United Nations

UN Chief Seeks Development Based on "Social" Factors

February 11, 2015

In recent remarks to the UN Commission for Social Development, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for development not simply to be based on economic growth, but also on social and environmental concerns.
Bayefsky: UN Is "Platform" for Anti-Semitism

February 11, 2015

Anne Bayefsky writes that the UN's recent recognition of the suffering of victims of the Holocaust is undercut by the fact that it has become a "global platform" for countries that purvey anti-Semitism through statements and policies on the world stage.
Israel Says UN Force Not Reporting Weapons Transfers

February 11, 2015

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, which is charged with monitoring the disarmament of Lebanese groups such as Hezbollah, for not accurately reporting illicit weapons transfers to these groups since 2011.
UN Pushes "Human Right" to Sex Education

February 04, 2015

The UN Population Fund has published a document guiding the agency's officials regarding how best to promote "comprehensive sexuality education" as a human right among young people around the world.
UN Organizes Second "Global Citizenship Education" Forum

January 28, 2015

The UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization ("UNESCO") is organizing a Second Forum on Global Citizenship Education in order to place pressure on countries around the world to promote its human rights and environmental agenda in their education systems.
UN Solicits Government Plans to Cut Emissions

January 28, 2015

In preparation for a UN climate summit in Paris this year, the UN has called for countries to submit by the end of March 2015 their plans for cutting greenhouse gas emissions in order to counter global warming.
UN Chief Pushes Human Rights Link to Development

January 23, 2015

As part of the UN's pressure for recognition of nontraditional economic, social, and cultural rights, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for countries to seek to advance such rights, such as a social security "safety net," in pursuing development strategies around the world.
ICC Prosecutor Examines Israeli Conduct in Gaza Conflict

January 21, 2015

International Criminal Court ("ICC") Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announced that she has opened a "preliminary examination" of the recent Gaza conflict to determine whether to open a full investigation of potential war crimes committed by Israel and other actors in the territory.
WHO Calls for Action on Noncommunicable Diseases

January 21, 2015

In a new report, the UN's World Health Organization ("WHO") has called for countries around the world to implement policies to combat noncommunicable diseases, including policies countering tobacco use, alcohol intake, and physical inactivity.
UN Creates New Role to Advance Climate Agenda

January 21, 2015

In its efforts to drive forward negotiations on a worldwide greenhouse gas emissions deal prior to a December climate conference in Paris, the UN has announced that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Janos Pasztor as its first-ever Assistant Secretary-General on Climate Change.