News items | The United Nations Office at Geneva

Welcome to the United Nations

The United Nations Office at Geneva

Security Council debates weapon transfers to Ukraine

The transfer of arms to Ukraine was the focus of debate in the UN Security Council on Thursday in the latest meeting convened by Russia to address the issue. Deputy UN High Representative for Disarmament…

Ethiopia landslides: Death toll rises as UN supports response

A UN inter-agency humanitarian team has reached the area affected by deadly landslides in Ethiopia earlier this week and is supporting the response. More than 250 people are reported to have been killed…

The heat is on: We must rise to the challenge of rising temperatures, urges UN chief

The UN chief on Thursday issued an urgent call to action to better protect billions around the world exposed to crippling effects of extreme heat, as global temperature rise continues unabated. The…

World News in Brief: Rights experts urge US to protect peaceful assembly rights, attacks against Ahmadis in Pakistan, sustainability push at Paris Olympics

UN independent human rights experts on Thursday expressed deep concern over a “massive crackdown” on pro-Palestinian student protests at various universities in the United States, urging authorities to uphold the rights to free speech and peaceful assembly…

Europe tops the charts for alcohol consumption. WHO calls for urgent action to curb the trend

It seems that Europeans don’t want to give up booze. A UN World Health Organization (WHO) report has found that nothing has changed in the continent’s drinking habits. Despite the health risks, Europeans consume an average of 9.2 litres of pure alcohol a year - making them the world’s biggest…

New ECOSOC President to focus on safe migration, AI for sustainable development

A veteran Canadian politician and diplomat was on Thursday elected President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which lies at the centre of the Organization’s efforts to advance sustainable development…

Gaza: Hunger fears persist as Israeli operations further harm enclave’s farmers

As President Biden on Thursday prepared to meet Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss progress on a Gaza ceasefire and the release of all hostages still held in the enclave, the spectre of further hunger and malnourishment continued to loom over Gazans, as UN humanitarians warned that…

Rising heat in Europe and Central Asia killing almost 400 children a year: UNICEF

Soaring summer temperatures in Europe and Central Asia are killing nearly 400 children a year according to new analysis of the latest available data by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) released on Wednesday…

World News in Brief: Rights chief ‘horrified’ at deadly PNG violence, Lebanon-Israel ‘knife edge’, Sudan refugees suffer sexual violence

Recent attacks on three villages in East Sepik province, Papua New Guinea, resulted in at least 26 deaths - including 16 children – an event that has left UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk “horrified”, he said in a statement on Wednesday…

Fight against global hunger set back 15 years, warns UN report

Progress fighting global hunger has been set back 15 years, leaving around 733 million people going hungry in 2023, equivalent to one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa, according to the latest UN State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report published on Wednesday…