Month: August 2017

In Kuwait, UN chief Guterres lauds country’s humanitarian leadership, regional diplomacy

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, on an official visit to Kuwait, expressed gratitude to not only the Gulf country’s leadership in humanitarian action, but the “dialogue […] and promotion of understanding Kuwait has shown in relation to all conflicts in the region.” Speaking to reporters after meetings with the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, […]

Top UN officials strongly condemn attacks on Myanmar security forces in Rakhine state

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attacks carried out against the Myanmar security forces in northern areas of Rakhine State, expressing concern about escalating tensions in the region. In a statement from his spokesperson, the Secretary-General called the attacks “unacceptable” and said he hoped those responsible would be brought to justice. Mr. Guterres “reiterates the […]

No ‘worse place on earth’ than Syria’s Raqqa, says senior UN adviser urging pause in fighting

A senior United Nations aid official today urged the international community to do whatever is needed to allow citizens to flee from Raqqa, describing the de facto capital of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh), the “worse place on earth.” Briefing journalists in Geneva, UN Special Adviser Jan Egeland said the five […]

On Day of Remembrance, UN says history of slave trade can help combat social injustice

Remembering the universal demand for freedom that led to the 1791 insurrection by slaves in what is now Haiti, the head of the United Nations cultural and educational agency yesterday marked the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition by underscoring the importance of teaching this history to young people. “We […]

UN Assembly President rings Nasdaq bell; sounds alarm on behalf of world’s endangered ocean

The President of the United Nations General Assembly opened the trading day in New York this morning to send the message that the world’s ocean health is in distress. “The ocean is in trouble,” said Peter Thomson prior to ringing the Opening Bell of the Nasdaq Stock Market in its Times Square headquarters. Outlining the […]

UN labour agency launches global panel to address rapid transformations in the world of work

The United Nations labour agency has launched a high-level international body that will chart the course towards a future of decent and sustainable work opportunities for all, and to tackle the challenges of delivering social justice in today’s rapidly transforming world of work. “It is fundamentally important that we confront these challenges from the conviction […]