Uganda: UN rights chief calls on President not to sign anti-homosexuality bill

Uganda: Guterres voices deep concern as Anti-Homosexuality Act signed into law

The draconian law foresees the application of the death penalty and long prison sentences for consensual sex between adults. Non-discrimination principle Mr. Guterres called on Uganda to fully respect its international human rights obligations, “in particular the principle of non-discrimination and the respect for personal privacy”, irrespective of sexual orientation and gender identity. He also…

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Oversight’s key to ensure sustainability in outer space: Guterres

Oversight’s key to ensure sustainability in outer space: Guterres

“Our common interest in preserving the domain of outer space, a province of humankind that benefits us all, requires agile and multi-stakeholder governance responses,” he wrote in the introduction.  The policy brief examines some of the “unprecedented” changes underway in outer space, including the sheer volume of satellites being launched into orbit, the participation of the…

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UN peacekeepers ‘a beacon of hope and protection’: Guterres

UN peacekeepers ‘a beacon of hope and protection’: Guterres

He said the men and women that serve, from 125 countries, across 12 operations, were working to support security, stability and the rule of law. “They represent the beating heart of the United Nations’ commitment to peace”, said Secretary-General António Guterres. “By bringing peacekeepers together from around the world, peacekeeping has also become an inspiring symbol of multilateralism in…

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Guterres: ‘We can turn the tide’ towards ending colonialism

Guterres: ‘We can turn the tide’ towards ending colonialism

“Our shared goal is to give greater priority to the decolonization agenda and spur accelerated action,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Special Committee on Decolonization, or C-24, regional seminar. Established by the General Assembly in 1961, the Committee is mandated to examine the application of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial…

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UN ‘determined’ to end backsliding on development goals, Guterres tells ECOSOC

UN ‘determined’ to end backsliding on development goals, Guterres tells ECOSOC

António Guterres was addressing the first high stakes meeting of the UN Economic and Social Council’s (ECOSOC) Operational Activities for Development Segment at UN Headquarters in New York, which he described as “an important first step” towards providing accelerated action for reaching the 17 ambitious SDGs, by the 2030 deadline. ‘Weak and insufficient’ He said…

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G7 nations, ‘central to climate action’ says Guterres, calling for global reset

G7 nations, ‘central to climate action’ says Guterres, calling for global reset

The G7, which consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, together with the European Union, is meeting in the city where the first atomic bomb was dropped in 1945, a place which Secretary-General António Guterres described, as a “testament to the human spirit”. “Whenever I visit, I am inspired by…

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Guterres calls for end to digital divide, stressing ‘tremendous opportunities’ ahead

Guterres calls for end to digital divide, stressing ‘tremendous opportunities’ ahead

That’s the message from UN chief António Guterres ahead of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on Thursday. Mr. Guterres insisted on the need to confront technology’s perils, including the amplification of economic inequalities, the proliferation of hate speech and disinformation, as well as the lack of governance and unchecked development of artificial intelligence, or…

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