United Nations

For every $1 spent on protecting nature, $30 went into destruction: UNEP

Despite climate and biodiversity risks, a UN report finds the world spent $7.4 trillion damaging nature in 2023, around 30 times more than it invested in protecting ecosystems

US walks away from WHO leaving behind $260 million in unpaid dues

The withdrawal notice left the health organisation without its top donor. Between 2022 and 2023, the US contributed nearly $1.3 billion to the WHO

Trump calls for UN to work with new Board of Peace on Gaza, other conflicts

The reaction came after Trump formally launched the Board of Peace at the WEF, signing its charter and describing the move as a major step towards global conflict resolution

Trump's 'Board of Peace' adds to US challenges against UN authority

US President Donald Trump's ambition for the 'Board of Peace' to play a role in global conflicts beyond Gaza appears to be the latest US attempt to sidestep the UN Security Council, raising new questions about the relevance of the 80-year-old world body and uncertainty about its future as a primary force in brokering peace worldwide. Trump is establishing the board, to be composed largely of invited heads of state, as the UN has embarked on major reforms intended to modernise an organisation founded on the ashes of World War II and make it a more viable global player in the 21st century. A decades-long reform effort gained new impetus after the Trump administration last year set out to eliminate billions of dollars in funding to international organisations and humanitarian assistance at large. Cutting life-saving humanitarian efforts, consolidating major agencies and moving personnel out of New York headquarters are just a few of the changes the UN has made as it courts continued ..

'I wish we didn't need Board of Peace': Trump slams UN incompetency

When asked whether he wants the Board of Peace to replace the United Nations, Trump said they "haven't been very helpful," but believed in the organisation's potential

High Seas Treaty takes effect, setting new rules for ocean conservation

The world's first legally binding agreement to protect marine life in international waters took effect Saturday, marking a historic moment for ocean conservation after nearly two decades of negotiations. The High Seas Treaty will govern nearly half the planet's surface the vast ocean areas beyond any country's control. These waters face mounting threats from destructive fishing practices, shipping, plastic pollution, overfishing and potential deep sea mining, all compounded by climate change. The ocean absorbs carbon dioxide and produces oxygen, making its health critical for addressing the climate crisis. The treaty entered into force 120 days after it reached the threshold of ratification by 60 countries in September. As of Friday, 83 countries had ratified it, including the recent addition of major maritime powers such as China and Japan. The treaty creates the first framework for establishing Marine Protected Areas on the high seas, which make up about two-thirds of the world'

Israel to cut ties with several UN agencies citing bias and hostility

In a post on X on Tuesday, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision was made after a review of organisations named in the US announcement and of Israel's own experience

UN chief urges Iran to protect freedom of expression amid ongoing protests

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday (local time) urged Iranian authorities to "exercise maximum restraint" amid unrest in the country, stressing that the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly "must be fully respected" and "protected".The UN chief's remarks come amid protests in Iran that killed at least 420 protesters during anti-government demonstrations over the past 15 days, including eight children, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), CNN reported.In a post on X, the UN Secretary-General emphasised the need to refrain from the "unnecessary or disproportionate use of force" while handling public demonstrations."Shocked by reports of violence & excessive use of force by the Iranian authorities against protesters resulting in deaths & injuries in recent days. The rights to freedom of expression, association & peaceful assembly must be fully respected & protected. I urge the Iranian authorities

Hindi connects communities, brings people together: UN on World Hindi Day

Marking World Hindi Day on Saturday, the United Nations said the language connects communities and brings people together across borders. Saturday is World Hindi Day!" the UN said in a post on X with a greeting in Hindi. "Today and every day, we celebrate Hindi as a language that connects communities and brings people together across borders, the world body said on Hindi Diwas. It also urged people to follow @UNinHindi for more updates on the UN's work. In a first, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had issued his New Year's message for the year 2026 in Hindi, among other languages. Guterres' New Year message was issued in 11 languages, including the six official UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish, as well as Hindi and Urdu. His video message on the occasion was issued with Hindi subtitles as well. In 2018, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between India and the UN Department of Global Communications establishing the Hindi@UN' Project,

US has obligation to fund agencies, says UN after Trump quits global bodies

The top United Nations official has said that the United States has a legal obligation to keep paying its dues that fund UN agencies after the White House announced that it is withdrawing support from more than 30 initiatives operated by the world body. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he regretted President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from 31 UN-related agencies, including the UN's population agency and the UN treaty that establishes international climate negotiations. The US also will depart dozens of other global organizations or initiatives not affiliated with the UN As we have consistently underscored, assessed contributions to the United Nations regular budget and peacekeeping budget, as approved by the General Assembly, are a legal obligation under the UN Charter for all Member States, including the United States, Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for Guterres, said in a statement. He added that despite the announcement, the UN entities targeted will keep doing

India's economy likely to grow 6.6% in FY27 despite higher US tariffs: UN

The statistics ministry on Wednesday estimated the economy to grow 7.4 per cent in 2025-26

A sweeping exit: How Donald Trump is dismantling global governance

Trump's withdrawal from key global bodies may weaken multilateralism, but it risks ceding international leadership to China rather than strengthening American sovereignty

Trump’s global exit plan: Why the US is leaving 66 organisations | US News | Trump tariffs

US President Donald Trump has signed a memorandum directing the United States to withdraw from 66 international organisations, including 31 UN bodies.

Why Trump has moved US out of India-led International Solar Alliance

The US will withdraw from 31 UN organisations and 35 non-UN entities, including the International Solar Alliance, which is jointly led by India and France

Renowned ecologist, Champions of Earth recipient Madhav Gadgil dies at 83

Noted ecologist Madhav Gadgil, known for his work on the Western Ghats, has passed away in Pune after a brief illness, family sources said on Thursday. He was 83. Gadgil breathed his last late Wednesday night at a hospital in Pune, the sources said. In 2024, the United Nations presented Gadgil with the annual Champions of the Earth award, the UN's highest environmental honour, for his seminal work on the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot. Gadgil had chaired the government-constituted Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel to study the impact of population pressure, climate change, and development activities on the ecologically fragile region in India.

Trump signs order to withdraw US from 66 international organisations

Trump has signed an order to withdraw US from 66 international organisations, saying they undermine American sovereignty, waste taxpayer money and promote agendas that conflict with national interests

UN debates US Venezuela strike as countries warn against law violations

The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting Monday after an audacious US military operation in Venezuela over the weekend to capture leader Nicolas Maduro, with the United Nations' top official warning that America may have violated international law. Before the UN's most powerful body, both allies and adversaries blasted President Donald Trump's intervention and him signalling the possibility of expanding military action to countries like Colombia and Mexico over drug trafficking accusations. He also reupped his threat to take over the Danish territory of Greenland for the sake of US security interests. In a statement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he is deeply concerned that rules of international law have not been respected with regard to the 3 January military action. He added that the grave action by the US could set a precedent for how future relations between nations. Denmark, a fellow member of NATO with jurisdiction over the vast mineral-rich island of ..

Deep concern over instability in Venezuela after US action: UN chief

Highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the country's future, he added, "What is less certain is the immediate future of Venezuela"

UN chief slams US actions in Venezuela, says it sets dangerous precedent

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has voiced his concern over the escalation between the US and Venezuela culminating in the capture of the country's President Nicols Maduro, saying the developments constitute a dangerous precedent. The secretary general is deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela, culminating with today's United States military action in the country, which has potential worrying implications for the region, a statement issued by his spokesperson said on Saturday. Guterres said that independently of the situation in Venezuela, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent and said he is deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected. Maduro and his wife have been indicted by federal authorities in New York on charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to possess destructive devices against the US. In an extraordinary development, President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social in the early hours of Saturday that t

UN clears 7% reduced budget for 2026 as US arrears strain finances

The US usually contributes 22% of the UN's regular budget, but the Trump administration has not paid the $826 million bill for 2025 and it still owes some $660 million in arrears