Poor nations focus of global refugee forum
Six countries and the U.N. opened the first Global Refugee Forum to help poor nations overwhelmed by taking in people fleeing for safety across borders.
United Nations (U.N.)
Founded at the end of World War II, the New York-based United Nations is an international organization with 193 member nations. It began with 50 nations meeting at San Francisco in 1945 to maintain international peace and security. Over two months, the U.N. Charter was created as the basis for the organization's hope of preventing another world war. Founding members Britain, China, France, the Soviet Union and the United States took permanent veto-wielding seats on the powerful Security Council.
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Marathon U.N. climate summit falls short
The U.N. climate summit ended in Madrid without resolving how to put a price on carbon and only partial agreement on more ambition in cutting pollutants.
UNAIDS dismisses #MeToo whistleblower
A whistleblower whose sexual assault probe upended UNAIDS was fired over misconduct claims in what she believes is "a blatant act of retaliation."
Alpinism added to UNESCO heritage list
Alpinism, named for the range where it took root, won UNESCO recognition as a celebrated pursuit with an "intangible" cultural heritage worthy of protecting.
Nobel laureate denies Rohingya genocide
Once an icon of democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi went to the International Court of Justice to deny Myanmar's military committed genocide against Rohingyas.
WADA hands Russia 4-year sporting ban
The World Anti-Doping Agency's executive committee banned Russia from competing at international sports events for the next four years.
UNDP warns inequality drags on progress
Inequalities in education, health and living standards caused a 20% loss in global progress towards aspects of needed "human development" last year.
Iran pressured to stick with nuclear deal
Britain, France and Germany demanded that Iran remain in the fraying 2015 nuclear deal, but did not press to reactivate U.N. sanctions against Iran.
Group of nations seek more scrutiny of the U.N.'s peacekeeping abuses
Six nations sought accountability in U.N. peacekeeping at a meeting on mismanagement, sexual abuse and other violence.
Gavi approves new Ebola vaccine stockpile
A public–private global health partnership said it will invest US$178 million to establish an emergency stockpile of 500,000 Ebola vaccine doses worldwide.
Russia offers renewal of New START treaty
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to immediately renew the New START nuclear weapons treaty between his country and the U.S. It expires in 2021.
Davos reboots for 'stakeholder capitalism'
Ahead of its Davos meeting, the World Economic Forum released a mission statement for 21st century businesses to elevate the importance of doing good.
ESA raises bar on space projects with €14.4 billion over three years
The European Space Agency's pledges cover more ambitious space exploration and research, including on climate.
U.N. warns significant carbon cuts needed
A new U.N. report cautions the world must begin cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 7.6% a year starting in 2020 to meet global targets.
G-20 ministers press for WTO relevance
G-20 foreign ministers agreed WTO reforms are urgently needed to boost its relevance amid an escalating U.S.-China trade war.
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.