The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports that this past September was the hottest on record — putting 2023 on track to be the warmest year on record. September saw a record-high monthly global ocean surface temperature and Antarctica also had its warmest September with sea ice remaining at record lows.
Environmental issues and sustainable development
In Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports the cumulative number of displaced people rose 30 per cent just over the past 24 hours to over 338,000; two thirds are taking shelter in schools run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the World Engineers Convention, in Prague today:
In Afghanistan, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that aftershocks continue three days after the earthquake which struck Herat Province and affected over 12,000 people. The UN and its partners are on the ground providing emergency food, shelter, health care and household aid.
Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the Second Sustainable Blue Economy Investment Forum, in Estoril, Portugal, today:
Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the International Climate and Energy Summit, in Madrid today:
Endorsing a political declaration adopted by world leaders last week, the General Assembly today reaffirmed its commitment to lift millions out of poverty and fight extreme hunger as initially pledged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with speakers divided over language or the lack thereof in the text on issues pertaining to climate change, the global economy, unilateral coercive measures and gender-based targets.
Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the General Assembly’s informal briefing marking one year since the 2022 floods in Pakistan, in New York today:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today released a report analysing methane emissions in livestock and rice systems. The report outlines how methane emissions can be measured as well as mitigation strategies. Methane emissions are one of the main drivers of the climate crisis.
Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the ministerial meeting of the least developed countries, in New York today: