April 20, 2025
Linkedin Facebook Youtube
Donate
Search

Author name: admin

J. Tuyet Nguyen, a journalist with years of experience, has covered major stories in New York City and the United Nations for United Press International, the German Press Agency dpa and various newspapers. His reports focused mostly on topics with international interests for readers worldwide. He was president of the United Nations Correspondents Association (2007 and 2008), which is composed of more than 250 journalists representing world media with influence over policy decision makers. He has chaired the organization of the annual UNCA Awards, which seeks to reward journalists around the world who have done the best broadcasts and written reports on the UN and its specialized agencies. He has traveled the world to cover events and write stories, from politics to the environment as well cultures of different regions. But his most important reporting work has been with the United Nations since the early 1980s. He was bureau chief of United Press International office at the UN headquarters before joining dpa in 1997. Prior to working at the UN, he was an editor on the International Desk of UPI World Headquarters in New York. He worked in Los Angeles and covered the final months of war in Vietnam for UPI.

Russia’s resolution supporting humanitarian aid in Ukraine rejected by UN Security Council

Leave a Comment / Conflict /

By J. Tuyet Nguyen

New York, March 23 – The UN Security Council turned down a Russian-backed resolution calling for humanitarian aid and protection of health workers in Ukraine after 13 council members abstained and only Russia and China voted in favor.  The resolution called for respect of international humanitarian and human rights law and for an end of hostilities without mentioning Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.

It was the first time that China voted in favor of a UN resolution on the war in Ukraine.

UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward said the Russian resolution was “a cynical effort by Russia to exploit the crisis which they have caused. Their resolution called for respect for international humanitarian law, but overlooked the fact that they are committing war crimes. Their resolution called for the protection of women and children, but overlooked the fact that they had bombed the hospital in Mariupol and the theatre in Mariupol. Their resolution called for a ceasefire – although we know that the last time they called for a ceasefire, Russia breached it within hours. Their resolution did not call for the one thing that would work, which is that Russia needs to stop its invasion of Ukraine. Thank you.”

Council members who abstained are: the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway and United Arab Emirates.

It takes nine votes to pass a resolution in the 15-nation UN Security Council but the vote is blocked if one of the five permanent members vote against, which constitutes a veto. The five members are the US, the UK, Russia, France and China.

The failed Russian resolution included the following demands: It “stressed the need to ensure humane treatment of detainees in accordance with international humanitarian law;” “demanded that civilians, including humanitarian personnel and persons in vulnerable situations, including women and children are fully protected.”

It demanded “from all parties concerned full respect for provisions of international humanitarian law in connection with objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population and civilian infrastructure that is critical to enable the delivery of essential services in armed conflict, and to refrain from deliberately placing military objects and equipment in the vicinity of such objects or in the midst of densely populated areas, as well as not to use civilian objects for military purposes;”

It called “upon all parties concerned to allow safe and unhindered passage to destinations outside of Ukraine, including to foreign nationals without discrimination, and facilitate safe and unhindered access of humanitarian assistance to those in need in and around Ukraine, taking into account the particular needs of women, girls, men and boys, older persons and persons with disabilities;”

It “condemned all violations of international humanitarian law and violations of human rights, and calls upon all parties to respect strictly the relevant provisions of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and Additional Protocol I thereto, of 1977 and to respect international human rights law, as applicable;”and “called upon Member States to fund the flash appeal launched by the United Nations for the humanitarian response in Ukraine, as well as the regional refugee response plan for Ukraine.”

United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists

United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles

Russia’s resolution supporting humanitarian aid in Ukraine rejected by UN Security Council Read More »

UN creates global emergency group on food, energy and finance to meet demands in Ukraine war

Leave a Comment / Conflict /

watch video news 

New York, March 14 – The United Nations has established a Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance to assist the Ukrainian people living under terrifying conditions created by the Russian war, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

“The country is being decimated before the eyes of the world,” Guterres told journalists at UN headquarters. “The impact on civilians is reaching terrifying proportions. Countless innocent people – including women and children – have been killed. After being hit by Russian forces, roads, airports and schools lie in ruins.”

He said in coming days the crisis group will consult member states “willing to champion the actions needed to carry forward the global emergency response that will be required for these looming crises. Make no mistake, everyday people, especially women and children, will bear the brunt of this unfolding tragedy.”

The war is getting worse and “whatever the outcome, this war will have no winners, only losers,” Guterres said.

He reiterated that the war brings back “the prospect of nuclear conflict, “once unthinkable, is now back within the realm of possibility,” calling for preserving the security and safety of nuclear facilities.

UN agencies working in Ukraine said 1.9 million people have become internally displaced inside the country and more than 2.8 million others have become refugees as people continued to escape across borders under harsh conditions, including women and children who are vulnerable to human traffickers.

Three UN agencies – UNICEF, UNFPA and WHO – issued an urgent appeal on March 13 for an immediate cessation of all attacks so the UN can provide humanitarian aid to the civilian population.

“Today, we call for an immediate cessation of all attacks on health care in Ukraine. These horrific attacks are killing and causing serious injuries to patients and health workers, destroying vital health infrastructure and forcing thousands to forgo accessing health services despite catastrophic needs.

“To attack the most vulnerable – babies, children, pregnant women, and those already suffering from illness and disease, and health workers risking their own lives to save lives – is an act of unconscionable cruelty.

“In Ukraine, since the start of the war, 31 attacks on health care have been documented via the WHO’s Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care (SSA). According to these reports, in 24 incidents health care facilities were damaged or destroyed, while in five cases ambulances were damaged or destroyed. These attacks have led to at least 12 deaths and 34 injuries, and affected access to and availability of essential health services. WHO is verifying further reports, as attacks continue to be reported despite the calls for protection of health care.

“Attacks on health care and health workers directly impact people’s ability to access essential health services – especially women, children and other vulnerable groups. We have already seen that the health care needs of pregnant women, new mothers, younger children and older people inside Ukraine are rising, while access to services is being severely limited by the violence.

“For example, more than 4,300 births have occurred in Ukraine since the start of war and 80,000 Ukrainian women are expected to give birth in next three months. Oxygen and medical supplies, including for the management of pregnancy complications, are running dangerously low.

“The health care system in Ukraine is clearly under significant strain, and its collapse would be a catastrophe. Every effort must be made to prevent this from happening.

“International humanitarian and human rights law must be upheld, and the protection of civilians must be our top priority.

“Humanitarian partners and health care workers must be able to safely maintain and strengthen essential health service delivery, including immunization against COVID-19 and polio, and the supply of life-saving medicines for civilians across Ukraine as well as to refugees crossing into neighbouring countries. Health services should be systematically available at border crossings, including rapid care and referral processes for children and pregnant women.

“It is critical that humanitarian actors have safe and unimpeded access to reach ALL civilians in need wherever they may be. UNICEF, UNFPA and WHO are working with partners to scale up life-saving services and support to meet urgent health needs. We must be able to safely deliver emergency medical supplies – including those required for obstetric and neonatal care – to health centers, temporary facilities and underground shelters.

“Health care and services should be protected from all acts of violence and obstruction. Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has already put health systems and health care workers under enormous strain, such attacks have the potential to be even more devastating for the civilian population. For the sake of health workers, and for all people in Ukraine who need access to the lifesaving services they provide, attacks on all health care and other civilian infrastructure must stop.

“Finally, we call for an immediate ceasefire, which includes unhindered access so that people in need can access humanitarian assistance. A peaceful resolution to end the war in Ukraine is possible.”

Signatures: UNICEF Catherine Russell, Executive Director; UNFPA Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director;

WHO Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General

United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists

United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles

UN creates global emergency group on food, energy and finance to meet demands in Ukraine war Read More »

UN chief says Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings back specter of nuclear destruction; urges world to unite against “this violation of international law”

Leave a Comment / Conflict /

New York, March 10 – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a violation of international law and the war will deplete humanitarian funds needed in vulnerable countries, increase global hunger and contribute to the climate crisis.

“We have been brought back to the foundational promise of the United Nations Charter, to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. Many people around the world are asking how this could happen in the 21st century,” Guterres said in an address to the UN General Assembly which convened to discuss implementation of Our Common Agenda, a blueprint for multilateralism and collective action on development.

He said, “How are we still staring into the nuclear abyss, as millions of people flee across borders and the most fundamental tenets of international law are trampled?”

The war will “stretch humanitarian funding even thinner, increasing the suffering of many of the most vulnerable,” and “could indirectly increase global hunger. Ukraine is one of the world’s biggest sources of grain, the Russian Federation is second, and the conflict could cause prices to spike,” he said.

 “This conflict is deeply linked with the climate crisis, demonstrating how our continued reliance on fossil fuels puts the global economy and energy security at the mercy of geopolitical shocks.”

Reminding the 193-nation assembly that it was meeting amid the war in Ukraine, he said, “Peace is the most important global public good and the United Nations was created to deliver it. War brings death, human suffering and unimaginable destruction, at a time when we cannot afford to add to the major global challenges we face.”

“This conflict also calls on us to come together in cooperation and solidarity to support everyone affected, and to overcome this violation of international law,” he said, adding that if the international organization wants to bequeath “a world free from want and fear, and full of opportunities to fulfil their potential, we must urgently focus on building and strengthening the foundations of the multilateral system.”

Active UN humanitarian work underway in Ukraine

Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said as of March 10 there were an estimated 1.9 million internally displaced Ukrainians and the UN refugee agency reported that more than 2.3 million others have now crossed the country’s western border in search of safety in neighboring countries, UN News reported.

“Three things are critical in the short term, as Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths has stressed: civilians, whether they stay or leave, must be respected and protected; safe passage is needed for humanitarian supplies; and we need a system of constant communications with parties to the conflict”, Dujarric said.

“In terms of response, humanitarian organizations are deploying additional staff across the country and are working to move supplies to warehouses in different hubs within Ukraine and outside.

Other humanitarian activities underway or under planning include those of the World Food Program which was planning to assist up to 3.1 million people inside Ukraine with bulk food, bread and food rations, the spokesman said.

“With consignments of food assistance arriving every day, WFP is in a race against time to pre-position food in areas where fighting is expected to flare”, he said.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said more than one million children have now fled Ukraine and it has sent close to 70 tons of supplies that include food, personal protection equipment and medical gears.

“Working with its partners, UNICEF teams in Ukraine will be delivering medical supplies to 22 hospitals in five different conflict-affected areas in the country, to benefit 20,000 children and mothers,” Dujarric said.

“Across the border, three trucks were sent from Copenhagen – which is UNICEF’s warehouse in Europe and the largest humanitarian hub in the world – and those trucks were carrying essential supplies, such as early childhood development, recreational and hygiene kits. These supplies have now arrived in Poland.”

Dujarric said the World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered 81 metric tons of supplies and is establishing a pipeline of supplies for health facilities across Ukraine. WHO has also released $10.2 million from its Contingency Fund and deployed staff to provide more essential care to exhausted and devastated refugees fleeing their homeland.

UN News also reported that the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned that the coming weeks will be critical, as farmers will need to prepare land for sowing vegetables in the middle of March. Ukraine is one of the world’s biggest suppliers of grain for export.

Between February and May, Ukrainian farmers would normally be preparing land for planting wheat, barley, maize, and sunflowers. FAO is stressing that all efforts should be made to protect harvests and livestock, during the intense and growing conflict.

The Ukraine Flash Appeal 2022 has received $109 million so far, which represents 9.6 per cent of what is needed. The appeal which was launched by the Secretary-General on 1 March, requires $1.1 billion for a three-month period for humanitarian response inside Ukraine.

“As we have said we encourage the donors who made generous pledges to release the money quickly and report their contribution to OCHA’s Financial Tracking Service,” Dujarric said.

Read more News here

United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists

United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles

UN chief says Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings back specter of nuclear destruction; urges world to unite against “this violation of international law” Read More »

UN: “Unnecessary conflict” causes 1.7 million refugees, 406 dead and mounting, shatters millions of lives

Leave a Comment / Conflict /

Geneva/New York, March 7 – The Russian military operations in Ukraine have shattered millions of lives, made 1.7 million refugees and killed 406 people among more than 1,200 civilian casualties in 11 days of violence but “the real figure could be considerably higher,” the UN humanitarian relief coordinator told the UN Security Council.

Martin Griffiths, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said the relief works involved many UN agencies and non-governmental organizations and his office in Geneva began sending surge staff days before the Russian invasion started on February 24.

“People are watching as this unnecessary conflict engulfs cities and civilians with an extra sense of dread over the impact it will have on the wider world. I include myself in this category,” Griffiths said as he and UN staff and volunteers have been working non-stop without any sleep since the Russian invasion.

He described the war’s impacts on civilians in Ukraine as follow: “People cannot stay home with shops shut, power and water cut, shells falling and phones switched off.  They can’t find what they need even if they have money to pay for it. As we have seen even as the TV cameras roll, many can’t even flee in safety either. “
 

The UN refugee agency said more than 1.7 million refugees escaped violence, fear and pain and constituted the largest surge of refugees since World War II. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported at least 1,207 civilian casualties, including at least 406 dead. “The real figure could be considerably higher,”  Griffiths said.

He said humanitarian assistance has continued in all areas in Ukraine where security, including in  cities such as Mariupol, Kharkiv, and Kherson, and relief response is also being scaled up from hubs in Vinnutsya, Uzhorod and Lviv. 

“The UN and our partners have already provided food to hundreds of thousands of people. The World Food Program is setting up supply chain operations to deliver immediate food and cash assistance to 3-5 million people inside Ukraine, “Griffiths said.

The UN humanitarian office appealed for $1.7 billion days after Russian military forces began their operations in Ukraine. Griffiths said donors have generously met the request.

 He saidthe World Health Organization has shipped trauma care, emergency surgery equipment and other supplies that will help thousands of people and more supplies are on their way. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees is providing assistance through a network of shops in Mariupol, in collaboration with NGOs. It’s bringing in thousands of blankets, mattresses and other relief items from Poland and shipping them to transit centers. In addition, the Ukrainian Red Cross has distributed humanitarian assistance to thousands via its emergency stockpiles.

“I especially salute the more than 4,000 Red Cross volunteers, the community workers of local NGOs, the truck drivers carrying basic necessities into volatile areas,” he said.

Griffiths said his office has requested Moscow (1) to take constant care to spare civilians and civilian homes and infrastructure in their military operations; (2) create safe passage for humanitarian supplies into areas of active hostilities. Civilians in places like Mariupol, Kharkiv, Melitopol, and elsewhere desperately need aid, especially life-saving medical supplies and (3) the UN urgently needs a system of constant communication with parties to the conflict and assurances to enable the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Griffiths said the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which he called an “unnecessary conflict” happened while populations in other countries badly need humanitarian assistance.

“I am deeply worried about the consequences on vulnerable people living half a world away. 

Food prices are spiking and supplies uncertain. We didn’t need that either. People in the Sahel, Yemen, the Horn of Africa, Afghanistan, Madagascar, and beyond already face profound food insecurity.

Record-level fuel prices mean life becomes harder still in places like Lebanon, where generators keep hospitals open and water treatment plants working. 

We simply cannot afford to have political attention and donor funding diluted, diverted from other pressing humanitarian crises. This may be the latest war, but not the only one.” 

United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists

United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles

UN: “Unnecessary conflict” causes 1.7 million refugees, 406 dead and mounting, shatters millions of lives Read More »

UN General Assembly condemns Russia’s military operations in Ukraine

Leave a Comment / News /

By J. Tuyet Nguyen

New York, March 2 – The United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly 141-5 to adopt a resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and demanding that Russia withdraw its military forces and respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. A total of 35 countries abstained.

The five countries voting against were Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea and Eritrea.

The resolution adopted by the 193-member assembly in an emergency special session reaffirmed the UN commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

It condemned Russia’s “special military operation” against Ukraine and “deplored in the strongest terms the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine” in violation of the UN Charter. The resolution called for an immediate and complete cease-fire and for the immediate withdrawal of Russian military forces from Ukraine.

The resolution also condemned all violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights, and it called on all parties to strictly respect relevant provisions of international humanitarian law.

On February 24, the UN Security Council, which is the top political body in the organization, attempted to condemn the Russian military operations that started on February 23 but a vote on a resolution failed due to a veto by the Russian representative. In the vote, 11 members voted in favor of the resolution, Russia voted against and three members abstained: China, India and the UAE.

Contrary to voting rules in the 15-nation Security Council, a negative vote in the General Assembly does not constitute a veto, which automatically blocks a resolution from being adopted. In the Security Council the five permanent members – the US, Russia, France, China and the UK – each has the right to block a vote regardless of whether a majority of council members voted in favor of a resolution.

The council then asked the General Assembly to take action on the resolution condemning the invasion of Ukraine under an emergency procedure known as Uniting for Peace. Only 10 such special sessions had been held by the assembly since 1950. The special sessions give the assembly the power to take up matters of international peace and security when the Security Council is unable to act because of the lack of unanimity among its five veto-wielding permanent members.

“The fighting in Ukraine must stop,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in an address to the special emergency session. “It is raging across the country, from air, land and sea. It must stop now.”

Guterres said Russia’s decision to put its nuclear forces on high alert is a “chilling development. The mere idea of a nuclear conflict is simply inconceivable. Nothing can justify the use of nuclear weapons.”

“We face what could easily become Europe’s worst humanitarian and refugee crisis in decades, with the numbers of refugees and internally displaced multiplying by the minute.”

Ambassador Olof Skoog, head of the European Union Delegation to the UN, told the assembly that the EU “condemned in the strongest possible terms the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by armed forces of the Russian Federation in violation of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

“We also condemn the involvement of Belarus in this aggression against Ukraine.  We urge both Russia and Belarus to abide by their international obligations.

We are also alarmed by Russia’s raising of the nuclear alert level.  We call on Russia to de-escalate and to immediately return to the previous alert level of its nuclear arsenal and to avoid any actions that could risk the safety or security of the nuclear power plants in Ukraine, a non-nuclear weapon State under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).”

“Russia bears full responsibility for this aggression and the resulting loss of life and destruction. We demand from Russia to cease its military operations immediately and unconditionally and to withdraw all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. We further call on Russia to engage in earnest in dialogue with a view to a political and diplomatic solution.”

UN appeals for $1.7 billion as humanitarian needs soar in Ukraine and neighboring countries

(Following is a press release from Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator and UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva)

The United Nations and humanitarian partners launched coordinated emergency appeals for a combined $1.7 billion to urgently deliver humanitarian support to people in Ukraine and refugees in neighboring countries.

The escalation of conflict has triggered an immediate and steep rise in humanitarian needs as essential supplies and services are disrupted and civilians flee the fighting.

The UN estimates that 12 million people inside Ukraine will need relief and protection, while more than 4 million Ukrainian refugees may need protection and assistance in neighboring countries in the coming months.

UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said: “Families with small children are hunkered down in basements and subway stations or running for their lives to the terrifying sound of explosions and wailing sirens. Casualty numbers are rising fast. This is the darkest hour for the people of Ukraine. We need to ramp up our response now to protect the lives and dignity of ordinary Ukrainians. We must respond with compassion and solidarity.”

The Flash Appeal asks for $1.1 billion to assist 6 million people inside Ukraine for an initial three months. The program includes multipurpose cash assistance for the most vulnerable people, food assistance, water and sanitation, support to health care and education services, and shelter assistance to rebuild damaged homes. The plan also aims to deliver support to authorities to maintain and establish transit and reception centres for displaced people and prevent gender-based violence.

Aid groups will need safe and unimpeded access to all conflict-affected areas according to the core humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and operational independence.

With more than half a million refugees having fled Ukraine to neighboring countries in the past five days alone, and many more expected, support is also required to meet the critical needs of those seeking protection outside the country.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, said: “We are looking at what could become Europe’s largest refugee crisis this century. While we have seen tremendous solidarity and hospitality from neighboring countries in receiving refugees, including from local communities and private citizens, much more support will be needed to assist and protect new arrivals.”

An inter-agency Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) for the Ukraine situation asks for a preliminary $550.6 million to help refugees in Poland, the Republic of Moldova, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, as well as in other countries in the region in order to help host countries provide shelter, emergency relief items, cash assistance, and mental health and psychosocial support to those who fled Ukraine, including people with specific needs, such as unaccompanied children. Media contacts: Shabia Mantoo, UNHCR, mantoo@unhcr.org, +41 79 337 7650 – Jens Laerke, UNOCHA, laerke@un.org, +41 79 472 9750

Read more News on Conflict here

United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists

United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles

UN General Assembly condemns Russia’s military operations in Ukraine Read More »

Earth is heating up from coal and other fossil fuels burning, new climate report says

Leave a Comment / Climate /

Berlin/New York, February 28 – While all efforts have focused on preventing planet earth from heating up above 1.5 degrees Celsius, a new study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) with the contribution of 270 scientists from 67 countries said global temperatures will well exceed that threshold in the 21st century unless deep reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions occur during this decade.

IPCC, a UN organization dedicated to assessing the science related to climate change, provided a detailed look at threats from global warming, focusing on climate change impacts and how countries have so far adapted to new technology to fight climate change. It said if earth temperatures are heating up above 1.5-2 degrees, coastal and Arctic regions could suffer beyond repair and the planet will see rising seas and more frequent and widespread wildfires, flooding and droughts.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the report shows “an atlas of human suffering and a damning indictment of failed climate leadership. With fact upon fact, this report reveals how people and the planet are getting clobbered by climate change.”

“As current events make all too clear, our continued reliance on fossil fuels makes the global economy and energy security vulnerable to geopolitical shocks and crises,” Guterres said. “Instead of slowing down the decarbonization of the global economy, now is the time to accelerate the energy transition to a renewable energy future. Fossil fuels are a dead end – for our planet, for humanity, and yes, for economies. A prompt, well-managed transition to renewables is the only pathway to energy security, universal access and the green jobs our world needs.”

The report said governments have not done enough to adapt to climate-friendly technology and taken the necessary measures to ward off the hazards of climate change. It called for transformational changes to safeguard human well-being, including building up stronger health systems, supply chains and providing the necessary needs in society, from energy to advanced urban planning.

It said poor countries face much bigger challenges than rich ones while developing countries do not have enough resources for dealing with climate shocks. It said floods, droughts and storms killed 15 times as many people in developing nations in Africa, Asia and elsewhere than in the wealthiest countries in the last decade. Between 3.3 billion and 3.6 billion people, or nearly half of the world population, are “highly vulnerable” to climate change.

Reaction supporting the report’s findings  were prompt. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Geneva called for urgent local action and funding, particularly for those most vulnerable, to combat the devastating humanitarian impacts of the climate crisis confirmed in the IPCC report.

IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain said, “The IPCC report confirms what the IFRC and its network of 192 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have already witnessed for years: Climate change is already disrupting the lives of billions, particularly the world’s poorest who have contributed the least to it.”

“The global response to COVID-19 proves that governments can act decisively and drastically in the face of imminent global threats. We need the same energy and action to combat climate change now, and we need it to reach the most climate-vulnerable communities across the world so that they have the tools and funding to anticipate and manage risks.”

United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists

United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles

Earth is heating up from coal and other fossil fuels burning, new climate report says Read More »

WHO establishes global biomanufacturing training hub in South Korea, Asian nations to receive mRNA technology

Leave a Comment / Health /

Editor’s note: Following its successful establishment of mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub in South Africa, WHO announced it is moving forward on goal to boost local pharmaceutical production by establishing global biomanufacturing training hub in the Republic of Korea.

Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Serbia and Vietnam will receive mRNA technology from the technology transfer hub. Following is a press release from WHO in Geneva.

Geneva, 23 February 2022 – The World Health Organization (WHO), the Republic of Korea and the WHO Academy today announced the establishment of a global biomanufacturing training hub that will serve all low- and middle-income countries wishing to produce biologicals, such as vaccines, insulin, monoclonal antibodies and cancer treatments. The move comes after the successful establishment of a global mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub in South Africa.

“One of the key barriers to successful technology transfer in low- and middle-income countries is the lack of a skilled workforce and weak regulatory systems,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Building those skills will ensure that they can manufacture the health products they need at a good quality standard so that they no longer have to wait at the end of the queue.”

The Government of the Republic of Korea has offered a large facility outside Seoul that is already carrying out biomanufacturing training for companies based in the country and will now expand its operations to accommodate trainees from other countries. The facility will provide technical and hands-on training on operational and good manufacturing practice requirements and will complement specific trainings developed by the mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub in South Africa.

The WHO Academy will work with the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare to develop a comprehensive curriculum on general biomanufacturing.

“Just 60 years ago, Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world,” said Mr Kwon Deok-chul, Minister of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea. “With the help and support of WHO and the international community, we have transitioned into a country with a strong public health system and bio-industry. Korea deeply cherishes the solidarity that the international community has shown us during our transition. By sharing these lessons we’ve learnt from our own experience in the past, we will strive to support the low- and middle-income countries in strengthening their biomanufacturing capabilities so that we could pave the way together towards a safer world during the next pandemic.”

In parallel, WHO is intensifying regulatory system strengthening through its Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT), an instrument that assesses regulatory authorities’ maturity level. The GBT will serve as the main parameter for WHO to include national regulators in the WHO-listed Authorities list. Another aim is to build a network of regional centres of excellence that will act as advisers and guides for countries with weaker regulatory systems.

Five more countries will also receive support from the global mRNA hub in South Africa: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Serbia and Vietnam. These countries were vetted by a group of experts and proved that they had the capacity to absorb the technology and, with targeted training, move to production stage relatively quickly. 

“Indonesia is one of the countries that continuously supports vaccine equity and equal access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries, including through transfer of vaccine technology and know-how to developing countries,” said Mrs Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia.

“This transfer of technology will contribute to equal access to health countermeasures, which will help us to recover together and recover stronger. This is the kind of solution that developing countries need. A solution that empowers and strengthens our self-reliance, as well as a solution that allows us to contribute to global health resilience.”

“Support from the World Health Organization in this process is of essential importance for the development of continuing, quality and safe production of vaccines and medical products,” said Dr Zlatibor Loncar, Minister of Health, Serbia. “The development of new technology means the development of professional knowledge of Serbian experts and training of new young staff, as the absolute national priority.”  

”Although Viet Nam is a developing country, we have had a lot of experience in vaccine development over the past decades,” said Dr Nguyen Thanh Long, Minister of Health of Viet Nam. ”Our National Regulatory Authority (NRA) has also been recognized by WHO. We believe that in participating in this initiative, Viet Nam will produce the mRNA vaccine not only for domestic consumption but also for other countries in the region and the world, contributing to reducing inequalities in access to vaccines.”

Argentina and Brazil were the first countries from the region of the Americas to receive mRNA technology from the global hub in South Africa, joining the initiative in September 2021. Companies from those countries are already receiving training from the technology transfer hub. 

“We are convinced that, with the technical support from WHO, its regional offices, and the international community of experts, we will succeed in improving equitable and timely access,” said Dr Carla Vizzotti, Minister of Health of Argentina. “If we want to achieve better global and regional health outcomes, including better preparedness for future health emergencies, we must break our region’s cycle of dependency in a highly concentrated global vaccine market.”

Numerous countries responded to the call for expressions of interest from the technology transfer hub in late 2021. WHO will provide support to all of the respondents but is currently prioritizing countries that do not have mRNA technology but already have some biomanufacturing infrastructure and capacity. WHO will enter into discussions with other interested countries and other mRNA technology recipients will be announced in the coming months. 

Read more on the mRNA technology transfer hub

United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists

United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles

WHO establishes global biomanufacturing training hub in South Korea, Asian nations to receive mRNA technology Read More »

UN chief calls for immediate cease-fire and de-escalation in Ukraine; says Russia violates UN Charter

Leave a Comment / News /

New York, February 22 – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Russia’s recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Ukraine amounts to a violation of that country’s sovereignty as well as the UN Charter. He said Russia’s military threats against Ukraine is the “biggest global peace and security crisis in recent years.”

“Let me be clear: the decision of the Russian Federation to recognize the so-called “independence” of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions is a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine,” Guterres told journalists at UN headquarters after cutting short his trip and meetings in Africa to return to New York.            

“Such a unilateral measure conflicts directly with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations – and is inconsistent with the so-called Friendly Relations Declaration of the General Assembly which the International Court of Justice has repeatedly cited as representing international law.”

Guterres said Russia’s deployment of so-called peacekeeping troops to the two regions is a “perversion of the concept of peacekeeping. I am proud of the achievements of UN Peacekeeping in which so many Blue Helmets have sacrificed their lives to protect civilians.”

“When troops of one country enter the territory of another country without its consent, they are not impartial peacekeepers. They are not peacekeepers at all.”

“The United Nations, in line with the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, stands fully behind the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders.

We are continuing to support the people of Ukraine through our humanitarian operations and human rights efforts,” Guterres said.

Russia’s military threats against Ukraine prompted the UN Security Council to hold an urgent meeting on February 21 at Ukraine’s request to discuss the situation regarding that country.

“The risk of major conflict is real and needs to be prevented at all costs,” Rosemary A. DiCarlo, the UN undersecretary general, told the 15-nation council. She said Russia’s decision was “in violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty” and risks triggering regional and global repercussions.

“We also regret the order today to deploy Russian troops into Eastern Ukraine, reportedly on a ‘peacekeeping mission’”, she said, adding that the developments followed the decision to order “a mass evacuation of civilian residents of Donetsk and Luhansk into the Russian Federation”.

Read more News here

United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists

United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism article

UN chief calls for immediate cease-fire and de-escalation in Ukraine; says Russia violates UN Charter Read More »

Climate, Covid-19 and famine issues raised at Munich Security Conference as world faces more violent threats

Leave a Comment / News /

Munich/New York, February 18 – Issues of climate change, the pandemic and famine were raised at the annual Munich Security Conference which held an in-person meeting amid war threats in Ukraine for the first time since Covid-19 struck three years ago.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the meeting that non-traditional security issues like climate crisis and Covid-19, which are the world’s current biggest issues, may exacerbate global security and he demanded that world leaders take action.

On Ukraine, Guterres said, “I am deeply concerned about heightened tensions and increased speculation about a military conflict in Europe. I still think it will not happen. But if it did, it would be catastrophic.”

Guterres said the world has become more complex and dangerous under the pandemic. He cited security threats in Syria where Da’esh, Al-Qaida and its affiliates are regaining grounds, the risks of terrorist spill over out of Afghanistan as well as the alarming spread of terrorism in some African countries that show “how adept terrorists are at exploiting power vacuums and subverting fragile states.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the inadequacy and moral bankruptcy of the global financial system, which has increased the systemic inequality between north and south.

Many countries in the Global South have suffered devastating economic losses during the pandemic.

Governments face debt default and financial ruin, while their people face poverty, unemployment, hunger and despair.

“I urge all countries to step up support for global solutions to these non-traditional security threats, including the full implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change; the World Health Organization global vaccination strategy; and urgent reforms to the global financial system to enable developing countries to access the resources needed to support their people,” Guterres said.

WHO: Pandemic will end “when we choose to end it.”

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus boldly told the conference that the answer to the question of when the pandemic will end: “It will end when we choose to end it. Because ultimately, it’s not a matter of chance, it’s a matter of choice.”

Tedros said the world now has the tools and know-how to end the pandemic this year.

“In particular, we are calling on all countries to fill the urgent financing gap of US$ 16 billion for the ACT Accelerator, to make vaccines, tests, treatments and PPE available everywhere,” he said.

Compared with the costs of another year of economic turmoil, $16 billion is frankly peanuts. And some finance ministers called it a rounding error to the money they are losing due to the pandemic.”

One of the programs to fight the pandemic is to allow and strengthen capacities for local production of vaccines and other health products in low- and middle-income countries. Tedros said WHO has established the WHO Technology Transfer Hub in South Africa, which has now developed its own mRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

With the financial support of the European Union, WHO announced (February 18) the first six African countries to receive technology from the hub to produce their own mRNA vaccines: Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.


Tedros called for substantial resources of $31 billion a year in order to strengthen global health security with about $20 billion coming from existing and projected domestic and international resources, leaving a gap of U$ 10 billion per year. 

“To close the gap for the most essential functions – such as surveillance, research and market-shaping for countermeasures – we support the idea of a new dedicated financing facility, anchored in, and directed by, WHO’s constitutional mandate, inclusive governance and technical expertise,” he said.

WFP: Famine threatens world like a ring of fire
David Beasly, Executive Director of the UN World Food Program (WFP), told the conference that conflict and climate shocks compounded by the pandemic and rising costs are driving millions of people to the brink of starvation.

“We have a ring of fire circling the earth now from the Sahel to South Sudan to Yemen, to Afghanistan, all the way around to Haiti and Central America,” Beasley said. “If we do not address the situation immediately over the next 9 months we will see famine, we will see destabilization of nations and we will see mass migration. If we don’t do something we are going to pay a mighty big price.”

He said a total of 45 million people in 43 countries are teetering on the edge of famine and as global hunger rates and humanitarian needs shoot ever higher, the resources required to meet them are levelling off. Beasly said the number of food insecure people has jumped from 135 million to 283 million in the last two years and it could spike ever further.

“We averted famine and catastrophe in 2021 and 2022 because nations stepped up. We thought COVID would be behind us by 2022, but it only recycled again, exacerbating, and creating economic catastrophes among the poorest countries around the world,” Beasley said. “WFP has the solutions and we’ve got the programs to stop this crisis, we just need the money, otherwise nations around the world will pay for it a thousand-fold.”

Read more news on Climate here

United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists

United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles

Climate, Covid-19 and famine issues raised at Munich Security Conference as world faces more violent threats Read More »

UPDATE: WHO calls for $23 billion to end pandemic in 2022; Africa on track to control Covid-19

Leave a Comment / Health /

Geneva/New York, February 11 – The World Health Organization has launched a global campaign to raise $23 billion which it said would put an end to the pandemic as a global emergency in 2022. WHO said the launch amounts to a new financing framework based on the ‘fair share’ of financing that each high-income country should contribute to the ACT-Accelerator’s global response.

The Access to Covid-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator (see ACT-Accelerator) is a partnership of leading UN agencies that is providing low and middle-income countries with tests, treatments, vaccines, and personal protective equipment. WHO said ‘fair shares’ are calculated based on the size of their national economy and what they would gain from a faster recovery of the global economy and trade. 

“The end of this pandemic can be within our sights – this year,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said of the launch. “We can get the economic recovery back on track and rescue the Sustainable Development Goals. But we need to act now.”

“Vaccines, tests and effective treatments are available. Yet many low and lower middle-income countries are still not getting these pandemic-ending tools to protect their families and communities – and our world. Until and unless we can ensure access to these tools, the pandemic will not go away, and the sense of insecurity of people will only deepen. We have the systems to accelerate the rollout of these essential tools.”

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, said Africa is on track to control the COVID-19 pandemic this year if current trends continue because the continent has become smarter, faster and better at responding to each new surge, UN News reported. But she said vigilance will remain key.

“Against the odds, including huge inequities in access to vaccination, we’ve weathered the COVID-19 storm with resilience and determination, informed by Africa’s long history and experience with controlling outbreaks,” she said. 

Moeti said Africa has gone through four waves of Covid-19, which claimed over 242,000 lives and tremendous damage to economies.

She said every month that emergency containment measures stay in place costs the continent roughly $13.8 billion in lost Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Although COVID-19 will be with us for the long-term, there is light at the end of the tunnel. This year we can end the disruption and destruction the virus has left in its path, and gain back control over our lives,” she said.

“Controlling this pandemic must be a priority. But we understand no two countries have had the same pandemic experience, and each country must, therefore, chart its own way out of this emergency.”

The launch in Geneva attended by national and international organization leaders came at a time when Omicron cases have declined and popular protests mounted against continued pandemic restrictions. Covid-19 deaths have remained high in some countries.

WHO said in a press release that the campaign aims at meeting the ACT-Accelerator’s funding gap of $16 billion and $6.8 billion in-country delivery costs to take vital steps towards ending the pandemic as a global emergency in 2022.

The press release said the ACT-Accelerator is calling for “the support of higher income countries, at a time when vast global disparities in access to Covid-19 tools persist. Over 4.7 billion Covid-19 tests have been administered globally since the beginning of the pandemic. However, only about 22 million tests have been administered in low-income countries, comprising only 0.4 per cent of the global total. Only 10 per cent of people in low-income countries have received at least one vaccine dose. This massive inequity not only costs lives, it also hurts economies and risks the emergence of new, more dangerous variants that could rob current tools of their effectiveness and set even highly-vaccinated populations back many months.” 

“The rapid spread of Omicron makes it even more urgent to ensure tests, treatments and vaccines are distributed equitably globally,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “If higher-income countries pay their fair share of the ACT-Accelerator costs, the partnership can support low- and middle-income countries to overcome low COVID-19 vaccination levels, weak testing, and medicine shortages. Science gave us the tools to fight COVID-19; if they are shared globally in solidarity, we can end COVID-19 as a global health emergency this year.”


See important links:
ACT-Accelerator calls for fair share-based financing of US$ 23 billion to end pandemic as global emergency in 2022

·        Consolidated Financing Framework for ACT-A Agency & In-Country Needs: www.who.int/publications/m/item/consolidated-financing-framework-for-act-a-agency-in-country-needs

·        ACT-Accelerator ‘fair share asks’ – by country: www.who.int/publications/m/item/act-accelerator-fair-share-asks—by-country

Read more news on Health here

United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists – United Nations correspondent journalists

United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles – United Nations journalism articles

UPDATE: WHO calls for $23 billion to end pandemic in 2022; Africa on track to control Covid-19 Read More »

about

The San Francisco Conference in the spring of 1945, taking place while World War II was ending, resulted in the creation of the United Nations. The journalists excelled in their coverage of the historic event. They were the first United Nations correspondents. They continue today the task of reporting on UN activities around the world.

This website aims to recognize all journalists who at present time are covering activities at UN headquarters in New York, Geneva, Vienna or in the fields. It recognizes also former UN correspondents who have moved on to other assignments.

Navigation Menu

CATEGORIES

.

Copyright © 2025 The United Nations Correspondent

Donate
Linkedin Facebook Youtube
Scroll to Top