The top UN human rights official on Friday called on Sudan's military leaders to step back following a coup, also denouncing the arrest and detention of politicians, journalists and protesters.

High Commissioner of Human Rights Michelle Bachelet described the October&nbsp;25 military takeover as "deeply disturbing" and called for an end to the deadly use of force by the armed forces as well as military police and intelligence elements which she said had so far killed at least 13 civilians.

"I urge Sudan's military leaders, and their backers, to step back in order to allow the country to return to the path of progress towards institutional and legal reforms," she said, in remarks delivered at an emergency Geneva session of the human rights council on the situation there.

Bachelet said the release of politicians, journalists and protesters was "essential for an inclusive dialogue and a swift return to civilian rule".

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The United Nations is seeking an end to the political crisis following the coup via talks between Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who was placed under house arrest, and coup leaders.

The 47-member UN Council is holding the urgent session following a request from Britain and several ambassadors present called for justice for those responsible for killings in the coup's aftermath.

"I urge our fellow members of the Council to join us and to send a strong and clear message today that democracy must, and will, prevail," said Britain's ambassador Simon Manley. US envoy Robert Riley vowed to continue "full throttle efforts" to support democratic aspirations in Sudan.

Members will later decide on a resolution, prepared by Britain, Germany, Norway and the United States, that would create a human rights expert to monitor events since the coup and prepare a written report in 2022.

Germany's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva Katharina Stasch called that "an important step to ensure accountability for human rights violations committed."

The top UN human rights official on Friday called on Sudan's military leaders to step back following a coup, also denouncing the arrest and detention of politicians, journalists and protesters.

The top UN human rights official on Friday called on Sudan's military leaders to step back following a coup, also denouncing the arrest and detention of politicians, journalists and protesters. High Commissioner of Human Rights Michelle Bachelet described the October 25 military takeover as "deeply disturbing" and called for an end to the deadly use of force by the armed forces as well as military police and intelligence elements which she said had so far killed at least 13 civilians. "I urge Sudan's military leaders, and their backers, to step back in order to allow the country to return to the path of progress towards institutional and legal reforms," she said, in remarks delivered at an emergency Geneva session of the human rights council on the situation there. Bachelet said the release of politicians, journalists and protesters was "essential for an inclusive dialogue and a swift return to civilian rule". Also read | French bishops say church bore 'institutional responsibility' for child abuse The United Nations is seeking an end to the political crisis following the coup via talks between Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who was placed under house arrest, and coup leaders. The 47-member UN Council is holding the urgent session following a request from Britain and several ambassadors present called for justice for those responsible for killings in the coup's aftermath. "I urge our fellow members of the Council to join us and to send a strong and clear message today that democracy must, and will, prevail," said Britain's ambassador Simon Manley. US envoy Robert Riley vowed to continue "full throttle efforts" to support democratic aspirations in Sudan. Members will later decide on a resolution, prepared by Britain, Germany, Norway and the United States, that would create a human rights expert to monitor events since the coup and prepare a written report in 2022. Germany's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva Katharina Stasch called that "an important step to ensure accountability for human rights violations committed."

UN rights chief calls for Sudan military to step back

Developing countries need up to 10 times more funding to protect themselves from increasingly ferocious effects of climate change than the world has currently earmarked, the UN said on Thursday.&nbsp;

While the COP26 meeting tries to wrestle down emissions and keep warming within the Paris deal target of 1.5 degrees Celsius, a new report from United Nations Environment Programme highlights the need to prepare countries for effects that are already starting to be felt. &nbsp;

"Even if we were to turn off the tap on greenhouse gas emissions today, the impacts of climate change would be with us for many decades to come," said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.&nbsp;

"We need a step-change in adaptation ambition for funding and implementation to significantly reduce damages and losses from climate change. And we need it now."

Slammed by storms, floods and droughts intensified by global warming, the world's poorest nations have put at the heart of the COP26 climate negotiations calls for richer countries to honour a pledge to provide $100 billion annually.&nbsp;

But only a part of that funding promise -- which is now not set to be met until next year at the earliest -- is set aside for adaptation measures that would help nations reduce the exposure of people and property to the growing threats of climate change. &nbsp;

- 'Skydiving without a parachute' - 
The UNEP report found that developing countries alone will need to spend up to $300 billion a year on such measures by 2030, and up to $500 billion annually by 2050.

"Overall, estimated adaptation costs in developing countries are five to 10 times greater than current public adaptation finance flows, and the gap is widening," UNEP said.

In 2019, wealthy countries provided $79.6 billion in climate assistance to developing countries -- but two-thirds of that was for efforts to reduce emissions, with adaptation given lower priority.

On Monday, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley told COP26 delegates failure to provide nations with the funds to protect themselves and adapt to climate change was "measured in lives and livelihoods in our communities and that, my friends, is immoral and unjust".&nbsp;

With 1.1C of warming since the mid 19th Century, the world has seen a torrent of deadly weather disasters intensified by climate change in recent months, from asphalt-melting heat waves to flash floods and untameable wildfires.

UNEP said governments had so far missed an opportunity to use the Covid-19 pandemic to prioritise green recovery spending.&nbsp;

"By failing to invest in climate adaptation, it seems like we've gone sky diving and decided we don't need a parachute," said Brian O'Callaghan, of the Oxford University economic recovery project and one of the authors of the UNEP report.&nbsp;

Developing countries need up to 10 times more funding to protect themselves from increasingly ferocious effects of climate change than the world has currently earmarked, the UN said on Thursday.

Developing countries need up to 10 times more funding to protect themselves from increasingly ferocious effects of climate change than the world has currently earmarked, the UN said on Thursday. While the COP26 meeting tries to wrestle down emissions and keep warming within the Paris deal target of 1.5 degrees Celsius, a new report from United Nations Environment Programme highlights the need to prepare countries for effects that are already starting to be felt. "Even if we were to turn off the tap on greenhouse gas emissions today, the impacts of climate change would be with us for many decades to come," said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. "We need a step-change in adaptation ambition for funding and implementation to significantly reduce damages and losses from climate change. And we need it now." Slammed by storms, floods and droughts intensified by global warming, the world's poorest nations have put at the heart of the COP26 climate negotiations calls for richer countries to honour a pledge to provide $100 billion annually. But only a part of that funding promise -- which is now not set to be met until next year at the earliest -- is set aside for adaptation measures that would help nations reduce the exposure of people and property to the growing threats of climate change. - 'Skydiving without a parachute' - The UNEP report found that developing countries alone will need to spend up to $300 billion a year on such measures by 2030, and up to $500 billion annually by 2050. "Overall, estimated adaptation costs in developing countries are five to 10 times greater than current public adaptation finance flows, and the gap is widening," UNEP said. In 2019, wealthy countries provided $79.6 billion in climate assistance to developing countries -- but two-thirds of that was for efforts to reduce emissions, with adaptation given lower priority. On Monday, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley told COP26 delegates failure to provide nations with the funds to protect themselves and adapt to climate change was "measured in lives and livelihoods in our communities and that, my friends, is immoral and unjust". With 1.1C of warming since the mid 19th Century, the world has seen a torrent of deadly weather disasters intensified by climate change in recent months, from asphalt-melting heat waves to flash floods and untameable wildfires. UNEP said governments had so far missed an opportunity to use the Covid-19 pandemic to prioritise green recovery spending. "By failing to invest in climate adaptation, it seems like we've gone sky diving and decided we don't need a parachute," said Brian O'Callaghan, of the Oxford University economic recovery project and one of the authors of the UNEP report.

Climate adaptation cash one tenth of amount needed: UN

About 37,000 people, including women and children, are now displaced in Myanmar's northwest and many have fled their homes in anticipation of the current fighting, including into India, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

The UN team in Myanmar remains deeply concerned over the recent escalation in fighting in the northwest between the Myanmar Military and the local Popular Defence Forces in Chin State, as well as Magway and Sagaing regions, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Florencia Soto Nino said at the daily press briefing Monday.

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She said this has led to more people being displaced and the property being destroyed, nine months after the military seized control over the Government of Myanmar on February 1. There have also been worrying reports in recent days of the shelling and burning of more than 160 houses of civilians in the town of Thantlang in western Chin.

Our humanitarian colleagues say that some 37,000 people, including women and children, are now displaced in the country's northwest. Many have fled their homes in anticipation of the current fighting, including into India,&nbsp;Nino said adding that this is in addition to more than 7,000 people who remain displaced from the previous fighting since December 2019.

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The UN team repeats its calls for parties to the conflict to meet their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and humanitarians, and reiterates that aid workers and their properties should never be a target, she said.&nbsp;

About 37,000 people, including women and children, are now displaced in Myanmar's northwest and many have fled their homes in anticipation of the current fighting, including into India, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

About 37,000 people, including women and children, are now displaced in Myanmar's northwest and many have fled their homes in anticipation of the current fighting, including into India, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. The UN team in Myanmar remains deeply concerned over the recent escalation in fighting in the northwest between the Myanmar Military and the local Popular Defence Forces in Chin State, as well as Magway and Sagaing regions, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Florencia Soto Nino said at the daily press briefing Monday. Also Read | Three Chinese hostages in Mali rescued after escape She said this has led to more people being displaced and the property being destroyed, nine months after the military seized control over the Government of Myanmar on February 1. There have also been worrying reports in recent days of the shelling and burning of more than 160 houses of civilians in the town of Thantlang in western Chin. Our humanitarian colleagues say that some 37,000 people, including women and children, are now displaced in the country's northwest. Many have fled their homes in anticipation of the current fighting, including into India, Nino said adding that this is in addition to more than 7,000 people who remain displaced from the previous fighting since December 2019. Also Read | 'Information combat': Inside the fight for Myanmar's soul. The army's parallel fight online The UN team repeats its calls for parties to the conflict to meet their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and humanitarians, and reiterates that aid workers and their properties should never be a target, she said.

About 37,000 people displaced in Myanmar's northwest, many have fled into India

All sides fighting in the war in Ethiopia's northern region of Tigray committed violations that may amount to war crimes, according to a joint investigation by the United Nations and Ethiopia published on Wednesday.

The report accuses all sides of torturing and killing civilians, carrying out gang-rapes and making arrests on the basis of ethnicity.

It was released the day after Ethiopia declared a state of emergency. Tigrayan forces said on Monday they might march on the capital to topple Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government.

The investigation was carried out by the UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the state-appointed Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.

It covers from November to June during the year-long conflict fought by Tigrayan forces against the Ethiopian military and its allies - forces from the Amhara region and soldiers from the neighbouring country of Eritrea.

"All parties to the Tigray conflict have committed violations of international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law. Some of these may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity," said Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Bachelet said most violations in the period covered by the report were committed by Ethiopian and Eritrean forces, but since then, they had seen an increase in reports by Tigrayan forces as well as continuing abuses by the Ethiopians and Eritreans.

Eritrean forces - either individually or collectively - had "huge responsibility" for many violations, she said.

The report draws on 269 interviews, many containing graphic details of rapes and mutilations by Eritrean soldiers on military bases.

Prime Minister Abiy said he accepted the report despite some "serious reservations" and said it did not accuse the government of genocide or using food as a weapon. He said a civil-military taskforce would be established to investigate all the allegations in the report. Ethiopia has said individual soldiers are on trial for rape and killing.

Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Meskel, who spent months denying Eritrean troops were in Tigray, called the report "fallacious ... utterly false" in a tweet.

The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) spokesperson Getachew Reda said the report "did not cover all the heinous crime spots" and accused Ethiopian investigators of bias.

Amhara regional spokesperson Gizachew Muluneh was unreachable but has previously denied abuses.

The report said Eritrean soldiers had killed around 100 civilians in the city of Axum, that Ethiopian soldiers had dragged about 70 men from their homes and killed them in three villages in southern Tigray, and that Tigrayan forces had killed around 200 Amhara civilians in the town of Mai Kadra, a crime followed by revenge killings of Tigrayans by Amhara.

Investigators said they did not travel to Sudan, where most Tigrayan victims of Mai Kadra fled, due to time constraints. The report noted around 600,000 Tigrayans fled Western Tigray after it fell under Amhara control.

Reuters and other news organisations, rights groups, and civil society groups have documented many more mass killings of civilians that were not mentioned in the report.

It was not clear whether the report's findings could form the basis for legal action. Ethiopia and Eritrea are not members of the International Criminal Court, so it has no jurisdiction.

YEAR OF CONFLICT

The report also accused Eritrean soldiers of forcing Eritrean refugees living in Tigray to return, in violation of international law.

The report accused all sides of blocking aid at different times and said it could not verify whether starvation was used as a weapon of war, as had been previously alleged by the United Nations aid chief. The United Nations has previously said the government operated a "de facto blockade" of food aid. The government denies this.

The report mentioned investigators were often hindered in their work, particularly areas controlled by Amhara forces, or unable to visit certain areas due to insecurity. It did not mention that Ethiopia deported a U.N. investigator working on the report in September.

The report said the Tigrayan leadership was reluctant to engage due to the presence of investigators from the state-appointed Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.

The war began a year ago after regional forces and Tigrayan soldiers in the national army seized control of military bases across Tigray. They said the central government was about to move against Tigray after the region held its own elections despite a government directive delaying them.

The conflict has left about 400,000 people in Tigray facing famine, killed thousands of civilians and forced more than 2.5 million people in northern Ethiopia to flee their homes.

All sides fighting in the war in Ethiopia's northern region of Tigray committed violations that may amount to war crimes, according to a joint investigation by the United Nations and Ethiopia published on Wednesday.

All sides fighting in the war in Ethiopia's northern region of Tigray committed violations that may amount to war crimes, according to a joint investigation by the United Nations and Ethiopia published on Wednesday. The report accuses all sides of torturing and killing civilians, carrying out gang-rapes and making arrests on the basis of ethnicity. It was released the day after Ethiopia declared a state of emergency. Tigrayan forces said on Monday they might march on the capital to topple Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government. The investigation was carried out by the UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the state-appointed Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. It covers from November to June during the year-long conflict fought by Tigrayan forces against the Ethiopian military and its allies - forces from the Amhara region and soldiers from the neighbouring country of Eritrea. "All parties to the Tigray conflict have committed violations of international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law. Some of these may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity," said Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Bachelet said most violations in the period covered by the report were committed by Ethiopian and Eritrean forces, but since then, they had seen an increase in reports by Tigrayan forces as well as continuing abuses by the Ethiopians and Eritreans. Eritrean forces - either individually or collectively - had "huge responsibility" for many violations, she said. The report draws on 269 interviews, many containing graphic details of rapes and mutilations by Eritrean soldiers on military bases. Prime Minister Abiy said he accepted the report despite some "serious reservations" and said it did not accuse the government of genocide or using food as a weapon. He said a civil-military taskforce would be established to investigate all the allegations in the report. Ethiopia has said individual soldiers are on trial for rape and killing. Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Meskel, who spent months denying Eritrean troops were in Tigray, called the report "fallacious ... utterly false" in a tweet. The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) spokesperson Getachew Reda said the report "did not cover all the heinous crime spots" and accused Ethiopian investigators of bias. Amhara regional spokesperson Gizachew Muluneh was unreachable but has previously denied abuses. The report said Eritrean soldiers had killed around 100 civilians in the city of Axum, that Ethiopian soldiers had dragged about 70 men from their homes and killed them in three villages in southern Tigray, and that Tigrayan forces had killed around 200 Amhara civilians in the town of Mai Kadra, a crime followed by revenge killings of Tigrayans by Amhara. Investigators said they did not travel to Sudan, where most Tigrayan victims of Mai Kadra fled, due to time constraints. The report noted around 600,000 Tigrayans fled Western Tigray after it fell under Amhara control. Reuters and other news organisations, rights groups, and civil society groups have documented many more mass killings of civilians that were not mentioned in the report. It was not clear whether the report's findings could form the basis for legal action. Ethiopia and Eritrea are not members of the International Criminal Court, so it has no jurisdiction. YEAR OF CONFLICT The report also accused Eritrean soldiers of forcing Eritrean refugees living in Tigray to return, in violation of international law. The report accused all sides of blocking aid at different times and said it could not verify whether starvation was used as a weapon of war, as had been previously alleged by the United Nations aid chief. The United Nations has previously said the government operated a "de facto blockade" of food aid. The government denies this. The report mentioned investigators were often hindered in their work, particularly areas controlled by Amhara forces, or unable to visit certain areas due to insecurity. It did not mention that Ethiopia deported a U.N. investigator working on the report in September. The report said the Tigrayan leadership was reluctant to engage due to the presence of investigators from the state-appointed Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. The war began a year ago after regional forces and Tigrayan soldiers in the national army seized control of military bases across Tigray. They said the central government was about to move against Tigray after the region held its own elections despite a government directive delaying them. The conflict has left about 400,000 people in Tigray facing famine, killed thousands of civilians and forced more than 2.5 million people in northern Ethiopia to flee their homes.

Joint UN, Ethiopia rights team: all sides committed abuses in Tigray

The UN&nbsp;refugee agency UNHCR started to airlift supplies to Kabul on Tuesday to help hundreds of thousands of displaced Afghans build shelters ahead of the winter.

The UNHCR said a first plane was due to arrive later on Tuesday, carrying 33 tonnes of kits which contain flooring and partitions to improve tent insulation. Two other flights are planned on November&nbsp;4 and 7.

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"More resources are urgently needed to reach all those who will need help to survive the harsh winter ahead," UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo told a briefing in Geneva.

The UNHCR said it is rushing to provide winter assistance to some 500,000 displaced Afghans, returnees and local host communities by the end of 2021.

It has already provided aid including shelter, food, blankets and stove to half a million Afghans this year.

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Afghanistan was plunged into crisis in August after Taliban fighters drove out a Western-backed government, prompting donors to hold back billions of dollars in assistance for the aid-dependent economy.

Many Afghans are selling possessions to buy food with the Taliban unable to pay wages to civil servants, and urban communities are facing food insecurity on levels similar to rural areas for the first time.

Watch |&nbsp;Powerful explosion rock Kabul, two blasts and gunfire hit Kabul's military hospital

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/powerful-explosion-rock-kabul-two-blasts-and-gunfire-hit-kabuls-military-hospital-426211/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Aid groups are urging countries, concerned about human rights under the Taliban, to engage with the new rulers to prevent a collapse they say could trigger a migration crisis similar to the 2015 exodus from Syria that shook Europe

The UN refugee agency UNHCR started to airlift supplies to Kabul on Tuesday to help hundreds of thousands of displaced Afghans build shelters ahead of the winter.

The UN refugee agency UNHCR started to airlift supplies to Kabul on Tuesday to help hundreds of thousands of displaced Afghans build shelters ahead of the winter. The UNHCR said a first plane was due to arrive later on Tuesday, carrying 33 tonnes of kits which contain flooring and partitions to improve tent insulation. Two other flights are planned on November 4 and 7. Also Read | Ahead of COP26, Taliban urges world to help fight climate change "More resources are urgently needed to reach all those who will need help to survive the harsh winter ahead," UNHCR spokesperson Shabia Mantoo told a briefing in Geneva. The UNHCR said it is rushing to provide winter assistance to some 500,000 displaced Afghans, returnees and local host communities by the end of 2021. It has already provided aid including shelter, food, blankets and stove to half a million Afghans this year. Also Read | 'We have a responsibility': UK PM pledges to give £50 million to help the Afghan women Afghanistan was plunged into crisis in August after Taliban fighters drove out a Western-backed government, prompting donors to hold back billions of dollars in assistance for the aid-dependent economy. Many Afghans are selling possessions to buy food with the Taliban unable to pay wages to civil servants, and urban communities are facing food insecurity on levels similar to rural areas for the first time. Watch | Powerful explosion rock Kabul, two blasts and gunfire hit Kabul's military hospital Aid groups are urging countries, concerned about human rights under the Taliban, to engage with the new rulers to prevent a collapse they say could trigger a migration crisis similar to the 2015 exodus from Syria that shook Europe

UN airlifts winter shelters for displaced Afghans

The United States has expressed concern about increased military operations in parts of Myanmar, including Chin state, where it said more than 100 homes and churches had been destroyed in the offensive.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since a Februrary&nbsp;1 coup and the United Nations and local media have recently reported a buildup of heavy weapons and troops, suggesting an imminent attack by the ruling military.

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"We are also deeply concerned over the Burmese security forces’ intensification of military operations in various parts of the country," the US&nbsp;State Department said on Sunday.

It accused security forces of gross human rights violations which it said laid bare the regime's disregard for peoples'&nbsp;lives and welfare.

Witnesses, aid groups and local media have reported burning down of houses and an exodus of people from Thantlang town in Chin state.

Salai, a member of a local anti-junta militia, said the army fired artillery into the town on October&nbsp;29, starting off a fire in some houses.

Soldiers then set fire to houses, Salai said, adding he could see from a hill overlooking the town.

"We saw the smoke and we knew that some of our homes were on fire. There was nothing that we could do about it, just to watch the burning," he told Reuters.

Drone footage the next day showed 164 houses and two churches were destroyed, he said. Reuters has not viewed the footage.

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A spokesperson for the junta did not respond to a phone call for comment. The army has called the militias "terrorists" intent on destroying the country.

Since the coup, thousands of people have fled Chin state into neighbouring India.

A local elder in Thantlang, who manages camps of displaced people, said only one family was left in the town.

"The home is where our heart is. People here worry that the rest of the homes will be burned down by them. This is our biggest worry."

News portal DVB quoted Thantlang politician Salai Dokhar as saying blazes were ongoing and 270 homes had been torched.

The United States has expressed concern about increased military operations in parts of Myanmar, including Chin state, where it said more than 100 homes and churches had been destroyed in the offensive.

The United States has expressed concern about increased military operations in parts of Myanmar, including Chin state, where it said more than 100 homes and churches had been destroyed in the offensive. Myanmar has been in turmoil since a Februrary 1 coup and the United Nations and local media have recently reported a buildup of heavy weapons and troops, suggesting an imminent attack by the ruling military. Also Read | The world ‘has found a way to do this’: The US lags on paid leave "We are also deeply concerned over the Burmese security forces’ intensification of military operations in various parts of the country," the US State Department said on Sunday. It accused security forces of gross human rights violations which it said laid bare the regime's disregard for peoples' lives and welfare. Witnesses, aid groups and local media have reported burning down of houses and an exodus of people from Thantlang town in Chin state. Salai, a member of a local anti-junta militia, said the army fired artillery into the town on October 29, starting off a fire in some houses. Soldiers then set fire to houses, Salai said, adding he could see from a hill overlooking the town. "We saw the smoke and we knew that some of our homes were on fire. There was nothing that we could do about it, just to watch the burning," he told Reuters. Drone footage the next day showed 164 houses and two churches were destroyed, he said. Reuters has not viewed the footage. Also Read | AUKUS deal: Joe Biden tells Emmanuel Macron that US was 'clumsy' A spokesperson for the junta did not respond to a phone call for comment. The army has called the militias "terrorists" intent on destroying the country. Since the coup, thousands of people have fled Chin state into neighbouring India. A local elder in Thantlang, who manages camps of displaced people, said only one family was left in the town. "The home is where our heart is. People here worry that the rest of the homes will be burned down by them. This is our biggest worry." News portal DVB quoted Thantlang politician Salai Dokhar as saying blazes were ongoing and 270 homes had been torched.

US concerned over Myanmar army operations in Chin state, town ablaze

World leaders began arriving on Monday at a UN&nbsp;conference critical to averting the most disastrous effects of climate change, their challenge made even more daunting by the failure of major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments.

The COP26 conference in the Scottish city of Glasgow opens a day after the G20 economies failed to commit to a 2050 target to halt net carbon emissions - a deadline widely cited as necessary to prevent the most extreme global warming.

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Instead, their talks in Rome only recognised "the key relevance" of halting net emissions "by or around mid-century", set no timetable for phasing out coal at home and watered down promises to cut emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas many times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg asked her millions of supporters to sign an open letter accusing leaders of betrayal.

"As citizens across the planet, we urge you to face up to the climate emergency," she tweeted. "Not next year. Not next month. Now."

Many of those leaders take to the stage in Glasgow on Monday to defend their climate change records and in some cases make new pledges at the start of two weeks of negotiations that conference host Britain is billing as make-or-break.

"Humanity has long since run down the clock on climate change. It's one minute to midnight and we need to act now," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will tell the opening ceremony, according to advance excerpts of his speech.

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"If we don't get serious about climate change today, it will be too late for our children to do so tomorrow." 
But discord among some of the world's biggest emitters about how to cut back on coal, oil and gas, and help poorer countries to adapt to global warming, will not make the task any easier.

US&nbsp;President Joe Biden singled out China and Russia, neither of which is sending its leader to Glasgow, for not bringing proposals to the table.

"Russia and&nbsp;China basically didn't show up in terms of any commitments to deal with climate change," Biden, who faces domestic resistance to his climate ambitions, told reporters at the G20.

Absentees

Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose country is by far the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, will address the conference on Monday in a written statement, according to an official schedule.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will also stay away from Glasgow. Two Turkish officials said Britain had failed to meet Ankara's demands on security arrangements and protocol.

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Delayed by a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, COP26 aims to keep alive a target of capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels - a level scientists say would avoid its most destructive consequences.

To do that, the conference needs to secure more ambitious pledges to reduce emissions, lock in billions in climate-related financing for developing countries, and finish the rules for implementing the 2015 Paris Agreement, signed by nearly 200 countries.

Existing pledges to cut emissions would allow the planet's average surface temperature to rise 2.7C this century, which the United Nations says would supercharge the destruction that climate change is already causing by intensifying storms, exposing more people to deadly heat and floods, raising sea levels and destroying natural habitats.

"Africa is responsible for only 3 per cent&nbsp;of global emissions, but Africans are suffering the most violent consequences of the climate crisis," Ugandan activist Evelyn Acham told the Italian newspaper La Stampa.

"They are not responsible for the crisis, but they are still paying the price of colonialism, which exploited Africa's wealth for centuries," she said. "We have to share responsibilities fairly."

Two days of speeches by world leaders starting Monday will be followed by technical negotiations. Any deal may not be struck until close to or even after the event's November&nbsp;12 finish date.

World leaders began arriving on Monday at a UN conference critical to averting the most disastrous effects of climate change, their challenge made even more daunting by the failure of major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments.

World leaders began arriving on Monday at a UN conference critical to averting the most disastrous effects of climate change, their challenge made even more daunting by the failure of major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments. The COP26 conference in the Scottish city of Glasgow opens a day after the G20 economies failed to commit to a 2050 target to halt net carbon emissions - a deadline widely cited as necessary to prevent the most extreme global warming. Also Read | COP26: World makes new bid to avert climate disaster Instead, their talks in Rome only recognised "the key relevance" of halting net emissions "by or around mid-century", set no timetable for phasing out coal at home and watered down promises to cut emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas many times more powerful than carbon dioxide. Swedish activist Greta Thunberg asked her millions of supporters to sign an open letter accusing leaders of betrayal. "As citizens across the planet, we urge you to face up to the climate emergency," she tweeted. "Not next year. Not next month. Now." Many of those leaders take to the stage in Glasgow on Monday to defend their climate change records and in some cases make new pledges at the start of two weeks of negotiations that conference host Britain is billing as make-or-break. "Humanity has long since run down the clock on climate change. It's one minute to midnight and we need to act now," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will tell the opening ceremony, according to advance excerpts of his speech. Also Read | Cop26 climate deal will be harder than Paris accord, says Alok Sharma "If we don't get serious about climate change today, it will be too late for our children to do so tomorrow." But discord among some of the world's biggest emitters about how to cut back on coal, oil and gas, and help poorer countries to adapt to global warming, will not make the task any easier. US President Joe Biden singled out China and Russia, neither of which is sending its leader to Glasgow, for not bringing proposals to the table. "Russia and China basically didn't show up in terms of any commitments to deal with climate change," Biden, who faces domestic resistance to his climate ambitions, told reporters at the G20. Absentees Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose country is by far the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, will address the conference on Monday in a written statement, according to an official schedule. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will also stay away from Glasgow. Two Turkish officials said Britain had failed to meet Ankara's demands on security arrangements and protocol. Also Read | COP26: Sponsors deem the climate summit as ‘mismanaged’ and 'very last minute' Delayed by a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, COP26 aims to keep alive a target of capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels - a level scientists say would avoid its most destructive consequences. To do that, the conference needs to secure more ambitious pledges to reduce emissions, lock in billions in climate-related financing for developing countries, and finish the rules for implementing the 2015 Paris Agreement, signed by nearly 200 countries. Existing pledges to cut emissions would allow the planet's average surface temperature to rise 2.7C this century, which the United Nations says would supercharge the destruction that climate change is already causing by intensifying storms, exposing more people to deadly heat and floods, raising sea levels and destroying natural habitats. "Africa is responsible for only 3 per cent of global emissions, but Africans are suffering the most violent consequences of the climate crisis," Ugandan activist Evelyn Acham told the Italian newspaper La Stampa. "They are not responsible for the crisis, but they are still paying the price of colonialism, which exploited Africa's wealth for centuries," she said. "We have to share responsibilities fairly." Two days of speeches by world leaders starting Monday will be followed by technical negotiations. Any deal may not be struck until close to or even after the event's November 12 finish date.

Global climate talks open to ever more daunting challenge

Coming up with a solution for climate change seems to have become inevitable as world leaders meet in Glasgow for the UN's 'COP26' climate summit. If there is little action and more speeches, several Indian coastal cities will face the risk of getting submerged underwater by 2.7 feet by the end of the century. NASA had predicted the calamity in a report some time back.

If COP26 fails, Indian cities face risk of submerging underwater

The US&nbsp;Treasury's top climate adviser said that renewed US&nbsp;engagement on climate change under President Joe Biden has helped put the issue at the top of the Group of 20 agenda and is galvanizing fresh commitments to reduce emissions to net zero.

Climate change will feature prominently in this weekend's G20 summit in Rome, said John Morton, a former private equity adviser and Treasury's first climate counselor. He also forecast a spate of new commitments from countries and the private sector ahead of the COP26 UN&nbsp;climate conference that starts on Monday in Glasgow.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-summit-kicks-off-in-rome-with-focus-on-climate-covid-and-economy-425330">G20 Summit kicks off in Rome with focus on climate, COVID and economy</a>

"That's an indication of the seriousness with which the global community is now taking climate change," he told Reuters in an interview on Friday. "And obviously, this administration has come back in guns blazing on the issue in really important ways."

At their weekend meeting, leaders of the Group of 20 richest nations will commit to step up their efforts to limit global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters.

Morton, who coordinates climate-focused work across Treasury divisions, said he hoped Biden's $1.75 trillion spending plan, with $555 billion in clean energy tax credits and other climate-related measures, would be finalized in coming days.

"It would be an absolutely historic investment into climate change, by far the biggest in American history, and it would supercharge the efforts around the transition," he said.

That spending comes on top of separate measures included in a separate $1 trillion infrastructure bill, but several of the administration's original proposals were killed in congressional negotiations.

Biden's framework includes a slew of clean energy tax credit, investments aimed at helping the United States adapt to the worst impacts of climate change, and funding for incentives intended to spur new domestic supply chains and technology.

Morton said cutting emissions and transitioning to a net-zero economy was an "economic imperative" required to ensure continued US&nbsp;competitiveness, especially given massive investments being made by other countries like China.

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"The benefit of this legislation is that it puts in place the incentives and the building blocks to actually begin addressing that issue," he said, referring to tax credits and incentives in the spending bill that are aimed at advancing technologies such as solar, wind and batteries.

"Shame on us if we don't take advantage of those economic opportunities at home and create the jobs that we know will be the jobs of the next decades," he said.

Washington is also working with international partners to invest in accelerating efforts to transition away from coal, Morton said.

The US Treasury's top climate adviser said that renewed US engagement on climate change under President Joe Biden has helped put the issue at the top of the Group of 20 agenda and is galvanizing fresh commitments to reduce emissions to net zero.

The US Treasury's top climate adviser said that renewed US engagement on climate change under President Joe Biden has helped put the issue at the top of the Group of 20 agenda and is galvanizing fresh commitments to reduce emissions to net zero. Climate change will feature prominently in this weekend's G20 summit in Rome, said John Morton, a former private equity adviser and Treasury's first climate counselor. He also forecast a spate of new commitments from countries and the private sector ahead of the COP26 UN climate conference that starts on Monday in Glasgow. Also Read | G20 Summit kicks off in Rome with focus on climate, COVID and economy "That's an indication of the seriousness with which the global community is now taking climate change," he told Reuters in an interview on Friday. "And obviously, this administration has come back in guns blazing on the issue in really important ways." At their weekend meeting, leaders of the Group of 20 richest nations will commit to step up their efforts to limit global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters. Morton, who coordinates climate-focused work across Treasury divisions, said he hoped Biden's $1.75 trillion spending plan, with $555 billion in clean energy tax credits and other climate-related measures, would be finalized in coming days. "It would be an absolutely historic investment into climate change, by far the biggest in American history, and it would supercharge the efforts around the transition," he said. That spending comes on top of separate measures included in a separate $1 trillion infrastructure bill, but several of the administration's original proposals were killed in congressional negotiations. Biden's framework includes a slew of clean energy tax credit, investments aimed at helping the United States adapt to the worst impacts of climate change, and funding for incentives intended to spur new domestic supply chains and technology. Morton said cutting emissions and transitioning to a net-zero economy was an "economic imperative" required to ensure continued US competitiveness, especially given massive investments being made by other countries like China. Also Read | Humanitarian crisis in focus as Italy hosts G20 Afghan summit "The benefit of this legislation is that it puts in place the incentives and the building blocks to actually begin addressing that issue," he said, referring to tax credits and incentives in the spending bill that are aimed at advancing technologies such as solar, wind and batteries. "Shame on us if we don't take advantage of those economic opportunities at home and create the jobs that we know will be the jobs of the next decades," he said. Washington is also working with international partners to invest in accelerating efforts to transition away from coal, Morton said.

US back with 'guns blazing' on climate issue: US Treasury adviser

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who has steered the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is on course to serve a second five-year term as head of the World Health Organization (WHO) after being the only candidate nominated by 28 countries.

Tedros, a former health and foreign minister of Ethiopia, was the first African elected WHO director-general in May 2017.

The clean slate for the May election comes even as the European Commission suspending funding to WHO programmes in the Democratic Republic of Congo over a major sexual abuse scandal, as reported exclusively by Reuters on Thursday.

Some 83 aid workers, a quarter of them employed by the WHO, were involved in sexual exploitation and abuse during Congo's 2018-2020 Ebola epidemic, an independent probe said last month.

Health ministers from the WHO's 194 member states are also due to hold an exceptional assembly in November amid mounting pressure for reform pursuant to the organisation's handling of the pandemic.

Tedros drew support from France and Germany, among other European Union members, and three African countries - Botswana, Kenya and Rwanda - the official nomination list showed. Britain, China, Russia and the United States were not among them.

"WHO can announce that a single candidate was proposed by member states by the 23 September 2021 deadline: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is the incumbent director-general," the agency said in a statement. The nominations were kept secret to limit lengthy campaigning.

Earlier, the agency sent a letter to member states informing them of the confidential nominations contained in the sealed envelopes submitted by the deadline

Ethiopia declined to nominate Tedros for a second term due to friction over the conflict in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, making it necessary for other countries to step in and do so.

The issue is so sensitive that the African Union has not even discussed the appointment, including at its latest summit this month, African diplomats said.

Tedros has led the global response to COVID-19, the worst public health crisis in a century, which broke out in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and has killed 5.2 million people.

The United States, under former President Donald Trump, accused him of being "China-centric", a charge he denies.

Relations have warmed since Joe Biden's administration took office in January.

But he annoyed China with public calls in July for it to share Wuhan lab audits and provide more data on early COVID-19 cases. WHO investigators have yet to regain access to the country to probe the origins of coronavirus.

"STAYING POWER"

The United States and Germany have led major donors in demanding fundamental reforms to the WHO's structure, financing and capacity to deal with outbreaks.

The European Commission informed the WHO on Oct. 7 that it was immediately suspending funding to its Congo programmes due to concerns over its handling of the sexual abuse scandal. Tedros went to Congo 14 times during the epidemic but says that he was unaware of the allegations.

"We have received the (EU) letter and we are now considering a response," WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris told a briefing on Friday.

A European source, asked whether the Congo scandal could have an impact on Tedros' re-election, said: "Nope. He personally is taking the right steps and measures. As long as there is not a direct link to him. Which I don’t see."

An African ambassador in Geneva, declining to be identified, said: “Dr. Tedros has done a very good job dealing with a severe pandemic with severe repercussions. He has tried to contribute within the capacity and the resources of WHO and to realize a more equitable distribution of vaccines at the global level."

“He is a friend of Africa, he has done a lot of work and deserves a lot of support," the ambassador said.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, speaking at a news briefing with Tedros on Thursday, where the WHO launched a $23.4 billion plan to bring COVID-19 vaccines and drugs to poorer countries, told him:

"I wish you all luck in your endeavour and I salute your staying power and your ability to keep focus on this agenda, servicing your broad membership and the whole world."

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who has steered the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is on course to serve a second five-year term as head of the World Health Organization (WHO) after being the only candidate nominated by 28 countries.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who has steered the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is on course to serve a second five-year term as head of the World Health Organization (WHO) after being the only candidate nominated by 28 countries. Tedros, a former health and foreign minister of Ethiopia, was the first African elected WHO director-general in May 2017. The clean slate for the May election comes even as the European Commission suspending funding to WHO programmes in the Democratic Republic of Congo over a major sexual abuse scandal, as reported exclusively by Reuters on Thursday. Some 83 aid workers, a quarter of them employed by the WHO, were involved in sexual exploitation and abuse during Congo's 2018-2020 Ebola epidemic, an independent probe said last month. Health ministers from the WHO's 194 member states are also due to hold an exceptional assembly in November amid mounting pressure for reform pursuant to the organisation's handling of the pandemic. Tedros drew support from France and Germany, among other European Union members, and three African countries - Botswana, Kenya and Rwanda - the official nomination list showed. Britain, China, Russia and the United States were not among them. "WHO can announce that a single candidate was proposed by member states by the 23 September 2021 deadline: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is the incumbent director-general," the agency said in a statement. The nominations were kept secret to limit lengthy campaigning. Earlier, the agency sent a letter to member states informing them of the confidential nominations contained in the sealed envelopes submitted by the deadline Ethiopia declined to nominate Tedros for a second term due to friction over the conflict in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, making it necessary for other countries to step in and do so. The issue is so sensitive that the African Union has not even discussed the appointment, including at its latest summit this month, African diplomats said. Tedros has led the global response to COVID-19, the worst public health crisis in a century, which broke out in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and has killed 5.2 million people. The United States, under former President Donald Trump, accused him of being "China-centric", a charge he denies. Relations have warmed since Joe Biden's administration took office in January. But he annoyed China with public calls in July for it to share Wuhan lab audits and provide more data on early COVID-19 cases. WHO investigators have yet to regain access to the country to probe the origins of coronavirus. "STAYING POWER" The United States and Germany have led major donors in demanding fundamental reforms to the WHO's structure, financing and capacity to deal with outbreaks. The European Commission informed the WHO on Oct. 7 that it was immediately suspending funding to its Congo programmes due to concerns over its handling of the sexual abuse scandal. Tedros went to Congo 14 times during the epidemic but says that he was unaware of the allegations. "We have received the (EU) letter and we are now considering a response," WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris told a briefing on Friday. A European source, asked whether the Congo scandal could have an impact on Tedros' re-election, said: "Nope. He personally is taking the right steps and measures. As long as there is not a direct link to him. Which I don’t see." An African ambassador in Geneva, declining to be identified, said: “Dr. Tedros has done a very good job dealing with a severe pandemic with severe repercussions. He has tried to contribute within the capacity and the resources of WHO and to realize a more equitable distribution of vaccines at the global level." “He is a friend of Africa, he has done a lot of work and deserves a lot of support," the ambassador said. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, speaking at a news briefing with Tedros on Thursday, where the WHO launched a $23.4 billion plan to bring COVID-19 vaccines and drugs to poorer countries, told him: "I wish you all luck in your endeavour and I salute your staying power and your ability to keep focus on this agenda, servicing your broad membership and the whole world."

Tedros sole nominee as WHO chief, UN agency says

Protesters started gathering Friday in the heart of London's historic financial district to lobby against the use of fossil fuels in the run-up to the start of the UN climate summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow.

The protests in London, which were set to be joined by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, are part of a worldwide day of action before leaders head to Glasgow for the start of the UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP26.

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Many environmentalists are calling the October&nbsp;31-November&nbsp;12 gathering the world's last chance to turn the tide in the battle against climate change.

Activists in London started their day of action at the Climate Justice Memorial outside the insurance marketplace of Lloyd's of London They laid red flowers spelling out 'Rise Remember Resist'&nbsp;at the protest site.

The protesters are demanding that the global financial system stop investing in the use of fossil fuels. 
They are expected to campaign outside a number of London locations throughout the day.

International bank Standard Chartered is set to be the focus of the main action in the early afternoon, followed later by a vigil at the Bank of England. There are also actions planned at British banks Lloyds and Barclays.

The protesters included people who traveled from the front line of climate change in Asia and the Pacific to call out the banks they say are responsible for financing activities they blame for the destruction of their homes.

Across the world, demonstrators were taking to the streets to urge action now, including in coal-reliant Poland where city sirens sounded at noon in Warsaw and other major cities.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fridays-for-future-activists-in-bern-demand-climate-strike-ahead-of-cop26-423112">&nbsp;'Fridays for Future': Activists in Bern demand climate strike ahead of COP26</a>

Poland's government has been slow in embracing new climate goals, arguing that the country needs time to phase out its dependence on coal and pivot toward more renewable sources.

The summit in Glasgow is taking place a year late because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Six years ago in Paris, nearly 200 countries agreed to individualized plans to fight global warming. 
Under the Paris pact, nations must revisit their previous pledges to curb carbon pollution every five years and then announce plans to cut even more and do it faster.

The hope is that world leaders will cajole each other into doing more, while ensuring that poorer nations struggling to tackle climate change get the financial support they need.

The headline goal set in Paris was to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since preindustrial times.

Protesters started gathering Friday in the heart of London's historic financial district to lobby against the use of fossil fuels in the run-up to the start of the UN climate summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow.

Protesters started gathering Friday in the heart of London's historic financial district to lobby against the use of fossil fuels in the run-up to the start of the UN climate summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow. The protests in London, which were set to be joined by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, are part of a worldwide day of action before leaders head to Glasgow for the start of the UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP26. Also Read | In pics: Youths take to streets in Fridays for Future climate protests Many environmentalists are calling the October 31-November 12 gathering the world's last chance to turn the tide in the battle against climate change. Activists in London started their day of action at the Climate Justice Memorial outside the insurance marketplace of Lloyd's of London They laid red flowers spelling out 'Rise Remember Resist' at the protest site. The protesters are demanding that the global financial system stop investing in the use of fossil fuels. They are expected to campaign outside a number of London locations throughout the day. International bank Standard Chartered is set to be the focus of the main action in the early afternoon, followed later by a vigil at the Bank of England. There are also actions planned at British banks Lloyds and Barclays. The protesters included people who traveled from the front line of climate change in Asia and the Pacific to call out the banks they say are responsible for financing activities they blame for the destruction of their homes. Across the world, demonstrators were taking to the streets to urge action now, including in coal-reliant Poland where city sirens sounded at noon in Warsaw and other major cities. Also Read | 'Fridays for Future': Activists in Bern demand climate strike ahead of COP26 Poland's government has been slow in embracing new climate goals, arguing that the country needs time to phase out its dependence on coal and pivot toward more renewable sources. The summit in Glasgow is taking place a year late because of the coronavirus pandemic. Six years ago in Paris, nearly 200 countries agreed to individualized plans to fight global warming. Under the Paris pact, nations must revisit their previous pledges to curb carbon pollution every five years and then announce plans to cut even more and do it faster. The hope is that world leaders will cajole each other into doing more, while ensuring that poorer nations struggling to tackle climate change get the financial support they need. The headline goal set in Paris was to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since preindustrial times.

COP26: Protesters gather in London ahead of climate summit

UN human rights experts on Friday called on Mali to crack down on hereditary slavery after a series of violent attacks against people born into servitude.

Slavery was officially abolished in colonial Mali in 1905, but a system persists in which people are still forced to work without pay for families that enslaved their ancestors, the United Nations group of experts said in a statement.

Malian law does not specifically criminalise this form of slavery, so perpetrators are rarely held accountable, they said.

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In September, a group of people considered slaves were attacked by other Malians who objected to their celebrating Independence Day, according to the UN&nbsp;experts.

The attacks went on for two days, leaving one man dead and at least 12 people injured. It was the eight&nbsp;such attack this year in the Kayes region, about 500 kilometres (310 miles) northwest of the capital Bamako, the experts said.

"The fact that these attacks occur so often in this area shows that descent-based slavery is still socially accepted by some influential politicians, traditional leaders, law enforcement officials and judicial authorities in Mali," they said.

"We have condemned this heinous practice many times before - now the Malian government must take action, starting with ending impunity for attacks on 'slaves'."

At least 30 people have been arrested from both sides and police have launched an investigation, the UN&nbsp;statement added.

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Malian authorities could not immediately be reached for comment.

Descent-based slavery is also practiced in Mali's neighbours Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mauritania, which became the last country in the world to abolish slavery in 1981.

In Mali, prosecutors charge most hereditary slavery cases as misdemeanours, according to the US&nbsp;State Departments latest Trafficking in Persons report. It recommended a 2012 anti-trafficking law be revised to include hereditary slavery.

UN human rights experts on Friday called on Mali to crack down on hereditary slavery after a series of violent attacks against people born into servitude. Slavery was officially abolished in colonial Mali in 1905, but a system persists in which people are still forced to work without pay for families that enslaved their ancestors, the United Nations group of experts said in a statement.

UN human rights experts on Friday called on Mali to crack down on hereditary slavery after a series of violent attacks against people born into servitude. Slavery was officially abolished in colonial Mali in 1905, but a system persists in which people are still forced to work without pay for families that enslaved their ancestors, the United Nations group of experts said in a statement. Malian law does not specifically criminalise this form of slavery, so perpetrators are rarely held accountable, they said. Also Read | Mali-France tensions spurs debate over foreign influence In September, a group of people considered slaves were attacked by other Malians who objected to their celebrating Independence Day, according to the UN experts. The attacks went on for two days, leaving one man dead and at least 12 people injured. It was the eight such attack this year in the Kayes region, about 500 kilometres (310 miles) northwest of the capital Bamako, the experts said. "The fact that these attacks occur so often in this area shows that descent-based slavery is still socially accepted by some influential politicians, traditional leaders, law enforcement officials and judicial authorities in Mali," they said. "We have condemned this heinous practice many times before - now the Malian government must take action, starting with ending impunity for attacks on 'slaves'." At least 30 people have been arrested from both sides and police have launched an investigation, the UN statement added. Also Read | 'May God bless Mali': Colombian nun captured by jihadists released after 4 years Malian authorities could not immediately be reached for comment. Descent-based slavery is also practiced in Mali's neighbours Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mauritania, which became the last country in the world to abolish slavery in 1981. In Mali, prosecutors charge most hereditary slavery cases as misdemeanours, according to the US State Departments latest Trafficking in Persons report. It recommended a 2012 anti-trafficking law be revised to include hereditary slavery.

UN urges Mali to end hereditary slavery

Political leaders must give "concrete hope" to future generations that they are taking the radical steps needed to tackle climate change when they meet at COP26, Pope Francis said in a message released in Friday.

The United Nation's COP26 summit runs from October&nbsp;31 to November&nbsp;12 in Glasgow, Scotland, and Pope Francis called for a "renewed sense of shared responsibility for our world" to spur action.

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"It is essential that each of us be committed to this urgent change of direction," he said on BBC Radio.

"The political decision makers who will meet at COP26 in Glasgow are urgently summoned to provide effective responses to the present ecological crisis and in this way to offer concrete hope to future generations."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the summit is unbelievably important, but the outcome is in the balance as talks will be difficult.

Pope Francis said the summit would be tough, but also represents an opportunity.

"These crises present us with the need to take decisions, radical decisions that are not always easy," he said.

"At the same time, moments of difficulty like these also present opportunities, opportunities that we must not waste."

The Vatican is sending a delegation to the summit, but the 84-year-old pope will not be going following surgery earlier this year.

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Pope Francis warned against the danger of isolationism and protectionism in dealing with the climate crisis. 
"We can confront these crises by retreating into isolationism, protectionism and exploitation. Or we can see in them a real chance for change, a genuine moment of conversion, and not simply in a spiritual sense," he said.

"This last approach alone can guide us towards a brighter horizon."

Political leaders must give "concrete hope" to future generations that they are taking the radical steps needed to tackle climate change when they meet at COP26, Pope Francis said in a message released in Friday.

Political leaders must give "concrete hope" to future generations that they are taking the radical steps needed to tackle climate change when they meet at COP26, Pope Francis said in a message released in Friday. The United Nation's COP26 summit runs from October 31 to November 12 in Glasgow, Scotland, and Pope Francis called for a "renewed sense of shared responsibility for our world" to spur action. Also Read | Cop26 climate deal will be harder than Paris accord, says Alok Sharma "It is essential that each of us be committed to this urgent change of direction," he said on BBC Radio. "The political decision makers who will meet at COP26 in Glasgow are urgently summoned to provide effective responses to the present ecological crisis and in this way to offer concrete hope to future generations." British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the summit is unbelievably important, but the outcome is in the balance as talks will be difficult. Pope Francis said the summit would be tough, but also represents an opportunity. "These crises present us with the need to take decisions, radical decisions that are not always easy," he said. "At the same time, moments of difficulty like these also present opportunities, opportunities that we must not waste." The Vatican is sending a delegation to the summit, but the 84-year-old pope will not be going following surgery earlier this year. Also Read | Chinese President Xi may not attend COP26: Report Pope Francis warned against the danger of isolationism and protectionism in dealing with the climate crisis. "We can confront these crises by retreating into isolationism, protectionism and exploitation. Or we can see in them a real chance for change, a genuine moment of conversion, and not simply in a spiritual sense," he said. "This last approach alone can guide us towards a brighter horizon."

Pope Francis: COP26 must offer concrete hope to future generations

United Nations Environment Programme's Emissions Gap report has revealed that country pledges will be unable to keep the global temperature under 1.5C this century. The report shows that new national climate pledges and various mitigation measures have set the world for a global temperature rise of 2.7°C by the end of the century.

In order to keep global warming below 1.5C this century, which is the goal of the Paris Agreement, the world needs to halve annual greenhouse gas emissions in the coming eight years.&nbsp;

If this is implemented effectively, then the net-zero emissions pledges could limit down the warming to 2.2C, which is closer to the 2C goals of the Paris Agreement.&nbsp;

The report further highlights that the reduction of methane emissions from various sectors, including fossil fuel, waste and agriculture, could help close the emissions gap and reduce warming in a shorter span. Carbon markets can also help in reducing emissions.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop26-climate-deal-will-be-harder-than-paris-accord-says-alok-sharma-423292">Also read |&nbsp;Cop26 climate deal will be harder than Paris accord, says Alok Sharma</a>

UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres deemed climate change as "another thundering wake-up call." This comes after a study from the WMO showing that warming gases were at a new high last year.

The report highlights that the plans, when added together, cut greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 by around 7.5 per cent. This stands nowhere near to 1.5C temperature.

"The clock is ticking loudly," said Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP.

Guterres has called the current scenario a "climate catastrophe". He believes the report highlights the failures of political leaders as he said that the emissions gap is the result of a leadership gap.

United Nations Environment Programme's Emissions Gap report has revealed that country pledges will be unable to keep the global temperature under 1.5C this century.

United Nations Environment Programme's Emissions Gap report has revealed that country pledges will be unable to keep the global temperature under 1.5C this century. The report shows that new national climate pledges and various mitigation measures have set the world for a global temperature rise of 2.7°C by the end of the century. In order to keep global warming below 1.5C this century, which is the goal of the Paris Agreement, the world needs to halve annual greenhouse gas emissions in the coming eight years. If this is implemented effectively, then the net-zero emissions pledges could limit down the warming to 2.2C, which is closer to the 2C goals of the Paris Agreement. The report further highlights that the reduction of methane emissions from various sectors, including fossil fuel, waste and agriculture, could help close the emissions gap and reduce warming in a shorter span. Carbon markets can also help in reducing emissions. Also read | Cop26 climate deal will be harder than Paris accord, says Alok Sharma UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres deemed climate change as "another thundering wake-up call." This comes after a study from the WMO showing that warming gases were at a new high last year. The report highlights that the plans, when added together, cut greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 by around 7.5 per cent. This stands nowhere near to 1.5C temperature. "The clock is ticking loudly," said Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP. Guterres has called the current scenario a "climate catastrophe". He believes the report highlights the failures of political leaders as he said that the emissions gap is the result of a leadership gap.

'Climate catastrophe': UN emissions gap report deemed as 'thundering wake-up call'

US ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, as per a statement issued on Tuesday, has expressed 'grave concerns' that &nbsp;Russian mercenaries may be deployed to Mali and undermine international efforts to defeat violent extremism

"We believe Niger’s partners must address security together," Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement after her&nbsp; 
talks with Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum.

Security provision must be "inclusive, equitable," while respecting human rights, she said, praising Niger's own democratic example.

"To that end, I expressed our grave concerns about reports that Russian mercenaries may deploy to Mali and the risk that would pose to regional peace and security and the broader Sahel," Thomas-Greenfield said.&nbsp;

"Russian mercenaries engage in human rights abuses of civilians, extract steep costs in payments and mineral concessions, and deprive local citizens of critically needed resources," the US envoy said.&nbsp;

"Any role for Russian mercenaries in the region will likely exacerbate the current security situation. Instead, we hope Niger will work with us on our common goal: countering terrorism and denying violent extremism a home."

Mali has seen two coups in last nine months. The UN delegation visited Mali on Saturday and Sunday to press the military-led interim government to restore democracy.

The Wagner group, with which Moscow denies any link, provides maintenance services, military equipment and training in the countries where they are deployed.

But France and other critics accuse the Wagner group of benefitting from their resources and of serving Kremlin interests.

Wagner personnel have been reported in the Central African Republic and other African countries, as well as in Syria and Libya.

Despite a 2015 peace agreement, poor and landlocked Mali, home to at least 20 ethnic groups, has been racked by jihadist and intercommunal violence, as well as coups in August 2020 and May this year.

Military intervention by France and the UN has failed to quell an Islamist insurgency that has swept into central Mali and spilled over into neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, leaving thousands dead and forcing hundreds of thousands more from their homes.

French officials say the possible future presence of the Wagner group would be incompatible with the French military presence.&nbsp;

At the start of October, the French army said it had seen no sign of a Wagner deployment in Mali.

(With inputs from agencies)

US ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, as per a statement issued on Tuesday, has expressed 'grave concerns' that Russian mercenaries may be deployed to Mali and undermine international efforts to defeat violent extremism "We believe Niger’s partners must address security together," Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement after her talks with Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum.

US ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, as per a statement issued on Tuesday, has expressed 'grave concerns' that Russian mercenaries may be deployed to Mali and undermine international efforts to defeat violent extremism "We believe Niger’s partners must address security together," Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement after her talks with Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum. Security provision must be "inclusive, equitable," while respecting human rights, she said, praising Niger's own democratic example. "To that end, I expressed our grave concerns about reports that Russian mercenaries may deploy to Mali and the risk that would pose to regional peace and security and the broader Sahel," Thomas-Greenfield said. "Russian mercenaries engage in human rights abuses of civilians, extract steep costs in payments and mineral concessions, and deprive local citizens of critically needed resources," the US envoy said. "Any role for Russian mercenaries in the region will likely exacerbate the current security situation. Instead, we hope Niger will work with us on our common goal: countering terrorism and denying violent extremism a home." Mali has seen two coups in last nine months. The UN delegation visited Mali on Saturday and Sunday to press the military-led interim government to restore democracy. The Wagner group, with which Moscow denies any link, provides maintenance services, military equipment and training in the countries where they are deployed. But France and other critics accuse the Wagner group of benefitting from their resources and of serving Kremlin interests. Wagner personnel have been reported in the Central African Republic and other African countries, as well as in Syria and Libya. Despite a 2015 peace agreement, poor and landlocked Mali, home to at least 20 ethnic groups, has been racked by jihadist and intercommunal violence, as well as coups in August 2020 and May this year. Military intervention by France and the UN has failed to quell an Islamist insurgency that has swept into central Mali and spilled over into neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, leaving thousands dead and forcing hundreds of thousands more from their homes. French officials say the possible future presence of the Wagner group would be incompatible with the French military presence. At the start of October, the French army said it had seen no sign of a Wagner deployment in Mali. (With inputs from agencies)

US worries over possible 'Russian mercenaries' in Mali

Jubilee Debt Campaign&nbsp;has found that lower-income countries spend approximately five times more on debt than they spend coping with the effects of climate change and reducing carbon emissions.

The charity's figures show that 34 of the world's poorest countries spend $29.4 billion a year on debt repayments, compared with $5.4 billion (£3.9 billion) spent on climate change measures.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/75-of-europeans-are-more-concerned-about-the-climate-crisis-than-their-governments-survey-424428">75% of Europeans are more concerned about the climate crisis than their governments: Survey</a>

Africa's largest country Uganda has pledged that it would spend $537million between 2016 and 2020 ($107.4 million annually) on climate-related projects to adapt its infrastructure and handle climate emergencies. This includes funds from international agencies and donors.

However, the budget of $107.4 million is dwarfed by the external debt payments of $739 million in 2021, which will rise to $1.35 billion in 2025.

According to the charity, Uganda is not the only low-income country that will have to find extra cash to pay debt interest over the next four years. Jubilee Debt Campaign estimates 34 countries covered by its research will spend seven times more on debt payments in 2025 than limiting the effects of climate change.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-sticking-points-at-the-un-climate-conference-424447">Explainer | Sticking points at the UN climate conference</a>

Heidi Chow, executive director of the Jubilee Debt Campaign, says that lower-income countries will discuss the implications of this outstanding debt on their ability to combat climate change at the upcoming COP26 meeting.

She says it's troubling that lower-income countries are repaying billions of dollars in debt to rich countries, banks, and international financial institutions at a time when those resources are desperately needed to combat climate change.

Chow added that wealthy polluting nations need to stop shirking their responsibilities and provide climate financing through grants and cancellation of debts.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/on-current-climate-plans-world-faces-27c-temperature-rise-warns-un-424453" hreflang="en">On current climate plans, world faces 2.7C temperature rise, warns UN</a>

Over the last two decades, a number of international organizations, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have encouraged developing countries to use bank loans and bonds to fund development projects.

With regular repayments, the borrower expected interest rates to fall over time. Yet low-income countries routinely pay more than 10 per cent interest on loans compared to rich countries, which pay an average of 1.5 to 2.5 per cent.

During the pandemic, the IMF provided insurance to lower the debt interest payments of low-income countries, but this did not cover Chinese debts.

Rich countries were supposed to provide $100bn a year in funding to reduce climate change under an agreement made at the UN climate talks in Copenhagen in 2009.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;UN sounds alarm on climate crisis ahead of high stakes COP26 summit

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/un-sounds-alarm-on-climate-crisis-ahead-of-high-stakes-cop26-summit-424362/embed" width="560"></iframe>

Ahead of Cop26, UK cabinet minister Alok Sharma expressed confidence that the target would be met by 2023.

However, according to Jubilee Debt Campaign, over two-thirds of the climate finance given so far has been in the form of loans, further aggravating the debt crisis in lower-income countries.

Jubilee Debt Campaign has found that lower-income countries spend approximately five times more on debt than they spend coping with the effects of climate change and reducing carbon emissions.

Jubilee Debt Campaign has found that lower-income countries spend approximately five times more on debt than they spend coping with the effects of climate change and reducing carbon emissions. The charity's figures show that 34 of the world's poorest countries spend $29.4 billion a year on debt repayments, compared with $5.4 billion (£3.9 billion) spent on climate change measures. Also Read | 75% of Europeans are more concerned about the climate crisis than their governments: Survey Africa's largest country Uganda has pledged that it would spend $537million between 2016 and 2020 ($107.4 million annually) on climate-related projects to adapt its infrastructure and handle climate emergencies. This includes funds from international agencies and donors. However, the budget of $107.4 million is dwarfed by the external debt payments of $739 million in 2021, which will rise to $1.35 billion in 2025. According to the charity, Uganda is not the only low-income country that will have to find extra cash to pay debt interest over the next four years. Jubilee Debt Campaign estimates 34 countries covered by its research will spend seven times more on debt payments in 2025 than limiting the effects of climate change. Also Read | Explainer | Sticking points at the UN climate conference Heidi Chow, executive director of the Jubilee Debt Campaign, says that lower-income countries will discuss the implications of this outstanding debt on their ability to combat climate change at the upcoming COP26 meeting. She says it's troubling that lower-income countries are repaying billions of dollars in debt to rich countries, banks, and international financial institutions at a time when those resources are desperately needed to combat climate change. Chow added that wealthy polluting nations need to stop shirking their responsibilities and provide climate financing through grants and cancellation of debts. Also read | On current climate plans, world faces 2.7C temperature rise, warns UN Over the last two decades, a number of international organizations, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have encouraged developing countries to use bank loans and bonds to fund development projects. With regular repayments, the borrower expected interest rates to fall over time. Yet low-income countries routinely pay more than 10 per cent interest on loans compared to rich countries, which pay an average of 1.5 to 2.5 per cent. During the pandemic, the IMF provided insurance to lower the debt interest payments of low-income countries, but this did not cover Chinese debts. Rich countries were supposed to provide $100bn a year in funding to reduce climate change under an agreement made at the UN climate talks in Copenhagen in 2009. Watch | UN sounds alarm on climate crisis ahead of high stakes COP26 summit Ahead of Cop26, UK cabinet minister Alok Sharma expressed confidence that the target would be met by 2023. However, according to Jubilee Debt Campaign, over two-thirds of the climate finance given so far has been in the form of loans, further aggravating the debt crisis in lower-income countries.

Poor nations to spend five times as much on debt as they do against climate change: Report

According to the report by leading anti poverty charity group poor countries spend five times more debt than coping with impact of climate change.

The report comes ahead of the COP26 climate summit that is scheduled to take place from 31 October 2021 to 12 November 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland, to discuss about the countries commitment to slow down climate change and keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/75-of-europeans-are-more-concerned-about-the-climate-crisis-than-their-governments-survey-424428">75% of Europeans are more concerned about the climate crisis than their governments: Survey</a>

Reports claim that 34 of the world's poorest countries are spending $29.4billion on debt payments a year compared with $5.4billion to cope with the impact of the climate change.

Uganda spend $537million between 2016 and 2020 on climate related projects. However spent $107.4million annual debt in 2021,reports said.

Watch |&nbsp;UN sounds alarm on climate crisis ahead of high stakes COP26 summit

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/un-sounds-alarm-on-climate-crisis-ahead-of-high-stakes-cop26-summit-424362/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Uganda is not the only low income country according to report there are 34 more countries spend seven time more debt than coping with impact of climate change.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-sticking-points-at-the-un-climate-conference-424447">Explainer | Sticking points at the UN climate conference</a>

When resources are desperately needed to fight the climate crisis, low-income countries are giving billions of dollars to rich countries, banks and international financial institutions to repay loans.

In the UN climate talks in Copenhagen in 2009, rich countries had commited providing funding worth $100billion a year to developing countries to help deal with climate change.

Study shows Earth's brightness is dropping and there are many who have lost their homes and loved ones because of drought, flood or storms&nbsp;caused by climate change.

Earlier this month, British COP26 president Alok Sharma described a forthcoming UN report about climate change in stark terms; as offering the international community its clearest warning about the risks of accelerating climate change.

According to the report by leading anti poverty charity group poor countries spend five times more debt than coping with impact of climate change. The report comes ahead of the COP26 climate summit that is scheduled to take place from 31 October 2021 to 12 November 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland, to discuss about the countries commitment to slow down climate change and keep global warming to 1.

According to the report by leading anti poverty charity group poor countries spend five times more debt than coping with impact of climate change. The report comes ahead of the COP26 climate summit that is scheduled to take place from 31 October 2021 to 12 November 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland, to discuss about the countries commitment to slow down climate change and keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Also Read | 75% of Europeans are more concerned about the climate crisis than their governments: Survey Reports claim that 34 of the world's poorest countries are spending $29.4billion on debt payments a year compared with $5.4billion to cope with the impact of the climate change. Uganda spend $537million between 2016 and 2020 on climate related projects. However spent $107.4million annual debt in 2021,reports said. Watch | UN sounds alarm on climate crisis ahead of high stakes COP26 summit Uganda is not the only low income country according to report there are 34 more countries spend seven time more debt than coping with impact of climate change. Also Read | Explainer | Sticking points at the UN climate conference When resources are desperately needed to fight the climate crisis, low-income countries are giving billions of dollars to rich countries, banks and international financial institutions to repay loans. In the UN climate talks in Copenhagen in 2009, rich countries had commited providing funding worth $100billion a year to developing countries to help deal with climate change. Study shows Earth's brightness is dropping and there are many who have lost their homes and loved ones because of drought, flood or storms caused by climate change. Earlier this month, British COP26 president Alok Sharma described a forthcoming UN report about climate change in stark terms; as offering the international community its clearest warning about the risks of accelerating climate change.

Poorer countries spend five times more on debt than climate crisis – report

Representatives from nearly 200 countries will meet in Glasgow, Scotland, from October&nbsp;31-November&nbsp;12 for climate talks to strengthen action to tackle global warming under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Against the backdrop of extreme weather events around the world and a United Nations&nbsp;climate report that said global warming was close to spiralling out of control, the actions of governments at this conference will determine whether it is a success.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/countries-lobbying-to-reduce-climate-change-goals-ahead-of-cop26-reveal-leaked-documents-422610">Countries lobbying to reduce climate change goals ahead of COP26, reveal leaked documents</a>

Here are some of the issues which need to be resolved:

Emission Cut Pledges

Six years ago in Paris, countries agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius and ideally 1.5C (2.7 Fahrenheit). To do this, emissions need to be cut in half by 2030 and reach net-zero by around mid-century.

As the UN&nbsp;conference was postponed last year due to the pandemic, this year is the deadline for countries to make steeper emissions cut pledges (called nationally determined contributions or NDCs).

The annual "emissions gap"&nbsp;report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which measures the gap between anticipated emissions and those consistent with limiting the temperature rise this century as agreed in the Paris accord, said updated pledges only reduce forecast 2030 emissions by an additional 7.5 per cent, compared to the previous commitments.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/75-of-europeans-are-more-concerned-about-the-climate-crisis-than-their-governments-survey-424428">75% of Europeans are more concerned about the climate crisis than their governments: Survey</a>

If continued throughout this century, this would lead to warming of 2.7C, slightly less than the 3C UNEP forecast in its last report. A 30&nbsp;per cent cut is needed to limit warming to 2C and a 55 per cent cut is needed to limit to 1.5C.

It said current commitments to net zero could limit warming to around 2.2C by the end of the century, but 2030 pledges so far do not put major emitters on a clear path to this.

Major emitters China and India - together responsible for around a third of global greenhouse gas emissions - have not yet come forward with strengthened NDCs and need to do so at this conference, known as COP26.

Finance

As far back as 2009, developed countries agreed to raise $100 billion a year by 2020 to help developing countries deal with the impacts of climate change.

But a plan on how to do so, prepared by Canada and Germany ahead of the United Nations COP26 summit in Scotland, said the annual target would now not be met until 2023.&nbsp;

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As rich nations are not meeting the $100 billion a year goal, it can break down trust at the climate talks, experts say. And a new finance goal needs to be worked out for 2025 onwards.

Loss And Damage

Governments agreed to address the impact of climate change on developing countries but there is no detail about liability or compensation, a bone of contention for many poorer countries.

Watch |&nbsp;UN sounds alarm on climate crisis ahead of high stakes COP26 summit

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/un-sounds-alarm-on-climate-crisis-ahead-of-high-stakes-cop26-summit-424362/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A platform to enable technical assistance for vulnerable countries was established in 2019 but developing nations want a more robust mechanism to include financing.

Fossil Fuels

The UK COP26 president, Alok Sharma, has said he wants this conference to be the one where coal power is consigned to history.

The UN&nbsp;has called for phasing out coal by 2030 in OECD countries, but environment ministers from the Group of 20 big economies have failed to agree a timeline.

Article 6

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which covers the role of carbon markets, has not been resolved since the pact was struck. Progress on it broke down at the last talks in 2019.

The article calls for "robust accounting" to avoid "double counting" of emissions reductions. It also aims to establish a central UN&nbsp;mechanism to trade carbon credits from emissions reductions generated from low-carbon projects.

Representatives from nearly 200 countries will meet in Glasgow, Scotland, from October 31-November 12 for climate talks to strengthen action to tackle global warming under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Representatives from nearly 200 countries will meet in Glasgow, Scotland, from October 31-November 12 for climate talks to strengthen action to tackle global warming under the 2015 Paris Agreement. Against the backdrop of extreme weather events around the world and a United Nations climate report that said global warming was close to spiralling out of control, the actions of governments at this conference will determine whether it is a success. Also Read | Countries lobbying to reduce climate change goals ahead of COP26, reveal leaked documents Here are some of the issues which need to be resolved: Emission Cut Pledges Six years ago in Paris, countries agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius and ideally 1.5C (2.7 Fahrenheit). To do this, emissions need to be cut in half by 2030 and reach net-zero by around mid-century. As the UN conference was postponed last year due to the pandemic, this year is the deadline for countries to make steeper emissions cut pledges (called nationally determined contributions or NDCs). The annual "emissions gap" report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which measures the gap between anticipated emissions and those consistent with limiting the temperature rise this century as agreed in the Paris accord, said updated pledges only reduce forecast 2030 emissions by an additional 7.5 per cent, compared to the previous commitments. Also read | 75% of Europeans are more concerned about the climate crisis than their governments: Survey If continued throughout this century, this would lead to warming of 2.7C, slightly less than the 3C UNEP forecast in its last report. A 30 per cent cut is needed to limit warming to 2C and a 55 per cent cut is needed to limit to 1.5C. It said current commitments to net zero could limit warming to around 2.2C by the end of the century, but 2030 pledges so far do not put major emitters on a clear path to this. Major emitters China and India - together responsible for around a third of global greenhouse gas emissions - have not yet come forward with strengthened NDCs and need to do so at this conference, known as COP26. Finance As far back as 2009, developed countries agreed to raise $100 billion a year by 2020 to help developing countries deal with the impacts of climate change. But a plan on how to do so, prepared by Canada and Germany ahead of the United Nations COP26 summit in Scotland, said the annual target would now not be met until 2023. Also read | Australian indigenous islanders file lawsuit against government, demand climate action As rich nations are not meeting the $100 billion a year goal, it can break down trust at the climate talks, experts say. And a new finance goal needs to be worked out for 2025 onwards. Loss And Damage Governments agreed to address the impact of climate change on developing countries but there is no detail about liability or compensation, a bone of contention for many poorer countries. Watch | UN sounds alarm on climate crisis ahead of high stakes COP26 summit A platform to enable technical assistance for vulnerable countries was established in 2019 but developing nations want a more robust mechanism to include financing. Fossil Fuels The UK COP26 president, Alok Sharma, has said he wants this conference to be the one where coal power is consigned to history. The UN has called for phasing out coal by 2030 in OECD countries, but environment ministers from the Group of 20 big economies have failed to agree a timeline. Article 6 Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which covers the role of carbon markets, has not been resolved since the pact was struck. Progress on it broke down at the last talks in 2019. The article calls for "robust accounting" to avoid "double counting" of emissions reductions. It also aims to establish a central UN mechanism to trade carbon credits from emissions reductions generated from low-carbon projects.

Explainer | Sticking points at the UN climate conference

If countries fail to strengthen climate pledges, the world will face&nbsp;catastrophic temperature rises of at least 2.7C, a UN report said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The world seems to be squandering the opportunity to “build back better” from the Covid pandemic. &nbsp;

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The report, which was published on Tuesday, warns that countries’ current pledges would reduce carbon by only about 7.5% by 2030. This is far less than the 45% cut scientists say is needed to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C, the aim of the Cop26 summit, which opens in Glasgow on this Sunday. &nbsp;

UN secretary-general António Guterres described the findings as a “thundering wake-up call” to world leaders, while experts have called for a drastic action against fossil fuel companies. &nbsp;

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According to the UN emissions report, over 100 countries have promised to reach net zero emissions around mid-century, but it would not be enough to stave-off climate disaster. &nbsp;

The report examined the shortfall between countries’ intentions and actions needed on the climate. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Many net zero pledges were found to be vague. They need to be actually accompanied by stringent cuts in emissions. Otherwise, this decade would allow global heating of a disastrous extent. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

If countries fail to strengthen climate pledges, the world will face catastrophic temperature rises of at least 2.7C, a UN report said. The world seems to be squandering the opportunity to “build back better” from the Covid pandemic.

If countries fail to strengthen climate pledges, the world will face catastrophic temperature rises of at least 2.7C, a UN report said. The world seems to be squandering the opportunity to “build back better” from the Covid pandemic. Also Read | In 2020, Asia suffered hottest year on record: UN The report, which was published on Tuesday, warns that countries’ current pledges would reduce carbon by only about 7.5% by 2030. This is far less than the 45% cut scientists say is needed to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C, the aim of the Cop26 summit, which opens in Glasgow on this Sunday. UN secretary-general António Guterres described the findings as a “thundering wake-up call” to world leaders, while experts have called for a drastic action against fossil fuel companies. Also Read | Chinese President Xi may not attend COP26: Report According to the UN emissions report, over 100 countries have promised to reach net zero emissions around mid-century, but it would not be enough to stave-off climate disaster. The report examined the shortfall between countries’ intentions and actions needed on the climate. Many net zero pledges were found to be vague. They need to be actually accompanied by stringent cuts in emissions. Otherwise, this decade would allow global heating of a disastrous extent. (With inputs from agencies)

On current climate plans, world faces 2.7C temperature rise, warns UN

The United States backed Taiwan’s inclusion in the United Nations system amid China's continued efforts to limit the island's international participation.

US backs Taiwan's attempt to expand UN participation, seeks bigger role

The United Nations report suggests that current commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions put the planet on track for a 2.7-degree Celsius temperature rise this century. This comes as another blaring warning ahead of the high-stakes COP26 climate summit.

UN sounds alarm on climate crisis ahead of high stakes COP26 summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on all nations to defend the status quo of the United Nations-backed international order. Xi's comments came in a speech in Beijing at a meeting to mark the 50th anniversary of China's admission to the UN.

Xi slams US over support to Taiwan, calls for maintaining international order

UK prime minister Boris Johnson states that he is worried that the upcoming COP26 climate summit might go wrong. This comes as Johnson prepares to host world leaders in Glasgow for the crucial meet.

COP26 in UK's Glasgow: Climate summit might go wrong, says Boris Johnson

All eyes are on the upcoming COP26 climate summit, over the last few months all of us have seen that no country is immune to the devastating impact of rising temperature and freak weather events, will this summit achieve anything?

UN: Likely to miss emissions target | COP26 Climate Summit

Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere reached new record levels last year, the United Nations said Monday in a stark warning ahead of the COP26 summit about worsening global warming.

The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin from the UN's World Meteorological Organization said the annual rate of increase last year was above the yearly average between 2011 and 2020 and the trend continued in 2021.

The WMO said the economic slowdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic triggered a temporary decline in new emissions, but had no discernible impact on the atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases and their growth rates.

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The organisation said that as long as emissions continue, global temperatures will continue to rise.

And given the long life of carbon dioxide (CO2), the temperature level already observed will persist for several decades even if emissions are rapidly reduced to net zero.

COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, is being held in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12.

"The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin contains a stark, scientific message for climate change negotiators at COP26," said WMO chief Petteri Taalas.

"At the current rate of increase in greenhouse gas concentrations, we will see a temperature increase by the end of this century far in excess of the Paris Agreement targets of 1.5 to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

"We are way off track."

CO2 record&nbsp;

The three major greenhouses gases are CO2, methane and nitrous oxide. CO2 is the most important, accounting for around 66 percent of the warming effect on the climate.

CO2 concentrations reached 413.2 parts per million in 2020, up 2.5 ppm, and is at 149 percent of the 1750 pre-industrial level, the WMO said.

The report said that roughly half of the CO2 emitted by human activity remains in the atmosphere, with the other half ending up in the oceans and the land.

"The last time the Earth experienced a comparable concentration of CO2 was 3-5 million years ago, when the temperature was 2-3C warmer and sea level was 10-20 metres higher than now. But there weren't 7.8 billion people then," said Taalas.

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Methane averages reached a new high of 1,889 parts per billion in 2020, up 11ppb on the year before, and is at 262 percent of the pre-industrial benchmark.

Around 40 percent of methane is emitted from natural sources such as wetlands, while 60 percent comes from human activity, including rice agriculture and landfills.

Nitrous oxide averages reached 333.2 ppb, up 1.2 ppb, at 123 percent of 1750 levels.

&nbsp;'No time to lose'&nbsp;

The WMO said that with continued rising greenhouse gas emissions, alongside rising temperatures, the planet could also expect more weather extremes.&nbsp;

That includes intense heat and rainfall, ice melt, sea-level rise and ocean acidification -- all of which will have far-reaching socio-economic impacts.

"We need to transform our commitment into action that will have an impact on the gases that drive climate change," said Taalas.

"We need to revisit our industrial, energy and transport systems and whole way of life. The needed changes are economically affordable and technically possible. There is no time to lose."&nbsp;

Euan Nisbet, from the University of London's Greenhouse Gas Group, compared greenhouse gas measurements to "skidding into a car crash".

"The disaster gets closer and closer but you can't stop it. You can clearly see the crash ahead, and all you can do is howl."

Dave Reay, director of the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute, said the report provided a "brutally frank" assessment of COP achievements so far: "an epic fail".

Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere reached new record levels last year, the United Nations said Monday in a stark warning ahead of the COP26 summit about worsening global warming.

Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere reached new record levels last year, the United Nations said Monday in a stark warning ahead of the COP26 summit about worsening global warming. The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin from the UN's World Meteorological Organization said the annual rate of increase last year was above the yearly average between 2011 and 2020 and the trend continued in 2021. The WMO said the economic slowdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic triggered a temporary decline in new emissions, but had no discernible impact on the atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases and their growth rates. Also Read | Climate change affects Maasai Mara reserve in Kenya The organisation said that as long as emissions continue, global temperatures will continue to rise. And given the long life of carbon dioxide (CO2), the temperature level already observed will persist for several decades even if emissions are rapidly reduced to net zero. COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, is being held in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12. "The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin contains a stark, scientific message for climate change negotiators at COP26," said WMO chief Petteri Taalas. "At the current rate of increase in greenhouse gas concentrations, we will see a temperature increase by the end of this century far in excess of the Paris Agreement targets of 1.5 to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. "We are way off track." CO2 record The three major greenhouses gases are CO2, methane and nitrous oxide. CO2 is the most important, accounting for around 66 percent of the warming effect on the climate. CO2 concentrations reached 413.2 parts per million in 2020, up 2.5 ppm, and is at 149 percent of the 1750 pre-industrial level, the WMO said. The report said that roughly half of the CO2 emitted by human activity remains in the atmosphere, with the other half ending up in the oceans and the land. "The last time the Earth experienced a comparable concentration of CO2 was 3-5 million years ago, when the temperature was 2-3C warmer and sea level was 10-20 metres higher than now. But there weren't 7.8 billion people then," said Taalas. Also Read | Key to Biden’s climate agenda likely to be cut because of Manchin opposition Methane averages reached a new high of 1,889 parts per billion in 2020, up 11ppb on the year before, and is at 262 percent of the pre-industrial benchmark. Around 40 percent of methane is emitted from natural sources such as wetlands, while 60 percent comes from human activity, including rice agriculture and landfills. Nitrous oxide averages reached 333.2 ppb, up 1.2 ppb, at 123 percent of 1750 levels. 'No time to lose' The WMO said that with continued rising greenhouse gas emissions, alongside rising temperatures, the planet could also expect more weather extremes. That includes intense heat and rainfall, ice melt, sea-level rise and ocean acidification -- all of which will have far-reaching socio-economic impacts. "We need to transform our commitment into action that will have an impact on the gases that drive climate change," said Taalas. "We need to revisit our industrial, energy and transport systems and whole way of life. The needed changes are economically affordable and technically possible. There is no time to lose." Euan Nisbet, from the University of London's Greenhouse Gas Group, compared greenhouse gas measurements to "skidding into a car crash". "The disaster gets closer and closer but you can't stop it. You can clearly see the crash ahead, and all you can do is howl." Dave Reay, director of the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute, said the report provided a "brutally frank" assessment of COP achievements so far: "an epic fail".

Greenhouse gas levels reach new record high: UN

Taliban's Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi held a meeting with United Nations' envoy to Afghanistan -- Deborah Lyons on Saturday. In the meeting the two sides discussed numerous issues. But the highlight of the talks was humanitarian aid to the crisis hit country.

Taliban's Deputy PM Abdul Salam Hanafi holds meeting with United Nations' envoy to Afghanistan

In a bid to thwart Washington's attempt to expand Taiwan's participation at the United Nations, the Chinese president Xi Jinping called on all countries to maintain international order.

US backs Taiwan's attempt to expand UN participation, Chinese president Xi Jinping slams support

As per a new poll released by the United Nations, the youth of the world’s richest and most powerful nations paused their mobile gaming devices to show their support for bold climate action in their countries as they urged for the deployment of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.&nbsp;

G20 Peoples’ Climate Vote surveyed more than 689,000 people from October 2020 to June 2021 across all the G20 member nations. Nearly 302,000 individuals, aged 14-17 made their opinions heard.

Cassie Flynn, the lead author and strategic advisor to the UN Development Program (UNDP) told The Hill that she had been thinking about how to approach such a diverse sample population in a low-pressure environment. Therefore, her team created ads in 19 languages that appeared across popular gaming platforms.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-three-million-homes-at-risk-of-flooding-due-to-climate-change-423946">Also read |&nbsp;UK: Three million homes at risk of flooding due to climate change</a>

The ads ranged from apps that would attract a younger audience to crossword puzzles that might attract older participants as well.&nbsp;

In the results, the widest generational gap was discovered in Australia and the US. This is where people in the "under-18” category ranked 10 percentage points higher than adult respondents regarding general recognition of the climate emergency.&nbsp;

The gap was at its greatest when it came to support for electric vehicles and renewable energy.&nbsp;

A total of 13 percentage points in the US were for electric vehicles, and 10 percentage points for renewable energy.&nbsp;

As per the authors, the members of G20 generated about 75 per cent of global emissions and they account for more than 80 per cent of the global GDP, as well as 60 per cent of the world’s population

The authors say that this is the first time that the voices of young people are being heard in a few countries. Also, many of these individuals will be of voting age in just a few years.&nbsp;

The researchers argued that the survey could provide significant value in forecasting where public opinion is headed on climate policy. Also, it will indicate where stronger public education efforts are needed.

As per a new poll released by the United Nations, the youth of the world’s richest and most powerful nations paused their mobile gaming devices to show their support for bold climate action in their countries as they urged for the deployment of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.

As per a new poll released by the United Nations, the youth of the world’s richest and most powerful nations paused their mobile gaming devices to show their support for bold climate action in their countries as they urged for the deployment of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. G20 Peoples’ Climate Vote surveyed more than 689,000 people from October 2020 to June 2021 across all the G20 member nations. Nearly 302,000 individuals, aged 14-17 made their opinions heard. Cassie Flynn, the lead author and strategic advisor to the UN Development Program (UNDP) told The Hill that she had been thinking about how to approach such a diverse sample population in a low-pressure environment. Therefore, her team created ads in 19 languages that appeared across popular gaming platforms. Also read | UK: Three million homes at risk of flooding due to climate change The ads ranged from apps that would attract a younger audience to crossword puzzles that might attract older participants as well. In the results, the widest generational gap was discovered in Australia and the US. This is where people in the "under-18” category ranked 10 percentage points higher than adult respondents regarding general recognition of the climate emergency. The gap was at its greatest when it came to support for electric vehicles and renewable energy. A total of 13 percentage points in the US were for electric vehicles, and 10 percentage points for renewable energy. As per the authors, the members of G20 generated about 75 per cent of global emissions and they account for more than 80 per cent of the global GDP, as well as 60 per cent of the world’s population The authors say that this is the first time that the voices of young people are being heard in a few countries. Also, many of these individuals will be of voting age in just a few years. The researchers argued that the survey could provide significant value in forecasting where public opinion is headed on climate policy. Also, it will indicate where stronger public education efforts are needed.

G20 youth show their support for bold climate action: UN poll

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that millions of Afghans will face starvation this winter if urgent action is not taken. WFP has warned that more than half the population, which is about 22.8 million people, face acute food insecurity, while 3.2 million children under five could suffer acute malnutrition.

Ever since Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, it has been struggling to bring stability to the country. David Beasley, the executive director of the WFP was quoted by the BBC as saying, "Afghanistan is now among the world's worst humanitarian crises, if not the worst."

"We are on a countdown to catastrophe."

There have been reports of many Afghans selling their possessions to buy food. The new Taliban administration has been blocked from accessing overseas assets.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eight-children-die-of-starvation-in-kabul-as-taliban-fails-to-stabilise-country-423575">Also read |&nbsp;Eight children die of starvation in Kabul as Taliban fails to stabilise country</a>

QU Dongyu, the director of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation said, "It is urgent that we act efficiently and effectively to speed up and scale up our delivery in Afghanistan before winter cuts off a large part of the country, with millions of people - including farmers, women, young children and the elderly - going hungry in the freezing winter."

Meanwhile, The deceased children were orphans and had been struggling to find employment and earn their daily bread since the Taliban took control of the country in August.

Mohammad Ali Bamiani, a religious scholar and orator at one of the mosques in western Kabul buried these children. He reported that these eight children, four boys and four girls, had been given some bread to eat earlier by neighbours. However, needless to say, a little portion of bread was not enough to keep eight children in good health and alive.

"When the landlord wanted to invite the children for morning tea, he saw that they were all dead," he said, quoting the homeowner. &nbsp;eight children lost their lives to starvation in western Kabul. The children lived in the town of Etefaq, in the 13th district of Kabul, in the Barchi plain.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that millions of Afghans will face starvation this winter if urgent action is not taken. WFP has warned that more than half the population, which is about 22.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that millions of Afghans will face starvation this winter if urgent action is not taken. WFP has warned that more than half the population, which is about 22.8 million people, face acute food insecurity, while 3.2 million children under five could suffer acute malnutrition. Ever since Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, it has been struggling to bring stability to the country. David Beasley, the executive director of the WFP was quoted by the BBC as saying, "Afghanistan is now among the world's worst humanitarian crises, if not the worst." "We are on a countdown to catastrophe." There have been reports of many Afghans selling their possessions to buy food. The new Taliban administration has been blocked from accessing overseas assets. Also read | Eight children die of starvation in Kabul as Taliban fails to stabilise country QU Dongyu, the director of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation said, "It is urgent that we act efficiently and effectively to speed up and scale up our delivery in Afghanistan before winter cuts off a large part of the country, with millions of people - including farmers, women, young children and the elderly - going hungry in the freezing winter." Meanwhile, The deceased children were orphans and had been struggling to find employment and earn their daily bread since the Taliban took control of the country in August. Mohammad Ali Bamiani, a religious scholar and orator at one of the mosques in western Kabul buried these children. He reported that these eight children, four boys and four girls, had been given some bread to eat earlier by neighbours. However, needless to say, a little portion of bread was not enough to keep eight children in good health and alive. "When the landlord wanted to invite the children for morning tea, he saw that they were all dead," he said, quoting the homeowner. eight children lost their lives to starvation in western Kabul. The children lived in the town of Etefaq, in the 13th district of Kabul, in the Barchi plain.

Afghanistan facing food crisis, warns UN

President Xi Jinping vowed on Monday that China would always uphold world peace and international rules, amid concerns expressed by the United States and other countries over the nation’s increasing assertiveness globally.

The comments come after Taiwan said this month that military tension with China was at its worst in more than 40 years, amid mounting worries that the giant neighbour might try to take back by military force the self-ruled island it claims as its own.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-russia-aware-of-us-military-might-will-defend-taiwan-if-beijing-attacks-biden-422795">&nbsp;China, Russia aware of US’ military might, will defend Taiwan if Beijing attacks: Biden</a>

In a speech marking the 50th anniversary of China’s return to the United Nations, Xi said it would always be the “builder of world peace” and a “protector of international order,” state news agency Xinhua said.

In 1971, the United Nations voted to recognise the People’s Republic of China, expelling Taiwan from the world body.

China has also staked its claims more assertively to disputed territories with India on its Himalayan border, with some southeast Asian nations over the South China Sea, and with Japan over some islands in the East China Sea.

“China resolutely opposes all forms of hegemony and power politics, unilateralism and protectionism,” Xi said, calling for greater global cooperation on issues such as regional conflicts, terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity and biosecurity.

He urged all countries to promote the values of peace, development, justice, democracy, freedom, making use of a phrase the “common values of all mankind” that he coined and first mentioned in a July speech for the 100th anniversary of the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

President Xi Jinping vowed on Monday that China would always uphold world peace and international rules, amid concerns expressed by the United States and other countries over the nation’s increasing assertiveness globally.

President Xi Jinping vowed on Monday that China would always uphold world peace and international rules, amid concerns expressed by the United States and other countries over the nation’s increasing assertiveness globally. The comments come after Taiwan said this month that military tension with China was at its worst in more than 40 years, amid mounting worries that the giant neighbour might try to take back by military force the self-ruled island it claims as its own. Also Read | China, Russia aware of US’ military might, will defend Taiwan if Beijing attacks: Biden In a speech marking the 50th anniversary of China’s return to the United Nations, Xi said it would always be the “builder of world peace” and a “protector of international order,” state news agency Xinhua said. In 1971, the United Nations voted to recognise the People’s Republic of China, expelling Taiwan from the world body. China has also staked its claims more assertively to disputed territories with India on its Himalayan border, with some southeast Asian nations over the South China Sea, and with Japan over some islands in the East China Sea. “China resolutely opposes all forms of hegemony and power politics, unilateralism and protectionism,” Xi said, calling for greater global cooperation on issues such as regional conflicts, terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity and biosecurity. He urged all countries to promote the values of peace, development, justice, democracy, freedom, making use of a phrase the “common values of all mankind” that he coined and first mentioned in a July speech for the 100th anniversary of the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

China will uphold world peace, says Xi on anniversary of return to UN

Taiwanese and US&nbsp;officials have discussed how Taiwan can "meaningfully" participate at the United Nations just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping will give a speech to mark his country's half decade since accession to the global body.

Taiwan, using its formal name the Republic of China, held the Chinese seat at the United Nations until October&nbsp;25, 1971, when it was voted out as representative of the country in favour of the People's Republic of China, which had won a civil war in 1949 and forced the republican government to flee to the island.

China says that Taiwan is one of its provinces, and so it has the sole right to represent Taiwan internationally. The democratically-elected government in Taipei says only it has that right.

In a statement late on Saturday, the US&nbsp;State Department said US&nbsp;and Taiwanese officials had met virtually on Friday for a "discussion focused on supporting Taiwan's ability to participate meaningfully at the UN".

"US&nbsp;participants reiterated the US&nbsp;commitment to Taiwan's meaningful participation at the World Health Organization and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and discussed ways to highlight Taiwan's ability to contribute to efforts on a wide range of issues," it added.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-seeks-to-contain-beijing-anger-after-biden-vows-taiwan-defense-423109">US seeks to contain Beijing anger after Biden vows Taiwan defense</a>

Participants included State Department Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Organizations Hugo Yon, Deputy Assistant Secretary for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia Rick Waters, and Taiwan's deputy de facto ambassador in Washington, Wang Liang-yu, the State Department said.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry thanked the United States for its "firm support".

Xi is due to speak on the 50th anniversary on Monday of what China calls the restoration of its lawful seat at the United Nations

Taiwan has been particularly angered by its inability to fully access the WHO during the COVID-19 pandemic, though both China and the WHO say the island has been given the help it has needed.

China has ramped up political and military pressure to force Taiwan to accept Chinese sovereignty. Taiwan says it is an independent country and will defend itself if China attacks.

Taiwanese and US officials have discussed how Taiwan can "meaningfully" participate at the United Nations just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping will give a speech to mark his country's half decade since accession to the global body.

Taiwanese and US officials have discussed how Taiwan can "meaningfully" participate at the United Nations just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping will give a speech to mark his country's half decade since accession to the global body. Taiwan, using its formal name the Republic of China, held the Chinese seat at the United Nations until October 25, 1971, when it was voted out as representative of the country in favour of the People's Republic of China, which had won a civil war in 1949 and forced the republican government to flee to the island. China says that Taiwan is one of its provinces, and so it has the sole right to represent Taiwan internationally. The democratically-elected government in Taipei says only it has that right. In a statement late on Saturday, the US State Department said US and Taiwanese officials had met virtually on Friday for a "discussion focused on supporting Taiwan's ability to participate meaningfully at the UN". "US participants reiterated the US commitment to Taiwan's meaningful participation at the World Health Organization and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and discussed ways to highlight Taiwan's ability to contribute to efforts on a wide range of issues," it added. Also Read | US seeks to contain Beijing anger after Biden vows Taiwan defense Participants included State Department Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Organizations Hugo Yon, Deputy Assistant Secretary for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia Rick Waters, and Taiwan's deputy de facto ambassador in Washington, Wang Liang-yu, the State Department said. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry thanked the United States for its "firm support". Xi is due to speak on the 50th anniversary on Monday of what China calls the restoration of its lawful seat at the United Nations Taiwan has been particularly angered by its inability to fully access the WHO during the COVID-19 pandemic, though both China and the WHO say the island has been given the help it has needed. China has ramped up political and military pressure to force Taiwan to accept Chinese sovereignty. Taiwan says it is an independent country and will defend itself if China attacks.

Taiwan, US discuss UN participation ahead of key anniversary in move likely to irk China

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