CITES showdown looms on elephant ivory and rhino horn trade bans
The global wildlife treaty is charged with regulating trade in 40,920 species, including 6,610 animals and 34,310 plants.
Switzerland
Switzerland is a landlocked nation in Central Europe, known for its mountains, lakes, and highly developed economy. The country has a long-standing policy of armed neutrality, which has allowed it to host the headquarters of many international organizations, including the U.N. office in Geneva.
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Minamata Convention pivots to enforcement, illegal trade control
A new strategy will focus heavily on controlling black market flows, leveraging a decision to phase-out dental amalgam.
Minamata Convention mandates global phase-out of dental amalgam
The decision on dental amalgam was counterbalanced by the greater challenge of artisanal and small-scale gold mining.
UNEP schedules session to organize the resumption of plastic treaty talks
Negotiators must finish the financial mechanism and agree on binding measures to phase out toxic chemicals in plastics.
Mercury treaty shifts strategy to aim at dental fillings, illegal cosmetics
In the shadow of a decades-long toxic legacy, nations have been cracking down on mercury pollution with mixed results.
U.N. trade agency adopts sweeping mandate tackling global debt crisis
UNCTAD also launched a new platform to stabilize borrower nations and mobilize capital for a costly green transition.
U.N. weather agency backs AI and climate science for early warnings
WMO's governing body expressed an urgent need to accelerate life-saving warnings and defend climate data integrity.
Global parliamentarians vow to push humanitarian law amid crises
The main outcome was the adoption of a declaration to uphold humanitarian norms and support humanitarian action.
U.N. trade conference confronts global FDI slump, budget crisis
Operationally, UNCTAD, like other organizations, must navigate economic headwinds and severe budget limitations.
Release of hostages and prisoners opens path for aid, peace summit
ICRC teams received hostages in Gaza and transferred Palestinians from Israeli detention to Gaza and the West Bank.
Switzerland's significant glacier melt accelerates in U.N. preservation year
Almost 1,400 Swiss glaciers remain, the most among European nations, but over 1,000 small glaciers have already melted.
African nations assert leadership at the U.N. while regional crises persist
As leaders gathered, progress along climate and financial fronts contrasted with grim reports on rights and violence.
U.N. AI debate reveals U.S.-China divide over regulatory approach
Top experts increasingly agree voluntary commitments from AI companies are not enough to deal with threats.
ICJ backs France in dispute with Equatorial Guinea on Paris mansion
Brazil, Switzerland and the U.K. also scrutinized financial dealings of the Equatorial Guinea president's son.
Israel’s expanded Gaza offensive stokes U.N. famine warnings
A UNICEF official confirmed reports of families who try to flee Gaza City but find the evacuation areas are even less safe.
UPU Congress gathers postal leaders as U.S. tariffs upend global system
A new UPU report found the industry's growth has lagged by 71% behind the global economy over the past two decades.