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.
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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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 $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
The resolution, backed by the U.S. and China, reflect fears AI will severely disrupt business, infrastructure and governance.
Recycling rates falling behind the pace of e-waste generated globally
Just 22.3% of all the e-waste - any product that has a plug or battery - was properly collected and recycled in 2022.
Most nations failed to meet WHO fine particle pollution standards
Ambient fine particulate matter known as PM2.5 is considered the world’s leading environmental health risk factor.
Study finds 37% rise in illegal profits from forced labor over past decade
By far the largest share of the $236 billion a year in illegal profits comes from forced commercial sexual exploitation.
U.N. weather agency has ‘red alert’ warning as Earth grows ever hotter
WMO reports 2023 smashed climate records at previously unimaginable levels, bringing 'misery and mayhem.'
Nations pushing for AI governance around issues of access and privacy
A top U.N. official cites strong concerns about mental privacy, which is 'a line that we should not cross at all' as AI develops.