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.
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.
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.’
On October 24, to mark UN Day, Secretary-General António Guterres announced that next year’s commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations will feature a large and inclusive global conversation on the role of global cooperation in building the future we want. Continue reading
24 October 2019 – United Nations Day highlights the enduring ideals of the Charter, adopted on this date 74 years ago. Amid stormy global seas, the Charter remains our shared moral anchor.
At this time of turbo-charged change, the United Nations remains focused on the real problems of real people.
17 October 2019: Ending extreme poverty is at the heart of the world’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and build a sustainable future for all. But success in leaving no one behind will remain elusive if we do not target the people who are farthest behind first. Continue reading
Poor diets damaging children’s health worldwide, warns UNICEF
Poverty, urbanisation, climate change and poor eating choices driving unhealthy diets,
South Africa has the highest percentage of overweight children under 5 and adolescents 10-19 years in the Eastern and Southern Africa region.
Pretoria, 15 October 2019 – An alarmingly high number of children are suffering the consequences of poor diets and a food system that is failing them, UNICEF warned today in a new report on children, food and nutrition.
Rural women and girls across the world are a “powerful force” in global action to respond to climate change, according to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
In a message to mark the International Day of Rural Women, observed annually on 15 October, the UN chief said that “listening to rural women and amplifying their voices is central to spreading knowledge about climate change and urging governments, businesses and community leaders to act.” Continue reading
Rural women and girls building climate resilience
“Millions of rural women and girls around the world are building essential climate resilience at home, at work and in their communities. They play significant roles in agriculture, food security, nutrition, and the management of land and natural resources. In fact, globally, one in three employed women work in agriculture, with indigenous women in particular safeguarding land and knowledge. Continue reading
“Today, more than 1 billion girls younger than 18 are poised to take on the future. Every day, they are challenging stereotypes and breaking barriers. Girls are organizing and leading movements to tackle issues such as child marriage, education inequality, violence and the climate crisis. As the theme of this year’s observance underscores, they are proving to be unscripted and unstoppable. Continue reading