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.
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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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.
WHO grants emergency use of China's Sinopharm
WHO added a Chinese shot to its list of COVID-19 vaccines approved for emergency use, providing COVAX another option to broaden vaccine access.
Challengers for U.N. chief lack official standing
The U.N. is considering one candidate for secretary-general in 2022 — incumbent António Guterres — despite the emergence of self-nominated challengers.
U.N. chief to prolong deadlocked Cyprus talks
The U.N. chief remained determined to bring Cypriot leaders together despite acknowledging failure to surmount differences over how to restart formal talks.
Biden summit buoys climate treaty hopes
A two-day global climate summit hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden ended with leaders and companies pledging to decarbonize the world economy.
U.N. inspectors find promise and hype with blockchain technology
Ten U.N. agencies use blockchain and most others plan to despite environmental issues, data privacy, and cyber risks.
China rejects call for U.N. probe in Xinjiang
China lashed out against Human Rights Watch's report calling for a U.N.-led probe of alleged crimes against humanity targeting Uyghurs in Xinjiang Province.