United Nations

Israeli PM Calls for Dissolution of UNRWA

August 15, 2017

Reuters reports that, in response to the discovery of tunnels used for terrorism purposes under schools supported by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinians, along with the alleged support for terrorist incitement among the UN agency's staff, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the "dismantling" of UNRWA.
US Proposes $1 Billion Cut to UN Peacekeeping Funding

August 15, 2017

Reuters reports that, reflecting complaints from President Donald Trump that US contributions to the UN peacekeeping system are disproportionate, an opening proposal submitted by the US government to the UN in June for its contribution to the organization's annual peacekeeping budget would cut $1 billion from its contribution the previous year.
Israel Protests Terror Tunnels at UNSC

August 15, 2017

The Times of Israel reports that the Israeli government has protested to the UN Security Council (UNSC) regarding tunnels discovered under UN-supported schools in Gaza potentially used to move fighters or smuggle goods, calling on the UNSC to condemn Hamas and ramp up action to prevent the use of UN institutions to hide such tunnels.
German Official Seeks UN "Crisis Fund"

August 15, 2017

Reuters reports that German Development Minister Gerd Mueller has called for the UN to establish a permanent 10 billion euro "crisis fund," to be extracted from countries on the basis of "financial strength," to provide food aid to prevent famines in East Africa.
UN Summit Pushes SDG Targets on Oceans

August 15, 2017

The inaugural UN Oceans summit hosted in New York in June ended with a "Call for Action" from government participants to align ocean policies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and included the registration of over 1,300 "voluntary commitments" from the public and private sectors to use the oceans in a "sustainable" manner.
African Ministers Commit to Continental Climate Action

August 15, 2017

A press release from the UN Environment Programme celebrates a set of declarations from African environment ministers at a June meeting in Gabon pledging their countries' implementation of the UN's climate and "sustainable development" agendas.
UN Funds Assad Allies Blacklisted by US, EU

August 15, 2017

Bloomberg reports that the UN’s 2016 annual report on procurement shows the UN paid at least $18 million to companies with “close ties” to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, including to companies headed by individuals blacklisted by the US and EU.
UN Diplomats to Begin Sea Conservation Treaty Negotiations

August 15, 2017

The New York Times reports that, after two years of initial talks, UN diplomats are set to begin formal negotiations on a treaty that would provide for the global governance of large portions of international waters to protect marine biodiversity and fishing stocks.
UNHCR: Australia Must Continue Services for Refugees

August 15, 2017

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed “grave concern” over the Australian government’s decision to close an offshore refugee processing center, urging the government to carry out its international obligations to provide “viable, humane solutions," as well as medical and security services, to the refugees in Papua New Guinea.
Australia Criticizes UN Agent's Migration Rights Report

August 14, 2017

In response to a report from UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants François Crépeau calling Australia's treatment of asylum seekers a "blemish" on its human rights record, the Australian government argued that the UN agent made a "considerable number" of legal and factual errors in his report and touted the beneficial impact of its strong border-control system.