UN chief issues global ‘wake-up call’ on Day of Epidemic Preparedness — Global Issues

UN chief issues global ‘wake-up call’ on Day of Epidemic Preparedness — Global Issues

“The costs have been catastrophic”, Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement marking the day. Since the pandemic struck, he pointed out that millions of lives have been lost, as hundreds of millions fallen ill. And economies have been shattered, health systems stretched, and trillions of dollars lost. Moreover, progress…

Step up investment to ensure water and sanitation access for all — Global Issues

Step up investment to ensure water and sanitation access for all — Global Issues

Although 45 per cent of countries are on track to achieve drinking water targets by the end of the decade, only a quarter are likely to meet sanitation targets.  The findings come in a report published by WHO and UN-Water, which brings together UN agencies and other organizations working on…

UN Forum tackles ‘digital poverty’ facing 2.7 billion people — Global Issues

UN Forum tackles ‘digital poverty’ facing 2.7 billion people — Global Issues

“With the right policies in place, digital technology can give an unprecedented boost to sustainable development, particularly for the poorest countries,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a press release. “This calls for more connectivity; and less digital fragmentation. More bridges across digital divides; and fewer barriers. Greater autonomy for ordinary people;…

Ports, shipping need to go green to resist future global crises: UNCTAD — Global Issues

Ports, shipping need to go green to resist future global crises: UNCTAD — Global Issues

“Ships carry over 80 per cent of the goods traded globally, with the percentage even higher for most developing countries; hence the urgent need to boost resilience to shocks that disrupt supply chains, fuel inflation and affect the poorest the most,” the UN agency said in a new report on maritime transport. Between…

Peru’s food crisis grows amid soaring prices and poverty: FAO — Global Issues

Peru’s food crisis grows amid soaring prices and poverty: FAO — Global Issues

Some 16.6 million people – more than half the population — now find themselves without regular access to enough safe and nutritious food. It’s a shocking reversal for Peru, an upper middle-income country according to the World Bank, that can grow all the food it needs. According to a 2021…

UN’s game plan for sanitation for all — Global Issues

UN’s game plan for sanitation for all — Global Issues

“SDG 6.2 is about ending open defecation and providing access to safe sanitation and hygiene, and it is the furthest off-track of all the SDGs, and furthest in terms of underfunding,” said Ann Thomas, Team Leader, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH Programme Division, UNICEF, at a UN Headquarters press conference on Thursday. ‘Sanitation crisis’ In…

Eight billion people, one humanity; Development milestone ‘testament’ to power of health and science — Global Issues

Eight billion people, one humanity; Development milestone ‘testament’ to power of health and science — Global Issues

“But as our human family grows larger, it is also growing more divided”, warned Secretary-General António Guterres in an editorial penned ahead of the milestone moment, citing billions struggling, hundreds of millions facing hunger, and record numbers fleeing home for relief from debt, hardship, wars and climate disasters. “Unless we…

Cost-of-living crunch threatens to sink millions already facing hard choices — Global Issues

Cost-of-living crunch threatens to sink millions already facing hard choices — Global Issues

Long before the country’s first-ever international debt default in May 2022 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which added to the country’s problems, tea estate labourer Nagamma had already cut back on meals, as global trade froze during the coronavirus pandemic.  Blood, sweat and leeches  Her precarious situation in Sri Lanka’s…

In speech to Arab League, UN chief appeals for greater regional unity — Global Issues

In speech to Arab League, UN chief appeals for greater regional unity — Global Issues

The League is among the regional organizations which have a vital role to play in advancing peace, sustainable development, and human rights, he added.  Mr. Guterres also appealed for unity across the Arab world, which he said has never been more essential.  “Division opens the door to foreign, non-Arab, interference,…