UN calls for more aid amid ‘climate chaos and conflict'
UN chief Antonio Guterres urged the world to 'rev up the engine of development' at an aid conference in Spain yesterday as US-led cuts jeopardise the fight against poverty and climate change.
He urged nations to 'change course' and 'repair and rev up the engine of development to accelerate investment' in 'a world shaken by inequalities, climate chaos and raging conflicts'.
Dozens of world leaders and more than 4,000 representatives from businesses, civil society and financial institutions are in the city of Seville for the June 30-July 3 meeting to seek fresh impetus for the crisis-hit sector.
But the US is snubbing the biggest such talks in a decade, underlining the erosion of international cooperation on combating hunger, disease and climate change.
Investment
Guterres told the opening of the conference that two-thirds of UN sustainable development goals set for 2030 were 'lagging' and more than $4 trillion of annual investment were needed to achieve them.
President Donald Trump's gutting of US development agency USAID is the standout example of aid cuts but Germany, Britain and France have also slashed funds while boosting spending in defence and other areas.
The Oxfam charity says the cuts are the largest since 1960, while according to the World Bank rising extreme poverty is affecting sub-Saharan Africa in particular.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
4 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
UN to boost air parcel security a year after DHL depot explosions
AFP | Montreal The United Nations yesterday announced plans to enhance air mail security, one year after parcels exploded at DHL depots in Germany and Britain, in a plot blamed on Russia. The strategy announced by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Universal Postal Union -- two specialized UN agencies -- aims to improve threat detection, officials told AFP. European intelligence services believe Russia was behind the explosions last July at DHL depots in Leipzig, Germany and Birmingham in Britain. Several people implicated in the operation were believed to be 'disposable' agents with no official position in the Russian intelligence services, according to German media reports. Such low-level agents were typically recruited via messaging apps to carry out tasks for money, the reports said. German intelligence officials have said the planes carrying the parcels would have crashed had they exploded mid-flight. Canada-based ICAO's head of aviation security, Sonia Hifdi, did not directly name Russia when laying out the plan, but said: 'In the last 12 months, we have seen more sophisticated actors aiming to cause disruptions in the supply chain.' The joint 'multi-year action plan' strives to train all personnel who handle air mail, and will work towards increased data sharing between postal and aviation authorities.
Daily Tribune
4 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
UAE Youth Voice the Future at UN Sustainable Development Forum
Young leaders from the UAE joined global change-makers in New York to share their vision for a sustainable future at the United Nations Sustainable Development Forum 2025. The session, titled 'Voices for 2045: Youth Shaping the Future,' was hosted by the UAE's Permanent Mission to the UN and organized by the General Secretariat of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It brought together 40 youth participants, including members of the UN Major Group for Children and Youth, to discuss how today's young generation can shape a world beyond 2030. The dialogue encouraged participants to share ideas for the Extended Sustainable Development Goals (XDGs 2045), a global vision first introduced at the 2023 World Governments Summit. Through online surveys and discussions, youth highlighted their priorities: empowering young people to take part in policy-making, driving innovation, protecting the environment, and ensuring access to quality education and healthcare. His Excellency Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Chair of the National Committee for SDGs, stressed that youth are not just observers but key partners in shaping development pathways. 'Listening to youth is not enough,' he said. 'Their ideas must become part of global decision-making to create a future that keeps pace with the world's changes.' The session focused on three themes — empathy, passion, and action — reflecting the spirit of young people determined to make a positive impact. Participants shared the challenges they face and the bold solutions they believe are needed to achieve a more inclusive and resilient future. By hosting this session, the UAE reaffirmed its commitment to empowering youth and supporting global efforts toward sustainable development. The discussions also linked to the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, where countries review their progress on key goals, including health, gender equality, economic growth, ocean protection, and global partnerships. With young voices leading the way, the UAE and its international partners aim to create a world where the next generation is not just prepared for 2045 but actively shaping it.
Daily Tribune
10 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Airport Joins UN GARD First
TDT | Manama Bahrain International Airport has become the first in the Arabian Gulf to join the UN-backed Airports Emergency Readiness (GARD) programme. The move strengthens Bahrain's crisis preparedness in civil aviation, aligning with directives from the Interior Minister. Launched in cooperation with the UNDP, DHL, and national agencies, the initiative includes field assessments, staff training, and crisis simulation. Role Officials highlighted its role in enhancing national resilience and logistical continuity during disasters. The GARD programme applies global best practices in emergency planning and Bahrain's participation reflects a commitment to operational safety and international standards.
