UNESCO opens global ministerial dialogue on science diplomacy
Experts agreed science and diplomacy need to evolve to build trust, solve problems, and promote national interests.
UNESCO
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Climate action to save glaciers 'a matter of survival' for people too
More than 275,000 glaciers cover 700,000 square kilometers of the planet. Glaciers and ice sheets store 70% of all freshwater.
Trump orders general review of U.S. funding and ties to United Nations
The U.S. president also withdrew the U.S. from the U.N. Human Rights Council and stopped funding for UNRWA.
Trump strongly rejects international cooperation. Round 2 is underway.
Here's a timeline of Trump's actions involving international organizations and treaties, from his first term to the present.
Almost nine in 10 journalist killings went unpunished around the world
UNESCO verified 162 journalist killings in 2022 and 2023 – one every four days – including 44% in areas of armed conflict.
Envoy to Yemen tells U.N. Security Council of a new 'path to de-escalate'
The U.N. secretary-general's special envoy for Yemen said regional dangers grew but the warring parties are talking.
U.N. revives Palestinians' bid for membership with vote on new rights
The 143-9 vote with 25 abstentions urges the U.N. Security Council to favorably reconsider the Palestinians' request.
Threats of diminished U.S. role in U.N. returns with political season
Nikki Haley has adopted Trump's hard line against U.N. participation but stopped short of calling for total withdrawal.
UNESCO recommends 13 years as minimum age for AI use in schools
The U.N. agency's first global guidance urges governments to quickly regulate generative AI in education and research.
UNESCO World Heritage sites contain 20% of known species
The 1,157 protected sites account for less than 1% of Earth's surface but play vital roles as biodiversity hotspots.
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.
AI robots say they won't rebel but can run world better than humans
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U.S. rejoins UNESCO as countermove to China's growing influence
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Paris summit approves drafting global plastic pollution treaty
The summit ended with support for creating a "zero draft" treaty ahead of the next negotiations at Nairobi in November.
Talks open on plastics treaty to defuse environmental 'time bomb'
About 69% of all the plastics produced, mainly through fossil fuel burning, are used just once or twice before they are thrown away. About 22% is mismanaged. Just 9% is recycled.
U.N. proposes global 'roadmap' to 80% cut in plastic pollution by 2040
The estimated annual social and environmental costs of plastic pollution range from $300 billion to $1.5 trillion.