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Life-saving assistance to millions in northwest Syria is at risk after the UN Security Council on Tuesday failed to adopt either of two competing resolutions to extend cross-border aid delivery from Türkiye. 

The disruption comes as humanitarian needs are at an all-time high after more than 12 years of war and in the wake of the devastating double earthquakes that struck the region in February.

In line with its efforts to support local authorities in maintaining basic services within the current crisis context, with the generous financial support of the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in partnership with the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities (MoIM) and the Urban Community Al-Fayhaa, inaugurated the newly rehabilitated fire brigade building.

Under the patronage of the Lebanese Minister of Environment, Dr. Nasser Yassin, and in the presence of the German Ambassador to Lebanon, H.E. Andreas Kindl; and, the United Nations Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, in addition to representatives from the public sector, UN agencies, NGOs, and media – UN-Habitat launched today the “Reducing Marine Litter in the Mediterranean through Waste Wise Cities Lebanon” project, also known as “ReMaL.”

The development of artificial intelligence, or AI, “for the good of all” requires guardrails grounded in human rights, transparency, and accountability, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Thursday.

He stressed that AI must benefit everyone, including the third of humanity who are still offline, and insisted on the need to urgently find consensus on what the guiding norms for AI deployment should be.

The United Nations, today, is kicking off a communications campaign to rally for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the roadmap for people and planet adopted by world leaders in 2015.  Ahead of a critical UN Summit in September, the campaign aims to amplify an urgent call for ambitious new action, showcase the Goals as the blueprint for sustainable progress globally, and galvanize the global public around this shared agenda for our common fut

To mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech on June 18, the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Beirut and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the Middle East and North Africa (OHCHR) joined forces in developing a communication plan aimed at raising awareness on hate speech and promoting effective countermeasures.

A new progress report launched on Thursday by UN agencies highlights the need to step up investment in nurturing care – especially in the poorest and most fragile countries.

The report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Children’s Fund UNICEF find that the first years of a child’s life provide “irreplicable opportunities to improve lifelong health, nutrition and well-being” according to a press release.

Syrians are facing an “ever worsening humanitarian crisis” amid the ongoing 12-year-long conflict, top UN officials told the Security Council on Thursday, as the General Assembly adopted a resolution to create a first-of-its-kind institution to address the issue of more than 100,000 people still missing in the country.

The UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Beirut and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Office for West Asia combined their expertise, creativity, and resources to develop a communication plan under the theme #BeatPlasticPollution to mark World Environment Day.

Countering hate speech is a key component of atrocity prevention, UN General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi said on Monday, calling for more global action towards eradicating it.  

Mr. Kőrösi was speaking at an event to commemorate the 2nd International Day for Countering Hate Speech, which is officially observed on 18 June.