Mar 11, 2017, at 01:52 pm
New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News): Looking forward to the early resumption of the United Nations-facilitated intra-Syrian negotiations, the Security Council on Friday encouraged the Syrian parties to return to talks in good faith “and to engage constructively and without preconditions†on the agenda set out by UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura when they resume.
Mar 11, 2017, at 01:50 pm
New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News): Noting growing prevalence of “fake news†and propaganda in both legacy and social media, United Nations and key regional human rights experts have called on State actors to ensure that they disseminate reliable and trustworthy information, including about matters of public interest, such as the economy, public health, security and the environment.
Vigilance against Zika virus should ‘remain high,’ UN health agency says in new guidance
Mar 11, 2017, at 01:49 pm
New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News): Although a decline in cases of Zika virus infection has been reported in some countries, there is still a need for heightened vigilance, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday, issuing fresh guidance on the virus that has been linked to birth defects and neurological complications.
UN agency spotlights role of Governments in preventing child exploitation in tourism
Mar 11, 2017, at 01:49 pm
New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News): The United Nations-backed meeting on tourism has spotlighted the leading role of Governments in preventing all forms of child exploitation in the leisure travel industry.
As fresh violence in Yemen sends thousands fleeing their homes, UN agency urges support
Mar 11, 2017, at 01:48 pm
New York, Mar 11 (Just Earth News): With tens of thousands of civilians forced to flee their homes following a spike in fighting across western and central Yemen, the United Nations refugee agency on Friday appealed for more international support, as well as unrestricted access within the country so that it can reach those now facing “abysmal conditions.â€
Colombian fighting displaced more than 900 families since January - UN agency
Mar 11, 2017, at 04:43 am
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Despite a peace agreement, ongoing fighting in the Colombian Pacific Coast has displaced more than 3,500 people so far this year – many of them from the Afro-Colombian or indigenous communities, the United Nations refugee agency on Friday announced.
Turkey: UN report details allegations of serious rights violations in country's southeast
Mar 11, 2017, at 04:43 am
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): The UN human rights office on Friday published a report detailing allegations of massive destruction, killings and numerous other serious human rights violations committed between July 2015 and December 2016 in southeast Turkey.
With fighting near industrial sites, UN expert warns Ukrainians of chemical disaster risk
Mar 11, 2017, at 04:42 am
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Unless the fighting in eastern Ukraine is stopped and precautions are taken to secure industrial facilities in the area, the armed conflict could lead to a catastrophic chemical disaster, an independent United Nations human rights expert on Friday warned.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye removed from office, court upholds impeachment
Mar 10, 2017, at 06:39 pm
Seoul, Mar 10 (IBNS): South Korean judges upheld the country's President Park Geun-hye's impeachment, removing her from office, the media reported on Friday.
UN announces new approach to 'stamp out' sexual exploitation and abuse
Mar 10, 2017, at 02:14 pm
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Underscoring that the United Nations should not be, in any way, associated with the vile and vicious crimes of rape, sexual violence, exploitation and abuse, Secretary-General António Guterres has outlined a new victim-centred approach to prevent and respond to such abuses committed by those serving under the UN flag.
Americas region adopts 'historic' disaster risk reduction plan at UN-backed forum in Montreal
Mar 10, 2017, at 02:13 pm
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Around 50 countries and territories of the Americas at a United Nations-supported conference in Montreal, Canada, agreed a Regional Action Plan on Thursday to better protect their citizens from the destruction caused by natural and man-made disasters.
'Holistic thinking' needed for peace, development in Lake Chad region – Deputy UN chief Mohammed
Mar 10, 2017, at 02:11 pm
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Highlighting the multifaceted nature of the crisis in Africa's Lake Chad Basin, the deputy United Nations chief underlined the need for a holistic approach that includes responding to the Boko Haram as well as closing the gap between humanitarian assistance and development interventions.
Mali: UN expert calls for stronger protection of civilians amid ongoing violence
Mar 10, 2017, at 02:10 pm
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Serious security threats in north and central Mali put local populations and humanitarian aid workers at risk, a United Nations human rights expert said on Thursday.
Burundian authorities 'shut doors' to engagement, cooperation – Security Council told
Mar 10, 2017, at 02:09 pm
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Nearly two years after the political impasse started in Burundi, national authorities are reducing their cooperation with the United Nations system which risks undermining efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis and cutting assistance to a population in need, the Security Council was told on Thursday.
UN agriculture agency warns of water scarcity in North Africa and Near East
Mar 10, 2017, at 02:08 pm
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): Accessible fresh water in North Africa and the Middle East has fallen by two-thirds over the past 40 years, posing a huge challenge requiring “an urgent and massive response,†the head of the United Nations agriculture agency said on Thursday.
New UN supply chain system to slash delays, save lives in large-scale health crises
Mar 10, 2017, at 02:07 pm
New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): In collaboration with partners and as a part of a global supply chain network, the United Nations emergency food relief agency has set about developing the first-ever information platform to better manage supply chains and efficiently match deliveries with demand in responding to large-scale health emergencies such as pandemic outbreaks.
Next intra-Syrian talks set for late March – UN envoy
Mar 10, 2017, at 02:06 pm
New York, Mar 10 (Just Earth News): The next round of the United Nations-facilitated intra-Syrian talks is expected to convene on 23 March to discuss issues related to governance, constitution, elections and counter terrorism, the UN Special Envoy for Syria has said.
-1489080843.jpg "UN chief Guterres unveils proposals to end 'scourge' of sexual exploitation and abuse")
UN chief Guterres unveils proposals to end 'scourge' of sexual exploitation and abuse
Mar 10, 2017, at 04:34 am
New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): Underscoring that the United Nations should not be, in any way, associated with the vile and vicious crimes of rape, sexual violence, exploitation and abuse, Secretary-General António Guterres has outlined a new victim-centred approach to prevent and respond to such abuses committed by those serving under the UN flag.
-1489080690.jpg "UN refugee agency issues renewed funding plea for Syria, as conflict enters seventh year")
UN refugee agency issues renewed funding plea for Syria, as conflict enters seventh year
Mar 10, 2017, at 04:31 am
New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): Unless drastic measures are taken to share up peace and security in Syria, the situation – which marks its sixth anniversary next week – will worsen, the United Nations refugee agency today said urging the international community to redouble its support for the 13.5 million people in need of aid.
Fire in Guatemala children's home leaves 22 dead
Mar 09, 2017, at 07:32 pm
Guatemala City, Mar 9 (IBNS): Fire at a government-run shelter in Guatemala killed 22 girls while dozens are being treated for burns, according to media reports on Thursday.
Viet Nam: UN experts urge Government to release blogger ‘Mother Mushroom’
Mar 09, 2017, at 02:33 pm
New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): A group of UN human rights experts has urged the Government of Viet Nam to immediately release a popular blogger, known as Mother Mushroom, who has been detained since October last year.
UN experts call for sensitive and timely response to online gender-based abuse
Mar 09, 2017, at 02:29 pm
New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): Urgent attention, creativity and cooperation are needed to address online gender-based abuse, but authorities should be careful to avoid curtailing freedom of expression in doing so, two United Nations human rights experts said on Wednesday.
Mar 09, 2017, at 02:27 pm
New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): The richness, welfare and prosperity of countries depend on the full integration of women in the development process, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday, commemorating International Women’s Day at a ceremony in Nairobi as part of his visit to Kenya.
Latest ballistic launches by DPR Korea raise risk of regional arms race, UN Security Council warns
Mar 09, 2017, at 08:08 am
New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): Expressing strong condemnation of the most recent ballistic missile launches carried out by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United Nations Security Council reiterated that the country should refrain from any actions, including nuclear tests, in violation of the relevant Council resolutions, and comply fully with its obligations under those resolutions.
Recent initiatives important milestones towards greater peace in Mali, say UN, regional partners
Mar 09, 2017, at 08:06 am
New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): Commending recent progress, including the launch of interim authorities in Kidal, northern Mali, the United Nations together with regional blocs urged the parties to the peace agreement in the African nation to overcome the difficulties which are impeding the establishment of such authorities in the Taoudéni and Timbuktu regions.
International Day, UN calls for women's full participation in labour force
Mar 09, 2017, at 08:04 am
New York, Mar 9 (Just Earth News): As the rights of women and girls around the world are being reduced and restricted, the United Nations on Wednesday marked International Women's Day with calls for empowering and educating women and girls to reach gender equality in the work place.
UN human rights experts call for global treaty to regulate dangerous pesticides
Mar 08, 2017, at 01:05 pm
New York, Mar 8 (Just Earth News): Two United Nations human rights experts are calling for a comprehensive new global treaty to regulate and phase out the use of dangerous pesticides in farming, and move towards sustainable agricultural practices.
UN envoy urges protection of children as key to peace-making and conflict prevention
Mar 08, 2017, at 01:03 pm
New York, Mar 8 (Just Earth News): The rights of children must also be a cornerstone of conflict prevention, peace-making and peace building efforts, the United Nations focal point on children in armed conflict on Tuesday told the UN Human Rights Council, expressing deep concern at the scale and severity of grave violations committed against children in the past year.
Mar 08, 2017, at 01:02 pm
New York, Mar 8 (Just Earth News): The United Nations refugee agency voiced deep concerned at a new law voted on Tuesday by the Hungarian Parliament that could lead to mandatory detention of all asylum-seekers, including many children – for the entire length of the asylum procedure – and warned that it would have a terrible impact on people who have already suffered greatly.
Disasters in Americas show challenge of meeting global risk reduction targets – senior UN Official
Mar 08, 2017, at 01:01 pm
New York, Mar 8 (Just Earth News): Disasters in the Americas over the past year such as Hurricane Matthew show the challenge the world faces meeting the risk reduction targets established by the UN’s Sendai Framework.