Nations adopt 2030 health coverage goal
The U.N. General Assembly called on all nations to work towards enabling everyone to have affordable, quality health services by 2030.
Global Issues
Enjoy our Free+ stories and our weekly newsletter
Start your free accessAlready have an account? Log in
Scientists point to gaps in climate ambition
A day before the U.N. Climate Action Summit, climate science groups said nations must reduce "glaring and growing gaps" between intention and action.
Youth at U.N. demand bold climate action
Students and young leaders met for the first U.N. Youth Climate Summit to demand world leaders "walk the talk" and “stop wasting time" to save the planet.
Major investors pressure for climate action
More than 500 institutional investors urged governments to finally take significant action to reduce carbon emissions.
UPU drama over Trump challenge affects U.S. voting and opioids
Delegates will consider what to do in the face of the announcement last year by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to withdraw his nation's participation.
U.N. tourism agency signals growth in greener, more ethical travel
Tourism now accounts for about 1-in-10 jobs worldwide, but it uses up significant amounts of energy and other resources.
Slow progress getting more kids in classes
Over the past decade, there has been only slight progress in sending more children to classrooms worldwide. One-sixth of school-age kids lack an education.
IMF predicts hit to global GDP from tariffs
The IMF said tariffs imposed or threatened by the U.S. and China could reduce global economic output by 0.8% in 2020 and cause more losses later.
UNCTAD stresses climate impacts of trade ahead of summit to spur action
UNCTAD is looking at how to solve the climate crisis, particularly how sea level rise impacts small island nations.
U.N. rights chief wary of nationalism interfering with global cooperation
A warning that sovereignty and national borders are being invoked to prevent human rights issues from being addressed.
UNICEF poll finds widespread online bullying of children affects school
The 170,000 young people polled were split over whether to blame governments, companies or other young people.
No school for 3.7 million refugee children as financing falls short
Little more than 60% of all refugee children are able to go to primary schools, versus 90% among all children globally.
U.N. health agency urges more extensive study of microplastics
Oceans, landfills and public spaces are filling with degraded bits and pieces of bottles, toys and other plastic pollution.
World leaders urged to adopt binding treaty protecting high seas
The proposed global treaty is intended to strengthen marine protections for international waters that are beyond the 200 nautical mile (370 kilometer) jurisdiction of coastal nations.
New accord to protect defenders of environment and human rights
The aim is to establish better networks of support worldwide for advocates and raise the pressure for perpetrators of violence and intimidation to be held accountable.
For humanitarians, the Geneva Conventions at 70 are a call to duty
To mark the anniversary, diplomats planned to discuss the strengths and weakness of international humanitarian law.