ADDIS: UN officials hail outcome of conference on development financing as first milestone of 2015
Jul 17, 2015, at 03:20 pm
New York, July 17 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and senior United Nations officials on Thursdayhailed the outcome of the financing for development conference in Addis Ababa as the first milestone in a critical year in which major decisions are also expected on the future sustainable development agenda and on climate change.
At high-level forum, UN official calls for final push towards new sustainability agenda
Jul 07, 2015, at 03:04 pm
New York, July 7 (IBNS) The international community stands on the cusp of eradicating extreme poverty and reaching the world's most vulnerable people with "a chance to live a life of dignity," the Vice-President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) declared on Monday, as he appealed to delegates to strengthen the platforms for implementing the new development agenda that will be adopted in September.
UN hails cooperatives as vehicle to make sustainable development a reality for all
Jul 05, 2015, at 04:28 am
New York, July 4 (IBNS) Cooperatives will play an "invaluable role" in the international community's roll-out of a sustainable development goals, said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who today marked the International Day of Cooperatives with an appeal for all to recommit to the business model, which could help make the vision of a sustainable future a reality for everyone.
As Yemen crisis deteriorates, UNICEF says children at increasing risk of disease, hunger
Jul 01, 2015, at 04:11 pm
New York, July 1 (IBNS): The ongoing conflict in Yemen is having a devastating impact on the country's health system and has exposed millions of children to the threat of preventable diseases, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned.
New levels of 'brutality' in South Sudan, says UN rights report
Jul 01, 2015, at 03:56 pm
New York, July 1 (IBNS) The South Sudanese armed forces may have committed widespread human rights abuses, including the alleged raping and immolation of women and girls, during the recent upsurge in fighting across the African State, according to a new report released by the United Nations mission in the country (UNMISS).
Adopting resolution, UN creates International Day against Sexual Violence in Conflict
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:30 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) In an effort to boost the global fight against the horrors faced by women and girls in zones of conflict worldwide, the United Nations General Assembly on Friday approved by consensus a new resolution to commemorate 19 June as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Structural reforms can help poorest countries break 'vicious' economic circle – new UN report
Nov 28, 2014, at 02:45 pm
New York, Nov 28 (IBNS)The world's poorest countries are trapped in an economic vicious circle, which pins them in poverty and must be reversed if new development goals are to be met, according to a newly released report from United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Central African Republic: As violence flares, UN warns of worsening humanitarian conditions
Nov 01, 2014, at 03:10 pm
New York, Nov 1 (IBNS) Fresh fighting in the Central African Republic (CAR) has aggravated the humanitarian situation across the country, UN humanitarian officials warned today, adding that amid the upsurge in violence, aid workers were now facing unprecedented attacks.
DR Congo: UN, African Union urge eastern town to support operations to end rebel threat
Oct 25, 2014, at 04:20 pm
New York, Oct 25 (IBNS) Visiting the site of a recent flare-up of deadly violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations and African Union (AU) envoys met with the Mayor of the town of Beni, Congolese military officials and local leaders, urging a united front to "put an end to the terror imposed on the population by armed groups," including Ugandan-based rebels operating in the area.
Myanmar: UN chief urges country to move beyond 'narrow agendas' and towards cooperation
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:39 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) Myanmar has shown progress in areas of socio-economic development, national reconciliation and democratization, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon confirmed on Friday, while also warning that the Asian country still faced "critical hurdles" as it approached its impending elections.
Aug 24, 2014, at 03:35 am
New Delhi, Aug 23 (IBNS) Marking the anniversary of the first successful slave uprising in the Western hemisphere, the head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said on Saturdaythat the struggle to overcome slavery "has strengthened awareness of the equality of all men and women, which we have all inherited directly."
Senior UN officials commend decision of Iraq's al-Maliki to back his successor
Aug 16, 2014, at 04:48 pm
New York, Aug 16 (IBNS)United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his envoy in Iraq welcomed Nouri al-Maliki's decision to step aside as Prime Minister and urged national political leaders to build consensus on how to address security threats and other challenges facing the country.
South Sudan: UN mission condemns Bentiu clashes, takes swift action to protect people
Aug 16, 2014, at 04:47 pm
New York, Aug 16 (IBNS) The United Nations mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has condemned this morning’s outbreak of violence in Bentiu which caused hundreds of people to seek shelter at the nearest airport.
UN, humanitarian partners launch health plan in crisis-torn eastern Ukraine
Aug 16, 2014, at 04:46 pm
New York, Aug 16 (IBNS) Conflict in eastern Ukraine, mainly in the areas in and around the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, has affected nearly four million people, including 156,000 internally displaced people, many of whom lack access to healthcare, a United Nations health official said on Friday as he appealed for funds to help address the situation.
As Gaza ceasefire begins, UN Chief urges parties to commence peace talks in Cairo
Aug 06, 2014, at 04:33 pm
New York, Aug 6 (IBNS) Following the announcement on Monday of a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged all parties to commence talks in Cairo for a durable peace.
UN allocates $75 million to boost aid operations in the Sahel, Horn of Africa
Jul 24, 2014, at 03:49 pm
New York, July 24 (IBNS) The United Nations humanitarian chief on Wednesday allocated $75 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to bolster desperately needed relief operations in two of the world’s most neglected regions: the West African Sahel and the Horn of Africa.
Downing of Malaysian jet highlights urgency of resolving Ukraine crisis : UN official
Jul 19, 2014, at 07:11 am
New York, July 18 (IBNS) The apparent deliberate downing of a Malaysian passenger plane over eastern Ukraine highlights the need for an urgent resumption of a ceasefire and a serious effort to end the ongoing crisis, the United Nations political chief told an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Friday.
Jul 10, 2014, at 05:44 am
New York, July 10 (IBNS) The nature of the Afghan conflict has added yet another grim dimension as ground combat among the warring parties surpassed improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as the leading cause of conflict-related death and injury to Afghan civilians in the first six months of 2014, the United Nations reported on Wednesday.
Strongly condemning murder of missing Israeli teens, UN chief urges calm on all sides
Jul 01, 2014, at 03:36 pm
New York, July 1 (IBNS): Strongly condemning the murder of three Israeli teenagers abducted in mid-June in the West Bank, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday declared that the perpetrators’ attempts to stoke tensions in the region "must not be allowed to succeed", expressing hope that Israeli’s and Palestinians will work together to uncover the truth.
Ban launches UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All
Jun 06, 2014, at 06:38 pm
New York, Jun 6 (IBNS): Launching the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday hailed modern energy services as the source of profound and life-changing opportunities - for the poorest communities and the richest investors - and urged generating the innovative ideas and vital partnerships to wholly transform the global energy landscape.
WTD: UN spotlights broadband for sustainable development
May 18, 2014, at 05:37 am
New York, May 17 (IBNS): With digital development now well recognized as a transformative tool to fast-track sustainable development, the United Nations is marking World Telecommunication and Information Society Day with calls on the global community to roll-out high-speed broadband networks, making digital communication affordable as well as universally accessible.
UN urges Eritrea to end widespread arbitrary arrest
May 07, 2014, at 05:02 pm
New York, May 7 (IBNS): The Government of Eritrea needs to put an immediate end to the widespread practices of arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment and persecution, says an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to look into the situation in the country.
UN seeks effort to prevent catastrophe in South Sudan
Apr 04, 2014, at 05:33 pm
New York, Apr 4 (IBNS): With no political solution to the conflict that has torn South Sudan apart in sight, senior United Nations officials working in the country stressed on Thursday that they are in a "race against time" ahead of the rainy season to help prevent a health and hunger catastrophe.
Palestine presents applications to join global conventions
Apr 03, 2014, at 05:50 pm
New York, Apr 3 (IBNS): The United Nations confirmed on Wednesday that Palestinian Authority officials have presented letters for accession to 15 international conventions and treaties.
Guinea-Bissau: UN stresses need for free, fair polls
Apr 02, 2014, at 06:17 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): The United Nations panel dealing with peacebuilding efforts in Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday welcomed the successful preparations for the country's upcoming legislative and presidential elections and called on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring that the polls are free and fair.
South Sudan: UN concerned over harassment of staff
Apr 02, 2014, at 06:03 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): Amid growing humanitarian aid needs and despite recent assurances from the Government, the United Nations mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) continues to report increasingly difficult working conditions due to movement restrictions and other harassments against its personnel and partners.
UN to probe violence against women in UK
Apr 01, 2014, at 06:11 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): Domestic and sexual violence, sexual bullying and harassment, forced and early marriages, and female genital mutilation – all these issues and more will be on the docket as the United Nations expert tasked with monitoring violence against women launched her first mission in the United Kingdom.