UNDP warns inequality drags on progress
Inequalities in education, health and living standards caused a 20% loss in global progress towards aspects of needed "human development" last year.
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.
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Iran pressured to stick with nuclear deal
Britain, France and Germany demanded that Iran remain in the fraying 2015 nuclear deal, but did not press to reactivate U.N. sanctions against Iran.
Davos reboots for 'stakeholder capitalism'
Ahead of its Davos meeting, the World Economic Forum released a mission statement for 21st century businesses to elevate the importance of doing good.
G-20 ministers press for WTO relevance
G-20 foreign ministers agreed WTO reforms are urgently needed to boost its relevance amid an escalating U.S.-China trade war.
ASEAN leads way to trade bloc with China
Ten nations' leaders agreed as part of ASEAN to promote regional stability by signing the world's biggest trade bloc with six countries including China in 2020.
World Bank and IMF caution on slowdown
World Bank and International Monetary Fund leaders called on 189 member nations for help in easing trade and geopolitical tensions.
World Bank and IMF accent island nations
The World Bank and IMF opened fall meetings to survey a slowing world economy, U.S.-China trade war and urgent climate threats to small island nations.
Georgieva starts in new post as IMF chief
Bulgarian economist Kristalina Georgieva took over as IMF chief, signaling her five-year term will champion empowering women and fighting climate change.
UNCTAD warns of 2020 global recession
UNCTAD cautioned there is "a clear and present danger" of a global recession in 2020 due to trade tensions, corporate debt and weaker growth worldwide.
UPU delegates reject Trump mail demand
The U.N. postal agency opened its Extraordinary Congress with a vote to reject the Trump administration's demand that it overhaul international delivery rates.
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.
IEA says oil supply is plentiful despite attacks on Saudi facilities
The Paris-based organization pointed to oil companies' reserves that still can meet demand for more than a month.
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.
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.
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.
Central bankers worried about the risks of trade wars and cheap money
The global bank for central banks said U.S. and European stimulus measures won't provide "sustainable momentum."