The new year ushers in the official launch of the bold and transformative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by world leaders last September at the United Nations. The new Agenda calls on countries to begin efforts to achieve 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) over the next 15 years.
Calling the Paris Agreement on climate change “a health insurance policy for the planet,” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today he never lost faith over his nine years in office that the international community could rise to the challenge and take steps to curb emission and boost climate-resilient growth.
“The Paris Agreement is a monumental triumph for people and our planet,” said Mr. Ban in a tweet, immediately following its adoption. “It sets the stage for progress in ending poverty, strengthening peace and ensuring a life of dignity and opportunity for all.”
A new initiative to build climate resilience in the world’s most vulnerable countries was launched by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and 13 agencies of the UN system.
Speaking at the opening of the United Nations climate change conference (COP21) which seeks to reach a new universal agreement to protect people and planet, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said a political moment like this may not come again.
UN Secretary-General’s Initiative Aims to Strengthen Climate Resilience of the World’s Most Vulnerable Countries and People
On the eve of the opening in Paris of the [...]
There are many ways to keep informed about what is happening at the UN Climate Change Conference, also known as COP21. Here are a few ways in which you can follow all the action over the next two weeks.
In recognition of the need to better integrate and coordinate their work on sustainable development, peace and security, human rights and humanitarian engagement to achieve these objectives, the United Nations System Chief Executives suggest four actions.
The United Nations Chief Executives Board for Coordination on Climate [...]
To find out more about COP21 and the UN's expectations, the UN News Centre met with Janos Pasztor, the UN Assistant Secretary-General on Climate Change. Since January, Mr. Pasztor's work has focused on supporting efforts towards a new climate agreement and mobilizing global climate action on the ground.
In the last major report before world leaders meet in Paris to draft measures to counter global warming, the United Nations weather agency today delivered “bad news for the planet,” warning that 2015 is likely to be the warmest year on record, breaching the symbolic and significant milestone of 1 degree Celsius above the pre-industrial era.
Expressing deep concern about atrocity crimes being committed against women and girls in conflict zones, as well as the domestic abuse found globally, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by urging collective action to end such crimes and “grave threats to progress.”
Climate change carries no passport; emissions released anywhere contribute to the problem everywhere. It is a threat to lives and livelihoods everywhere. Economic stability and the security of nations are under threat. Only through the United Nations can we respond collectively to this quintessentially global issue.
To harness the potential of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) for improving people’s lives and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, high-level representatives from governments, civil society and the private sector will gather at the UN headquarters in New York from 15 to 16 December to review progress on the implementation of the outcomes of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS).
Noting the significant impact climatic activities have on African people and countries, the World Bank Group announced today a new plan outlining actions required to increase climate resilience and low-carbon development in an effort to maintain the continent’s current and protect future growth and poverty reduction goals.
Representatives of Member States, the United Nations system and academia came together during a series of events Monday at United Nations Headquarters to discuss an array of emerging South-South approaches that offer significant support toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A new report issued today by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) shows that over the last 20 years, 90 per cent of major disasters have been caused by 6,457 recorded floods, storms, heatwaves, droughts and other weather-related events.
Marking the Africa Industrialization Day, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is calling for job creation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for women and youth to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable industrial development on the continent.
Marking Universal Children’s Day, the United Nations today highlighted that the world remains a “deeply unfair” place for the poorest and most disadvantaged children despite major advances since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 26 years ago today.
