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Monday, June 1, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
CTBTO’s Verification System Thwarts Nuclear Tests
The Vienna-based Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) – a 24-hour international watchdog body – is known never to miss a beat. The Organization’s international monitoring and verification system has been tracking all nuclear explosions -– in the atmosphere, underwater and underground –- including all four nuclear tests by the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) – the only country in the world to test nuclear weapons in the 21st century.UN Seeks Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
The United Nations says it is determined to end female genital mutilation (FGM) – a ritual practiced mostly in Africa, the Middle East, parts of Asia and even among some migrant communities in Europe. And the world body’s determination is being backed with facts, figures -- and a global campaign by a Joint Programme against FGM initiated by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the UN children’s agency UNICEF.After 20 Years, Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Still in Political Limbo
After nine years in office, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will step down in December perhaps without achieving one of his more ambitious and elusive political goals: ensuring the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
UN Hails Myanmar’s Historic New Parliament
When U.Thant of Burma (now Myanmar) was elected UN Secretary-General back in November 1962, he was the first Asian to hold that post after Trygve Lie of Norway and Dag Hammarskjold of Sweden. The appointment was also a historic moment for Asia, which waited for 45 long years for the second Asian to hold that position: Ban Ki-moon of South Korea, the current UN Secretary-General, who was elected in January 2007.Ebola Recovery Funds Impossible to Track, Says New Study
When the Ebola epidemic devastated three West African countries – Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea two years ago – the international community responded with pledges of over $5.8 billion in funds to fight the disease which has killed over 11,300 people.
UN Fighting Losing Battle Over Global Humanitarian Crises
As the global refugee crises continues to worsen by the hour, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is quick to point out that when he took office in January 2007, the international appeal for funds for humanitarian emergencies was only about 4.0 billion dollars annually.Zero Hunger? UN Leads With Landfill Salad and Recycled Food
When the United Nations hosted a high-level lunch for visiting world leaders at the UN dining room during the General Assembly sessions last September, they were in for an unexpected surprise.North Korea Momentarily Escapes Sanctions After Fourth Nuclear Test
When the UN Security Council (UNSC) adopted a resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea -- immediately following its first nuclear test back in 2006 -- Pyongyang described the punitive measure as “an act of war.”Declining Oil Prices May Undermine Development and Humanitarian Aid
The sharp decline in oil prices in the world market -– the lowest in nearly 13 years –- is expected to have a devastating impact on both developed and developing nations.
Western Powers Protect Arms Markets Ignoring Civilian Killings
The West continues its strong political and military support to one of its longstanding allies in the Middle East – Saudi Arabia –- despite withering criticism of the kingdom’s battlefield excesses in the ongoing war in neighbouring Yemen.2016 Potential Landmark Year for Women Leaders in US and UN
The United Nations is hoping 2016 will be a landmark year for gender empowerment – not only for the world body but also for the United States.
Military Conflicts Threaten to Undermine Battle Against Rural Poverty
The ongoing battle against rural poverty is in danger of being undermined by a growing number of insurgencies and political upheavals – mostly in Africa.UN Sees Key Role for Women in Post-2015 Development Agenda
The United Nations, which has launched an intense world-wide campaign to ensure the full implementation of its post-2015 development agenda, is unequivocal in asserting that gender equality and women’s empowerment are indispensable to the realization of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders last September.World’s Poor Trailing Far Behind Rich in Digital Technology
The world’s developing nations, numbering over 130, are still lagging far behind the 34 rich industrialized countries in the race for digital technology.UN Seeks Hefty 20 Billion Dollars for Humanitarian Needs in 2016
The world’s refugee crisis – triggered mostly by conflicts and persecutions – will continue to be one of the biggest problems facing the United Nations next year.Syrian Refugees, Fleeing Civil War, Reduced to Extreme Poverty, Says New Study
When German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended her immigration policies early this week -- and announced plans to absorb about one million refugees, mostly from Syria -- she was apparently greeted with a nine-minute standing ovation by members of her Christian Democratic Union.Paris Agreement Leaves Climate Funding in Limbo
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who described climate change as one of the “defining priorities” of his nine-year tenure as UN chief, went into raptures over the Paris agreement concluded on Saturday.Development Aid on the Decline, Warns New Study
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed fears last month that increases in humanitarian aid to thousands of refugees invading Europe could result in sharp cuts on development aid by Western donors.Climate Talks in Final Phase With No Resolution on Funding
As the Paris climate talks move to its conclusion Friday, civil society groups are expressing serious concerns about the continued deadlock on a proposed package for funding amounting to about 100 billion dollars a year by 2020.Climate Summit May be Heading for a Showdown Over Financing
The two-week long Paris summit, which is expected to adopt a landmark international treaty on climate change by mid-December, may be heading for a political showdown over one of the most controversial issues at the ongoing talks: financing.Military Budgets Unexplored Source for Development Funding
As the United Nations continues its intense search for trillions of dollars needed to finance 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders last September, there is one rich source that remains unexplored: world military budgets.« Previous Page — Next Page »
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Tracking global progress towards a sustainable world
