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The UN's FAO has lowered its forecast for global cereal production in 2024

World food prices ease slightly in August, UN says

The United Nations' world food price index eased slightly in August, data released today showed, as lower prices for sugar, meat and cereals more than offset higher dairy and vegetable oil prices.

Business • 06 Sep 24

Rafael Grossi said he would 'independently assess what is happening' during his visit to the plant

UN nuclear head warns of danger at Kursk plant

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog has visited Russia's Kursk nuclear plant to "independently assess" events following Ukraine's unprecedented cross-border offensive into the Russian region.

World • 27 Aug 24

Antonio Guterres highlighted the findings of a report that showed the Southwest Pacific was worst hit by sea level rises

UN chief warns of rising sea level risk to islands

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that ocean temperatures are rising in the Pacific Islands at three times the rate worldwide, and its population was "uniquely exposed" to the impact of rising sea levels.

World • 27 Aug 24

The UN said more than half of aid worker deaths in 2023 occurred in Gaza during the first three months of the war between Israel and Hamas (file image)

UN warns of 'unacceptable' violence against aid workers

The United Nations has condemned the "unacceptable" level of violence becoming commonplace against humanitarian workers, a record 280 of whom were killed worldwide in 2023.

World • 19 Aug 24

The General Assembly created an intergovernmental committee tasked with drawing up such a treaty

UN cybercrime treaty faces new scrutiny from tech firms

UN member states will meet seeking to finalise an international treaty on the fight against cybercrime, a text strongly opposed by an unlikely alliance of human rights groups and big technology companies.

World • 29 Jul 24

The Palestinian flag was raised at Leinster House last week

UN experts urge all countries to recognise Palestine

A group of United Nations experts has called for all countries to recognise a Palestinian state to ensure peace in the Middle East.

Middle East • 03 Jun 24

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