About: United Nations
UN summit day #3 : SDGs in the spotlight
Over this special series on the UN climate action summit (23 September) and SDGs summit (24-25 September), EURACTIV gives you a glimpse into the goings on in New York and what is driving the conversation there. In this edition: A radical change of the food system, climate adaptation, dozing commerce secretary and World Heritage.
UN sets constitution committee for Syria, but hopes to end war muted
The United Nations announced Monday (23 September) the long-awaited creation of a constitution-writing committee on Syria that will include the government and opposition, but it remained to be seen if the step could finally end the civil war.
No Brexit breakthrough as Tusk, Johnson meet in New York
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reiterated a call for "flexibility" from the EU in Brexit talks during a meeting with Council President Donald Tusk in New York Monday (23 September) that failed to yield a breakthrough.
Israel approves new settlement 2 days before polls
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government approved a new settlement in the occupied West Bank on Sunday (15 September), two days ahead of a closely fought election as he seeks to boost turnout among his right-wing base.
Trump says US ‘locked and loaded’ for potential response to Saudi oil attack
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday (15 September) that the United States was "locked and loaded" for a potential response to the attack on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities, after a senior official in his administration said Iran was to blame.
US, France, Britain may be complicit in Yemen war crimes, UN report says
The United States, Britain and France may be complicit in war crimes in Yemen by arming and providing intelligence and logistics support to a Saudi-led coalition that starves civilians as a war tactic, the United Nations said on Tuesday (3 September).
EU calls ‘unacceptable’ the tensions at Georgia occupation line
The ambassador of the EU to Georgia called “unacceptable” on Friday (30 August) the tensions and confrontational language at the “border” between Georgia and its occupied territory of South Ossetia.
Defence ministers discussed artificial intelligence, killer robots, climate threat
EU defence ministers discussed artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons – also called “killer robots” –, hybrid threats and conflicts stemming from climate change, EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini told the press after an informal Council meeting in Helsinki on Thursday (29 August).
As Amazon burns, Brazil’s Bolsonaro tells rest of world not to interfere
Amid growing international criticism over the wildfires raging through the Amazon, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday (22 August) admitted farmers could be illegally setting the rainforest ablaze but told foreign powers not to interfere.
UN expert chides France over jihadist captives in Iraq
A UN investigator rebuked France on Monday (12 August) for its possible role in the transfer of seven suspected jihadists from Syria to Iraq, but Paris dismissed her concerns as speculation.
UN expert describes Hungarian migrant camps as places of detention and deterrence
A United Nations human rights expert has expressed concerns about the detention conditions of migrants in Hungarian transit zones, urging authorities to move families and children to other centres with better health and sanitary facilities.
Sea-Watch migrant rescue boat defies Salvini, enters Italian waters
The Sea-Watch 3 NGO boat carrying dozens of migrants rescued in the Mediterranean entered Italian waters Wednesday (26 June) off Lampedusa island despite the threat of hefty fines from Italy's far-right interior minister.
Europe challenges Asia in a three-candidate race at FAO
Delegates from around the world are set to choose the new head of the UN food and agriculture agency (FAO) this weekend, in a three-way race between candidates from France, China and Georgia.
Bosnians protest against migrant influx in border town
Several hundred Bosnians protested on Sunday (16 June) against an influx of migrants in the western border town of Bihac, warning of security and health risks from thousands sleeping rough. Bosnia, spared the big migrant wave of 2015, is now...
Germany wants UN Security Council more involved in mitigating climate crisis
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas launched a call for action on Tuesday (4 June) that aims to develop real solutions that would mitigate the security risks of climate change. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Guterres: European unity vital to avoid new cold war
UN Secretary General António Guterres on Thursday (30 May) warned Europe must remain united if it wants to avoid a new “cold war” in tumultuous political times. “If you want to avoid a new cold war… if you want to...
Serbia places forces on alert after Kosovo police operation in Serb-populated north
Serbia ordered its troops on full alert on Tuesday (28 May) and Russia accused Kosovo of provocation after a Kosovan police anti-crime operation in a region populated mainly by Serbs led to clashes.
High fives, selfies and a snap election as Zelenskiy takes power in Ukraine
Television comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy took the oath of office as Ukraine’s new president on Monday (20 May), promising that as hard as he had worked in the past to make Ukrainians laugh, he would now work to keep them from crying.
Palestinians turn to EU to counter Kushner plan
The Palestinians are asking the European Union to pick up the mantle in defence of the two-state solution if the upcoming US peace plan ditches Palestinian statehood, their UN envoy said Tuesday (7 May).
Deadly escalation as Israel retaliates over Gaza rockets
Israel carried out waves of retaliatory strikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday (5 May) after Palestinian rockets hit Israeli cities, in a deadly escalation that showed no signs of slowing and raised fears of war.
European diplomat: ‘At UN, US treats us like the Chinese’
The gloves are off at the United Nations between the United States and their once-close European allies, according to some diplomats.
Libya coast guard detains 113 migrants during lull in fighting
The Libyan coast guard has stopped 113 migrants trying to reach Italy over the past two days, the United Nations said on Wednesday (1 May), as boat departures resume following a lull in fighting between rival forces in Libya.
EU ministers pile pressure on Haftar to halt Libya offensive
EU foreign ministers on Saturday upped pressure on Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar to halt his offensive on Tripoli, urging the strongman to commit to a political solution. The issue is expected to be discussed again at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday (8 April).