United Nations

UN Outer Space Committee Focuses on Climate Change

June 15, 2015

The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space has announced that an event at its session, hosted by the Government of France, will focus on how best to confront climate change mitigate its consequences through space activities.
UN Chief's Comments Indicate Global Governance Agenda

June 12, 2015

Recent remarks from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon demonstrate his conviction that 2015 is a key year for UN global governance, as it contains a number of potentially landmark decisions on whether to advance the organization's agenda on climate change and sustainable development.
IKEA, UN Agency Push for Supply Chain Scrutiny

June 12, 2015

In a long-term plan under which companies would be pressured to accept responsibility for the "sustainability" of their forest supply chains, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and furniture retailer IKEA have announced an initiative in which they will explore funding for forest "certification" schemes.
UN Pushes for Internet Aspect of Development Goals

June 11, 2015

A forum recently held by UN agencies called for countries to include information and communication technology ("ICT") issues, such as access to internet technology, as part of the expansive UN Sustainable Development Goals to be agreed later this year.
UN Human Rights Agents Predict Global Warming Disasters

June 10, 2015

Predicting catastrophic human rights impacts as a result of continuing global warming, UN human rights appointees have called on countries to negotiate a climate agreement that will protect economic, social, and cultural human rights from the effects of severe climate change.
Saudi Arabia Withdraws UNHRC Presidential Candidacy

June 10, 2015

UN Watch reports that, facing intense pressure from human rights group and other countries over its candidacy to lead the UN Human Rights Council ("UNHRC"), Saudi Arabia has withdrawn from the running for the position.
Israeli Diplomat Criticizes Politicization of UNRWA

June 10, 2015

At the 65th Anniversary of the establishment of the UN Relief and Works Agency ("UNRWA") to aid Palestinian refugees, Israel's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN David Roet argued that the politicization of the UNRWA agenda has prevented it from fulfilling its humanitarian mandate.
Abuse Allegations Force UN Chief to Appoint Review Panel

June 10, 2015

George Russell reports that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, faced with growing criticism of his handling of recent sex abuse allegations against forces involved in UN peacekeeping operations, has announced the formation of an independent review panel to investigate the allegations.
UNESCO Seeks Development Goals on Freedom of Expression

June 09, 2015

Highlighting the expansive scope of the UN's proposed Sustainable Development Goals and the lack of objective tools to measure their achievement, the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization ("UNESCO") has called for the goals to include promotion of the freedom of expression around the world.
WHO Adopts Resolution on Climate and Health

June 08, 2015

With participating countries stressing the importance of countering climate change to health, the annual assembly of the UN's World Health Organization ("WHO") recently adopted a resolution calling on countries to pursue policies to reduce air pollution and promote the UN sustainability agenda.