UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Tuesday that COVID-19 presages crises yet to come, “a dress rehearsal for the world of challenges to come.”
When the Himalayas Warn Us: Balancing Ecology, Development and Human Security
The disasters at Kedarnath and Nepal should therefore be read not simply as tragedies of the past or isolated episodes of extreme weather. They are warnings from a changing mountain system. The question before South Asia is whether we will continue to respond to each disaster after it occurs, or whether we will listen to what the mountains are telling us beforehand.
Months Ahead of the Monsoon: Can AI Give Us an Earlier Warning About El Niño?
AI may genuinely extend the horizon over which seasonal climate risk can be estimated. For communities across South Asia living under the influence of the monsoon, a longer view could mean the difference between a farmer adjusting her planting in time and a family receiving a flood warning too late to act.
Livelihoods, Employment and Environmental Management in South Asia’s Hilly Regions: Lessons from ADB’s New Investment in Bangladesh
The broader lesson for South Asia is equally important. Hilly regions cannot be developed simply by transferring lowland infrastructure models into mountainous terrain. Investment has to respond to local economic systems, geography and environmental risks.
Ethanol, AI and Agriculture: India's Triangular Chokehold Centred on a Depleting Resource
The UN's 2026 report warns that “long-term water use has exceeded renewable inflows and safe depletion limits,” leaving some water supplies beyond recovery. As the world’s largest groundwater extractor, India sits at the centre of this reckoning
More on Climate, Sustainability and Energy
Bhutan PM to address UNGA on September 25
Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering will address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 25, themed “The future we want, the United Nations we need
Afghan President Ghani in UN speech reiterates call for ceasefire
President Ashraf Ghani delivered a statement on Monday night at the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the UN, underscoring the important role of multilateralism, and particularly the UN, in addressing the challenges that continue to impact Afghanistan and the world
President: Maldives will continue to uphold principles in UN Charter
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Monday, reaffirmed Maldives’ commitment towards upholding the principles and values enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Charter, and continued support for efforts to fulfill objectives
UN faces crisis of confidence, needs new template of multilateralism: Modi
In an under-four minute video message, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed United Nations the mirror and urged it to take a long, hard look at its "crisis of confidence" while ratcheting up the call for a new template of multilateralism that "reflects today's realities" on the first day of the United Nations high level week being live streamed to the world from the UN headquarters in New York City
UN's unfinished task is tackling Pakistan's terror epicentre, says India
The UN's unfinished agenda item is tackling terrorism emanating from its epicentre in Pakistan, India has said here replying to Pakistan bringing up the Kashmir issue at the international organisation's 75th Anniversary Commemoration session
Multilateralism is the way forward, Bangladesh PM tells UN
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the coronavirus pandemic has shown that both developed and developing nations need the United Nations more than ever
UN's 75th Anniversary Declaration commits to Security Council reform
The UN General Assembly committed itself to put “new life” into the stalled reform of the Security Council in its Declaration for the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations on Monday
At 75, UN is in crisis: Need to reform multilateralism to shape future narrative
There has been no informed discussion in the UN Security Council about Covid 19, its origin, its spread, its impact and the search for remedies and an effective vaccine. The UN Secretary General has been seen to be half-hearted in his response, writes Amb Bhaswati Mukherjee (retd) for South Asia Monitor
Mohan Peiris appointed Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York
The Sri Lankan government has appointed Dr. Mohan Peiris, a former Chief Justice and President’s Counsel, as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York, USA, local media reported
Indian doctor complains to UNHRC of rampant rights violations; cites own case
Gorakhpur's Dr Kafeel Khan has taken his battle against the Yogi Adityanath state government in Uttar Pradesh to an international level
20 million girls may never return to school, warns Malala at UN meet
As many as 20 million girls may not return to schools even after the COVID-19 crisis is over, warns UN Messenger of Peace Malala Yousafzai
No decision to withdraw from UNHRC, Sri Lanka clarifies
Responding to media reports on remarks made by the Cabinet Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella at the Cabinet Press Briefing on Thursday (17) in relation to the UN Human Rights Council, Director General of Government Information Nalaka Kaluwewa said the Sri Lankan government has not taken any decision to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s UN address on 25th will focus on Kashmir issue
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Sept 25 would focus on Kashmir dispute, the Foreign Office said
Mirpur activist at UNHRC says people want freedom from Pakistan
A prominent rights activist from Mirpur at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva said that people in Pakistan occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) were desperate to get freedom and join the Indian union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh
