With our planet’s flora and fauna facing unprecedented threats, science and policy experts are set to gather next week in Medellin, Colombia, for a United Nations-backed meeting to consider five landmark reports aiming to inform better decisions by Governments, businesses and even individuals on biodiversity, and issues of land degradation and restoration. “Literally, all Governments […]
Category: Global Biodiversity
Dry, hot weather likely to reduce harvests in southern Africa, UN warns
Southern Africa’s water sources and crops are under serious pressure as a long dry spell and high temperatures have taken hold in the region, the United Nations agriculture agency said Tuesday, warning that after record maize production in 2017, food shortages are set to worsen this year. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said that while cereal […]
UN and partners launch campaign to tackle new fungus strain threatening world’s bananas
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced on Wednesday that it is working with partners to help protect the world’s banana crops a new strain of fungus, known as Fusarium wilt TR4, which can last for years in the soil. According to FAO, the “insidious” fungus poses major risks to global banana production […]
New lab will boost UN efforts to keep harmful insects at bay
The United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today opened the doors of a new laboratory to help countries use a nuclear technique to keep harmful insects, such as mosquitoes and fruit flies, at bay. The modern Insect Pest Control Laboratory (IPCL), located in Seibersdorf, Austria, will boost the Agency’s ability to assist Member States […]
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, […]
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 […]