In progress at UNHQ

General Assembly Adopts 2 Resolutions Establishing Six-Point Framework for Halting Deforestation, Forest Degradation

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The General Assembly today adopted the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030, a wide-reaching six-point framework aimed at halting deforestation and forest degradation, while also designating 21 April “World Creativity and Innovation Day”.

Empowering Indigenous Women Strengthens Their Communities, Nations in Face of Adversity, Speakers Tell Permanent Forum as Session Continues

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The empowerment of indigenous women as powerful agents of change could only strengthen their communities and nations in the face of environmental and other challenges, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues heard today.

Secretary-General Marks Twentieth Anniversary of Chemical Weapons Convention, Urging Renewed Resolve to Consign ‘Diabolical Weapons’ to Pages of History

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Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the commemorative ceremony for the twentieth anniversary of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, at The Hague today:

Indigenous Speakers in Permanent Forum Decry Governmental Abuse of Traditional Lands, Natural Resources, Urge Respect for Self-Governing Systems

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Calls demanding respect for traditional lands, resources, knowledge and cultures rang through the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues today, with participants from the North Pole to New Zealand pressing Governments to move beyond “paper promises” and uphold their rights.

Department Must Continue to Disseminate Factual, Impartial Information, Delegates Stress as Committee on Information Continues 2017 Session

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Against a backdrop of spiking extremism, proliferating “fake news” and an increasingly fragmented global media space, the Department of Public Information must continue to disseminate factual, impartial information, in accordance with the United Nations Charter principles of sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States, speakers stressed today, as the Committee on Public Information continued its annual session.

Economic Commission for Europe ‘Instrumental’ in Mobilizing 2030 Agenda among Its Members, Deputy Secretary-General Tells Sustainable Development Forum

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Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, at the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) region in Geneva today: