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The International Labour Organization said it expects a global unemployment rate of 4.9% this year after originally forecasting unemployment would rise to 5.2% from 5% last year

World unemployment to fall slightly in 2024 - UN

Global unemployment is set to fall slightly this year, a United Nations agency said today, reversing its previous prediction of a rise while warning of "slow progress" on tackling inequalities.

Business • 29 May 24

The forecourt of a former school turned into a camp for people displaced by rising gang violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Haiti civilians face 'inhuman' violence - UN

People in Haiti are exposed to "inhuman" levels of violence including extreme sexual violence, according to the UN's Humanitarian Coordinator for Haiti, Ulrika Richardson.

World • 28 Feb 24

Support for Ukraine weakens at UN as anniversary nears

UN member states rallied around Ukraine after Russia's full scale invasion in February 2022, but divisions over Israel's bombardment of Gaza has weakened support for Ukraine at the UN.

Ukraine • 20 Feb 24

Council diplomats working on the resolution are reluctant to risk another US veto

UN Security Council vote on Gaza enters third day

The deadlock at the UN Security Council over a call to suspend hostilities to allow aid into Gaza is due to enter its third day.

Middle East • 20 Dec 23

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was one of the first achievements of the United Nations

Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 75

On December 10, 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the hope of creating a better world after the horrors of World War II.

News Lens • 11 Dec 23

A young boy with severe malnutrition is examined at a clinic in Rotriak, South Sudan

UN needs €43.1 billion for aid in 'bleak' 2024

The United Nations appealed for $46 billion (€43.1bn) in funding for 2024 to help millions of people affected by humanitarian crises around the globe, including in the occupied Palestinian territories, Sudan and Ukraine.

World • 11 Dec 23

It is the first time António Guterres has invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter since he became UN Secretary General in 2017

Guterres invokes Article 99 to 'avert catastrophe'

UN Secretary General António Guterres has taken the highly unusual step of writing a letter to the UN Security Council under Article 99 of the UN Charter, calling on the Council to "press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza and appealing for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared.

United Nations • 07 Dec 23

Dismay as world is 'silent' on atrocities in Sudan

Mass atrocities in Darfur 20 years ago, galvanised the world into action. But amid reports of ethnic cleansing again, human rights groups say the "silent" international community has failed the people of Sudan.

World • 02 Dec 23

A UNFPA report '8 Billion Lives, Infinite Possibilities: the case for rights and choices' was launched in DCU (Image: Cecilie Falkenstrom)

Irish launch of report on global population takes place

One year on since the world's population surpassed eight billion people, a major report has been launched in Ireland calling for a radical rethink of how population numbers are framed.

Ireland • 15 Nov 23

UN General Assembly delegates wait for the election results of new members to the Human Rights Council

Russia loses bid for seat on UN Human Rights body

Russia, which was ejected from the UN Human Rights Council following its invasion of Ukraine last year, has failed in its bid to re-join.

World • 11 Oct 23

The sugar index jumped 9.8% in September from August - hitting its highest level since November 2010

UN world food price index steady despite sugar surge

The United Nations food agency's world price index was largely stable in September, as declines in the indices for vegetable oils, dairy and meat offset a surgein sugar and maize prices.

Business • 06 Oct 23

High seas treaty moves closer to reality

Nearly 70 countries at the United Nations have signed a first-ever treaty on protecting the international high seas, raising hopes that it will come into force soon and protect threatened ecosystems vital to the planet.

World • 21 Sep 23

Preparations at UN headquarters in New York for the opening of the 78th UN General Assembly

What to expect for UN General Assembly week

World leaders will soon arrive in New York for the annual opening session of the UN General Assembly. What's on the agenda?

World • 18 Sep 23

Will the UN intervene in Haiti's 'living nightmare'?

Haiti is in violent chaos as warring gangs terrorise a population in dire need of humanitarian support. The UN chief has since called on the Security Council to act. A US proposal for the deployment of Kenyan police to Haiti is criticised by rights groups. But it's the only option on the table

World • 02 Sep 23

Volker Turk said there should be a UN human rights office everywhere (file image)

UN rights chief seeks doubling of office's funding

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has said he wants to see a big expansion of his office's operations and funding, saying UN rights officials should be present in every country.

World • 24 May 23

Antonio Guterres (front left) seated next to Sergei Lavrov (centre) in the UN Security Council

Russian envoy turns tables on 'West' at UN meeting

Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov has delivered a withering attack on the United States and its allies at a UN Security Council meeting.

World • 24 Apr 23

The US Ambassador to the United Nations called the Russian presidency an 'April fool's joke'

Russia's UNSC presidency begins with 'signature events'

The Russian presidency of the United Nations Security Council is in full swing, despite protests within the UN system and beyond.

World • 11 Apr 23

Portraits of 'Peace Heroines' Anne Carr, Bronagh Hinds and Pat Hume are on display in the lobby of UN headquarters in New York.

Exhibition at UN is 'monumental moment' for women of NI

The 'Peace Heroines' exhibition has been launched at the United Nations in New York to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

Good Friday Agreement • 04 Apr 23

There has been concern over the use of AI-guided drones (File pic)

UN says AI poses 'serious risk' for human rights

The United Nations rights chief has warned that recent advances in artificial intelligence posed a grave threat to human rights and called for safeguards to prevent violations.

World • 18 Feb 23

The OPCW found that the Syrian regime dropped chlorine gas on the city of Douma

UN Security Council condemns Syrian chemical weapon use

Several members of the United Nations Security Council condemned the Syrian regime and its Russian ally over a chemical weapons attack in the city of Douma in 2018.

World • 08 Feb 23

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei speaking about the protests (Pic: Iranian leader press office)

Iran intensifies crackdown amid UN criticism

Iran is weaponising the death penalty to frighten the public and crush dissent, and its execution of protesters without due process amounts to state-sanctioned killing, the UN has said.

World • 10 Jan 23

The ILO emphasised that remote and other flexible working arrangements helped maintain employment while encouraging more employee autonomy

Flexible working hours good for business - UN

Flexible working arrangements like those introduced during the Covid-19 crisis are not only good for employees but also boost productivity and potentially a business's bottom line, the United Nations said today.

Business • 06 Jan 23

The Security Council has traditionally dealt with issues with humanitarian groups and sanctions on a case-by-case basis

UN Security Council votes on aid sanctions exemption

The UN Security Council has voted in favour of a proposal by Ireland and the US to give humanitarian efforts a blanket exemption from UN sanctions, addressing aid groups' concerns about the impact of such measures on their work.

World • 10 Dec 22

A burning motorcycle during a protest in October

UN rights chief says Iran in 'human rights crisis'

The UN's rights chief has demanded an end to the "unnecessary" use of force against protesters in Iran, at an urgent meeting of the Human Rights Council.

World • 24 Nov 22

A fund to pay for loss and damage already being caused by global warming has been agreed

Deal reached on disaster aid, no progress on emissions

Countries adopted a hard-fought final agreement at the COP27 climate summit that sets up a fund to help poor countries being battered by climate disasters - but does not boost efforts to tackle the emissions causing them.

Climate • 20 Nov 22