Countries Embrace Efforts To Achieve SDGs Amid Mounting Global Challenges: UN Report

New York, 20 June – A fast-changing climate, conflict, inequality, persistent pockets of poverty and hunger and rapid urbanization are challenging countries’ efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a UN report launched in New York today.

The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2018 found that conflict and climate change were major contributing factors leading to growing numbers of people facing hunger and forced displacement, as well as curtailing progress towards universal access to basic water and sanitation services.

For the first time in more than a decade, there are now approximately 38 million more hungry people in the world, rising from 777 million in 2015 to 815 million in 2016. According to the report, conflict is now one of the main drivers of food insecurity in 18 countries. In 2017, the world experienced the costliest North Atlantic hurricane season on record, driving the global economic losses attributed to the disasters to over $300 billion.

Continue reading →

Note To Correspondents on The Withdrawal of the United States of America From The Human Rights Council

In answer to questions following the announcement by the United States of its decision to withdraw from the Human Rights Council, the Spokesman for the Secretary-General has the following to say:

The Secretary-General would have much preferred for the United States to remain in the Human Rights Council. The UN’s Human Rights architecture plays a very important role in the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide.

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General
New York, 19 June 2018

Tonga hosts UN regional meeting to review programme of action for small islands in the Pacific

Nuku’alofa, 19 June 2018 – Officials from small island developing States in the Pacific region are meeting in the Tongan capital Nuku’alofa to review progress in implementing the SAMOA Pathway*; the dedicated programme of action for small island developing States (SIDS).

In declaring the meeting open this morning, the Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva, said “We are gathered here in Tonga at a critical juncture in terms of our common interests in the sustainable development of our islands. As we approach the 5th year since the world came together in Samoa in 2014 and endorsed the SAMOA Pathway, it is critical that we recall the mandate of the Conference . . . especially in light of related international and regional processes that have come to be, after the fact.”

Continue reading →

Memorial Event To Mark International Day of UN Peacekeepers

For the first time, International Day of UN Peacekeepers was celebrated in Canberra at the new Peacekeepers Memorial on Anzac Parade. The service was held to mark the Day and specifically to honour the members of the various Australian police forces that had lost their lives while serving with the United Nations.

In delivering the Secretary-General’s message, on this the 70th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping, the UNIC Director, acknowledged the more than one million men and women who have served under the UN flag, saving countless lives, and the more than 3,700 blue helmets who paid the ultimate price.

Noting that United Nations peacekeeping is a proven investment in global peace, security and prosperity he urged that each one of us commit to do all we can to enable that mission to succeed.

UN4U and Sustainable Development Goal Presentations at Narrabundah College

The UNIC Director visited Narrabundah College to meet with two classes of students studying international politics. The sessions included a presentation on the structure and work of the United Nations as well as a focus on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

The interactive sessions generated a wide range of questions from students, with many interested in the roles of countries at the UN, the functioning of the Security Council and the scope of the General Assembly’s work.

The students were also introduced to the SDGs and how they could individually contribute to reaching the Goals.

UN Media Advisory

Pacific Small Island Developing States Preparatory Meeting for the Midterm Review of the SAMOA Pathway

WHAT: The Government of the Kingdom of Tonga is hosting the Pacific small island developing States preparatory meeting for the Midterm Review of the SAMOA Pathway from 19-21 June 2018.

The meeting is jointly organised by the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) and the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) with support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific and the United Nations Development Programme.

The SAMOA Pathway is the dedicated 10-year programme of action for small island developing States (SIDS) adopted at the Third International Conference on SIDS held in Apia, Samoa in 2014. Discussions at the upcoming Pacific regional meeting will contribute to ongoing dialogue on implementing the SAMOA Pathway as well as on achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals. Regional meetings are taking place in 2018 followed by the Midterm Review of the SAMOA Pathway in 2019.

WHERE: Taufa’ahau Tupou IV Domestic Terminal and Wharf Facility, Nuku’alofa

WHEN: 19-21 June 2018

Continue reading →

United Nations Secretary-General Guterres

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for your presence.

I usually come before you to express deep concerns about unfolding developments and trends around the world.

Today, a bit of good news.

I want to address a promising development for global peace and security.

The world is closely watching what will take place in Singapore in a few hours’ time.

I commend the leaders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the United States for pursuing a diplomatic solution.

I also thank all those who contributed to creating the conditions for this key moment.

The two leaders are seeking to break out of the dangerous cycle that created so much concern last year.

Continue reading →

Leaving no one behind through the full implementation of the ‘CRPD’

The employment rate for women with disabilities is 30% lower than for men with disabilities! Women with disabilities face a double discrimination.

This has to end if we are to truly leave no one behind!  The Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities  promotes & protects the rights of persons with disabilities.

Countries meet at the UN disability conference this week.
More from the conference website