Marine Protection as Stand-Alone Goal for Post-2015 Agenda?

A multi-stakeholder group has expressed strong support for a stand- alone goal to protect healthy oceans in the U.N.’s post-2015 development agenda to be finalised next year.

Locust Plague in Madagascar Halted, But Possible Resurgence Due to Lack of Funds

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said Thursday that a locust plague in Madagascar, that threatened the main staple food crops and pasture in the country, has been successfully contained.

World Bank Linked to “Cultural Genocide”of Kenya’s Sengwer People

(GIN) – Leaked documents seen by the Guardian newspaper of London reveal that the World Bank ignored an inspection report that detailed violations of the Bank’s own policies, permitting the burning of homes and forcible eviction of approximately 1,000 Sengwer people from their ancestral lands in Kenya’s Embobut forest.

U.N. Sees Progress in Death Penalty Moratorium

With the U.N. General Assembly expected to discuss a proposed moratorium on the death penalty later this year, a senior U.N. official said the world body is supportive of the proposal to end this “cruel practice.”

U.N. on Safe Use of Living Modified Organisms

A five day meeting in the Republic of Korea, beginning Monday, will provide an opportunity for the global biodiversity community to make progress on the safe transboundary movement of Living modified organisms (LMOs) in the direction of lessening trade distortions while securing the biosafety of the State Parties.

African Leaders Strengthen Ties with Cuba

(GIN) – While the U.S. tightens an economic embargo on its island neighbor, several African leaders were making a pilgrimage to Havana to strengthen bilateral relations.

Film Industry Stereotypes Women, Says New Study

In a new study on women stereotypes, the global film industry has been accused of perpetuating discrimination against women.

Brundtland Receives Mahbub ul Haq Award for Human Development

Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, the first woman Prime Minister of Norway and currently Deputy Chair of The Elders, received the Mahbub ul Haq Award for Human Development presented by the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP).

Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Still Lag Behind in Latin America

A new report issued by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) analyses the gaps in the fulfilment of rights of indigenous peoples in the region.

New pledges to Help Children Affected by Crisis in Syria

The U.N. children’s agency UNICEF welcomed the $347 million in new funding commitments to the “No Lost Generation Initiative announced Wednesday, according to a UNICEF press release.

ECLAC Report on Mitigating Climate Change Effects

A 2.5 degrees celsius increase in the world’s temperature would cost around 2.5 percent of the region's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while implementing actions to mitigate these effects would be more cost-effective, according to a new report released by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

Climate Change an African Issue

New York streets were overflowing on Sunday with hand-made posters, buttons, baby carriages, bicycles, musical bands and nearly 400,000 marchers demanding an end to the exploitation of fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas that are creating havoc for the environment in the U.S., Africa and most of the world.

Climate Summit Builds Political Will

Speaking to more than 120 heads of state at the U.N. Climate Summit, actor and newly appointed U.N. Messenger of Peace Leonardo DiCaprio made clear the long-ranging impact of the attendees’ decisions.

African Presidents Discuss Potential “Demographic Dividend” in the Sahel

Presidents from three Sahelian nations met Monday at the United Nations to discuss what may prove to be the only upbeat topic of the week at the General Assembly.

Sexual & Reproductive Rights are Human Rights, Says UNFPA Head

Addressing a special session of the U.N. General Assembly on the 20th anniversary of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), the Executive Director o f the U.N.Population Fund (UNFPA) Dr Babatunde Osotimehin said over the past 20 years,” we have seen the rise of hundreds of millions out of poverty, gender parity in primary education, fewer women dying giving life and more women in the workforce.”

Religious Leaders Call for U.N. Action on Sexual & Reproductive Health

On the eve of a major U.N. special session on population and development, a delegation of religious leaders released a statement calling for action on sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.

New U.N. Mission to Fight Spreading Ebola Virus

The current Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa is the largest the world has ever seen, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the Security Council Thursday.

Child Mortality Rates Falling Faster Than Ever

Child mortality rates, particularly those under five, have dropped by 49 per cent between 1990 and 2013.

UNIDO celebrates International Day for the Preservation of Ozone Layer

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), along with implementing agencies of the Montreal Protocol, commemorated International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.

Paucity of Funds to Fight Ebola Virus

(GIN) – Between $100- and $180 million have been committed to the fight against the Ebola virus in West Africa – an amount considered way too little and reaching the needy way too slowly.

Migrant Boat Rammed & 500 Refugees Feared Dead

(GIN) – About 500 refugees are feared dead after their vessel was rammed by traffickers in icy Mediterranean waters, according to two Palestinians who survived the ordeal.