Environmental issues and sustainable development

Malawi confirmed its first polio case in 30 years on 16 February, which was also Africa’s first polio case in in more than five years.  So far, there has been no further spread of the disease, thanks to swift and concerted efforts by the national authorities, with support from the World Health Organization and UNICEF.

The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) is deeply concerned about renewed violence in the south of the Area, which has led to deaths and the displacement of thousands, saying long-standing grievances and disputes between communities in Abyei and neighbouring areas have resulted in weeks of violence.

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the UNEP@50 special session commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in Nairobi today:

The World Food Programme (WFP) is substantially scaling up its assistance in Myanmar, where ongoing security challenges, humanitarian access restrictions and COVID-19 cases are impacting the population.  It is targeting at least 4 million people across the country, where 1 in 4 is facing food insecurity.

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, in Kigali, Rwanda, today:

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the United Nations Environment Assembly flagship side event: “Steps of a participatory approach towards a new global agreement on marine litter and plastic pollution (Nature for human and ecosystems health)”, in Nairobi today:

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the leadership dialogue of the United Nations Environment Assembly: “Strengthening actions for nature to achieve the sustainable development goals”, in Nairobi today:

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the official opening of the high-level segment of the resumed fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, in Nairobi today:

According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, more than 400 civilian casualties in Ukraine have been reported since the conflict began, including more than 100 deaths.  The real figure could be considerably higher, as many reported casualties have yet to be confirmed.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the closing of the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, today: