Afghanistan: UN condemns deadly attack on Kabul hospital
Apr 26, 2014, at 05:10 pm
New York, Apr 26 (IBNS): The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has condemned the killing of three civilians by a gunman on Thursday at a private hospital in Kabul.
Stable societies vital for advancing development: UN
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:38 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): Peace and stability are vital if sustainable development is to take root and flourish, United Nations officials stressed on Thursday as the UN General Assembly met to consider how these essential conditions can contribute to eradicating poverty and ensuring well-being for all.
Smaller farmers gain greater hold in banana market: UN
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:30 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): Banana markets are becoming more fragmented creating opportunities for new companies and smaller producers, the United Nations agricultural agency on Thursday reported, urging more support for smaller farmers to be fully included in their national economies and to grow resilient fruit.
Syria: UN confirms progress in removing chemical weapons
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:27 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): More than 90 per cent of Syria's chemical weapons material has been removed and destroyed in country, the head of the Joint Mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations on Thursday confirmed.
South Sudan: UN condemns attack on convoy carrying aid
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:24 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has strongly condemned Thursday's attack on a convoy of barges delivering urgently needed food and fuel supplies to its base in Malakal in Upper Nile state.
Darfur: UN urges support for peace process
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:10 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): Stepped-up rebel attacks, clashes fuelled by local political rivalries, and mass displacement sparked by the abuses of a pro-Government militia have again left long-troubled Darfur at a crossroads, said the United Nations peacekeeping chief on Thursday, appealing to the UN Security Council and its African Union (AU) counterpart for political support to move the warring factions towards lasting peace.
UN urges greater action to combat sexual violence
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:06 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): Despite unprecedented political momentum to fight rape in war zones, sexual violence remains a global crime affecting women, men and children in more than 20 countries, a senior United Nations official announced on Thursday urging greater action at the regional and national levels.
UN discusses Fatah-Hamas reconciliation deal with Palestine
Apr 25, 2014, at 05:03 pm
New York, Apr 25 (IBNS): The reconciliation deal reached by rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas will be implemented on the basis of previous commitments such as the recognition of Israel and non-violence, a senior United Nations envoy was told on Thursday.
South Sudan: UN concerned over attack on base sheltering civilians
Apr 24, 2014, at 05:59 pm
New York, Apr 24 (IBNS): Warning on Wednesday that the surging violence in South Sudan is clear evidence that the United Nations can no longer operate in "business-as-usual" mode in the county, the Organization's peacekeeping chief declared that the fighting must stop immediately; the Government has a duty to protect civilians; and the warring parties should negotiate a genuine ceasefire that will be respected by all sides.
Cote d'Ivoire: UN urges consultations on reforming electoral commission
Apr 24, 2014, at 05:55 pm
New York, Apr 24 (IBNS): A United Nations human rights expert on Wednesday called on authorities in Cote d'Ivoire to undertake broad consultations on the reform of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to prevent the country from "falling back into crisis."
Syria: UN issues plea to save besieged civilians
Apr 24, 2014, at 05:51 pm
New York, Apr 24 (IBNS): Calling urgently on Syrian authorities and the opposition to allow aid access, end siege warfare and halt the indiscriminate bombing of civilians, the top United Nations humanitarian officials on Wednesday also issued a strong challenge to "those with the responsibility, power and influence" to find the courage to re-energize a thus-far failed diplomatic push to end the brutal three-year conflict.
UN report spotlights potential of mobile technology
Apr 24, 2014, at 05:48 pm
New York, Apr 24 (IBNS): Mobile technology can advance literacy and learning in underserved communities around the world, according to a new report published on Wednesday by the United Nations education agency on the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day.
Mali: UN seeks continued support for peace and stability
Apr 24, 2014, at 05:41 pm
New York, Apr 24 (IBNS): Calling for continued cooperation with regional organizations to support Mali's steady efforts towards peace and stability through inclusive talks, a senior United Nations official on Wednesday told the UN Security Council that despite progress, the security situation in the country's restive north remains "very fragile" with increased activity by terrorist groups.
DR Congo: UN pledges support to upcoming polls
Apr 24, 2014, at 05:35 pm
New York, Apr 24 (IBNS): The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will provide technical and logistical support for upcoming elections, the top UN official in the country on Wednesday confirmed, stressing that the planning for the polls must be well organized and well-funded.
Bangladesh: UN welcomes payments to survivors of factory collapse
Apr 24, 2014, at 05:31 pm
New York, Apr 24 (IBNS): One year after the global garment industry's worst industrial accident, the fund chaired by the United Nations to compensate victims of Bangladesh's Rana Plaza factory collapse has begun issuing its initial round of payments, as efforts to address the root causes of the disaster continue.
Somalia: UN condemns murder of second lawmaker
Apr 23, 2014, at 05:14 pm
New York, Apr 23 (IBNS): Following the murder earlier on Tuesday of Somali parliamentarian Abdiaziz Isaaq Mursal - the second lawmaker to be killed in less than 48 hours in Mogadishu - the top United Nations official in the country strongly condemned the incident and pledged the world body's resolve in standing by the Somali people as they worked to build a stable, peaceful country.
South Sudan: UN condemns ethnic killings in Bentiu
Apr 22, 2014, at 04:59 pm
New York, Apr 22 (IBNS): Opposition forces in South Sudan killed "hundreds of South Sudanese and foreign civilians" after determining their ethnicity or nationality when they captured Bentiu last week, the United Nations confirmed on Monday, calling for an immediate stop to the targeting of "innocent, unarmed" civilians.
Iraq: UN denounces attack on university in Baghdad
Apr 22, 2014, at 04:55 pm
New York, Apr 22 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has denounced the "vicious and cowardly" suicide attack that took place on Sunday against the Imam Kadhim University in the capital, Baghdad.
UN urges Afghan women to engage in political process
Apr 22, 2014, at 04:51 pm
New York, Apr 22 (IBNS): With the results still being counted from Afghanistan's recent presidential election, the top United Nations official in the country on Monday urged women to remain meaningfully engaged in the political process and improve political life there.
Western Sahara: UN announces resumption of family visit flights
Apr 18, 2014, at 05:38 pm
New York, Apr 18 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency announced on Thursday that following many months of suspension, family visit flights between Sahrawi refugees living in camps near Tindouf, Algeria, and their families in the territory of Western Sahara has resumed.
Kenya: UN disturbed by arrests of Somali refugees
Apr 18, 2014, at 05:32 pm
New York, Apr 18 (IBNS): The United Nations on Thursday voiced concern over the arrest and detention of over 1,000 refugees and asylum-seekers who were rounded up during counter-terrorism operations launched by Kenyan security forces in Nairobi this month.
UN urges fresh talks with besieged Syrians, authorities
Apr 18, 2014, at 05:28 pm
New York, Apr 18 (IBNS): Regretting the abrupt halt in talks between the Syrian authorities and the negotiating committee representing civilians and fighters trapped in the Old City of Homs, United Nations-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi on Thursday urged all the parties to return to the negotiating table and complete the deal that had been on the verge of being signed.
Gaza: UN calls for end to Israeli blockade
Apr 18, 2014, at 05:23 pm
New York, Apr 18 (IBNS): On his first official visit to the Gaza Strip, the new head of the United Nations agency assisting Palestinian refugees across the Middle East underscored the need to lift the seven-year Israeli blockade and end the "illegal collective punishment" unleashed on the population there.
UN urges UK to address violence against women
Apr 17, 2014, at 05:51 pm
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): Violence against women remains a pervasive challenge in the United Kingdom and a more comprehensive and targeted response is needed to address the scourge, an independent United Nations human rights expert said on Wednesday after a two-week mission to the country.
Argentina violated rights of prisoner with disabilities: UN
Apr 17, 2014, at 05:39 pm
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): A United Nations human rights panel said on Wednesday that Argentine authorities failed to ensure that a prisoner with disabilities was able to use prison facilities and services on an equal basis with other detainees, and urged them to take steps to rectify the situation.
South Sudan: UN concerned over swelling number of refugees
Apr 17, 2014, at 05:28 pm
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): Spiraling violence has forced an increasing number of civilians in South Sudan's oil-rich Unity state are seeking refuge with the United Nations peacekeeping mission, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
DR Congo: UN condemns attack on Virunga National Park director
Apr 17, 2014, at 05:21 pm
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): A senior United Nations official on Wednesday condemned the attack against the chief warden of Virunga National Park, and urged the international community to support the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in protecting not only its World Heritage sites but also those who safeguard them.
Unrest in eastern Ukraine risks entire country: UN
Apr 17, 2014, at 05:16 pm
New York, Apr 17 (IBNS): The ongoing unrest in eastern Ukraine, if not addressed as a matter of priority, risks seriously destabilizing the rest of the country, a senior United Nations human rights official warned the Security Council on Wednesday, as he also urged steps to counter misinformation and bring to an end all incitement to hatred, discrimination and violence.
Ukraine: UN urges halt to propaganda, incitement to hatred
Apr 16, 2014, at 06:21 pm
New York, Apr 16 (IBNS): While corruption and widespread inequality were among the root causes of the massive street protests that erupted last year in Ukraine, the fear-mongering and incitement to hatred that have followed must be urgently countered to avoid further escalation of tensions in the country, states a United Nations human rights report issued on Tuesday.
UN urges less military spending, more investment in development
Apr 15, 2014, at 08:38 pm
New York, Apr 15 (IBNS): Marking the Global Day of Action on Military Spending, the United Nations independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order called on all governments to boost transparency and cuts in military expenditures, and increase investments in nutrition, health, environmental protection and other major sustainable development challenges.