The United Nations University with its Institute for Environmental and Human Security (UNU-EHS) published the Interconnected Disaster Risks Report 2023. The report paints a bleak picture of a world hurtling towards critical "risk tipping points." These points signify thresholds where essential systems, like water and food supplies, face potential collapse, leading to catastrophic consequences, while human activities are accelerating these changes.

This article is based on a news announcement by the JRC from 11 October 2023: "Drought Risk Atlas: heightened risk threatens the environment and the economy". Find the full article here.

Every year, the City of Bonn celebrates the UN Day with programmes, attractions and exhibits at the Market Square in front of the Old Town Hall, as host city of majority of UN agencies in Germany. This year, the celebration was held on Saturday, 21 October 2023 from 11:00 to 16:00.

Since 2019, the City of Bonn puts a special thematic emphasis on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the overall theme is “Leaving no one behind”. This year also celebrated the 50th anniversary of Germany as member of the UN.

Fighting inequality for a resilient future

This year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction addresses the connection between disasters and inequality. Disasters and inequality are two sides of the same coin. Each adversity reinforces the other: unequal access to services leaves the most vulnerable exposed to the danger of disasters; while the effects of disasters exacerbate inequalities and push the most at risk further into poverty.

On 11 October 2023, high ranking authorities of the Ministry of Emergency Management of the People’s Republic of China, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and other government agencies in international and regional organizations opened the Sub-Forum on Disaster Prevention, Reduction and Relief in Beijing, China. The Sub-Forum is one of the activities of the Belt and Road Ministerial Forum for International Cooperation in Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management that has been launched by the Government of the People's Republic of China.

World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week will be held each year from October 4-10. These dates commemorate two events: