At UN, Pacific Island leaders sound alarm on climate crisis, call for urgent action

At UN, Pacific Island leaders sound alarm on climate crisis, call for urgent action

Addressing the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Presidents of Kiribati, Timor-Leste, Micronesia and Nauru called for accelerated climate action, urging major emitters worldwide to commit to substantial reductions in emissions by 2030. These nations, while contributing negligibly to global emissions, highlighted bold ambitions to curb their own carbon footprints, exemplified by Micronesia’s pledge to reduce…

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World News in Brief: Peace day, high seas treaty, Palestinian displacement rises, polio in Ukraine

World News in Brief: Peace day, high seas treaty, Palestinian displacement rises, polio in Ukraine

“People and our planet are in crisis”, the UN chief said, highlighting how conflicts continue to drive the vulnerable from their homes, while heatwaves and floods claim lives and division prevails. ‘Leave no one behind’ This year’s Peace Day coincides with the halfway point on the road to the Sustainable Development Goals, and the UN’s…

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UN rights experts ‘deeply alarmed’ at continuing executions of Iran protesters

UN rights experts condemn Iran’s protest crackdown

Protests erupted throughout the country on Saturday marking the one-year anniversary of the 22-year-old Iranian woman’s death after she was detained by Iran’s morality police for allegedly not wearing her headscarf properly. Crackdown on protesters Iranian authorities briefly detained Ms. Amini’s father on Saturday and beefed-up security nationwide to deter protesters from taking to the…

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Reforms vital to build confidence, Japanese leader tells UN Assembly

Reforms vital to build confidence, Japanese leader tells UN Assembly

Addressing the General Assembly’s annual high-level debate Fumio Kishida urged reforms of the Security Council, including increased representation of Africa and expanding both its permanent and non-permanent membership, to restore confidence. “The world is changing dramatically. We need a Security Council that reflects the world today,” he said, noting that efforts to limit the use…

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UN General Assembly adopts declaration to accelerate SDGs

UN General Assembly adopts declaration to accelerate SDGs

Mr. Guterres was speaking at the opening of a high-level forum at UN Headquarters where world leaders adopted a political declaration to accelerate action to achieve the 17 goals, which aim to drive economic prosperity and well-being for all people while protecting the environment. “The SDGs aren’t just a list of goals. They carry the hopes, dreams, rights and expectations of people everywhere,” he said.  Concerted,…

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‘Staggering proposition’ reaching SDGs for small island States: A UN Resident Coordinator blog

‘Staggering proposition’ reaching SDGs for small island States: A UN Resident Coordinator blog

That’s according to Joanna Kazana, the UN Resident Coordinator for Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten. On 18 September, countries from around the world will come together at the SDG Summit in New York to take stock of what progress has been made ahead of the 2030 deadline for the goals to realized. “For a…

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‘We all need to step up’ to rescue the SDG’s and fight for a better future: UN chief

‘We all need to step up’ to rescue the SDG’s and fight for a better future: UN chief

With world leaders set to convene next week for the annual high-level opening of the General Assembly, the UN’s Midtown East campus on the weekend was host to an energetic range of actors – from youth groups and women’s organizations, to mayors, community activists and business leaders – looking to boost support for the Goals ahead…

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