Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi invoked at UN to underline importance of press freedom

“We advocate for the strengthening of policies that promote free, independent, and pluralistic media, thereby fostering a vibrant and robust public sphere, a pillar of peaceful, just, inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous societies”, they said.

Bangladesh to join non-UN international force in Haiti

Bangladesh is taking a bold step in joining the mission after the catastrophic end to the previous UN mission with military peacekeepers ended in 2017 amid accusations that Nepali troops introduced a strain of cholera from South Asia.

South Asia gaining in foreign investment as developed economies seek out India as an alternative manufacturing base

The report released on Tuesday said that in contrast to large swathes of the developing countries, “investment in South Asia, particularly in India, remains strong”.

India-backed landmark resolution on AI safeguards adopted unanimously at UNGA

The unanimity at the UN underscores the fears over AI’s potential to disrupt politics and society through deep fakes and spreading misinformation, and its more sinister capabilities in warfare, development of weapons and disrupting economies.

More on UN Watch

‘Disasters know no borders’ says UN head

In his message for Chernobyl International Remembrance Day on Monday, the UN chief reminded that “disasters know no borders”

Prioritize people and planet, UN chief urges Asian and Pacific nations

UN Secretary-General Antonion Guterres on Monday called on Asian and Pacific countries not to base their pandemic recovery strategies on “outdated and unsustainable economic models”, and to ensure that the world’s most populous region protects its environment and provides opportunities for all

Commit to restoring the planet, UN chief says on International Mother Earth Day

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a commitment to restoring the planet, and to making peace with nature, in his message to mark International Mother Earth Day, celebrated annually on 22 April

Pakistan gets membership in three UN committees

Pakisan has secured membership in three key United Nations (UN) bodies in the recent elections conducted by a 54 member principal organ of the organisation

Bangladesh elected to UN commission on narcotics drugs

Bangladesh has won an election for the membership of a key drug body of the United Nations. The country’s three-year term for the Commission on Narcotics Drugs (CND) will begin in January next year

UN chief highlights key role of Asian leaders in ending Myanmar crisis

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on Monday for leaders in Asia to bolster efforts towards finding a peaceful solution to the bloody crisis in Myanmar, sparked by the military coup in February

World on the verge of climate ‘abyss’ as temperature rise continues: UN chief

The Earth’s temperature continues to rise unabated, with 2020 being one of the three warmest years on record, as extreme weather events combine with the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting millions

Concerted action needed across borders to tackle diverse challenges: Jaishankar

Underlining that the world order built after the Second World War was under ‘serious stress’, India on Monday called for coordinated and concerted action across borders to tackle diverse challenges like terrorism, radicalisation, drug trafficking and organised crime

Guterres urges cities to embrace ‘generational opportunity’ for climate action, sustainable development

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a “revolution” in urban planning and urban transport to beat back the impacts of climate change and build a green and sustainable future for all

‘Inequality virus’ threatens ‘catastrophe for all’

The COVID-19 pandemic is leading to “an even more unequal world”, the Deputy UN chief said on Thursday, speaking at the closing session of the Financing for Development (FfD) Forum, with many lower-income countries now seeing development gains reversed

UN satisfied with relocation of Rohingya refugees to Bhasan Char island

The team of the United Nations who had visited Bhasan Char island - the new site for the relocation of 100,000 Rohingya refugees - has expressed its satisfaction with the facilities developed by the Bangladesh government

UN Security Council hearing on sexual violence in conflict

“Prevention is the best and only cure” to stem the multiple, devastating and enduring consequences faced by survivors of sexual violence in conflict, especially as a brutal tactic of war, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Wednesday

Museums must not be overlooked in pandemic recovery, UNESCO chief warns

Faced with alarming and extended closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world’s museums are of “fundamental importance” to reviving cultural life and preserving our shared heritage “in all its diversity”, said the UN cultural agency chief on Tuesday

As Biden sets new 9/11 withdrawal deadline, India invited to Afghan peace meet in Istanbul

India has been invited to an Afghanistan peace conference in Turkey to back up the slowed down negotiations in Qatar between the Taliban and the Kabul government ahead of a delayed US withdrawal from that country, according to diplomatic sources

COVID complicates efforts to shut down drug traffickers: UNODC

The growing complexities of the world drug problem are hampering efforts to achieve sustainable development by the end of the decade: a situation which the COVID-19 pandemic has only compounded, the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime said on Monday