On 11. February 2021, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres sent an important message for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science: “Advancing gender equality in science and technology is essential for building a better future. We have seen this yet again in the fight against COVID-19. Women, who represent 70 per cent of all healthcare workers, have been among those most affected by the pandemic and among those leading the response to it. Gender inequalities have increased dramatically in the past year, as women bear the brunt of school closures and working from home. Many women scientists are facing…

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ Message on the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust on 27. January 2021 Today we honour the memory of the six million Jews and millions of others who were systematically murdered in the Holocaust by the Nazis and their collaborators. This year’s anniversary takes place under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has revealed longstanding fractures and injustices in our societies and contributed to a resurgence in antisemitism and xenophobia. The Holocaust was the culmination of two millennia of discrimination, attacks, expulsions and periodic mass killings of Jews. It…

On November 2, 2020, Vienna was hit by a terrorist attack. 4 people were killed and 23 injured, of which more than 10 in critical situation. As a top livable city, Vienna enjoys a worldwide reputation for safety, tranquility, elegance, tolerance and good public infrastructure. The attack in this peaceful city is not only shocking, but also beyond belief.   The attack took place the night before the curfew ordered by the Austrian government due to the worsening situation of Covid-19. Many citizens came to the city center to enjoy the last-hour freedom in a “carnival” like mood. The area…

UNODC World Wildlife Crime Report 2020   The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that wildlife crime is a threat not only to the environment and biodiversity, but also to human health.   The World Wildlife Crime Report 2020 launched today by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) emphasizes the threat that wildlife trafficking poses to nature and the biodiversity of the planet. The report highlights the trafficking of some wild species – pangolins, birds, turtles, tigers, bears and many more. When wild animals are poached from their natural habitat, butchered and sold illegally, the potential for transmission of…

Today we face a global pandemic.   Worldwide, people rightly raise their voices against racism.   Confronting problems is a start. But we also have to solve them.   We have a timeless guide to tackle our shared challenges and fix the world’s fragilities.   That guide is the United Nations Charter.   The Charter was signed 75 years ago – and its principles ring just as true today.   Faith in fundamental human rights.   The equal rights of men and women.   The dignity and worth of every person.   International law and the peaceful settlement of disputes….