Group of nations take on plastic in oceans
The U.N. General Assembly launched a new group dedicated to tackling marine plastic pollution by building support for a new global agreement.
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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Global coronavirus cases top 6 million
Cases of COVID-19 surpassed 6 million worldwide on Sunday accompanied by 367,000 deaths including an increasing toll in Latin America.
CTBTO urges no restart in nuclear testing
Members of the international watchdog monitoring nuclear testing warned any U.S. demonstration nuclear test explosion would mperil global security.
Trump to end U.S. involvement with WHO
U.S. President Donald Trump announced he will withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization, attempting to deflect blame for U.S. crises.
U.N. climate summit delayed until 2021
The U.N.'s annual climate summit planned for November in Glasgow, Scotland, will be postponed for a year, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
ILO warns of high job losses among youth
At least one of every six young workers has been idled during the pandemic and the losses could create a "lockdown generation," the U.N. labor agency said.
WHO warns pandemic's first wave not over
As nations ease coronavirus lockdowns, WHO officials cautioned the first wave of the pandemic has not ended and a "second peak" may occur.
Global COVID-19 cases surpass 5 million
For the second time in a row, the world notched another 1 million coronavirus cases in just 12 days as the global tally surpassed 5 million confirmed cases.
Oxfam forced to shutter aid in 18 nations
Oxfam International it will shed almost 30% of its global staff and pull up stakes in 18 nations due to financial hardship.
U.S.-China feud dominates WHO assembly
Under U.S. pressure, the World Health Assembly unanimously approved a resolution calling for a review of WHO's pandemic response.
Officials say Olympic safety will not be easy
The heads of the IOC and WHO acknowledged the COVID-19 pandemic makes next year's Tokyo Summer Olympics and Paralympics unpredictable.
U.N. report forecasts 3.2% economic drop
The world economy is projected to shrink by 3.2% in 2020 — its biggest contraction since the 1930s Great Depression — due to the pandemic.
Coronavirus cases worldwide top 4 million
In just 12 days the world added a million confirmed COVID-19 cases, pushing the total to more than 4 million led by a surge in the United States.
Security Council halted by U.S. on cease-fire
The U.S. blocked a U.N. Security Council vote to end global hostilities amid a pandemic — the same day diplomats emphasized lessons from World War II.
U.N. appeal for humanitarian aid surges for nations fighting pandemic
The U.N. more than tripled its humanitarian aid appeal to $6.7 billion, up from $2 billion, for vulnerable countries.
Global energy demand and CO2 plummet
Global CO2 emissions are on track to decline by almost 8% this year from the pandemic causing the biggest downturn in energy use since World War II.