Nations top human rights official said today at a high-level debate in Geneva, expressing concern that the death penalty, in practice, is “too often applied to the poor and marginalized foot soldiers” rather than the powerful organizers of the drug business.

A new United Nations report urging greater investment in risk prevention has underscored disaster risk reduction as a building block for future sustainable development, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon affirmed today as the Organization prepares for a pivotal upcoming global conference on the issue.

New guidelines released by the United Nations health agency today recommended that adults and children worldwide reduce their daily sugar intake to boost health and stave off non-communicable diseases.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged South Sudanese political rivals President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar to resolve their differences and move towards a lasting peace ahead of an impending mediation deadline.

The President of the United Nations General Assembly called today for a coordinated international response to the trafficking of wildlife that took aim at the both the supply and demand side of poaching and the illegal trade in animals.

In her remarks to open the Middle East and North Africa regional consultation session in preparation for the May 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs today underlined the importance of grassroots involvement in humanitarian affairs and of putting people “front and centre” in response of efforts.

The head of the United Nations agency mandated to defend press freedom today denounced the killing of Colombian journalist Luis Carlos Peralta Cuéllar in the “strongest possible terms” and urged local authorities to do their “utmost” to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The United Nations will stand with the people and leaders of Sri Lanka as the country forges ahead along the path to reconciliation, the Organization’s top political official said today, as he voiced encouragement at the Government’s ongoing commitment to promote accountability and human rights following the nation’s three decade-long civil war.

The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution today creating a system by which it would to impose sanctions on those blocking peace in South Sudan, the 15-member body’s latest step towards ending a conflict that has killed thousands in the world's newest country.

Three quarters of the world population has no access to proper pain relief treatment, according to a report by the United Nations body charged with overseeing Governments’ compliance with international drug control treaties, which was released in London today.