Some 150 foreign nationals, involved in a protest since 8 October outside UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s office in Pretoria, South Africa, have forced their way into the compound this morning. The group may include refugees and asylum-seekers. The majority of our staff were safely evacuated out of the building.
UN Secretary-General’s message on World Diabetes Day
14 November 2019: More than 420 million people suffer from diabetes, a treatable and often preventable disease largely driven by unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and poor access to health services and medicines. Most of those affected live in low- and middle-income countries.
UN leads bid for cheaper insulin, expanding access for diabetics worldwide
Announcing the initiative in Geneva, the UN agency said that it had already had informal expressions of interest from pharmaceutical companies looking to produce insulin and have WHO assess whether it is safe for people to use.
Nairobi summit: Women’s empowerment a ‘game changer’ for sustainable development
The Kenyan capital is hosting a three-day summit to mark 25 years since the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The conference, held in Cairo, produced a Programme of Action which recognized that reproductive health, women’s empowerment and gender equality are critical to sustainable development.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: To all Refugees and Asylum-Seekers in #SouthAfrica.
If you are a refugee or asylum-seeker in South Africa, please read this important notice. You will find information on how and where you can get help.
Investors’ Alliance
OP-ED by UN Secretary-General, António Guterres: This piece originally appeared in the Financial Times under the headline ‘Progress toward sustainable development is seriously off-track’.
People around the world are taking to the streets to protest against rising living costs and real or perceived injustice. They feel the economy is not working for them — and in some cases, they are right. A narrow focus on growth, regardless of its true cost and consequences, is leading to climate catastrophe, a loss of trust in institutions and a lack of faith in the future.
Press Release: UNHCR urges resolution to refugee protests
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is closely following developments in front of its office in Cape Town, South Africa, where police – pursuant to a court order – is acting to address the protest by refugees and asylum-seekers. The police action is being undertaken after refugees and asylum seekers staged a sit-in protest since 8 October at UNHCR’s office in Cape Town.
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Commitment walk, song and colourful dance at UN Day celebrations
Pretoria – The employees of the United Nations in South Africa marked UN Day with a walk, song and dance in colourful outfits in Pretoria on Friday. About 100 workers from the organisation took to the streets to commemorate the day and raise awareness about Agenda 2030, which includes the 17 sustainable development goals for the world.
Why the United Nations is still relevant to South Africa?
Nardos Bekele-Thomas is the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in South Africa.
The United Nations (UN) role in ending apartheid is well documented; what is less known is its relevance to a democratic South Africa (SA). As the world, this week, marks the UN’s 74th birthday amidst concerns over its ability to finance an ambitious development agenda, it is time for a sober reflection on why the global body is relevant to SA.
UN hosts Youth Event at the National Botanical Gardens Pretoria
22 October 2019 – As part of the UN Day celebrations, the UN in partnership with the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), The Department of Environmental Affairs and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), hosted 100 high-school learners from Thuto Balale, a school from Nellmaphius, to a day of fun and learning. The event was held at the National Botanical Gardens under the theme: ‘Our Planet. Our Future.’