News from the United Nations

• In Baghdad, Guterres affirms UN will never forget staff killed in Canal Hotel attack May 18, 2025
  The United Nations will never forget the staff members killed in the 19 August 2003 attack on its headquarters in Iraq, the Secretary-General said in the capital on Sunday.
• Countries set to adopt ‘vital’ pandemic preparedness accord May 18, 2025
  Could the world be better prepared for the next pandemic? As nations continue to deal with COVID-19’s lasting effects, that question is at the heart of an international agreement set to be negotiated in Geneva.
• Pandemic accord can be a ‘gamechanger’ for marginalised communities, says youth advocate May 17, 2025
  An international pandemic prevention treaty, three years in the making, is set to be adopted this week in Geneva. Rehman Hassan, a prominent member of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) Youth Council, is confident the accord could make a huge difference to the way that the world reacts to pandemics.
• At Arab League Summit, Guterres reiterates call for Gaza ceasefire May 17, 2025
  The UN Secretary-General renewed his call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and upheld the need for a two-State solution between Israelis and Palestinians in a speech on Saturday to the League of Arab States Summit in Baghdad.
• Civilians killed in drone strike in eastern Ukraine: UN rights monitors May 17, 2025
  A drone strike in eastern Ukraine on Saturday could possibly be the deadliest in recent weeks, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in the country, HRMMU, has said.
• UN humanitarian chief demands resumption of aid in Gaza May 17, 2025
  Humanitarians demand access to the Gaza Strip and already have a plan in place to deliver life-saving assistance to civilians, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said in a strong call issued late on Friday evening.
• Another year, another rise in food insecurity – including famine May 16, 2025
  In July 2024, famine was detected in the Sudan’s Zamzam IDP camp. In the following months, the official alert expanded to other camps in Darfur and Western Nuba Mountains. From December until now, famine has been confirmed in five other areas of the war-torn country. A further 17 areas are at risk. 
• End senseless killings in the West Bank: UN rights office May 16, 2025
  The UN human rights office (OHCHR) called on Friday for an end to senseless killings in the occupied West Bank, where a pregnant Israeli woman was among the latest victims. 
• Journalists being forgotten on the frontline, warns injured war reporter May 16, 2025
  A war reporter from Lebanon who lost a limb in the line of duty is calling for an end to impunity for attacks against journalists.
• World News in Brief: Russia-Ukraine talks, Sudan exodus worsens, Colombia displacement rises May 16, 2025
  The United Nations has welcomed talks between Russia and Ukraine held on Friday in Türkiye.