The risk of the world鈥檚 major powers engaging in conflict is at its highest level since the Cold War, and the possibility of nuclear war breaking out is greater today than it has been for several decades. On the final episode of podcast, Conor Lennon and Ben Malor from UN News concentrate on international peace and security, and how the Pact for the Future could help to reduce tensions. We鈥檒l hear from the UN鈥檚 heads of 大象传媒keeping and 大象传媒building (and explain the difference between the two concepts), and the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who warns against 鈥渘ormalizing鈥 the idea of using nuclear weapons.
United Nations Organization
From 24 through 30 September, Heads of State and Government will address the General Assembly raising topics of importance to the Member State. in any of the six official languages! Chaired by H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang, President of the 79th session, the debate will this year focus on the theme "Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations".
The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly marks a crucial milestone in the global effort to accelerate progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN Department of Global Communications hosted its annual flagship SDG Media Zone featuring impactful in-depth interviews and dialogues on global issues that matter to people around the world. See our live coverage of the week that brought together world leaders, influencers, activists, experts, content creators and media partners to highlight actions and solutions in support of the #GlobalGoals.
The Summit of the Future (22-23 September) is a high-level event bringing together world leaders to forge a new international consensus on delivering a better present and safeguarding the future. Effective global cooperation is critical to our survival but difficult to achieve in an atmosphere of mistrust, using outdated structures that no longer reflect today鈥檚 political and economic realities. The Summit will adopt three agreements: a Pact for the Future, a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations. Follow the on our website, and .
The Reham Al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship is a unique opportunity for young journalists (ages 22-35) from developing countries to cover the opening of the United Nations General Assembly and other UN events. The three-week programme includes special briefings, interviews with senior officials, and visits to news organizations. Fellows are expected to continue their journalism work and promote a better understanding of the United Nations in their home countries. Since its founding in 1981, the fellowship has been awarded to 652 journalists from 168 countries.
The preamble to the United Nations Charter brought to life a new organization for countries to maintain international peace, build friendly relations, and solve global challenges, known as multilateralism. International agreements like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the on climate change are examples of successful multilateralism. The United Nations General Assembly, which meets annually, provides a forum for countries to address shared challenges and foster unity. For example, the upcoming Summit of the Future aims to breathe new life into the multilateral approach, proposing a "Pact for the future" to strengthen the international system.
Serving the cause of peace in a violent world is a dangerous occupation. Since the founding of the United Nations, nearly 4,400 brave men and women have lost their lives in its service. Each year, the Secretary-General hosts a memorial service to remember and honour our fallen colleagues and to reflect upon their legacies. This year's honours United Nations personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2023. Among them are 135 women and men who worked for the (UNRWA) in Gaza - the highest number of UN personnel killed in a single conflict since the creation of the United Nations.
Young people emerge as unparalleled prophets of resilience, spearheading awareness on vital sustainable development fronts.
The United Nations recognizes the importance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings. Governments and international organizations should invest in conditions that support happiness by upholding human rights and integrating well-being and environmental dimensions into their policy frameworks. The United Nations invites everyone to celebrate the International Day of Happiness (20 March). The same day sees the release of the World Happiness Report 2024, centered around the theme of happiness for the young, the old, and everyone in between.
Our Common Agenda is the Secretary-General's vision for the future of global cooperation, in answer to the of Member States to strengthen global governance. It calls for inclusive, networked, and effective multilateralism to better respond and deliver for the people and planet and to get the world back on track by turbocharging action on the Sustainable Development Goals. It outlines possible solutions to address the gaps and risks that have emerged since 2015, calling for a Summit of the Future, which will be held in September 2024.
The UN's work in the second half of 2024 will be just as challenging as the first half. If 2023 marked a for achieving the 17 goals of the 2030 Agenda, the will be an opportunity to assess progress on the SDGs. With a focus on long-term goals, the Summit of the Future will seek to build a consensus on how to deliver 鈥渁 better present and safeguard the future鈥, while the next UN Climate Conference will take the first steps towards . Additionally, humanitarian workers will receive well-deserved recognition.
As we enter a new year, the UN will once again play a crucial role in addressing some of the world鈥檚 most pressing challenges such as strengthening the global economy, supporting climate action and maintaining peace in conflict zones. In the first half of 2024, the Organization will convene the 鈥 and the will discuss ways to accelerate gender equality. The UN will deliberate on the threats and opportunities of , while will gather to discuss global issues.
鈥淭here is talent, there is potential, there is brilliance in all parts of the world. There's a new Einstein, there's a new Malala, you name the brilliant people around the world. But some of them have been denied the chance, even now, to have even the most basic education at school. And so, if 260 million school aged children are not going to school today, or any day, what a waste.鈥
A committed public servant, Gordon Brown has a strong sense of social responsibility. Now United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is working towards a powerful vision: giving every child the chance to go to school.
Modern slavery, trafficking, and child marriage are just some of the factors that contribute to an eyewatering 16% of youth worldwide missing out on school. In this episode, Gordon Brown reflects on the power of education to unleash hidden talent, on his own political legacy, and on why he still believes collaboration is the key to solving global crises.
鈥淭he lesson for me of all the recent crises is [that] cooperation is an essential element of the new world we're in鈥 we waste our resources by everybody doing their own thing.鈥
Photo: 漏UN Photo/Jaclyn Licht
The today in mourning for the , killed in Gaza since 7 October. UN Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres has invited UN personnel worldwide to honour their memory by observing a minute of silence at 9:30 am. He recently deplored the unprecedented loss of life and commended those on the front lines of the humanitarian crisis: 鈥淢ore United Nations aid workers have been killed than in any comparable period in the history of our organization. I salute all those who continue their life-saving work despite the overwhelming challenges and risks.鈥
United Nations Day (24 October) marks the anniversary of the day in 1945 when the United Nations Charter entered into force. UN Day offers the opportunity to amplify our common agenda and reaffirm the purposes and principles of the UN Charter that have guided us for the past 78 years. Under the theme of The Frontlines of Climate Action, the UN Day Concert 2023 will present the power of the human spirit to combat the climate crisis, while highlighting the challenges faced by Small Island Developing States and other frontline communities across the globe that bear the brunt of the devastating impact of climate change.