World Meditation Day 2025: Healing the World from Within | United Nations

A special event hosted by the UN Goals Lounge in collaboration with the Chaka Khan Foundation marking a shared commitment to global well-being and mental health. The Foundation uplifts overlooked communities through wellness, education and creative expression. Together, the UN and the Chaka Khan Foundation will honor the power of stillness and its connection to global well-being and will feature music, guided meditation and inspiring reflections from cultural and spiritual leaders. In a time of global challenges—from armed conflicts and climate crises to rapid technological change—meditation offers a powerful pathway to cultivate peace, unity, and compassion. The United Nations World Meditation Day serves as a timely reminder of the importance of nurturing human consciousness to address these pressing issues and foster harmony within ourselves and our communities. By cultivating inner peace, individuals contribute to building a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable world for current and future generations. To raise awareness about meditation and its benefits, the General Assembly proclaimed 21 December as World Meditation Day, recalling the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Additionally, the General Assembly acknowledged the link between yoga and meditation as complementary approaches to health and well-being. Speakers: Chaka Khan: Award-winning artist and co-founder Chaka Khan Foundation Gayle King [Moderator]: Award-winning journalist and co-host of CBS Mornings Melissa Fleming: United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Michael Beckwith: Founder and spiritual director of the Agape International Spiritual Center Annemarie Hou: Executive Director, UN Office for Partnerships Performers: Michael Beckwith: Founder and spiritual director of the Agape International Spiritual Center Sara Auster: Sound Therapist Call to action/announcement: Join the UN in making stillness a statement Meditate Share Inspire Let’s build a healthier world—from the inside out. What can be mobilized from session? Global Awareness & Engagement: Inspire individuals and communities worldwide to embrace meditation as a tool for well-being, aligned with SDG 3. Partnership & Collaboration: Activate networks across wellness, music, and social impact sectors to support ongoing healing initiatives.


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UN chief launches humanitarian appeal from war-torn #lebanon

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is in Beirut on a solidarity visit, stressing that words must be matched by action. Amid escalating conflict in the Middle East Mr. Guterres launched a Flash Humanitarian Appeal for US$308.3 million to provide crucial humanitarian aid to support the people of Lebanon. This emergency funding will cover essential needs like food and clean water for the next three months, highlighting the urgent situation in the middle east.


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Gender Equality Under Threat - President of the General Assembly Press Conference | United Nations

The President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, told journalists in New York that “gender equality has never been more supported globally than today. But at the same time, we have never seen such organised attempts to roll back these successes.” As the seventieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women takes place at United Nations Headquarters in New York this week, Baerbock said, “all around the world we can see women rights are the benchmark for the strength, freedom and economic development of societies. So therefore, in the interest of all.” She said, “if countries would close the gender pay gap, the productivity all around the world, the GDP would increase by 12 trillion US dollars. If we would close the digital divide between men and women, the world economy would grow until 2050 by over 100 trillion US dollars. This is the GDP combined between the United States and China.” The PGA said, “women rights are in the interest of all. Yet, as we have seen over the last week, not only women rights are under attack, it's also true for the international order.” She stressed that “defending the UN charter” remains her central priority of the 80th session of the General Assembly. Turning to UN reform, Baerbock said, “we need even more and very serious debate how to modernise this institution and make it more efficient and more delivering on the principles.” On the election of the next Secretary-General, she said, “this next Secretary General should provide strong and dedicated, effective leadership skills with experience in governance structures, but also with regard to United Nations, with regard to, management skills of this institution in the light of, the reforms.” The PGA stressed the importance of regional diversity and noted the consensus “by 193 member states to strongly, call on member states for the nomination of women.” Five candidates have so far been nominated: Michelle Bachelet of Chile; Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica; Macky Sall of Senegal, and Virginia Gamba and Rafael Mariano Grossi, both from Argentina. The informal dialogues with candidates are expected to begin on the 20th of April. Each candidate will have a three-hour session, allowing member states, NGO, sufficient time to ask questions. Candidates will also be required to provide financial disclosure.


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USAID's Dismantling #lastweektonight

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This episode features: USAID's Dismantling #lastweektonight

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International Day to Combat Islamophobia 2026 - UN Chief Message | United Nations

Video message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia 2026 (15 March). "The world’s 2 billion Muslims hail from all corners of the globe, reflecting the vast diversity of humanity itself. Yet they often face institutional discrimination, socio-economic exclusion, biased immigration policies, and unwarranted surveillance and profiling. These worrying trends are fuelled by anti-Muslim rhetoric and outright hate, which can lead to harassment and violence against individuals and places of worship. Governments must take concrete steps to address hate speech, protect religious freedom and combat discrimination, including by ensuring full compliance with international human rights law. Online platforms must work to wipe out hate speech and harassment against people based on their religion or belief. And all people need to speak out against bigotry, xenophobia and discrimination wherever they find it. That’s why I appointed in May 2025 the High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations as the UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia to enhance our collective response. On this International Day to Combat Islamophobia, let’s re-commit to the equality, human rights and dignity of every person, no matter their faith. Let’s eradicate the scourge of Islamophobia from every country and community". More info: https://www.un.org/en/observances/anti-islamophobia-day


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Afghanistan: Growing humanitarian need - Press Conference | United Nations

Top official at UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) told reporters, “Airstrikes and cross border clashes have disrupted the delivery of humanitarian assistance and contributed to both primary and secondary displacement,” reiterating the Secretary-General's call for “restraint de-escalation for the parties to recommit to a ceasefire and for renewed diplomatic engagement.” Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) spoke to reporters via video link, She said, “looking ahead, we're concerned that after Eid al-Fitr, the situation could deteriorate further and we urge both sides to step back, accept mediation and prevent a broader regional crisis.” Gagnon also reminded the de facto authorities of their international obligations on counterterrorism, “particularly on concerns raised by neighboring States.” She also briefed on how the conflict in the Middle East is already negatively affecting Afghanistan, “with traditional trade corridors disrupted and instability affecting regional supply routes, prices of basic commodities in Afghanistan are rising, adding pressure on an already fragile economy.” “Humanitarian partners anticipate new inflows of Afghan returnees, adding strain to the communities that are already hosting millions who have returned since 2023,” Gagnon added. The top UNAMA official also said, “the continued shocks economic, humanitarian and political underscore Afghanistan's isolation from the international system, which remains a core obstacle to addressing the country's longer term stability, economic growth and human rights concerns.” On the UN's engagement, she said, the mission continues to “pursue principled and pragmatic political engagement through the Doha Process, in line with the independent assessment and the mandate given by the UN Security Council.” “This engagement is the only structured multilateral platform where the concerns of all the Afghan people, the international community and the de facto authorities can be addressed fairly and constructively,” Gagnon added. She also said, “the de facto authorities decisions continue to undermine prospects for reintegration, particularly restrictions on women and girls, and the ban preventing UN female national staff from reporting to their places of work.” “These measures are inconsistent with Afghanistan's international obligations and impair our ability to deliver assistance and reach, particularly women and girls,” the top UNAMA official concluded.


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UN Secretary-General is on a Ramadan solidarity visit to Türkiye

'Around the world, we hear much talk of peace, but we see far too little of it,' UN Secretary-General António Guterres said at a ceremony in Türkiye while accepting the Atatürk International Award for Peace. The UN chief met President Erdogan of Türkiye to discuss developments in the Middle East and other key issues. His visit to Türkiye is also the latest solidarity visit to a Muslim nation to mark the holy month of Ramadan in what has become an annual tradition.


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Middle East: Dangerous escalation of hostilities - Peace Operations Chief | United Nations

The Head of United Nations Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, for his part said both Hizbullah and the Israeli government are in violation of Council resolution 1701 and noted that peacekeepers with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) “have remained in position in line with the mandate this Council has provided, while continuously reassessing the force's posture against prevailing risk.” Lacroix said, “many rockets have been launched from south of the Litani River, which demonstrates the presence of unauthorised armed personnel, assets and weapons south of the Litani River,” while the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) “have issued displacement orders for the entire UNIFIL area of operations and intensified daily strikes, impacting multiple locations in the UNIFIL area of operations.” He said, “UNIFIL continues to maintain constant contact with the parties to avoid misunderstandings, de-conflict and de-escalate where possible.”


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Youth in the spotlight as UN DESA examines mental health and population trends | United Nations

Last month, UN DESA launched the World Youth Report on Youth Mental Health and Well-being, highlighting the urgent need for inclusive, youth-informed mental health policies. Another report is now underway, this time homing in on the latest youth population trends, helping policymakers use population foresight to address the needs of young people everywhere and to ensure that demographic change supports equitable and sustainable development. Read more: https://desapublications.un.org/un-desa-voice/feature/march-2026/youth-spotlight-un-desa-examines-mental-health-and-population


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Middle East: Renewed violence largely erased recent progress - DPPA Briefing | United Nations

Addressing a Security Council meeting on the situation in Lebanon, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said, “amid an already devastating escalation in the Middle East, the decision by Hizbullah to attack Israel on 2 March has again drawn Lebanon into a conflict it neither sought nor can afford.” In turn, DiCarlo said, Israel “has carried out extensive strikes in southern Beirut, across southern Lebanon and in the Bekaa and Baalbek regions. These operations have reportedly killed over 570 people and left over 1,400 injured, according to the Lebanese government.” She said, “Hizbullah must cease its attacks on Israel and cooperate with the government's efforts to assert full state authority and establish a monopoly over weapons,” while Israel “must halt its military campaign in Lebanon and withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory.” DiCarlo stressed that “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Lebanon and Israel must be upheld”


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Russia on Ukraine - Security Council Media Stakeout | United Nations

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia described Ukraine’s March 10 missile strike on the the city of Bryansk a “barbaric crime” and accused Western countries of direct involvement. Speaking to reporters today (11 Mar) in New York, the Russian Ambassador said, “On March 10th, the neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv committed yet another barbaric crime against the civilian population of our country by carrying out a missile strike on Bryansk, a busy business district located in close proximity to multiple apartment residential buildings, children's goods stores, a university and other civilian infrastructure came under deliberate attack. “ He said, “As a result of this strike, seven people were killed and 42 were injured.” Ambassador Nebenzia said, “the expired head of the regime, Zelenskyy speaking to the press, described this heinous attack as a successful operation and thanked the Armed Forces of Ukraine for their service,” adding that “this is yet another striking example of the sheer cynicism with which the Kyiv authorities treat attacks that claim lives of civilians.” The Russian diplomat pointed out “it is entirely obvious” that “such an operation would be technically impossible for the Ukrainian armed forces to conduct on their own.” He said, “the use of advanced Western weaponry takes place only with the direct involvement of foreign specialists who guide the targeting.” Ambassador Nebenzia continued, “certain NATO countries provide the necessary intelligence data,” stating “the Western sponsors of Zelenskyy bear full responsibility for the killing of civilians.” He said, “instead of giving peace negotiations facilitated by the United States a genuine chance, Kyiv and London are seeking ways to further escalate tensions.” The Russian Ambassado accused Ukraine to use such tactic, saying “it has been repeatedly employed whenever a real prospect of settlement begins to emerge." "It is hardly a coincidence that the timing of this attack coincided with signals from Washington expressing hope that negotiations with the Ukrainian settlement have reached ‘a turning point and that achieving peace is entirely possible,’" he said. Ambassador Nebenzia also criticized the United Nations, he said, “Where is the statement from the Secretary-General himself? The continued silence from this and similar grave incident incidents raises serious questions about the impartiality and consistency of the organization's approach.” He called on the UN Secretariat to “abandon the policy of double standards and to provide an appropriate, clear and unequivocal assessment of this heinous attack.”


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