US Democracy at risk on 250th anniversary
25/6/2026: Human Rights Watch has warned that current US policies threaten the exercise of human rights that are essential to democracy and consistent with national celebration. The administration has substantively undermined the rule of law, free speech and expression, and the right to vote.
Source: Human Rights Watch
UN expert warns that growth is insufficient response to global poverty
25/6/2026: A new report by the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights highlights the transformative potential of national anti-poverty strategies that expand social protection. Evidence shows that the current economic growth model does not reliably reduce poverty and often deepens inequalities.
Source: Office of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights
Concern for target to deliver universal access to electricity
24/6/2026: Progress in providing access to electricity across the world has stalled. Rural populations in Sub-Saharan Africa without access to electricity are increasing in number. Achieving universal access by 2030 will now require the annual rate of progress to triple.
Source: World Health Organization
New political declaration launches final push to end AIDS by 2030
24/6/2026: The recent UN High-Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS has reaffirmed the international commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The Declaration underscores the determination of countries to maintain momentum despite a rapidly evolving financing landscape for global health.
Source: World Health Organization
Why is the World Bank wavering on climate finance?
24/6/2026: The World Bank's target for climate finance for developing countries is under review. Civil society leaders are concerned that the US administration is applying pressure on the Bank to abandon the target altogether.
Source: Devex
El Niño puts agriculture on alert around the world.
22/6/2026: The World Meteorological Organization forecasts a stronger-than-usual El Niño Southern Oscillation event, due to commence within coming weeks. The risks of severe drought are sharpest in the Sahel, across Southern Africa, in South and Southeast Asia, and in Central America’s Dry Corridor and the Caribbean.
Source: UN Food and Agriculture Organization
Challenges for the Human Rights Council as it turns 20
19/6/2026: It is 20 years since the UN Human Rights Council began its work as the world’s principal forum tasked with promoting and defending fundamental rights everywhere. The current UN-wide funding crisis represents an existential challenge to the Council's human rights investigators who are mandated to monitor situations of concern and encourage action.
Source: UN News
Ebola outbreak accelerates beyond borders of DRC
19/6/2026: The spread of Ebola is accelerating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, an area where trade, family ties and refugee movements link Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and South Sudan. The UN refugee agency has warned that the risk has become regional.
Source: UN News
World Food Programme welcomes funding by US State Department
17/6/2026: The World Food Programme welcomes the announcement of an $800 million direct contribution by the US State Department. This builds on the existing US funding of pooled funds in support of emergency assistance in 21 countries.
Source: World Food Programme
Worsening hunger puts 13 countries at significant risk
17/6/2026: The latest edition of the Hunger Hotspots report, released twice a year by the UN food agencies, identifies Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen and Palestine as the world's most critical hunger hotspots, with Nigeria and Somalia joining the overall list. Armed conflict and violence remain the primary drivers of acute food insecurity, affecting 12 of the 13 hotspots.
Source: UN Food and Agriculture Organization