Slow progress in getting more children into classes around world
About 285.4 million children, adolescents, and youth, or one-sixth of all those globally in this age group, lack an education.
Global Issues
Global issues are complex challenges that require international cooperation, from mitigating climate change to addressing global poverty and geopolitical conflicts. Of the U.N.'s 169 targets for sustainable development, only 35% are on track or making moderate progress toward their 2030 deadline.
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IMF forecasts hit to global GDP from Trump's trade war with China
Tariffs imposed or threatened by the U.S. and China could reduce global economic output by 0.8% in 2020.
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.
G-7 allies in turmoil over trade and climate as Trump takes hard line
The summit in France was overshadowed by fears of an escalating trade war between the United States and China.
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 treaty aims to strengthen protections for international waters beyond the jurisdiction of coastal nations.
New accord to protect defenders of environment and human rights
The aim is to better support advocates and to hold perpetrators of violence and intimidation 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.
Climate report urges change in human diet to improve land use
The IPCC shows how overconsumption and ill treatment of animals, forests and plants is making global warming worse.
Landmark U.S.-Russia arms treaty expires despite its past success
Experts said the demise of the INF Treaty will make the job of advocating for nuclear arms control far more difficult.
Women and children account for most human trafficking victims
U.N. leaders used the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons to call for increased prevention against a web of factors.
Norwegian diplomat to lead U.N.'s top economic and social forum
Mona Juul, Norway U.N. ambassador, won election as president of the 54-nation U.N. Economic and Social Council.
OECD chief urges leaders to heed green wave of political 'muscle'
The head of the 36-nation organization called on governments to listen to millions of people worried about climate change.