By Kevin Sieff

The UN asked for billions to avert four hunger crises. The money didn’t arrive.

At the beginning of this year, the United Nations made one of its boldest requests ever for funding.

Iran introduces achievements in health sector to 70th World Health Assembly

TEHRAN — Iran has introduced its latest and inventive achievements in the health sector to the seventieth World Health Assembly 2017, which is being held in Geneva on May 22-31.

Human intervention, climate change threaten Zagros mountain range

TEHRAN — While Zagros Mountains provide a protective barrier against sand and dust storms, human intervention and climate change have posed a major threat to these ecologically valuable natural resources, the central Zagros biodiversity landscape conservation project director said.

By Andrew Hammond

There may be sensible method to the madness of team Trump's approach to North Korea

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Friday that Washington is willing to open direct negotiations with North Korea aimed at removing nuclear weapons from the country. Tillerson’s intervention, at the UN Security Council, came as he warned that the threat of Pyongyang launching an atomic attack is “real”.

Tehran to host UN summit on dust storms

TEHRAN — The United Nation will hold a summit on sand and dust storms in the fourth Iranian calendar month of Tir (June 22-July 22), environment chief Masoumeh Ebtekar said.

By Emily Rauhala

Syria strike adds awkward twist to high-stakes China-U.S. summit

The Donald Trump-Xi Jinping summit was off to a good start: Xi nailed the handshake.

For one war-wracked nation, a path to happiness

One of the world’s most fragile countries is also its least happy. According to a new United Nations report, the Central African Republic (CAR) ranks last among 155 nations surveyed for “happiness,” even below Syria. (Norway tops the rankings.) Is there a way to help this landlocked country of 4.6 million people feel more joy and hope?

UN hails Iran for embracing refugees

TEHRAN – The United Nations on Thursday hailed Iran’s generous hosting of millions of violence-stricken asylum seekers and refugees, particularly those from neighboring Afghanistan.

Zahra Nemati to participate at UN Convention on disability rights

Two-time Paralympic gold medallist, Zahra Nemati, will participate at the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Iran to object to UN human rights report 

TEHRAN – Tehran will object to a recent report by the United Nations special rapporteur on Iran in an upcoming meeting of the UN’s Human Rights Council in Geneva, ISNA reported. 

By Erik Solheim and Gary Lewis

A resurrection in the Middle East: Life has returned to a dying salt lake in northwest Iran

Lake Urmia was once the second largest saltwater lake in the world. But years of man-made disruption — from 60 years of dam building to the massive overuse of feeder rivers — has diverted the natural flow of sweet water from the surrounding basin into the salty lake.

The battle for Mosul continues

Several reports from the front lines of the battle in Mosul suggest that ISIL is on the back foot.

Iran tells UN: 8 million hectares of land in Iraq are hotspots of dust storms

TEHRAN — In a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres dated a few days ago Iran informed the international body that 8 million hectares of land in Iraq are hotspots of dust storms which hit Iran once in a while.

UN tourism chief criticizes U.S. travel ban, hails Iran’s welcome

TEHRAN – The head of the UN World Tourism Organization on Tuesday expressed disapproval of the freshly revised U.S. travel ban as an approach that still limits tourism, yet hailed Iran’s positive stance on welcoming inbound passengers.

By Frida Ghitis

Who, exactly, is running U.S. foreign policy?

Not a day goes by in the Netherlands without President Donald Trump making news. If you're an American traveling overseas, you have likely been buttonholed by locals asking you to explain what is going on with the new administration.

Tehran: Sweden’s anti-Iran move a coordinated act

TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry has said a recent move by Sweden to introduce an anti-Iran resolution in the UN is nothing new.

Tehran meeting addresses UN development framework for Iran

TEHRAN – An Assembly of Iranian and international officials exchanged views on ways to implement the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for Iran during a meeting which was held in Tehran on Tuesday.

UN’s Afghanistan envoy meets Zarif

TEHRAN – The special representative for United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan on Sunday met Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran.

Iran says UN rapporteur ‘politicizing’ human rights

TEHRAN – Head of the Iranian High Council for Human Rights has criticized the UN Special Rapporteur-designate for Human Rights in Iran Asma Jahangir, saying she is “politicizing” human rights issue. 

By Yury Fedotov

Violent extremism and the challenges it presents

Violent extremism today presents a chilling challenge to the world’s prison correction communities.

by Uri Savir

How new UN secretary-general plans to advance two-state process

The new secretary-general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, sees in the Paris peace conference on Jan. 15 a realization of his long-held view that peace and conflict resolution can only be achieved and sustained through ongoing multilateral diplomacy. Guterres is now contemplating how to leverage the expected outcomes of the conference.

By António Guterres

António Guterres: My vision for a better United Nations

When I was growing up reading history books as a young student, it seemed all wars had a winner. Yet in today’s wars, it is increasingly clear that no one wins. Everyone loses.

African leaders should rally against Gambia’s bully-in-chief

By John Yearwood

On a recent visit to New York City, I looked down from a subway overpass on a fight between two men. The shorter of the two pummeled his opponent, who raced across a busy intersection to escape the blows. Then a surprise: He stopped, stiffened his back, rolled up his sleeves and challenged his attacker to come get him. The short guy, suddenly fearing the worse, turned and ran away crying.

By Vava Tampa

Obama's last chance to make up for his failure in Africa

In 2009, seven months after entering the Oval Office, President Obama pledged a new Africa policy. “Africa,” he declared in the Ghanaian Parliament, “doesn't need strongmen. It needs strong institutions.”

By Kofi Annan

Kofi Annan: Leaders must answer the tough questions in 2017

Leaders need to eschew walls and fences and take an ethical approach to refugees.

Key events in 2016

In many ways, 2016 was a year of extremes. The world saw a massive wave of political change and natural catastrophes. As the year 2016 comes to an end, here’s a look back at the major headlines and events.