Global Issues

When it comes to protecting women and girls from gender-based violence, change happens when they are “at the heart of every decision,” according to Erin Kenny, Global Coordinator of the Spotlight Initiative a United Nations–European Union partnership aimed at tackling all forms of abuse against women and girls.Read the full story, “At the heart of change: Spotlight Initiative highlights breakthroughs in tackling gender-based violence”, on globalissues.org →

The UN-mandated independent human rights fact-finding mission on Iran has urged authorities to immediately restore internet access and halt the violent crackdown of the ongoing, nationwide protest.Read the full story, “Fact-finding mission urges Iran to end protest violence and restore internet”, on globalissues.org →

Sudan’s protracted conflict has spiralled into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with hunger, displacement and the collapse of basic services exacting a daily toll on civilians.Read the full story, “Sudan war leaves millions hungry and displaced as health system nears collapse”, on globalissues.org →

NITERÓI, Brazil, January 9 (IPS) - “We moved from a context of socio-environmental exclusion to one of environmental justice,” said Dionê Castro, coordinator of the Sustainable Oceanic Region Program which led Brazil’s largest nature-based solutions project. Read the full story, “Natural Restoration Recovers Lagoon and Environmental Justice in Brazil: VIDEO”, on globalissues.org →

BULAWAYO, January 9 (IPS) - As they ate catered meals, COP30 negotiators had no appetite for fixing broken food systems, a major source of climate pollution, experts warn. Read the full story, “Excluding Food Systems From Climate Deal Is a Recipe for Disaster”, on globalissues.org →

WASHINGTON, USA, January 9 (IPS) - The Trump Administration’s sweeping executive order to withdraw the United States from dozens of United Nations bodies and international organizations, as well as a treaty ratified by the United States with the advice and consent of the US Senate, is a targeted assault on multilateralism, international law, and global institutions critical to safeguarding human rights, peace, and climate justice. Read the full story, “US Retreat from Multilateral Institutions Undermines Rule Of Law”, on globalissues.org →

The UN human rights chief has called for an independent and transparent investigation into reports of deaths and widespread arrests during ongoing nationwide protests in Iran, amid mounting concerns over the use of force by security forces. Read the full story, “Iran: UN human rights chief ‘deeply disturbed’ by protest-related violence”, on globalissues.org →

Despite reductions in the overall number of conflict-related incidents in South Sudan, a rise in abductions and sexual violence is concerning, the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, UNMISS, said on Friday. Read the full story, “South Sudan: Increase in abductions and sexual violence ‘unacceptable’”, on globalissues.org →

The UN has raised serious concerns ahead of Uganda’s elections scheduled for 15 January, warning they will take place in an environment marked by widespread repression, intimidation and shrinking civic space.Read the full story, “World News in Brief: Repression in Uganda, fighting in Syria’s Aleppo continues, Gaza and West Bank updates”, on globalissues.org →

The United States’ intention to withdraw from a host of UN bodies announced this week targets programmes and initiatives focusing on a wide range of crucial areas, including the climate crisis, trade, gender and development.Read the full story, “What the US withdrawal from UN bodies could mean for climate, trade and development”, on globalissues.org →