In Kyrgyzstan, UN chief Guterres highlights importance of governance for sustainable development
Jun 12, 2017, at 01:08 pm
New York, June 12 (Just Earth News): Underscoring the importance of accountable and inclusive governance and institutions for the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday called for public services to be more responsive, efficient and collaborative.
Catastrophe of Aral Sea shows 'men can destroy the planet', warns UN chief Guterres
Jun 11, 2017, at 02:08 pm
New York, June 11(Just Earth News): Continuing his visit to Central Asia, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday visited the Aral Sea – once the world's fourth largest inland sea, that has now shrunk to about a quarter of its original size due to human mismanagement – where he urged the world to take lesson from the catastrophe and to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated.
Mali: Three UN peacekeepers killed in attack in Kidal
Jun 10, 2017, at 01:35 pm
New York, June 10(Just Earth News): Condemning yesterday's attacks against the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in the city of Kidal, Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated the Organization's support to help implement the peace agreement in the West African country.
Conflict and drought deepen food insecurity in Africa, Middle East – UN agency
Jun 10, 2017, at 01:30 pm
New York, June 10(Just Earth News): Protracted fighting and unrest are swelling the ranks of displaced and hungry ins some parts of the world, even as large agricultural harvests in some regions are buoying global food supply conditions, according to a new report by the United Nations agriculture agency.
Inclusive development 'best form of preventing conflict,' UN chief tells Central Asia summit
Jun 10, 2017, at 01:29 pm
New York, June 10(Just Earth News): Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday stressed the importance of partnership between the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in achieving global development goals and combating some of on Friday's key threats to peace and security, such as terrorism.
Jun 10, 2017, at 04:39 am
New York, June 9 (Just Earth News): Voicing concern over lack of progress on the part of Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to undertake credible investigations into widespread allegations of rights violations and abuses in the Kasai Central and Kasai Oriental provinces, the top United Nations human rights official on Friday called for setting up of an international investigation mechanism to look into the situation.
Despite pressure and losses, ISIL remains potent threat, UN political chief warns Security Council
Jun 09, 2017, at 01:22 pm
New York, June 9(Just Earth News): After losing control on population centres and declining financial strength, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) terrorist group is more focused than ever before on “enabling and inspiring†attacks outside of conflict zones, the top United Nations political official said on Thursday.
Welcoming progress in arms laydown in Colombia, UN chief reiterates support to peace process
Jun 09, 2017, at 01:21 pm
New York, June 9(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Thursday that he has been “encouraged†by the progress in Colombian peace process and called on the Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP) to continue to implement their respective commitments under the accord.
China's Liu Zhenmin named new head of UN Economic and Social Affairs Department
Jun 09, 2017, at 01:20 pm
New York, June 9(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday appointed Liu Zhenmin of China as the next Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.
Recent killings in western Mosul indicative of rising atrocities against civilians – UN rights arm
Jun 09, 2017, at 04:40 am
New York, June 8(Just Earth News): Noting “credible†reports that Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) fighters killed more than 231 civilians, including women and children, attempting to flee western Mosul over the past two weeks, the United Nations human rights arm underscored that attacks on civilians could amount to war crimes.
Working together, ‘we can ensure that our oceans remain healthy as our blue home’ – UN chief
Jun 09, 2017, at 04:39 am
New York, June 8(Just Earth News): The future of the planet’s oceans is burdened by threats such as climate change, pollution and destructive fishing practices – and the lack of capacities to address these threats – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has said, calling for joint global action to ensure “that our oceans are peaceful, safe and bountiful, and remain healthy as our blue home.â€
Indigenous and environmental rights under attack in Brazil, UN rights experts warn
Jun 09, 2017, at 04:38 am
New York, June 8(Just Earth News): Human rights experts from the United Nations and an inter-American organization have denounced attacks on indigenous and environmental rights in Brazil, expressing concern over a Congressional report that accuses the UN of being “a confederation of non-governmental organizations influencing Brazilian policy.â€
Jun 09, 2017, at 04:37 am
New York, June 8(Just Earth News): Despite balanced global food commodity markets, shipping costs and import volumes will lift worldwide import costs to over $1.3 trillion this year, according to the latest report from the United Nations agriculture agency.
Record 'green' energy capacity added in 2016 as cost for renewables plunges – UN-backed report
Jun 08, 2017, at 05:16 pm
New York, June 8(Just Earth News): The world is now adding more green energy capacity each year than it adds in new capacity from all fossil fuels combined, a United Nations-backed report revealed on Wednesday, showing that the “renewables train has already left the station†and those who ignore this will be left behind.
Musician Cody Simpson to be named 'Ocean Advocate' for UN development agency
Jun 08, 2017, at 05:15 pm
New York, June 8(Just Earth News): To mark World Oceans Day, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will name Australian musician Cody Simpson as its first-ever Ocean Advocate to help raise awareness of the crucial role the ocean plays in the health of the planet and people.
Musician Cody Simpson to be named 'Ocean Advocate' for UN development agency
Jun 08, 2017, at 01:35 pm
New York, June 8(Just Earth News): To mark World Oceans Day, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will name Australian musician Cody Simpson as its first-ever Ocean Advocate to help raise awareness of the crucial role the ocean plays in the health of the planet and people.
Gender-based killings, domestic violence forms of 'arbitrary execution' – UN rights expert
Jun 08, 2017, at 01:26 pm
New York, June 8(Just Earth News): A United Nations-appointed human rights expert on Wednesday said that gender-related killings and domestic murders or intimate partner violence should be understood as forms of arbitrary execution and thus violates the right to life.
As booming digital economy sprints past poor countries, UN report urges closing investment divide
Jun 08, 2017, at 01:24 pm
New York, June 8(Just Earth News): Even though digital multinational enterprises – Internet and e-commerce platforms such as Uber, Instagram and Facebook – witnessed “dramatic†growth over the past few years, more than 60 of the top 100 such ventures were concentrated in three countries (the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany), leaving much room to grow elsewhere, a new, ground-breaking United Nations report has revealed.
UN Africa forum launches high-level migration panel to help create political momentum for change
Jun 08, 2017, at 01:23 pm
New York, June 8(Just Earth News): Amid growing concern for the safety of migrants, particularly in Africa, as they undertake extreme risks in hopes of a better future or to escape violence and persecution, a high-level body established by the United Nations development arm in the continent has launched a process to help forge political consensus to address challenges and save lives.
Water is ‘catalyst’ for cooperation, not conflict, UN chief tells Security Council
Jun 07, 2017, at 02:32 pm
New York, June 7(Just Earth News): Stressing the importance of diplomacy to prevent and resolve trans-boundary disputes over water resources, Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday told the United Nations Security Council that water serves as “a catalyst†for cooperation among nations, even those that are not on good ter
Addressing Human Rights Council, UN rights chief decries some States’ lack of cooperation
Jun 07, 2017, at 02:30 pm
New York, June 7(Just Earth News): In a major address in Geneva, the United Nations human rights chief on Tuesday stressed that denying access or not cooperating with UN bodies would not diminish scrutiny of a Government’s human rights record.
At Ocean Conference, UN agencies commit to cutting harmful fishing subsidies
Jun 07, 2017, at 02:29 pm
New York, June 7(Just Earth News): As the international community focuses this week on preserving the health of global oceans and seas, the United Nations agencies on agriculture, environment and trade are committing to the sustainable trade of fisheries.
Jun 07, 2017, at 02:27 pm
New York, June 7(Just Earth News): As part of its effort to combat growing drug resistance, the United Nations health agency on Tuesday announced that it is classifying antibiotics into three categories and providing new advice on which to use for common infections and which to preserve for the most serious circumstances.
Nothing short of a 'sea change' will end years of gross neglect in mental health care – UN expert
Jun 07, 2017, at 02:24 pm
New York, June 7(Just Earth News): Citing decades of neglect in mental health care, a United Nations human rights expert on Tuesday denounced “biomedical gatekeepers†who perpetuate stigma and urged States and psychiatrists to act with courage to reform a “crisis-hit system built on outdated attitudes.â€
Syria: As airstrikes hit Raqqa, UN sounds alarm over plight of civilians
Jun 07, 2017, at 05:48 am
New York, June 6(Just Earth News): The United Nations humanitarian wing on Tuesday said it is deeply concerned for the safety and protection of more than 400,000 civilians in Syria's war-torn Raqqa Governorate, “who continue to be exposed to daily fighting and airstrikes.â€
Syria: As airstrikes hit Raqqa, UN sounds alarm over plight of civilians
Jun 07, 2017, at 05:47 am
New York, June 6(Just Earth News): The United Nations humanitarian wing on Tuesday said it is deeply concerned for the safety and protection of more than 400,000 civilians in Syria's war-torn Raqqa Governorate, “who continue to be exposed to daily fighting and airstrikes.â€
Sri Lanka: UN assists storm victims, seeks to contain diseases 'spiralling out of control'
Jun 07, 2017, at 05:41 am
New York, June 6(Just Earth News): In the aftermath of a devastating tropical storm in Sri Lanka, United Nations agencies are working to provide shelters and other emergency kits while seeking to contain a mosquito-borne disease that is starting to “spiral out of control.â€
Falling aid for education putting global goals at risk, warns UN agency
Jun 07, 2017, at 05:33 am
New York, June 6(Just Earth News): Against the backdrop of aid allocations to education falling for the sixth year in a row, the United Nations agency mandated with promoting education globally has called on the donor community to focus more attention on the vital sector, especially in countries where needs are the greatest.
FEATURE: Climate change and the world’s oceans
Jun 06, 2017, at 03:40 pm
New York, June 6(Just Earth News): The vital link between oceans and climate change is among the issues at the forefront of discussions at the United Nations Ocean Conference taking place in New York from 5 to 9 June.
Sustainable production a 'powerful engine' for decent work creation – UN labour chief
Jun 06, 2017, at 03:37 pm
New York, June 6(Just Earth News): Emphasizing the potential for 'greening' the world of work, the top United Nations labour official told delegates at the International Labour Conference on Monday that job creation and the protection of the planet can and must work together to ensure a sustainable future for all.