U.N. refugee agency plans sweeping revamp as funding crisis deepens
UNHCR chief outlines changes to operations in 31 locations, reduced management and a shift toward national institutions.
Global Issues
Global issues are complex challenges that require international cooperation, from mitigating climate change to addressing global poverty and geopolitical conflicts. Of the U.N.'s 169 targets for sustainable development, only 35% are on track or making moderate progress toward their 2030 deadline.
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WHO leadership contenders urge major reform as fiscal crisis deepens
Four candidates outline plans to reshape the U.N. health agency, reduce duplication and rebuild global cooperation.
Wildlife populations down 73% as U.N. biodiversity summit nears
WWF says conservation successes offer hope but nations must accelerate changes to food, energy and financing.
UNHCR says refugee protection systems nearing breaking point
Budget shortfall puts 8.3 million at risk as registration, child protection and programs for survivors of violence are cut.
OpenAI ‘rogue AI’ incident tests safeguards debated at U.N.
UNCTAD calls for mandatory reporting after OpenAI notified the agency of activity targeting its system over 16,000 times.
U.N. opens debate with warnings over war, paralysis and global order
Lula assails Security Council inaction before Trump defends his decision to start Iran war as leaders meet in New York.
WHO maps ‘very high’ health risks as El Niño rapidly strengthens
Global assessment flags malnutrition, cholera and disease risks as climate pattern collides with wars and hunger.
International organizations spread their reach as growth on X stalls
LinkedIn nears Facebook in median audience as global bodies expand social presence across Bluesky, Instagram and TikTok.
U.S. weapons disclosure raises stakes in global space arms debate
First acknowledgment of U.S. weapons in orbit comes as governments divide over how to prevent a space arms race.
U.N. rights chief pushes AI ‘red lines’ as nations vie to shape global rules
Volker Türk calls for independent verification and common safety limits as AI initiatives reach the Human Rights Council.
El Niño has strengthened into a major global weather threat
WMO expects a strong event into 2027, prompting an unprecedented mobilization of national weather services.
Warming must peak near 1.8° to keep Paris climate goal within reach
Breaching 1.5° is now expected, leaving governments with a narrower and more difficult task of limiting the overshoot.
Arms treaty monitor says export restrictions often lag civilian harm
New assessment finds transparency at its lowest level since the Arms Trade Treaty took effect as conflicts test the rules.
U.N., Red Cross warn autonomous weapons nearing a ‘moral red line’
Renewed appeal seeks binding prohibitions as governments approach a decision on whether to launch negotiations.
Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana takes lead in second U.N. chief straw poll
No candidate reaches nine-vote threshold as opposition grows and race to succeed António Guterres remains wide open.
Young workers face growing entry-level jobs squeeze, ILO warns
Youth unemployment is rising across much of the world, with some of the sharpest deterioration in high-income economies.