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Prospects for a robust global economic recovery remain dim amid stubborn inflation, rising interest rates and heightened uncertainties.

The world is counting on the G7 bloc of industrialized democracies to demonstrate global leadership and solidarity, said the UN chief on Sunday, speaking to journalists in Hiroshima, Japan, which he described as a “global symbol of the tragic consequences when nations fail to work together”, and abandon multilateralism.

The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region organized in Beirut two back-to-back regional consultative meetings. The first consultation was held on 15 and 16 May 2023 and focused on the development of guidelines on vitamin D. The second consultation was held on 17 and 18 May 2023 and focused on the prevention and management of anemia among women in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

The Embassy of Japan, the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon and UNOPS got together to mark the successful completion of  the “Urgent Health Sector Support in Lebanon” project at the Minieh Governmental Hospital. 

The UN Secretary-General said on Wednesday he was following the latest exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and militants in the Gaza Strip with “deep concern” over the escalating conflict, and “risk of further loss of life.”

Syria needs almost $15 billion to recover following the devastating February earthquakes, according to a new UN assessment report launched on Monday in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

The Syria Earthquake Recovery Needs Assessment (SERNA) puts the total damages and losses at almost $9 billion, said El-Mostafa Benlamlih, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, who led the effort alongside the UN Country Team.

The head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has declared “with great hope” an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency, stressing that it does not mean the disease is no longer a global threat.

The UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Beirut celebrated today World Press Freedom Day 2023, with the kickoff of a regional conference, in partnership with HE the Minister of Information, Mr. Ziad Makary and with the support of the Gulf Center for Human Rights. The Conference is placed under the global theme “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”, signifying the enabling element of freedom of expression to enjoy and protect all other human rights.

Renewed diplomatic attention on Syria in the aftermath of the recent devastating earthquakes that hit the country and neighbouring Türkiye could help to unlock stalled peace efforts, UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen told the Security Council on Thursday. 

“We are at a potentially important juncture, with renewed attention on Syria – particularly from the region – that could assist our efforts in advancing a political solution to this conflict”, he said. 

If the world really wants to step back from the brink, it had better “walk the walk” towards a more sustainable future for all, young speakers said on Tuesday, as thousands of their counterparts from across the world gathered, in person and online, for the opening of the annual Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum at UN Headquarters in New York.

Their call was answered by top UN officials.