Environmental issues and sustainable development

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for International Mother Earth Day, observed on 22 April:

Following is a transcript of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ press conference to launch the “State of the Global Climate 2020” report, with World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Secretary-General Petteri Taalas, held in New York today:

United Nations humanitarian staff in Nigeria continue to receive alarming reports of clashes between insurgent groups and the armed forces in the town of Damasak in Borno State.  Recently, they say, non-State armed groups have been searching house to house, reportedly looking for civilians identified as aid workers.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ opening remarks to his meeting with leading mayors supported by C40 Cities:  “Advancing a Carbon-Neutral, Resilient Recovery for Cities and Nations”, in New York today:

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the World Circular Economy Forum + Climate event today:

Following is the text of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohamed’s video message for the Initiative for Revival and Sustainable Development 2021:  Youth Empowerment Initiative Webinar, today:

After La Soufriere volcano erupted today in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the United Nations Emergency Technical Team for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries met to discuss the pre-positioning of relief items.  The World Food Programme and the United Nations Children’s Fund are also readying supplies.

The World Food Programme (WFP) said today that, due to significant funding gaps, it is cutting food rations for refugees and internally displaced people in South Sudan.  The cuts will affect nearly 700,000 of them and they will now receive 50 per cent of a full ration, down from 70 per cent.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the Leaders’ Dialogue on the Africa COVID-Climate Emergency, today:

At least 11,000 people have fled their homes following an attack by insurgents on the town of Palma, Mozambique, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).  Officials are working around the clock to provide assistance, including blankets and sleeping mats, but warn that hunger is rising.