Gender parity for leadership roles in public life across the world is still "decades away," according to the head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP). Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Helen Clark said that the slow pace of progress towards a position where top jobs are held equally between men and [...]

All people need to be valued and included in development activities regardless of their gender identity, according to a representative from UN Women in Bangladesh. Raising awareness about gender equality, Christine Hunter stated that gender is still understood as physically determined, leading to the discrimination of the transgender community in Bangladesh who are also called the [...]

  45,000 people "have fled the Gambia" amid election uncertainty At least 45,000 people have fled the Gambia amid uncertainty about who is to lead the country after former President Yahya Jammeh's refusal to step down. Refugee agency UNHCR announced the figure on Friday in Geneva, saying that the displaced had sought shelter in Senegal, [...]

Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations, with Matthew Wells and Jocelyne Sambira. In today's programme…Syria's architectural treasure of Palmyra is desecrated again by extremists, and evidence also emerges of more mass executions there. We'll hear from the last UN team leader to visit the heritage site. And ….gender parity's still [...]

Newly-identified destruction of the World Heritage Site of Palmyra is an "immense loss" to both the Syrian people and humanity overall, according to the UN Cultural Organization, UNESCO. The ancient First and Second Century site is one of the world's architectural jewels, marrying Greco-Roman buildings with local and Persian influences. ISIL terrorist fighters gained control [...]

  UN appeals for more funds to assist South Sudan displaced The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in South Sudan has requested additional funds to cover the new needs of people displaced as a result of the violence in the country. The supplementary appeal for US$781.8 million was launched on Friday. The revised requirements are higher [...]

With agriculture currently accounting for 70 per cent of global water usage, decision makers in the industry are being urged to strengthen efforts to tackle a looming water crisis. The warning comes from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) which says a rise in global population together with an increase in food demand means water [...]

Suicide bombing in Mali "direct attack on the peace process" A suicide bombing on Wednesday which targeted government troops in Mali, killing dozens, should be seen as a "direct attack on the peace process" there. That's according to the UN Under-Secretary-General for peacekeeping, HervĂŠ Ladsous, addressing the Security Council on Wednesday, warning that the country [...]

Gender parity still "decades away" in public life: UN development chief Gender parity for leadership roles in public life across the world is still "decades away," according to the head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP). Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Helen Clark said that the slow pace of progress towards [...]

"Modest" recovery in the global economic growth The year 2017 will see a "modest" recovery in global economic growth, according to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The World Economic Situation and Prospects Report, highlights some solutions to a "prolonged" economic slowdown, caused by weak investment and slower growth in global trade. [...]