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28 March 2025
India hosts regional forum to strengthen postal services
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26 March 2025
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26 March 2025
Historic canals take centre stage as Kochi, India aims to blunt fallout from climate change
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The Sustainable Development Goals 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.
Speech
02 January 2025
Celebrating the dynamic UN-India partnership!
As we step into the New Year, it is a moment to both reflect and look forward. From breakthroughs in public health and food security to major advances in poverty reduction, technology and climate action, 2024 has proven to be another transformative year in India – as it has been for us at the United Nations in India, all 26 entities partnering with government, civil society and business across every State and Union Territory, as well as with our international development partners. Fresh off hosting the G20 presidency last year, India reinforced its role as a leading ‘voice of the Global South,’ driving international discourse on climate justice, food security and health equity among other issues central to the Sustainable Development Goals. In an era of deep political polarization and tensions worldwide, it also demonstrated the strength and resilience of its democracy, the world’s largest, with more than 640 million people voting in the national election. In parallel, India hosted major UN gatherings on key multilateral issues old and new. At the 2024 ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly, held in New Delhi, new global agreements were reached on critical issues such as artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability and digital governance. With a strong focus on digital public infrastructure and emergency communications, India is at the forefront of setting digital standards that will impact the world for years to come.
The country’s cultural heritage shone brightly on the global stage as India played host to the annual UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time. Notably, Assam’s moidams — the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty — became India’s 43rd site on the World Heritage List.
On the ground, too, 2024 saw significant innovations across the country tackling India’s most pressing challenges with the UN proud to play a role. For example, Odisha launched a new 24-hour ‘Grain ATM’, a collaboration between WFP and the State Government. This technological advancement streamlines the public distribution system, reducing waiting times and ensuring that the most vulnerable have greater food security. UN Women led collective action on gender equality, globally the ‘unfinished business of our time’ in the words of the UN Secretary-General, while ILO convened the system to help unleash India’s unequalled potential demographic dividend.
Another major milestone was reached with India formally declaring the end of trachoma as a public health problem, overcoming one of the leading global causes of blindness. By implementing the WHO SAFE strategy — targeting treatment, prevention, and hygiene — India dramatically reduced infection rates. This success underscores the power of coordinated efforts between government, health-care workers, and international partners. India’s digital public infrastructure continues to set global benchmarks. The U-WIN platform, supported by UNDP, has been instrumental in modernizing vaccine distribution, ensuring accessibility and equity in immunization. This leap builds on previous successes like eVIN and CoWIN, and links with work of WHO and UNICEF, strengthening India’s ability to respond to public health challenges both now and in the future.
This year saw the update and release of the India’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2024-2030) supported by UNDP. This strategic plan aims to set nature on a recovery trajectory by embracing a 'whole-of-government' and 'whole-of-society' approach.
The UN family in India also celebrated several milestones in 2024. UNICEF marked 75 years of programming in the country to improve the health, safety and rights of children, while UNFPA commemorated 50 years, having contributed significantly to advancing sexual and reproductive health, especially for women and girls.Inclusion remained a central theme of the UN’s work in India this year. A joint non-discrimination statement on the employment of persons with disabilities was signed by all 26 UN agencies operating in the country.We formed a Multilateral Coordination Group with the government to bring together UN agencies, tailor programs for the welfare of persons with disabilities, and adapt global best practices to the Indian context.
As we approach the UN’s 80th anniversary next year, the momentum gained this past year will be crucial in advancing the initiatives outlined in the Pact for the Future that was adopted by all UN Member States, including India, at UN Headquarters in September. This landmark agreement, along with its key annexes — the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations — reflects a global commitment to building a peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive future, and to making the UN more effective and relevant for dealing with tomorrow’s challenges. India’s leadership in adopting and advancing these resolutions, particularly in strengthening South-South cooperation and prioritizing the voices of youth, will be vital in shaping the future.
Across six outcome groups of the Cooperation Framework, the UN in India has consistently driven impactful results through collective action and partnerships. Just a few of the highlights include:Health and well-being: Through the U-WIN platform, over 17 million pregnant women and 59 million children have been digitally registered, and more than 264 million vaccine doses have been tracked.Nutrition and food security: More than 12.3 million Indians, including children and breastfeeding mothers, received nutritious fortified foods.Quality education: We helped train 18,000 teachers as Health and Wellness Ambassadors across 26,000 schools spanning 33 districts.Economic growth and decent work: Conducted health and safety training to improve the working conditions at nearly 300 tea-growing estates.Environment, climate, WASH, and resilience: 2.9 million tons of CO2 emissions reduced through energy conservation and climate-friendly initiatives Empowering people, communities, and institutions: Supported the government in expanding gender-responsive budgeting in six states, leading to increased funding for women’s empowerment and gender equality.One of the standout moments of 2024 was when Major Radhika Sen from the Indian Army, serving as an Indian peacekeeper in the Democratic Republic of Congo, received this year’s UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.
Additionally, the fourth edition of the SDG India Index produced by NITI Aayog with support from the UN showed India’s score rising to 71 out of 100, up from 66 in the previous edition.As we enter 2025, the race to achieve the SDGs enters a critical phase. With only half of the Decade of Action left, the urgency is unmistakable. This year has demonstrated the power of purpose and partnerships. From safeguarding cultural heritage to pioneering advancements in technology, India is showing how nations can drive sustainable growth while addressing global challenges. The United Nations, a humble partner working alongside India in this journey, remains committed to ensuring that progress benefits everyone. As I could not have begun to fully cover here the wide range of collaborations in which the UNCT is engaged, please have a look at our monthly newsletters on our website, or the annual report which will be issued within the first quarter of 2025, for more exhaustive stories of our work. The path ahead is steep, but with shared resolve, a more equitable and sustainable future is within reach. India is uniquely positioned among nations to accelerate development results at a scale and pace sufficient to give the global SDG push a vital boost, and with it optimism towards 2030.On behalf of the UN in India family, I am pleased to share our deep appreciation for your partnership in the year that was, and in anticipation of the important collective path ahead.Dhanyavaad!Shombi Sharp
United Nations Resident Coordinator, India, filtered_html
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Story
15 January 2025
WMO joins IMD’s 150th celebration
India recorded its hottest year on record in 2024, with extreme heat impacting human health, agriculture, water resources, and energy. Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), highlighted these challenges during the 150th anniversary celebrations of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on 14 January. The event, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh, celebrated IMD’s achievements and introduced Vision-2047, aimed at making India a climate-resilient nation by the time it celebrates 100 years of independence.“We aim to modernise meteorology and reduce weather-related fatalities,” Modi said. “This Vision will contribute to a sustainable future.”Saulo praised IMD’s role in disaster risk reduction and its support to sectors such as agriculture, water resource management, and public health.“IMD’s legacy has significantly enhanced India’s resilience and contributed to global efforts,” she said.India, a founding member of WMO since 1950, has been represented on its Executive Board for over 60 years, longer than any other country in the Asia-Pacific region. IMD’s role in severe weather forecasting, flash flood warnings, and seasonal climate outlooks was also acknowledged. “Accurate forecasts and coordinated disaster management have saved countless lives,” Saulo remarked, noting that IMD’s commitment to early warning systems aligns with WMO’s Early Warnings for All campaign to safeguard people from extreme weather worldwide., filtered_html
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16 October 2024
Global conference begins on future of digital tech standards
Thousands of tech experts, industry leaders, policymakers, researchers and government officials have gathered in New Delhi for a global United Nations-run conference on the future of technology standards. The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) formally opened on 15 October in the capital’s Bharat Mandapam venue with an opening ceremony featuring Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. WTSA, taking place in the Asia-Pacific region for the first time, runs until 24 October. It is being held alongside the India Mobile Congress. Held every four years, WTSA sets out priorities for experts around the world who work year-round to develop the standards established by the UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The assembly’s opening heard calls for universal connectivity, the need for ethical artificial intelligence (AI) and how digital inclusion can make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.
In his remarks, Mr. Modi stressed that “security, dignity and equity” are the principles on which discussions at the assembly and congress should be based.
“Our objective should be that no country, no region and no community should be left behind the in this digital era,” he said.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin said the world had a lot to learn from what India has already accomplished with its digital public infrastructure. “This global gathering calls for bold, collective action. In the next 10 days, we can strengthen the role of international standards as the bedrock of global digital governance,” she said.
ITU's standardization work is driven by the contributions and consensus decisions of the agency’s membership, which includes 194 Member States and more than 1,000 member companies, universities, and international and regional organizations.
WTSA reviews the strategy, structure and working methods of ITU's standardization arm every four years. It also approves the mandates and appoints the leadership teams of expert groups for international standardization.
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In his remarks, Mr. Modi stressed that “security, dignity and equity” are the principles on which discussions at the assembly and congress should be based.
“Our objective should be that no country, no region and no community should be left behind the in this digital era,” he said.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin said the world had a lot to learn from what India has already accomplished with its digital public infrastructure. “This global gathering calls for bold, collective action. In the next 10 days, we can strengthen the role of international standards as the bedrock of global digital governance,” she said.
ITU's standardization work is driven by the contributions and consensus decisions of the agency’s membership, which includes 194 Member States and more than 1,000 member companies, universities, and international and regional organizations.
WTSA reviews the strategy, structure and working methods of ITU's standardization arm every four years. It also approves the mandates and appoints the leadership teams of expert groups for international standardization.
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Story
01 October 2024
Global leaders gather at time of ‘powder keg’
World leaders gathered at UN Headquarters in New York for the General Assembly’s high-level meeting amid warnings that the planet is becoming “a powder keg” on an unsustainable course.UN Secretary-General António Guterres, delivering his annual report on the UN’s work, noted the many raging conflicts around the world, including those in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan. “Our world is a whirlwind,” he said. “We are in an era of epic transformation, facing challenges unlike any we have ever seen – challenges that demand global solutions.”The Secretary-General added that climate change, poverty and artificial intelligence were among the many other challenges facing the world today.“We are edging towards the unimaginable – a powder keg that risks engulfing the world,” he said.Mr. Guterres emphasized the need to tackle three main drivers of unsustainability in the world: impunity, inequality, and uncertainty.“These worlds of impunity, inequality and uncertainty are connected and colliding,” he said, adding that nevertheless the challenges are solvable if humanity is willing to ensure that “the mechanisms of international problem-solving actually solve problems.” General Assembly President Philémon Yang used his address to underline that the 193-member General Assembly remained “one of the world’s most inclusive, represented, representative and authoritative platforms for global reflection of collective action.”Mr. Yang said that “if we act together,” the world can still overcome its greatest challenges, including the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals by their 2030 target date. Fewer than 17% of the SDG targets are currently on track, just six years before the deadline.He also underscored the threats posed by the climate crisis, which is impacting ecosystems and livelihoods worldwide. “The urgency of our task cannot be overstated.” , filtered_html
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Publication
01 August 2022
UN India Digital Library
To make library services accessible to audiences across India, UNIC has initiated a digital library which will serve as repository of UN E-Resources in digital formats including audio/video and photos, produced locally by agencies in India as well as other major UN publications/reports etc. produced globally, with a single-window search/downloading facility.
The Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) of the UN India Digital Library is available at (URL), which not only provides bibliographic information, but also provides full text downloading facility for UN publication and reports. In addition, through links to the Dag Hammarskjold Library (DHL), UNiLibrary and UN Digital Library, users can comprehensively access global UN E-Resources.
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Story
28 March 2025
India hosts regional forum to strengthen postal services
Postal service operators and key stakeholders from across the region have gathered in Jaipur for the inaugural Asian Pacific Postal Leaders Forum. Organized by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and India’s Department of Posts, and held from 19-21 March, the event focused on strengthening regional postal networks and tackling critical challenges in the sector. The forum explored key themes such as South-South cooperation, financial inclusion through postal services, and the role of postal networks in supporting e-commerce. Discussions also delved into innovative logistical solutions, including the use of drones and advanced technologies to improve delivery efficiency, particularly in remote or challenging terrains. Another highlight was India Post's IT modernization efforts, including the introduction of the Digital Address Code to enhance address accuracy and delivery efficiency. The forum also emphasized the importance of postal networks in providing government and social services, especially in rural areas, ensuring the effective distribution of welfare benefits. Through panel discussions and interactive sessions, participants shared best practices, explored new technologies, and collaborated on solutions to meet the evolving demands of the postal sector. The event underscored the importance of leveraging technology and innovation to build more resilient and efficient postal networks, with hosts India regarded as playing a crucial role in fostering regional cooperation and advancing postal infrastructure. *** , filtered_html
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Story
26 March 2025
SheTrades Hubs expand to India and Sri Lanka
The ITC SheTrades Initiative opened new hubs this month in India and Sri Lanka, the latest expansion in a global network of now 21 resource centres that support women entrepreneurs. The Hubs will provide women entrepreneurs with the skills, market access, and policy support required to successfully navigate international trade dynamics, fostering greater participation in global trade. 'Every Hub that opens becomes part of a network that is far more than the sum of its parts—one that has already delivered skills trainings to 4,500 women entrepreneurs and counting, and has made possible millions of dollars’ worth of new sales and business leads,’ said ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton.'In other words, it’s a movement that is going to keep gaining momentum, year after year, Hub after Hub. Helping bring closer within reach rights, equality, and empowerment for all women and girls, everywhere.'While speaking at the event, UN Resident Coordinator in India Shombi Sharp, said: “The launch of the SheTrades India Hub marks a new milestone in ITC’s longstanding partnership with India—a new dimension of the India-UN partnership to amplify these important streams.”The SheTrades Hub in Colombo is in partnership with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB). In New Delhi, the hub is hosted by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations.Last year India’s exports totaled $810 billion, and Sri Lanka’s $16.17 billion. But women-led businesses face challenges in accessing international markets, finance, and business development resources. The hubs will bridge this gap by providing training, coaching, market connections and policy support to women entrepreneurs across the country.SheTrades Hubs span the globe, with locations in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East and North Africa.SheTrades Hubs are leveraged to track national progress through the SheTrades Outlook tool to advance inclusive policy reform.The SheTrades Outlook tool identifies gender gaps and best practices in the global trade landscape. By providing data-driven insights, practical tools, and technical assistance, SheTrades Outlook helps governments shape trade policies that ensure women have the resources and opportunities to thrive.About the programmeThe ITC SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme is funded by the UK Government and launched in April 2018, the ITC SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme aims to foster an enabling gender-inclusive business ecosystem by promoting inclusive policy and data and engaging business support organizations, private-sector partners, and women-led businesses in the Commonwealth+ countries. , filtered_html
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Story
26 March 2025
Historic canals take centre stage as Kochi, India aims to blunt fallout from climate change
In Kochi, a major port on India’s western coast known as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea,” a dense network of rivers, creeks and canals was once the lifeline of the city. The waterways were a transport route for people and goods, provided water for daily use, and drained monsoon stormwaters into the sea. But many have been neglected in recent decades amid rapid urbanization, some unplanned. Buildings and bridges have encroached on the waterways, obstructing the flow. Untreated waste has polluted the increasingly stagnant waters. And invasive plants and mosquitos have replaced once-abundant fish and birds. Climate change is only adding to the problems: sea-level rise, extreme rainfall events and tidal surges have increased the risk of major flooding in the city, which is home to about 600,000 people. But a new effort by Kochi’s local authorities, supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is now underway to restore the city’s waterways, which are seen as crucial to helping the city adapt to the changing climate. The project, which has already got residents dreaming of canals clean enough for swimming, is part of UNEP’s Generation Restoration Cities initiative to advance nature-based solutions to urgent environmental challenges in urban areas around the world. “Kochi’s stagnant, lifeless canals embody the three big environmental crises of our age: climate change, nature loss and pollution,” says Mirey Atallah, Chief of the Adaptation and Resilience Branch in UNEP’s Climate Change Division. “Reviving them will raise the city’s defences against these existential threats and give its residents a more liveable city and a safer future.” To kickstart the restoration drive, UNEP and the Kochi Municipal Corporation have zoomed in on the Thevara-Perandoor Canal, or TP Canal, which runs for about 10 kilometres through the city’s central business district and several densely populated residential areas. For years, experts and officials have discussed how to revive the TP Canal. A report by the municipality’s Centre for Heritage, Environment and Development, for instance, recommended reconnecting the canal and its ecosystem to other waterways, restoring its banks to increase biodiversity, and ramping up investments in sewage and waste management. Authorities regularly dredge the canals to reduce the flooding that hits low-lying districts every year during the monsoon season. The more ambitious solutions have not materialized, in part – according to planners of the new UNEP-backed project – because of a lack of public and political support. The new project seeks to overcome this barrier by helping residents and officials understand that the canal network is vital to tackling climate change. Rejuvenating the canals will help channel excess water, including from more intense monsoons, away from the city. Planting trees alongside the canals would also create green corridors that can help dissipate extreme heat, which experts say will become more frequent due to climate change. The rejuvenated canal network can also become a focus of renewed civic pride, says Rajan Chedambath, Director of the Centre for Heritage, Environment and Development. To jog people’s memories of what the canal system once was, a photo competition was held last year on 5 June – World Environment Day. Meanwhile, nearly 400 school students took part in drawing and essay-writing competitions to envision how the canal could be rejuvenated. As well, the public have perused dozens of historical and current photographs of the canal at an exhibition in a downtown park. “We asked visitors to the exhibition if they would like to be able to swim in the canal,” Chedambath says. “They all said yes. But they also said: ‘Not now, only when the water is clean again!’” The Centre for Heritage, Environment and Development, which is implementing the project, has also consulted experts, including hydrologists and urban planners, and gathered residents and councillors to discuss a way forward. Chedambath says senior residents recalled how the canal was once a source of clean, flowing water that people used for cooking and washing. The canal was wide enough for small traditional boats known locally as vanchis to transport materials across the city and still held enough fish at the turn of the century to provide a living for fishers. “These things are now hard to imagine,” Chedambath says. “But we believe there is a strong and growing groundswell of public support for rejuvenating the canal.” Project staff are incorporating feedback gathered from the consultations into an implementation plan to be presented to key stakeholders and potential investors. The project also leverages insights from UNEP’s new innovative spatial planning tool, designed to help cities expand nature-based solutions by integrating environmental and population data, and other trends.Chedambath emphasizes a phased approach, beginning with widely supported measures like pollution reduction and dredging informed by hydrological surveys. Later, the project would address the narrowing of the canals, whose banks have been extended to allow for the construction of homes and other infrastructure. Some of the canals are just 15 metres wide, a quarter of their former width. Chedambath remains optimistic that the time is now ripe for the restoration of the TP Canal and the watery landscape in which the city is embedded. “Until a few years back, nobody appreciated the importance of the canals. But the constant flooding and the other issues surrounding the canal mean that people and political leaders now are thinking very seriously about doing something about it,” he says. “People have realized that the state of the canals directly impacts life everywhere in the city, maybe even its future existence.” Kochi is not the only city working to revive its waterways in the face of the triple planetary crisis: the crisis of climate change, the crisis of nature, land and biodiversity loss, and the crisis of pollution and waste In the Bangladeshi city of Sirajganj, UNEP is supporting the municipality on restoring the Katkhali Canal and its surroundings. The aim is to create a “green corridor” to provide recreational space for citizens and habitat for wildlife while also reducing urban heat. In Kisumu, Kenya, authorities are attempting to restore the Auji River. A UNEP-supported project there foresees solutions including revegetation, clearance of invasive species, and pollution reduction, as well as training for local communities in ecosystem management. In Kochi, the long-term hope is to breathe life back into not only the TP Canal but also the city’s other waterways. “The lesson that I hope Kochi will show us is that prevention is better than cure. And also that it's never too late to restore urban waterways,” says UNEP’s Atallah. “And that when we do that, we make a tremendous difference in the lives of those who live in cities.” Adapted from UNEP Story About Generation Restoration (2023-2025) The UNEP Generation Restoration project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), focuses on scaling up urban ecosystem restoration. Running from 2023 to 2025, UNEP, in collaboration with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and ICLEI’s Global Biodiversity Centre, is working with 24 cities to address key political, technical, and financial challenges. The project has two key components: advocating for public and private investment in ecosystem restoration and job creation through nature-based solutions and empowering city stakeholders globally to replicate and scale restoration initiatives. This initiative stands as a contribution to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the Global Biodiversity Framework.
About the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration The UN General Assembly has declared 2021–2030 a UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Led by the UN Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, together with the support of partners, it is designed to prevent, halt, and reverse the loss and degradation of ecosystems worldwide. It aims at reviving billions of hectares, covering terrestrial as well as aquatic ecosystems. A global call to action, the UN Decade draws together political support, scientific research, and financial muscle to massively scale up restoration. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework The planet is experiencing a dangerous decline in nature. One million species are threatened with extinction, soil health is declining and water sources are drying up. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework sets out global targets to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. It was adopted by world leaders in December 2022. To address the drivers of the nature crisis, UNEP is working with partners to take action in landscapes and seascapes, transform our food systems, and close the finance gap for nature , filtered_html
About the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration The UN General Assembly has declared 2021–2030 a UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Led by the UN Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, together with the support of partners, it is designed to prevent, halt, and reverse the loss and degradation of ecosystems worldwide. It aims at reviving billions of hectares, covering terrestrial as well as aquatic ecosystems. A global call to action, the UN Decade draws together political support, scientific research, and financial muscle to massively scale up restoration. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework The planet is experiencing a dangerous decline in nature. One million species are threatened with extinction, soil health is declining and water sources are drying up. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework sets out global targets to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. It was adopted by world leaders in December 2022. To address the drivers of the nature crisis, UNEP is working with partners to take action in landscapes and seascapes, transform our food systems, and close the finance gap for nature , filtered_html
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26 March 2025
West Bengal’s Community Youth Reporters Drive Social Change
In every corner of the world, young people have ideas, passions, and dreams that are worth listening to and deserve action. In West Bengal, courageous young voices are taking centre stage through the Community Youth Reporter Programme. This initiative - designed by UNICEF in partnership with IMAGIN Community Media and the Press Club, Kolkata - empowers young people and amplifies their voices on pressing social issues. Through this programme, youth reporters become the eyes and ears of their communities, bringing forward stories that matter—stories that shed light on both the beauty and struggles of daily lifeBut what makes these voices so powerful?These Community Youth Reporters address issues that directly affect their lives and the lives of their peers and communities. These young changemakers use storytelling and information to spotlight critical social problems, such as child marriage, environmental degradation, and educational opportunities. These young reporters' role is more than just journalism. It's about empowering others, raising awareness, and driving change. They act as representatives of their communities, connecting their peers, families, and local leaders while hoping for better futures for themselves and those around them."Before becoming a community youth reporter, I felt like no one was listening to us, the youth," says Rimjhim Mandal, one of the reporters in the programme. "But now, I know our words have the power to change things, to raise awareness, and to make people care about the issues that matter to us."Rimjhim's words echo a sentiment shared by many others. These young reporters aren't just capturing pictures or writing stories—they're capturing the hearts of people who can take action. From tackling child marriage to highlighting environmental concerns and the need for education reform, their work directly impacts the communities they serve.This programme demonstrates that it's not just about making noise—it's about making a difference.Why is UNICEF so focused on young people? The answer is simple: youth are the catalysts of the future. UNICEF believes empowering young people with knowledge, tools, and opportunities to speak up improves the present while shaping the future. "Youth voices are crucial because we are the ones who will be living with the consequences of today's decisions," says Soumiki Chakraborty, another community youth reporter. "When we raise our voices, we're not just talking about ourselves; we're talking about future generations,” she says. West Bengal, a state in, eastern India, is a land of contrasts. While it is known for its rich cultural heritage and academic brilliance, it also grapples with challenges like child marriage, where a significant percentage of girls are married before the age of 18. Many young girls here experience obstacles of various kinds to education, health, and equal opportunities.This backdrop makes the Community Youth Reporter Programme even more critical. It provides young girls with access to information—a tool more powerful than any weapon—and gives them a platform to challenge social injustices that have gone unaddressed for generations. ."Child marriage is not just a statistic. It is a life-altering event for girls like us. I've seen my friends leave schools, leaving their dreams behind because of it. My mother, for one, got married when she was a child. But now, as a youth reporter, I feel like I can do something about it," says Jee Aljia Akthar, another reporter from the programme.Reports of participants such as Roja Khatun, Nowsin Biswas, Jee Aljia Akthar, and Sonali Dey, have brought attention to instances of early marriage in their villages, sparking community discussions and action. Their work demonstrates that information can lead to transformation.One of the most remarkable aspects of the Community Youth Reporter Programme is its emotional depth and ethical approach to reporting. These young reporters go beyond mere facts; they reveal their hearts and experiences. This heartfelt approach transforms complicated issues into relatable narratives, making them understandable and resonating with their audience. UNICEFRimjhim Mandal, Soumiki Chakraborty, and Shraddha Sarkar, all 17 years old, study at Chaunpur Vidyaniketan Girls High School in Murshidabad, West Bengal. The three girls take a stock of an evolving environmental story they started a few months ago as reporters and activists.Take Shraddha Sarkar, Soumiki Chakraborty, and Rimjhim Mandal as examples. They spoke passionately about environmental pollution near their school. "The pond near our school was once clean and filled with fish. Now, it's just a garbage dump. It's heartbreaking to see how people have destroyed something so beautiful. As a community youth reporter, I feel it's my responsibility to bring these issues to light. This isn't just about a pond—it's about teaching people to respect their environment," says Shraddha.Her words are not only a call to action—they reflect a deep love and concern for the community, nature, and the world her generation will inherit. This sense of responsibility makes youth powerful agents of change.Their story speaks to a larger truth about the programme: it doesn't just train reporters—it nurtures problem-solvers. Equipping young people with the skills to identify and articulate issues, empowers them to find solutions for their communities."We aren't just reporting problems. We're also suggesting ways to solve them," adds Shraddha. In their case, the suggestion was to clean and deepen the pond—an idea that has sparked conversations among local authorities and residents. The programme is more than just a platform for reporting—it's about inspiring change. For girls like Soumiki Chakraborty, it's also about redefining their future. "When I started, I thought this was just a way to help my community. But now, I see this as a career opportunity. I want to continue as a journalist, telling the stories of those who don't have a voice,” she adds. Soumiki's perspective highlights a significant change and gives us a glimpse of their aspirations. In communities where girls are typically expected to adhere to traditional roles, the Community Youth Reporter Programme opens new possibilities for them. It is inspiring to see how this initiative empowers young girls to explore different paths and think beyond conventional expectations.This programme is helping young people to dream outside the limits society has set for them. You can see the impact clearly: it provides the information that empowers them, positions youth as leaders, and uses storytelling as a powerful way to create change. These young reporters are the champions of their communities, exploring their neighbourhoods with notebooks and mobile cameras in hand, capturing the stories that truly matter."When we share what we've learned, other girls start to see the possibilities for themselves. They start to ask questions and push back against things like child marriage. It feels like a ripple effect," says Rimjhim.You can see the ripple effect in the communities where these youth reporters are active. Girls who once thought they had no option but to follow societal expectations are now discovering their rights and standing up for their futures. The stories these young reporters tell go beyond struggles and are filled with hope. They show us that, no matter their challenges, young people have the resilience, determination, and courage to create change. More schools and colleges are joining in with similar programmes. Senior district officials praised young people's efforts, highlighting how these initiatives enhance awareness, drive action, and build skills for better employability. UNICEF's investment in young voices goes beyond raising awareness—it's about nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. These leaders will embody compassion, understanding, and a deep community commitment. By providing young people a platform to share their experiences and opinions, UNICEF empowers a generation of advocates determined to create a better future. Recognizing that youth are not just the future but also the present, UNICEF invests in initiatives like the Community Youth Reporters. These programs address immediate challenges while fostering leadership that will drive lasting change. "Our voices matter because we'll live with the consequences of today's decisions. Through this programme, we're not just speaking up; we're learning how to lead," says Baisakhi Ghosh. As we look to the future, it's clear that young voices will only grow stronger. They hope for a world where everyone—no matter their background—can live with dignity, respect, and opportunity.This programme proves that when young people are given the tools and support, they need to tell their stories, they build a future where youth voices are heard and celebrated.As these young reporters continue to tell their stories to the world, one thing is clear: their work is a testament to the power of youth, the strength of community, and the importance of hope. In West Bengal, they're not just changing the narrative—they're rewriting their future. Adapted from UNICEF , filtered_html
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Story
11 March 2025
For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment
The UN in India marked this year's International Women's Day a day early with a special event at UN House, led by UN Women. The gathering brought together leaders, activists and changemakers to celebrate progress, reflect on challenges and push for action. This year's event was particularly significant as it coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action—a landmark commitment to gender equality.The event brought voices from the ground through a dynamic vox pop discussion, where speakers shared personal experiences and insights on advancing gender equality. Their stories highlighted progress, persistent challenges, and the urgent need for action.
Alongside the discussions, a vibrant marketplace showcased the work of local craftspeople, women entrepreneurs, and activists. Backed by UNHCR, refugees displayed handwoven stoles and block-printed bags, whilst UNAIDS-supported collectives sold handmade candles and accessories. Women from IFAD-supported projects in Uttarakhand introduced organic teas and spices, linking rural livelihoods to urban markets. A UNDP-led stall showcased key research on women's economic empowerment. At another stall, women supported by UNESCO sold handcrafted bangles and oil paintings, while UNOPS highlighted rural women using water testing kits under the Jal Jeevan Mission—proof of innovation at the grassroots level.
A photo exhibition traced three decades of gender equality milestones, offering a stark contrast between progress made and the challenges that remain. Attendees also engaged with the 'Wheel of Equality', an interactive spin-the-wheel game linking gender rights to the SDGs—a reminder that equality is not a standalone issue but a cornerstone of global progress.The day ended not with speeches, but with the thunder of drums. Led by Manu Chandak of the Delhi Drum Circle, attendees drummed in unison, creating an urgent, unrelenting rhythm—a powerful call to action. The beats filled the space, capturing the spirit of this year’s International Women’s Day theme: “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
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Alongside the discussions, a vibrant marketplace showcased the work of local craftspeople, women entrepreneurs, and activists. Backed by UNHCR, refugees displayed handwoven stoles and block-printed bags, whilst UNAIDS-supported collectives sold handmade candles and accessories. Women from IFAD-supported projects in Uttarakhand introduced organic teas and spices, linking rural livelihoods to urban markets. A UNDP-led stall showcased key research on women's economic empowerment. At another stall, women supported by UNESCO sold handcrafted bangles and oil paintings, while UNOPS highlighted rural women using water testing kits under the Jal Jeevan Mission—proof of innovation at the grassroots level.
A photo exhibition traced three decades of gender equality milestones, offering a stark contrast between progress made and the challenges that remain. Attendees also engaged with the 'Wheel of Equality', an interactive spin-the-wheel game linking gender rights to the SDGs—a reminder that equality is not a standalone issue but a cornerstone of global progress.The day ended not with speeches, but with the thunder of drums. Led by Manu Chandak of the Delhi Drum Circle, attendees drummed in unison, creating an urgent, unrelenting rhythm—a powerful call to action. The beats filled the space, capturing the spirit of this year’s International Women’s Day theme: “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
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Press Release
27 March 2025
Secretary-General: Human Rights are the Oxygen of Humanity
Mr. President of the General Assembly, Mr. President of the Human Rights Council, High Commissioner,We begin this session under the weight of a grim milestone -- the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in violation of the UN charter.More than 12,600 civilians killed, with many more injured.Entire communities reduced to rubble.Hospitals and schools destroyed.We must spare no effort to bring an end to this conflict, and to achieve a just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions.Conflicts like the war in Ukraine exact a heavy toll.A toll on people. A toll on fundamental principles like territorial integrity, sovereignty and the rule of law.And a toll on the vital business of this Council.Without respect for human rights -- civil, cultural, economic, political and social -- sustainable peace is a pipedream.And like this Council, human rights shine a light in the darkest places.Through your work, and the work of the High Commissioner’s Office around the world, you’re supporting brave human rights defenders risking persecution, detention and even death.You’re working with governments, civil society and others to strengthen action on human rights.And you’re supporting investigations and accountability.Five years ago, we launched our Call to Action for Human Rights, embedding human rights across the work of the United Nations around the world in close cooperation with our partners.I will continue supporting this important work, and the High Commissioner’s Office, as we fight for human rights everywhere.
We have our work cut out for us. Human rights are the oxygen of humanity.But one by one, human rights are being suffocated. By autocrats, crushing opposition because they fear what a truly empowered people would do. By a patriarchy that keeps girls out of school, and women at arm’s length from basic rights.By wars and violence that strip populations of their right to food, water and education.By warmongers who thumb their nose at international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter. Human rights are being suffocated by the climate crisis.And by a morally bankrupt global financial system that too often obstructs the path to greater equality and sustainable development.By runaway technologies like Artificial Intelligence that hold great promise, but also the ability to violate human rights at the touch of a button.By growing intolerance against entire groups -- from Indigenous peoples, to migrants and refugees, to the LGBTQI+ community, to persons with disabilities.
And by voices of division and anger who view human rights not as a boon to humanity, but as a barrier to the power, profit and control they seek.In short -- human rights are on the ropes and being pummeled hard.This represents a direct threat to all of the hard-won mechanisms and systems established over the last 80 years to protect and advance human rights. But as the recently adopted Pact for the Future reminds us, human rights are, in fact, a source of solutions.The Pact provides a playbook on how we can win the fight for human rights on several fronts. First -- human rights through peace and peace through human rights.Conflicts inflict human rights violations on a massive scale.In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, violations of human rights have skyrocketed since the horrific Hamas attacks of October 7 and the intolerable levels of death and destruction in Gaza.And I am gravely concerned by the rising violence in the occupied West Bank by Israeli settlers and other violations, as well as calls for annexation.We are witnessing a precarious ceasefire. We must avoid at all costs a resumption of hostilities. The people in Gaza have already suffered too much.It’s time for a permanent ceasefire, the dignified release of all remaining hostages, irreversible progress towards a two-State solution, an end to the occupation, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with Gaza as an integral part.In Sudan, bloodshed, displacement and famine are engulfing the country. The warring parties must take immediate action to protect civilians, uphold human rights, cease hostilities and forge peace.And domestic and international human rights monitoring and investigation mechanisms should be permitted to document what is happening on the ground.In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we see a deadly whirlwind of violence and horrifying human rights abuses, amplified by the recent M23 offensive, supported by the Rwandan Defense Forces. As more cities fall, the risk of a regional war rises.
It’s time to silence the guns.
It’s time for diplomacy and dialogue.
The recent joint summit in Tanzania offered a way forward with a renewed call for an immediate ceasefire.The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC must be respected.The Congolese people deserve peace.In the Sahel, I call for a renewed regional dialogue to protect citizens from terrorism and systemic violations of human rights, and to create the conditions for sustainable development. In Myanmar, the situation has grown far worse in the four years since the military seized power and arbitrarily detained members of the democratically elected government.We need greater cooperation to bring an end to the hostilities and forge a path towards an inclusive democratic transition and a return to civilian rule, allowing for the safe return of the Rohingya refugees.And in Haiti, we are seeing massive human rights violations -- including more than a million people displaced, and children facing a horrific increase in sexual violence and recruitment into gangs.In the coming days, I will put forward proposals to the United Nations Security Council for greater stability and security for the people of Haiti -- namely through an effective UN assistance mechanism to support the Multilateral Security Support mission, the national police and Haitian authorities.A durable solution requires a political process -- led and owned by the Haitian people -- that restores democratic institutions through elections.The Pact for the Future calls for peace processes and approaches rooted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international law and the UN Charter.It proposes specific actions to prioritize conflict prevention, mediation, resolution and peacebuilding.And it includes a commitment to tackle the root causes of conflict, which are so often enmeshed in denials of basic human needs and rights. Second -- the Pact for the Future advances human rights through development.The Sustainable Development Goals and human rights are fundamentally intertwined.They represent real human needs -- health, food, water, education, decent work and social protection.With less than one-fifth of the Goals on track, the Pact calls for a massive acceleration through an SDG Stimulus, reforming the global financial architecture, and taking meaningful action for countries drowning in debt.This must include focused action to conquer the most widespread human rights abuse in history -- inequality for women and girls.The Pact calls for investing in battling all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, and ensuring their meaningful participation and leadership across all walks of life.And along with the Declaration on Future Generations, the Pact calls for supporting the rights and futures of young people through decent work, removing barriers for youth participation, and enhancing training.And the Global Digital Compact calls on nations to champion young innovators, nurture entrepreneurial spirit, and equip the next generation with digital literacy and skills.
Third -- the Pact for the Future recognizes that the rule of law and human rights go hand-in-hand.The rule of law, when founded on human rights, is an essential pillar of protection.It shields the most vulnerable.It’s the first line of defense against crime and corruption.It supports fair, just and inclusive economies and societies.It holds perpetrators of human rights atrocities to account.It enables civic space for people to make their voices heard -- and for journalists to carry out their essential work, free from interference or threats.And it reaffirms the world’s commitment to equal access to justice, good governance, and transparent and accountable institutions.Fourth -- human rights through climate action. Last year was the hottest on record -- capping the hottest decade on record.Rising heat, melting glaciers and hotter oceans are a recipe for disaster. Floods, droughts, deadly storms, hunger, mass displacement -- our war on nature is also a war on human rights.We must choose a different path.I salute the many Member States who legally recognize the right to a healthy environment -- and I call on all countries to do the same.Governments must keep their promise to produce new, economy-wide national climate action plans this year, well ahead of COP30 in Brazil.Those plans must limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees -- including by accelerating the global energy transition. We also need a surge in finance for climate action in developing countries, to adapt to global heating, slash emissions and accelerate the renewables revolution, which represents a massive economic opportunity. We must stand up to the misleading campaign of many in the fossil fuel industry and its enablers who are aiding and abetting this madness, while also protecting and defending those on the front lines of climate justice.And fifth -- human rights through stronger, better governance of technology.As fast-moving technologies expand into every aspect of our lives, I am deeply concerned about human rights being undermined.At its best, social media is a meeting ground for people to exchange ideas and spark respectful debate.But it can also be an arena of fiery combat and blatant ignorance.A place where the poisons of misinformation, disinformation, racism, misogyny and hate speech are not only tolerated -- but often encouraged.Verbal violence online can easily spill into physical violence in real life. Recent rollbacks on social media fact-checking and content moderation are re-opening the floodgates to more hate, more threats, and more violence.Make no mistake.These rollbacks will lead to less free speech, not more, as people become increasingly fearful to engage on these platforms.Meanwhile, the great promise of Artificial Intelligence is matched by limitless peril to undermine human autonomy, human identity, human control -- and yes, human rights.In the face of these threats, the Global Digital Compact brings the world together to ensure that human rights are not sacrificed on the altar of technology.This includes working with digital companies and policymakers to extend human rights to every corner of cyberspace -- including a new focus on information integrity across digital platforms.The Global Principles for Information Integrity I launched last year will support and inform this work as we push for a more humane information ecosystem.The Global Digital Compact also includes the first universal agreement on the governance of AI that brings every country to the table and commitments on capacity-building, so all countries and people benefit from AI’s potential.By investing in affordable internet, digital literacy, and infrastructure.By helping developing countries use AI to grow small businesses, improve public services, and connect communities to new markets.And by placing human rights at the centre of AI-driven systems.The Pact’s decisions to create an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and an ongoing Global Dialogue that ensure all countries have a voice in shaping its future are important steps forward. We must implement them.We can help end the suffocation of human rights by breathing life into the Pact for the Future and the work of this Council. Let’s do that together. We don’t have a moment to lose.And I thank you.***, filtered_html
We have our work cut out for us. Human rights are the oxygen of humanity.But one by one, human rights are being suffocated. By autocrats, crushing opposition because they fear what a truly empowered people would do. By a patriarchy that keeps girls out of school, and women at arm’s length from basic rights.By wars and violence that strip populations of their right to food, water and education.By warmongers who thumb their nose at international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter. Human rights are being suffocated by the climate crisis.And by a morally bankrupt global financial system that too often obstructs the path to greater equality and sustainable development.By runaway technologies like Artificial Intelligence that hold great promise, but also the ability to violate human rights at the touch of a button.By growing intolerance against entire groups -- from Indigenous peoples, to migrants and refugees, to the LGBTQI+ community, to persons with disabilities.
And by voices of division and anger who view human rights not as a boon to humanity, but as a barrier to the power, profit and control they seek.In short -- human rights are on the ropes and being pummeled hard.This represents a direct threat to all of the hard-won mechanisms and systems established over the last 80 years to protect and advance human rights. But as the recently adopted Pact for the Future reminds us, human rights are, in fact, a source of solutions.The Pact provides a playbook on how we can win the fight for human rights on several fronts. First -- human rights through peace and peace through human rights.Conflicts inflict human rights violations on a massive scale.In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, violations of human rights have skyrocketed since the horrific Hamas attacks of October 7 and the intolerable levels of death and destruction in Gaza.And I am gravely concerned by the rising violence in the occupied West Bank by Israeli settlers and other violations, as well as calls for annexation.We are witnessing a precarious ceasefire. We must avoid at all costs a resumption of hostilities. The people in Gaza have already suffered too much.It’s time for a permanent ceasefire, the dignified release of all remaining hostages, irreversible progress towards a two-State solution, an end to the occupation, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with Gaza as an integral part.In Sudan, bloodshed, displacement and famine are engulfing the country. The warring parties must take immediate action to protect civilians, uphold human rights, cease hostilities and forge peace.And domestic and international human rights monitoring and investigation mechanisms should be permitted to document what is happening on the ground.In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we see a deadly whirlwind of violence and horrifying human rights abuses, amplified by the recent M23 offensive, supported by the Rwandan Defense Forces. As more cities fall, the risk of a regional war rises.
It’s time to silence the guns.
It’s time for diplomacy and dialogue.
The recent joint summit in Tanzania offered a way forward with a renewed call for an immediate ceasefire.The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC must be respected.The Congolese people deserve peace.In the Sahel, I call for a renewed regional dialogue to protect citizens from terrorism and systemic violations of human rights, and to create the conditions for sustainable development. In Myanmar, the situation has grown far worse in the four years since the military seized power and arbitrarily detained members of the democratically elected government.We need greater cooperation to bring an end to the hostilities and forge a path towards an inclusive democratic transition and a return to civilian rule, allowing for the safe return of the Rohingya refugees.And in Haiti, we are seeing massive human rights violations -- including more than a million people displaced, and children facing a horrific increase in sexual violence and recruitment into gangs.In the coming days, I will put forward proposals to the United Nations Security Council for greater stability and security for the people of Haiti -- namely through an effective UN assistance mechanism to support the Multilateral Security Support mission, the national police and Haitian authorities.A durable solution requires a political process -- led and owned by the Haitian people -- that restores democratic institutions through elections.The Pact for the Future calls for peace processes and approaches rooted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international law and the UN Charter.It proposes specific actions to prioritize conflict prevention, mediation, resolution and peacebuilding.And it includes a commitment to tackle the root causes of conflict, which are so often enmeshed in denials of basic human needs and rights. Second -- the Pact for the Future advances human rights through development.The Sustainable Development Goals and human rights are fundamentally intertwined.They represent real human needs -- health, food, water, education, decent work and social protection.With less than one-fifth of the Goals on track, the Pact calls for a massive acceleration through an SDG Stimulus, reforming the global financial architecture, and taking meaningful action for countries drowning in debt.This must include focused action to conquer the most widespread human rights abuse in history -- inequality for women and girls.The Pact calls for investing in battling all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, and ensuring their meaningful participation and leadership across all walks of life.And along with the Declaration on Future Generations, the Pact calls for supporting the rights and futures of young people through decent work, removing barriers for youth participation, and enhancing training.And the Global Digital Compact calls on nations to champion young innovators, nurture entrepreneurial spirit, and equip the next generation with digital literacy and skills.
Third -- the Pact for the Future recognizes that the rule of law and human rights go hand-in-hand.The rule of law, when founded on human rights, is an essential pillar of protection.It shields the most vulnerable.It’s the first line of defense against crime and corruption.It supports fair, just and inclusive economies and societies.It holds perpetrators of human rights atrocities to account.It enables civic space for people to make their voices heard -- and for journalists to carry out their essential work, free from interference or threats.And it reaffirms the world’s commitment to equal access to justice, good governance, and transparent and accountable institutions.Fourth -- human rights through climate action. Last year was the hottest on record -- capping the hottest decade on record.Rising heat, melting glaciers and hotter oceans are a recipe for disaster. Floods, droughts, deadly storms, hunger, mass displacement -- our war on nature is also a war on human rights.We must choose a different path.I salute the many Member States who legally recognize the right to a healthy environment -- and I call on all countries to do the same.Governments must keep their promise to produce new, economy-wide national climate action plans this year, well ahead of COP30 in Brazil.Those plans must limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees -- including by accelerating the global energy transition. We also need a surge in finance for climate action in developing countries, to adapt to global heating, slash emissions and accelerate the renewables revolution, which represents a massive economic opportunity. We must stand up to the misleading campaign of many in the fossil fuel industry and its enablers who are aiding and abetting this madness, while also protecting and defending those on the front lines of climate justice.And fifth -- human rights through stronger, better governance of technology.As fast-moving technologies expand into every aspect of our lives, I am deeply concerned about human rights being undermined.At its best, social media is a meeting ground for people to exchange ideas and spark respectful debate.But it can also be an arena of fiery combat and blatant ignorance.A place where the poisons of misinformation, disinformation, racism, misogyny and hate speech are not only tolerated -- but often encouraged.Verbal violence online can easily spill into physical violence in real life. Recent rollbacks on social media fact-checking and content moderation are re-opening the floodgates to more hate, more threats, and more violence.Make no mistake.These rollbacks will lead to less free speech, not more, as people become increasingly fearful to engage on these platforms.Meanwhile, the great promise of Artificial Intelligence is matched by limitless peril to undermine human autonomy, human identity, human control -- and yes, human rights.In the face of these threats, the Global Digital Compact brings the world together to ensure that human rights are not sacrificed on the altar of technology.This includes working with digital companies and policymakers to extend human rights to every corner of cyberspace -- including a new focus on information integrity across digital platforms.The Global Principles for Information Integrity I launched last year will support and inform this work as we push for a more humane information ecosystem.The Global Digital Compact also includes the first universal agreement on the governance of AI that brings every country to the table and commitments on capacity-building, so all countries and people benefit from AI’s potential.By investing in affordable internet, digital literacy, and infrastructure.By helping developing countries use AI to grow small businesses, improve public services, and connect communities to new markets.And by placing human rights at the centre of AI-driven systems.The Pact’s decisions to create an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and an ongoing Global Dialogue that ensure all countries have a voice in shaping its future are important steps forward. We must implement them.We can help end the suffocation of human rights by breathing life into the Pact for the Future and the work of this Council. Let’s do that together. We don’t have a moment to lose.And I thank you.***, filtered_html
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Press Release
04 March 2025
International Women's Day 2025 - Secretary-General's Message - António Guterres
When the doors of equal opportunity are open for women and girls, everyone wins.Equal societies are more prosperous and peaceful – and the foundation of sustainable development.On this International Women’s Day, we recognize thirty years of progress and achievement since the landmark United Nations conference in Beijing.This transformed the rights of women – and reaffirmed those rights as human rights.Since then, women and girls have shattered barriers, defied stereotypes, and demanded their rightful place.But we must be clear-eyed about the challenge.From pushback to rollback, women’s human rights are under attack.Age-old horrors – violence, discrimination and economic inequality – still plague societies.And newer threats such as biased algorithms are programming inequalities into online spaces, opening-up new arenas of harassment and abuse. Instead of mainstreaming equal rights, we’re seeing the mainstreaming of misogyny.We must fight these outrages.And keep working to level the playing field for women and girls.We need action to unlock finance so countries can invest in equality – and to prioritize those investments.Action to open-up equal opportunities for decent work, close the gender pay gap, and tackle challenges around care work.
Action to strengthen and implement laws to end all forms of violence against women and girls.Action to secure women’s full participation in decision-making, including in peacebuilding.And action to remove the obstacles to women and girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The United Nations Pact for the Future, and the Global Digital Compact offer blueprints to guide these actions.When women and girls can rise, we all thrive.Together, let’s stand firm in making rights, equality and empowerment a reality for all women and girls, for everyone, everywhere., filtered_html
Action to strengthen and implement laws to end all forms of violence against women and girls.Action to secure women’s full participation in decision-making, including in peacebuilding.And action to remove the obstacles to women and girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The United Nations Pact for the Future, and the Global Digital Compact offer blueprints to guide these actions.When women and girls can rise, we all thrive.Together, let’s stand firm in making rights, equality and empowerment a reality for all women and girls, for everyone, everywhere., filtered_html
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Press Release
27 March 2025
Secretary-General: We will provide life-saving aid to those in urgent need
I want to start by expressing my deep concern about information received in the last 48 hours by UN agencies -- as well as many humanitarian and development NGOs -- regarding severe cuts in funding by the United States. These cuts impact a wide range of critical programmes. From lifesaving humanitarian aid, to support for vulnerable communities recovering from war or natural disaster. From development, to the fight against terrorism and illicit drug trafficking. The consequences will be especially devastating for vulnerable people around the world. In Afghanistan, more than 9 million people will miss out on health and protection services, with hundreds of mobile health teams and other services suspended. In north-east Syria, where 2.5 million people need assistance, the absence of US funding means programmes are leaving large populations even more vulnerable. In Ukraine, cash-based programming -- a key feature of the humanitarian response, reaching 1 million people in 2024 -- has been suspended in key regions.In South Sudan, funding has run out for programmes to support people who have fled the conflict in neighbouring Sudan, leaving border areas dangerously overcrowded. Meanwhile, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime will be forced to stop many of its counter-narcotics programmes, including the one fighting the fentanyl crisis, and dramatically reduce activities against human trafficking. And funding for many programmes combatting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and cholera have stopped. We have been extremely grateful for the leading role the United States has provided over the decades. For example, thanks to the generosity of donors -- led by the United States -- the UN assists and protects more than 100 million people every year through our humanitarian programming. From Gaza to Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine and beyond. American funding directly supports people living through wars, famines and disasters, providing essential health care, shelter, water, food and education -- the list goes on. The message is clear. The generosity and compassion of the American people have not only saved lives, built peace and improved the state of the world. They have contributed to the stability and prosperity that Americans depend on. United Nations staff members around the world are deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together -- as partners. Now going through with these cuts will make the world less healthy, less safe and less prosperous. The reduction of America’s humanitarian role and influence will run counter to American interests globally. I can only hope that these decisions can be reversed based on more careful reviews, and the same applies to other countries that have recently announced reductions in humanitarian and development aid. In the meantime, every United Nations agency stands ready to provide the necessary information and justification for its projects. And we look forward to working with the United States in this regard. All humanitarian coordinators in the field are urgently updating strategies on how to protect as much lifesaving work as possible. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee, which brings together UN humanitarian agencies and our partners, has agreed on an ambitious plan for efficiency and prioritization. Our absolute priority remains clear. We will do everything we can to provide life-saving aid to those in urgent need. And we will continue our efforts to diversify the pool of generous donors who support our work. We remain committed to making the global humanitarian effort as efficient, accountable and innovative as possible while continuing to save lives. Next Tuesday, I will be in Cairo to join the Extraordinary Summit of the League of Arab States to discuss the reconstruction of Gaza. Since the horrific attacks of terror by Hamas in Israel on October 7, the ensuing hostilities have unleashed an unprecedented level of death and destruction in Gaza. Gaza has become a nexus of death, displacement, hunger and disease. Hospitals, schools and water facilities have been destroyed and reduced to rubble. And the risk of further destruction looms over the population. Tuesday’s Summit is an opportunity for leaders across the Arab world to come together and discuss the elements required to deliver peace and stability in Gaza. Their unified position will help guide the way forward. I will outline key priorities. First -- the ceasefire and hostage release deal must hold. The coming days are critical. The parties must spare no effort to avoid a breakdown of this deal. I urge them to uphold their commitments and implement all of them in full. All hostages must be released immediately, unconditionally and in a dignified manner. The parties must ensure humane treatment for all those held under their power. All transfers must be carried out in a dignified way and as per the terms of the deal. Humanitarian aid must be maintained, protected and funded, flowing without impediment to reach people in desperate need. Each moment the ceasefire holds means more people reached and more lives saved. Time and again, we’ve shown what we can deliver. Since the ceasefire, humanitarians have been able to scale-up and expand operations in Gaza, including to areas that were unreachable during the fighting. Together with our partners, we’ve reached hundreds of thousands of people… Providing food to nearly everyone in Gaza. Delivering shelter kits, clothing and other essential items to tens of thousands of displaced people. And doubling the amount of clean water available to people in Gaza. Meanwhile, our partners have distributed medical supplies reaching some 1.8 million people, helping health facilities continue their lifesaving work. The message is clear. With the right conditions and access, we can do far more. The ceasefire must hold. We must keep the humanitarian lifeline open. As part of this, I will once again appeal for the urgent and full support of UNRWA’s work. UNRWA’s unique role must be maintained. Second -- ending the immediate crisis is only a first step. There must be a clear political framework that lays the groundwork for Gaza’s recovery, reconstruction and lasting stability. This framework must be based on clear principles. This means staying true to the bedrock of international law. It means preventing any form of ethnic cleansing. It means there should be no long-term Israeli military presence in Gaza. It means addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns. It means accountability for violations of international law. And it means Gaza remains an integral part of an independent, democratic and sovereign Palestinian state, with no reductions in its territory or forced transfer of its population. Both Gaza and the occupied West Bank -- including East Jerusalem -- must be treated as one -- politically, economically and administratively. And governed by a Palestinian government that is accepted and supported by the Palestinian people. And any transitional arrangements must be designed to achieve a unified Palestinian government within a precise and limited timeframe. I will also call for an urgent de-escalation of the alarming situation in the West Bank. Unilateral actions, including settlement expansion and threats of annexation, must stop. I call for an end to attacks on civilians and their property. Finally, we must take tangible steps -- now -- towards the realization of a two-State solution. The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, to chart their own future, and to live on their land in freedom and security. The only path to lasting peace is one where two states -- Israel and Palestine -- live side by side in peace and security, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states. Palestinians deserve lasting stability and a just and principled peace. And the people of Israel deserve to live in peace and security. At this fragile moment, we must avoid a resumption of hostilities that would deepen the suffering and further destabilize a region that is already perched on a knife’s edge. We need sustainable reconstruction and a unified, clear and principled political solution. That’s what I will call for in Cairo next week. Thank you.[END], filtered_html
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Press Release
27 March 2025
Priorities for the 79th session of the General Assembly, including implementation of the Pact for the Future
Thank you for organizing today’s briefing. I intend to brief you on my priorities for the General Assembly and its work during the 79th session. I recognise that to deliver effectively on our commitments, New York and Geneva need to work together. The challenges we face, such as climate change, increasing inequalities, poverty, and the proliferation of conflict are extraordinary. To succeed we must act collaboratively as one United Nations. Since assuming the functions of President of the General Assembly, I have encouraged cooperation and partnership throughout the work of the Assembly. The theme of my Presidency is: “Unity in diversity, for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for everyone everywhere”. Within this framework, I have outlined a series of priorities based on the three interconnected pillars of the work of the United Nations: human rights, peace and security, and sustainable development. First, I am committed to upholding human rights – and preserving human dignity – throughout the 79th session. On this front, I held one of my first signature events last month, which focused on preserving human dignity in armed conflicts. We all witness the appalling and heart-breaking loss of life and suffering of civilians in armed conflicts. Civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine and elsewhere are also targeted. At the event, held in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross, I reiterated that even wars have rules. Compliance with international humanitarian law is non-negotiable. Looking ahead, I also plan to hold a signature event on the issue of child labour, in partnership with the International Labour Organization. We intend to stress that children should live a childhood in dignity, and to spotlight actions to eliminate child labour, including the recruitment of children for use in armed conflict. Second, I am committed to prioritising peace. Specifically, I will convene a High-Level thematic debate on the multi-faceted aspects of peace and security in Africa and the future of peacekeeping. We support United Nations-funded peace operations led by the African Union. This is also the spirit of Security Council resolution 2719 (2023). This event, to be held in June, will emphasise the critical role of regional organisations in maintaining international peace and security. Additionally, in March I will convene a joint meeting of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council to discuss the effect of small arms and light weapons on peace and development. A coordinated global response is essential to address this scourge to not only peace and security but also to our development efforts. Third, under sustainable development, I will advocate for two critical tools to turbocharge the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals: First, through adequate and reliable financing, and Second, through the power of innovation and digitalisation. The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development will be a key moment to aim at closing the financing gap for development. I will support advocacy efforts that lead to more substantial and accessible financing, including through the reform of the international financial architecture, to better serve the long-term development needs of developing countries. As part of this advocacy effort, I was pleased to co-convene the annual Parliamentary Hearing, just two weeks ago in New York. The Hearing, organised with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, underscored the critical role of parliamentarians in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including in unlocking financing. Looking ahead, I will be spotlighting efforts to unlock the potential of digitalisation to accelerate sustainable development including in Africa, such as the Timbuktoo initiative of the United Nations Development Programme. In this regard, I will convene a multistakeholder dialogue. Our aim is to discuss the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the review of the implementation of commitments made toward Africa’s development. In addition to the priorities I have outlined, three others stand as cross-cutting areas of focus: gender equality, multilingualism, and dialogue. On gender equality, I am humbled to have recently been designated as an international gender champion. This was not an award but a call to duty. While advancing gender equality is a collective responsibility, it is especially incumbent upon those of us in positions of influence to champion gender equality in all our actions. Acting in this spirit, I have re-constituted the Advisory Board on Gender Equality. This Board will guide me on the best ways and means of integrating a gender perspective in the work of the General Assembly and in all my activities and events. Together, we will focus on advancing women’s economic empowerment and the implementation of the gender related actions of the Pact for the Future. This year we celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. It is an opportunity to renew the call to action, to uphold the human rights of all women and girls. We will continue to make meaningful strides toward the achievement of gender equality. Consultations are ongoing on the preparations for the high-level meeting to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women. The High-level meeting would be held during the Assembly’s High-Level week in September 2025. We should address the issue of multilingualism at the United Nations. I am pleased to note that I have assembled a Multilingualism Task Force within my Office. This Task Force has produced an action plan that includes an appeal for funding to ensure we can provide more resources to deliver our outputs in more official languages. It is my hope that future Presidents of the General Assembly will recommit to multilingualism, with the tools and resources needed to maintain this principle of the United Nations. I was pleased to have held an informal dialogue with some Permanent Representatives on this important topic recently in New York. That dialogue – the first in a series of informal, off the record exchanges – is being held under the appellation of ‘Palaver Tree Dialogues’. In the spirit of its name, which is well-known across much of Africa, it is a space for candid reflections and for participants to come together in the spirit of multilateral dialogue. We plan to hold further Palaver Tree discussions on other important topics.[END], filtered_html
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Press Release
27 March 2025
Opening of the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council
I thank His Excellency Ambassador Jürg Lauber for his kind invitation.I congratulate him and his Bureau on their election. The three pillars of the United Nations are deeply interwoven. Upholding human rights is fundamental to achieving lasting peace and security, and constitutes a sound basis for the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.We face serious global challenges. From armed conflicts and climate change to widening inequalities and deepening poverty, we are witnessing a sharp decline in human rights.There are growing violations and often brazen disregard for international humanitarian law. Those violations have devastating consequences: more than 300 million people now require humanitarian assistance.The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated.In every conflict, victims are often women, children, and minorities who bear the heaviest burden.The human suffering and destruction of infrastructure in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are intolerable.These injustices must end.Even war has rules. Civilians must never be targets.The recent Special Session and the establishment of an independent fact-finding mission to investigate and document human rights violations in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, are good signals. This Council has once again demonstrated its ability to act swiftly to address violations and uphold accountability.The long-overdue ceasefire in Gaza and the recent hostage release deal offer a glimmer of hope. The success of the ceasefire is of decisive significance. Only full implementation can secure a lasting ceasefire and ensure the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid.A just and lasting peace in the Middle East depends on a two-state solution. That solution will enable Israel and Palestine to coexist in peace and security, in accordance with international law and United Nations resolutions.More broadly, dialogue must remain at the heart of conflict resolution. Dialogue is a powerful weapon which human beings must use for peace to prevail everywhere. We approach the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, an occasion the General Assembly will commemorate this year.Our calls for global peace must be more resolute, harnessing the powerful symbolism of this milestone year.Last September, world leaders unanimously adopted the Pact for the Future—along with its annexes, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations.The Pact charts a decisive course toward a more just, equitable, and sustainable world—one where human rights are upheld for all, everywhere.Our Pact for the Future reaffirms international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and international humanitarian law.Our challenge now is implementation. Implementation is a task that will require full global mobilisation, with robust engagement from Governments, United Nations Agencies, International and Regional Organizations as well as civil society. Implementation is a process whose time has come. Organisations in Geneva will play a critical role in that process.Protecting human rights and dignity is a cornerstone of my presidency of the General Assembly. Human dignity makes it possible for us to attain excellence and happiness. Last month, I convened one of my first signature events: Preserving Human Dignity in Armed Conflict. I was heartened by the strong political will of Member States to uphold and reinforce their commitment to international humanitarian law.We will continue mobilising advocacy to eliminate child labour in all its forms, including its use in armed conflict. To advance this goal, I will convene a discussion on child labour, focused on protecting children and upholding their dignity.I will also focus on advancing the rights of older persons. In the coming months, I will convene a high-level meeting to consider the recommendations of the Working Group on Ageing. Older persons must have full enjoyment of their human rights. Moreover, I will continue to address the enduring injustices of racism and colonialism. We will uphold the spirit that guided Member States' decision last December to declare a second International Decade for People of African Descent.This declaration reaffirms our collective commitment to achieving recognition, justice, and development for people of African descent.To advance this commitment, I will convene the annual commemorative meetings for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.Earlier this session, I joined the International Gender Champions network.In doing so, I pledged to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. We will integrate a gender perspective throughout the General Assembly’s work and my activities.I have re-established the Advisory Board on Gender Equality to focus on women’s economic empowerment. That is necessary for the implementation of gender-related commitments in the Pact for the Future.We are happy that the Human Rights Council has followed this good practice.Additionally, I have appointed co-facilitators to lead consultations in preparation for a High-Level Meeting. This meeting will commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—Beijing+30.This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth. This underscores the critical role of young people in driving inclusive and sustainable development. We will convene Member States in May for a discussion on how digitalisation can enhance the Sustainable Development Goals. We are convinced that digitalization will empower young people in Africa.Throughout each of these engagements, I will emphasize the indispensable contribution of civil society to advancing human rights. The work of civil society is vital both to this Council and to the broader human rights’ agenda. That is a message I delivered at my Townhall with Civil Society Organisations held in New York just two weeks ago.We will also host the annual High-Level Debate on Crime Prevention. That will mark the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners—the Nelson Mandela Rules.The high-level debate on crime prevention will address the global prison challenge. That will mark the 10th anniversary of the Nelson Mandela Rules, to ensure humane treatment of prisoners.This year, we will also be awarding the Nelson Mandela Prize. This award is given every five years to two individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving humanity.I invite Member States, and other relevant stakeholders, to submit nominations before the end of this month, so that we can identify individuals who would honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela.The Prize will coincide with the celebration of the Nelson Mandela International Day, on 18 July.All these topics are closely related to my vision. These topics aim to promote human rights and preserve human dignity for all, everywhere. As President of the General Assembly, I aim to advance the global human rights agenda. We are mindful that strengthening cooperation between the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council—two vital pillars of the United Nations—has never been more urgent.I urge all Member States to ensure that the Human Rights Council remains a platform for genuine dialogue and meaningful cooperation to promote and protect human rights for everyone, everywhere.Greater resources and support are essential to enabling the Council to fulfil its mandate effectively—particularly as global challenges continue to increase.I look forward to working with all of you to further promote cooperation and complementarity between the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly. Our shared goal is upholding human rights and dignity for everyone, everywhere.Thank you.[END], filtered_html
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