Over the past week, the UN’s principal organ with universal membership heard Heads of States and Governments who outlined various challenges, from the existential threat of climate change to the misuse of artificial intelligence. Assembly President Dennis Francis, in his closing address, highlighted the continued relevance of the General Assembly and the United Nations’ unwavering…
Noting that we are at the halfway point in the global effort to ensure achievement of the of the Sustainable Development Goals, Mr. Rae said: “The consensus this past week was clear: we are far behind where we need to be to meet the commitments we have made to our populations and to one another.” …
To that end, representation of developing countries that make up the absolute majority of United Nations, must be expanded and strengthened, said Kim Song, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of DPRK to the UN. “The issue to be addressed before anything else in the UN activities is to ensure that the Security Council is not allowed…
Coral Reef Image Bank/Yen-Yi Lee In Malaysia, tourism is a major economic sector and generated over $18 billion in revenue in 2019. After revenues plummeted by 72 per cent during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Malaysian authorities, with the help of UNDP’s sustainable tourism recovery project, looked to reinvigorate the industry by putting out a greener welcome…
According to the UN health agency, the tobacco industry’s approach has resulted in increased use of e-cigarettes, with nine out of 10 smokers starting before the age of 18 – and some as early as 11. “Considering that children spend nearly one-third of their waking hours in school, and much of the peer pressure they…
UNICEF Representative in Mali, Pierre Ngom, told reporters in Geneva that dozens of children have been killed this month alone by non-State armed groups in the north and centre of the country. An attack on a boat on the Gao-Timbuktu axis on 7 September claimed the lives of at least 24 youngsters. Mr. Ngom called…
Some 19,000 refugees have reportedly left the Karabakh Economic Region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including many elderly people, women and children. UNHCR Spokesperson Shabia Mantoo called on all sides to protect civilians and to fully respect international humanitarian refugee law allowing them safe passage. All parties must “refrain from actions that would cause displacement…
“The Government must loosen tight restrictions on assemblies and associations to bring laws and practice into conformity with the national Constitution and international human rights law”, said Clément Voule, Special Rapporteur on the right to assembly, in a statement at the end of a 10-day official visit to Algeria. He was there as the country…
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, said “we often advocate the promotion of a rules-based order. From time to time, respect for the UN Charter is also invoked.” “But for all the talk, there are still a few nations who shape the agenda and seek to define the norms. This cannot go on indefinitely. Nor…
Roza Otunbayeva, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), called for a “reframed engagement strategy”, expressing concern over the “lack of positive direction” in current efforts. “The lack of trust on all sides is a serious impediment to building confidence but the doors to dialogue are still open,” she said. “This moment,…
