United Nations

HRW Criticizes UNESCO for Saudi NGO Forum

July 31, 2017

Adam Coogle of the nongovernmental organization (NGO) Human Rights Watch writes that the decision by the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to host its International Forum of NGOs in Saudi Arabia is a "slap in the face" of human rights activists in the country jailed for allegedly violating its extremely restrictive NGO laws.
Paper Considers Impacts of US Funding Cuts on UN

July 31, 2017

A paper from the Brookings Institution analyzes the potential budget impacts of US funding cuts for parts of the UN system and argues that the amount of future US funding for the organization depends on "how much responsibility does it want to take on in shaping the world’s new normal."
Israel Withholds Funding from UNESCO

July 31, 2017

AP reports that Israel has announced that it is withholding $1 million in funding for the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) following the adoption of a UNESCO resolution that, according to the Israeli government, diminishes the ties of the Jewish people to Jerusalem.
Academic Details "Hard" Law in Paris Climate Deal

July 28, 2017

A paper by Professor Lavanya Rajamani paints the UN's 2015 Paris agreement on combating climate change as a "carefully calibrated mix of hard, soft and non-obligations" with "blurred boundaries" among each, making clear the assertion that the deal is merely a statement of ambition does not capture the full picture of the document.
UN Event Targets Impact of IP Rules on Medicine Access

July 27, 2017

Speakers at a recent event organized by the UN Secretary-General on increasing access to medicine called for national and international policies to limit drug patents, encourage the international proliferation of medicines, and ensure “fair prices” for patients in line with health-related targets under the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
UN Independent Expert Praises Cuba in Report

July 27, 2017

UN Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity Virginia Dandan praised the Cuban government after a recent visit to the country for furthering “good practices” with other countries around the world through its “international solidarity activities.”
UN Event Lauds University Collaboration on SDGs

July 27, 2017

A UN side event held during the High-Level Political Forum 2017 discussed how universities are “integrating” the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into university policy and practice, making them “key drivers” in achieving the 2030 Agenda.
UN Forum Seeks to Implement Global Forest Goals

July 27, 2017

At the UN Forum on Forests in New York in May, delegates gathered to discuss the implementation of a set of Global Forest Goals adopted a week earlier by the UN General Assembly that seek to provide a global framework for action to sustainably manage forests and trees around the world in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
UN Rights Office Criticizes Arkansas Execution Process

July 27, 2017

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed "deep concern" regarding the recent executions of four men in Arkansas, claiming that the state was denying the prisoners' due process rights by "rushing executions" before the expiration of a lethal injection drug.
UNESCO Launches "Ocean Literacy" Initiative

July 27, 2017

As part of its campaign to implement ocean-related targets under the UN's comprehensive Sustainable Development Goals, the UN Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has launched an "Ocean Literacy for All" initiative seeking to advance education on ocean "sustainability" around the world.