UNITED NATIONS, May 28 (IPS) - A greater understanding and appreciation of the world’s oceans is needed to protect them. As the global community prepares to convene for the ocean conference, they must also prepare to invest in scientific efforts and education that will bolster their joint efforts.

STOCKHOLM / BANGKOK, May 28 (IPS) - The World Health Organization (WHO) for this year’s World No Tobacco Day (May 31) has chosen the theme, “Unmasking the Appeal”,?to reveal the tactics employed by the tobacco and nicotine industries to make their harmful products enticing, particularly to young people.

UNITED NATIONS, May 28 (IPS) - As the UN continues with its plans to restructure the world body, designated UN 80, the complaints continue to pour in—first, the Staff Union in New York and now, the Staff Union in Geneva.

After a meeting with management last week—to discuss UN 80 through the Staff-Management Committee (SMC)—a memo addressed to staffers, says that among the issues raised was “the continuing lack of transparency and lack of consultation”.

The 78th World Health Assembly concluded Tuesday in Geneva, marking several major milestones in global health. Delegates adopted the world’s first pandemic agreement and approved a significant boost in core funding for the World Health Organization (WHO).

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned of an escalating public health crisis in Sudan, as conflict and mass displacement continue to drive a surge in disease, particularly cholera and malaria.

The United Nations has called for restraint following another wave of escalation between Houthi rebels in Yemen and Israeli forces.

An Indigenous social worker from Canada and a social entrepreneur from Kenya are the laureates of the 2025 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize, the United Nations announced on Wednesday.

In early summer 2024, Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme of Ghana ventured into sector North of Abyei, a disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan where she was deployed as a military gender advocate with the UN Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA).

Russian drone attacks against civilians in the Kherson region of Ukraine constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes, independent UN-appointed human rights investigators concluded in a new report published on Wednesday.

Gaza’s population is being “starved and denied the very basics,” while the region stands at a dangerous crossroads, the UN’s Middle East peace envoy warned the Security Council Wednesday, urging immediate action to halt the violence, restore aid, and advance a two-State solution before time runs out.