Source: United Nations (video statements)
In the heart of Manhattan, the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly visible.
New York’s Central Park—one of the city’s most iconic landmarks—is facing heavier rainfall, flooding, soil erosion and prolonged heatwaves, putting increasing pressure on its fragile ecosystem.
But nature is fighting back. A composting project in the park is helping enrich the soil, strengthen plants and build resilience to a changing climate.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
The UN General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to encourage governments, schools and tech companies worldwide to stop using maps that make Africa look far smaller than it really is.
More from UN News: https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/09/1168284
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Cheap armed drones are enabling new ways to kill at distance from victim and law.
In Kherson, civilians are paying the price.
Technology is outpacing accountability. But the rules of war have not changed.
This is the sky over Kherson.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Hybrid Press Briefing by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on the new IFRC disaster research and campaign launch: astronauts at the heart of push for world’s first international disaster treaty.
Briefers (in-person) are:
Dylan Winder, IFRC Permanent Observer to the UN and Director of Humanitarian Diplomacy and Communications;
Dr Sian Proctor, Geoscientist and astronaut; and
Isabelle Granger, IFRC Global Lead, Disaster Law.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Dylan Winder, said the Treaty on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters, which UN Member States have agreed to negotiate, “represents a historic opportunity.”
Presenting the IFRC’s campaign in support of the draft treaty, Winder said, “international treaties protect astronauts in distress. But if a flood strikes in your city, there’s still no comprehensive global treaty to help countries cut through red tape and coordinate international assistance on Earth,”
He said, “when a major disaster overwhelms national capacity and international assistance is needed, barriers like these can delay humanitarian personnel, specialist equipment and life-saving supplies,” and argued that a global treaty “would provide a common framework for international cooperation before disasters strike, and when international assistance is needed.”
In practice, Winder continued, “this could mean faster deployment of humanitarian teams, simpler customs and border procedures for life saving supplies, more predictable cooperation between governments and humanitarian organizations, lower costs and fewer administrative barriers, and better protection for people affected by disasters.”
He said, “the draft Treaty recognizes that states have a duty to prevent, mitigate, and prepare for disasters through appropriate measures, including the installation and operation of early warning systems,” and it would “ensure that disaster risk reduction becomes a priority and a duty for all countries before, during and after disasters.”
The IFRC official said, “for major disasters like the one we’re seeing in Nepal, a global treaty would set clear rules for international disaster assistance and help governments and humanitarian actors cut through and the red tape and act faster.”
Dr. Sian Proctor, a Geoscientist and SpaceX astronaut who is taking part in the campaign, said, “since I was a child I have felt this calling. I thought it was to be an astronaut. So, I’ve spent part of my life chasing space. But going to space made me realize that the calling wasn’t actually space. It was our Earth that had been calling me. And not just me, but all of us calling us to actively work toward coming back into balance with our planet and helping each other.”
For her part, Isabelle Granger, who is the global lead for disaster law at the IFRC said, “there are already many treaties that exist,” but added that “what is missing is a comprehensive global framework that would provide for mutual solidarity and collaboration between states and other actors.”
The new global campaign, Earth’s Missing Treaty, highlights the IFRC’s call for countries to support the adoption of the Treaty, which in practice, could mean faster deployment of humanitarian teams, simpler customs and border procedures for life-saving supplies, more predictable cooperation between governments and humanitarian organisations, lower costs and fewer administrative barriers, and better protection for people affected by disasters.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Informal comments to the media by H.E. Mr. Robert Dussey, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Togolese Abroad of Togo on the adoption of the "Correct the Map" resolution.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Programming Note
Sudan
Nepal
Ukraine
Yemen
Lebanon
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Syria
Deputy Secretary-General’s Travels
UN80
Colombia
Migrants/Canary Islands
Food Prices
International Days
SUDAN
The Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, arrived in Khartoum today. There, he will engage key stakeholders on ways to advance measures to de-escalate violence and strengthen the protection of civilians. Yesterday, he had a phone call with General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, the Commander of the Rapid Support Forces to discuss those same issues.
On Tuesday, 8 September, the Personal Envoy will be joined in Khartoum by our partners from the Quintet [the African Union, European Union, IGAD -the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and the League of Arab States] for a series of meetings. They will have exchanges with key stakeholders on the current political landscape, including recent initiatives and proposals to advance an intra-Sudanese dialogue.
We continue to emphasize the importance of a negotiated political settlement of the conflict that reflects the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people.
Mr. Haavisto will continue to engage with a broad range of Sudanese actors, both inside and outside Sudan, to identify the best ways to support a broad-based Sudanese-owned and led, inclusive and comprehensive political process to achieve lasting peace in Sudan.
NEPAL
Moving to Nepal. This morning, the UN and its humanitarian partners launched a nearly $50 million flash appeal to support the emergency response following the recent catastrophic flash floods and landslides. The four-month appeal aims to help 84,000 people.
OCHA says that survivors face tragic losses of family members, homes and livelihoods. Widespread destruction of critical infrastructure has severed transport routes, disrupted power grids and washed-out local water supply and sanitation systems, leaving isolated populations without basic necessities.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal, Lila Pieters Yahia, said that the appeal, under the leadership of the Government, will help get cash, shelter, healthcare, food, clean water and protection to some of the hardest-to-reach communities.
Meanwhile, we continue to support the response. The World Food Programme (WFP), in the first week after the disaster, despatched food for 8,000 people and procured a further 180 metric tonnes of food. WFP is also standing by with air support, including helicopters and unmanned aircraft, to deliver food and other supplies to people in the most isolated areas.
And the UN Children’s Fund tells us that this morning a flight carrying 84 metric tonnes of critical humanitarian supplies landed in Kathmandu, with the support of the European Union Humanitarian Aid. UNICEF is despatching the supplies to some of the hardest-hit areas. The supplies will help families access safe water, strengthen disease prevention, support children’s learning and ensure front-line health and nutrition workers have the tools to identify and assist vulnerable children and mothers.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-09-04
Source: United Nations (video statements)
In South Sudan, access to water can mean more than survival—it can help prevent conflict and strengthen communities.
Supported by the UN Mission in South Sudan, a new reservoir is bringing water closer to communities, supporting livelihoods and economic growth, and helping build a more peaceful future.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
In the heart of Manhattan in New York City, the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly visible.
New York’s Central Park – one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks – is experiencing heavier downpours, flooding and soil erosion, while prolonged heatwaves are putting pressure on the ecosystem.
A composting project in the park is giving plants the strength to cope with the changing climatic conditions.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
In the heart of Manhattan, the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly visible.
New York’s Central Park—one of the city’s most iconic landmarks—is facing heavier rainfall, flooding, soil erosion and prolonged heatwaves, putting increasing pressure on its fragile ecosystem.
But nature is fighting back. A composting project in the park is helping enrich the soil, strengthen plants and build resilience to a changing climate.
Source: United Nations (video statements)
Hybrid Press Briefing by Ms. Annalena Baerbock, outgoing President of the United Nations General Assembly, on her tenure and the way forward.
Outgoing General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock described international law as “life insurance”, urging countries to uphold it amid global challenges, while emphasizing that courage is “infectious” for collective action.
As her term as the President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly coming to an end, Baerbock said that besides all the headwinds during the Session, and besides all the fragmented times out in the world, “here inside the building, Member States were more united then divided.”
The President of the august Hall highlighted the Session opened “a new, entirely chapter for the United Nations in the field of AI.”
She said, “for the first time ever, an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI was established, composed not only from experts from all around the world, but also for the first time in gender parity.”
On UN reform, Baerbock said, “we need less bureaucracy, and we need to be way more effective and efficient in a digitalized world. And this is why implementing UN80 reform measures was, besides protecting the Charter, my second priority of my presidency.”
Asked about the selection of the new UN chief, the President of the General Assembly said, “because the choice UN makes about the 10th Secretary-General will send a message about whether this Organization truly represents the people it is meant to serve.”
She added, “Who leads this Organization matters not only to the people in this building, but to billions of people around the world,” urging the “continuation of this spirit of openness and scrutiny through the final stages of the selection and appointment process of the next Secretary-General.”
Asked about UNRWA, the President of the General Assembly said, “I had always have a very clear stance on the support of UNRWA,” calling on Member States “not only to underline that UN premises have a special protection, as the SG did as well, but also call on Sember States to fund UNRWA, because otherwise, not only was the situation in Gaza, but also with neighboring countries, be it Jordan, be it Syria, be it Lebanon, we are not delivering on what we are promising here.”
