Risk of child marriage rising with pandemic
Child marriage is increasing with up to 10 million more girls at risk of becoming brides before the age of 18 due to the pandemic, UNICEF reported.
Sustainable Development Goals
Many businesses, governments and organizations are committed to sustainable goals like reducing their environmental footprints and conserving resources. Sustainable finance includes environmental, social and governance considerations in investment decisions. In 2015, the U.N.'s 193 member nations adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. Despite some progress, the U.N. says 83% of the agenda is off-track from the pandemic, climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and conflict.
Enjoy our Free+ stories and our weekly newsletter
Start your free accessAlready have an account? Log in
Airlines to help U.N. spread COVID-19 vaccines
Sixteen airlines joined a UNICEF-led initiative to push for speedier deliveries of coronavirus vaccines and medical supplies among more than 100 nations.
WWF says deep sea mining risks too high
Allowing mining companies to tap deep sea deposits beneath international waters poses too many underwater risks, a global environmental group reported.
Okonjo-Iweala to head WTO with U.S. backing
Nigerian-American Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is poised to become the next head of Geneva-based WTO after clinching the "strong support" of the United States.
China overtakes U.S. in new foreign investment
China surpassed the United States as the world's top recipient of foreign direct investment with inflows of US$163 billion in 2020, new UNCTAD figures show.
Virtual Davos targets pandemic-era mistrust
Thousands normally descend on Davos this time of year. But with the pandemic still raging, WEF will meet virtually to take on mistrust and division.
E.U. and China reach pact on business investment
The European Union moved to clinch a business investment deal with China despite concerns from the United States and human rights organizations.
U.K. and E.U. reach post-Brexit trade deal
Britain reached a tentative free-trade deal to lessen the chaos of its departure from the European Union, the world's biggest trading bloc.
ICJ steps into Guyana-Venezuela border dispute
ICJ ruled it has jurisdiction to settle a border dispute going back to colonial-era claims over a resources-rich jungle region between Guyana and Venezuela.
U.S. currency dispute puts IMF role in spotlight
The IMF was thrust into a dispute over currency manipulation as the U.S. accused Vietnam and Switzerland of currency manipulation.
G-20 agrees to 'common framework' for debt relief
The G-20 major economies agreed to a framework for more debt relief among poor nations, responding to appeals from humanitarian and economic leaders.
Envoy says 126 nations seek carbon neutrality
The top U.N. official for global climate action said 65% of the world body's 193 member nations will seek net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
U.S. rejection upsets WTO leadership race
The U.S. upended WTO's selection of its next director-general as the sole nation to back South Korea's Yoo Myung-hee over Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
UNCTAD shows 49% foreign investments drop
Global foreign direct investment plummeted by 49% during the first half of 2020 compared with a year ago due to the pandemic, UNCTAD reported.
WTO to be led by woman from Nigeria or S. Korea
The final phase of a race to become WTO's next director-general began with two well-qualified women from Nigeria and South Korea vying for the top post.
Experts urge G-20 to outdo debt suspensions
Experts cautioned a move by the world's richest countries to give the poorest ones more time to pay off debts will not do enough to alleviate massive suffering.