United Nations

UN secretary general: recovery from the coronavirus crisis must lead to a better world

In a column for the Guardian, U.N. Secretary General António Guterres has called for a coordinated global response to the pandemic, but said it must lead to greater global resilience and…

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UN issues its first coronavirus resolution

The UN has issued its first coronavirus resolution as global cases surpass 1 million. The resolution, which was approved by consensus, also stresses "the need for full respect for human…

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Covid-19 splits UN General Assembly

How should the U.N. General Assembly and its 193 member states respond to the coronavirus pandemic? Members have been sent two rival resolutions for consideration — and under new voting…

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UN says coronavirus pandemic is the greatest challenge since WWII

The current coronavirus outbreak is the biggest challenge for the world since World War Two, UN Secretary General António Guterres has warned. He said it could bring a recession "that…

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Pope Francis calls for immediate global ceasefire

In words following the recitation of the Marian Prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis highlighted an appeal launched by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres this week calling…

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Over 80 UN staff members around world infected

The United Nations says 86 staff members around the world have reported cases of COVID-19. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said most of the infected staff members are in Europe, but…

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UN warns ‘rapid deterioration’ in global investment flows as Coronavirus spread

Foreign direct investment flows are liable to drop by 30 to 40 per cent during 2020, into next year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting a far more severe economic blow…

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UN urges G20 to adopt ‘wartime plan’

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged leaders of the worlds 20 major industrialised nations to adopt a wartime plan including a stimulus package in the trillions of dollars for businesses, workers and…

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The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war – UN Secretary General calls for immediate global ceasefire

The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war”, he said. “That is why today, I am calling for an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world.…

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U.N. to create global coronavirus fund

The United Nations will create a fund to support the treatment of coronavirus patients worldwide, Norway’s foreign ministry said on Monday. “A multi-donor fund under UN auspices will provide predictability…

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“We are in an unprecedented situation and the normal rules no longer apply” says UN chief

As public fear and uncertainty grow around the COVID-19 pandemic, “more than ever before, we need solidarity, hope and the political will to see this crisis through together,” UN Secretary-General…

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ILO warns nearly 25 million jobs could be lost because of coronavirus

Nearly 25 million people could become unemployed owing to the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the UN announced on Wednesday. Global unemployment could increase by 5.3 million in a…

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UN secretary General calls for ‘prudence, not panic’, WHO launches solidarity fund

In a video message recorded on Friday afternoon, UN chief António Guterres assured the world that the COVID-19 virus will peak, and the global economy will recover but, until…

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United Nations issues five things one should know now, about the COVID-19 pandemic

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) upgraded the status of the COVID-19 outbreak from epidemic to pandemic. Here are five important pieces of information issued by the United Nations…

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UN climate report warns “time is fast running out” to avert the worst impacts of climate change

The United Nations' weather and climate agency is out with its annual State of the Climate report, and it says "the tell-tale physical signs of climate change" are everywhere. The…

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UN warns COVID-19 likely to cost economy $1 trillion during 2020

Apart from the tragic human consequences of the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic, the economic uncertainty it has sparked will likely cost the global economy $1 trillion in 2020, the UN’s trade…

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UN addresses school disruptions, suspends public access to New York HQ

In an attempt to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, classrooms have been shuttered across the world, causing a record number of students to miss school, the UN Educational, Scientific…

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Should I take a flight? UN civil aviation agency issues guidelines on air travel

In response to fears surrounding the spread of COVID-19, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has published a list of questions and answers, designed to ensure appropriate planning and…

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As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, U.N. stresses that gender equality benefits everyone

As various cities around the world prepared to celebrate International Women’s Day – with limitations due to the coronavirus outbreak - the chief of UN Women said in her message…

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9 in 10 people are biased against women, UN research finds

Despite decades of progress in closing the gender equality gap, close to nine out of 10 men and women around the world, hold some sort of bias against women, according…

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Former UN Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuellar dies at 100

Javier Pérez de Cuellar, the two-term United Nations secretary-general who brokered a historic cease-fire between Iran and Iraq in 1988 and who in later life came out of retirement to…

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Actions by Russia and Turkey in Syria could amount to war crimes

The United Nations said the actions of Russia and Turkey in Syria could amount to war crimes by both Moscow and Ankara. Russia backs the Syrian government’s forces, while Turkey…

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UN’s envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame resigns, citing health reasons

The UN's envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, on Monday announced his resignation from his post. "I tried to unite the Libyans and restrain foreign interference… but for health reasons I…

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UN releases emergency funds to help vulnerable countries fight coronavirus COVID-19

The UN announced that $15 million dollars has been released from the UN’s Central Emergency Fund to help fund global efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, particularly…

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UN report finds smoking and drinking link to recreational drug use by young people

The use of alcohol and tobacco by young people and children is closely linked to the use of illicit drugs, a UN-backed narcotics control body warned. The International Narcotics Control…

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At Stockholm road safety summit, UN officials join global call to end ‘scourge’ of preventable deaths

Road traffic accidents take some 1.35 million lives every year and cost most countries three per cent of their gross domestic product, the top UN health official said on Wednesday…

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Libya’s cities left ‘re-contaminated’ by explosives by months of fighting

Ongoing hostilities in Libya have left numerous cities severely “re-contaminated” with unexploded ordnance, threatening schools, universities and hospitals, the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) said. The warning about hazardous military…

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UN list targets firms linked to Israeli settlements

The U.N. human rights office on Wednesday released a list of more than 100 companies it said are complicit in violating Palestinian human rights by operating in Israeli settlements in…

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UN Security Council adopts Libyan ceasefire resolution

The UN Security Council on Wednesday in New York adopted a resolution calling for "lasting ceasefire" in Libya's ongoing conflict. The resolution confirms commitments made by international leaders during a summit in…

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United Nations flights stopped from landing by Haftar’s forces

The United Nations said eastern Libyan forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar have refused to grant landing permits for flights bringing U.N. staff to and from Libya, a statement said on…

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North Korea breached UN sanctions – report

North Korea continued to enhance its nuclear and ballistic missile programs last year in breach of United Nations sanctions, according to a confidential U.N. report seen by Reuters on Monday.…

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New U.N. effort for ceasefire in Libya

Libya’s warring parties will continue talks this month to try to reach a lasting ceasefire in a war for control of the capital Tripoli, the United Nations said on Saturday,…

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ISIS still at ‘centre’ of terrorism threat, UN Security Council hears

Despite the loss of its last stronghold in Syria and the death of its leader, ISIS “remains at the centre of the transnational terrorism threat”, a senior UN official told the Security Council.…

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Appeal for ‘convergence’ over lasting Libya ceasefire

On day four of UN-led talks to transform an uncertain truce in Libya into a permanent ceasefire, veteran negotiator Ghassan Salamé on Thursday welcomed the “progress” that had been made…

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Global initiative launched to keep top sports events safe from terrorism

Representatives from international sporting federations and the private sector joined with ambassadors at UN Headquarters in New York this week to launch a global programme aimed at safeguarding major sporting…

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2020: the year for action, to ‘rise up’ and safeguard ocean life

With the ocean in deep crisis, members of civil society and philanthropic organisations are urging governments and corporations to take bold action to safeguard the ocean. After a two-day preparatory meeting in New York ahead of June’s UN Ocean…

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U.N. Secretary General says Libya situation a ‘scandal’

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called the situation in Libya a “scandal” even as his envoy cited a “genuine will” by rival military factions as they planned their…

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Willingness to negotiate peace in Libya as UN-led talks are held in Geneva

The U.N. envoy to Libya said on Tuesday there was a "genuine will to start negotiating" between rival military factions as they planned to meet for the first time for…

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Do not confuse food charity with ‘right to food’, UN expert tells Italians

A sophisticated Italian food system is placing a heavy burden on Italy’s workers and farmers, an independent UN human rights expert said on Friday, following an 11-day visit to the…

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New UN draft resolution calls for withdrawal of mercenaries in Libya

The United Kingdom has sent its fellow Security Council members an amended draft resolution on Libya, calling for the withdrawal of mercenaries from the country. The draft expresses the Council's…

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UNHCR suspends work at key transit site in Libya, top UN official in Libya expresses “deep anger” over increased fighting

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has halted operations at a site in Tripoli, out of fear that it could become a target. The agency on Thursday announced that it has suspended work…

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