By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Fast fashion is accelerating an environmental catastrophe, with the equivalent of one garbage truck’s worth of clothing either incinerated or sent to landfill every second, the UN chief warned on March 27. Speaking at an event commemorating Sunday’s International Day of Zero Waste, Secretary-General António Guterres called for urgent action to curb the textile industry’s devastating impact on the planet., the UN News reported. “Dressing to kill could kill the planet,” he stressed. The fashion industry is one of the world’s most polluting sectors, responsible for up to
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The UN Secretary-General has welcomed the Jan. 15 announcement of a deal to secure a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza following 15 months of war, the UN News reported. Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters, António Guterres commended mediators Egypt, Qatar and the United States for their dedicated efforts in brokering the agreement. “Their unwavering commitment to finding a diplomatic solution has been critical in achieving this breakthrough,” he said. He called on all relevant parties to uphold their commitments to ensure that the deal is fully implemented. M
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Oct. 13 reiterated that the safety and security of UN personnel and property must be guaranteed, following the deliberate breach of a UN peacekeeping position by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) armored vehicles in southern Lebanon, the UN News reported. The incident took place early on Sunday morning (local time), when two IDF Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate and forcibly entered the position, according to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon. About two hours later, after the tanks had left, several rounds were fired nearby, emitti
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo “I urge the Government of Israel to stop any escalation, and engage constructively in the ongoing diplomatic talks,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres to the press on May 7, the UN News reported. Saying that we are at a decisive moment for the Palestinian and Israeli people and for the fate of the entire region, he said “An agreement between the Government of Israel and the leadership of Hamas is essential to stop the unbearable suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and of the hostages and their families. “It would be tragic if weeks of intense diplomatic activit
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The UN Secretary-General António Guterres on March 9 highlighted the urgent need for a negotiated political solution in Syria, emphasizing the protection of civilians and the dire humanitarian situation, the UN News reported. March marks the thirteenth anniversary of the conflict in Syria, with systematic atrocities and untold suffering of civilians. According to UN estimates, 16.7 million people, equivalent to 70 per cent of the total population, will require humanitarian assistance in 2024. Roughly half the pre-war population remains displaced inside or outside Syri
UNJournal Jon Lee | Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) announced on Dec. 7 that Prof. Kim Jin-ah of the LD Department of the university has been appointed as a member of the UN Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters under the umbrella of UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The UN Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters, established by agreement of the UN General Assembly in 1978, consists of 15 ambassadors and civilian experts. Prof. Kim is the third South Korean and first civilian to be appointed to the member of the UN Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters. Beginning her term in Jan