Sustainable development
The partnership between Vodacom South Africa and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) South Africa has set the tone for a global collaboration prioritizing ocean conservation. The partnership, which began in 2010, aims to utilize digital innovation to support the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and protect
Climate change
Guinea-Bissau has made history by becoming the first country outside of Europe to join the international Aarhus Convention, which promotes environmental democracy and holds governments accountable for environmental and human rights. As part of this agreement, the country aims to combat climate change, protect biodiversity, and ensure public participation in
Climate change
A New Zealand environmental group, Mana Taiao Tairwhiti, has testified before the 22nd United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) about potential indigenous rights breaches by the country's forestry industry. The group alleges that extensive deforestation, poor forestry practices, and climate change have harmed the east coast
Human rights
The International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has strongly condemned Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which includes the death penalty for 'aggravated homosexuality'. The Ugandan Parliament passed the Bill overwhelmingly, with 389 votes to two, on 21 March 2023. The Bill criminalizes identifying as lesbian,
Human rights
The United Nations (UN) has voiced its deep concern over the summary executions of prisoners of war (POWs) by both Ukrainian and Russian forces on the battlefield. The allegations came after Kyiv accused Russian forces of killing a captured Ukrainian serviceman who was filmed saying "Glory to Ukraine"
United Nations
Groundwater is depleting at an alarming rate in Madhya Pradesh due to canal breaches and incorrect water demand estimations, according to an evaluation study by the National Institute of Hydrology's Central India Hydrology Regional Centre. The study, which analyzed eight dams in the state, found that farmers at
United Nations
On World Water Day, the African Development Bank will join leading global stakeholders in advocating for universal water security for Africans during the UN 2023 Water Conference in New York. The three-day conference aims to assess progress and evaluate additional steps to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal 6, ensuring universal
Human rights
The Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, set up by the Human Rights Council, has released a damning report detailing widespread human rights abuses and war crimes committed by Russian troops in Ukraine. The report, based on investigations in nine regions and over 600 witness statements, reveals a pattern of indiscriminate
Sustainable development
As the world grapples with the converging global crises of climate change, increasing costs of living, food insecurity, and the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations is sounding the alarm that the gains achieved under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are at risk of being reversed. Sima
Human rights
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have expressed alarm over the challenges faced by freedom of religion and belief in the region. In a speech delivered at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Idris bin Abdulrahman al Khanjari, Permanent Representative of Oman to the UN, highlighted widespread acts of violence,
Sustainable development
India's G-20 Presidency has successfully highlighted a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including no poverty, zero hunger, good health and wellbeing, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, said Mr Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator, during the Joint Valedictory Session of the 57th Capacity Building Programme
United Nations
The UK government's proposed asylum law, which would effectively ban anyone arriving in the country via an illegal route from claiming asylum, has been met with severe criticism from the United Nations refugee agency, the UNHCR. According to Vicky Tennant, the UNHCR's representative to the UK,
