UN envoy on sexual violence in conflict wraps up official visit to Guinea
Sep 23, 2015, at 03:03 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) The United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura has wrapped up an official visit to Guinea, where her Office has been supporting an investigation into events that took place in 2009 at a stadium in the capital, Conakry, where more than 100 people were killed and at least 100 women were raped during an opposition demonstration.
Concerned by escalating violence in Burkina Faso, Ban urges respect for all citizens
Sep 23, 2015, at 03:00 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is following with “great concern†the situation in Burkina Faso, and on Tuesday called upon the country’s defence and security forces to avoid at all costs an escalation of violence and to ensure the respect for physical security and human rights of all Burkinabé citizens.
Libyan parties encouraged to act on UN-backed peace plan
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:57 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) The United Nations envoy for Libya has announced the finalization of a proposed peace plan to end the political crisis in the North African nation, adding that it is now up to the parties to act on the text.
UN envoy hopes intra-Syrian thematic discussions will 'set the stage' for end to conflict
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:50 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) Returning from consultations with Syrian interlocutors in Damascus and Istanbul, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria announced on Tuesday that he met with facilitators appointed by the Secretary-General to head working groups designed to find a political solution to the five-year conflict.
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:48 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) Addressing on Tuesday a high-level gathering at United Nations Headquarters, the President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) declared that the empowerment of women and the full realization of their human rights are essential for achieving sustainable development and for building peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
In Jordan, top UN relief official calls for greater support for Syrian refugees, hosts communities
Sep 21, 2015, at 03:23 pm
New York, Sept 21 (IBNS) The top United Nations humanitarian official wrapped up a visit to Jordan on Sunday with a call on the international community to urgently increase support to Syrian refugees and the local communities hosting them.
Time running out for Europe to solve refugee crisis; children particularly vulnerable- UN
Sep 19, 2015, at 02:37 pm
New York, Sept 19 (IBNS) In the wake of yesterday’s “mayhem†on the Serbian border with Croatia, which has now closed some of its entry points, and the dramatic situation on the Hungarian border this week, the United Nations is urging a coherent and united response to Europe’s refugee crisis.
UN and Kenya team up to end AIDS epidemic by 2030
Sep 18, 2015, at 02:35 pm
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): The United Nations programme that works to combat HIV/AIDS is working with the Government of Kenya in a bid to end the AIDS epidemic in the country by 2030, through the creation of a new data-collecting tool to track progress in current HIV programming.
UN says Chile’s investment in disaster risk reduction paid off
Sep 18, 2015, at 02:20 pm
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) on Thursday lauded the Chilean Government’s successful efforts to reduce disaster risk and minimise the number of casualties from the 8.3-magnitude earthquake and tsunami which occurred on Thursday night.
UN urges creation of special court in Sri Lanka after report confirms horrific abuses
Sep 17, 2015, at 02:05 pm
New York, Sept 17 (IBNS): A new report released on Wednesday by the United Nations human rights office has identified patterns of grave violations in Sri Lanka between 2002 and 2011, and recommends the establishment of a hybrid special court to ensure that justice is served.
UN welcomes partnership and leadership to spearhead sustainable energy efforts
Sep 17, 2015, at 02:03 pm
New York, Sept 17 (IBNS): A firm foundation to ensure affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all has been built but a solid long-term institutional arrangement is needed, the United Nations Secretary-General said on Wednesday, as he welcomed the creation of an international not-for-profit organization to spearhead renewable energy efforts.
UN marks International Day by stressing vital role of civil society for true democracy
Sep 16, 2015, at 02:30 pm
New York, Sept 16 (IBNS): A strong and freely operating civil society is crucial for successful and stable democracies and must be given the space to carry out their vital functions, the United Nations emphasized on Tuesday, as it marked the International Day of Democracy.
Opening 70th UN General Assembly, President underscores urgent need for action
Sep 16, 2015, at 02:18 pm
New York, Sept 16 (IBNS): A major priority for the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly is to ensure that all actors move swiftly to deliver on the promises being made for sustainable development, the President of the 193-member body said on Tuesday.
UN officials condemn 'virtual silence' about escalating violence in Yemen
Sep 16, 2015, at 02:17 pm
New York, Sept 16 (IBNS): Two senior United Nations officials on Tuesday condemned "the virtual silence" about the increasing impact on civilians of the escalating conflict in Yemen, and urged leaders from all sides to refrain from manipulating religious identities for political purposes.
New allegation of sexual exploitation received by UN mission in Central Africa
Sep 16, 2015, at 02:14 pm
New York, Sept 16 (IBNS): A new allegation of sexual exploitation in the Central African Republic (CAR) was received on Tuesday by the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country, reportedly committed by one of its civilian staff last Saturday.
UN atomic energy chief highlights importance of science and technology for development
Sep 15, 2015, at 02:48 pm
New York, Sept 15 (IBNS): The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday stressed the importance of science and technology for development, as he highlighted the links between the Sustainable Development Goals that will be adopted by United Nations Member States next week and the work of the Agency.
President talks about changing the world, as 69th UN General Assembly concludes
Sep 15, 2015, at 02:38 pm
New York, Sept 15 (IBNS): The 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly presented countries with a "historic opportunity" to change the world for the better and was guided by the overarching principles of cooperation, compromise and solidarity, its President said Monday.
UN Mid-east envoy urges respect for Jerusalem's holy sites
Sep 14, 2015, at 01:35 pm
New York, Sept 14 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process voiced concern at Sunday's provocations and violence in and around the holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem and urged respect for the sanctity of the area ahead of the upcoming Jewish and Muslim holy days.
UN calls for full, swift implementation of European proposals for refugee crisis
Sep 12, 2015, at 03:06 pm
New York, Sept 12 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency on Friday welcomed the European Commission's proposals unveiled last Wednesday to address the current refugee crisis in Europe, adding that given the urgency of the situation, these proposals need to be implemented fully and swiftly.
UN rights experts applaud steps by China and India to reduce, abolish death penalty
Sep 12, 2015, at 03:03 pm
New York, Sept 12 (IBNS): Two independent United Nations human rights experts welcomed on Friday the recommendation to abolish the death penalty by India, as well as the decision to reduce the number of crimes subject to the death penalty by the Chinese authorities.
UN official outlines steps taken in response to Central Africa's abuse allegations
Sep 12, 2015, at 02:55 pm
New York, Sept 12 (IBNS): The United Nations peacekeeping chief on Friday announced that following reports of alleged sexual exploitation and abuse, seven peacekeepers serving with the UN mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) have been repatriated, while nine have had their payments suspended.
UN and partners report 'extremely alarming' food insecurity figures in Afghanistan
Sep 11, 2015, at 03:24 pm
New York, Sept 11 (IBNS): The number of people in Afghanistan resorting to selling land or turning to friends or family for help because of food insecurity has doubled in the last year, according to a joint report released on Wednesday by the United Nations and partner agencies.
UN envoy unveils plan to get 1 million Syrian children in school in 21 days
Sep 11, 2015, at 03:17 pm
New York, Sept 11 (IBNS): With more than 4 million children having left Syria – half of them for Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey – in a "crisis of biblical proportions," the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education on Wednesday said $250 million could get 1 million refugee children in school by the time the UN General Assembly meets later this month.
Rise in global tourism continues, despite concerns over safety and security: UN
Sep 11, 2015, at 03:15 pm
New York, Sept 11 (IBNS): International tourism figures grew by four per cent in the first half of 2015, an increase of 21 million when compared to the same period last year, the United Nations said on Wednesday.
Flags of non-member observer States to fly at UN offices
Sep 11, 2015, at 03:14 pm
New York, Sept 11 (IBNS): The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday decided that the flags of non-member observer States shall be raised at the world body’s headquarters and offices following the flags of its 193 Member States.
UN envoy on Yemen welcomes commitment of parties to upcoming peace talks
Sep 11, 2015, at 03:09 pm
New York, Sept 11 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen on Wednesday welcomed the commitment of the Government, the Houthis and the General People's Congress to participate in peace talks that he will convene in the region next week.
Watch the historic moment when UN adopts 'charter for people and planet': UN official
Sep 10, 2015, at 02:21 pm
New York, Sep 10 (IBNS): The top United Nations official who oversaw the negotiations that whittled down more than 500 proposals into 17 goals to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice and tackle climate change says it will be a "historic moment" when world leaders formally commit to the Sustainable Development Goals later this month.
Peace 'a distant dream' without development, UN high-level forum told
Sep 10, 2015, at 02:18 pm
New York, Sep 10 (IBNS): United Nations officials on Wednesday shared a common message that building a culture of peace means not just ending conflict but building inclusive societies that are able to develop and thrive in the absence of discrimination.
UN envoy says it is now time to have 'a real discussion' to end Syrian conflict
Sep 09, 2015, at 03:17 pm
New York, Sep 9 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy on Syria on Tuesday said the images of the drowned Syrian toddler wearing a red shirt and blue shorts lying face down on a Turkish beach should be a wake-up call to the world that "there is no more time for long political processes," and it is now time to have "a real discussion" to end the conflict.
UN human rights expert condemns executions of 10 people in Chad
Sep 09, 2015, at 03:06 pm
New York, Sep 9 (IBNS): An independent United Nations human rights expert has condemned the recent executions of 10 people in Chad who were suspected of being members of the terrorist group Boko Haram following a swift process that may not have met international standards.