Syria: Agreement on ‘de-escalation zones’ could lift UN-facilitated political talks
May 12, 2017, at 02:11 pm
New York, May 12(Just Earth News): The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said on Thursday that next week’s UN-facilitated talks in Geneva will benefit from the dynamics of the negotiations which began in Astana, Kazakhstan, earlier this month, which saw an agreement between Russia, Iran and Turkey on ‘de-escalation zones’ in war-torn Syria.
Panama’s financial reform agenda must prioritize combating tax evasion – UN expert
May 12, 2017, at 02:10 pm
New York, May 12(Just Earth News): Following last year’s leak of confidential financial documents from a Panama law firm, a United Nations rights expert yesterday called on the countries’ authorities to continue to impose greater due diligence on financial and banking institutions.
UN releases new funding to support critical aid operations in Central African Republic
May 12, 2017, at 02:07 pm
New York, May 12(Just Earth News): Against the backdrop of a continuingly complex humanitarian scenario in the Central African Republic (CAR) – marked by multiplication of hotspots, increased displacement and growing needs – the head of United Nations humanitarian operations in the country on Thursday released $9 million for the most urgent and critical relief operations.
International support for Somalia must focus on rebuilding security, averting famine – UN chief
May 12, 2017, at 02:03 pm
New York, May 12(Just Earth News): Opening a major conference on Somalia, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday urged the international community to support security efforts in the country battling Al-Shabaab and aid the more than six million Somalis affected by the violence and a deadly drought.
UN experts urge India to restore internet and social media services in Jammu and Kashmir
May 12, 2017, at 04:45 am
New York, May 11(Just Earth News): Raising alarm over the impact of internet and social media restrictions imposed by authorities in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, United Nations human rights experts have called on the Government to protect the right to freedom of expression and to pursue an open and democratic dialogue to address the region's social and political conflicts.
UN condemns deadly attack on peacekeepers in Central African Republic
May 11, 2017, at 01:11 pm
New York, May 11(Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned an attack against a convoy of the UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR) that left four dead, one missing and 10 others evacuated.
Weather, climate and water challenges in spotlight at annual session of UN weather agency council
May 11, 2017, at 01:10 pm
New York, May 11(Just Earth News): Strengthening weather and climate services to protect lives, property and the economy from increasingly extreme and unusual weather is among the pressing issues being discussed at the annual session of the United Nations weather agency's coordinating body, which kicked off on Wednesday in Geneva.
In London, Secretary-General Guterres spotlights UN reform initiatives to rescue multilateralism
May 11, 2017, at 01:08 pm
New York, May 11(Just Earth News): In a public lecture in London, Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday stressed the need for reforming the United Nations to tackle main challenges the world is facing, including the changing nature of conflict.
On World Migratory Bird Day, UN spotlights common destiny for wildlife and people
May 11, 2017, at 04:58 am
New York, May 10(Just Earth News): A healthy planet for migratory birds means a healthy plant for people, as they share the habitats on the Earth, the heads of two United Nations-backed environmental treaties said, marking World Migratory Bird Day.
Amid spreading cholera outbreak, UN migration agency aids South Sudanese
May 11, 2017, at 04:57 am
New York, May 10(Just Earth News): United Nations humanitarian workers are responding to a growing cholera outbreak in Ayod, the Greater Upper Nile region of South Sudan, one of multiple counties throughout the country where the disease has spread since June 2016.
Buddha's message of compassion 'timeless' says UN chief on international day
May 11, 2017, at 04:56 am
New York, May 10(Just Earth News): Observing the Day of Vesak, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on the global community to draw inspiration from the journey of Lord Buddha and embrace his message of compassion.
UN experts 'strongly' condemn brutal murder of journalist and rights defender in Maldives
May 10, 2017, at 05:08 am
New York, May 9 (Just Earth News): A group of United Nations human rights experts have “strongly†condemned the murder of a prominent journalist and human rights defender in Maldives and called on the authorities to conduct a public inquiry into the killing and bring those responsible to justice.
May 09, 2017, at 10:36 am
New York, May 9(Just Earth News): A lack of trust leads to increased intolerance and xenophobia, the United Nations envoy on international migration told UN Member States told, calling on Governments to review and put in place effective migration policies that reject an “us vs. them†mentality between national and migrants.
Task of eradicating poverty must be met 'with a sense of urgency,' says deputy UN chief
May 09, 2017, at 10:35 am
New York, May 9(Just Earth News): Eradicating poverty remains the greatest global challenge, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said on Monday, calling for a collective and comprehensive approach that recognizes the multidimensional nature the issue and its interaction with other aspects.
Nigeria: Welcoming release of 82 Chibok girls, UN urges support for their rehabilitation
May 09, 2017, at 10:33 am
New York, May 9(Just Earth News): Welcoming Saturday’s release of 82 of the schoolgirls abducted from the Nigerian town of Chibok by the Boko Haram insurgent group three years ago, the United Nations has called for continued global support for the country’s efforts to release, rehabilitate and reintegrate all Boko Haram victims.
More than one million children have fled escalating violence in South Sudan – UN
May 09, 2017, at 05:09 am
New York, May 8(Just Earth News): The escalating conflict in South Sudan had driven more than one million children out of the country, the United Nations announced on Monday, warning that the future of a generation is ‘on the brink.’
Unimpeded access, humanitarian funds urgently needed in Yemen – senior UN relief official
May 09, 2017, at 05:08 am
New York, May 8(Just Earth News): Voicing concern over lack of humanitarian access – particularly for medicine and medical supplies – in war-torn Yemen, a senior United Nations relief official has called on all parties to the conflict to ensure urgent and unrestricted access to people in need across the country.
'Save Lives: Slow Down,' urges UN health agency ahead of Global Road Safety Week
May 06, 2017, at 01:27 pm
New York, May 6(Just Earth News): Spotlighting the relationship between speeding and traffic fatalities – speeding contributes to one in three traffic deaths – the UN health agency, ahead of Global Road Safety Week, is urging countries to take measures to curb dangerous driving behaviour.
On International Day, UN honours midwives as family 'partners for life'
May 06, 2017, at 01:26 pm
New York, May 6(Just Earth News): The United Nations population agency on Friday urged governments and development partners to expand midwifery programmes and promote an environment where midwives can effectively serve the needs of women and their families.
As rainy season starts, UN health agency warns of cholera outbreak in drought-hit Somalia
May 06, 2017, at 01:25 pm
New York, May 6(Just Earth News): Somalia is suffering from the largest cholera outbreak in the past five years and the number of people killed is expected to double by the end of June, the United Nations health agency.
UN migration agency transports hundreds of South Sudanese refugees from border into Ethiopia
May 06, 2017, at 01:22 pm
New York, May 6(Just Earth News): The United Nations migration agency has begun transferring South Sudanese refugees from Ethiopia's Pagak border entry point in Gambella to the Gore-Shembola refugee camp in Benishangul Gumuz Regional States – approximately 835 kilometres away.
Efforts to impeach Nepalese Chief Justice 'an assault on human rights' – UN rights chief
May 06, 2017, at 01:20 pm
New York, May 6(Just Earth News): Raising alarm over moves to impeach the Chief Justice of Nepal – who has been instrumental in a number of high-profile and politically sensitive decisions – the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, warned on Friday that such actions suggest a concerted attempt by the Government to undermine the independence of the judiciary.
Saudi Arabia must reform 'unacceptably broad' counter-terrorism law – UN rights expert
May 06, 2017, at 01:19 pm
New York, May 6(Just Earth News): Saudi Arabia must stop using its anti-terror law to violate the right to free speech of its people, and end the use of torture terrorist suspects during investigations, a United Nations human rights expert urged at the end of his mission to the country.
Keep interests of people above all else, UN Security Council urges political actors in DR Congo
May 06, 2017, at 05:03 am
New York, May 5(Just Earth News): Voicing concern over challenges to the implementation of last year's political agreement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and deteriorating humanitarian and security situation, the United Nations Security Council has urged all stakeholders to redouble their efforts to resolve the problems faced by the country.
New UN study makes 'strong' economic case for Africa's investment in green energy
May 06, 2017, at 04:57 am
New York, May 5(Just Earth News): Charting data from 54 African countries, a new UN atlas reveals the continent's energy potential; revealing that investment in renewable energy would strengthen its economic advancement.
May 06, 2017, at 04:56 am
New York, May 5(Just Earth News): Four international humanitarian organizations have temporarily suspended activities in northern Central African Republic (CAR) after dozens of attacks on aid workers in the region, the United Nations humanitarian office today said.
Worsening food insecurity forcing more people to migrate, finds new UN report
May 06, 2017, at 04:53 am
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News): Highlighting the complex link between food insecurity and migration – where increase in one forces the other to rise and then spirals back to push the former even higher – the United Nations food relief agency has urged greater investments in food security and livelihoods at places of origin to prevent displacement and reduce forced onward migration.
Syria: UN aid officials urge end to airstrikes on hospitals
Apr 27, 2017, at 12:55 pm
New York, Apr 27(Just Earth News): Following reports of airstrikes that damaged hospitals in northern Syria, two senior United Nations humanitarian officials on Wednesday called for an end to such attacks.
Strong partnerships key to unleash full potential of industrialization, senior UN official says
Apr 27, 2017, at 12:54 pm
New York, Apr 27(Just Earth News): Speaking at the conclusion of a global meeting on importance of agriculture and agro-industries for sustainable and resilient food systems, the President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on Wednesday urged for greater partnerships to ensure that global development agenda brings prosperity to all.
Chernobyl 31 years on: International cooperation still needed to address consequences, says UN
Apr 27, 2017, at 12:53 pm
New York, Apr 27(Just Earth News): The United Nations on Wednesday commemorated the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day recalling the devastating explosion of 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant which spewed radioactive material to an area stretching 155,000 square kilometres across Belarus, Russia and Ukraine.