‘Proving our worth through action’: 5 things Guterres wants the UN to focus on in 2019
Jan 17, 2019, at 12:39 pm
New York, Jan 17 (IBNS): Despite countless “headwinds” and “ills”, the United Nations has “made a real difference” in 2018 and will need to achieve even more in 2019, as the planet faces “a world of trouble”.
More urgency needed to help increasing numbers ‘locked out’, before 2030, says UN’s Bachelet
Jan 17, 2019, at 12:23 pm
New York, Jan 17 (IBNS): Many countries are failing to protect and promote the interests of all their people – despite pledging to do so in 2016 – the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Wednesday.
Advancing multilateralism goes ‘hand-in-hand’ with work of the UN
Jan 16, 2019, at 09:55 am
New York, Jan 16 (IBNS): Revitalizing the United Nations to “strengthen a multilateral rule-based world order” tops a list of priorities the General Assembly President told UN Member States on Tuesday.
‘Historic’ moment: Palestine takes reins of UN coalition of developing countries
Jan 16, 2019, at 09:42 am
New York, Jan 16 (IBNS): Acknowledging “a long road ahead” on the United Nations ambitious agenda, Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed on Tuesday “the historic leadership of the state of Palestine” as the new Chair of the Group of 77’s (G77).
Jan 16, 2019, at 09:27 am
New York, Jan 16 (IBNS): Conditions in a makeshift Syrian camp near the border with Jordan are “increasingly desperate” and “have become a matter of life and death”, United Nations officials warned on Tuesday, after at least eight children died there from extreme cold and a lack of medical care.
Jan 16, 2019, at 09:22 am
New York, Jan 16 (IBNS): Thousands of families in conflict-affected communities south of the Red Sea port city of Hudaydah in Yemen have received aid for the first time since last July, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday.
Ahead of street protests, UN rights chief urges Guatemalan Government to respect democratic freedoms
Jan 15, 2019, at 09:34 am
New York, Jan 15 (IBNS): With demonstrations expected to take place in various Guatemalan cities on Monday and Tuesday, the UN human rights chief, Michelle Bachelet, is urging the Guatemalan Government to guarantee freedom of expression and opinion, and the right to peaceful assembly and association.
World ‘not yet on track’ to ensure children a better future: UN rights chief
Jan 15, 2019, at 09:31 am
New York, Jan 15 (IBNS): Some Member States have fallen short of offering a better future to children who continue to die prematurely or fall victim to poverty, trafficking and slavery, UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Monday.
UN welcomes progress in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia naming dispute
Jan 14, 2019, at 08:35 am
New York, Jan 14 (IBNS): The Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the naming dispute between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Matthew Nimetz, has welcomed the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia parliament’s decision to ratify an agreement on a new name for the latter country, following a dispute that has lasted some 28 years.
Ready to work with new government in Bangladesh: UN
Jan 13, 2019, at 07:34 pm
Dhaka, Jan 13 (IBNS): The United Nations on Sunday said they were ready to work with the new government in Bangladesh.
UN anti-corruption body in Guatemala rebuts government’s reasons for expulsion order
Jan 13, 2019, at 04:39 pm
New York, Jan 13 (IBNS): In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Iván Velásquez, the senior UN official in charge of the International Commission Against Impunity (CICIG) in Guatemela, has responded to the accusations made by the Government to justify its decision to expel the Commission from the country.
Libya: ‘Substantial civilian casualties’ in Derna, UN humanitarian chief ‘deeply concerned’
Jan 12, 2019, at 08:45 am
New York, Jan 12 (IBNS): Increasing hostilities in the oil-rich city of Derna are becoming an increasing source of concern said the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya on Friday, following an intensification in fighting which has resulted in “substantial civilian casualties”.
Jan 12, 2019, at 08:32 am
New York, Jan 12 (IBNS): The human rights situation in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – DPRK - remains “extremely serious”, and along with international demands for denuclearization, this constitutes a “a critical test” for the year ahead, a senior UN-appointed expert said on Friday.
‘Everyone must be on board’ for peace in Central African Republic: UN’s Lacroix
Jan 11, 2019, at 08:53 am
New York, Jan 11 (IBNS): The agreement by the Government and armed groups in the Central African Republic to hold talks later this month (CAR) is “an important step to resolve the country’s crisis”, said the UN peacekeeping chief, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, on Thursday.
‘Refrain from violence’ UN chief urges, as presidential election result is announced in DR Congo
Jan 11, 2019, at 08:44 am
New York, Jan 11 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appealed for all parties to “refrain from violence” in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following the announcement of the provisional results of the long-delayed presidential election.
Jan 10, 2019, at 10:08 am
New York, Jan 10 (IBNS): Following the Guatemalan Government’s unilateral decision to shut down a long-running UN anti-corruption commission, its spokesperson told UN News on Wednesday that the team is looking at ways to continue to carry out its mandate, hours after the country's highest court ruled against the Government expulsion order.
‘We cannot lose momentum’ on the road to peace in Yemen, UN envoy warns
Jan 10, 2019, at 10:04 am
New York, Jan 10 (IBNS): “The difficult part” of reaching a lasting political settlement in Yemen “is still ahead of us” said the UN Special Envoy on Wednesday, urging the Security Council to support the “speedy implementation” of the fragile ceasefire agreed in and around the crucial port city of Hudaydah, at breakthrough talks in Sweden last month.
Somalia: UN congratulates Puntland region’s newly-elected President
Jan 10, 2019, at 10:00 am
New York, Jan 10 (IBNS).The UN’s Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, on Wednesday congratulated the newly-elected president of Puntland, Somalia’s semi-autonomous region in the country’s north east.
100 years on, UN labour agency mission focussed on growing inequality, says Director-General
Jan 10, 2019, at 09:50 am
New York, Jan 10 (IBNS): As it celebrates its centenary year, the International Labour Organization (ILO) must help to tackle inequality in the world of work through the efforts of its 180-plus members, said Director-General Guy Ryder on Wednesday.
Jan 09, 2019, at 09:22 am
New York, Jan 9 (IBNS): Following a run-off election for the Presidency of Madagascar which saw former leader Andry Rajoelina declared the winner on Tuesday, the UN chief has commended all those who contributed to the “peaceful and orderly” voting process that began at the end of November.
How to stay in shape and step up support for refugees
Jan 09, 2019, at 09:18 am
New York, Jan 9 (IBNS): At a time of year when many resolve to get fit, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the huge distances many are forced to cover to escape persecution, in search of a better life far from home.
THE COMMITTEES: ‘All roads lead to the Fifth’
Jan 09, 2019, at 09:16 am
New York, Jan 9 (IBNS): At the United Nations, there is a popular saying – all roads lead to the Fifth – the “Fifth” here is the General Assembly’s main Administrative and Budgetary Committee, where all financial and programme matters concerning the UN system, are discussed. In this feature series on the work of the General Assembly, the UN body made up of all 193 Member States, UN News gives you an inside look at the critical work of the Fifth Committee.
UN Chief ‘strongly rejects’ Guatemala decision to expel anti-corruption body
Jan 09, 2019, at 09:03 am
New York, Jan 9 (IBNS): UN Secretary-General António Guterres has “strongly rejected” the Guatemalan Government’s decision to unilaterally terminate the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), an independent body set up by the UN and Guatemala to investigate illegal security groups and high-level corruption in the country.
DR Congo: Restore internet services as 'a matter of urgency', urges UN expert
Jan 08, 2019, at 10:26 am
New York, Jan 8 (IBNS): More than a week after voters went to the polls to choose a new President in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), results have yet to be announced and all primary telecommunications remain shut down – prompting a UN expert on Monday to urge the authorities to restore internet services as “a matter of urgency”.
Rising human trafficking takes on ‘horrific dimensions’: almost a third of victims are children
Jan 08, 2019, at 09:50 am
New York, Jan 8 (IBNS): A new UN report published on Monday shows that human trafficking is on the rise and taking on “horrific dimensions”, with sexual exploitation of victims the main driver. Children now account for 30 per cent of those being trafficked, and far more girls are detected than boys.
The ‘abuse of food relief in Yemen’ must end now
Jan 05, 2019, at 09:15 am
New Delhi, Jan 5 (IBNS): On Friday, the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) demanded that the stealing of food by warring factions in Yemen must stop immediately; and welcomed a statement from Houthi rebel leaders saying that the situation was now under investigation.
UN chief expresses ‘full confidence’ in top Somalia official following Government expulsion
Jan 05, 2019, at 09:13 am
New York, Jan 5 (IBNS): The UN Secretary-General said on Friday he “deeply regrets” the Somali Government’s decision to expel his Special Representative in the country, adding that he had “full confidence” in Nicholas Haysom’s abilities and track record as an international civil servant.
Rights defenders jailed in Bahrain and UAE should be released unconditionally, UN urges
Jan 05, 2019, at 09:11 am
New York, Jan 5 (IBNS): The UN human rights office, OHCHR, has called for the immediate release of a prominent human rights defender in Bahrain, after the country’s highest court rejected a final appeal for his release on Monday. Nabeel Rajab was jailed in 2016 for tweeting criticism of Saudi Arabia’s airstrikes on Yemen and allegations of torture inside one of Bahrain’s prisons.
Bangladesh elections: Hold those responsible accountable for ‘violent attacks and intimidation’
Jan 05, 2019, at 09:03 am
New York, Jan 5 (IBNS): Violence and alleged human rights violations in Bangladesh “before, during and after” 30 December elections have prompted the United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) to call on Friday for those responsible to be held to account.
DRC ‘calm but tense’ as country awaits presidential election result
Jan 05, 2019, at 09:01 am
New York, Jan 5 (IBNS): The post-election environment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is “calm but tense” as the country waits for the results of the presidential poll, the UN Human Rights office (OHCHR) said on Friday.