Sea level rise poses ‘unthinkable’ risks for the planet, Security Council hears

Sea level rise poses ‘unthinkable’ risks for the planet, Security Council hears

“The impact of rising seas is already creating new sources of instability and conflict,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who opened the meeting. Noting that some nations’ coastlines have already seen triple the average rate of sea level rise, he warned that, in the coming decades, low-lying communities – and entire countries – could disappear forever. “We would witness…

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Equality drive launched by African women leaders at landmark conference

Equality drive launched by African women leaders at landmark conference

Almost 400 women leaders from 15 African countries joined the UN-backed three-day conference, which opened on Monday, including former and current presidents. The goal is to advance progress, tackle pressing concerns and find sustainable solutions to issues affecting women and girls in South Sudan and across Africa. The conference’s theme is GuwaTaMara, meaning the strength…

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Power of sport to counter violent extremism amplified at UN

Power of sport to counter violent extremism amplified at UN

“Sport has the power to convey essential values of respect, inclusion, and solidarity,” said Mauro Miedico, deputy director and chief of the special projects and innovation branch at the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT). “When applied in tandem with wider preventing violent extremism (PVE) strategies, it can work against the drivers of radicalization which lead…

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Experts demand better measures to protect children caught in conflict

Experts demand better measures to protect children caught in conflict

Virginia Gamba, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict, who is currently preparing her latest report, said data gathered so far reveals that trends showing high levels of violations are continuing.  Nearly 24,000 grave violations were verified in 2021, the last reporting year.  Most involved killing and maiming, as well as recruitment and…

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WHO announces $43 million appeal to scale up response in Syria and Turkiye

WHO announces $43 million appeal to scale up response in Syria and Turkiye

The amount is set to increase as the magnitude of the disaster becomes clearer, he said, speaking during a press conference from the Syrian capital, Damascus. Latest reports put the death toll at more than 33,000, according to international media, with millions more left homeless. Ramping up operations Tedros also reported that the Syrian authorities…

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