In 2026, a new UN leader will be selected, influencing global peace, human rights, and sustainable development for years to come.
The stakes could not be higher—but how is the person for this important role chosen?
➡️Learn more at 1for8billion.org
#1for8Billion #SGselection #NextSG
Last week our Head of Policy Enyseh Teimory was in Berlin representing 1 for 8 Billion in a panel discussion on why the process to select the next UN SG matters.
Thanks to the Robert Bosch Foundation and UN Association of Germany for co-hosting this important conversation.
Photos: Anita Back
Why do financial disclosures matter in the Secretary-General selection, and what have candidates disclosed so far?
Read the 1 for 8 Billion explainer in PassBlue here: passblue.com/2026/03/22/u...
#SGRace #SecretaryGeneralSelection
⏰ Iran Webinar, tomorrow, 10:00 - 11:30 am BST
Join @theeln.bsky.social and @una-uk.bsky.social in a discussion on the implications for global security with Baroness Ashton, @janekinninmont.bsky.social, @olivermeier.bsky.social and @nathalietocci.bsky.social
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/iran-one-m...
A group of parliamentarians stand for a photo alongside Volker Turk
View from the back of a room showing a seated audience engaged in Q&A with Volker Turk, seated at the front of the room
We were delighted to host UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk this week for a conversation with civil society leaders and a briefing with Parliamentarians at the UN APPG.
The discussions were an important reminder that human rights are universal—attacks on them affect us all.
@janekinninmont.bsky.social, ELN Senior Associate Fellow and CEO of the @una-uk.bsky.social, calls for European governments to work together to stand up for international law.
The US and Israeli attacks on Iran represent an illegal and unilateral war of choice.
This act of aggression is a violation of the UN Charter and, along with Iran’s retaliation across the region, is fuelling a growing conflict in which civilians will again pay the highest price.
"In this moment when the values of multilateralism are being chipped away, it is up to us—in our capacity as professionals, as voters, and as members of organizations like the UNA-UK—to take a stand."
Listen to the UN Secretary-General's full speech from our UNGA at 80 conference⬇️
Portrait of Ajay Gambhir speaking on a panel at the UN's 80th anniversary celebrations.
A panel talk on planetary challenges – part of the UN's 80th anniversary celebrations.
People queue outside Central Hall Westminster to enter the UN's 80th Anniversary celebrations.
It was a privilege to participate in the UN’s 80th anniversary celebrations, where Ajay Gambhir, our Director of Systemic Risk Assessment, spoke about the renewed need for international coordination to address the interconnected #SystemicRisks facing our world.
Thanks @una-uk.bsky.social
From the hall where the UNGA first met 80 years ago, our GWL Voices ED, @mfespinosaec.bsky.social, delivered the closing reflections, highlighting why #multilateralism must adapt, evolve, and deliver real impact through prevention and vision. @una-uk.bsky.social
"We are living in a moment when countries that hold immense military and economic power are increasingly disregarding multilateralism." A timely warning by Juan Manuel Santos, delivered to the @una-uk.bsky.social #UN80 conference in London last weekend.
theelders.org/news/we-are-...
Attending the 80th anniversary of the first meeting of the UN General Assembly in Central Hall with my friend and former UNA-UK staff colleague, Joe Korner! @una-uk.bsky.social
A photo of a large hall with a podium on the right emblazoned with the UN logo. Richard Foord is speaking at the podium and behind him is a large projection screen with his name and “Parliamentarian and Former UN Peacekeeper” on it. The top of the screen has “UNGA at 80: From 1946 to Our Future”
A photo of a group of people standing in a ballroom-setting. From left to right are Lord Hermer, Annalena Baerbock, António Guterres, Richard Foord MP, Emily Thornberry MP, and Uma Kumaran MP
It was a privilege to speak on a platform commemorating the 80th anniversary of the UN General Assembly in London today.
The event was organised by @una-uk.bsky.social, and it was also addressed by the UN Secretary General and the President of the UN General Assembly. 1/2
Following the service comes a @una-uk.bsky.social event. Hearing from Annalena Bärbock, president of the General Assembly, and António Guterres, General Secretary of the UN.
Less than two weeks to go until we welcome the Secretary-General to our UNGA at 80 Conference in London!
Join us on the 17 January to explore what a renewed multilateral system must look like for the decades ahead.
Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unga-at-80...
#UnitedNations #UNGA
The Secretary-General is coming to London!
We are honoured to be welcoming H.E. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, to address our landmark public event on 17 January.
Tickets and speaker line-up available here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/unga-at-80...
Join us where history was made:
On 17 January 2026, 80 years after delegates gathered in Methodist Central Hall Westminster for the first UN General Assembly, UNA-UK invites you back to the very same room for a landmark public event.
Tickets available now⬇️
Progress for women and girls wasn't accidental - it was built over decades by people fighting for fairness, safety & opportunity. The UK helped support that progress but in 2025 it's buffering.
Join us to protect progress: act.careinternational.org.uk/open-letter-...
#COP30, the world’s biggest gathering to tackle climate change, has concluded. But what did it actually achieve?
Our CEO @janekinninmont.bsky.social reflects on the challenges of reaching global consensus—and whether we have to learn to work without it ⬇️
Was COP30 a success or failure?
With the COP30 Conference in Brazil closing without much of a deal, what does this mean for the future of multi lateral agreements? @una-uk.bsky.social's @janekinninmont.bsky.social explains.
Instead of joining the global majority calling for justice, the UK aligned with a small group of nuclear-armed states, including Russia, France and North Korea.
UNA-UK urges the UK government to confront its nuclear testing legacy and support measures to reduce nuclear risks.
The world demands progress on #nucleardisarmament. The UK should be backing—not blocking—that effort.
At the UN First Committee the UK voted against resolutions on:
➡️The Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons
➡️The #TPNW
➡️Nuclear Weapons and AI
➡️Victim Assistance and Environmental Remediation
UNRWA Chief of Staff Ben Majekodunmi stands with UNA-UK Chair Ian Martin, after being presented with the Sir Brian Urquhart Award
Last week we hosted our UN Day reception in partnership with the Slovenian Embassy, marking 80 years since the Charter came into force.
We were delighted to present the Sir Brian Urquhart Award to @unrwa.org Chief of Staff Ben Majekodunmi, recognising over 3 decades of dedicated service to the UN.
UNA-UK has existed throughout the lifespan of the UN itself; we continue to work for a world where the Charter’s promise becomes reality, and multilateralism is reinvigorated for the future.
The organisation remains a unique meeting ground for states to come together. Now, more than ever, the world must recommit to international cooperation—to solve problems that no nation can solve alone.
archive photo shows children gathered round a large print out of the UN charter in 1947
80 years ago today, the UN Charter came into force.
Since its founding, the UN has worked to put the principles of its Charter into practice: advancing human rights, forging peace, and building a more sustainable world.
#UNDay #UN80 #UnitedNations
This #WorldFoodDay marks 80 years of the @fao.org and calls for global collaboration to create a peaceful, sustainable, prosperous, and food-secure future.
Today we remember that food is a human right and deplore the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
Learn more➡️ www.fao.org/world-food-d...
"Governments and civil society organizations warned that the legitimacy of the UN itself is at stake if the UN remains dominated by men."
PassBlue reports on the growing call for the first woman Secretary-General at UNGA last month, spotlighting the side event held by 1 for 8 Billion and UNA-UK⬇️
