The World This Week

04.03.2016 – This #PhotoFriday we take a look at the biggest news and events from the UN this week.

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio receives a pin from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.  Photo: UN Photo

On 28 Februrary 2016, Leonardo DiCaprio, the UN Messenger of Peace and advocate for climate change action won his first Oscar for best actor.  DeCaprio used his acceptance speech to bring this issue to the fore; “Climate change is real, it is happening right now. It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating.”

Ban Ki-Moon and Sergey Lavrov re-open the Russian Room.  Photo: UN Photo 

On 01 March 2016, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia cut the ribbon to open the renovated Russian Room in Geneva, which was first opened in the Palace of Nations in 1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. 

Photo: UN Photo

01 March was Zero Discrimination Day. Gender, nationality, age, disability, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion, language or any other status should never be a reason to discriminate.  Zero Discrimination Day is a day to "stand out and stand together for the right to live free from stigma and discrimination".

Members of an honour guard present at Ouagadougou International Airport, Burkina Faso awaiting Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s arrival at the airport.  Photo: UN Photo

On 02 March 2016, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon travelled to Burkina Faso where he met with senior government officials and visited a UN project.

Photo: UN Photo

03 March marked World Wildlife Day. “Time is running out,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Wildlife poaching threatens some of the world’s most iconic species.  This year’s World Wildlife Day paid special focus to the plight of African and Asian elephants; about 100,000 elephants were estimated to be slaughtered for their ivory between 2010 and 2012.