Security Council welcomes reinstatement of the transitional authorities in Burkina Faso
Sep 26, 2015, at 03:02 pm
New York, Sept 26 (IBNS) Welcoming the recent reinstatement of President Michel Kafando and the transitional authorities of Burkina Faso in the wake of a coup d’état last week, the United Nations Security Council urged all parties in the country to refrain from violence and resume the transition process without delay.
Sep 26, 2015, at 03:00 am
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) In an address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Pope Francis spoke at length on a range of subjects from equity and the environmental protection to the promotion of the rule of law and eradicating global poverty.
Seventieth anniversary treaty event to focus on UN contributions to international affairs
Sep 25, 2015, at 03:25 pm
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) Ahead of an annual United Nations-hosted treaty signing event in New York, the Chief of the UN Office of Legal Affairs Treaty Section, Santiago Villalpando, briefed the press today, highlighting the contributions multilateral legal instruments make to the Organization's work.
Top UN relief official alarmed as aid agencies ordered to leave Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine
Sep 25, 2015, at 03:24 pm
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) Alarmed by news that the de facto authorities in crisis-torn eastern Ukraine have ordered United Nations agencies in Luhansk to end operations and to leave the area by tomorrow, 25 September, the top UN humanitarian official urged the authorities, as well as parties “with influence over [them]†to ensure the resumption of humanitarian aid by UN and non-governmental agencies.
On World Maritime Day, UN highlights importance of maritime education and training
Sep 25, 2015, at 03:07 pm
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) Marking the observance of World Maritime Day, top UN officials highlighted the importance of the international shipping industry, as well as the necessity of maintaining high education and training standards within the sector as a key part of the implementation of the new Sustainable Development Goals.
Three new suspected cases of typhoid near Yarmouk camp in Syria
Sep 24, 2015, at 02:08 pm
New York, Sept 24 (IBNS) Following humanitarian operations in the southern Syrian town of Yalda, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said it has identified three new suspected cases of typhoid.
UN agency opens two new camps for displaced Iraqis in Baghdad
Sep 24, 2015, at 02:07 pm
New York, Sept 24 (IBNS) The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), partners and local authorities announced on Wednesday the recent opening of two new camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Baghdad province, providing shelter to close to 3,500 Iraqis who have had to flee the Anbar province due to recent fighting.
Following coup d'etat in Burkina Faso, Ban welcomes reinstatement of President
Sep 24, 2015, at 02:05 pm
New Yoek, Sept 24 (IBNS): Following a coup d'etat last week in Burkina Faso, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday welcomed the reinstatement of President Michel Kafando and of the transitional institutions in the country.
UN rights experts urge Saudi Arabia to immediately halt child executions
Sep 23, 2015, at 03:02 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) A group of independent United Nations human rights experts on Tuesday urged the Saudi Arabian Government to stop the imminent execution of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, convicted for a crime he allegedly committed as a child.
Thousands of women on the move in Europe need reproductive healthcare - UN
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:58 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Tuesday stressed the need to ensure women refugees and migrants moving across Europe have access to life-saving sexual and reproductive healthcare, as it appealed for $4.2 million for humanitarian assistance.
Philippines: UN experts calls for probe into killings of indigenous rights defenders
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:54 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) Two independent United Nations human rights experts on Tuesday called on the Philippines Government to investigate the deaths of three human rights defenders in Surigao del Sur in Mindanao.
In wake of adoption of Nepal's constitution, Ban stresses need for dialogue, non-violence
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:46 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) While acknowledging the adoption of the long-awaited constitution of Nepal, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced concern about recent violence in the country and stressed the need for dialogue and non-violence.
'Time to overcome diplomatic failure' in Syria, says head of UN-mandated rights probe
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:44 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) It is time to overcome diplomatic failure and recognise that there is a global interest in returning Syria to peace, the head of a United Nations-mandated human rights inquiry said today, warning that if conflict continues, nations will be "fuelling a war to keep their influence over a country that will barely exist."
UN chief strongly condemns reported violence against civilians in Burkina Faso
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:40 pm
N ew York, Sept 22 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Mondaystrongly condemned reports of violence against civilians in Burkina Faso and urged the country’s defense and security forces, especially the Presidential Guard, to exercise restraint and respect the human rights of all citizens.
Indigenous and local groups from 20 countries recognized with UN Equator Prize
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:33 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) A Brazilian indigenous group that inspired the film Avatar, a conservation outfit in Indonesia that is saving sea turtles and a movement for pygmy rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are among the 20 winners of a United Nations prize that recognizes outstanding community efforts to reduce poverty, protect nature and strengthen resilience in the face of climate change.
UN observes International Day of Peace with call for global ceasefire
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:31 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) The United Nations on Monday observed the International Day of Peace with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appealing to all warring parties to lay down their weapons and observe a global ceasefire and "stop the killings and the destruction, and create space for lasting peace."
Head of UN atomic watchdog reports 'significant' progress in resolving outstanding issues with Iran
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:28 pm
ew York, Sept 22 (IBNS) Significant progress has been achieved in the implementation of a road-map to resolve all outstanding issues regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, the head of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today, after visiting a nuclear site and meeting senior Government officials, including the President, over the weekend.
Billions of people in developing world still without Internet access, new UN report finds
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:27 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) Broadband Internet is failing to reach billions of people living in the developing world, including 90 per cent of those living in the poorest nations, according to a new United Nations report that offers country-by-country data on the state of access around the globe.
Global brands join forces with UN to boost food aid to families affected by war
Sep 21, 2015, at 03:21 pm
New York, Sept 21 (IBNS)The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Sunday unveiled a new partnership with some of the world's leading companies, including McDonald's, Burger King, Facebook, Google and MasterCard, in an unprecedented effort to support refugees and displaced people struggling to feed their families.
Lives in Ukraine being lost in accountability vacuum, warns UN rights expert
Sep 19, 2015, at 02:49 pm
New York, Sept 19 (IBNS) The Ukrainian Government and the armed groups operating in the country must implement a proper system of accountability to end the violence, an independent United Nations human rights expert warned on Friday.
Ahead of International Day of Peace, UN chief appeals for cease-fire on 21 September
Sep 19, 2015, at 02:34 pm
New York, Sept 19 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling for the laying down of arms and a 24-hour cease-fire on 21 September, which is observed around the world each year as the International Day of Peace.
Global malaria target met amid sharp drop in cases: UN
Sep 18, 2015, at 02:37 pm
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): Malaria death rates have plunged by 60 per cent since 2000, but the ancient killer remains an acute public health problem with 15 countries mainly in sub-Saharan Africa accounting for some 80 per cent of cases and deaths globally, according to a new United Nations report released on Thursday.
Ban seeks support from Member States to end sexual misconduct by UN personnel
Sep 18, 2015, at 02:33 pm
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday highlighted specific actions aimed at ending sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations personnel that require "urgent" support from countries that provide troops and police to peacekeeping operations.
Hungary: UN rights chief appalled at treatment of refugees, migrants by authorities
Sep 18, 2015, at 02:30 pm
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief said on Thursday he is "appalled" at the recent actions displayed by the Hungarian Government in its treatment of refugees and migrants, and urged European institutions to take firm action to respond to the crisis affecting several countries.
War-weary Afghan population clamouring for peace and they deserve it: UN envoy
Sep 18, 2015, at 02:28 pm
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): The top United Nations official in Afghanistan told members of the Security Council on Thursday that the country’s path to stability and self-reliance cannot be taken for granted, and that support from the international community continues to be crucial.
UN officials outraged at accounts of Sri Lanka war crimes
Sep 18, 2015, at 02:22 pm
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): Senior United Nations officials on Thursday expressed outrage at the very serious accounts of war crimes and crimes against humanity that were allegedly committed between 2002 and 2011 by all parties to the conflict in Sri Lanka, including Government security forces, affiliated paramilitary groups and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
In regaining hope for the future, two Yazidi girls deal greatest blow to ISIL: UN envoy
Sep 18, 2015, at 02:19 pm
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): Five months after she first met with two girls from the Yazidi community who had been held by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the United Nations official dealing with sexual violence in conflict said after seeing them again on Thursday that they are "filled with hope for the future," and that is "the greatest blow they could have dealt" to the terrorist group.
World leaders to gather for 70th General Assembly at a time of turmoil and hope: Ban
Sep 17, 2015, at 02:00 pm
New York, Sept 17 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wenesday he will convene a high-level meeting later this month to mobilize a “humane, effective and rights-based response†to a global crisis that has seen 60 million people flee their homes by an unprecedented number of brutal conflicts, the breakdown of basic governance and mounting economic despair.
Nigeria: UN rights expert condemns attack against displaced persons' camp
Sep 17, 2015, at 01:54 pm
New York, Sept 17 (IBNS): A "heinous" attack against a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Yola, north-eastern Nigeria, where some 32,000 people have found refuge, was strongly condemned on Wednesday by an independent United Nations human rights expert.
Afghan refugee teacher honoured with UN award for efforts to educate girls
Sep 16, 2015, at 02:28 pm
New York, Sept 16 (IBNS): Afghan refugee teacher Aqeela Asifi, who has dedicated her life to bringing education to refugee girls in Pakistan, has been named as the winner of the United Nations annual Nansen Award.