Launch of the 2013 Human Development Report
The 2013 Human Development Report – “The Rise of the South: Human Progress in a Diverse World” – examines the profound shift in global dynamics driven by the fast-rising new powers of the developing world and its long-term implications for human development.
Available now for free download in:
Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch
Crises around the world continue to have a devastating effect on children.
New and ongoing crises in Mali, Central African Republic and Syria for example had –and continue to have– a devastating effect on children.Boys and girls have been used as suicide bombers or human shields. Children captured during military operations have been detained, sometimes without due process. In certain cases, they have been mistreated or tortured.
The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict recently put out their latest report on these grave violations of children’s rights, including information on progress made.
Monday is World Day to Combat Desertification.
This year’s slogan, “Don’t let our future dry up” calls for everyone to take action to promote preparedness and resilience to water scarcity, desertification and drought. The slogan embodies the message that we are all responsible for water and land conservation and sustainable use, and that there are solutions to these serious natural resource challenges.
Land degradation does not have to threaten our future.
Friday is World Blood Donor Day!
A single unit of donated blood can save up to 3 lives.
World Blood Donor Day, celebrated on 14 June every year, serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and recognize those voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.
This year’s campaign by the World Health Organization (WHO) will focus on the value of donated blood to the patient, not only in saving life, but also in helping people live longer and more productive lives.
Security Council Meeting on Kosovo
The Security Council is meeting today, 14 June 2013, to discuss the Report of the Secretary‑General on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (S/2013/254).
UN Resources
- United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) website
- Reports of the Secretary-General
- Security Council meeting records
- Resolutions on Kosovo
Non-UN Resources
Photo: Security Council Considers Situation in Kosovo. 26 November 2008. UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz.
Security Council - discusses the former Yugoslavia
The Security Council met at its 6977th meeting to discuss the Tribunal for the prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991. 
- Former Yugoslavia Situation: SC Resolutions
- Former Yugoslavia Situation: SC President Statements
- Former Yugoslavia Situation: SC Meeting Records
- Former Yugoslavia Situation: Reports from the Secretary General
- Statute for the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
A complete list of Meeting Records- Symbols only.
UN General Assembly: First High Level Meeting for Persons with Disabilities
In accordance with resolution 66/124 (A/RES/66/124), the High-level Meeting on the Realization of the Millennium Development Goals and Other Internationally Agreed Development Goals for Persons with Disabilities will be held on Monday, 23 September,2013.
In accordance with resolution 65/1 (A/RES/65/1), the special event in 2013 to follow up efforts made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals will be held on Wednesday, 25 September. In accordance with resolution 67/39 (A/RES/67/39), the High-level Meeting on Nuclear Disarmament will be held on Thursday, 26 September. In accordance with resolution 67/219 (A/RES/67/219), the High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development will be held on Thursday, 3, and Friday, 4 October.
Previous High Level meetings
International Days in June
Below are International days mandated by the UN General Assembly for the month of June.
- 4 June - International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression [commemorated pursuant to A/RES/ES-7/8]
5 June - World Environment Day [designated by A/RES/2994 (XXVII)]
8 June - World Oceans Day [designated by A/RES/63/111]
15 June - World Elder Abuse Awareness Day [designated by A/RES/66/127]
17 June - World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought [proclaimed by A/RES/49/115]
20 June - World Refugee Day [celebrated pursuant to A/RES/55/76]
23 June - International Widows’ Day [declared by A/RES/65/189]
23 June - United Nations Public Service Day [designated by A/RES/57/277]
26 June - International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking [observed pursuant to A/RES/42/112]
26 June - United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture [proclaimed by A/RES/52/149
The 68th Session of the UN General Assembly
The sixty-eighth session of the General Assembly will convene at United Nations Headquarters on Tuesday, 17 September 2013, and the general debate will open on Tuesday, 24 September (resolution 57/301 (A/RES/57/301).
- Opening dates of forthcoming regular sessions
See below for Important Documents:
UN Resources
Africa Progress Report
Africa Progress Report was presented to African leaders and policy-makers during the AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to the report, Africa’s natural resources could dramatically improve the lives of millions - but while natural resources may have fueled a decade of rapid economic growth on the continent, most Africans have still not seen the benefits.
Celebrating Success: Africa’s voice over 50 years
To commemorate the 50 years milestone for Africa, heads of African states issued statements contained in the volume: Celebrating Success: Africa’s voice over 50 years. This volume has been compiled to shed light on the challenges faced by the Continent between 1963 and 2013.
5 June is World Environment Day
World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June as mandated by General Assembly Resolution A/RES/2994(XXVII), is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the state of our environment and highlights actions people are taking around the world to preserve our planet for future generations. The theme for this year’s World Environment Day celebrations is Think.Eat.Save. Think.Eat.Save is an anti-food waste and food loss campaign that encourages you to reduce your foodprint.
More Resources:
Report of the Commission on the Status of Women issued
The report of the fifty-seventh session of the Commission on the Status of Women has been issued. The 57th session of the CSW took place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from the 4th to 15th of March 2013.
The Commission was established by ECOSOC resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946 with the aim to prepare recommendations and reports to the Council on promoting women’s rights in political, economic, civil, social and educational fields. The Commission also makes recommendations to the Council on urgent problems requiring immediate attention in the field of women’s rights.
Documents at the 57th Session
UN Resources and Previous Sessions
- Annual Reports
- Sessional Meetings -GA
- Sessional Meetings-ECOSOC
- Historical List of CSW Reports
* Opening of 55th Commission on the Status of Women, 22 February 2011. UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz
4 June is International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
On 19 August 1982, at its emergency special session on the question of Palestine, the General Assembly, “appalled at the great number of innocent Palestinian and Lebanese children victims of Israel’s acts of aggression”, decided to commemorate 4 June of each year as the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression (resolution ES-7/8).
The purpose of the day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse. This day affirms the UN’s commitment to protect the rights of children.
More information:
- Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Letter dated 20 April 1982 from the Permanent Representative of Kuwait calling upon the President of the General Assembly to resume the meeting of the 7th Emergency Special Session [A/37/205]
- 7th General Assembly Emergency Special Session
- Resolutions
- Meeting Records
- Secretary-General’s Statement on Occasion of International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression (3 June 1983)
- More Resources on Children
Arms Trade Treaty open for signatures
The first international treaty regulating the global arms trade opened for signature at United Nations Headquarters today. An overwhelming majority in the General Assembly had voted in favour of the landmark Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) two months ago, which regulated the international trade in conventional arms, from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.The treaty is available in the six official languages of the UN, English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Arabic.
UN resources
- Reports
- Voting Records on the Arms Trade Treaty
- Arms Trade Treaty website
Non-UN resources
- What’s in Blue: Insights on Arms Control and Disarmament
* General Assembly Approves Global Arms Trade Treaty, 02 April 2013. UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz
