
The ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas, protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus helping preserve life on the planet. The phase-out of controlled uses of ozone-depleting substances and the related reductions have not only helped protect the ozone layer for this and future generations but have also contributed significantly to global efforts to address climate change; furthermore, it has protected human health and ecosystems by limiting the harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching the Earth.

Argentina announced it has launched a sanctions process against several foreign oil companies, the UK based Chrysaor Holdings Ltd, Harbor Energy Plc, and Israel's Navitas Petroleum for involvement in hydrocarbons activities, with illegitimate Falkland Islands licenses, in the Argentine continental shelf, more precisely at the Sea Lion project in North Malvinas basin

More than 300 large companies pledged this week to work together to help hundreds of thousands of merchant sailors trapped on ships for many months due to Covid-19. About 90% of world trade is transported by sea, and coronavirus restrictions in many countries are affecting global supply chains.

Chile said last week it would not sign the Escazu Agreement -- a decision that generated surprise and disappointment among environmentalists because along with Costa Rica, Santiago has promoted it since 2012.

Latin American leaders have appealed at the United Nations for free access to a future Covid-19 vaccine, urging major powers to share their know-how for the sake of global well-being.

The poor and weakest members of society should get preferential treatment when a vaccine for the coronavirus is ready, Pope Francis told the United Nations on Friday. Speaking from the Vatican in a video address to the UN General Assembly, Francis said the worldwide pandemic had highlighted the urgent need to promote public health and ensure access to vaccines.

Argentine president Alberto Fernández again called on the UK to resume dialogue on the South Atlantic Islands and iterated his country's legitimate and imprescriptible sovereignty rights over the Falklands/Malvinas Islands, during his Tuesday address to the United Nations General Assembly on its 75th anniversary.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro defended his administration’s record protecting the Amazon rainforest, telling the United Nations’ virtual meeting of global leaders on Tuesday that his country has been wrongly portrayed as an environmental villain. Bolsonaro’s critics were quick to pick apart his claims.

U.S. President Donald Trump told the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday that China must be held accountable for having “unleashed” COVID-19 on the world, prompting Beijing to accuse him of “lies” and abusing the U.N. platform to provoke confrontation.

The UN General Assembly elected on Wednesday four new members of the Security Council for 2021 and 2022, with Canada losing out again and the battle for the African seat going to a second round.