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Gaza First Person: ‘The best of humankind in a place abandoned by humanity’

In the centre of war-torn Gaza, UN staff continue to work despite the “unprecedented” destruction and suffering around them, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Head of Office. Sonia Silva has…

UN urges restraint as Thailand-Cambodia clashes displace thousands; Security Council meets

The UN Secretary-General has urged “utmost restraint” amid intensifying border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia as the Security Council met behind closed doors on Friday to address the most serious escalation between the two Southeast Asian neighbours in more than a decade…

‘Famine silently begins to unfold’ in Gaza, UNRWA chief says

“People in Gaza are neither dead nor alive, they are walking corpses.” Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), said that is…

‘The UN is here to do the right things’: Envoy Colin Stewart bids farewell but keeps the faith

After nearly three decades on the frontlines of UN’s peace operations – from Timor-Leste’s turbulent independence referendum to Western Sahara’s protracted ceasefire and Cyprus’ frozen conflict – Colin Stewart is leaving the Organization with his faith in it intact…

Torture, threats and arbitrary arrests: UN warns of ‘serious abuses’ against Afghans forced to return

Afghans returning to their country face “serious violations” of their human rights committed by the Taliban de facto authorities, according to a United Nations report published on Thursday amid mass deportation campaigns from Iran and Pakistan…

Global collaboration grows to address crises in Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan

Amid growing geopolitical turbulence, the United Nations is deepening its collaboration with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to help address some of the world’s most complex and protracted conflicts, from Gaza and Sudan to Myanmar and Afghanistan…

Two ex-militia leaders in Central African Republic sentenced for war crimes, crimes against humanity

Two former leaders of the predominantly Christian Anti-Balaka militia in the Central African Republic have been convicted of multiple war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC…

Deep-sea must not turn into ‘Wild West’ of rare minerals exploitation, agency head says

Nations are pursuing underwater exploration for highly sought-after rare earth minerals, but the head of the UN’s International Seabed Authority (ISA) said the deep-sea belongs to no single country or corporation as efforts are underway to ensure this rich resource will not become “the Wild West”…

UN forum affirms stronger commitment to achieve sustainable development

The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) has concluded at United Nations Headquarters in New York following a week-and-a-half of substantive discussion between Member States, civil society representatives and UN agencies. …

World News in Brief: Thailand-Cambodia border hostilities, humanitarian efforts in Syria and attacks across Ukraine

In a dramatic escalation of a long-standing border dispute, a deadly exchange of fire between Thailand and Cambodia killed at least 11 civilians and a soldier on Thursday, according to news reports. Both states are claiming the other side fired first…