For decades, helping the least developed countries to develop has been seen as beneficial for the international community as a whole, as well as a duty of the countries with more resources. However, this philosophy is being challenged by some wealthy nations, which have decided to reduce or even end...
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, sounded the alarm on Friday, World Refugee Day, in a message from Syria. He said the abject failure to end conflicts – including in Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Gaza – continues to create immense suffering. Difficulty seeking...
Tom Fletcher was speaking at the annual stock-take of his sector known as the ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment, which brings together UN Member States and organizations, humanitarian and development partners, as well as the private sector and affected communities. He said this year’s theme – renew global solidarity for humanity...
Speaking to the media on Saturday, the Secretary-General praised Bangladesh’s progress and highlighted the role of the international community in supporting the country’s future. “I am particularly pleased to be in Bangladesh at this important moment in your national journey,” Mr. Guterres said, acknowledging the leadership of Chief Adviser Muhammad...
“I’m trying not to cry, but I can’t help it. I’m glad I have tissues on hand,” admits Natalia Datchenko, a Ukrainian staff member of the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, struggling to hold back her tears as she recounts the explosions that awoke many Ukrainians three years ago, heralding the...
Mr. Guterres will meet Lebanese political leaders. He is also expected to travel to the south to see the UN peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, and express his support and thanks for the work they have been doing in very challenging circumstances. Congratulation call UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the Secretary-General spoke...
The world remains dangerously unprepared for the next pandemic, despite the harrowing lessons of COVID-19, Mr. Guterres warned. “COVID-19 was a wake-up call to the world,” he stated, reflecting on the devastating human, economic and social toll of the pandemic. “The crisis may have passed, but a harsh lesson remains:...
The “grim milestone” fell as Ukraine fired long-range American-made missiles into Russia for the first time, according to media reports. ‘Not just numbers’ Conflict erupted in Ukraine over a decade ago following Russia’s occupation of Crimea in the east and escalated on 24 February 2022 with the full-scale assault on...
Two of the planes struck the twin skyscrapers of the World Trade Center in Manhattan’s financial district, while another was flown into the US military headquarters at the Pentagon outside Washington, DC. The fourth aircraft crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers wrested back control from the hijackers. Among...
The annual observation on 29 November marks the day in 1947 that the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on partitioning Palestine into two independent States, one Arab and one Jewish. The 1948 displacement of Palestinians from land that became Israel – known as the Nakba (“catastrophe” in Arabic) –...
The country, commonly known as North Korea, claimed to have carried out a third attempt to launch a ballistic missile on Tuesday, according to media reports. Comply with obligations Any such launch is contrary to relevant Security Council resolutions, Mr. Guterres said in a statement issued later that day by...
Leaders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Eritrea painted a grim picture of a planet marred by the unforgiving impacts of climate change. They left no room for equivocation: This is an existential crisis that demands immediate, collective action. They highlighted the upcoming COP-28 climate conference in the United Arab Emirates...