Environmental issues and sustainable development

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) today released a report which says plastics are accumulating in the world’s soil at a high rate. The report found that plastics used extensively in farming — from plastic coated fertilizers to mulch film — are contaminating the soil and potentially threatening food security.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, United Nations peacekeepers and the Congolese armed forces are regularly patrolling along national route 72 in Ituri’s Djugu territory. Reassured by the presence of national security forces and the United Nations, some displaced persons are also returning to their communities.

The United Nations team in Cuba launched a $42 million Plan of Action to support authorities to address the needs of people impacted by Hurricane Ian. The plan is expected to benefit almost 800,000 people and includes $3.7 million repurposed from the team’s funding and an additional $7.8 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund.

The Secretary-General, marking the tenth anniversary of the International Day of the Girl Child, stressed that the international community must renew its commitment to work together so that girls can play a full and equal part in their communities and societies. Investing in girls is investing in the world’s common future.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies released a report today which says that heatwaves account for some of the deadliest disasters and are intensifying.

United Nations emergency efforts to boost Cuba’s response to Hurricane Ian are moving ahead. A combination of emergency funds from United Nations entities and their pre-positioned items are available to authorities, totaling $6.8 million.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the General Assembly on Pakistan floods, in New York today:

General Assembly delegates today extended the Organization’s support and sympathy to the Government and people of Pakistan with the unanimous adoption of a resolution that emphasizes the need to help the South-East Asian nation rebuild from devastating rains that left a third of the country under water.

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message for the Group of Twenty (G20) Parliamentary Speakers Summit, in Jakarta today:

Angela Merkel, the former Chancellor of Germany, was announced today as the recipient of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) 2022 Nansen Refugee Award. The award is given to an individual, group or organization that has worked to protect refugees, internally displaced or stateless people.