Global Hunger Declines Slightly, But Inequality Deepens. Global hunger levels declined slightly in 2024, according to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2025 report, released at the Second UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake (UNFSS+4) in Addis Ababa. But this modest progress masks a troubling reality: hunger is worsening in Africa…
The United Nations Headquarters in New York has arguably the highest concentration of diplomats per square foot — especially during the annual General Assembly High-level Week, which this September will gather for its 80th session. In the world of international diplomacy, ambassadors usually wear suits, negotiate resolutions, and bang gavels. But lately, some of those…
Expert tips on protecting your child’s privacy in the digital age Navigating parenthood in the digital age is no easy task. Social media, smartphones, and other technologies are advancing at a rate that seems to grow faster than our children, and it’s not always clear how to use them safely, even when you have the…
Global leaders call for major reforms to save UN peacekeeping missions as violence surges, political deadlock deepens, and the threat of reduced U.S. funding looms With wars flaring across continents and trust in global institutions waning, the United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin this week became a pressure valve for an overburdened and underfunded system….
John Gast, American Progress, 1872 Columbia, the female figure of America, leads Americans into the West and into the future by carrying the values of republicanism. MANIFEST DESTINY Manifest Destiny is defined as “the concept of American exceptionalism, that is, the belief that America occupies a special place among the countries of the world.” The…
In an insightful interview, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations at the United Nations, discusses the evolving landscape of peacekeeping, its challenges, and its future in a world fraught with conflict. Here, Lacroix shares his perspective on the relevance of peacekeeping, the complexities of peace operations in Africa, and the role of diplomacy in…
In the wake of Assad regime’s collapse, sanctions, religious zealotry, local enmities and geopolitical competition shape Syria’s complex and volatile landscape, in which HTS has become a dominant force, fueling not only hopes, but also concerns. According to UNDP, fourteen years of conflict in Syria have undone nearly four decades of economic, social and human…
Yamazaki Kazuyuki (left), Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, attends the Peace Bell Ceremony on the occasion of the International Day of Peace 2024 (21 Sep). The theme of the International Day of Peace 2024 is Cultivating a Culture of Peace. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s…
Is the country still the diplomatic hub it once was? ‘It is in our DNA,’ says the Swiss envoy. At a time when diplomacy is being tested like never before—from the war in Ukraine to escalating tensions in the Middle East—Switzerland, a cornerstone of international mediation, now faces questions about its neutrality. Is the country…
8 tips to support and comfort your children When conflict or war makes the headlines, it can cause feelings such as fear, sadness, anger and anxiety wherever you live. Here are some tips on how to approach the conversation with your child and to provide them with support and comfort. 1- Find out what they…
It has been reported that about 750 million or nearly one in ten people in the world are exposed to severe levels of food insecurity, and 2 billion people do not have regular access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food. In northern Ghana, 33% of children are stunted, 11% are underweight, and 6.3% are wasted…
As global instability mounts, the stakes are high for the 79th Unit- ed Nations General Assembly week. While tensions in Europe and the Middle East continue to dominate the diplomatic agenda and shake up the global order, all eyes will be on New York in September for leaders to set the diplo- matic agenda for…
When the earth freezes in Mongolia, a large part of the economy freezes with it. In this agrarian society where livestock outnumbers humans twenty to one, the winter disaster known as a dzud threat- ens lives and livelihoods for all. And the climate crisis is tightening its icy grip. Typical of Mongolia’s harsh climatic con-…
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Who among us has not been frustrated at some point by the bureaucracy of this institution to the extent of wondering what’s the point of the UN’s existence? If there’s a topic where that discussion gets really heated, it’s Haiti, a country where so much is being done and so little positive effect.
UNESCO has approved the designation of 11 new biosphere reserves in 11 countries, including Belgium and Gambia for the first time and two transboundary biosphere reserves. The other new biosphere reserves are located in Colombia, Dominican Republic, Italy, Mongolia, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Slovenia and Spain. With these new…
Leonardo DiCaprio has used his fame and status as a United Nations Messenger for Peace to move the needle on climate change. But the question remains: Are world leaders listening? While many of the U.N.’s “messengers” and “special envoys” use the honorific title for good will, for projects, and, needless to say, for publicity –…
