A young New Zealander is about to get a taste of her dream of working for the United Nations in a whirlwind multi-nation experience.

The United Nations has launched the biggest aid appeal in its history, calling for more than $7.9 billion to be dedicated to the crisis in Syria.

The UN Handbook - which the Govt calls a "valuable reference guide that helps all states to navigate the UN system" - has been turned from a 400-page tome into a mobile app by a Wellington tech firm.

Iran has struck a historic nuclear deal with the US and five other world powers, after more than three decades of estrangement,

An old rift between rich and poor has reopened in UN climate talks as developing countries look for ways to make developed countries accept responsibility for global warming - and pay for it.

An al-Qaeda-affiliated extremist group has claimed responsibility for twin suicide attacks on the Iranian Embassy in Beirut.

In the last of a three-part series, Young New Zealander of the Year and CEO of the Sustainable Coastlines Charitable Trust ,Sam Judd, discusses the United Nations Environment Programs’ Global Partnership on Marine Litter.

Every day, millions of tons of inadequately treated sewage, industrial and agricultural waste enters the world's waterways, writes Sam Judd.

Former Labour MP Chris Carter says he was lucky to escape possible death after a suicide car bomb exploded metres away from his Afghanistan home.

Sam Judd writes that perhaps the biggest environmental problem we currently face is the contamination of our waterways by nutrients.

Prime Minister John Key spoke with US President Barack Obama last night about the Trans Pacific Partnership meeting on Tuesday.

Environmental columnist Sam Judd reflects on the challenges and opportunities that the United Nations Environment Program faces with regard to oceans.

Prime Minister John Key has arrived in Canberra for a flying visit with his new Australian counterpart, Tony Abbott.

The mouse might have roared very loudly indeed - but the elephants he was busy poking with his toothpick were far too busy to hear it.

John Key took to the stage at the United Nations General Assembly yesterday with an old message, made urgent by the crisis in Syria.

Prime Minister John Key has stuck by his criticism of the giants on the United Nation's Security Council despite their apparent breakthrough last night on a resolution to deal with Syria's chemical weapons.

Prime Minister John Key has mounted a scathing attack on the failings of the United Nations, saying it is hostage to the interests of the most powerful.

Prime Minister John Key was expected to discuss Fonterra with Sri Lanka's President this morning - the second damage control meeting he has had relating to Fonterra while on his Europe and USA trip.

Prime Minister John Key has taken a sarcastic poke at the excuses used by nuclear countries for moving slowly on disarmament.

Prime Minister John Key has his big day addressing the United Nations General Assembly today - but his bid for the Security Council seat will be overshadowed by the Security Council itself, meeting to discuss Syria at the same time as his speech.

Former PM-turned UNDP head Helen Clark says NZ's bid for a Security Council seat is a "David and Goliath" battle - but we could still win.

John Key is to meet with former Australian PM Julia Gillard in New York today, following a meeting with his predecessor Helen Clark.

Prime Minister John Key says NZ's rivals for a Security Council seat are likely to be spending up to secure the required votes, but we still have some tricks to play.

Syria says it's ready to state where its chemical weapons are and to halt their production, but the US says it'll have to do more than sign up to a treaty.