Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking via videolink from London, said there was no other way to combat a virus that spreads “like wildfire” throughout impoverished nations and risks mutating except through equitable, widespread vaccination, adding that injections must be “available and inexpensive to all.” Mr. Guterres praised the International Monetary FundContinue Reading
On June 12, the United Nations General Assembly approved Costa Rican economist Rebecca Grynspan’s candidacy to lead the UN agency for trade and development, making her the first woman and Central American to manage the Geneva-based organization. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres nominated her to be the secretary-general of the United NationsContinue Reading
Ghana received 185 votes, Gabon 183, UAE 179, Albania 175, and Brazil 181 votes, according to the final result. Peru and Iran each received one vote, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) received three. The United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China are the five permanentContinue Reading
According to UN scientists, in order to rescue the planet, the world must address both the climate change and species loss issues simultaneously, taking efforts to address both rather than just one. Separate United Nations scientific agencies released a combined report on climate change and biodiversity loss on Thursday, findingContinue Reading
In the context of a broader attempt to address the issues of international health professional mobility, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, Dr. Hans Kluge, and Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Directors for the Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, and Southeast Asia, respectively, have launched a virtual tri-regional policyContinue Reading
The United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution asking for immediate action to eliminate AIDS by 2030, noting “with alarm” that the COVID-19 epidemic has exacerbated disparities and pushed access to AIDS drugs, treatments, and diagnostics farther off track. The late-Tuesday declaration included targets for governments to reach 95%Continue Reading
As Canada considers how to proceed with issuing COVID-19 vaccine passports, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is paving the way for their production. The ICAO has announced new technical specifications for a visible digital seal, on Wednesday. According to the ICAO, the seal stores data for “test and immunizationContinue Reading
Russia’s space commander has threatened to leave the International Space Station (ISS) program in 2025 unless US sanctions on Russia’s space sector are lifted. Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin said during a Russian parliament hearing on Monday that if the sanctions remain in place and are not lifted soon theContinue Reading
The recommendation, which was made in a private meeting by acclamation, now moves to the 193-member General Assembly for formal ratification. Following the submission of the Security Council’s recommendation to the General Assembly, a draught resolution is issued for the Assembly’s consideration. The Assembly President sets a date for theContinue Reading
A new collaboration between the Government of Canada and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is being launched to improve the health and protection of populations in situations of high vulnerability due to COVID-19. To meet this target, Canada is contributing CAN$50 million (close to US$40 million) in support ofContinue Reading
