United Nations

UN officially notified of US intention to withdraw from Paris climate pact

The notification came two months after President Donald Trump announced his intention to leave the accord.
 
“As the Secretary-General said in a statement on 1 June 2017, the decision by the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement is a major disappointment for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote global security,” said UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric in a note sent  to correspondents.
 

Samoa to come under UN spotlight

They plan to assess the progress made towards eliminating discrimination against women and the protection and promotion of women's rights in the country.

The delegation plans to visit Apia and villages in Upolu and Savai'i to gather first-hand information.

It will be the first visit by independent experts from the UN Human Rights Council.

During its ten-day visit, the experts would meet with Government officials, representatives of State institutions and civil society organizations, academics, as well as individual women.

Global Day of Parents passed quietly

This was publically declared in 2012, September 17, and from then on, June 1 has annually been recognised as the Global Day of Parents.

It’s not a day restricted to one’s biological parents but an opportunity to appreciate parents and parental figures for the vital role they play in the development of families.

Global Day of Parents highlights and promotes effective parenting.

According to the UN, this observance recognises parents as vital in providing protection and positive development for their children.

More North Korea sanctions? They haven't worked so far

The U.N. Security Council has been trying for more than a decade to stifle North Korea's nuclear weapons program with little success: Nuclear tests and missile launches have continued.

Sanctions imposed so far range from restrictions on the arms trade and financial services to a ban on North Korea's business of exporting statues of foreign leaders.

Here are five key areas where the U.N. has taken action since 2006, when North Korea carried out its first nuclear test:

 

Weapons

Syria civil war: UN calls emergency talks after 'gas attack'

The attack on a rebel-held town brought furious international reaction, with the US and other powers blaming the Syrian government for the deaths.

Officials in Damascus deny using any such weapons.

The attack will overshadow a conference in Brussels at which 70 donor nations will discuss aid efforts in Syria.

Delegates want to step up humanitarian access for thousands of civilians trapped by fighting.

Syria's civil war has raged for more than six years with still no political solution in sight.

UN seat remains long-term goal for Cook Islands

New Zealand had knocked back the government's aspirations for a seat, saying it was not an option if the Cook Islands wanted to retain New Zealand passports for its people.

The Cook Islands 'free association' relationship with New Zealand leaves Wellington responsible for defence and foreign policy and while the Cook Islands had separate membership of some UN agencies it was represented by New Zealand at the main international body.

Faced with ‘clear science, real threats’ countries must remain committed to Paris climate deal – UN

“We are dealing with scientific facts, not politics. And the facts are clear. Climate change is a direct threat in itself, and a multiplier of many other threats,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres told a General Assembly High-Level action event aimed at invigorating political momentum on climate change, highlighting its deep links to the UN 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.
 
Guterres said his messages to the meeting are simple.
 

Call for UN to recognise impact of climate change on women

Nauru's Education Minister Charmaine Scotty made the call on behalf of the Forum during the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN.

The theme of this year's session of the Commission is women's economic empowerment in the changing world of work.

The Pacific Islands Forum recommended it recognise climate change, disasters and the ongoing threats to oceans and coasts are changing work for Pacific women.

It said women in the region depended on marine resources including fisheries for their employment and well-being.

Babies starving to death as Yemen calls for aid

Charity Save the Children took the images this week in the Yemeni Capital Sanaa, in the wards of the Al Sabeen Hospital.

The NGO says its teams are seeing skeletal children in Yemen's hospitals on the brink of death, so hungry they do not even have the energy to cry.

Famine declared in South Sudan; 4.9 million people need urgent help

People are already dying of hunger, and another 1 million people are on the brink of famine, UN agencies said.

Years of civil war, a refugee crisis and a collapsing economy have taken their toll on South Sudan since it gained its independence in 2011.

Now the UN World Food Programme and nongovernmental organizations are sounding the alarm, warning that more than a million children are suffering from acute malnutrition.