United Nations

UN Body: US Must Address "Proliferation" of Racism

August 30, 2017

Following violence at a recent white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has called on the US government to "unequivocally and unconditionally reject and condemn racist hate speech and crimes" and take action "to address the root causes of the proliferation" of racist protests in the US.
UN Official Criticizes Israel Legislation on Jerusalem

August 30, 2017

UN Assistant-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenèa has warned that Israeli legislation seeking to expand control over East Jerusalem is "undermining" efforts to negotiate an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict "in line with UN resolutions and prior agreements."
Gulf Body Partners with UN on Environmental Issues

August 30, 2017

The Gulf Cooperation Council, a body representing the interests of six Gulf countries, and UN Environment have signed a partnership agreement to develop a “unified system” for addressing environmental challenges in the region and placing such issues “at the core of regional and transnational cooperation.”
Nigeria Reports to UN on SDG Progress

August 30, 2017

The Nigerian government submitted a status report at the UN High-level Political Forum seeking to show the country has made significant “policy, institutional and regulatory” changes with the goal of “mainstreaming” the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into “national policies, plans and programmes.”
World Bank Funds Indian Climate Efforts

August 30, 2017

The World Bank Group’s Global Environment Facility has awarded a grant to the government of India to improve the country's "sustainable" forest management and help it meet its "Nationally Determined Contribution" agreed as part of the UN's 2015 Paris climate accord.
UN Officials Link "Human Security" Agenda with SDGs

August 30, 2017

Addressing a high-profile event at UN headquarters, officials of the international organization called for governments and other actors to forge connections between the global "human security" agenda, a broad concept based in protecting individuals' economic and social freedoms through development, and achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UN Officials: End Israeli "Occupation" to Achieve Rights

August 30, 2017

Marking 50 years since the start of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war in June, a set of top UN officials issued messages asserting that ending Israel's "occupation" of Palestinian territories and establishing an independent Palestinian state is the "only way to achieve the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people."
UNESCO Issues "Inclusive Learning" Guide

August 30, 2017

Demonstrating the extent to which UN officials have expanded efforts to tell governments how to run their education systems, the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has produced a global guide teaching countries how to "develop and implement inclusive education policies and programmes and ensure inclusive learning environments."
UNESCO Pushes Urban "Creativity" for SDGs

August 29, 2017

At the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) recent Creative Cities Network Mayors’ Forum, on the topic of "designing inclusive public spaces in the digital age," speakers considered how city leaders can use "culture and creativity" to bolster the UN's comprehensive efforts to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UNESCO Training Focuses on Climate, "Sustainability" Education

August 29, 2017

At the conclusion of a recent Advanced Training Programme hosted by UNESCO's International Institute for Education Planning, representatives of the Institute stressed to trainees the importance of education on climate change and the UN's "sustainable development" agenda in contributing to "just and peaceful societies" around the world.