Global vows to millions of migrants and refugees still largely unfulfilled
Most of the world's 8 billion inhabitants prefer to stay within their nation of birth, but almost 1-in-20 have left that behind.
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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U.N. summit clinches 196-nation deal to halt biodiversity loss
Negotiators reached a 30% by 2030 or '30 by 30' deal just as the almost two-week U.N. Biodiversity Conference was ending.
Small island nations ask U.N. tribunal for climate opinion
The request is based on "the fundamental importance of the oceans as sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases and the direct relevance of the marine environment to the adverse effects of climate change on small island states."
IFJ reports 67 journalists, media workers killed on job this year
IFJ says the killings point to an "urgent" need for an international treaty on the safety and independence of journalists and other media professionals.
U.N. measure offers legal protection for aid in sanctioned regimes
Proponents said its passage is critical with 339 million people in need of aid and nearly 50 million on the verge of famine.
IPU reports a record number of parliamentarians face threats
A sharp increase in threats against women parliamentarians was seen in 2022, almost quadruple from just eight years ago.
Biodiversity summit poses call to act, decade of protections on line
UNEP's chief describes the summit as an opportunity to 'secure our life-support system, to make peace with nature.'
U.S. backs WTO deadline extension on patent waivers for COVID-19
WTO has long deadlocked over a proposed annual waiver of parts of a major intellectual property agreement.
ILO reports more than 1-in-5 experience workplace violence
Only 23 nations ratified an ILO treaty that entered into force in 10 nations and will take effect in 13 others next year.
U.S. open to New START talks with Russia after both 'prepared to meet'
The U.S. and Russia agreed to renew New START for another five years in February 2021, just before it was set to expire.
UN seeks record $51.5 billion in aid to extend ‘lifeline’ worldwide
While many developing nations suffered droughts and floods, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted food supply lines.
U.N. committee against nukes, chemical and biological weapons renewed
The committee monitors implementation of a council resolution to prevent the spread of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.
WMO shows drier than normal conditions in large areas in 2021
Some 3.6 billion people face inadequate access to water at least one month per year, and this is expected to increase.
CITES delegates move to protect more than 500 wildlife species
CITES sets the rules for international trade in wild fauna and flora and serves as a tool to ensure sustainability.
Now in its fourth decade, campaign fights most pervasive rights violation
The 16-day campaign involves thousands of organizations in 187 nations and runs until Human Rights Day on Dec. 10.
Global Fund has $15.7 billion finish but misses its fundraising goal
The board approved spending $13.7 billion in more than 120 countries over the next three years to fight HIV, TB and malaria.