By Geneva Solutions In this project we’ve called “Ukraine Stories”, Ukrainian journalists write about the harsh living conditions and realities that the Russian invasion has inflicted on them. …

By Michelle Langrand and Leah Koonthamattam The mayor of the Ukrainian capital, Vitali Klitschko, called on his counterparts to cut business relations with Russia at the Forum of Mayors on Tuesday. In a video address to fellow politicians attending the UN Economic Commission for Europe event at the Palais des…

By Kasmira Jefford The United Nations has received credible allegations that Russian forces have used cluster munitions in populated areas of Ukraine “at least 24 times”, human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Tuesday. Her office is also investigating similar allegations against Ukraine armed forces, she said. Addressing the Human…

By Michelle Langrand Countries have decided to meet again in Nairobi in June for another round of discussions as they struggle to hammer out a deal to halt biodiversity’s decline. Global negotiations for the protection of nature wrapped up on Tuesday evening with countries making little progress towards an agreement…

By Kyra Dupont Their names are Uliana, Maksim and Oleg. They all suffer from cancer and have not received any treatment since 24 February when war broke out in Ukraine. …

By Kasmira Jefford Access to drinking water is a major problem around the world, but nowhere is it more challenging to ensure than in conflict-hit regions, the ICRC warned last week at the ninth World Water Forum in Dakar. Gilles Carbonnier, the organisation’s vice president, told Geneva Solutions that while…

By Irene Velicer High on this session’s agenda is expanding the list of mercury-containing products for phase out, discussing thresholds for mercury waste, and requiring national plans for the reduction — ideally the elimination — of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). Another priority is gender equality, with…

By Kasmira Jefford She was attacked and beaten for protesting against the same “courtesies” Moroccan authorities showed Sultana Khaya, a fellow rights rights activist who has been repeatedly harassed, sexually assaulted, and placed under house arrest since November 2020. “They caused some of the bones in my spine to be…

By Irene Velicer Children in some parts of Ukraine returned to school on Monday after an official two-week “extraordinary holiday”, despite the intensifying fighting with Russian forces and many schools coming under attack. Some are resuming with distance-learning. For others living in areas under heavy bombardment and experiencing internet outages…