Leading up to COP 26, which kicked-off on 31 October 2021, a High-level Dialogue on Energy was convened by UN Secretary-General on 24 September under the Theme “Accelerating action to achieve SDG7 in support of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement”. As the first global gathering exclusively devoted to energy since the UN Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy in 1981, this Dialogue was a historic opportunity to promote the acceleration action on clean, affordable energy for all by 2030 (SDG7) and on net-zero carbon emissions (SDG 13) by 2050.
UN agencies deeply regret the sinking of a boat on October 11 in Acandí, Colombia, which was carrying about 30 people to Panama. In this tragedy, three people lost their lives and six others, including three minors, are missing, according to the Colombian authorities.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues its deadly march around the world. How will countries be able to “build back better” from this calamity? We know, in this respect, that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are key.
COVID-19 and other challenges continue to jeopardize the health and well-being of people across the globe. UN country teams are not standing down. They continue the fight with continued determination. Today, we highlight some of the coordinated efforts.
Dorys Yessenia Reyna, 41 years old, is a high school teacher, mother, entrepreneur and a religious leader. She’s committed to supporting women and girls who face violence in their lives and homes. Sadly, she has her own experience in this area.
United Nations country teams around the world continue to provide medical, logistical and socio-economic support to local authorities, coordinating resources to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Through stronger coordination, these teams are mobilising local, regional, and global partners to provide life-saving medical supplies to vulnerable communities, combat misinformation on vaccine efficacy, and ensure equitable distribution of vaccine through the COVAX programme.
The United Nations has launched a $29.2 million global funding appeal to help those affected by the eruptions of the La Soufrière volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and other impacted countries.
We are living in unprecedented times. COVID-19 continues to devastate health systems, cripple economies, and exacerbate inequalities across the globe. As I write these words, the Caribbean region remains a hotspot of a disease, which is highlighting a simple reality: global crises require global solutions. This pandemic is our opportunity to strengthen regional collaboration and global solidarity to address our shared challenges and move forward. This can only happen if we are courageous and dedicated enough to seize the opportunities presented to us.
Regional entities of the United Nations in Latin America and the Caribbean’s are stepping up to channel know-how, resources, networks and logistics capacity to support countries, Resident Coordinators and UN teams on the ground to address multiple shocks in the developing region most affected by the pandemic
Women are in public decision-making roles more than ever before, but equality is far off: women hold only about 21 percent of ministerial positions globally, and only 22 countries are headed by a woman. At the current rate of progress, gender equality will not be reached among Heads of Government until 2150, another 130 years.
Yet, women persist, and continue to prove that when they lead, they bring transformative change to their communities and the world. Such change is vital in an era of COVID-19, climate change, deepening inequalities, conflict and democratic backsliding.
