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US Government

UN treaty banning nuclear weapons set to enter into force in January

25 October 2020
Peace and Security

In what leading campaigners are describing as “a new chapter for nuclear disarmament”, the ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will now come into force on 22 January, after Honduras became the 50th Member State to ratify on Saturday.

WFP/Abeer Etefa

UN expresses hope ‘new opportunities’ will arise from Sudan’s recognition of Israel

24 October 2020
Peace and Security

The UN chief on Saturday said he was taking note of the announcement that Sudan has agreed to normalize relations with Israel, expressing hope that further cooperation will advance international peace and prosperity.

UNIFIL

Step up action to achieve COVID-19 ceasefire, Guterres says in UN Day message

23 October 2020
UN Affairs

The UN’s 75th anniversary this Saturday, which falls as countries continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, is an opportunity to accelerate action to achieve a global ceasefire during the crisis, Secretary-General António Guterres has said. 

© UNICEF/Alessio Romenzi

‘Very tough’ months ahead in COVID battle, WHO helping scale up dwindling oxygen supplies

23 October 2020
Health

Facing another critical juncture in the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief told reporters on Friday that a “very tough” few months lie ahead with too many nations seeing an exponential increase in cases. 

UNAMI/Salar Brifkani

Behind the global ceasefire call: 75 years of UN mediation, preventing conflict, promoting peace

23 October 2020
Peace and Security

When Member States signed the United Nations Charter 75 years ago, it was to prevent more existential conflicts and save succeeding generations from a third world war. Conflict prevention is part of the Organization’s DNA and remains a central priority today, a guiding principle behind the UN Secretary-General’s current call for a global ceasefire during the coronavirus pandemic. 

UNSMIL

UN salutes new Libya ceasefire agreement that points to ‘a better, safer, and more peaceful future’

23 October 2020
Peace and Security

Warring parties in Libya on Friday agreed an historic ceasefire, which was hailed by the head of the UN Support Mission in the country (UNSMIL), who led the mediation, as a courageous act that can help secure a “a better, safer, and more peaceful future for all the Libyan people”.

© UNHCR/Vincent Tremeau

Rohingya conference pledges to ‘remain steadfast’ in finding solutions to crisis

22 October 2020
Migrants and Refugees

A joint UN-hosted donor conference to rally international support behind Myanmar’s displaced Rohingya minority, ended on Thursday with a promise to continue engaging with concerned countries towards finding a long-term solution to their plight.

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Little progress on disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan

22 October 2020
Peace and Security

Despite the strengthening of the relationship between Sudan and South Sudan, little progress has been made regarding the disputed Abyei region, the head of UN Peacekeeping told the Security Council on Thursday. 

© UNICEF/Chansereypich Seng

Classroom crisis: Avert a ‘generational catastrophe’, urges UN chief

22 October 2020
Culture and Education

The world is at risk of suffering “a generational catastrophe” as COVID-19 wreaks havoc on the education of students globally, the UN chief said on Thursday. 

Unsplash/Kitthitorn Chaiyuthapoo

Independent UN rights experts urge Thai government to allow peaceful protests 

22 October 2020
Human Rights

Calling the latest imposition of a state of emergency in Thailand, a “draconian measure”,  UN-appointed human rights experts on Thursday urged the Government there to guarantee the fundamental rights of peaceful assembly and free speech.