U.N. envoy pans Syrian talks stalemate
Five days of discussions in Geneva ended with no progress. More Syria peace talks "can't continue like this," the U.N. special envoy to Syria told reporters.
United Nations (U.N.)
Founded at the end of World War II, the New York-based United Nations is an international organization with 193 member nations. It began with 50 nations meeting at San Francisco in 1945 to maintain international peace and security. Over two months, the U.N. Charter was created as the basis for the organization's hope of preventing another world war. Founding members Britain, China, France, the Soviet Union and the United States took permanent veto-wielding seats on the powerful Security Council.
Enjoy our Free+ stories and our weekly newsletter
Start your free accessAlready have an account? Log in
Poll finds wide agreement on 'climate emergency'
A U.N. survey found 64% of 1.2 million people polled in 50 nations — all of them video gamers — called climate change a global emergency.
Summit marks U.S. re-entry to climate fight
A global summit's mood was perhaps best reflected in the U.N. chief beaming at the new U.S. climate envoy's pledge to restore American climate leadership.
ILO: Pandemic dwarfs global financial crisis
The U.N. labor agency estimated job losses in 2020 due to the pandemic were quadruple those during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis.
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.
Study finds most large dams obsolete by 2050
Most of the world's population by mid-century will face risks living downstream from tens of thousands of aging concrete dams, says a U.N. University report.
Nuclear weapons ban enters into force
Advocates of world peace celebrated "EntryIntoForceDay" as the first legally binding treaty to ban nuclear weapons finally became international law.
WHO welcomes U.S. back to the 'family'
WHO basked in renewed U.S. cooperation as President Biden sent Dr. Anthony Fauci to repair damage from the Trump administration's withdrawal.
U.S. reversals on global health and climate policy
Moves to rejoin WHO and the Paris climate treaty were among a burst of immediate directives issued by U.S. President Joe Biden upon taking office.
Forum approves path to Libyan elections
A U.N.-backed Libyan forum voted to authorize a new way of choosing a transitional government that will hold nationwide elections in late December.
WHO chief angered at rich grip on vaccines
The WHO chief expressed moral outrage at rich nations' young, healthy adults getting vaccinated ahead of poor nations' elderly and health care workers.
ILO concerned for pandemic homeworkers
ILO reported the number of home-based workers soared with the pandemic, prompting the need for more employment protections.
U.N. warns pandemic used to fuel extremism
A top counterrorism official advised the U.N. Security Council that terrorists are exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to fuel violent extremism.
Leaders stoke ambitions to reverse nature crisis
French President Emmanuel Macron and U.N. and World Bank leaders hosted a virtual summit to improve the planet's health and save biological resources.
U.S. and U.N. roles at odds in Western Sahara
Pro-independence leaders in Western Sahara want the Biden administration to resolve a contradiction: U.S. policy runs counter to U.N.-led peace efforts.
WHO urges end to bilateral vaccine deals
The head of the U.N. health agency asked wealthy countries to stop hoarding most of the world's COVID-19 vaccine supply, saying it hurts poorer nations.