On November 14, leading policy advocates, artists, and researchers convene at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for the Healing Arts Symposium in a call to action to acknowledge and act on the evidence for the health benefits of the arts.
The latest round of global climate talks, Conference of the Parties 26 (COP26), takes place from 31 October to 12 November 2021 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. Thousands of government delegates and people from civil society, business and the media will gather to advance climate action. The world will be watching. Science confirms we have reached a “code red” for our world and COP26 must be a turning point. It must deliver bold, large-scale and rapid actions to deliver in full on the promises made in the Paris Agreement. Get to know the priorities of this important meeting.
The Conference of Parties (COP) is the big UN Climate Change summit gathering the signatory countries to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. World leaders, negotiators, representatives of civil society, business, and international organizations meet annually to discuss how to address the world’s climate crisis, which impacts all parts of the global food system – from production to consumption. As global powers meet in Glasgow on 31 October to 12 November, WFP joins humanitarian organizations daring to hope for decisions that will save millions from hunger.
War, violent conflict, terrorism and violent extremism have different and devastating consequences for women and girls. In the face of these, women all over the world lead movements to prevent conflict, restore peace and rebuild communities. The women, peace and security agenda was formally established in 2000 by a unanimous Security Council decision. This year’s Security Council’s annual open debate on women, peace and security will focus on investing in the contribution of local women to peacekeeping, peacebuilding and transitional settings during and following UN peace operations.
UNESCO Memory of the World (MoW) Programme launched a free, online course for teachers and educators on how to integrate important historical items from all over the world in their teaching.
Countries must set ambitious climate commitments if they are to sustain a healthy and green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO COP26 Special Report on Climate Change and Health, in the lead-up to COP26, spells out the global health community’s prescription for climate action based on research that establishes the many and inseparable links between climate and health. The report is launched at the same time as an open letter, signed by over two thirds of the global health workforce calling for countries to step up climate action.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a blueprint for fighting poverty and hunger, confronting the climate crisis, achieving gender equality and much more, within the next 10 years. The virtual meeting SDG Moment reinforces the continued relevance of these goals. The event convenes leaders from over 30 Member States as well as multiple allies. It aims to highlight the urgent actions necessary to ensure COVID-19 response and recovery efforts are equitable, inclusive and accelerate the transition to sustainable development for 2030. Follow the meeting on UN Web TV from 9am-6pm EDT.
Up to 811 million people went hungry last year as the combined effects of conflict, climate extremes and the coronavirus pandemic pushed a further 161 million into food insecurity. International food prices are up for a 12th consecutive month. WFP seeks to save and change the lives of 115.5 million people in more than 80 countries. Food systems play a key role in ensuring people's access to regular, nutritious food despite these factors. Food Systems encompass everything from ‘farm to fork’— it’s about having a broader picture of how we literally produce, transport, process and consume food.
Convened by UN Women, the Generation Equality Forum is taking place in Paris, on 30 June to 2 July. Here’s how it’s set to be catalytic with actions that accelerate progress on women’s rights.
The question is formulated at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the core UN platform for follow-up and review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs). This next meeting of the HLPF (6-15 July) focuses on a sustainable and resilient recovery from COVID-19. The HLPF will review 9 of the 17 SDGs, where ministers and other participants will explore policies and international cooperation to control the pandemic and its impacts. To reach a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030, the world needs to be back on track in less than a decade.
The annual session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues takes place on 19-30 April under the title “Peace, justice and strong institutions: the role of indigenous peoples in implementing Sustainable Development Goal 16”. SDG # 16 forms the basis for the attainment of many of the rights enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, such as access to non-discriminatory and inclusive justice, recognition of indigenous institutions, the principle of free, prior and informed consent and the right to lands, territories and resources.
Top international energy and climate leaders from countries representing the vast majority of global GDP, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions are taking part in the IEA-COP26 Net Zero Summit. The Summit will be a critical opportunity to take stock of the growing list of commitments from countries and companies to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement. It also seeks to accelerate the momentum behind clean energy and to examine how countries can work together more effectively to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to net zero in line with shared international goals. Watch it live!
UNEP’s Global Recovery Observatory on green spending brings together global leaders and international institutions to debate progress, explore openings, and attempt to answer some of the major questions following the Covid-19 pandemic. An online UN-Oxford panel discussion is asking and answering the questions that matter: What is at risk if we fail to build back better? Can recovery spending bring strong economic and job impacts while securing environmental progress? How can countries better leverage recovery spending to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and more equitable world?
ITU and partners jointly organize the Women in Cyber Mentorship Programme for empowering women in the cybersecurity sector. The programme engages role models and leaders in this field and connects them with talented women worldwide, and it also offers technical and soft skills training courses. It is open to women working in cybersecurity at junior levels, as well as women seeking to enter the cybersecurity workforce. It aims to shift the mentality and encourage women to take on leadership roles in cybersecurity, and promote knowledge sharing of professional best practices.