"ECONOMY"

The UN’s top diplomat in Afghanistan Deborah Lyons said more than 50 Afghanistan’s 370 districts have fallen to the Taliban since the beginning of May, most of which surround provincial capitals, “suggesting that the Taliban are positioning themselves to try and take these capitals once foreign forces are fully withdrawn.” UNIFEED

At the opening session of today’s UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet presented a report on the central role of the State in responding to pandemics. One of the report’s key message is that failure to meet human rights obligations undermined the resilience of health systems as well as health emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. UNTV CH

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said navigating a clear way “out of the complex COVID-19 crisis, and towards an inclusive, green, sustainable and resilient future, will be the work of this generation of world leaders – or their downfall.” UNTV CH

United States President Biden and Pope Francis called for action in support of a COVID-19 recovery process that protects jobs, strengthens labour rights, and supports the most vulnerable. ILO

Drought is on the verge of becoming the next pandemic, the UN’s top official for disaster reduction said on Thursday, in a call for concerted action and new transboundary alliances to tackle the growing global threat. UNTV CH

Briefing by Amy Quantrill, Spokesperson for the President of the 75th Session of the General Assembly.

Negotiated political settlement only way to end war, ‘turn the tide’ in Yemen, Special Envoy tells Security Council.

UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths today (15 Jun) told the Security Council that Yemeni men, women and children “are suffering every day because people with power have missed the opportunities presented to them, to make the necessary concessions to end the war.” UNIFEED

Ahead of World Refugee Day, High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and United States Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield spoke about this year’s theme, The Power of Inclusion, and how refugees can contribute to society. UNIFEED

Ten years after the adoption of an historic International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention that confirmed their labour rights, domestic workers are still fighting for recognition as workers and essential service providers.Working conditions for many have not improved in a decade and have been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new ILO report. ILO