United Nations

Schaefer Opposes US Look at Rejoining UN Tourism Body

June 25, 2019

Brett Schaefer of the Heritage Foundation writes that the US State Department should halt its consideration of rejoining the UN’s World Tourism Organization because it would “squander” American tax dollars without any benefits in American prestige or economic activity.
UN Chief Launches Action Plan Against “Hate Speech”

June 19, 2019

AP reports that UN Secretary-General António Guterres has launched an action plan seeking to coordinate efforts across the UN system to counter “hate speech” and to work with governments, companies, and NGOs to prevent “hate-filled content” from reaching audiences online.
UN Chief: Sea Treaty Is Essential to Limit Climate Impacts

June 19, 2019

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has identified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as “a foundation for the progressive development of the Law of the Sea” and necessary to halt the “unprecedented pressure” on the oceans imposed by climate change.
UNESCO Paper Addresses Resistance on Sexuality Education

June 19, 2019

A new paper from the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) acknowledges global pushback on its “comprehensive sexuality education” agenda but characterizes it as “an essential part of a good quality education,” including for children at the age of five.
UN, WEF Sign Partnership Agreement on Sustainable Development

June 19, 2019

The World Economic Forum (WEF) and the UN have signed a “Strategic Partnership Framework” with the aim of building a more coordinated approach toward the organizations’ work toward achieving the UN’s comprehensive Sustainable Development Goals.
UN Chief Seeks Substantial Increase in EU Emissions Action

June 17, 2019

Reuters reports that UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on European Council President Donald Tusk to encourage EU leaders to ramp up plans to limit greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2030 to help achieve the UN’s Paris climate deal targets.
US Authorities Criticize UN Official’s Visit to Xinjiang

June 17, 2019

Fox News reports that the US State Department has criticized as “highly inappropriate” a visit by Under-Secretary for the UN Counter-Terrorism Office Vladimir Voronkov to the Chinese province of Xinjiang, where US authorities say there is a a “repression campaign” underway against the Muslim Uighur population.
UNICEF Ranks Countries on Parental Leave, Childcare Policies

June 14, 2019

Newsday reports that the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has published a ranking of 41 countries’ “family friendliness,” focusing on national policies regarding paid maternity and paternity leave and funding for early childhood care and giving the US a poor score due to its lack of a federal parental leave policy.
UN Chief Laments Organization’s “Financial Crisis”

June 12, 2019

In testimony to the UN’s budget committee, UN Secretary-General António Guterres complained of a “financial crisis” at the international organization due to the failure of member states to pay contributions “in full and on time” and pushed for wide-ranging budget reform, including by creating a single fund for peacekeeping operations.
UN Official Labels US Abortion Restrictions “Torture”

June 05, 2019

In a recent interview, the UN’s Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kate Gilmore referred to new state restrictions on abortion in the US as “torture” and “gender-based violence against women.”