Category: UN Affairs

The independent Review Group – appointed in consultation with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini – will examine whether the agency is doing everything it can to ensure neutrality and to respond to allegations of serious breaches when they arise.

It will be led by former French Foreign Minister, Catherine Colonna, who will work with three research organizations: the Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Sweden, the Chr. Michelsen Institute in Norway, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

Work will begin on 14 February and an interim report is expected to be submitted to the Secretary-General in late March. The final report, which will be made public, is expected to be completed by late April.

Parallel investigations 

The review is in response to a request made by the UNRWA Commissioner-General last month.

It will take place in parallel with an investigation currently underway by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) into allegations of the involvement of 12 UNRWA personnel in the 7 October attacks. 

“The accusations come at a time when UNRWA, the largest UN organization in the region, is working under extremely challenging conditions to deliver life-saving assistance to the two million people in the Gaza Strip who depend on it for their survival amidst one of the largest and most complex humanitarian crises in the world,” the Secretary-General said in a statement. 

The UN warned last week that aid operations in Gaza are at risk as 16 donor countries have slashed support to the agency. 

Identify procedures, make recommendations 

The Secretary-General said the cooperation of the Israeli authorities, who made the allegations, will be critical to the investigation’s success, and his statement outlined the independent Review Group’s terms of reference.

The panel will identify the mechanisms and procedures that UNRWA currently has in place to ensure neutrality and to respond to allegations or information indicating that the principle may have been breached.

It will ascertain how those mechanisms and procedures have, or have not, been implemented in practice and whether every practicable effort has been made to apply them to their full potential, considering the particular operational, political and security environment in which the agency works.

Another task will be assessing if those mechanisms and procedures are fit for purpose, including in relation to the management of risks, and again taking into account the operational, political and security context. 

Finally, the Review Group will make recommendations for the improvement and strengthening, if necessary, of the mechanisms and procedures that are currently in place, or for the creation of new and alternative mechanisms and procedures that would be better fit for purpose, while considering the particular operational, political and security context in which UNRWA works. 

Displayed for all visitors to see, the tiny charcoal coloured block of Moon rock spent three decades in storage and made its re-appearance after a rigorous security process.

To Anne Soiberg-Friedkin, who works in facilities management at UN Headquarters, having a piece of the Moon reflects the immense feats of humanity.

“It’s so significant, it should be on display,” she told UN News. “It’s one of the newest gifts on display, even though it was given to us many many moons ago.”

UN DOS/Anne Soiberg-Friedkin

A four-ounce rock from the Moon, brought back by the Apollo 11 astronauts, is on display at UN Headquarters.

A symbol of mankind’s potential

The first successful Moon mission, led by the US space agency, NASA, returned with about one tonne of lunar rocks, which were shared across the world with nations and scientific institutions. A priceless insight into planetary science, experts have dated samples to about four billion years ago.

The UN’s foray into outer space matters began in the 1950s. By 1992, it had established the Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), mandated to ensure its peaceful use for the benefit of all.

Amid the ongoing cold war, the UN welcomed United States astronauts freshly returned from their Moon walk with a ceremony in August 1969.

“I’m sure the flight of Apollo 11 brought to us a renewed realization of what we, as members of the human race, can accomplish on this planet with our resources and technology if we are prepared to combine our efforts and work together for the benefit of all mankind,” said then UN Secretary-General U Thant.

Astronaut Neil Armstrong echoed that message while addressing the crowd gathered at UN Headquarters.

“I can tell that you share with us the hope that we citizens of Earth, who can solve the problems of leaving Earth, can also solve the problems of staying on it,” Mr. Armstrong said.

The Moon is not for sale

However, the Moon rock “gifts” are really just a loan, as it is illegal to own a piece of the celestial body, Ms. Soiberg-Friedkin explained.

The rules were set out in the General Assembly-adopted Outer Space Treaty, which entered into force in 1967. The instrument declared that no one can own outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies. That is why security for a piece of it is so important.

NASA’s guidelines were at the forefront, when it came to getting the Moon rock back on display. It took four years of planning ahead of its reappearance on UN Day on 24 October 2023, Ms. Soiberg-Friedkin said.

To prevent theft or damage to the invaluable rocks, stringent rules offered three choices: provide 24-hour security officer tours; a security officer alongside a locked and secure display unit; or installing a camera, the selected option.

The PVBLIC Foundation sponsored a camera for round-the-clock monitoring, Ms. Soiberg-Friedkin designed a bespoke case the UN Carpentry Shop built and an appropriate location was determined: the starting point of official UN tours.

UN Photo/Yutaka Nagata

The Moon rock was first displayed at UN Headquarters in 1970.

The gifts that keep on giving

Aside from the Moon rock, 193 Member States, individuals and institutions have kept up an official and unofficial gift giving tradition since the UN was founded in 1945. Its collection features such scientific terrestrial innovations as replicas of the first Russian Sputnik, which traversed the Earth’s orbit in 1957, and of a barjil, an ancient air conditioner that has been used to cool indoor temperatures in the Middle East and Asia for 3,000 years.

More recent gifts also dot the campus, including a set of modern chairs in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Chamber, donated by Sweden. The North Delegates Lounge showcases China’s massive Great Wall tapestry that took 26 technicians one full year to weave. Switzerland fitted out the iconic GA-0200 anteroom behind the General Assembly Hall podium for hosting Heads of State awaiting their time to address the world body, and Qatar plushily furnished the East Lounge.

Throughout UN Headquarters in New York, more than 240 official gifts are on display alongside many more donated to the Organization. Ask a UN tour guide to tell you more or check out the UN’s gift registry here.

UN Photo/Yutaka Nagata

US astronauts and representatives present UN Secretary-General U Thant with a piece of lunar rock and the UN flag that accompanied astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin, Jr. and Michael Collins on their journey to the Moon in 1969. (file)

Answer: 269 minutes

“Although we have been given the reputation of speaking at great length, the Assembly need not worry,” Fidel Castro of Cuba said at the outset. “We shall do our best to be brief.”

While the General Assembly requests that delegates limit their addresses to 15 minutes, on 26 September 1960, he remained at the rostrum for more than four hours.

Delivered just one year after the Cuban Revolution that led to the overthrow of the United States-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista, Mr. Castro used his time at the podium to criticize US imperialism and its interference in Latin American affairs.

Watch UN Video’s Stories from the UN Archive episode on Mr. Castro’s speech here, part of our series showcasing epic moments across UN history, cultivated from the UN Audiovisual Library’s 49,400 hours of video and 18,000 hours of audio recordings.

Catch up on the Stories from the UN Archive with UN Video’s playlist here, and join us every #ThrowbackThursday for a fresh dive into history.

UN Photo/Yutaka Nagata

In the UN General Assembly Hall, Fidel Castro of Cuba is surrounded by colleagues and well-wishers during the 1960 general debate. (file)

Emphasizing a commitment to addressing pressing challenges, President Dennis Francis signalled a determined push for transformative change.

“We must set our sights squarely on the Summit of the Future – the pivotal event of 2024 – where world leaders are expected to gather here in New York and forge a new global consensus on how to better deliver for people and planet,” he said.

With a focus on “supercharging” the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), preparations for the Summit will take centre stage from now until September.

“We must seize every opportunity to adapt our systems for good governance and the efficient delivery of global public goods,” he added.

The president’s term spans the sessions of the General Assembly. For Mr. Francis, President of the 78th session of the Assembly, his term started on 5 September last year and will end on 10 September 2024.

Foundation of peace

In his address, President Francis underscored the importance of peace as the “ultimate goal of our collective efforts” and the “bedrock upon which everything we do will rest”.  

“It is, therefore, crucial that we […] demonstrate both our political will and our ability to make this world a more peaceful and secure one,” he said.

Noting the clear Security Council deadlock over the situation in Gaza, the President recalled the resolution adopted at the resumed tenth Emergency Special Session, which demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and unhindered access for humanitarian aid.

He reiterated his call for the immediate implementation of the Assembly’s decisions and resolutions, for “meaningful progress on the ground” and saving innocent lives.

“Surely, a military solution is not possible in the Middle East conflict,” Mr. Francis added.

The Veto Initiative

President Francis also highlighted the Veto Initiative, emphasizing the critical importance of fostering accountability and cooperation between the UN’s Principal Organs to achieve system-wide coherence.

Under the landmark Initiative, the President is authorized convene a formal meeting of the 193‑member organ within 10 working days of the casting of a veto by one or more permanent members of the Security Council and hold a debate on the situation as to which the veto was cast.

Key events

He also announced a series of significant events the upcoming months, including the inaugural Sustainability Week (April); the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (Antigua and Barbuda, April); the third Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (Rwanda, June).

Also on the calendar is a high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance; and a commemorative event marking the 30th anniversary of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development.

The rumour began when Mr. Khrushchev travelled to New York at the height of the cold war. During the Assembly’s general debate for Heads of State and Government on 12 October 1960, he indicated that he wanted to make a point of order about the way his counterpart from the Philippines referred to the Soviet Union.

“You will not be able to smother the voice of the peoples,” he said at the time.

UN Video took a dive into history to learn what really happened with Mr. Khrushchev’s shoe. Watch the full episode here.

Catch up on our #ThrowbackThursday series here, and watch episodes from UN Video’s Stories from the UN Archive playlist here, cultivated from the UN Audiovisual Library’s 49,400 hours of video and 18,000 hours of audio recordings. Join us next Thursday for another dive into history.

UN Photo/Yutaka Nagata

Nikita Khrushchev, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, visited the United Nations where he addressed the 82-member General Assembly in 1959. (file)

What is the ICJ for, and how does it work?

The ICJ, which is situated in the Peace Palace in The Hague, a city in The Netherlands, was established in 1945 as a way of settling disputes between countries. The Court also provides advisory opinions on legal questions that have been referred to it by other authorized UN organs.

Widely known as the ‘World Court’, the ICJ is one of the six “principal organs” of the United Nations, on the same footing as the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Trusteeship Council and the Secretariat, and the only one that is not located in New York.

Unlike the Court of Justice of the European Union, the ICJ is not a supreme court to which national courts can turn: it can only hear a dispute when requested to do so by one or more States.

The Court is composed of 15 judges, all of whom are elected to nine-year terms of office by the UN General Assembly and Security Council. Elections are held every three years for one-third of the seats, and retiring judges may be re-elected. The Members of the Court do not represent their governments but are independent magistrates, and there is only ever one judge of any nationality on the Court.

Cases open with the parties filing and exchanging pleadings containing a detailed statement of the points of fact and of law on which each party relies, and an oral phase consisting of public hearings at which agents and counsel address the Court. 

The countries involved appoint an agent to plead their case, someone who has the same rights and obligations as a solicitor in a national court. Occasionally, a leading politician may defend their country, as in the 2020 Gambia/ Myanmar case (see below).

After this stage, the judges deliberate in camera (in private, behind closed doors), and then the Court delivers its verdict. The length of time this takes can be anything from a few weeks, to several years.

UN Photo/ICJ-CIJ/Frank van Beek

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivers its judgement in a case involving the US and Iran in 2019.

Why is the ICJ important?

The ICJ is the only international court that settles disputes between the 193 UN Member States. This means that it makes an important contribution to global peace and security, providing a way for countries to resolve issues without resorting to conflict.

What kind of cases are brought before the Court?

The Court can rule on two types of case: “contentious cases” are legal disputes between States; and “advisory proceedings” are requests for advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by United Nations organs and certain specialized agencies.

The case brought by South Africa against Israel on 29 December last year is the first time a contentious case has been brought against Israel at the ICJ (a 2004 advisory opinion found that the construction of the wall built by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, and its associated regime, is contrary to international law).

South Africa contends that “acts and omissions by Israel…are genocidal in character, as they are committed with the requisite specific intent…to destroy Palestinians in Gaza as a part of the broader Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group”. 

South Africa seeks to found the Court’s jurisdiction on the 1948 UN Genocide Convention, to which both countries are signatories. Israel rejects the allegations.

ICJ/Frank van Beek

Aung San Suu Kyi appears at the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 11 December 2019.

Another relatively recent case that gained international attention involved a ruling against Myanmar in January 2020, ordering the country to protect its minority Rohingya population and the destruction of evidence related to genocide allegations. That case, which was brought by The Gambia, was notable for the appearance of Aung San Suu Kyi, then the de facto leader of Myanmar, making an appearance at The Hague to defend her country.

As for “advisory proceedings”, On 20 January 2023, the General Assembly requested an advisory opinion from the Court on “Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem”.

In March 2023, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution to ask the court to deliver an advisory opinion on the obligations of States in respect of climate change, with most speakers in the resulting debate hailing the move as a milestone in their decades-long struggle for climate justice. Both advisory proceedings are ongoing.

Who can bring a case to the Court?

Any Member State can bring a case against any other Member State, whether or not they are directly in conflict, when the common interest of the international community is at stake. 

In the case of The Gambia v Myanmar for example, The Gambia was not directly concerned by the genocide allegations levelled against Myanmar, but that did not preclude the country from bringing the action, on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

© UNOCHA/Saviano Abreu

Civilians died in the small village of Hroza in eastern Ukraine following an attack.

What are the consequences of a Court ruling?

The rulings of the ICJ are final and there is no possibility of appeal. 

It is up to the States concerned to apply the decisions of the Court in their national jurisdictions, and, in most cases,they honour their obligations under international law and comply.  

If a country fails to perform the obligations incumbent upon it under a judgment, the only remaining recourse is to turn to the Security Council which can vote on a resolution, per the UN Charter. This happened in a case brought by Nicaragua against the United States in 1984, demanding reparations for the US support for Contra rebels. 

The ICJ ruled in Nicaragua’s favour, but the US refused to accept the finding. Nicaragua then took the matter to the Security Council, where a relevant resolution was vetoed by the United States.

How is the ICJ different from the ICC?

There is frequent confusion between the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The simplest way to explain the difference is that ICJ cases involve countries, and the ICC is a criminal court, which brings cases against individuals for war crimes or crimes against humanity. 

Also, whilst the ICJ is an organ of the United Nations, the ICC is legally independent of the UN, (although it is endorsed by the General Assembly).

While not all 193 UN Member States are parties to the ICC, it can launch investigations and open cases related to alleged crimes committed on the territory or by a national of a State party to the ICC or of a State that has accepted its jurisdiction. 

Cases have been heard and decisions rendered on a range of violations, from using rape as a weapon of war to conscripting children as combatants.

For a look back at the birth of the ICJ and the crucial role it plays in the work of the United Nations, check out our newly published UN Video piece today, part of our weekly Stories from the UN Archive series.

Just before Christmas, the 193 Member States that make up the UN General Assembly signed off a $3.59 billion budget to cover the expenses of the UN Secretariat in 2024. That’s a lot of money but, as UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq explained to UN News, there’s plenty of bang for each buck spent.

Farhan Haq: When you add up the regular UN Secretariat and peacekeeping budgets, the annual average cost of the UN for each person on the planet is about $1.25; that’s about the cost of a bag of chips in New York.

Aside from the U.N. Secretariat, the United Nations also comprises a vast range of agencies, funds, programmes and peacekeeping missions to deal with all kinds of issues, which are funded separately, and which are not included in the $3.59 billion budget. 

At the high end you have agencies such as the World Food Programme, the refugee agency (UNHCR) and the children’s fund (UNICEF), which have budgets in the billions of dollars. Smaller agencies deal with, for example, maritime affairs, world tourism or civil aviation, and have budgets set accordingly. Member States join and pay dues for these agencies on a voluntary basis.

United Nations.

UN News: How are Member States’ for the UN budget dues worked out?

Farhan Haq: The amount paid is based on a complex formula that includes the size of each country’s economy [other elements include the country’s external debt, income per capital, and level of development]. The amounts range from a high of 22 per cent of the budget, paid by the United States, to 0.001 per cent, paid by the least developed countries. [Find out how much your country paid in 2023 in UN dues here]

UN News: What happens if a country doesn’t pay its UN dues?

Farhan Haq: If the amount that a country owes is equal to what they were assessed to pay for the previous two years, they lose their vote in the UN General Assembly. They don’t get that vote back unless the General Assembly makes a special decision, or they pay enough to get below the two-year threshold, so they try to avoid owing that much.

UNMISS/Gregório Cunha

UN News: Does the budget keep going up every year?

Obviously, because of things like inflation, the budget might increase in nominal terms, but in real terms, there are many times when the United Nations cuts on expenses so that there is no overall real growth. On the other hand, dealing with crises such as the COVID-19 epidemic can add to expenses, in which case you can see a real rise in the budget. 

UN News: With so much money changing hands, how does the UN handle fraud and waste? 

Farhan Haq: We have external and internal auditors, such as the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services, that investigates allegations of internal fraud or corruption.

But the main method of oversight is ultimately through the Member States of the United Nations, which approve the annual budget and make sure that the expenses that the UN pays match up with its goals.  

The United Nations tries to use all of its money in ways that are verifiable. We have oversight at our peacekeeping operations, to ensure that all of the countries that contribute troops and equipment are reimbursed for the work that they do, and, when humanitarian aid goes out to countries, we try to put checks in place to make sure that all of the aid goes to where it is needed, and is not diverted.

© UNICEF/Ameen Haddad

UN News: What is the cost of humanitarian operations?

Farhan Haq: In 2021 [on top of the regular budget], we appealed for an extra $3.77 billion to help 174 million people in 60 countries.

That was crucial life-saving aid, and yet we received a little less than half of that; with some appeals only between 20 or 30 per cent of our expenses are met. It really depends; with some crises, that get the most attention worldwide, we get all of the money we’re asking for. But in others that are not as visible in the news get much, much less.

Humanitarian relief falls into a few basic categories, but the main ones have to do with food, drinkable water, shelter, and different assets that can help people survive. Whether it’s mosquito nets in some countries or winter clothing in others, we try to get it to people as efficiently as possible.

We don’t see humanitarian aid as simply an expenditure. It’s an investment in people, and a sign that we’re not giving up on those who have a crucial role to play in building their own country.

We need to create a better world where people can take care of themselves. And that’s what we try to do with the money we spend; when you invest a dollar in the education of a girl, you’re investing in someone who can create a better future for herself and for her community.

“Over the last six days, children and families, and the infrastructure they rely on have come under attack in Dnipro, Lviv, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Odesa, and other populated areas”, said Munir Mammadzade.

With schools and health facilities destroyed and damaged, “Ukraine’s youngest citizens continue to bear the brunt of these attacks. Our heartfelt thoughts are with all those affected”, he continued.

At least eight schools and 10 health care facilities, including a maternity hospital, were reportedly damaged in the past week. 

Homes have been destroyed, and millions of children have started 2024 “under the sounds of sirens and bombardment, stoking a familiar fear”, said UNICEF’s top official in Ukraine. 

“The cumulative impact of reported casualties, damage to infrastructure, and relentless attacks has turned what should be a season of joy into one marred by dread, fear and sorrow.”

For children whose homes have been damaged or destroyed, often with heat and water cut off, the situation is particularly dire as they are facing temperatures reaching as low as -20°C.

“Nearly 1,800 children have been killed or injured since the escalation of the war in Ukraine, according to UN-verified reports. The true number is likely far higher”, added Mr. Mammadzade. 

He said killing and maiming of children, attacks on schools and healthcare, are grave violations of children’s rights and must stop.

Back up power for Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant: IAEA

Following discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency, Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has taken action to ensure an immediate back-up supply of electricity is available in the event of the main power line going down amid the fighting, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said on Wednesday.

Frequent power cuts have remained a serious concern for safety and security at the Russian-held plant, which is Europe’s largest. Electricity supply is crucial to cool reactors, even if it’s fully shut down. 

Since August 2022 – just months after Russia’s full-scale invasion began, the ZNPP has suffered eight events where offsite power has been lost, noted IAEA.

“This means that if the main power supply through the 750 kV switchyard is lost, the back-up line will automatically be able to provide electricity to the plant without manual, and hence delayed, intervention, provided it remains operational,” Mr. Grossi said.

“This is a significant development, as it enables independence and redundancy in the site’s power supply scheme, even though overall offsite supply “remains extremely fragile”, he added. 

Rights experts’ alarm at death row ‘experiment’ in US

The imminent execution of a man on death row in the United States using the untested method of inhaling pure nitrogen must be stopped, top UN-appointed independent human rights experts said on Wednesday. 

Kenneth Eugene Smith was convicted of murder in 1988 and sentenced to death. He is scheduled to be executed on 25 January in Alabama. 

Authorities failed in their attempt to execute Mr. Smith in November 2022 by lethal injection.

UN Special Rapporteur Morris Tidball-Binz and other top rights experts appointed by the Human Rights Council expressed concern that this first attempt at nitrogen asphyxiation “would result in a painful and humiliating death”. 

The experts added that punishments which cause unnecessary severe pain or suffering “likely violate the Convention against Torture, to which the United States is a party”.

‘Super Cereal’ boost for mothers in Timor-Leste: WFP

The Timor-Leste health ministry and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday signed a new agreement to purchase stocks of so-called Super Cereal, a specialized nutritious food which can help ease malnutrition in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

It’s designed to assist around 10,819 pregnant and breastfeeding women in 13 municipalities: “Women and girls of childbearing age face the brunt of nutritious food gaps in the country”, said Alba Cecilia Garzon Olivares, WFP Country Representative, for Timor-Leste.

“This, coupled with the impact of COVID-19, increasing food costs, and climate shocks, places women at increased risk of malnutrition”, she added. 

She said the UN’s emergency food aid agency was “delighted” to partner with the Ministry of Health to boost lifesaving nutrition “and to support a healthier future for mothers and children in Timor-Leste,” 

The initiative is part of Timor-Leste’s broader strategy to eradicate stunting and reach the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of zero hunger by 2030.

July: Is a second half comeback possible?

2023 marked the midway point for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a blueprint for a better future adopted by all UN Member States in 2015. The half-time score showed that the world is falling behind on all of the 17 Goals and will struggle to achieve any of them by 2030.

The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) – the big mid-year event at UN Headquarters to evaluate progress on the SDGs, held from 8 to 17 July – will be an opportunity to evaluate how much political will there is to turn them into a reality. Expect a focus on hunger and poverty, climate change, and sustainable development.

In other news: Look to the stars

If you caught the Brad Pitt movie Ad Astra in 2019, you might remember a seemingly outlandish shootout on the surface of the Moon. Yet, as the prospect of a lunar base being established in the next few years becomes more likely, there is a growing realization that, to avoid a potential free-for-all, there need to be international agreements on how to exploit the Moon’s resources. 

The fresh attention prompted the General Assembly to designate 20 July – the anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing –as International Moon Day, in a 2012 Resolution on “international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space”. Interest has grown since then, and this year around 42 events took place around the world, from workshops to panel discussions.

© UNOCHA/Saviano Abreu

UN staff deliver life-saving water and food to some 500 families in a small village near Kherson, about 15 kilometres from the front line in Ukraine.

August: Honouring humanitarians

Humanitarian workers are recognised annually on World Humanitarian Day on 19 August for their contribution to the survival, well-being, and dignity of people affected by crises around the world.

The commemoration was established 21 years ago, after the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, was bombed and 22 aid workers, including the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, were killed.

The day which also focuses on the safety of humanitarians will recognize all those, including a record number in Gaza, who have lost their lives serving others.

In other news: Beat the drum

August will mark three years since the de facto Taliban authorities seized power in Afghanistan. The UN continues to provide humanitarian relief and crucially to advocate for human rights, especially those of women and girls.

When you have lemons, make lemonade. When you have an oil drum…make music! The idea of turning oil drums into steelpans began in Trinidad & Tobago in the early 20^th Century, and the steelpan music that can now be heard around the world is a link to the West African percussive traditions kept alive by slaves taken to work on Caribbean plantations. The power and tradition of steelpan music is celebrated on 11 August, on World Steelpan Day.

UN Photo/Laura Jarriel

The Summit of the Future to which all UN Member States are invited is due to take place from 22-23 September.

September: Look to the future, it’s only just begun

Look out for the Summit of the Future on 22 and 23 September, which aims to “forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better [DD2] present and safeguard the future”. A “pact for the future” will be adopted, in the hope that it will lead to the international community effectively tackling current challenges, as well as those that have emerged in recent years or may yet be over the horizon.

The Summit will be the centrepiece of General Assembly High-Level week, traditionally the busiest time of the year at UN Headquarters.

The High-Level Debate, in which the leaders of Member States are invited to speak in the General Assembly building, will begin on Tuesday 24 September. 

In other news: All in moderation

We will never be able to live in harmony with the planet, without taking a close look at the way we produce and consume. The One Planet Network, which includes UN agencies, governments, NGOs and academic institutions, aims to inspire a global movement for sustainable consumption and production, by sharing knowledge and encouraging action for change.

After holding its initial Forum in Stockholm in 2022, the second edition will take place on 12 September, and will identify fresh solutions, tools, and strategies for a sustainable future.

© Unsplash/K. P. D. Madhuka

Green forest lizards are found in forests in India and Sri Lanka.

October: Bringing biodiversity back from the brink

The natural world is facing a dangerous decline, and around one million species are under threat. Between 21 October and 1 November, the UN biodiversity conference will take place in Turkey, where delegates will discuss how to turn restore lands and seas in a way that protects the planet, and respects the rights of local communities.

The event will build on the historic achievement of a historic agreement reached by the international community, to protect nature, and set global targets to safeguard biodiversity. The challenge will be to turn these ambitious targets into action by 2030.

In other news: Feed the world

The world currently produces enough food to feed everyone, but last year more than 810 million people went hungry. To provide fresh impetus for a transformed global food system, the UN held the first World Food Forum in Rome in 2023, a four-day youth-led event, featuring Heads of State, food influencers, artists, and UN experts.

The second edition, which begins on 14 October, will build on the success of the inaugural Forum, and continue the growth of a global movement to restore and renew agri-food systems, and eliminate hunger.

© COP28/Stuart Wilson

A participant attends the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 at Expo City Dubai.

November: The climate bandwagon moves to Azerbaijan

After three decades of UN climate conferences, the nations of the world finally expressed an aspiration to transition away from fossil fuels, at the 2023 conference in Dubai. This was hailed by some as some by a breakthrough, and the beginning of the end for dirty power sources, but many people, including António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, were frustrated at the slow pace at which the world is moving towards a carbon-free future.

“A fossil fuel phase out is inevitable. Let’s hope it doesn’t come too late,” said Mr. Guterres in response to the declaration. With the focus on the climate crisis only likely to intensify next year, all eyes will be on Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 24 November, host of the 2024 conference (COP29), to see if the pace of change can be sped up.

In other news: Cities on the agenda

The inexorable movement of populations from rural areas to urban conurbations shows no sign of slowing down, increasing the pressure on municipal authorities to provide adequate services for their citizens.

Over the past two decades, the World Urban Forum, established by the UN, has become the key global event on sustainable urbanization. The 12^th edition will be held from 4–8 November 2024 in Cairo, Egypt, just before the big COP29 meeting in Baku, and promises to be as inclusive as previous events, giving a wide range of people with a stake in making cities liveable, clean and thriving, the opportunity to have their say.

© UNICEF/Areej Alghabri

Girls play basketball on World Children’s Day in Sana’a, Yemen.

December: Nuclear safety in the spotlight

Nuclear energy has been touted as an important tool in the move to a zero-carbon energy system. However, fears about the safety of the energy sources persist: many still remember the environmental consequences of the Fukushima disaster in 2011, and the Chernobyl explosion in 1986.

From 2 – 6 December, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold the fourth International Conference on Enhancing Nuclear Safety and Security in Vienna, Austria. The event will play a vital part in national and international efforts being made to ensure the effectiveness of nuclear and radiation safety, and the security of facilities and activities.

In other news: Hoops for peace?

There are dozens of general elections expected to take place across the world in 2024 including in South Sudan. The first post-independence elections which were due to be held in 2015, were delayed and will hopefully take place before the end of the year. The UN peacekeeping mission, UNMISS, is implementing proactive measures aimed at mitigating the risks of violence before, during and after voting.  

Meanwhile, basketball which was first played in the US in 1891, is being recognized for its role in supporting the empowerment of women and girls, promoting peace and development, and respect for human rights.

The second World Basketball Day celebrations will take place on 21 December.