New UN websites & publications
UN in General
In Focus: Afghanistan
https://news.un.org/en/focus/afghanistan
A one-stop guide to UN issues in the news, with easy access to statements, resolutions and other essential resources.
In Focus: Haiti
English: https://news.un.org/en/focus/haiti
French: https://news.un.org/fr/focus/haiti
Secretary-General’s report on “Our Common Agenda”
English: https://www.un.org/common-agenda-report/
French: https://www.un.org/fr/common-agenda-report/
Spanish: https://www.un.org/es/common-agenda-report/
see also:
- The future of international cooperation: Time to think big, urges Guterres (10 September 2021): https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/09/1099522
- L’avenir de l’ONU : il est temps de voir grand, exhorte Guterres (10 septembre 2021) : https://news.un.org/fr/story/2021/09/1103452
- Guterres: Hay que dialogar con los talibanes y evitar el colapso de la economía afgana (10 Septiembre 2021): https://news.un.org/es/story/2021/09/1496612
- Relatório da ONU, “Nossa Agenda Comum”, propõe respostas a desafios globais [BR](10 setembro 2021): https://news.un.org/pt/story/2021/09/1762632
A/76/1 – Report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization
English, French & Spanish: https://undocs.org/A/76/1
German: https://www.un.org/depts/german/gs/a-76-1.pdf
“Introduction: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic dominated the past year, around the world and at the United Nations. We are a world in mourning for the millions of people whom we have lost. The pandemic is the greatest shared global challenge since the founding of our Organization; every country has faced pain, uncertainty and vulnerability. The global health, social, economic and human rights crises triggered by the pandemic have underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation and tested it to the limit.
The United Nations has been central to the pandemic response, from safeguarding people and jobs to assisting Governments in ensuring a sustainable and equitable recovery. We supported some 160 countries in tackling the health, humanitarian, social and economic impacts of COVID-19 and helped more than 260 million children to access remote learning. At the same time, we contributed to the creation and operationalization of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator and its COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility. The only way to end the pandemic is to deliver vaccines to every country. … ”
UN System Chart – updated version now available in French & Spanish
https://www.un.org/en/delegate/page/un-system-chart
https://news.un.org/en/podcast/no-denying-it
The UN launched No Denying It, a new 10-part climate action podcast, on Thursday, featuring interviews with inspiring young activists, and the voices of internationally renowned celebrities, such as actors Ed Norton and Michelle Yeoh.
UN News Climate Newsletter
https://news.un.org/en/newsletter/climate-change
Theme for the General Debate of the 76th session of the General Assembly:
“Building resilience through hope – to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people and revitalize the United Nations”. https://www.un.org/pga/75/2021/07/07/theme-of-the-general-debate-of-the-76th-session/
The 76th regular session of the General Assembly will open 14 September 2021.
Press Kit
consisting of the biography of the General Assembly President, vision statement, acceptance speech, list of past GA presidents
English: https://www.un.org/en/ga/president/76-elect/index.shtml
French: https://www.un.org/fr/ga/president/76-elect/index.shtml
Spanish: https://www.un.org/es/ga/president/76-elect/index.shtml
Agenda of the 76th session
English: https://www.un.org/en/ga/76/agenda/
French: https://www.un.org/fr/ga/76/agenda/
Spanish: https://www.un.org/es/ga/76/agenda/
High-Level Meetings of the 76th Session of the General Assembly
English: https://www.un.org/en/ga/76/meetings/
French: https://www.un.org/fr/ga/76/meetings/
Spanish: https://www.un.org/es/ga/76/meetings/
Provisional schedule
The practical arrangements for the conduct of the general debate and the high-level meetings and of the 76th session of the General Assembly will be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the holding of meetings and how they are conducted, and the number of attendees. All changes will be reflected in the UN Journal and on the Meetings schedule.
Mandated Events
- General debate: Tuesday, 21 September to Monday, 27 September 2021 (including Saturday, 25 September) | Arrangements for the general debate + Rev.1
- High-level meeting to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action: Wednesday, 22 September 2021 | Scope, modalities, format and organization
- High-level plenary meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons: Tuesday, 28 September 2021 | Draft Programme
- High-level meeting on the Global Plan of Action on Trafficking in Persons: Monday, 22 November to Tuesday, 23 November 2021 | Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons | Modalities, format and organization
- Commemorative meeting for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: Monday, 21 March 2022.
- Commemorative meeting to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade: Friday, 25 March 2022.
- Interactive dialogue on Harmony with Nature: Friday, 22 April 2022
- High-level meeting on the Urban Agenda (Habitat III): Thursday, 28 April 2022
- High-level plenary meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day against Nuclear Tests: Monday, 29 August 2022
See also: Arrangements for the high-level meetings and the general debate
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
The COVID-19 crisis: what explains cross-country differences in the pandemic’s short-term economic impact? (DESA Working Paper No. 174)
https://bit.ly/3DuTKIx
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the most universal health and socio-economic crisis in recent history. However, the magnitude of the economic damage has differed widely; some countries were hit particularly hard, while others have managed to weather the storm much better. In this paper, we use cross-country regression analysis to identify factors that help explain the differences in the growth impact of the COVID-19 shock. Our findings underscore the critical role of balancing health and economic concerns in managing the pandemic as both a country’s exposure to the coronavirus and the stringency of containment measures are strongly correlated with its growth performance. In addition, our results shed light on several aspects of economic resilience. Good governance, provision of fiscal support and strong macroeconomic fundamentals all helped cushion the economic impact. By contrast, a lack of economic diversification – reflected in overreliance on the tourism sector or oil production – has significantly amplified the shock.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-Digital_certificates-vaccination-2021.1
This is a guidance document for countries and implementing partners on the technical requirements for developing digital information systems for issuing standards-based interoperable digital certificates for COVID-19 vaccination status, and considerations for implementation of such systems, for the purposes of continuity of care, and proof of vaccination.
Drawing light from the pandemic: A new strategy for health and sustainable development; September 2021 (WHO/Europe)
English, French & German: https://bit.ly/3tBAjsY
Over the past year, members of the Commission have reflected on what worked and, more often, what did not work in the COVID-19 response and in previous crises. In the Call to Action that we issued in March 2021 and in this final report, we have made a series of recommendations with the aim of achieving seven key objectives to prevent a catastrophe on the same scale from happening again.
One and a half years after: the impact of COVID-19 on the human rights of migrant; Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Felipe González Morales (A/76/257, 30 July 2021)
English, French & Spanish: https://undocs.org/A/76/257
“Summary: The present report outlines the main activities undertaken by the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Felipe González Morales, during the reporting period since his most recent report to the General Assembly. In the report, the Special Rapporteur reviews the impact that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had on the human rights of migrants, who have been disproportionally affected by the pandemic, in particular those who are undocumented or in an irregular situation, and how it has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities. One and a half years after the beginning of the pandemic, the Special Rapporteur takes stock of the measures and responses put in place to address the fulfilment of migrants’ human rights and promote an inclusive recovery process. On the basis of the information and analysis provided by States, international organizations, civil society and other stakeholders, the Special Rapporteur identifies good practices, on-going efforts and existing challenges and provides a set of recommendations aimed at closing the human rights gaps in recovery efforts and build back better, including by fully integrating migrants’ human rights.”
A Pandemic of Exclusion: The impact of COVID-19 on the human rights of migrants in Libya (OHCHR)
https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Migration/A_pandemic_of_exclusion.pdf
Support for rehabilitation: self-management after COVID-19-related illness, 2nd ed (WHO/Europe)
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/344472/WHO-EURO-2021-855-40590-59892-eng.pdf
This leaflet provides support and advice for adults who are recovering from COVID-19. It can be used by individuals after hospitalization from the illness and those in the community who did not need hospitalization. The leaflet can complement care received from health care professionals. This is the second edition of the leaflet that was originally published mid 2020 that includes updates to sections and new topics, encompassing what we have learnt about the condition and recovery in the last year. The leaflet was written by rehabilitation professionals in consultation with people recovering from COVID-19. Although references are not shown for ease of reading, the advice is evidence-based. There is still much we don’t know about post-COVID-19 recovery, and evidence is fast emerging.
WHO compendium of innovative health technologies for low-resource settings 2021: COVID-19 and other health priorities
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240032507
Economic Growth and Sustainable Development
Atlas of Mortality and Economic Losses from Weather, Climate and Water Extremes (1970-2019)
https://library.wmo.int/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=21930
Compendium of WHO and other UN guidance on health and environment
Browse the Compendium by thematic areas or download the publication: https://www.who.int/tools/compendium-on-health-and-environment
European and Central Asian Actions on Air Quality (UNEP)
https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/gap-between-air-pollution-pacesetters-and-laggards-europe-and
Efforts to tackle air pollution have stepped up in recent years and are bringing dividends in many European countries, but extreme hotspots remain in Central Asia and the Balkans, finds a new report issued on 3 September 2021 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) together with the Swedish Environmental Research Institute. Dangerous air quality levels continue to be recorded throughout Europe and Central Asia, and ammonia emissions are rising in all sub-regions, states the report, issued ahead of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies (7 September). Air pollution laggards are not yet catching up, it finds. Twenty-nine countries in Europe and Central Asia took part in a questionnaire on actions taken and their results, feeding into the report. The survey was conducted by UNEP and IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute. Air pollution is the world’s biggest environmental killer, responsible for around seven million premature deaths each year through diseases such as lung cancer, acute respiratory infections and heart disease. Meanwhile, the main sources of air pollution and greenhouse gases are often the same. Most actions to improve air quality also therefore help to fight climate change.
Fast Facts on Climate Change and Health (Advocacy brief)
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/fast-facts-on-climate-change-health
Climate change is resulting in poorer health outcomes, increasing mortality and is a driver of health inequities. However, health is well placed to be a significant part of the solution; the positive health impacts from stronger climate change action can motivate stronger global ambition; health systems which are resilient to climate change can help protect their populations from the negative impacts (in the short and longer terms); and sustainable low carbon health systems can make a substantial contribution to reducing national and global emissions.
This fact sheet on climate change and health is part of the Climate Fast Facts series of the United Nations Climate Action team.
Interconnected Disaster Risks 2020/2021 (UNU/EHS)
https://interconnectedrisks.org/
severe weather events, epidemics and human-made disasters is increasing globally, and it is becoming ever more challenging to keep pace with the corresponding changes and impacts. In 2020/2021, the world witnessed a number of record-breaking disasters: the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe, a cold wave crippled the state of Texas, wildfires destroyed almost 5 million acres of Amazon rainforest, and Viet Nam experienced 9 heavy storms in the span of only 7 weeks. By analysing past events through the lens of interconnectivity, both the disasters that are happening right now and those that will happen in the future can be better understood.
New UN DESA Policy Brief Series “Future of the World”
- #110: Time for transformative changes for SDGs: what the data tells us: https://bit.ly/3BRwJh9
COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, undermining decades of development efforts. The crisis has pushed hundreds millions of people back into poverty. - #111: Wildfires – a growing concern for sustainable development: https://bit.ly/3h573WD
This policy brief reviews trends and impacts of wildfires on sustainable development. It provides an analysis of the key drivers of wildfires and proposes measures to reduce the risk and impacts. - #112: Harnessing longevity in the future of work: https://bit.ly/3hbPWlT
Promoting the inclusion of older persons in the new realities of work requires addressing barriers in their access to decent work, including discrimination and participation in informal employment.
Progress on change in water-use efficiency: Global status and acceleration needs for SDG indicator 6.4.1, 2021
http://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cb6413en
This report is part of a series that tracks progress towards the various targets set out in SDG 6 using the SDG global indicators. To learn more about water and sanitation in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG 6, visit our website: www.sdg6monitoring.org
Progress on Transboundary Water Cooperation: Global Status of SDG Indicator 6.5.2 and Acceleration Needs, 2021
https://www.unwater.org/publications/progress-on-transboundary-water-cooperation-652-2021-update/
America have the fullest coverage of operational arrangements, followed by sub-Saharan Africa. However, across Asia, Latin America and North Africa/Western Asia, the levels of operational arrangements in place for transboundary rivers, lakes and aquifers remain low. A further challenge, highlighted in the report, relates to transboundary aquifers. While there have been improvements since the first report (2018), many countries still have limited knowledge of the groundwater resources they share with their neighbours as well as low levels of cooperation.
Progress on Wastewater Treatment: Global Status and Acceleration Needs for SDG Indicator 6.3.1, 2021
https://unhabitat.org/progress-on-wastewater-treatment-%E2%80%93-2021-update
Regulating Air Quality: The first global assessment of air pollution legislation (UNEP)
Report in English, Executive Summary in English, French & Spanish: https://www.unep.org/resources/report/first-global-assessment-air-pollution-legislation
One-third of the world’s countries have no legally-mandated outdoor (ambient) air quality standards. Where such laws exist, standards vary widely and often misalign with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Additionally, at least 31% of countries that do have the power to introduce such ambient air quality standards have yet to adopt them. These are some of the key findings of the first-ever assessment of air quality laws and regulations by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Regulating Air Quality: The first global assessment of air pollution legislation is launched ahead of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies examines national air quality legislation in 194 States and the European Union. Exploring various dimensions of legal and institutional frameworks, the report assesses their effectiveness in ensuring the attainment of air quality standards. The report concludes with key elements for a robust model of air quality governance to be considered in national legislation and makes the case for considering a global treaty on ambient air quality standards.
English & French: https://bit.ly/3hqdqDQ
START DOING GOOD explains the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to little children. With easy rhymes and beautiful illustrations, this book outlines the problems our planet has today, and how we all play a role in solving them. With this book we want to empower the next generation of children, and all the parents too, to be actively engaged in achieving the 17 SDGs.
World Social Protection Report 2020-22: Social protection at the crossroads – in pursuit of a better future (ILO)
Report in English, Executive Summary in English, French & Spanish: https://www.ilo.org/global/publications/books/WCMS_817572/lang–en/index.htm
International Peace and Security
Ahead of World Humanitarian Day, the UN Library has digitized this series. The publications can be accessed in the UN Digital Library at http://ow.ly/nR1e50FT49Z
Complementarities of the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas at a glance (DPPA)
https://peacemaker.un.org/sites/peacemaker.un.org/files/WPS-YPS%20complementarities_%20Final.pdf
The Policy and Mediation Division of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) has created a one-pager document that outlines differences and linkages between the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agendas. It also includes recommendations on how to approach these two agendas differently as they should be considered as two distinct categories with differentiated needs. The Peacebuilding Support Office and the Office of the Special Envoy for Youth were also consulted.
Concept note for the Security Council ministerial open debate on the theme “United Nations transitions”
English, French & Spanish: https://undocs.org/S/2021/756
The Security Council held a ministerial-level open debate on the theme “United Nations transitions”, in connection with the item entitled “United Nations peacekeeping operations” on 8 September 2021. The Security Council President for September, Ireland, has prepared this concept note in order to guide the discussions on the topic.
Strategy for the Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping
https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/strategy-digital-transformation-of-un-peacekeeping
see also: https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/08/1098072
Human Rights
Civil Society Report on Human Rights in Kosovo in 2020
https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Press/Webstories/2020_kosovo_cso_annual_human_rights_report_EN.pdf
The voices of 34 human rights non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have come together to produce the second joint annual report on the human rights situation in Kosovo. With a strong focus on the human rights consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2020, the report was produced with the support of UN Human Rights and the UN Mission in Kosovo’s (UNMIK) Human Rights Component. Representatives from different ethnic backgrounds joined forces to produce the report, in line with ongoing efforts to advance intercommunity trust building in Kosovo. The number of contributing organisations jumped from 21 last year to 34 this year. The report provides a solid analysis on a wide range of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights; human rights issues relating to specific groups and people in vulnerable situations; and cross-cutting human rights topics, namely, corruption and human rights, transitional justice, and the environment and human rights.
Operationalizing the right to development in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: Thematic study by the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development (A/HRC/48/63, 6 July 2021)
English, French & Spanish: https://undocs.org/A/HRC/48/63
“Summary: The present thematic study provides guidance to States and other stakeholders on operationalizing the right to development in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals incorporated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focusing on their means of implementation and the duty of States for international cooperation. It also highlights the heightened importance and urgency of bringing the 2030 Agenda back on track during and in the aftermath of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.”
The stages of the plastics cycle and their impacts on human rights: Report of the Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, Marcos Orellana (A/76/207, 22 July 2021)
English, French & Spanish: https://undocs.org/A/76/207
“Summary: In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, Marcos Orellana, examines the current and future negative implications of the various stages of the plastics cycle for the enjoyment of human rights. The ever-increasing plastics production, incineration and waste dumping only aggravate the detrimental consequences. Toxic chemicals are commonly added to plastics, causing serious risks and harms to human rights and the environment. The Special Rapporteur puts forward recommendations aimed at addressing the negative consequences of plastics on human rights and integrating a human rights-based approach in the transition to a chemically safe circular economy.”
Humanitarian Affairs
The Climate Crisis Is a Child Rights Crisis: Introducing the Children’s Climate Risk Index (UNICEF)
English, French, Spanish & Portuguese: https://www.unicef.org/reports/climate-crisis-child-rights-crisis
Volume 1: Water, Migration, and Development
Volume 2: Water in the Shadow of Conflict in the Middle East and North Africa
https://bit.ly/3nag1pw
This report examines the link between water and migration, and the implications for economic development. The report is based on analysis of the largest data set on internal migration ever assembled, covering nearly half a billion people from 189 population censuses in 64 countries from 1960 to 2015. It assesses how rainfall shocks are related to migration relative to other key variables such as age, gender, education, and household size. The report is in two parts. Volume 1 covers water, migration, and development. Volume 2 focuses on water, forced displacement and conflict in the Middle East and North Africa.
Left Adrift at Sea: Dangerous Journeys of Refugees Across the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea
https://www.unhcr.org/asia/611e15284
Staying The Course: The Challenges Facing Refugee Education (UNHCR)
English: https://www.unhcr.org/612f85d64/
French: https://www.unhcr.org/fr/613231b04/
Spanish: https://www.acnur.org/61365bed4.pdf
are less likely to be pressured into child labour. Yet according to data gathered by UNHCR in 40 countries, the gross enrolment rate for refugees at secondary level in 2019-2020 stood at only 34 per cent. In almost every country, the rate trails that of host community children. The pandemic is likely to have undermined refugees’ chances yet further. COVID-19 has been disruptive for all children, but for young refugees – already facing significant obstacles to getting into school – it could dash all hopes of getting the education they need.
Uncertain Pathways: How gender shapes the experiences of children on the move (UNICEF)
https://bit.ly/3jQE0I2
Urban-Nexus Environmental Assessment Tool (U-NEAT+)
https://neatplus.org/
The United Nations launched an online tool on 31 August 2021 to help humanitarian practitioners rapidly identify and mitigate environmental risks when responding to crises in urban areas. The free, cloud-based Urban-Nexus Environmental Assessment Tool (U-NEAT+) offers an easy way to assess a range of potential environmental threats and sensitivities and suggests how to mitigate them. Assessments are recorded in an online questionnaire that can be completed with a smartphone. The tool’s special features dive deeper into specific response areas such as shelter, food security, health, livelihoods, and water, sanitation and hygiene. Climate is integrated as a cross-cutting issue in all U-NEAT+ modules, and it is possible to compare projects across regions and over time, thus providing humanitarians with insights into the effects of their mitigation activities. The assessment data collected aim to improve the aid response by helping to foster dialogue among humanitarian organizations, members of affected communities and donors.
Nuclear, Chemical and Conventional Weapons Disarmament
Nuclear explained
new IAEA series of educational articles
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/nuclear-explained
The many peaceful uses of nuclear technology have a beneficial impact on our everyday lives – from energy production and food security to health care and the protection of the environment.
Nuclear Power (UNECE Technology Brief)
https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2021-08/Nuclear%20power%20brief_EN_0.pdf
Drug Control, Crime Prevention and Counter-terrorism
Cocaine Insights 1: The illicit trade of cocaine from Latin America to Europe from oligopolies to free-for-all? (UNODC / Europol)
https://bit.ly/2X2HOgf
Newsletter Archive: https://unric.org/en/unric-info-point-library-newsletter-archive