Postal union scrambles to address U.S. criticism on mail delivery rates
The action came days after the Trump administration said it intends to withdraw from the 144-year-old organization.
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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Report on global aid finds lives saved equal to twice the U.S. population
The ONE Campaign says at least 669 million people worldwide would have needlessly died between 1990 and 2016.
Experts dash false hopes that climate change won't bring misery
The Nobel Prize-winning U.N. panel on climate change said it's life or death for much of the planet as soon as 2040.
Critics see lost chance on fighting noncommunicable diseases
Low- and middle-income countries and the poorest and most vulnerable populations worldwide are the hardest hit.
Global appeal at U.N. seeks freedom for captive journalists and free press
The special gathering at U.N. headquarters in New York highlighted the many challenges to press freedoms globally.
Wetlands vanishing at triple rate of forests as global temperatures rise
The losses from 1970 to 2015 threaten the 'world's most valuable ecosystem' with a huge amount of biodiversity.
Nuclear power's complexities emerge in the age of climate change
The picture is complicated by safety and environmental concerns and IAEA's dual roles as watchdog and promoter.
High seas treaty moves a step closer to reality among U.N. delegates
A new treaty is being negotiated aimed at protecting the rich biodiversity of the open ocean against commercial pressures.
Hot planet on a path of 'suicidal emissions' from fossil fuel burning
The U.N. secretary-general demanded that nations act far faster and more decisively to combat the climate crisis.
Under pressure, global postal system grapples with tech and costs
For only a second time in its 144-year history, the Swiss-based Universal Postal Union held an "Extraordinary Congress."
Frontier of machine learning raises questions and risks for human rights
International organizations are calling on governments and technology companies to adopt a human rights declaration.
U.N. rights chief urges more global support for people and not nations
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein warned people's rights must be defended amid a rise in populist-driven authoritarians.
UNDP joins partnership with big tech testing AI for poverty reduction
Artificial intelligence could be a tool for sustainable development by organizations, tech giants and academics.
Out of limelight, a quiet force for civilian and political rights
Three times a year an obscure panel of human rights experts meets in Geneva and New York with a monumental task.
Modern slavery traps 40.3 million people around the world
North Korea had the highest concentration of modern slavery, but Australia, Europe and the U.S. also had growing numbers.
U.S. and Hungary reject U.N.-led push for a new global migration pact
A new global pact for promoting safe migration is advancing at the U.N. without the participation of the U.S. and Hungary.