Mar 02, 2016, at 03:16 pm
New York, Mar 2 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Marking 50 years since the unanimous adoption of two United Nations human rights treaties – respectively promoting respect for civil and political, and economic, social and cultural rights – a top UN official on Tuesday said the landmark covenants have helped extend rights to people crushed by tyranny and discrimination for generations.
UN hails launch of 'Day of School Feeding' as vital to Africa's development efforts
Mar 02, 2016, at 03:02 pm
New York, Mar 2 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations joined the African Union Tuesday in hailing African countries on the inaugural "Africa Day of School Feeding," as part of a key strategy to address the continent's development challenges through home-grown school meal programmes.
United Nations News Centre - 'Stand out and stand together,' says UN on Zero Discrimination Day
Mar 02, 2016, at 02:37 pm
New York, Mar 2 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations agency leading the world’s HIV/AIDS response Tuesday called on the international community to celebrate individuality, as it observed Zero Discrimination Day, stressing that embracing diversity brings valuable benefits to all societies around the world.
Kosovo: Time to shift focus to development, rule of law, human rights, says UN envoy
Mar 01, 2016, at 02:52 pm
New York, Mar 1 (Just Earth News/IBNS) With Kosovo set to face “complex challenges†this year, it is an opportune time to perhaps shift local and international focus away from political battles towards more fundamental issues, such as the intrinsic links between post-conflict development, enforcement of the rule of law, and human rights, the head of the United Nations political mission there said on Monday.
UN condemns recent spate of deadly terrorist attacks in Iraq
Mar 01, 2016, at 02:35 pm
New York, Mar 1 (Just Earth News/IBNS):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Baghdad and Muqdadiya in Iraq that killed scores of civilians and injured many more.
Ban urges all involved in Comoros electoral process to refrain from violence
Feb 29, 2016, at 01:58 pm
New York, Feb 29 (IBNS) With the provisional results being released after a slate of elections in Comoros, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday urged the candidates and all the other actors and institutions involved in the electoral process to play by the rules and refrain from the use of violence.
UN opens support 'hubs' to boost protection for families and children on move across Europe
Feb 27, 2016, at 02:10 pm
New York, Feb 27 (Just Earth News/IBNS)As part of a joint effort to increase protection for the growing numbers of children and others with specific needs arriving in Europe, two United Nations agencies have agreed to set up special support centres for children and families along the most frequently used migration routes across the continent.
Balkans border closures cause chaos as refugees find 'too few places' to go, UN agency chief warns
Feb 25, 2016, at 02:36 pm
New York, Feb 25 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Europe is backing into an even greater refugee crisis by tightening border restrictions on the hundreds of thousands fleeing conflicts elsewhere, the head of the United Nations refugee agency has said on a visit to the island of Lesvos in Greece.
'Everyone is losing' in the Syrian conflict, UN relief chief tells Security Council
Feb 25, 2016, at 02:23 pm
New York, Feb 25 (Just Earth News/IBNS) While welcoming the recent announcement of a cessation of hostilities in Syria as a “long-awaited signal of hope,†the top United Nations humanitarian official on Wednesday echoed the calls of the world body and the international community at large for the parties involved to work towards a more durable ceasefire and facilitate conditions for increased protection and humanitarian aid.
UN adviser calls for new mobile-industry partnership to achieve sustainable development
Feb 24, 2016, at 03:30 pm
New York, Feb 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations adviser on the new 15-year development agenda has urged the mobile industry to work together and develop policy frameworks and technical standards that would ensure no one is left behind.
Feb 23, 2016, at 03:34 pm
New York, Feb 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS)The United Nations should stay engaged in facilitating a political dialogue between the Government of Maldives and the opposition parties, said a senior UN political official on the heels of a two-day visit to the island nation.
Quality education in mother languages vital to success of 2030 Agenda – UN
Feb 22, 2016, at 02:09 pm
New York, Feb 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Mother languages are essential to providing quality education, which in turn supports the achievement of the new global development agenda, the head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said on the International Day established to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world.
UN chief welcomes progress made by Comorian people in preparations for upcoming elections
Feb 21, 2016, at 02:40 pm
New York, Feb 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the progress made by the people of the Comoros in preparations for presidential elections and polls for island governors on Sunday.
With rising numbers of child deaths at sea, UN urges safety measures for those fleeing conflict
Feb 20, 2016, at 02:40 pm
New York, Feb 20 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Two children have drowned every day on average since September 2015 as their families try to cross the eastern Mediterranean, and the number is growing, three United Nations humanitarian agencies said today, calling for enhancing the safety of those escaping conflict and despair.
UN honours memory of former Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Feb 19, 2016, at 02:52 pm
New York, Feb 19 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The 193-member United Nations General Assembly on Friday honoured the memory of former Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 93, recalling his legacy in helping the world body find its footing in a new global landscape during the tumultuous early 1990s.
UN and partners to closely coordinate efforts ahead of DR Congo elections
Feb 18, 2016, at 02:31 pm
New York, Feb 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations and its international partner organizations said they are closely following the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly in view of the upcoming elections in the country.
Life-saving humanitarian aid reaches five besieged towns in Syria – UN
Feb 18, 2016, at 02:27 pm
New York, Feb 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS) As United Nations relief wing convoys reached five besieged towns in Syria with aid today, the Office of the UN Special Envoy for the country announced that a task force will meet for a second time tomorrow to discuss humanitarian access issues.
New trust fund launched by UN and Colombian Government for peacebuilding needs
Feb 18, 2016, at 02:19 pm
New York, Feb 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations and the Government of Colombia on Wednesday announced the launch of a new multi-partner trust fund in the country’s capital, Bogotá, to respond to stabilization and peacebuilding needs.
UN and partner agency inaugurate first child-friendly spaces in West Bank refugee camp
Feb 18, 2016, at 02:07 pm
New York, Feb 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The first ever child-friendly spaces – a football pitch and a playground – were inaugurated on Wednesday in Aida refugee camp in the West Bank’s town of Bethlehem by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the Lajee Center, a community-based grassroots creative cultural centre.
UN health agency delivers medical aid inside Yemen's Taiz city after blocked entry
Feb 11, 2016, at 02:35 pm
New York, Feb 11 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Following months of blocked access to the Yemeni city of Taiz, and in response to mounting emergency health needs, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday it has successfully delivered more than 20 tonnes of life-saving medicines and medical supplies to meet the most urgent needs of those with limited access to humanitarian aid.
Senior UN officials urge elimination of ‘violent practice’ of female genital mutilation by 2030
Feb 06, 2016, at 01:54 pm
New York, Feb 6 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The most senior United Nations officials are urging the world to eliminate female genital mutilation (FGM) by 2030, calling it a “violent practice†that scars girls for life, endangering their health, depriving them of their rights, and denying them the chance to reach their full potential.
Senior UN humanitarian official deeply concerned at Israel's administrative detention practices
Feb 03, 2016, at 02:42 pm
New York, Feb 3 (Just Earth News/IBNS): A senior United Nations humanitarian official on Tuesday voiced deep concern at the administrative detention of more than 525 Palestinians in Israeli jails and detention centres, including one who has been on hunger strike for over two months.
UN envoy for Syria meets with Government delegation in Geneva
Feb 03, 2016, at 02:41 pm
New York, Feb 3 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria on Tuesday met with a delegation from the country’s Government, one day after meeting with representatives of the opposition High Negotiation Committee (HNC), which he said had officially begun the UN-mediated intra-Syrian talks in Geneva.
UN-brokered Intra-Syrian talks officially start in Geneva with opposition meeting
Feb 02, 2016, at 01:58 pm
New York, Feb 2 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The delayed intra-Syrian talks to end five years of bloody warfare officially started in Geneva on Monday with two hours of talks between the United Nations mediator and the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC).
UN chief 'alarmed' by Hamas leadership's pledge to keep building tunnels, firing rockets at Israel
Jan 31, 2016, at 02:34 pm
New York, Jan 31 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Alarmed by recent statements from the Hamas leadership in Gaza about the group's intention to continue building tunnels and firing rockets at Israel, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday said such remarks and actions do "serious disservice" to the enclave's long-suffering people and put at risk the international community's humanitarian and development efforts.
Palestinians losing hope under 'stifling' Israeli occupation: UN chief
Jan 28, 2016, at 01:47 pm
New York, Jan 28 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Amid ongoing violence in the Middle East, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated on Wednesday that he can understand why Palestinians are losing hope in the face of nearly 50 years of Israeli occupation, a statement that has provoked criticism that he was "giving terror a tailwind."
Security Council delegation visits Burundi in diplomatic push to end tension
Jan 23, 2016, at 02:21 pm
New York, Jan 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Diplomats from the United Nations Security Council are wrapping up a visit to crisis-torn Burundi, after meetings with top Government officials in the capital, Bujumbura, where they encouraged all parties to pursue an inclusive dialogue process that would help end months of political turmoil.
UN and partners in Haiti reiterate support for conclusion of electoral process
Jan 23, 2016, at 02:14 pm
New York, Jan 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations and its partners in Haiti reiterated on Friday their support for the outcome of the electoral process in the country, where political tensions have simmered ahead of the second round of presidential polls, which was set for Sunday, but which reportedly has been postponed.
Half the population of Central African Republic faces hunger, UN warns
Jan 21, 2016, at 03:16 pm
New York, Jan 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): An emergency food security assessment by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and its partners has revealed that half the population of the Central African Republic (CAR) – nearly 2.5 million people – faces hunger.
UN chief condemns terrorist attack at Pakistani university
Jan 21, 2016, at 03:11 pm
New York, Jan 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday condemned the terrorist attack by armed militants at Bacha Khan University in the city of Charsadda, Pakistan, which killed at least 19 people and wounded dozens more.