‘Bold and decisive’ action needed for Africa’s future, UN deputy chief tells Member States
Apr 21, 2016, at 01:15 pm
New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations and African countries are working as one to support the continent’s people in realizing their hopes and aspirations for peace and development, which will require “bold and decisive†action, Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said on Wednesday at a special event on the continent’s future.
‘Yemeni people deserve no less,’ says Ban, urging start of peace talks
Apr 20, 2016, at 01:58 pm
New York, Apr 20 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged all parties to the peace process in Yemen to “engage in good faith†with his envoy, so that talks can start without further delay.
‘Yemeni people deserve no less,’ says Ban, urging start of peace talks
Apr 20, 2016, at 01:56 pm
New York, Apr 20 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged all parties to the peace process in Yemen to “engage in good faith†with his envoy, so that talks can start without further delay.
UN urges ‘tangible actions’ from world leaders to finance sustainable development for all
Apr 19, 2016, at 02:03 pm
New York, Apr 19 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Hailing 2015 as a year of “crucial milestones†for development, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday said world leaders must now meet the agreed financing targets to ensure implementation of the numerous landmark agreements on eradicating poverty, building resilient societies and addressing climate change in order to put the world on a sustainable development path.
UN report urges rights-based approach to reduce HIV infections among drug users
Apr 16, 2016, at 01:41 pm
New York, Apr 16 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Ahead of next week’s General Assembly special session on drugs, the United Nations agency leading the world’s HIV/AIDS response has released a new report, which warns that many countries are failing to reduce new HIV infections due to the absence of health- and rights-based approaches, particularly as regards drug use.
World needs ‘new vision for urbanization,’ says UN chief
Apr 13, 2016, at 01:48 pm
New York, Apr 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Welcoming Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa to the United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday said the world needs a new vision for urbanization – a “New Urban Agenda†– to help protect the environment and limit climate change.
United Nations begins informal briefings to select next Secretary-General
Apr 13, 2016, at 01:37 pm
New York, Apr 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Kicking off what he has called a “new and transparent process,†General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft on Tuesday opened informal dialogues with candidates for the next United Nations Secretary-General, for the first time providing an opportunity for substantive and open engagement with the candidates – for the full UN membership and the public.
UN officials urge boost in development action to meet humanitarian challenges in Africa
Apr 09, 2016, at 01:52 pm
New York, Apr 9 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Greater efforts in preparedness response, recovery and development interventions are needed from humanitarian actors for African nations to meet the immediate needs of their citizens, become more resilient to shocks and crises, and ultimately achieve food security, senior United Nations officials stressed on Friday.
Apr 06, 2016, at 01:18 pm
New York, Apr 6 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The role that architecture can play in creating cities that are more sustainable and liveable – a vital element of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, in which economic inclusion, social development and environmental protection converge in a universal roadmap for global action – was in the spotlight at UN Headquarters on Tuesday as this year’s Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate discussed his work and the road to a more inclusive future.
Apr 05, 2016, at 01:20 pm
New York, Apr 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki moon on Monday called for a world free of the threat of mines and explosive remnants of war, stressing that those hazards prevent aid from reaching those in need, and endanger the lives of the displaced persons returning home and children going to school.
Preparations underway 'at full speed' for intra-Yemeni peace talks, says UN envoy
Apr 02, 2016, at 01:45 pm
New York, Apr 2 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Preparations are underway “at full speed†for the next round of United Nations-brokered intra-Yemeni peace talks to start on 18 April in Kuwait, a UN envoy said on Friday.
UN calls for political will to overcome inequality hindering sustainable development for all
Mar 31, 2016, at 02:16 pm
New York, Mar 31 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Inequality is a universal challenge faced by least-developed, middle-income and developed countries alike, but which can be overcome by political will at national and international levels, the United Nations deputy chief said on Wednesday.
UN agency launches food voucher scheme for families in Yemen
Mar 17, 2016, at 01:56 pm
New York, Mar 17 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations food relief agency has begun distributing vouchers to assist nearly 120,000 people living in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, with plans to reach one million people across the country by the end of 2016.
In boost to relief effort, UN-chartered jet brings life-saving supplies to Fiji
Mar 09, 2016, at 02:46 pm
New York, Mar 9 (IBNS):A large plane carrying life-saving supplies arrived in Fiji on Monday, in a big boost to the United Nations emergency response to Cyclone Winston, one of the strongest storms in history.
UN refugee agency 'concerned' about proposed EU deal to send migrants back to Turkey
Mar 09, 2016, at 02:20 pm
New York, Mar 9 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday expressed a concern about any European response to the migrant crisis that involves the blanket return of all individuals from one country to another without sufficiently spelling out refugee protection safeguards under international law.
'When cultural heritage is under attack, human rights are under attack' – UN expert
Mar 05, 2016, at 01:50 pm
New York, Mar 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The destruction of cultural heritage is a violation of human rights, a United Nations-appointed expert said on Friday, as the international criminal tribunal began a pre-trial procedure for the first-ever case in which charges were brought against the destruction of cultural and religious sites.
'Status quo' not sustainable, UN and Middle East partners warn
Feb 13, 2016, at 02:54 pm
New York, Feb 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Condemning all acts of terror and urging restraint amid continuing violence against civilians, the United Nations and its Middle East Quartet partners on Friday called on all parties to actively take steps to de-escalate current tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.
Libyan parties say 'no alternative' to peace outside UN-sponsored dialogue process
Aug 14, 2015, at 03:06 pm
New York, Aug 14 (IBNS): The latest round of the United Nations-facilitated Libyan political dialogue has concluded in Geneva, with the different parties emphasizing the need to set aside partisan agendas and uphold the country's higher national interests.
UN condemns mass executions in Iraq
Jun 17, 2014, at 05:41 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief on Monday condemned the reported "cold-blooded" mass execution in Iraq in recent days, while Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged that the perpetrators of those crimes be brought to justice while also calling on Iraqi leaders to prevent sectarian reprisals.
UN cites need for funding to ensure aid delivery
Jun 17, 2014, at 05:38 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): As the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance worldwide continues to grow, the top United Nations relief official on Monday urged the international community to provide the requisite funding and access needed to enable aid workers to do their jobs effectively.
UN marks World Day Against Child Labour
Jun 13, 2014, at 05:36 pm
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): United Nations officials on Thursday marked the World Day Against Child Labour by highlighting the crucial role of social protection in keeping boys and girls out of a heinous practice that robs them of their childhood and threatens their prospects for a better future.
UN deplores detention of rights defenders in Swaziland
Jun 13, 2014, at 05:34 pm
New York, Jun 13 (IBNS): A group of independent United Nations experts on Thursday voiced serious concerns at the arrest, detention and prosecution of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and the editor-in-chief of The Nation magazine, Bheki Makhubu, in Swaziland.
UN concerned about reported abuse in Myanmar
Jun 11, 2014, at 06:14 pm
New York, Jun 11 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday it was receiving increasing reports of abuse and exploitation as people continue to seek safety overseas two years after inter-communal violence erupted in Myanmar's Rakhine state.
UN review focuses on youth with disabilities
Jun 11, 2014, at 06:12 pm
New York, Jun 11 (IBNS): Hundreds of activists and Government delegates gathered at United Nations Headquarters on Tuesday to identify practical ways to take the rights, needs and concerns of persons with disabilities, particularly youth, into consideration as they strive to advance inclusive, sustainable development.
UN rights council urges universal protections for all
Jun 11, 2014, at 06:08 pm
New York, Jun 11 (IBNS): In her last opening statement to the United Nations Human Rights Council, outgoing High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay stressed on Tuesday the benefit to all countries of ensuring universal protection of individuals and groups from abuse, even if it means the countries are then subject to criticism.
UN appeals for end to clan-based fighting in Somalia
Jun 10, 2014, at 05:22 pm
New York, Jun 10 (IBNS): The top United Nations envoy to Somalia on Monday appealed to an end to clan-based hostilities in the Lower Shabelle region which have resulted in a number of casualties in recent days.
UN calls for human rights-backed development agenda
Jun 10, 2014, at 05:10 pm
New York, Jun 10 (IBNS): A new global new development agenda based on human rights and the rule of law is the surest pathway to balancing the needs of people and the planet, while eradicating extreme poverty and closing socio-economic gaps, senior United Nations officials said on Monday.
UN urges broad participation in Kosovo assembly elections
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:47 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): The most senior United Nations official in Kosovo has on Friday stressed the critical importance of maximum participation of all communities in assembly elections slated for this Sunday.
UN establishes prize in honour of late Nelson Mandela
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:41 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): The United Nations General Assembly on Friday established the "United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize" as a tribute to the achievements and contributions of the late South African leader who inspired not only his own country but the rest of the world.
UN hails upcoming launch of truth commission
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:36 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): The United Nations has welcomed the upcoming launch of the Truth and Dignity Commission in Tunisia, calling it a step forward in addressing past human rights violations in the North African nation.