Editor’s note: this post was updated June 6, 2019. A recent study found that people may be consuming anywhere from 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles a year. This startling finding is just the tip of the iceberg: The challenge of plastic pollution does not stop at borders, and it won’t disappear with time. World Oceans Day (June 8) is a crucial moment to elevate awareness on our global plastic problem, learn about sustainable action, and renew […]

This post is co-authored by Kate Dodson, Vice President for Global Health Strategy at the United Nations Foundation and Loyce Pace, President and Executive Director of the Global Health Council The side event on civil society engagement with the World Health Organization (WHO) at the 71st World Health Assembly was standing room only, illustrating non-governmental partners’ long-standing eagerness to advance global health alongside WHO. And Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus sent a clear signal right

As part of our “Americans in the UN” project to share the stories of Americans who work for the United Nations, we connected with Laila Baker, who is the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Jordan. Originally from Norfolk, Virginia, Baker holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Cardiff University. Watch the full interview: Below please find excerpts from the interview, which have been edited for context and clarity. What is your message to

After fleeing oppression and violence in Myanmar, nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh’s Cox Bazar district now face another life-threatening challenge: monsoon season. United Nations’ agencies are responding to help refugees, but they need more resources and support to deliver what is required. Here is what you need to know about the threat and how your support can help to the UN protect Rohingya refugees. Donate to the UN Humanitarian Fund for Rohingya Refugees

This post is co-authored by Kaysie Brown, UN Foundation Special Adviser and Head of Policy Planning and Megan Roberts, UN Foundation Deputy Director of Policy Planning By now you have probably seen the headlines and know that the recent G7 Summit, hosted by Canada, was one of the most tumultuous the group has seen. Tensions around the U.S. decision to impose tariffs on aluminum and steel reached a crescendo following President Trump’s early departure and

As part of our “Americans in the UN” project to share the stories of Americans who work for the United Nations, we connected with the UN Development Programme’s (UNDP) Neal Walker, who serves as UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine. In his current role, Walker reports on human rights violations, leads humanitarian action, supports recovery efforts in war-torn government held areas of Eastern Ukraine, and supports reform and development. Walker grew up in

Three years into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and how are we doing? The good news: Child deaths continue to decline, more people have access to electricity, and we achieved SDG 17.8 to launch a technology bank that will help countries in poverty better leverage science and technology. The not so good news: After years of decline, global hunger is on the rise, driven by conflict and climate change. (You can learn more here.) No

Out-of-pocket spending on health care continues to increase around the world – accounting for 50% of total health care spending in African countries and up to 80% in some South Asian nations. This spending pushes millions of people into poverty each year. For many families, choosing between their next meal and lifesaving health care remains a harsh and costly reality. The movement toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC), well-captured in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, just released new data on the amount of people forcibly displaced worldwide: a record 68.5 million people have been forced to flee their homes because of violence, conflict, and persecution. That is greater than the populations of California and Texas combined. No one wants to be a refugee, nor should it be how we define people. These are moms and dads, daughters and sons; they are teachers, nurses, engineers, entrepreneurs,