Colombia stepping up efforts achieve historic peace goals, UN envoy says

Colombia stepping up efforts achieve historic peace goals, UN envoy says

Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, told ambassadors at the Security Council, that this weekend, in southern Colombia, land purchased by the Government was handed over to some 500 beneficiaries, among them former FARC-EP combatants, peasants and members of the indigenous communities. “Hopeful moments such as these are an increasingly common occurrence today,…

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In Iceland, UN deputy chief says all conflict – across regions and with nature – must end

In Iceland, UN deputy chief says all conflict – across regions and with nature – must end

During her visit, which concluded on Tuesday, Ms. Mohammed held a number of bilateral meetings with senior government officials, including President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir.  “We must not give up. Times of distress call for courage, solidarity and determination. It starts at…

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UNHCR: more than 7 million refugee children out of school

World News in Brief: recovery efforts in Ukraine, human rights in Sudan and WHO report

“Our team has mobilized and is currently implementing more than $1 billion in recovery and development initiatives across the country,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Wednesday. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Denise Brown, this week visited some of our recovery initiatives in Invakiv, a town in the Kyiv region. There, the…

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500 still missing following Afghanistan earthquake, say UN aid teams

500 still missing following Afghanistan earthquake, say UN aid teams

 At the epicentre of the earthquake in Zindajan district, the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) recorded nearly 1,300 deaths and 1,700 injuries. In some places, entire villages have been destroyed, according to teams on the ground.  Over 12,000 affected An estimated 12,110 people, or 1,730 families, have been affected in five districts of Herat. That number is expected…

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UN General Assembly elects 15 new members to Human Rights Council

UN General Assembly elects 15 new members to Human Rights Council

After the ballots were cast and counted, Assembly President Dennis Francis announced Albania, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Malawi, and the Netherlands were elected to serve for three years, beginning 1 January 2024. China, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, France, and Malawi were re-elected for their second terms. …

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Convention’s 10-year birthday marks commitment to prevent new mercury scare

Convention’s 10-year birthday marks commitment to prevent new mercury scare

To help understand why this international treaty is important,  UN News has put together a quick guide on global efforts to eradicate exposure to quicksilver, as mercury is also known. Making waves The landmark Convention is named after the Japanese coastal city where residents suffered decades of mercury poisoning from industrial wastewater released by a…

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World News in Brief: Health access in Israel-Palestine, Myanmar bombing, child refugee mental health

World News in Brief: Health access in Israel-Palestine, Myanmar bombing, child refugee mental health

“Over 1000 people have died and many more been injured following horrific acts of violence by Hamas on Saturday in Israel, and days of bombing by Israel in Gaza,” the WHO said  in a statement on Tuesday. The UN agency has offered assistance to health officials in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.  …

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