WHO Brings Global Health Priorities to UN General Assembly Week
The World Health Organization is taking part in the 81st United Nations General Assembly, highlighting global health challenges and opportunities for stronger international cooperation. WHO’s programme during the UN gathering includes discussions and events covering major health priorities, while the organization is also scheduled to launch a new report on ethics review and oversight of…
WFP Reports Major New Private-Sector Funding for El Niño Early Action
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) says the Novo Nordisk Foundation has committed US$7.75 million to help vulnerable communities prepare for forecast weather emergencies, including potential impacts from El Niño. WFP said the contribution is its largest-ever private-sector investment in anticipatory action and will support operations across 22 countries facing high risks from weather-related emergencies….
Sam Altman Set to Brief UN Sepe3w21qqp9urity Council on Artificial Intelligence Risks
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman is scheduled to brief the UN Security Council this week on artificial intelligence, bringing the rapidly developing technology into a high-level discussion on international peace and security. Reports say Altman’s briefing will address international coordination and AI safety as governments debate how emerging AI systems should be governed and what…
Michelle Bachelet Withdraws From Race to Become Next UN Secretary-General
Former Chilean president and former UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet has withdrawn her candidacy to become the next United Nations Secretary-General, according to reports published on 20 September. Her withdrawal leaves seven publicly listed candidates in the UN selection process. The Secretary-General is chosen through a process involving the Security Council and General Assembly,…
World Leaders Gather at UN as 81st General Assembly High-Level Week Begins
World leaders are gathering at the United Nations in New York for the 81st General Assembly High-Level Week, with wars, climate change, artificial intelligence, inequality and global economic pressures among the major issues facing governments. The UN’s high-level programme runs from 18 to 28 September, with the General Debate scheduled for 22–28 September. The UN…
MSF Launches Ebola Vaccination Study for 20,000 Frontline Workers in DR Congo
BUNIA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (HRNW) — Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and research partners have launched a vaccination study involving frontline health workers as part of the response to an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. MSF said the study, launched on September 19, will examine the use of the ERVEBO Ebola…
Amnesty International Warns New Bolivian Decree Could Restrict Civil Society and Freedom of Association
LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (HRNW) — Amnesty International has raised concerns over Bolivia’s new Supreme Decree 5673, warning that it could further restrict civic space and affect the ability of civil-society organizations to operate freely. In a statement published September 18, Amnesty International said the decree raises concerns about freedom of association and the potential use…
Human Rights Watch Urges Institutional Reforms as Venezuela Faces Continuing Rights Challenges
CARACAS, VENEZUELA (HRNW) — Human Rights Watch has called for institutional reforms and further human-rights measures in Venezuela following its first official visit to the country in 18 years. Human Rights Watch said its delegation visited Caracas during the week of September 14 and met government officials, human-rights organizations, opposition representatives, journalists, relatives of political…
Human Rights Watch Reports Raids and Detentions Targeting LGBT Rights Groups Across Türkiye
ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE (HRNW) — Human Rights Watch has raised concerns over coordinated police raids and arrests targeting LGBT rights organizations, activists and people associated with rights groups across several Turkish cities. The organization said police operations between September 12 and 14 targeted seven LGBT rights organizations, two groups supporting people living with HIV, as well…
Human Rights Watch Calls for Release of Rearrested Pakistani Rights Lawyers After Supreme Court Bail
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (HRNW) — Human Rights Watch has called for the immediate release of human-rights lawyers Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha after Pakistani authorities rearrested the couple shortly after the Supreme Court granted them bail. According to Human Rights Watch, the two lawyers were rearrested on September 17, 2026, only hours after the Supreme…