Nations agree landmark treaty on traditional knowledge, protecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights

Nations agree landmark treaty on traditional knowledge, protecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights

The Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge also includes key provisions aimed at protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Its approval by consensus, in Geneva, marked the conclusion of negotiations that began in 2001. “Today we made history in many ways. This is not just the first new…

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Afghanistan is ‘not a hopeless crisis’, top UN aid official says

Afghanistan is ‘not a hopeless crisis’, top UN aid official says

Afghanistan is “not a hopeless crisis,” Edem Wosornu of the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, told journalists in New York, following a recent visit to the country, Pakistan and war-wracked Sudan.  Ms. Wosornu was part of an all-woman delegation in Afghanistan, where the climate crisis has caused widespread water scarcity, generating new food, health, and…

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World News in Brief: ‘Appalling’ attacks in Kharkiv, plea to aid Myanmar civilians, maritime tribunal boosts climate action, civilian protection

World News in Brief: ‘Appalling’ attacks in Kharkiv, plea to aid Myanmar civilians, maritime tribunal boosts climate action, civilian protection

Denise Brown said civilian lives must be protected during conflict by all sides, but in Kharkiv in recent days, they have instead been targeted in their homes, with businesses and transport links damaged and attacked. “My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones due to the strikes,” she said, adding that…

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UN establishes International Day of reflection for Srebrenica genocide

UN establishes International Day of reflection for Srebrenica genocide

Adopting a resolution with the same title, the Assembly also asked the Secretary-General to establish an outreach programme on the Srebrenica genocide in preparation for the 30th anniversary next year. It further condemned any denial of the Srebrenica genocide as a historical event and called on Member States to preserve the established facts, including through…

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‘All hands on deck’ in Antigua and Barbuda as small island States chart course to resilient prosperity

‘All hands on deck’ in Antigua and Barbuda as small island States chart course to resilient prosperity

The Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) will bring together governments, the UN, civil society, the private sector and leading youth voices to turn new ideas into action, raise new pledges of support and discuss the key challenges that lie ahead for the vulnerable group of nations. Living on the edge There…

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WHO report reveals major health disparities between European teens

WHO report reveals major health disparities between European teens

Based on information from 44 countries that engaged in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, it highlights unhealthy eating habits, increasing levels of overweight and obesity and low levels of physical activity in young people. According to WHO, each of these are “significant risk factors for a range of noncommunicable diseases including cardiovascular…

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‘Now is the time to unleash Africa’s peace power’ Guterres tells Security Council

‘Now is the time to unleash Africa’s peace power’ Guterres tells Security Council

“Now is the time to unleash Africa’s peace power,” he said, opening a debate on its critical role in addressing global security and development challenges, convened by Mozambique, the Council president for May.  Calling Africa “an important voice for the global good”, he cited examples of how the continent has shown “unity and solidarity in…

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