Governments meeting in Vienna face calls for stronger action against illegal mining, logging and wildlife trafficking.
Diplomats meeting at the United Nations in Vienna this week are considering whether to begin negotiations on a new international agreement against environmental crime, as criminal networks expand their involvement in illegal mining, logging and wildlife trafficking.
The proposal is under discussion at the 13th Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, which opened Monday and runs through Friday.
New U.N. assessment finds fewer than half of national targets on track, pressuring governments to turn pledges into action.
WWF says conservation successes offer hope but nations must accelerate changes to food, energy and financing.
Antarctic ozone hole was among smallest in decades, but WMO says ability to track long-term recovery is disappearing.
U.N. biodiversity chief points to finance and subsidies as hurdles to filling gaps between commitments and targets.
Monitoring systems, assessments and institutional records are at risk as organizations struggle to identify those most in need.
Rebeca Grynspan leads a three-way contest to succeed António Guterres, but all seven candidates face opposition.
New U.N. assessment finds fewer than half of national targets on track, pressuring governments to turn pledges into action.
Washington says Americans can oversee their own elections. OSCE warns that conflicts with international commitments.
