Happening now at #UNGA80! We're partnering with @ipinst.bsky.social, 1 for 8 Billion, the Government of Estonia and CIVICUS for a policy forum on "A New Vision for Global Leadership: Selecting the Next UN Secretary-General." Watch live on UN Web TV⬇️ webtv.un.org/en/asset/k11...

🔔 IT'S TOMORROW: “A New Vision for Global Leadership: Selecting the Next UN Secretary-General.” 📅 Sept. 23 | ⏰ 1.00 PM EDT | 📍 UN Headquarters @estoniaun.bsky.social @una-uk.bsky.social and @civicuniversalist.bsky.social 👉 Watch here: www.ipinst.org/2025/09/a-ne...

High-level week at UNGA begins today—the agenda this year includes meetings on tackling climate change, financing development, AI governance, the two-state solution, gender equality, and more. Check out our briefing for key background information and what to watch➡️ una.org.uk/news/un-brie...

#UNGA80 kicks off today, with world leaders gathering at UN Headquarters in New York to give speeches at the General Debate and attend a series of High-Level meetings. Find out more about UNGA, this years key meetings and what is at stake in our briefing: una.org.uk/sites/defaul...

📢 The UK has officially recognised the state of Palestine. It joins the 149 other UN member states who have already done so, reaffirming the broad international consensus that Palestinian self-determination and statehood are essential elements for any viable and just peace process.

UNA-UK was delighted to host a briefing yesterday for the next UK Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr Christian Turner CMG. We're looking forward to further work with the UK Mission to the United Nations to support UK leadership at the UN.

We're excited to be partnering with @ipinst.bsky.social, 1 for 8 Billion, the Government of Estonia and CIVICUS for this important event at UNGA on the selection of the next UN Secretary-General. Watch live on UN Web TV on September 23 at 1.15pm (EST) / 6.15pm (BST)⬇️

🚨 ⚖️ 42 states at the #UN say they’re ready to negotiate a treaty to #StopKillerRobots. The Chair’s rolling text is ready for negotiations. The stakes? Human lives. 👉 Read our recap of the meeting: www.stopkillerrobots.org/news/septemb... #CCWUN #AutonomousWeapons

The UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has found that four of the five genocidal acts defined under international law have been carried out by Israel since October 2023. Find the full report here: www.ohchr.org/sites/defaul...

📢The UK has introduced the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement in Parliament, beginning the ratification process. The landmark 'High Seas Treaty' will protect two-thirds of the world’s ocean. 56 states have already ratified the Treaty; at 60 it will enter into force.

🚨🚨“We are therefore ready to move ahead towards negotiations.” #CCWUN closes with a joint statement from 42 states affirming that the Chair’s rolling text discussed this week can form the basis of treaty negotiations on #KillerRobots.

What's happening as states gather at the #UN in Geneva this week to discuss #AutonomousWeapons? Our Policy Manager @elizabethminor.bsky.social explains 👇 Watch the meeting live: webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1e...

Did you know that the first ever session of the UN General Assembly in 1946 was held in London? Find out more about the historic relationship between the UK and the UN from UNRIC ➡️ unric.org/en/the-uk-an... Image: Methodist Central Hall, Westminster in 1946. Credit: UN Photo/Marcel Bolomey.

🧵1/ Today is International Day Against Nuclear Testing. This year also marks 80 years since the invention, use, and testing of nuclear weapons, a reminder of the devastation they have caused since 1945. Did you know this day was established to honor victims and survivors of nuclear tests worldwide?

📢 We’ve launched a #Substack and our robot campaigner David Wreckham wants YOU (and humans, in general) in the loop! Here’s why you should subscribe… 🧵 stopkillerrobots.substack.com

Want to stay up to date with all our latest news and events? Subscribe to the UNA-UK newsletter here➡️ una.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

We are delighted to be partnering with United Against Inhumanity and UCL Diplomacy Society to host a workshop on policy approaches to the rights of the Rohingya refugees. Register for in-person participation by emailing [email protected] Register for online participation here⬇️

Thanks to @laramani14.bsky.social, @catalinajaime.bsky.social and Ruth Richardson at @asranetwork.org for speaking to me about their amazing work at the Currents of Change symposium earlier this summer. Lots of useful food for thought for us at @una-uk.bsky.social.

1 for 8 Billion Steering Committee member Jesselina Rana recently spoke with @ipinst.bsky.social President Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein about the latest updates from our campaign for a fair and inclusive process to appoint the next Secretary-General. Watch the full interview here⬇️

The UK's Strategic Defence Review is clear that Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWS) will play a role in it's future military strategy, but it has so far failed to fully engage with the legal and ethical risks. There is growing consensus on the need for greater regulation and transparency. Read more⬇️

The killing of aid workers shows no sign of slowing. In just the first 8 months of 2025, 265 aid workers have been killed. When will it end? On #WorldHumanitarianDay, we call on all with power and influence to #ActForHumanity and protect civilians and humanitarians. Press Release: bit.ly/463pSCn

Together, we can #StopKillerRobots. As we see more and more decisions on the battlefield delegated to machines, urgent regulation is needed now more than ever. Take action. Sign our petition. 👇 act.stopkillerrobots.org/stop-killer-...

Plastic pollution poses a grave threat to both human and planetary health. A legally binding UN treaty on the production and disposal of plastics would be a historic step forward. States must act decisively to overcome divisions and secure an effective treaty to end plastic pollution.

Recent escalations between Israel and Iran, and India and Pakistan are a warning: the systems that once protected us are failing. @janekinninmont.bsky.social on the new nuclear age. www.prospectmagazine...

The UN has announced the members of an independent scientific panel to investigate the effects of nuclear war - the first such initiative in over three decades. Despite broad international support the UK has opposed the initiative. Read more➡️ una.org.uk/news/un-appo...

There needs to be a ceasefire *and* a Palestinian state. Recognising Palestine isn’t a punishment for Israel. It’s about the Palestinian right to self-determination. Starmer’s approach suggests Palestinians can either have a ceasefire or a state—and that it is Israel that will make the decision.

Over 50 former senior British diplomats have signed a letter urging the Prime Minister to recognise Palestinian statehood - an essential foundation for any viable and just peace process. Read the full letter here: una.org.uk/letter-prime...

80 years ago today, the Trinity Test changed the world forever. Managing nuclear threat has been central to the multilateral system ever since. Our CEO @janekinninmont.bsky.social writes in @prospectmagazine.co.uk on the new nuclear arms race, and the urgent need to return to diplomacy over force.

This week we co-hosted a parliamentary event with @ceasefirecentre.bsky.social, the Eastern Ukrainian Centre for Civic Initiatives, @redress.org and @newlinesinst.bsky.social on the urgent need for the UK to support reparations for Ukraine. Ceasefire's report➡️ www.ceasefire.org/wp-content/u...

Iran’s decision to suspend cooperation with the IAEA is the latest dangerous and avoidable blow to the NPT. Israel and the US’s unilateral attacks cut off diplomatic routes being pursued by the US and Iran to reach an agreement to ensure Iran’s nuclear programme was not weaponised.

Negotiations of a new General Assembly resolution on the Secretary-General selection process are due to begin this month. The zero draft is a strong foundation, but there is significant room for states to strengthen the text for a fairer and more transparent process. 1 for 8 Billion's analysis⬇️

Ahead of a meeting between Starmer and Macron, a group of former British diplomats - including UNA-UK past chairs Lord Hannay and Sir Jeremy Greenstock - published a letter calling on the leaders to endorse the Palestinian right to self determination.

Eight years ago today, the TPNW was adopted, expressing the wish of the majority of states and advocates that there are lines that must never be crossed. The landmark treaty prohibits development, testing, production, acquisition, possession, stockpiling, use, or threat of use of nuclear weapons.

Today marks 80 years since the signing of the #UNCharter. In our increasingly fractured world, we must renew the vision of the Charter and encourage global leaders to recommit to and strengthen international cooperation for the sake of "We the peoples."

With the NPT already under strain, the US bombing of Iran's inspected nuclear sites risks undermining the IAEA and driving Iran to withdraw from the NPT. Multilateral work for non-proliferation has repeatedly proven more effective than military strikes. The UK must push for renewed diplomacy.⬇️

In PMQs today, the Deputy Prime Minister stated that the government was "looking into unresolved questions regarding medical records...as a matter of priority" in response to a question from @rebeccalongbailey.com calling for justice for the veterans of Britain's nuclear weapons testing.

Did you know that only 4 women signed the UN Charter in 1945? This International Day of #WomenInDiplomacy, we're shining a light on Brazilian diplomat, politician and scientist Bertha Lutz who was among the delegates from 50 states who signed the Charter.

We're looking forward to supporting our friends at @ceasefirecentre.bsky.social for the UK launch of their new report on social protection for civilians and reparations for Ukraine. RSVP here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-can-th...

A new report from ICAN found that nuclear-armed states spent $100 billion on their nuclear arsenals in 2024, an 11% on the previous year. The finding that the UK was the 3rd largest spender comes as the Government announced a further increase in nuclear spending in the Strategic Defence Review.

UNA-UK calls for an immediate end to the war precipitated by Israel’s attack on Iran and an urgent resumption of multilateral diplomacy. The UK should make clear it will not enter this war, and must work to implement a ceasefire and return the nuclear issue to the negotiating table. Our statement⬇️

🗞️1/ Now live: ICAN’s new report Hidden Costs: Nuclear Weapons Spending in 2024 shows global nuclear weapons spending rose to more than 100 billion dollars in 2024, an 11% increase from the year before. Here’s what you need to know⬇️🧵 icanw.org/hidden_costs... #NuclearBan

At last month's UN Peacekeeping Ministerial, the UK pledged £500,000 of funding for the Elsie Initiative. The Elsie Initiative, which is currently co-chaired by the UK, works to accelerate the meaningful participation of #WomenInPeacekeeping. - slides via @unpeacekeeping.bsky.social

UNA-UK's new CEO Jane Kinninmont was warmly welcomed into her role by Lord Collins. UNA-UK looks forward to working with the Minister and wider FCDO as we mark 80 years of the UN and look to support effective, collaborative and accountable multilateralism. @janekinninmont.bsky.social

Following World Ocean Day, the 3rd UN Ocean Conference begins today to drive action towards SDG 14 - "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources" - the most underfunded SDG. The UK and fellow member states must seize the opportunity protect our ocean. #UNOC3 #SaveOurOcean

Today marks our 80th anniversary! We have been a leading advocate for the UN since its inception. Our mission in 2025 remains the same as it was in 1945: promoting the values of the UN, ensuring strong UK support for the Organization, and advocating ways to make the UN more credible and effective.

"If we save the sea, we save our world." Have you seen 'Ocean with David Attenborough' yet? The film calls on member states attending next week's UN Ocean Conference to seize the opportunity to ratify the High Seas Treaty, which would enable the protection of 30% of the world's oceans by 2030.

Our #NextSteps for states 🔜 Now that the informal consultations on #AutonomousWeapons at the #UN in New York have concluded, here’s what we’re calling on states to do to #StopKillerRobots 🔗 Read more www.stopkillerrobots.org/news/dynamic...

The final PrepCom for the 2026 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons concluded again without consensus. Rather than engaging in disarmament efforts, the UK reiterated its support for nuclear deterrence and stayed silent on worrying nuclear-sharing proposals.

Last week, ahead of our annual Peacekeepers Day ceremony, we held a roundtable discussion on the spectrum of UN Peacekeeping with @rusi.bsky.social and UNA Westminster. The expert-led discussion included a briefing on the outcomes of the recent UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin. Read more⬇️

For 77 years, UN Peacekeepers have been on the front lines of conflict, protecting civilians. This International Day of UN Peacekeepers, we remember and honour the 4,433 peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the service of peace. #PKDay #UNPeacekeeping