The LDC graduation pathway must not disrupt overall sustainable development, says UN deputy chief

The LDC graduation pathway must not disrupt overall sustainable development, says UN deputy chief

She was speaking during the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), in Doha, Qatar, where other participants stressed that graduation from LDC category must be sustainable and irreversible.  Speakers argued that the appeal for continued and innovative financing and support measures “has fallen on deaf ears”, as the LDC5 held the last…

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UN rights chief calls for fresh thinking to tackle global challenges

UN rights chief calls for fresh thinking to tackle global challenges

The current human rights landscape is compounded by conflict, discrimination, poverty, shrinking civic spaces, and the emergence of new human rights challenges such as the rise of artificial intelligence and surveillance, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk noted. “Fresh thinking, political leadership, renewed commitments, and dramatically scaled-up financing, with the centrality of human…

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There may be internal differences in the army over judicial reforms, Israeli army chief

There may be internal differences in the army over judicial reforms, Israeli army chief

Israeli Army Chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halawi Israel’s army chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halawi has warned the government that there could be internal divisions within the army over judicial reforms. Army Chief General Herzi Halawi says that the conflict over judicial reforms may cause young people to refuse mandatory service in the Israeli army. He…

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‘The time has come to do justice for the least developed countries,’ says UN chief Guterres

‘The time has come to do justice for the least developed countries,’ says UN chief Guterres

“Countries with the least need support the most. And you need it now. You represent one in eight people on earth. But your countries are trapped in vicious cycles that make development difficult, if not impossible,” Mr. Guterres told the Summit of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), in Doha, Qatar Today’s Summit of Heads of State…

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UN officials call for Security Council’s support for post-quake Syria

WHO chief underscores need for ‘peace for health’ in landmark visit to northwest Syria

“I have rarely been so disturbed and heartbroken,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking later at a media briefing.  “The earthquake that struck more than three weeks ago adds unimaginable suffering to people who have already suffered so much over 12 years of war, economic collapse, the COVID-19 pandemic and an ongoing cholera outbreak.” …

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WFP chief describes ‘apocalyptic’ post-quake landscape in Syria, Türkiye

WFP chief describes ‘apocalyptic’ post-quake landscape in Syria, Türkiye

“While the world has quickly mobilized in support of people here, the impact of this quake will be felt for months and years to come,” said WFP Executive Director David Beasley. During a visit to the Hatay region in southern Türkiye, he described “incomprehensible” devastation and an “apocalyptic” landscape. With some 18 million people affected…

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‘Time is working against us’, UN chief says, calling for action to end clashes, restore credible Israeli-Palestinian political horizon

‘Time is working against us’, UN chief says, calling for action to end clashes, restore credible Israeli-Palestinian political horizon

“Our immediate priority must be to prevent further escalation, reduce tensions, and restore calm,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said at a meeting of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. Against a backdrop of deadly accelerating surges of violence, “sky high” tensions, and a stalled peace process, the Secretary-General…

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