Global chemical weapons watchdog calls emergency session over Syria
A technical team has worked for years to address the 'gaps, discrepancies and inconsistencies' in Syria’s disclosure.
Syria
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As Syrian rebels take control, U.N. is cautious of 'watershed moment'
Humanitarians scrambled to protect civilians as rebels toppled the Assad regime after a nearly 14-year civil war.
U.N. adopts 'pact' of new governance ideas for 21st century challenges
The pact, approved by consensus, outlines 56 broad actions, including an explicit call to phase out fossil fuels.
Second round of U.N. emergency cash provided for crisis hotspots
More than a third of the funds will support aid efforts for people in Yemen (US$20 million) and Ethiopia (US$15 million).
Geneva Conventions at the 75-year mark can 'preserve lives and dignity'
The four international treaties, which form the rules of war, have been ratified or acceded to by virtually all nations.
Nine UNRWA staffers to be fired in connection to probe of Oct. 7 attacks
U.N. investigators found nine UNRWA staff members 'may have been involved' in Hamas' attacks on Israel last year.
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.
U.N. Syrian appeal set at more than US$4B for humanitarian crisis
Some 16.7 million people need humanitarian aid in Syria, up from 15.3 million a year ago, as its devastating war drags on.
Cash-strapped U.N. aid appeal falls to US$46 billion for 181 million
The U.N.'s global humanitarian appeal for itself and 1,900 partners in 2024 already assumes 40% in unmet needs.
Majority of nations pass measure setting up U.N. vote on 'killer robots'
The first-of-its-kind provision cites an “urgent need for the international community to address the challenges and concerns raised by autonomous weapons systems."
Danger of exhausting local water supply puts 1-in-4 at risk globally
'Extremely high water stress' afflicts 83% of the population in the Middle East and North Africa and 74% in South Asia.
Diplomats examine AI risks to peace and potential for global oversight
British diplomats are leading a push at the U.N. that could be a starting point for a multilateral approach to regulating AI.
Syria takes control of key border crossing for U.N. aid deliveries
The border crossing is essential for more than 4 million uprooted people in Syria who depend on humanitarian aid.
Record 110 million worldwide uprooted by conflict and climate
Some 52% of all refugees and others who needed international protection came from Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine.
More than 100 armed conflicts, most lasting for more than 30 years
A Swiss-led U.N. Security Council session called on all countries and armed groups to fulfill their obligations for protecting civilians under international humanitarian law.