New UN Women report puts forth policy agenda to end gender inequalities within families

“Progress of the World’s Women 2019-2020: Families in a Changing World” examines how the transformations in families impact women’s rights, and reveals most countries can afford family-friendly policies

NewYork, 26 June 2019 –As women’s rights have advanced over the past decades, families around the world have become a place of love and solidarity but also one where fundamental human rights violations and gender inequalities persist, according to UN Women’s new flagship report,“Progress of the World’s Women 2019-2020: Families in a Changing World,” published today.

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UNODC PRESS RELEASE: International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 26 June 2019

Drug abuse is a complex problem at the intersection of public health, safety and social issues. It takes a heavy toll on our families and communities, claiming more than half a million lives per year. The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking shines a spotlight on this preventable crisis, and on the global quest to advance successful responses. Continue reading →

The Secretary-General’s message for the World Refugee Day

On World Refugee Day, my thoughts are with the more than 70 million women, children and men – refugees and internally displaced persons — who have been forced to flee war, conflict and persecution.This is an astonishing number – twice what it was 20 years ago.

Most of the forcibly displaced came from just a handful of countries: Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar and Somalia. In the past 18 months, millions more have fled Venezuela. Continue reading →

World Enviroment Day message from the Secretary-General

World Environment Day highlights how much we all rely on nature and on our planet’s health.

The quality of the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe — all depend on protecting the natural world.

But the environment is facing unprecedented perils, caused by human activity.

One million species are at risk of extinction.  Oceans are under stress.

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UN honours peacekeepers who ‘paid the ultimate price’, for the sake of others

Fallen South African peacekeeper among those honoured

 

Ever since the UN deployed the first of its 72 peacekeeping missions back in 1948, more than 3,800 peacekeepers have lost their lives, Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday, at a wreath-laying ceremony in honour of those “brave men and women” who serve. Speaking of “the true cost of peacekeeping”, the UN chief called for a moment of silence for those who “paid the ultimate price” to protect others and “to give war-torn countries a chance for peace and hope” Continue reading →