World Oceans Day 2016 focuses on preventing plastic pollution
Jun 08, 2016, at 06:15 pm
New Delhi, Jun 8 (IBNS): To emphasise on the importance of oceans in our lives, the United Nations has selected "Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet" as the theme for the World Oceans Day which is being celebrated across the globe on Wednesday.
Somalia: UN calls for action to curb measles outbreaks
Jun 11, 2014, at 05:42 pm
New York, Jun 11 (IBNS): Voicing deep concern that outbreaks of measles have left thousands of children in Somalia at risk of disability or death, United Nations agencies on Tuesday called for urgent vaccination to tackle the highly contagious disease.
Norway: UN to launch research vessel to support endangered fisheries
Jun 10, 2014, at 05:14 pm
New York, Jun 10 (IBNS): The United Nations agricultural agency announced on Monday that it is partnering with Norway to build an advanced research vessel as part of efforts to avert the effects of climate change and other threats to the world's fish stocks, as calls were heard for urgent action to address those threats at an international forum in Rome.
UN marks World Oceans Day, seeks protection for oceans
Jun 09, 2014, at 04:44 pm
New York, Jun 9 (IBNS): To commemorate World Oceans Day, the United Nations family is encouraging the international community to reflect on the multiple benefits of oceans and commit to keeping them healthy and productive for current and future generations.
UN urges greater commitment to end HIV/AIDS epidemic
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:13 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): Despite significant gains, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is far from over, United Nations officials said on Friday, calling for greater political commitment, investment and innovation to end the global scourge.
UN spotlights climate-smart approach to spark rural renewal
Jun 07, 2014, at 06:01 pm
New York, Jun 7 (IBNS): As the global farming community continues to curb climate change and food insecurity, the United Nations agriculture agency on Friday spotlighted the best practices of its "climate-smart" approach to tackle those challenges and spark rural renewal.
UN marks World Environment Day
Jun 06, 2014, at 06:54 pm
New York, Jun 6 (IBNS): Barbados, a small Caribbean island at the cutting edge of the fight against climate change, will be hosting this year's World Environment Day, leading United Nations-wide efforts to draw attention to the plight of the world's small islands potentially in peril of being lost to sea-level rise.
Midwives can prevent deaths among women and newborns: UN
Jun 04, 2014, at 05:23 pm
New York, Jun 4 (IBNS): Midwives are the unsung heroes of maternal and newborn health, according to a new United Nations report released on Tuesday that urges greater investment in these vital healthcare professionals, who can prevent about two-thirds of deaths among women and newborns.
UN reports increase in nations supporting renewable energy
Jun 04, 2014, at 05:16 pm
New York, Jun 4 (IBNS): The number of developing countries with policies in place to support renewable energy has increased six-fold in just eight years, resulting in one-fifth of the world's power production now coming from renewable sources, according to a United Nations-backed report produced ahead of the UN Sustainable Energy for All Forum.
Haiti: UN reports lowest number of cholera cases
May 29, 2014, at 05:01 pm
New York, May 29 (IBNS): The Haitian Prime Minister, the UN Special Representative to Haiti and the UN Senior Coordinator for cholera response vowed to press on with intensified efforts to eliminate the disease from the island as reports from the first months of 2014 reflected the lowest number of cases and cholera-related deaths since the beginning of the epidemic.
Chronic diseases increase pregnancy risk: WHO
May 07, 2014, at 05:05 pm
New York, May 7 (IBNS): Rates of maternal deaths are down, according to United Nations figures released on Tuesday, but pre-existing medical conditions heighten the risk of death for pregnant women and require continued investment in quality care during pregnancy and childbirth.
UN urges support for climate action in developing countries
May 01, 2014, at 05:11 pm
New York, May 1 (IBNS): Highlighting local climate action happening on the ground in developing countries, the top United Nations climate official on Wednesday called for greater international support to help these communities harness local knowledge and ingenuity.
World Malaria Day: UN seeks near zero preventable deaths
Apr 26, 2014, at 05:39 pm
New York, Apr 26 (IBNS): The tide has turned on malaria, with mortality rates for children in Africa down by half, but a stronger surveillance system is urgently needed to prevent new outbreaks and resurgences, United Nations officials on Friday warned, marking the sixth annual World Malaria Day.
UN seeks sustainable food systems to adapt climate change
Apr 24, 2014, at 05:45 pm
New York, Apr 24 (IBNS): Countries need to shift to more sustainable food systems to adapt to the effects of climate change, the Director-General of the United Nations Food and Drug Organization (FAO) Jose Graziano da Silva told a conference in Morocco on Wednesday, warning that the phenomenon has the potential to reshape the planet's food production scenario.
UNAIDS names Brazilian footballer as Goodwill Ambassador
Apr 17, 2014, at 05:43 pm
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): As the FIFA World Cup in Brazil draws closer, the United Nations agency leading the response to the AIDS epidemic on Wednesday named the country's football star David Luiz as a Goodwill Ambassador to raise awareness about HIV and drive young people to help end discrimination and commit to prevention.
WHO issues hepatitis C treatment guidelines
Apr 10, 2014, at 05:24 pm
New York, Apr 10 (IBNS): The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first guidelines for the treatment of hepatitis C, a chronic infection that affects an estimated 130 million to 150 million people, in a bid to help improve access to more effective and safer medicines to those who need them.
Haiti: UN seeks efforts to tackle cholera
Apr 02, 2014, at 06:48 pm
New York, Apr 2 (IBNS): The United Nations official tasked with coordinating the response to the cholera epidemic in Haiti says the country is not receiving the international attention it deserves, and is calling on the donor community to scale up support to combat the disease.
Japan: UN court rules against whaling activities in Antarctic
Apr 01, 2014, at 06:32 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): The United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled against Japan in a case involving charges by Australia that the country was using a scientific research programme to mask a commercial whaling venture in the Antarctic.
Climate change impacting entire planet: UN
Apr 01, 2014, at 06:22 pm
New York, Apr 1 (IBNS): The effects of climate change are already occurring in all continents and across the oceans, and the world, for the most part, is ill-prepared for their risks, says a United Nations report issued on Monday, which also warns that while action can be taken, managing the phenomenon’s impacts will be difficult on a rapidly warming planet.