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The top United Nations human rights official today deplored the Burundian authorities’ suspension of 10 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including several working on peace and human rights issues, warning against a relapse into “full-fledged civil war.”

With the United Nations climate change conference in Paris just days away, the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has issued new voluntary guidelines to assist countries in better managing and sustainably using genetic resources while addressing climate change.

In the last major report before world leaders meet in Paris to draft measures to counter global warming, the United Nations weather agency today delivered “bad news for the planet,” warning that 2015 is likely to be the warmest year on record, breaching the symbolic and significant milestone of 1 degree Celsius above the pre-industrial era.

Tokyo-based Fast Retailing Company Limited, which owns the UNIQLO clothing chain has partnered with the United Nation refugee agency to announce a new agreement to support refugees worldwide, including provision of $10 million in funds and distribution of winter wear for new arrivals in Europe and expanding its internship programme in Japan and abroad.

Some 30 years to the day after the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) first launched its International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides, the agency is calling on countries to make sure that national regulatory frameworks governing the management of pesticides are kept up to date.

Ending gender-based violence is a top priority for achieving the United Nations founding mission of peace, development and human rights, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, noting his specific concerns about rising violent extremism and its impact on women and girls, and calling for global collective action to end the scourge.

A civilian staff member of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali was killed today in an explosive device attack on a convoy, but the world Organization will not be deterred from its efforts to bring peace to the West African, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.

Condemning today’s terrorist attack in the Egyptian city of al-Arish, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an overall approach to preventing and countering terrorism, with full respect for human rights and refugee law.

Noting the significant impact climatic activities have on African people and countries, the World Bank Group announced today a new plan outlining actions required to increase climate resilience and low-carbon development in an effort to maintain the continent’s current and protect future growth and poverty reduction goals.

The situation in the central Yemeni city of Taiz has worsened amid intensified fighting since September, with 200,000 civilians living under virtual siege, in dire need drinking water, food, medical treatment, and other life-saving aid, the top United Nations relief official said today.