WHO chief sees pandemic 'finish line'
With the number of deaths from COVID-19 reaching its lowest point of the pandemic, WHO's director-general for the first time said "the end is in sight."
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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Organizations call for fossil fuel ban treaty
Nearly 200 public health organizations want a "fossil fuel nonproliferation treaty" to end global dependence on carbon emissions linked to air pollution.
Modern slavery traps almost 50 million people around the world
New estimates show 49.6 million people, or nearly 1-in-150 worldwide, trapped in modern slavery - up 23% in five years.
U.N. settles on new climate leader for 'decisive decade' of urgent action
Simon Stiell, a former senior official in Grenada's government and engineer, has been appointed the new U.N. climate chief.
Talks fail to clinch global ocean treaty
Diplomats suspended talks after they could not agree on a proposed treaty to protect marine species and minerals in high seas covering 43% of Earth.
First ships sail from Ukraine in grain deal with Russia, Turkey and U.N.
Several grain ships left Ukrainian ports under a U.N.-brokered deal that could help ease the global food crisis.
U.N. chief warns nuclear 'guardrails' weakening
The world is perilously close to blundering into nuclear catastrophe, the U.N. secretary-general told a conference on a cornerstone of global nonproliferation.
U.N. declares healthy environment a human right
A second vote in the United Nations solidifies international recognition that everyone's access to a clean and healthy environment is a fundamental right.
Monkeypox declared a global health emergency
WHO's chief declared monkeypox a global health emergency, citing a rapid escalation in cases to more than 16,000 among 75 nations and territories.
Pandemic sets back childhood vaccinations for first time in 30 years
The report blames misinformation, conflicts and wars, lockdowns, supply chain disruptions and diverted resources.
International statistics to manage policy and risk
The U.N. and numerous other international organizations offer a wide range of data sets and statistical services.
Pandemic 'nowhere near over' with new surges
The public health experts who declared COVID-19 was a pandemic said it isn't over yet because new variants "may present an even greater health threat."
Nations approve first guidelines for valuing nature
The IPBES guidelines could prod decision-making beyond just politics and economics to deal with our massive loss of species and rising temperatures.
G-20 divides over Russia's war in Ukraine
Indonesia's foreign minister called on top diplomats from the Group of 20 major economies to help end Russia's war in Ukraine "sooner than later."
Global hunger spikes to 9.8% of world population
Global hunger soared last year to affect almost one-in-10 people on the planet even before Russia's war in Ukraine, five United Nations agencies reported.
World's first permanent war crimes tribunal 'unfortunately' still needed
It has been 20 years since U.N. diplomats stood and cheered when a treaty won enough support to launch the global court.