World leaders urged to adopt binding treaty protecting high seas
The treaty aims to strengthen protections for international waters beyond the jurisdiction of coastal nations.
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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New accord to protect defenders of environment and human rights
The aim is to better support advocates and to hold perpetrators of violence and intimidation accountable.
For humanitarians, the Geneva Conventions at 70 are a call to duty
To mark the anniversary, diplomats planned to discuss the strengths and weakness of international humanitarian law.
Climate report urges change in human diet to improve land use
The IPCC shows how overconsumption and ill treatment of animals, forests and plants is making global warming worse.
Landmark U.S.-Russia arms treaty expires despite its past success
Experts said the demise of the INF Treaty will make the job of advocating for nuclear arms control far more difficult.
Women and children account for most human trafficking victims
U.N. leaders used the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons to call for increased prevention against a web of factors.
Norwegian diplomat to lead U.N.'s top economic and social forum
Mona Juul, Norway U.N. ambassador, won election as president of the 54-nation U.N. Economic and Social Council.
OECD chief urges leaders to heed green wave of political 'muscle'
The head of the 36-nation organization called on governments to listen to millions of people worried about climate change.
G-20 calls trade and geopolitical tensions threat to global growth
As host to the talks, Japan played peacemaker between the U.S. and nations antagonized by Trump's protectionism.
ILO adopts #MeToo treaty on workplace violence and harassment
It was the first time that a person's right to work free from violence and harassment was put into an international treaty.
Almost 71 million people globally have been forced to flee their homes
The number of displaced people, including many children, rose by 2.3 million from 2017, and doubled in two decades.
U.N. panel seeks to close 'digital divide' between rich and poor
The panel finds big digital risks from business exploitation, inadequate regulation and socioeconomic disparity.
U.N. labor agency marks its past with a look to the future of work
The centenary featured prominently at the opening of ILO's labor conference with delegates from 187 nations.
Climate services lag in most nations despite the Paris treaty's obligations
Only 30 countries appear to have taken steps to provide the accurate climate information needed to fulfill the 2015 accord.
U.N. health agency reclassifies 'gaming disorder' as an illness
WHO's decision-making body included it as a medical condition in a diagnostic manual for classifying diseases.
A record 41 million people are uprooted in their own nations
Disasters and conflicts drove nations atop a list of places adding to the 28 million people newly displaced at home.