There has been a lot of misinformation on COVID-19: no, putting pepper in your soup won’t help and house flies do not transmit the virus, these are some of the rumours. Help us put it straight – stamp out the rumours – be properly informed – have a look at the WHO myth buster page.
You can also find more information and keep
up to date on the UN Coronavirus Global
Emergency Site.
Science, Solidarity, Solutions.
Fifteen years ago at the World Summit, at a pivotal moment in our common pursuit of peace, leaders from every region unanimously adopted the responsibility to protect.
Unable to prevent the horrific experiences of the previous decade, the world accepted the collective responsibility to do far more to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, and their incitement. Continue reading
Leading up to Biodiversity Summit in New York, Ernest Gibson, Member of the SG Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change and Co-coordinator for 350 Fiji, a regional youth-led climate change network, speaks about engaging communities effectively and ethically including youth and other social demographics from the beginning to the end phase.”- An interview by UNIC Canberra for UN Radio. More
Thank you for this opportunity to address the subject of global governance as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A microscopic virus is now the number one threat in our world.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a full-blown crisis in itself, unfolding against a backdrop of high geopolitical tensions and other global threats in unpredictable and dangerous ways.
The pandemic is a clear test of international cooperation – a test we have essentially failed. Continue reading
UN Secretary-General to convene high-level roundtable on climate action during General Assembly week to showcase solutions and progress
24 September, 2020
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. EDT
Webcast: webtv.un.org
As climate impacts worsen around the world, UN Secretary-General António Guterres is convening a roundtable of global climate leaders from government, business and finance, and civil society to showcase high-impact actions and ambition to confront the climate crisis.
The virtual roundtable will demonstrate leading examples of the Secretary-General’s six climate-positive actions to recover better together: invest in jobs and green business, no bailouts to polluting industries, ending subsidies for fossil fuels, considering climate risks in all decisions and policy-making, working together and ensuring that no one is left behind.
The event will showcase the vast social and economic benefits of a sustainable recovery and of action to limit global warming to 1.5°C by achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and to ensure that people and planet are protected from climate change impacts.
21 September 2020
On the occasion of the 39th Anniversary of the International Day of Peace, the United Nations Office in Canberra in partnership with the Rotary Club of Canberra Burley Griffin organized an event at the Canberra Rotary Peace Bell, Nara Peace Park on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.
The event commenced with the performance from the Chorus of Women, Canberra’s renowned Women’s Peace Chorus.
Regional Representative for UNHCR Louise Aubin in her capacity as Officer in Charge of the UN Office in Canberra delivered the Peace Day message from the United Nations Secretary-General within which he called for us all to “shape peace together” in order to “build a more just, sustainable and equitable world”.
UNHCR Multi-Country Representative Louise Aubin
The 75th session of the UN General Assembly opened on Monday with a moment of silence against the unprecedented backdrop of the COVID pandemic, as the new president told delegates that the coronavirus had driven home the value of multilateralism “to address our collective challenges”. More
As the world confronts COVID-19, democracy is crucial in ensuring the free flow of information, participation in decision-making and accountability for the response to the pandemic. Yet since the beginning of the crisis, we have seen the emergency used in a range of countries to restrict democratic processes and civic space. This is especially dangerous in places where democracy’s roots are shallow and institutional checks and balances are weak. Continue reading
WHAT:
On its 75th anniversary, and amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations will for the first time convene world leaders in a virtual format to seek action and solutions for a world in crisis. Several major events, in addition to the General Debate, are expected to highlight action and solutions that will ignite the transformations needed to secure healthy, peaceful and prosperous lives for all.
WHY:
The pillars of our world, already unsteady, have been shaken to the core by the coronavirus. Everything the United Nations stands for and works for – peace, progress and human rights – is in jeopardy. As we strive to respond and recover, international cooperation has never been more important.
WHO:
Heads of State and Government, ministers, international organizations, representatives of the private sector and civil society.
WHEN:
17 September – 5 October 2020
WHERE:
All events will take place mostly virtually, broadcast live and on-demand on UN Web TV. A limited number of New York-based representatives of Member States may be physically present at United Nations Headquarters.
14 September 2020
Regional Representative of UNHCR and Officer In charge of UNIC, Louise Aubin, attended and laid a wreath at the Australian Peace-Keeping Memorial commemorating the 73rd Anniversary of Australia’s involvement in Peacekeeping.
75 years on from the founding of the UN, young people are being enlisted to share their visions of a better planet, and help decide the next chapter of the Organization. More