IAEA supports plan to release Fukushima water
The U.N. nuclear watchdog agency offered support for Japan’s decision to release treated radioactive wastewater from Fukushima into the ocean in 2023.
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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Geneva 'anticipator' for science diplomacy pushes global initiatives
A new Swiss foundation unveiled sweeping plans for a global science court and a new international organization and treaty.
Iran trumpets nuclear progress amid U.S. talks
After a week of U.S.-Iran proximity talks on the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran's president announced Tehran is testing a centrifuge to speed uranium enrichment.
U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees reinstated as U.S. aid recipient
The United States pledged to restore aid to the Palestinians, almost two-thirds of it earmarked for UNRWA.
ICC hails reversal of Trump-era sanctions
The International Criminal Court hopes to 're-engage' with the United States after it revoked former Trump administration sanctions and visa restrictions.
U.N. investigator takes charge at Amnesty
Amnesty International named Agnès Callamard as its new secretary general, tapping a veteran human rights investigator to lead a 60-year-old organization.
Women 'excluded' from COVID-19 task forces
Government efforts to fight the pandemic include just one woman for every three men on average, according to UNDP, which urged more gender equality.
Turkey exits 'human rights convention of women'
The Turkish president withdrew his nation from Europe's first legally binding treaty on preventing violence against women and removed the central bank chief.
America commits to rights overhaul in U.N. review
The U.S. accepted four-fifths of the almost 350 recommendations for improving its human rights record that other nations served up in a U.N. peer review.
U.N. says U.K. nuke plans would violate NPT
The U.K.'s decision to boost its nuclear warhead stockpile would breach the 1970 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, a U.N. spokesperson said.
U.N. handoff to Libya's new unity government
The U.N.-backed administration in Libya transitioned to an interim government without a hitch in a process leading to nationwide elections in late December.
Pandemic hits anticipated halfway point
One year on, the pandemic has prompted one of the most remarkable scientific efforts — and brought into sharper focus many of the world's inequities.
Risk of child marriage rising with pandemic
Child marriage is increasing with up to 10 million more girls at risk of becoming brides before the age of 18 due to the pandemic, UNICEF reported.
Food waste could circle Earth sevenfold
While one-in-10 people on the planet suffers chronic hunger, the world wastes about 17% of all the food that is produced each year, UNEP reported.
Myanmar's U.N. envoy defies ouster
A week after his nation's military tried to remove him, Myanmar’s U.N. Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun remained in his post, the chief U.N. spokesman said.
UNICEF sounds alarm over global school closures
The pandemic has kept 168 million children from attending schools and for many of them the consequences could be disastrous, UNICEF reported.