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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Ukraine: UN adds historic Kyiv cathedral and monastery to danger list

Ukraine: UN adds historic Kyiv cathedral and monastery to danger list

The Ukrainian capital has suffered multiple Russian missile strikes during the war, prompting the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to highlight the threat of destruction facing the iconic St. Sophia’s Cathedral and Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, also known as the Monastery of the Caves. The agency also added the medieval centre of the western city of Lviv to…

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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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‘Staggering proposition’ reaching SDGs for small island States: A UN Resident Coordinator blog

‘Staggering proposition’ reaching SDGs for small island States: A UN Resident Coordinator blog

That’s according to Joanna Kazana, the UN Resident Coordinator for Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten. On 18 September, countries from around the world will come together at the SDG Summit in New York to take stock of what progress has been made ahead of the 2030 deadline for the goals to realized. “For a…

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‘We all need to step up’ to rescue the SDG’s and fight for a better future: UN chief

‘We all need to step up’ to rescue the SDG’s and fight for a better future: UN chief

With world leaders set to convene next week for the annual high-level opening of the General Assembly, the UN’s Midtown East campus on the weekend was host to an energetic range of actors – from youth groups and women’s organizations, to mayors, community activists and business leaders – looking to boost support for the Goals ahead…

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