Progress turns to frustration over Syria talks
A sixth round of Syrian talks on a new constitution ended in disappointment at the United Nations in Geneva, three-quarters of a year since the last round.
United Nations
The United Nations is the world's primary forum for diplomacy and peace. Founded in the wake of WWII to prevent global conflict, this organization of 193 member nations now serves as the stage for addressing our most pressing challenges — from climate change to human rights. We cover the U.N.'s policies and efforts to build a more peaceful, just, and prosperous world.
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Report urges more water crisis planning
Nations must prepare better for more water-related disasters along with a growing lack of access to safe drinking water and sanitation, WMO reported.
Biden pledges 'new era' before U.N. leaders
U.S. President Joe Biden used his first address to the United Nations to reassure other nations his administration is committed to multilateralism.
U.N. report warns of 'catastrophic' climate failure
Governments must be far more ambitious about cutting greenhouse gases to avoid catastrophically overheating the planet, according to a new U.N. report.
U.N. fundraiser raises billion-dollar 'lifeline' of aid for fleeing Afghans
As the Taliban consolidates power, donors pledged to provide emergency aid for Afghans at a U.N.-sponsored fundraiser.
Organizations turn to airlift for Afghanistan
The U.N. health agency and other international organizations began airlifting emergency supplies to Afghanistan through neighboring Pakistan and its airline.
Geneva hosts U.S.-Russia security talks
Diplomats from the U.S. and Russia held a new round of discussions in Geneva seeking ways to defuse rising tensions and to avoid a new nuclear arms race.
U.N. rights chief decries reported Israeli spyware abuse on journalists
Michelle Bachelet said reports about the use of Pegasus software for spying 'seem to confirm some of the worst fears.'
WMO's climate-linked 'summer of extremes'
Amid devastating floods in Western Europe, the U.N. weather agency stressed the rising frequency of extreme weather due to the climate crisis.
Berlin forum cites 'progress' in Libyan unity
Calling it "a new phase for peace in Libya," Germany and the U.N. ended a conference with diplomats expressing confidence in Libya's rebuilding.
Guterres re-elected as U.N. chief through 2026
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres was re-elected to lead the world body for the next five years, winning the General Assembly's unanimous support.
Biden and Putin agree at face-to-face Geneva meeting to cut nuclear risks
With U.S.-Russia tensions nearing Cold War-era dimensions, the leaders turned to Swiss diplomacy to improve relations.
Europe leads on ESG as global rules sought
The rise of ESG investing creates an "urgent demand for global standards," says an organization working on them as the next U.N. climate summit nears.
U.N. told of potential war crimes in Gaza
The U.N. human rights chief raised the possibility that Israel's military committed war crimes during its latest war with Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers.
IEA sees narrow path to 2050 net zero
Paris-based IEA advised that limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius requires an immediate and massive transformation of all energy systems.
Expert panel says pandemic was preventable
An independent expert panel faulted the World Health Organization and world leaders with a slow-moving response to the coronavirus pandemic.