Most of U.N.'s most powerful members to skip high-level meeting
Despite the absences, the politics of catastrophe and climate inaction toward Earth's impaired health await the assembly's annual gathering of world leaders next week in New York.
France
OPEC and IEA chief at odds over global demand for oil, gas and coal
Oil producers took issue with a prediction by the energy agency's chief that demand for fossil fuels will peak by 2030.
UNESCO World Heritage sites contain 20% of known species
The 1,157 protected sites account for less than 1% of Earth's surface but play vital roles as biodiversity hotspots.
Extreme weather is 'new norm' as sea level rise threatens Pacific areas
WMO said the summer of extremes continues: July was the hottest month ever recorded and the high-impact weather continues through August.
Top U.N. panel hears evidence of North Korea human rights abuses
The U.S., Albania, Japan, and South Korea led a U.N. Security Council session that shone a spotlight on starvation and repression under Kim Jong Un's regime.
A.U. and ECOWAS close ranks on coup in Niger as tensions rise
African Union and West African regional bloc leaders supported deployment of a standby military force and demanded that Niger's junta release the ousted president.
West African bloc tested by crisis in Niger over military coup
ECOWAS' 15 nations set an Aug. 6 deadline for Niger's military to restore to power the democratically elected president.
Global climate litigation to force action more than doubles in 5 years
As climate litigation increases, the body of legal precedent grows, forming an increasingly well-defined field of law.
U.N. chief says new 'multipolar world' is replacing post-Cold War era
Guterres' bid to revitalize multilateralism is at the heart of his “New Agenda for Peace” policy paper for the United Nations.
Deep-sea mining emerges as a flashpoint in shift from fossil fuels
Mining the deep seas: The best way forward to a green energy transition, or a looming environmental disaster?
Groups warn of backsliding in nuclear security around the world
The biennial report noted the erosion of nuclear security coincides with growing nuclear security dangers and alarming increases in stockpiles of weapons-usable nuclear materials.
U.S. rejoins UNESCO as countermove to China's growing influence
The United States signaled its intent to return to UNESCO and pay arrears after China became its biggest contributor and a Chinese diplomat took over as deputy chief.
Macron calls for "public finance shock" to curb climate pollution
Speakers blamed major economies for a system that puts profits over fighting poverty and caring for the planet.
In plea for clean energy, U.N. chief says Big Oil + fossil fuels = extinction
"Let's face facts. The problem is not simply fossil fuel emissions. It's fossil fuels – period," he said.
Nuclear diplomacy suffers major setback in Russia’s war on Ukraine
The total number of nuclear warheads fell worldwide, but the amount of operational nuclear weapons started to rise.
Slovenia outdistances Belarus in U.N. vote that reflects war in Europe
The U.N. General Assembly's vote for the next five seat-holders on the powerful Security Council for 2024-25 delivered a resounding win to an E.U. member over a Russian ally.