United Nations News
Track how the United Nations influences global issues such as climate, human rights, and peacekeeping, with reporting and commentary.
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US Must Contain Chinese Influence Rising in the United Nations
Chinese influence is on the rise within the United Nations system. Qu Dongyu became director general of the Food and Agriculture Organization this month, raising the number of Chinese nationals leading a U.N. specialized agency to four. This trend is concerning, because China is not a benign force internationally. It is seeking to shift the values, programs, and policies of the U.N. in…Brett Schaefer -
5 Things to Know About the New UN Ambassador
Kelly Knight Craft was a business executive and philanthropist when President Donald Trump appointed her as ambassador to Canada in June 2017. Now Craft is the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, replacing the popular Nikki Haley, a former governor of South Carolina. She has yet to be sworn in. Trump nominated Craft, 57, of Lexington,…Kaylee Greenlee -
Trump Just Ditched a UN Arms Treaty, and He Was Right to Do It
On Friday, at the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association, President Donald Trump announced that he was un-signing the Arms Trade Treaty. As he put it, “The United Nations will soon receive a formal notice that America is rejecting this treaty.” He then pulled out a pen and, in front of the entire audience,…Ted Bromund -
How Gender Identity Extremism at UN Threatens Rights of Real Women and Girls
When thousands of delegates and activists from around the world gathered recently in New York for the United Nations’ 63rd Commission on the Status of Women, the ostensible purpose of the 12-day gathering was to discuss the priority theme of access to social protection systems and to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality,…Grace Melton -
Don’t Erase Women at the United Nations
The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women is being pressured to embrace “gender identity” ideology at its annual meeting this week. If successful, the move could erase women from international law and economic development. Gender identity refers to an individual’s perception of themselves as male, female, both, neither, or something in between. Historically,…Grace Melton -
This UN Tobacco Policy Is Backfiring Around the World
Turkey recently became the latest in a slew of countries to adopt mandatory plain packaging rules for cigarettes. This tobacco control measure bans the use of brands or logos on cigarette cartons to supposedly reduce their attractiveness, in an attempt to deter smoking. The United Nations World Health Organization has backed this move, but such…Satya Marar -
Weather Forecasters Warn of Impending Danger as US Climate Skeptics Upend UN Climate Summit
KATOWICE, Poland—TV weather forecasters who understand the potential dangers of climate change are well-positioned to educate the public and spur them to take action, participants said in a panel discussion at the 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held here earlier this month. A major theme at…Kevin Mooney -
Why the US Is Right to Refuse to Sign UN Migration Compact
On Dec. 10-11 in Morocco, most of the world’s nations will sign on to the United Nations’ Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The U.S. will not be signing the migration compact—and that’s the correct decision from public policy, national security, and national sovereignty standpoints. The migration compact was initiated when the U.N….Hans von Spakovsky -
Heather Nauert, Trump’s Pick to Succeed Haley at UN, Praised as ‘Capable,’ ‘Well-Informed’
President Donald Trump’s nomination of Heather Nauert is an excellent choice to replace Nikki Haley as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, analysts say. “Heather Nauert is capable, well-informed, and articulate,” Clifford May, founder and president of the Foundation for Defense Of Democracies, said in an email to The Daily Signal. “She is intimately familiar…Rachel del Guidice -
UN Climate Summit to Emit More CO2 Than 8,200 American Homes Do in a Year
This year’s United Nations climate summit will have a carbon footprint equivalent to the yearly electricity usage of more than 8,200 American households, according to the international body’s own figures. The U.N. estimates the summit, called COP24, will emit 55,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide—the very greenhouse gas U.N. officials are trying to keep from accumulating in…Michael Bastasch -
America Needs More Leverage at the United Nations
The United Nations is not friendly ground for the United States. Last year, less than one-third of the votes taken in the U.N. General Assembly supported the U.S. position. Think that’s because of the Trump administration’s “assault on multilateralism”? Think again. Since 1980, the General Assembly on average has backed the U.S. in only 35 percent of…Brett Schaefer -
UN’s Solution to Climate Change: End Capitalism
What will it take to keep the planet habitable? According to some eco-warriors, all that’s necessary is to end capitalism—the one economic system that has lifted billions from poverty and suffering. The latest United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report led Eric Holthaus, a Grist writer, to tweet enthusiastically, “The world’s top scientists just…Nicolas Loris -
4 Questions About Nikki Haley’s Departure as UN Ambassador
The Trump presidency has been full of surprises, but personnel changes typically are telegraphed or leaked well in advance. Nikki Haley’s announcement of her resignation as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, however, was a genuine surprise. A major player in the administration’s foreign policy and a revered figure among many conservatives, Haley said Tuesday…Fred Lucas -
The Daily Signal Podcast: In UN Speech, Trump Makes Powerful Case for American Sovereignty
President Donald Trump was the center of everyone’s attention at the United Nations on Tuesday, where he delivered a formal address defending his policies. Brett Schaefer of The Heritage Foundation joins us to discuss. Plus: Protesters harass Ted Cruz and his wife during their private night out. We also cover these stories: Trump defended Supreme…Katrina Trinko -
7 Top Takeaways From Trump’s UN Speech for Friends and Foes Alike
President Donald Trump defended the sovereignty of America—and every other country—before the 73rd United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, in his second address to the world body. To the other world leaders and diplomats, Trump delivered an unpopular message against globalism, while also calling for cooperation. He delivered tough talk to America’s enemies, while also…Fred Lucas -
Why Trump Was Right to End Funding for the UN Palestinian Aid Organization
Last week, the State Department announced that the Trump administration had concluded an internal review and decided to end all U.S. contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Part of the administration’s justification for the decision was the disproportionate level of U.S. financial support, but…Brett Schaefer -
Media Misses: Gov. Cuomo’s Un-American Comments Don’t Get Enough Attention
We break down the top media moments this week—and plenty of misses. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo made some disturbing comments this week when he said “We’re not going to make America great again. It was never that great.” But we think the mainstream media didn’t cover it soon enough. And newspapers across the country…Rob Bluey -
We Hear You: Nikki Haley, the UN, Identity Politics, Obamacare Costs, and Liberal Tantrums
Editor's note: Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, continues to draw raves from The Daily Signal's audience. Her recent stand for human rights is a case in point, and leads this week's roundup of your comments. Don't forget to write us at [email protected].—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley is…Ken McIntyre -
Trump Promotes More Jobs for Americans … at the UN
The Trump administration is trying to secure more jobs for American citizens in the United Nations bureaucracy, as a recent State Department report finds woeful underrepresentation even though the United States contributes more to the world body than any other government. The U.S. funds almost one-quarter of key U.N. agencies, and their staffs play a…Fred Lucas -
Problematic Women: Nikki Haley Takes on the UN Human Rights Council
In this week’s edition of “Problematic Women,” we discuss Saudi women taking to the road in “big cars with big engines,” Meghan McCain facilitating a meet and greet with Taylor Swift for a woman who has glioblastoma, and high-heeled crocs, which are now a thing. Also, we discuss United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley’s major speech…Bre Payton