On the second day of his visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres saluted the courage of the country’s citizens, as well as the sacrifice of the peacekeepers who have died serving them. More
Honor The Work Of Women In Crises Throughout The World
2019 World Humanitarian Day: #WomenHumanitarians
On World Humanitarian Day 2019 we honour the work of women in crises throughout the world. We focus on the unsung heroes, who have long been working on the front lines in their own communities in some of the most difficult terrains, from the war-wounded in Afghanistan, to the food insecure in the Sahel, to those who have lost their homes and livelihoods in places such as Central African Republic, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen. And we salute the efforts of women aid workers from across the world, who rally to people in need.
Women make up a large number of those who risk their own lives to save others. They are often the first to respond and the last to leave. These women deserve to be celebrated. They are needed today as much as ever to strengthen the global humanitarian response. And world leaders as well as non-state actors must ensure that they – and all humanitarians – are guaranteed the protection afforded to them under international law.
Women humanitarians dedicate their lives to helping people affected by crises.
Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the ending of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty
The Secretary-General expresses his deep regret at the ending of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. He has consistently called on both the United States and the Russian Federation to resolve their differences through the consultation mechanisms provided for in the Treaty and regrets they have been unable to do so. He notes that, in the current deteriorating international security environment, previously-agreed arms control and disarmament agreements are increasingly under threat.
Since its entry-into-force on 1 June 1988, the INF Treaty contributed tangibly to the maintenance of peace and stability internationally and especially in Europe. It played an important role in reducing risk, building confidence and helping to bring the Cold War to an end.
The Secretary-General emphasizes the need to avoid destabilizing developments and to urgently seek agreement on a new common path for international arms control. He calls on the Russian Federation and the United States to extend New START and to undertake negotiations on further arms control measures.
Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General
New York, 2 August 2019
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Conflict, Climate Change Among Factors that Increase ‘Desperation That Enables Human Trafficking to Flourish
To mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has stressed that “human trafficking is a heinous crime that affects every region of the world” – especially women and children.
According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), some 72 per cent of detected victims are women and girls, and the percentage of child victims has more than doubled from 2004 to 2016. More
Call For Action For Sustainable Urbanization in the Region Fifth Pacific Urban Forum
Opening Welcome by the Hon. Premila Devi Kumar, Minister for Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism
Nadi, Fiji: More than 200 participants from over 25 countries, including High Level Representatives from 13 Pacific Islands Countries convened in Nadi for the Fifth Pacific Urban Forum (PUF5). The three day meeting focused on the theme ‘Accelerating implementation of the New Urban Agenda to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the Pacific’. PUF5 concluded with a call for action and on deployment of all efforts, means and resources available towards the implementation of the “New Urban Agenda for the Pacific”.
The event kicked off with the opening remarks from the host, represented by Hon. Premila Kumar, Minister of Industry, Trade, Tourism; Local Government; and Housing and Community Development. In the following session, Dame Meg Taylor, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), highlighted the need for a regional approach to urbanization:
If we act with foresight and get our responses to these challenges right, urbanization can become a powerful force for the sustainable development of our Pacific countries.
“We Must Recognize The Relationship Between Population, Development And Individual Well-being.
Message of the UN Secretary-General on World Population Day
11 July 2019
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is the world’s blueprint for a better future for all on a healthy planet. On World Population Day, we recognize that this mission is closely interrelated with demographic trends including population growth, ageing, migration and urbanization.
While the world’s population overall continues to increase, this growth is uneven. For many of the world’s least developed countries, the challenges to sustainable development are compounded by rapid population growth as well as vulnerability to climate change. Other countries are facing the challenge of ageing populations, including the need to promote healthy active ageing and to provide adequate social protection. As the world continues to urbanize, with 68% of the world population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, sustainable development and climate change will increasingly depend on the successful management of urban growth.
Global Response to Poverty and Environmental Goals ‘not ambitious enough’
The global response to realizing poverty and environmental goals agreed by world leaders in 2015 has not been “ambitious enough” according to the UN Secretary-General.
In his latest report on the progress towards meeting the targets of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs, the UN chief António Guterres said that while a “wealth of action” had been taken by governments across the world “the most vulnerable people and countries continue to suffer the most.” More
Taking Stock of Progress of the Sustainable Development Goals
More than two thousand participants, including approximately 100 ministers, as well as business and civil society leaders will attend the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) this month to take stock of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and discuss plans, successes, challenges and lessons learnt on the road to a fairer, more peaceful and prosperous world on a healthy planet by 2030.
Convened by the Economic and Social Council and called the largest annual gathering on SDG implementation, the Forum will also attract nearly 156 side events over ten days.
Green Tickets to Recognize Young People Driving Climate Action
UN Opens Applications for Youth Climate Summit in New York.
New York, 1 July — Starting today, young people from around the world are formally invited to apply to participate in the United Nations Youth Climate Summit to take place at UN Headquarters in New York on 21 September.
To recognize the vital role of young people in driving climate action, the UN today announced that it will offer over 100 “Green Tickets” – funded opportunities for young people, in particular from the least developed countries, to participate in the Youth Climate Summit. The Green Ticket will include travel to and from New York – which will be carbon neutral.