UN News Centre

Top United Nations officials today welcomed an agreement by more than 130 Member States on the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, and urged governments to translate the outcome of the ‘historic’ gathering into concrete actions to protect and promote women’s human rights and… »

Norway, Australia and the United States lead this year’s Human Development Index (HDI) rankings, the annual United Nations measure of progress in human well-being, while Niger, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Mozambique are at the bottom. The new HDI figures, launched today in Mexico City by… »

The United Nations today expressed concern over Hungary’s adoption of an amendment to the constitution that threatens the independence of its judiciary, and stressed this could have a profound effect on the human rights of its citizens. According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (… »

As the crisis in Syria enters its third year, United Nations officials today warned that civilian suffering is escalating and humanitarian needs mounting, while funds are rapidly running out. “Shelter, water, food, basic supplies, health care – all are precarious,” said the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, Radhouane Nouicer. “The… »

Senior humanitarian aid workers, United Nations organizations and civil society members are meeting today in Norway to discuss what the international humanitarian community can realistically do to prepare for and to respond to the humanitarian impact of a nuclear weapon detonation. “The humanitarian consequences of a nuclear attack or an… »

With the world undergoing a “great transition,” it is time for a new kind of inclusive dialogue about decolonization, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, calling for fresh approaches to resolve the situations of the remaining 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories. “The risk of movement, while sometimes frightening, is far more preferable… »

Countries that switch from lamps, candles, flashlights and other traditional lighting systems to solar power can recover the costs in less than one year, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said today, highlighting new studies that show the development and climate benefits of ‘off-grid’ lighting. “Replacing the world’s 670 million… »

In the wake of a meteor impact in Russia that shattered windows over a wide area, injuring hundreds of people and terrifying thousands, a United Nations team today called for international cooperation to face the threat of near space objects. “If the proposed coordination mechanism was in place, then at… »

The United Nations today welcomed the release of 24 children by Myanmar’s armed forces, known as the Tatmadaw, and called for the acceleration of discharges in line with the commitment made last year by the Government to end child rights violations. Last June, the UN and the Government of Myanmar… »

11 February 2013 – The United Nations today launched the International Year of Water Cooperation, which seeks to provide a platform for countries to collaborate in the management of this precious resource in the interest of peace and development. “Water is central to the well-being of people and the… »