United Nations in India

India is critical in determining the success of the SDGs, globally. At the UN Sustainable Development Summit in 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted, “Sustainable development of one-sixth of humanity will be of great consequence to the world and our beautiful planet. It will be a world of fewer challenges and greater hope; and, more confident of its success”. NITI Aayog, the Government of India’s premier think tank, has been entrusted with the task of coordinating the SDGs, mapping schemes related to the SDGs and their targets, and identifying lead and supporting ministries for each target. In addition, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has been leading discussions for developing national indicators for the SDGs. State governments are key to India’s progress on the SDGs as they are best placed to ‘put people first’ and to ensuring that ‘no one is left behind’. The UN Country Team in India supports NITI Aayog, Union ministries and state governments in their efforts to address the interconnectedness of the goals, to ensure that no one is left behind and to advocate for adequate financing to achieve the SDGs.

Learn more

Story

03 September 2026

Rising sea levels threaten hundreds of millions worldwide, including in India

Sea-level rise is no longer a distant threat but an unfolding global crisis, with profound impacts on coastal communities, economies, and infrastructure, according to a new UN report. It underscores that the phenomenon is accelerating at an unprecedented rate in human history. In South Asia, the report highlights the growing risks faced by low-lying coastal areas, including cities such as Mumbai and Kolkata, where sea-level rise, combined with land subsidence, is intensifying the threat of flooding and displacement.The report’s central message is clear: sea-level rise is already transforming the world and requires an urgent, coordinated, and multilateral response to protect people, economies, and ecosystems in the decades ahead.The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Report on ‘Challenges related to sea-level rise and ways and approaches to address it’, was presented on 31 August by UN Deputy Secretary-General during the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau.Average ocean levels are rising due to warming waters and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, according to the report. In 2024, the annual increase reached nearly six millimetres, the highest level ever recorded.Today, around 770 million people, equivalent to one in every ten people on Earth, live in coastal areas less than five metres above the high-tide line and are already exposed to significant risks.Indian subcontinent faces growing coastal risksAcross the Indian subcontinent, low-lying coastal areas and delta regions are increasingly exposed to the impacts of rising seas.The report highlights Mumbai and Kolkata in India, alongside Dhaka in Bangladesh, as cities in low-lying South Asian deltas where sea-level rise is contributing to a growing risk of displacement. More than 14 million people in these areas are at immediate risk of losing their homes to permanent inundation.Sea-level rise can also be compounded by land subsidence, intensifying flooding and increasing the exposure of coastal communities. Saltwater intrusion can contaminate freshwater wells and soils, affecting drinking water, agriculture, irrigation and groundwater ecosystems.The risks extend beyond homes and communities. Coastal infrastructure, essential services, livelihoods and economic activity are also increasingly exposed to rising mean and extreme sea levels.European coastlines at riskEven under a very low greenhouse gas emissions scenario (resulting in a 1 to 1.9 degrees Celsius end-of-century warming), the global mean sea level could rise 0.23 m by 2050, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projected in its sixth assessment report.In Europe, extreme sea levels have already increased at many locations along coastlines.In Germany, approximately 70 per cent of the coastline is subject to coastal retreat due to erosion.In France, small sandy beaches on the French Riviera are vanishing, having lost roughly 50% of their surface area since the late 19th century, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).The historically 1-in-100-year coastal floods are projected to increase by a factor of 10 before the year 2050 in many locations along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastsIn the United Kingdom, sea levels could rise by over a metre by 2100. In England, it is projected that one in four properties will be in areas at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea or surface water by mid-century.1.2 billion people could be displacedThe impacts of sea-level rise extend far beyond environmental concerns, threatening livelihoods, food security, cultural heritage, human rights, and economic stability.The United Nations warns that without urgent adaptation measures, up to 1.2 billion people could be displaced by 2050. Several Pacific Island communities have already begun relocation processes as a result of the gradual loss of territory.The economic consequences are equally alarming. Damage to coastal infrastructure is currently estimated at more than $1.8 trillion, and annual global losses could reach between $1.2 trillion and $4 trillion by the end of the century if adaptation measures are not implemented. In Ireland in the city of Limerick, the cost of extreme flooding under a high-end sea level rise scenario could exceed one billion euros for a single event.In the Caribbean, where ocean-based tourism accounts for a significant share of exports, nearly 40 per cent of beaches could disappear by 2050, jeopardising a major source of regional income.Human rights under threatRising waters will also have an impact on the fundamental rights of affected populations. Access to housing, safe drinking water, sanitation, food, healthcare, and education is increasingly under threat in many parts of the world.Indigenous Peoples and residents of small island States are identified among the most vulnerable groups, facing not only growing physical risks but also the loss of cultural heritage and historical ties to their ancestral lands.Among the challenges identified are complex legal issues related to state sovereignty and maritime boundaries. The UN maintains that sea-level rise should not affect the continuity of States or their rights over maritime zones and ocean resources recognised under international law. The Secretary-General calls for stronger international cooperation and the adoption of a robust political declaration by Member States to ensure legal stability and the protection of affected populations.To address the crisis, the report puts forward 18 recommendations for Member States, including accelerated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, stronger early warning systems, increased financing for climate adaptation, improved scientific data collection, and support for at-risk communities.

1 of 5

Story

03 September 2026

Limiting climate overshoot remains possible, UNEP says

Global warming is expected to exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels in the coming years.A new United Nations Environment Programme report, Limiting Overshoot Spotlight Report, says the priority now must be to limit how far global temperatures rise, shorten the period of higher warming and reduce the resulting risks to people and ecosystems.What happens above 1.5°CThe report finds that higher levels of warming bring increasing risks, including more extreme weather, ecosystem loss, glacier melt and pressure on food and water security. Some impacts may be irreversible, even if global temperatures later decline.Action cannot waitThe report says mitigation and adaptation must advance together. Rapid cuts in greenhouse gas emissions are needed to limit peak warming, while countries also need to strengthen adaptation and resilience as climate impacts intensify. Keeping the way back openThe report says that returning warming towards 1.5°C will require sustained net-negative CO₂ emissions, alongside continued efforts to adapt to climate impacts. Carbon dioxide removal will be needed, but its risks, limits and governance challenges must be considered.The report's central message is that overshoot is not a reason for resignation, but for urgency. Lower peak warming and a shorter period of overshoot can reduce future risks, while decisions taken now will determine how much scope remains to reverse warming. Read the full report here

1 of 5

Story

03 September 2026

Ageing migrant populations require new approaches to social protection

The first paper in the ILO STREAM Programme's Voices and Insights series examines how ageing among long-term migrant workers is exposing gaps in social protection across the migration corridor linking South Asia and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. As growing numbers of migrant workers spend decades living and working in Gulf countries, migration and social protection systems built on the assumption that workers will return home at retirement are increasingly struggling to meet their needs in later life, according to a new paper published as part of the ILO STREAM Programme's Voices and Insights series.The paper, Old-age security in the South Asia–Gulf migration corridor: Policy challenges and opportunities, by Dr İdil Akıncı of the University of Edinburgh, argues that many workers who have built their lives in the Gulf face growing uncertainty as they approach retirement. Focusing on lower- and middle-income Indian migrant families in the United Arab Emirates, the paper identifies three interconnected policy challenges:Migrant workers often have limited retirement income. Most rely on end-of-service benefits, personal savings and family support rather than comprehensive pension systems.After retiring, access affordable healthcare becomes restricted. This is particularly challenging for lower-income groups when they lose employer-provided health coverage.Residential security is a major concern. The high cost of housing and visa requirements can make it difficult for retirees to remain in the Gulf, even when their families continue to live there.The paper argues that these challenges reflect broader structural gaps in social protection across both countries of destination and countries of origin. As increasing numbers of migrant workers and their families establish long-term and multi-generational lives in the Gulf, traditional return-oriented migration policies are becoming less aligned with reality.Drawing on more than a decade of research with migrant families, the paper calls for policy approaches that better reflect changing migration patterns. These include transitioning to a contributory social protection fund, improving access to affordable healthcare and housing, expanding pathways to secure residency, and developing more portable social protection arrangements for migrant workers across borders.The paper is the first contribution in the ILO STREAM Programme's Voices and insights on social protection and migration in the South Asia–GCC corridor series. The collection brings together independent contributions that explore emerging issues in migration and social protection. Individual papers will be released on a rolling basis before being compiled into a single edited volume.Interview with the paper's author: What happens to temporary migrant workers as they age in the Gulf? This article was first published here

1 of 5

Story

31 August 2026

Rising seas, rising stakes: What increasing sea-levels mean to humanity

The ocean is rising faster now than at any point in recorded history. The impacts are already being felt and the threats are growing.Land is being inundated, homes are flooding, livelihoods are being lost, driving significant hardships on people in search of a more secure future.It is not just the environment that is being affected, rising sea levels also have a significant impact on human rights, economic development, health, culture, the future of many countries and basic human dignity.Everyone and pretty much everywhere are affected across developed and developing nations. The ability to act and adapt today will prove decisive for whether rising seas become a manageable challenge or a generational crisis.What is sea-level rise?Simply put, sea levels are getting higher due to the effects of human-induced climate change. Between 2014 and 2023, the global sea level rose 4.7mm a year. In 2024, it jumped a record 5.9mm. Even under the most optimistic scenario, oceans will likely rise up to 0.55 metres by 2100; under the worst, over a metre. A small, but high-impact, chance exists under high emission scenarios, of nearly 2 metres by the end of the century. What's causing it?Melting glaciers and ice sheets.Thermal expansion; warming oceans literally take up more space.About 91 per cent of the planet's excess heat is being absorbed by the ocean, so as the climate warms due to increased harmful gas emissions, future rises will be locked in.The human impactAround 770 million people, roughly 1 in 10 humans, live less than five metres above the high tide line. That is uncomfortably close and its proximity is already being felt. Freshwater wells and farmland are turning salty.Flooding is damaging hospitals, schools and sanitation systems.Increased exposure to waterborne disease threatens drinking water supplies and contributes to growing psychological stress.Fisheries and tourism, the backbone of many coastal economies, are being disrupted.Some projections suggest up to 1.2 billion people could be displaced globally by 2050, as people look not just for safer ground but also somewhere they can build a new livelihood.New evidence suggests sea-level risks may be significantly underestimated in some regions, meaning tens of millions more people could be vulnerable than previously thought.Beyond the physical: cultural heritage, ancestral land and traditional ways of life are being lost, with real psychological tollThe price tagCoastal infrastructure damage already exceeds $1.8 trillion.Without adaptation, annual global losses could hit $1.4 trillion.Small Island Developing States lost $153 billion to climate hazards between 1970–2020.US home insurance premiums jumped by 33 per cent between 2020–2023 in disaster-risk areasPorts that handle more than 80 per cent of global trade are increasingly exposed to flooding and rising seas, creating risks for global supply chains.Where is most at risk?Many of the countries facing the most immediate risks contribute least to the emissions driving sea-level rise and often have the fewest resources to respond.Small Islands: Some Pacific nations face relative sea-level rise of more than twice the global average and remain particularly vulnerable to increasingly frequent flooding events.Low-lying delta cities: Dhaka, Mumbai and Kolkata, where over 14 million people risk losing their homes, livelihoods and lives.Coastal megacities: Miami, New York and Guangzhou face losses of trillions of dollars if infrastructure is damaged.Can it be stopped?Not entirely, some rise is already locked in. But how much more happens depends on the extent to which the harmful emissions can be cut now. One flashpoint: Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier, covering around 190,000 sq km. Its collapse alone could trigger a sudden, irreversible sea-level jump of over half a metre a genuine and possible tipping-point from which there is no going back.Adapting to the inevitableMoving away from climate-changing fossil fuels is the world’s most important priority to slow down global warming and thus the rise of seas, but adaptation measures are also needed now. Early warning systems so that people can be protected before disaster strikes.Sea walls, mangroves, dune restoration and the managed retreat of people from threatened areas.Better data; many regions still lack basic monitoring of sea conditions.Clarity in relation to legal aspects, including on statehood and maritime zones, in the event that land is submerged.Developing countries need an estimated $310-365 billion a year for adaptation, but global adaptation finance was only about $26 billion in 2023 The bottom lineRising seas can feel like an unstoppable force, but how much damage is done, and to whom, still depends on the choices that people, communities and governments make today. Ultimately, boosting adaptation finance, ensuring that statehood is not affected by rising seas, and giving sea-level rise the standing and urgency of a permanent global priority is what is needed to protect people's homes, histories, livelihoods and identities.This story was first published here

1 of 5

Story

28 August 2026

From classrooms to global policy, AI shapes UN deputy chief’s India visit

Artificial intelligence took centre stage as United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed sat down with students from the Indian Institute of Technology on Thursday, a standout moment of a whirlwind visit to New Delhi that also saw her hold talks with India's top diplomats on deepening the partnership between India and the UN. The students, drawn from disciplines as varied as computer engineering, public policy, business management, civil engineering and energy, came to UN House to discuss the theme "AI, Innovation and a Sustainable Future," in a session moderated by an IIT representative. The Deputy Secretary-General had an hour-long exchange with students, as they weighed in on how AI is already changing the way their generation learns, works and makes decisions; what it means for jobs, skills and economic inclusion; and the responsibilities that come with the technology's wider footprint on society and the environment. AI was never far from the conversation throughout the visit. In a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the Deputy Secretary-General reaffirmed the strong ties binding India and the UN, touching on New Delhi's growing footprint in global governance and its contributions to peacekeeping, climate action and multilateral diplomacy. Earlier, in a meeting with Mr. Sibi George, Secretary (West), from the Ministry of External Affairs, the two took a deep dive into India-UN collaboration on the SDGs, the transformational impact of AI, and cooperation on peacekeeping, climate, disaster risk reduction and UN reform. The Deputy Secretary-General also used the visit to take the pulse of the UN's work on the ground, meeting with the UN Country Team to review progress on sustainable development, climate resilience and humanitarian coordination across the country. ***

1 of 5

View all

Press Release

25 August 2026

UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination publishes findings on India

The findings contain the Committee’s main concerns and recommendations on the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, as well as positive aspects. Key highlights include: IndiaThe Committee was gravely concerned about reports of large-scale violations perpetrated by law enforcement officials against ethnic and ethno-religious groups, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, including Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, particularly Dalits, and non-citizens. These included racially motivated violence, excessive use of force, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary and prolonged detention without due process, torture, ill-treatment and sexual violence. The Committee called on India to conduct prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all such allegations and ensure accountability for those responsible. The Committee highlighted the increase in law enforcement operations targeting Rohingya, Bengali-speaking Muslims, migrants and asylum-seekers, particularly following the 2017 Home Affairs order and the April 2025 Pahalgam attack in Kashmir. It noted that police stops and identity checks involving racial profiling had reportedly resulted in arbitrary arrest and detention without due process, as well as torture and ill-treatment. It was also concerned about deportations and forcible returns of people in need of international protection, in violation of the principle of non-refoulement. The Committee called on India to urgently address discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes against Rohingya, Bengali-speaking Muslims, migrants and asylum-seekers, protect their rights, refrain from collective expulsions and ensure access to international protection in line with the principle of non-refoulement. FinlandThe Committee remained concerned that self-determination and participation in decision-making are not yet fully guaranteed for the Sámi, and that their traditional lands and resources are not adequately protected, particularly from wind power and mining projects carried out without sufficient free, prior and informed consent. It also noted that Sámi traditional livelihoods, including reindeer husbandry, fishing and hunting, remain under increasing pressure from competing land use, restrictions and climate change. The Committee called on Finland to ensure that decisions and projects affecting the Sámi are not approved without their free, prior and informed consent, and to strengthen protection of their lands and traditional livelihoods. It also recommended improving access to Sámi-language education, healthcare and social services. The Committee noted with concern that racist hate speech had reached alarming levels in public discourse, particularly online, in sports and in the political sphere, including speech by public figures and members of Parliament targeting migrants, Muslims and other groups. It also noted that prosecutions and convictions for hate crimes remained low, and that gaps persisted in the criminal law framework. The Committee called on Finland to reform the Criminal Code, effectively investigate and prosecute racist hate speech, incitement to racial hatred and racially motivated violence, and ensure that racial motivation is properly identified and recorded. It also recommended that racist hate speech by public officials and members of Parliament be promptly and unequivocally condemned. HondurasThe Committee expressed concern about forced evictions of Indigenous and Afro-Honduran Peoples, including allegations of excessive use of force by law enforcement. It particularly underscored that usurpation and aggravated usurpation charges are being used to criminalise members of these communities for occupying or defending their lands. It recommended a moratorium on evictions until the recognition, regularisation and collective titling of Indigenous and Afro-Honduran lands, territories and natural resources are completed. It also called for laws on usurpation, aggravated usurpation and preventive evictions to be repealed or aligned with international obligations, so that they are not used to criminalise these communities or violate their rights. The Committee further recommended revising the Law for the Strengthening and Protection of the Agro-industrial Sector to prevent its use as a basis for evictions. It also urged Honduras to develop and adopt, in consultation with these communities, a legislative framework to ensure their free, prior and informed consent regarding any measures affecting their rights, lands, sacred places, and traditional ways of life, particularly regarding extractive, agro-industrial, infrastructure or environmental conservation projects. The Committee remained concerned about the high number of killings, reprisals, threats and acts of intimidation against human rights defenders, including Indigenous and Afro-Honduran leaders and community members, by both State and non-State actors, including organised crime groups and individuals linked to companies involved in disputes with these communities. It called for thorough, impartial and effective investigations, prosecution and punishment of those responsible, and adequate reparations for victims and their families. It also recommended strengthening the National Protection Mechanism and the Special Prosecutor’s Office for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, and ensuring timely implementation of precautionary measures issued by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Kuwait
The Committee underscored the persistent discrimination against migrant workers, particularly domestic workers, who continue to face heightened risks of exploitation and abuse under the kafala sponsorship system. It highlighted reports of physical, psychological and sexual violence, non-payment or delayed payment of wages, and excessive working hours. The Committee urged Kuwait to abolish the kafala system and replace it with a government-regulated residency and work permit system that better protects migrant workers. It also called for prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into allegations of abuse and exploitation, prosecution of perpetrators, and effective remedies for victims. The Committee expressed serious concern that Bidoon/stateless persons who continue to be classified as illegal residents and face discrimination in law and practice. They encounter major obstacles in obtaining civil documentation and accessing employment, social protection, housing, healthcare and education. They Committee also expressed concern about reports that Kuwaiti nationality had been revoked from a significant number of individuals without adequate, transparent and due process, placing them at serious risk of statelessness and adversely affecting their enjoyment of their rights. The Committee called for effective measures to end this discrimination, resolve their longstanding status in line with international human rights standards, and end their classification as illegal residents. It also recommended that Kuwait ensure prompt and non-discriminatory access to civil documentation and remove barriers to employment, social protection, adequate housing, healthcare and education. The Committee also called for all decisions on nationality revocation to be based on clear, objective grounds, follow an individual assessment with transparent due process safeguards, and not result in statelessness. The above findings, officially named Concluding Observations, are now available online on the session page. [ENDS] For more information and media requests in Geneva, please contact:
Vivian Kwok at vivian.kwok@un.org
UN Human Rights Office Media Section at ohchr-media@un.org

For more information and media requests in India, please contact:
Chandramouli Guha at chandramouli.guha@un.org
National Information Officer, UN Information Centre for India & Bhutan Background
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination monitors States parties’ adherence to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which, to date has 182 States parties. The Committee is made up of 18 members who are independent human rights experts drawn from around the world, who serve in their personal capacity and not as representatives of States parties.

1 of 5

Press Release

28 July 2026

Global HIV response falters as reemergence looms

RIO DE JANEIRO/GENEVA, 27 July 2026—A special report released by UNAIDS for the 26th International AIDS Conference taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 27 to 31 July, shows that reductions to international funding and cuts to HIV prevention and community services are likely to lead to a resurgence of the epidemic. Although new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths are at their lowest levels in more than 30 years, the current HIV response is extremely fragile. Efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 are at risk unless global solidarity is restored and inequalities are addressed. In 2025, 1.2 million people acquired HIV, but progress is uneven. New HIV infections rose in three regions and 21 countries in 2025. Around 9 million of the 41 million people living with HIV were not on treatment and almost half of all children living with HIV did not have access to antiretroviral therapy in 2025. More than half a million people (570 000) died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2025. Positively seven countries* achieved an almost 80% reduction in new infections since 2010 and 11 countries achieved the 95-95-95** treatment targets showing that progress is possible. Science and innovation offer a major opportunity. The world is on the cusp of an HIV prevention revolution in prevention medicines which offer close to vaccine like protection against HIV. Monthly and six-monthly injections are slowly trickling into the market, and monthly pills are in late-stage trials. What is coming to market and in the pipeline is extraordinary, however the challenge remains scale and inequitable access. “Scientific breakthroughs are giving us tools that previous generations could only dream of,” said Ms Byanyima. “However, innovation without access is not innovation, it is injustice. The test of success is not whether medicines exist—it is whether the people who need them can get them, and at an affordable price.” Brazil has increased the number of people accessing HIV prevention medicines at least once in the past year by 41%. Ethiopia and Uganda also took action to expand access through domestic and other funding, and South Africa is continuing to negotiate pricing deals for the twice-yearly prevention injections lenacapavir. However, despite being part of the trials for lenacapavir, Brazil has not been granted voluntary licensing from producer Gilead to enable cost-effective pricing or the introduction of generic alternatives and is considering compulsory licensing. UNITAID, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria and partners have pulled money together to start rolling out lenacapavir to reach 3 million 2028 which is welcome news, but this remains a drop in the ocean, currently reaching just a few thousand people. UNAIDS estimates that 20 million people need of access to antiretroviral based prevention to have a real impact in stopping new HIV infections. Overseas development assistance (ODA) has collapsed. Global development assistance from multiple countries fell by 23% in 2025—the sharpest drop on record—a large proportion of which was for global health and HIV programmes have been hit hard. High burden, highly indebted, low-income countries of Africa depended on ODA for the success of their AIDS responses. Many of these countries were more than 90% dependent on ODA for their HIV responses. “The era of relying on international aid is over,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Countries cannot wait and they cannot go backwards. The world must urgently fix the broken financial system and accelerate debt restructuring so that governments can invest in what matters most—the health, education and futures of their people.” International financing for HIV from multiple countries declined by more than US$ 1.5 billion, from US$ 8.8 billion in 2024 to US$ 7.3 billion in 2025, an 18% reduction and the lowest level in nearly two decades. HIV prevention services were largely funded from international funding. For example, in sub-Saharan Africa, 80% of prevention funding came from international aid. Community-led organizations received up to 25% of foreign HIV assistance in 2024. Surveys show that in some countries these organizations reached 22% of people living with HIV and up to 60% of marginalized populations with life-saving services. With the absence of donor support and stronger domestic investment, HIV prevention and community-led HIV service delivery risk total collapse. Funding for condoms has been cut by more than 90% in some countries. A 2026 study, across 47 countries, found steep reductions in community-led services—50% for community-led support for prevention medicines and HIV care—85% for services for gay men and other men who have sex with men—82% for sex workers—and 72% for survivors of gender-based violence. Human rights are under attack and there is a reversal of rights including the sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls and marginalized populations. For the first time since UNAIDS has been tracking these trends, criminalization of marginalized populations increased. In 2025, Burkina Faso and Niger introduced criminalization of same-sex sexual activity, and Senegal increased penalties for same-sex sexual activity in 2026. In 2026, 168 countries criminalized sex work, 152 countries criminalized possession of small amounts of drugs, 66 countries criminalized same sex sexual relations, and 14 countries criminalized transgender people. “You cannot end AIDS while criminalizing people living with and most at risk of HIV,” said Ms Byanyima. “When people fear arrest, violence or discrimination, they stay away from HIV services. Human rights are not separate from the HIV response—they are essential to its success.” Despite the push back on human rights, in June 2026, 149 Member States adopted a progressive Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS aligned with the UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy 2026–2031 and its 2030 targets. The new 2030 targets include 40 million people on life-saving treatment, 20 million with access to antiretroviral-based prevention. The targets also include less than 10% of people living with or at risk of HIV experiencing stigma and discrimination, less than 10% of women and girls and people living with or at risk of HIV experiencing gender inequality and violence, and less than 10% of countries having punitive legal and policy environments that deny or limit access to HIV services. If fully achieved, the commitments would avert an additional 3.2 million new HIV infections and 1.3 million AIDS-related deaths by 2030.  “Despite enormous challenges ending AIDS is still within reach,” said Ms Byanyima. “At AIDS 2026 UNAIDS is urging all partners and governments to remobilize and push forward to achieve the ambitious targets in the Political Declaration. This will require renewed solidarity, sustained financing and unwavering commitment to human rights. The choice before us is clear: retreat and risk resurgence, or rethink, rebuild and rise to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.” *Benin, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Nepal, Rwanda and Zimbabwe **95% of all people living with HIV who know their status, 95% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection accessing antiretroviral therapy, 95% of all people accessing ART who are virally suppressed. Contact UNAIDS Geneva | Sophie Barton Knott | tel. +41 79 514 6896 | bartonknotts@unaids.org

1 of 5

Press Release

23 July 2026

Secretary-General: Rising seas are sinking futures

I am pleased to be with you today, at a moment of great challenge to international law.

The work of this Commission has rarely been more vital, and I say so with full awareness of how often those words are spoken in these halls.

These are trying times for the rule of law, for multilateralism, and for the United Nations itself.

The norms that form the bedrock of the international legal order are being challenged, eroded – and at times openly defied.

Institutions that represent decades of hard-won achievement are under mounting strain – and in some quarters, under open attack.

And impunity is on the rise.

Finding legal solutions to today’s crises is a fundamental duty for us all.

And shaping the future of international law – by anticipating tomorrow’s challenges – falls with particular weight on this Commission.

Let us be clear: international law is under pressure – but it will prevail.

Most States continue to defend it – and trust in it.

The dockets of international tribunals demonstrate as much.
And its language is invoked even by those who do not always honour it.

That is a testament to the enduring authority of the framework this Commission helps develop and codify.

I welcome the recent convening of diplomatic conferences on two issues born of work done in this very house.

First, on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity.

And second, on the protection of persons in the event of disasters.

They are living proof that the progressive development and codification of international law endures – and advances.

I also offer my warm congratulations to the Commission for completing, in 2025, its landmark report on sea-level rise in relation to international law.

This is a seminal contribution to the international legal order: rigorous, forward-looking, and of lasting consequence.

Rising seas are sinking futures.

They endanger coastlines, livelihoods – and even the very existence of States themselves.

For small island developing States – the least responsible for this crisis – the threat is existential.

Sea-level rise is a threat multiplier.

We must act now to close the gaps in existing legal frameworks – before it’s too late.

The Commission’s report lays essential groundwork for the work the General Assembly will take up later this year.

And the next steps now rest with Member States.

My hope is that the international community will rise to the moment with the same resolve this Commission has brought to the task.

The world needs rigorous legal thinking – drawing on different legal traditions, diverse points of view and backgrounds.

It needs the wisdom and lived experience that the women and men in this room bring to the work of the Commission.

It needs the patient, careful development of legal norms and rules that can hold firm under pressure.

And the steady conviction that law – not power – must govern relations among nations.

I look forward to the results of this session, and I am deeply grateful for your dedication.

When I opened the general debate of the General Assembly last year, I challenged world leaders to reaffirm the imperative of international law;

To reassert the centrality of multilateralism; to reinforce justice and human rights;

And, simultaneously, to recognize the purposes and principles that gave rise to this Organization.

That call rings more urgently today than ever.

The work of this Commission is one of its clearest answers.

And I congratulate you for your extremely important contribution to the rule of law in today’s world.

Thank you.

[END]

1 of 5

Press Release

23 July 2026

Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change: India is now a solar superpower, and that’s turbocharged your economy, pushed up living standards

I’m delighted to be back in India. I’ve had very productive talks with ministers and business leaders over the past two days, with more coming up. A constant theme runs through the discussions: Climate action is game-changing for India, its economy and its people. I'm from the Caribbean – a fellow cricket-loving region, so let me use an analogy: India’s clean energy growth is like Sachin Tendulkar and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ... rolled into one: a stellar record, but the story is just getting started – and if India keeps doubling down on renewables and clean tech, the next chapters promise to be truly extraordinary. Decarbonisation is central to India’s impressive development strategy. Which is forging a new path for others to follow. And fossil-fuel-free power now makes up half of India’s installed capacity – a milestone you've hit five years early. Credit goes to the Modi government, working with India’s people and businesses. India’s EV sales are growing – led by national champions like Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, and JSW MG Motor India. And solar installed capacity has surged more than 50 times since 2014. India is now a solar superpower – that has turbocharged your economy, pushed up living standards, and – along with other renewables – saved you US$18 billion in fossil fuel purchases last year alone – according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. India’s solar manufacturing capacity has increased 75-fold since 2014. New data from IRENA shows India is currently the most competitive solar market in the world on generation cost, producing cheaper power than any other major economy. India is a leader in a global trend. As every nation declared unanimously at COP30, the global energy transition is now irreversible. Last year, over US$2 trillion was invested in clean energy. Globally, clean energy, infrastructure and services are the next industrial revolution. Nationally, they are the fast track for India to cement itself as a global economic giant. And it makes total economic sense to move even faster to clean energy – in India and around the world. Conflict has exacted a terrible human toll, and sent fossil fuel cost chaos reverberating through the global economy. And tragically it’s not over yet. The brutal costs of fossil fuel imports have hit all nations hard, including India, which imports 90% of its crude oil. For all nations, oil and gas import vulnerability means supplies disrupted and prices rising when crises hit. That means fuel and fertiliser supplies constricted. And higher bills for businesses everywhere, and billions of households across the globe. Global heating compounds these pressures. And it’s inflicting large-scale suffering across every region of the world, including Asia, where devastating heat is claiming lives and livelihoods.Monsoon rains are lacking, and El Niño is biting, threatening harvests with failure, and households with rising costs. Clean energy and resilience are vital parts of the solution. And – as in all countries – the faster and stronger your climate action, the more lives and livelihoods will be protected, as climate-driven disasters get rapidly worse, and the greater the dividends for India’s people, businesses and national finances. Accelerating the shift to clean energy – and reducing dependence on coal – means cleaner air in towns and cities, boosting the health of millions of people. That can deliver major budget savings, and higher productivity, supporting even stronger economic growth. As Minister Pralhad Joshi has said, renewables mean lower bills, and greater energy security – which can enhance food security and health. Clean technologies protect households and businesses from fossil fuel cost chaos, and boost economic stability, and national sovereignty. Every step towards electrification means greater autonomy – helping to free India from volatile international energy markets, spiralling costs, and the whims of foreign powers waging unpredictable wars. Every solar panel installed moves India closer to energy independence and even greater economic strength. Colleagues, friends, The world has reached an historic point on climate. Because humanity continues to burn vast amounts of coal oil and gas, we are hurtling towards negative tipping points for our climate, and the ecosystems we depend on. But we are also hurtling towards positive economic tipping points, in the shift from polluting fossil fuels to clean energy. This is reshaping the global economy. And in the global clean energy race, India has powerful competitive advantages – particularly your tech-savvy workforce. You can seize the opportunity, by entrenching India as a clean tech manufacturing hub for the world.By positioning yourself as a leader in areas of comparative advantage – from electro-tech to green steel. And by supercharging clean energy investment – including in grids and storage – and electrifying India's economy – generating jobs and even stronger growth. UN-convened climate cooperation can help India bank these benefits. Over the years, climate multilateralism has unleashed the global energy revolution, which last year saw renewables overtake coal as the world’s top electricity source. Today, the COP process is boosting its focus on implementation, to turn commitments into projects on the ground, and more real-world benefits for billions more people, We have recently operationalised the UN carbon market – which can provide significant new funds for developing economies. And we are elevating the Global Climate Action Agenda within our process. This vital part of the Paris Agreement machinery brings together governments, business, investors, and civil society to turn climate targets into real-world results. The Turkish COP31 Presidency has announced Action Agenda targets for this year. That includes raising the share of final energy demand met by electricity to 35% by 2035. This focus on electrification at COP31 is a clear opportunity for India: To build on the immense advances you have made – particularly on electricity access and clean cooking. And to boost progress towards electrifying transport – including initiatives like Delhi’s new EV policy. International climate finance is vital for developing countries. All commitments must be honoured, and honoured in full. Developed countries must triple adaptation finance and deliver $300 billion a year by 2035, as part of a clear pathway to $1.3 trillion a year. And together, through international cooperation, we must continue to accelerate the global shift to clean, resilient economies. India has long been a strong partner in climate multilateralism. And it’s entirely in your interests to continue engaging. Almost eighty years since India won its independence, this nation has the chance to achieve full energy independence, and lock in a next generation of economic might. I thank you. [END]

1 of 5

Press Release

23 July 2026

“We The Peoples: Shaping the Future of the UN | UN80 Initiative”

I am delighted to see such broad participation in this chamber today.Civil society organizations, large and small. Women and young people, out in force. Voices from every region. You reflect the true spirit of “We the peoples”. And I commend your tireless, principled work. Pushing for peace. For human rights. For equality. Calling for a revitalized multilateralism, with people at its centre. And demanding a more inclusive and effective United Nations. I hear you. We must renew our Organization to deliver better for people. That is why we launched the UN80 Initiative.Building on earlier reforms, it offers a bold set of proposals to make the UN more coherent, more fit for purpose, and more effective. It calls for change that is meaningful.Action that is concrete. And most of all impact that people can see, feel, and believe in - an impact that translates itself into more effective action in relation to the people we serve. UN80 is vital to our ability to succeed in an age of profound instability.Across our world, we see trust eroding and divisions deepening. Conflicts causing death and destruction on a shocking scale. Communities starved of resources for development and resilience. Climate action is delayed and climate justice is denied. And new technologies racing ahead without proper guardrails represent a threat to us all. These challenges are complex, but they point to a simple truth: The United Nations can only deliver on its promise if we dare to evolve.Renewal means earning trust through results, and that’s what UN80 is all about.Above all, it must strengthen our ability to realize existing commitments. I am thinking of commitments like the Sustainable Development Goals.The SDGs are our shared promise to people and planet.And the focus of the High-Level Political Forum now underway. But with less than five years to go, just 36 per cent of the targets are on track or making moderate progress, and 15 per cent have gone into reverse. We must correct course and pick up the pace. UN80 can help through stronger coordination and enhanced country-level delivery. I am also thinking of commitments like the Pact for the Future, our global pledge to tackle shared challenges together. The Pact spells out concrete actions to turbocharge the SDGs, which I believe you are fully aware of. These include urgent steps to strengthen peace and security. Accelerate sustainable development and tackle climate change. Share the benefits of science and technology more equitably, while reining in the risks. Empower youth and future generations. And transform global governance, so it’s more inclusive and effective.UN80 puts us in a much stronger position to deliver on these commitments. Through greater efficiencies. Stronger synergies within and across pillars. Easier access for our partners. And closer proximity to those we serve. I will never forget the pivotal ways civil society has already moved the needle. Driving local action to advance the SDGs. Bringing energy and ideas when we met two years ago in Nairobi. Building momentum ahead of the Summit of the Future. Persuading Member States to approve the Pact. And supporting its implementation on the ground. Because of you, we have made real headway despite fierce geopolitical headwinds. And you remain indispensable. As a partner bringing frontline knowledge and capacity. As a watchdog strengthening accountability and demanding follow-through. And as a bridge connecting global decisions with local realities. With your continued meaningful engagement, we can turn ambition into action – and action into impact. UN80 will only succeed if it strengthens our ability to deliver on the SDGs, implement the Pact for the Future, and work in partnership with civil society. And how we work together truly matters. You have shown us that genuine engagement must be structured, sustained, and linked to decision-making. That means moving from participation to partnerships, and from consultation to co-creation. And that is why we are strengthening our Interagency Civil Society Focal Point Network, to better facilitate our work together. And soon they will cover the whole of the UN system and all our Agencies, Funds and Programmes and other UN institutions. I am honoured to join this dialogue with civil society leaders from so many regions and constituencies. I am eager to hear your priorities, your proposals, and your concerns. I think probably people told you that you should ask me questions. I would strongly suggest that you can ask me all the questions you want. But beyond asking questions, please tell me what you think is wrong in what the UN is doing and what we should do in order to correct it and how we can improve how we deliver to the people we care for. So don’t worry with the script. The script can be changed at any moment. Please do spontaneously what you believe I need to hear, independently of the questions that you consider you would need to ask.I indeed welcome your ideas for strengthening our cooperation. Multilateralism works best when it draws on the collective strength of all key partners, including civil society. Only together can we build a peaceful, just, and sustainable future for all. Thank you very much for your patience. [END]

1 of 5

View all