World Health Assembly opens with push on health rules and pandemic
The U.N. health chief called the pandemic treaty 'a once-in-a-generation opportunity' to improve global health systems.
Global Issues
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WIPO treaty approved on genetic resources and traditional knowledge
The treaty is the first on genetic resources and traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples and local communities.
U.N. panel demands combatants protect humanitarian aid workers
The vote reflects the alarming number of attacks and threats that aid workers face each year around the world.
WHO warns of gaps, bias in research on climate and vector-borne disease
Most research has focused on wealthier countries that have relatively low disease rates and access to quality heath care.
IUCN finds more than half of world's mangrove ecosystems could collapse
Mangrove ecosystems harbor fish and wildlife, protect against sea level rise, tides and storm surges, and store carbon.
Illegal wildlife traffickers target 4,000 plant and animal species
About 3,250 of the illegally traded species are listed as endangered plants and animals in the CITES global treaty.
IOM documents the challenges of people on move seeking better lives
Migrants are sending home a record amount of money, boosting the economies of the countries they left behind.
Journalism watchdog's global index shows press freedom is under attack
Reporters Without Borders warned that governments' support for press freedom around the world has been shrinking.
Acute hunger hits nearly 282 million people as famine looms in Gaza
The number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity has increased every year since 2019.
Wealthy nations to provide US$11B for World Bank-led global solutions
The wars in Europe and the Middle East, climate change and soaring national debts hung over the annual talks.
Climate-impacted global bleaching of corals threatens marine fisheries
Climate scientists have warned for decades about bleaching of coral reefs, which are nurseries for commercial fisheries.
U.N. climate chief says next 2 years will be 'essential' to saving the planet
This year and next mark the countdown to a 2025 deadline for governments to strengthen their carbon-cutting plans.
Trillions needed for anti-poverty goals to deal with climate, debt, war
A new U.N. report shows how prioritizing debt over services like health care and education plagues the developing world.
Difficult pandemic treaty talks to be extended with extra spring session
Negotiators and officials aim to wrap up so that May's 77th World Health Assembly can consider a proposed text.
Geological organization rules the Anthropocene is not a formal epoch
IUGS rejected declaring that we live in a new epoch defined by far-reaching human impacts on the planet since the 1950s.
U.N. General Assembly adopts first resolution on artificial intelligence
Proposed by the U.S. and co-sponsored by China and more than 120 other nations, its passage represented a moment of international cooperation through science diplomacy.