From Kibera to the world: Kennedy Odede wins 2025 UN Mandela Prize
The Kenyan social entrepreneur founded an organization which serves 4 million people in informal settlements.
The Sustainable Development Goals have improved millions of lives over the past decade, but progress remains insufficient, UN report finds
A decade after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nations released today the 10th edition of its annual progress report, The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025. The report provides a stark assessment and a strong call for action.
Full and Fair Financing for Africa’s Future
As world leaders gathered in Sevilla for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), they faced a hard truth: the global financial system is not just failing to deliver for the countries most in need—it is reinforcing inequality.
The Story of the Charter
On 26 June 1945, official representatives of 50 countries, meeting in San Francisco, United States, signed the Charter of the United Nations, forming the world’s premier international organization, dedicated to “saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war”...
UN80: Our Achievements Should Give Us Hope for a Better Future
Opinion by President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Philemon Yang on 80th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter
Kenya’s Pivotal Role in Advancing Peacekeeping: A Decade of Partnership with the Triangular Partnership Programme
In 2025, the United Nations (UN) Department of Operational Support (DOS) celebrates the 10th anniversary of its flagship Triangular Partnership Programme (TPP). Since its inception, Kenya has stood out as one of its most consistent partners.
UN Secretary-General: A Rescue Plan For Sustainable Development
Opinion by the UN Secretary-General, on the upcoming Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development to be held in Sevilla, Spain, 30 June - 3 July 2025.
Not Just Another Beautiful Sunset: Why the Ocean Matters More Than You May Think
It’s easy to think of the ocean as just a massive body of water where we go swimming, surfing, or maybe take a boat ride on vacation. But the ocean is more than a beautiful backdrop for our Instagram photos or a seafood buffet source. It’s a life-support system — not just for marine life, but for us humans too.
Secretary-General's message on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers
"With unwavering courage, United Nations peacekeepers step into danger – to help protect those who need protection, preserve peace, and restore hope in some of the world’s most challenging contexts".- António Guterres
Press release: United Nations Selects Indigenous Social Worker from Canada, Kenyan Social Entrepreneur to be awarded 2025 UN Mandela Prize
The laureates of the 2025 United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize are Brenda Reynolds, a social worker of Saulteaux heritage supporting the health and well-being of Indigenous communities in Canada, and Kennedy Odede, founder and CEO of Shining Hope for Communities, a Kenyan grassroots organization providing services to urban slums.
Press release: Peacekeepers Serving in Abyei to Receive Top United Nations Military and Police Awards
The United Nations has announced the 2024 recipients of the Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award and the Woman Police Officer of the Year Award.
UNESCO strengthens the protection of African World Heritage
Since 2018, the number of African sites on the World Heritage List has risen from 93 to 108. Today, UNESCO is supporting the remaining 11 non-represented African countries to prepare new nominations while mentoring the next generation of heritage professionals, as highlighted at the International Conference on Cultural Heritage in Africa that took place ...
When Silence Speaks: Ashura Michael and the Fight for Inclusion as a Right, Not a Favour
Ashura Michael doesn’t raise her voice; she doesn’t have to. Meeting her is to be immersed in a world where silence speaks volumes, and resilience is woven into every word she signs. In the quiet rhythm of her hands and the firm steadiness of her gaze, you begin to ...
The Power of Voice to Inspire Change
On 30 January 2025, I had the opportunity to deliver the keynote opening address for the Eleventh Annual South Asian Media and Cultural Studies Conference at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, under the theme, “Celebrating Voices”. Drawing on a career of over three and a half decades in the United Nations,I shared my perspective on how the Organization harnesses...
Hundreds Honor Victims of The 1994 Genocide Against Tutsis in Rwanda at a UNON event
More than five hundred people including members of the diplomatic corps, Rwanda diaspora, students, media personnel, civil society and UN staff participated in a commemorative event to mark the 31st International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsis in Rwanda at the United Nations Office at Nairobi on 07 April 2025.