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Every Tuesday, we share a set of stories on UN issues we care about and that matter to the future, from stopping TB to expanding access to safe drinking water. This week’s stories are below, but today we’re also watching with concern the news out of Brussels and following updates from sources such as Quartz and the BBC.  Moments this week include World Water Day (today), World TB Day (Thursday), and the conclusion of the […]

Throughout March and the Commission on the Status of Women, the United Nations has gathered governments, civil society groups, and private sector leaders to discuss how to make progress on gender equality and advance the rights of girls and women.  Under the leadership of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other committed UN officials, these issues are part of the UN’s work year-round.  Since Secretary-General Ban took office in 2007, he has made the empowerment and

A year ago this month, conflict in Yemen escalated, and today more than 80% of the population – some 20 million people – are in need of humanitarian assistance. More than 2.4 million people have fled their homes, and more than 14 million are unable to meet their food needs.  The United Nations and humanitarian organizations are working to get aid to families in crisis in the country. Yesterday, a UN official spoke to the

Photo: The Global Fund / Ryan Quinn Mattingly When we met 10 years ago, I didn’t think much of it when my husband told me that he had been treated for tuberculosis (TB) as a child. Since then, I’ve seen firsthand the effects TB has on families, and I realize how fortunate my husband was to have access to diagnosis and effective treatment. Visiting TB hospital wards has shown me the isolation, stigma, and physical

Editor’s Note: This post is part of the blog series, “Her Goals: Our Future,” which highlights the connections between girls and women and the Sustainable Development Goals. March marks five years since the conflict in Syria began, the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II. Half of the population has been forced to flee their homes, with 6.6 million people displaced inside Syria and another 4.7 million refugees seeking safety and assistance in neighboring countries

It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the world’s challenges. However, in many areas we are making progress in improving lives. These stories remind us that through dedication and cooperation, people from across all sectors and all nations can create lasting change. Here are four good news stories you may have missed this month. 1. The World Food Programme’s Share the Meal App Reaches 5 Million Meals Shared This month, the World Food Programme’s Share

What do business leaders, presidents, actors, Grammy-nominated musicians, and world-renowned chefs have in common?  They believe that access to clean cookstoves and fuels is critical for achieving women’s empowerment – which is why this group of high-profile men spoke out about this under-reported issue on International Women’s Day earlier this month.  Every day, more than 3 billion people globally rely on heavily-polluting open fires or traditional cookstoves for cooking, leading to more than 4 million deaths every year

“A healthy environment underpins a healthy population,” says Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), also noting that governments need to take strong action to improve environments in order to save lives.  On March 15, WHO released the second edition of a report on the health challenges that stem from living and working in unhealthy environments. The report, “Preventing Disease through Healthy Environments: A Global Assessment of the Burden of Disease from

In this weekly series, we share some of the stories we’re following from around the world on issues relevant to international affairs, the United Nations, and global change. This is part of our effort to raise awareness of the global challenges – and solutions – shaping our world. And looking ahead, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will join leaders to address urgent global challenges at two big events: an event in Geneva on supporting Syrian refugees