G-20 ministers press to elevate the importance of global trade rules
G-20 foreign ministers agreed WTO reforms are urgently needed to boost its relevance amid a U.S.-China trade war.
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. telecom agency's deal on 5G worries global weather experts
Negotiators announced a deal on new radio frequency standards for 5G, despite worries about forecasting impacts.
Progress and worry as children's rights treaty enters fourth decade
A human rights treaty helped make children healthier, but they still face threats like climate change and online abuse.
France and China advocate multilateralism in contrast to Trump
France and China urge more cooperation on climate, biodiversity and trade as the Trump administration retreats.
Scientists declare humanity is in the grips of a global climate emergency
More than 11,000 scientists said only an urgent shift to a carbon-free economy can ward off planetary catastrophe.
With U.N. notification, Trump triggers U.S. exit from climate treaty
On the first day possible, the U.S. alerted the U.N. that it will withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement a year from now.
U.N. chief points to 'deficit of trust' prompting mass street protests
A year of protests exposed an erosion of public trust in political leaders who aren't listening to people's real problems.
New green tech finance platform launches to guide private investors
A group of nations responsible for nearly half of all warming pollutants aim to oversee investment in climate technologies.
U.N. expert says world of social media is 'failing' to deter hate speech
Nations and companies are required to ensure their policies on hate speech comply with international human rights law.
World Bank and IMF caution on slowing growth in global economy
Leaders of the financial institutions called on 189 member nations for help in easing trade and geopolitical tensions.
United Nations faces severe cash shortage, could default on payments
The world body could run out of money by the end of this month dealing with its worst budget crisis in at least a decade.
U.N. refugee agency seeks end to statelessness over next five years
UNHCR's chief Filippo Grandi and goodwill ambassador Cate Blanchett appealed to governments to help 10 million people.
Commission shows digital dangers for kids from global connectivity
Internet users extend to half the world, including 1.15 billion children who can benefit only if they can safely navigate it.
Georgieva starts in new post as chief of the International Monetary Fund
Bulgarian economist Kristalina Georgieva emphasized the IMF must deal with inequality, climate risk, and technology.
Swiss clamor for U.N.-led action to fight rising temperatures and seas
Up to 100,000 people turned out for Switzerland's largest-ever climate demonstration to fulfill the Paris climate treaty goals.
UNCTAD warns trade tensions may cause global recession next year
The U.N. agency also cited currency and debt as factors contributing to the warning signs of a global recession in 2020.