Public information

The United Nations Department of Public Information has launched a new animated video on the dramatic story of Yusra Mardini, a young refugee from conflict-torn Syria who achieved her dream to compete in the 2016 Olympic Games.

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the World Summit on the Information Society 2017 Forum, in Geneva on 12 June:

The United Nations has released the forty-second edition of Basic Facts about the United Nations, covering significant developments in the Organization’s global activities since 2014, including the adoption and launch of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.  The colour icons of the Sustainable Development Goals are featured in the publication.

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the Artificial Intelligence for Global Good Summit, in Geneva today:

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Masimba Tafirenyika of Zimbabwe as Director of the United Nations Information Centre in Pretoria, an office that provides service to South Africa.  Mr. Tafirenyika assumed his duties today.

Acting without a vote today, the Committee on Information closed its thirty-ninth session by approving a two-part draft resolution, the second of which emphasized the need to promote multilingualism, bridge the digital divide between developed and developing countries, and maintain the use of traditional media, among other topics.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for World Press Freedom Day, observed on 3 May:

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.

The Department of Public Information was harnessing its multilingual news platforms, worldwide network of information centres and outreach efforts to communicate compelling United Nations stories to a global public increasingly accessing news through tablets and mobile platforms, its Acting Head told the Committee on Information today.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Maurizio Giuliano of Italy as Director of the United Nations Information Centre in Rio de Janeiro, which provides service to Brazil.  He assumed his duties today.