UN panel warns against 'designer babies' and eugenics in 'editing' of human DNA
Oct 06, 2015, at 02:23 pm
New York, Oct 6 (IBNS): Warning that rapid advances in genetics make "designer babies" an increasing possibility, a United Nations panel on Monday called for a moratorium on "editing" the human genome, pending wider public debate lest changes in DNA be transmitted to future generations or foster eugenics.
Poverty to fall below 10 per cent, advancing towards UN goal by 2030: World Bank
Oct 06, 2015, at 02:21 pm
New York, Oct 6 (IBNS): The World Bank announced on Monday that extreme poverty is likely to fall to below 10 per cent this year, "giving fresh evidence that a quarter-century-long sustained reduction in poverty is moving the world closer to the historic goal of ending poverty by 2030" – echoing a top goal set by the newly-agreed United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda.
Ban appoints Philippines national as head of UN internal oversight office
Oct 06, 2015, at 02:19 pm
New York, Oct 6 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, following consultations with Chairs of Regional Groups, informed the General Assembly on Monday of his intention to appoint Heidi Mendoza of the Philippines as the new Under-Secretary-General for the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) for a five-year non-renewable term.
Burkina Faso: Ban meets with transition President Kafando
Oct 06, 2015, at 02:14 pm
New York, Oct 6 (IBNS): In a meeting on Monday with Michel Kafando, the Transitional President of Burkina Faso, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his sympathy for the lives lost and the many injured during the coup d’état that took place on 16 September 2015.
Afghanistan: UN envoy urges unbiased inquiry into fatal Kunduz hospital air strike
Oct 06, 2015, at 02:13 pm
New York, Oct 6 (IBNS): Nicholas Haysom, the United Nations Special Representative for Afghanistan, reiterated on Monday the need for an impartial investigation into the deadly air strike on the Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) hospital in Kunduz, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of medical personnel, patients and other civilians this past Saturday.
Boko Haram violence an 'affront to humanity,' Ban declares
Oct 05, 2015, at 01:14 pm
New York, Oct 5 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the bomb attacks of 2 October in the outskirts of Abuja, Nigeria, as well as the multiple suicide bombings of 1 October in the city of Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, all by suspected Boko Haram elements.
After Jerusalem attack, Ban warns of dangerous slide towards escalation
Oct 05, 2015, at 01:12 pm
New York, Oct 5 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the attacks on Saturday in the Old City of Jerusalem, including the killing of two members of an Israeli family and injuries to Israelis and Palestinians in subsequent incidents in various Jerusalem neighborhoods.
Oct 05, 2015, at 01:33 am
Nice, France, Oct 4 (IBNS): At least 16 people were killed as a violent storms and flooding hit French Riviera on Saturday, media reports said.
UN General Assembly President hails annual debate as 'historic and seminal'
Oct 04, 2015, at 10:34 pm
New York, Oct 4 (IBNS)The United Nations General Assembly wound up its 70th annual General Debate today, attended by the highest number of Heads of State and Government ever, with Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft calling it a “historic†event crowned by the "truly seminal commitment" to achieving ambitious new development goals by 2030.
Oct 04, 2015, at 10:33 pm
New York, Oct 4 (IBNS) Opening the floor at the United Nations General Assembly today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador said "we have concluded a stage in the world’s history marked by important progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), however, this progress has not been sufficient."
Island States at UN call for 'genuine and durable partnership' to meet Global Goals
Oct 04, 2015, at 10:32 pm
New York, Oct 4 (IBNS) Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly today, leaders of small island States called for the urgent need to expand genuine and durable partnerships within the international community to successfully implement and meet the objectives of Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
European leaders at UN Assembly highlight complexity of region's mass migration crisis
Oct 04, 2015, at 10:31 pm
New York Oct 4 (IBNS) Two leaders from the European continent took to the United Nations General Assembly podium today, beginning with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Péter Szijjártó, who said many States are marking the 70th anniversary of the United Nations "but there are no major reasons to celebrate."
At UN, Canada urges focus on financing for climate change mitigation, adaptation
Oct 04, 2015, at 03:26 pm
New York, Oct 4 (IBNS) The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, Daniel Jean, addressed the United Nations General Assembly today, noting the importance of the new sustainable development agenda and of ensuring the proper financing of climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Cote d'Ivoire tells Assembly it stands as living example of UN's role in averting chaos
Oct 04, 2015, at 03:25 pm
New York, Oct 4 (IBNS) Côte d’Ivoire, where the United Nations played a major role in restoring peace and stability after violently disputed presidential elections in 2010, stood before the General Assembly on Saturday to praise the world Organization for its "irreplaceable" contribution to advancing peace, security and development over the 70 years of its existence.
With transparent elections imminent, 'dynamic democracy' taking root in Guinea, Minster tells UN
Oct 04, 2015, at 03:24 pm
New York, Oct 4 (IBNS) In his address to the United Nations General Assembly today, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Guinea, Francois Lounceny Fall, confirmed the imminent holding of presidential elections in his country, hailing the polls as a sign of a "democratic dynamic" taking root there.
Outdated UN system a reflection of world's dysfunction, Eritrean Minister tells Assembly
Oct 04, 2015, at 03:18 pm
New York, Oct 4 (IBNS) Addressing the General Assembly today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Eritrea, Osman Saleh, focused on bolstering his country’s socioeconomic and also emphasized the need revitalize the United Nations to create a more agile, democratic and equitable multilateral system.
Libya: Ban urges parties to reject violence, act quickly on draft peace plan
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:27 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): Stressing that 18 months of violence has only led Libya down a path of death, displacement and destruction, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday urged all parties to put aside their differences and act on the draft peace plan they have before them.
UN human rights office voices concern after Tajikistan bans Islamic political party
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:24 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): The United Nations on Friday voiced concern about an increasing risk of human rights violations connected with the recent banning of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), and the arrest and detention of more than a dozen of its members since early September.
Over 500 children dead, 1.7 million at risk of malnutrition owing to Yemen violence: UN
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:23 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Friday underscored the devastating toll six months of violence has taken on the children of Yemen, where at least 500 have lost their lives and more than 1.7 million are at risk of malnutrition.
Burkina Faso's transition won't be stalled by those rowing against current of history: President
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:21 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): Thanking the international community for strongly condemning the recent coup d’état in Burkina Faso, and for backing the transition he is leading, President Michel Kafando on Friday called upon the United Nations General Assembly to continue supporting the county's efforts "to anchor true democracy," through to the holding of free and transparent elections.
Hailing Somalia's ratification, UN renews call for universalization of child rights treaty
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:19 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon led a chorus of United Nations officials in hailing Somalia's ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and in renewing the call for the last remaining country that has yet to join the treaty to do so.
UN relief official calls for end to Central African Republic violence
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:16 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): The United Nations humanitarian chief called on all those involved in the violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) to end the hostilities and immediately allow the resumption of assistance.
Despite cooler weather, refugee sea arrivals in Greece approach 400,000: UN agency
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:15 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency said on Friday that, despite adverse weather conditions, refugee and migrant arrivals in Greece this year are expected to hit the 400,000 mark soon.
One of Africa's longest-standing refugee situations set to end soon: UN agency
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:12 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): Delegations from Rwanda and 11 major host countries in Africa, the African Union and the United Nations refugee agency on Friday agreed on a timetable to resolve the situation of Rwandan refugees who fled between 1959 and 1998 – one of the world’s longest-standing displacement situations.
Grenada joins regional call at UN for action on climate change
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:10 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): A framework for climate change "cannot wait," Grenada's Foreign Minister said on Friday, joining other leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean calling for urgent action in the United Nations General Assembly.
European leaders call to halt atrocities and find political solution to crisis in Syria
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:09 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): On the fifth day of the United Nations General Assembly’s debate, European countries took to the podium delivering remarks focused on the importance of diplomacy, the need to address the refugee and migrant crisis affecting their continent, and the urgency with which the war in Syria needs to be brought to end.
Ban takes note of judgement by German court against Rwandan rebel leaders
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:07 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has taken note of the trial judgement handed down by a German court against the President and Vice-President of the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda, also known as FDLR, which has committed war crimes in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
UN officials propose setting up new fund for education in emergencies
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:06 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): Two senior United Nations officials on Friday proposed the establishment of a humanitarian fund for education in emergencies that would offer millions of the world's displaced children their first chance of schooling, as well as bridge the gap between relief assistance and development aid.
Colombia: UN envoy welcomes parties' agreement on no amnesty for sexual violence
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:04 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): A senior United Nations envoy on Friday welcomed an agreement between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) that includes provisions not to grant amnesties for the most serious crimes, including sexual violence.
At UN, Syrian Minister criticizes world leaders for inaction against terrorism
Oct 03, 2015, at 02:03 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS): With his homeland awash in the blood of its people, who were making a valiant stand against terrorism, Syria's Foreign Minister criticized world leaders at the United Nations on Friday for taking only half-hearted steps to end the crisis in his country and for providing haphazard support to Syria's fight against extremism until the scourge began spreading to Europe.