U.N. starts unloading oil from Yemen tanker to prevent disaster
Without U.N. intervention, the tanker could have released as much as four times the oil spilled by the Exxon Valdez in 1989.
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.
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U.N. chief says new 'multipolar world' is replacing post-Cold War era
Guterres' bid to revitalize multilateralism is at the heart of his “New Agenda for Peace” policy paper for the United Nations.
Deep-sea mining emerges as a flashpoint in shift from fossil fuels
Mining the deep seas: The best way forward to a green energy transition, or a looming environmental disaster?
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.
Russia halts landmark grain deal in major setback to fighting hunger
The U.N.-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative signed between the world body, Russia, Ukraine and Turkey in July 2022 has been vital to allow food supplies to reach global markets.
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.
U.N. sounds alarm on universal roadmap to lift people out of poverty
Just 15% of the SDGs – which include 169 specific targets and 17 broad goals that the world agreed to in 2015 – is on track.
IAEA finds no nuclear sabotage plans in Ukraine but can't rule it out
Experts with the Vienna-based U.N. agency have inspected parts of the facility in recent days and weeks, but Russian occupying forces are restricting some access.
International forums in 'decline' from war and spies in Europe
Swiss intelligence points to a "continuing high espionage threat" particularly in Geneva's hub of multilateralism.
Macron calls for "public finance shock" to curb climate pollution
Speakers blamed major economies for a system that puts profits over fighting poverty and caring for the planet.
In plea for clean energy, U.N. chief says Big Oil + fossil fuels = extinction
"Let's face facts. The problem is not simply fossil fuel emissions. It's fossil fuels – period," he said.
U.N. chief backs creation of a new international AI watchdog agency
A new organization to supervise artificial intelligence could be modeled after the U.N. atomic watchdog agency, created in response to nuclear technology.
Net zero targets on rise to achieve U.N. goals, but won't get the job done
Some 1,475 out of 4,000+ governments and businesses had net zero emissions targets, but "integrity" measures are lacking.
Ukraine dam blast unleashes disaster with nuclear ramifications
Kyiv said Russian forces blew up the Kakhovka dam and hydroelectric power station along the Dnieper River, while Moscow blamed it on the Ukrainian military.
Slovenia outdistances Belarus in U.N. vote that reflects war in Europe
The U.N. General Assembly's vote for the next five seat-holders on the powerful Security Council for 2024-25 delivered a resounding win to an E.U. member over a Russian ally.
Ukraine grain shipments slow in Russian bid to export ammonia
Moscow wants the transit of ammonia, a key ingredient in nitrogen-based fertilizers, to resume in Ukrainian territory.