The Intergovernmental Conference tasked with drafting a legally binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity continued its work on cross-cutting issues today, with delegates outlining whether the new treaty should establish a clearing house mechanism, and if so, for what purpose.

The World Health Statistics 2019 — disaggregated by sex for the first time — found that women outlive men everywhere, particularly in wealthy countries.  The gap in life expectancy is narrowest where women lack access to health services.  WHO published the report to coincide with World Health Day on 7 April.

From 26 to 28 March, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) in cooperation with the Commission of the African Union, and with the financial support of the European Union, convened a training course for 1540 national points of contact from English-speaking African States in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the role of the family in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, came under the spotlight today as delegates to the Commission on Population and Development continued to reflect on the progress the world has made in the 25 years since the landmark International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo and the adoption of its Programme of Action.

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at a press briefing to launch the 2019 Financing for Sustainable Development Report, in New York today:

Delegates today grappled with the issue of funding sources for capacity‑building and the transfer of marine technology — as well as the most suitable monitoring and review processes in that arena — along with the matter of establishing subsidiary bodies, as the Intergovernmental Conference, tasked with drafting a legally binding instrument on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity, continued its work.

The World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund issued the first comprehensive global report on water, noting that one in four health facilities around the world lack basic water services.  In the least developed countries, that number rises to 55 per cent of health facilities lacking services.

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the High-Level Round Table on Sustainable Floating Cities, in New York today:

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s opening remarks, as prepared for delivery, for the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace event, in New York today:

Noting some advances since the inauguration in September 2018 of re-elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the Security Council today urged the Government of Mali and the Plateforme and Coordination armed groups to continue expediting implementation of their peace accord while urging all parties to refrain from actions undermining progress.