International Women’s Day: UN chief launches plan to tackle ‘baked-in bias’

International Women’s Day: UN chief launches plan to tackle ‘baked-in bias’

“Equality is overdue; to achieve it, we must match rhetoric with resources,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “We must invest in women and girls, turbocharge progress and build a better world for us all.” His new UN System-Wide Gender Equality Acceleration Plan “commits to placing women and girls at the centre of our work across…

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First Person: How youth and forests tackle Honduras’ water crisis

First Person: How youth and forests tackle Honduras’ water crisis

Montserrat Xilotl, a Regional Technical Advisor in Climate Change Adaptation for the UN Development Programme (UNDP), explains why. Montserrat Xilotl, Regional Technical Advisor in Climate Change Adaptation for the UN Development Programme (UNDP). “Forests are nature’s water filters and storage systems. When rain falls, the trees, and vegetation capture and absorb it, allowing it to…

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UNODC joins regional crime fighters to tackle scams and human trafficking in SE Asia

UNODC joins regional crime fighters to tackle scams and human trafficking in SE Asia

The focus of the plan is on criminal activity associated with casinos in the region, and other scams including money laundering and cybercrime. The plan of action was announced in the Thai capital by officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) together with partner China, and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)….

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Rights expert appeals for action to tackle elder abuse

Rights expert appeals for action to tackle elder abuse

Claudia Mahler, UN independent expert on the enjoyment of all human rights of older persons, made the appeal in her annual report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. She said violence against older persons remains unaddressed despite being widespread, pervasive and putting millions of older persons at risk, amid a rapidly ageing world. Not a priority  “Combatting abuse…

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New mechanism must track and tackle ‘gross’ violations in Libya

New mechanism must track and tackle ‘gross’ violations in Libya

“Libyan authorities, armed groups, smugglers, and human traffickers should not assume that the eyes of the international community have now left Libya,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said. “It is crucial that we redouble efforts to secure accountability for past violations and continue to monitor the reality on the ground to prevent…

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