Environmental issues and sustainable development

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks to the World Assembly of Local and Regional Governments, in New York today:

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) issued a statement today — jointly with the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) — noting the presidency’s decision to extend the country’s transitional period by 24 months until February 2027.

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the launch of the “Cities Countdown to 2030” event, in New York today:

The United Nations Department of Global Communications will host an event at United Nations Headquarters on Thursday, 20 September, on the role of science diplomacy in responding to global challenges and building bridges between countries.

In a statement issued on 15 September, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan called for the warring parties to refrain from targeting El Fasher and protect civilians. The International Organization for Migration estimated that at least 250 people were displaced in the latest round of fighting there.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Retno L.P. Marsudi of Indonesia as his Special Envoy on Water, aiming at galvanizing partnerships and concerted efforts to advance the water agenda, including the follow-up on the outcomes of the UN 2023 Water Conference.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that hundreds of thousands of people in Nigeria have been impacted by flash floods after a dam collapsed in Maiduguri in Borno State. The Office says that immediate humanitarian needs include food, include shelter and clean water.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message on the launch of the Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals report:

With demand for minerals critical to renewable energy technologies expected to almost triple by 2030, a diverse expert panel, convened by the UN Secretary-General, has issued a set of recommendations and guiding principles for Governments, industry and other stakeholders to ensure the opportunities of the global energy transition are pursued with equity, justice and sustainability.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports that a vicious cycle of climate change, wildfires and air pollution is having a spiralling negative impact on human health, ecosystems and agriculture.