Cuba calls for ‘a new and more just global contract’

Cuba calls for ‘a new and more just global contract’

Speaking on behalf of the global South, he called for reforming international financial systems and ramping up support for sustainable development and climate action.  Cuba last week hosted the summit of the Group of 77 (G77) and China, the largest developing country organization at the UN, comprising more than 130 nations. Against renewed ‘domination’  Mr….

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Addicted to war, power and greed, humanity is ‘killing itself’, warns Colombian President

Addicted to war, power and greed, humanity is ‘killing itself’, warns Colombian President

“It would seem as though the global leadership has made enemies with life,” he said in his address to the Assembly’s annual general debate, stressing that the past year of climate catastrophes and conflict had been a “terrifying indicator” that humanity is running headlong towards “extinction.”  President Petro proposed two UN-backed peace conferences to resolve…

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'Peace has no losers’, Erdogan says, vowing to step up efforts to end war in Ukraine

‘Peace has no losers’, Erdogan says, vowing to step up efforts to end war in Ukraine

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan began his passionate and wide-ranging speech by highlighting the humanitarian crises, political conflicts, and social tensions plaguing various regions worldwide, emphasizing the difficulty in addressing these issues amid global economic problems. He expressed grave concern about the use of terrorism as an instrument in proxy wars in regions like Syria, North Africa, and…

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Taliban urged to uphold Afghan girls’ right to education

Taliban urged to uphold Afghan girls’ right to education

“Denying education to girls is a violation of universal human rights,” said Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait (ECW). “The de facto authorities can do the right thing for the long-suffering people of Afghanistan by ensuring that every girl in Afghanistan can access quality education and contribute to rebuilding their war-torn country,” she…

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Libya floods aftermath: Response continues amid the wreckage

Libya floods aftermath: Response continues amid the wreckage

Over the weekend, agency staff led missions into Derna, Shahat, Soussa and al Bayda, delivering emergency medical supplies, food, water purification kits and shelter material. ‘Horrific’ situation The situation is “horrific” in Derna, said Rana Ksaifi, leading a UN refugee agency (UNHCR) team to the city. Derna bore the brunt of the floods after two…

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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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‘Radical reorientation’ needed as half of humanity lacks basic health coverage

‘Radical reorientation’ needed as half of humanity lacks basic health coverage

Moreover, two billion face severe financial hardships when paying out-of-pocket for necessary medical treatment, according to a joint World Health Organization (WHO)-World Bank report. “The fact that so many people cannot benefit from affordable, quality, essential health services not only puts their own health at risk, it also puts the stability of communities, societies and…

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Ethiopia: Mass killings continue, risk of further ‘large-scale’ atrocities

Ethiopia: Mass killings continue, risk of further ‘large-scale’ atrocities

The latest report from the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia documents atrocities perpetrated “by all parties to the conflict” since 3 November 2020 – the start date of the armed conflict in Tigray –  including mass killings, rape, starvation, destruction of schools and medical facilities, forced displacement and arbitrary detention. Commission Chair Mohamed…

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