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Millions of ‘children on the move’ without protection is unacceptable – UN refugee agency chief

  Highlighting the challenges confronting the protection of millions of children, many of whom are separated from their families as they flee wars and persecution, the top United Nations refugee official today called for prompt action to stave off the risk of losing an entire generation. “[Children] are exposed to criminal smugglers and traffickers. The […]

Regulations, incentives can reduce high levels of informality in domestic work – UN

Nearly 75 per cent of domestic workers 15 and older are estimated to work in informal employment situations, according to a new study by the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO), which calls for a combination of incentives and compliance to reduce high levels of informality in domestic work. The report, Formalizing Domestic Work, confirms […]

UN rights expert urges Australians to stand up against country’s ‘alarming’ hate speech and racism

The United Nations human rights expert on contemporary forms of racism has urged all Australians – from the Government to the media and civil society – to stand up against “alarming” hate speech and racism racial discrimination in the country, especially against indigenous people, refugees, migrants, and Muslims. “The elimination of racism, xenophobia and discrimination […]

Countries urged to prioritize protection of pollinators to ensure food security at UN biodiversity conference

Bees, butterflies and other pollinators are increasingly under threat from human activities and countries must transform their agricultural practices to ensure global crop production can meet demand and avoid substantial economic losses, the United Nations Conference on Biological Diversity heard. “Pollinators affect all of us. The food that we eat like our fruits and vegetables, […]

In ‘wake-up call’ to Asia-Pacific, UN report urges region to do more to achieve zero hunger by 2030

Yesterday, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched a report that outlines declining progress towards defeating hunger in Asia and the Pacific, noting that nearly one-in-three children suffer from stunting, and warning that to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of zero hunger by 2030, the region must redouble its efforts. “The analysis […]

New UN report finds marine debris harming more than 800 species, costing countries millions

Marine debris is negatively affecting more than 800 animal species and causing serious losses to many countries’ economies, according to a United Nations report launched today. The report, Marine Debris: Understanding, Preventing and Mitigating the Significant Adverse Impacts on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity found that the number of species affected by marine debris has increased […]