UN expert on right to housing challenges governments to end homelessness
Oct 23, 2015, at 01:49 pm
New York, Oct 23 (IBNS): Saying human rights have been largely absent from discussions of urban development at a time when more than half the world’s population lives in cities, the UN independent expert on adequate housing on Thursday challenged governments to end homelessness and improve living conditions for all.
World lights up in UN blue to mark Organization's milestone anniversary
Oct 23, 2015, at 01:47 pm
New York, Oct 23 (IBNS): From Australia to Azerbaijan, Indonesia to Iraq, Saudi Arabia to South Sudan, some 250 sites around the world will be lit in 'UN blue' beginning on Friday as part of the global celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations.
Moments and Milestones: Photo exhibit provides snapshot of UN’s 70-year history
Oct 23, 2015, at 01:45 pm
New York, Oct 23 (IBNS): In the wake of catastrophic war, and following months of intense negotiations, representatives of 51 countries laboured in 1945 to overcome differences and founded an enduring global institution for peace, security and human progress.
Humanitarian situation in Iraq deteriorating and growing more complex: UN relief wing
Oct 22, 2015, at 05:44 pm
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): The humanitarian situation in Iraq is deteriorating and growing more complex, as conflict protracts, coping capacities diminish, and funding falls short, according to a report issued on Tuesday by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Ban welcomes Korean family reunions, looks forward to more dialogue, exchanges
Oct 22, 2015, at 05:42 pm
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday welcomed the holding of reunions of separated families of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK), and stressed that humanitarian measures such as this should be regularized and not subject to political security and considerations.
'Endless cycle of suffering' must stop, Ban says in Ramallah
Oct 22, 2015, at 05:39 pm
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): On the second day of his visit to Israel and Palestine to ease the current tensions in the region, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate end to violence, which "will only push back the day…both sides will live in peace and security," and pledged the support of the United Nations to all efforts to create the conditions to make meaningful negotiations possible.
UNICEF applauds call from religious groups in Myanmar seeking tolerance for children
Oct 22, 2015, at 05:37 pm
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): In the light of upcoming elections in Myanmar and amid reports of rising religious intolerance, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday welcomed a joint statement by the leaders of four main religious groups in the country calling for tolerance and respect of religious freedom as essential conditions for every child to grow and develop to their full potential.
UN agency and EU kick-off pledging conference to support return of Somali refugees
Oct 22, 2015, at 05:35 pm
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres on Tuesday convened with the European Union a pledging conference to rally support for Somalia by creating conditions for the voluntary return of refugees to the east African nation faced with "one of the most complex crisis in recent history."
Yemen: 3.3 million people in need of critical aid in besieged Taiz, warns WHO
Oct 22, 2015, at 05:33 pm
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): The top United Nations health official in Yemen is appealing for unrestricted access to Taiz, where "innocent lives are at risk" in the besieged highland city where more than 3.3 million people are in critical need of health assistance, safe drinking water, food and fuel.
Hardliners will not 'hijack' Libyan political process, declares UN envoy
Oct 22, 2015, at 05:31 pm
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): The effort towards forming a unity government in Libya will continue, the United Nations envoy for the country said on Tuesday, emphasizing that while a position had been announced that some parties had not voted for the UN-backed political agreement, "there is no chance for small groups or personalities to hijack this process."
UN human rights chief urges recognition of dignity and worth of every human being
Oct 22, 2015, at 05:28 pm
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): The turmoil and crises the international community faces clearly demonstrate the disasters that may occur when human rights are "neglected and ground down," the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, said on Tuesday in a wide-ranging address to UN Member States in New York.
UN rights experts call for release of Qatari poet jailed for writing and reciting poem
Oct 21, 2015, at 04:51 pm
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS): United Nations human rights experts on Tuesday urged the Government of Qatar to release Mohammed al-Ajami, a poet who is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence for writing and reciting a poem at his home.
'Actions by States are increasingly transnational,' UN expert warns
Oct 21, 2015, at 04:49 pm
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS): The UN Special Rapporteur on torture Juan Méndez on Tuesday urged governments across the world not to allow a vacuum of human rights protection even when they act beyond their borders, saying "torture is torture here, there and everywhere."
UN flags importance of reliable data to achieve development agenda
Oct 21, 2015, at 04:45 pm
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS): Emphasizing that "reliable and timely statistics and indicators are more important than ever," United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged all partners and stakeholders to work together to achieve the ambitious 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
Women worldwide live longer, healthier lives with better education: UN report
Oct 21, 2015, at 04:42 pm
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS):The lives of women and girls around the world have improved in several areas over the last 20 years but they continue to be victims of gender based discrimination and violence, according to a new report launched on Tuesday by the United Nations.
UN refugee agency provides shelter to Iraqis uprooted in restive Anbar province
Oct 21, 2015, at 04:40 pm
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS): The UN refugee agency has opened its most recent camp for internally displaced persons in Iraq’s restive Anbar province – host to the largest number of 3.2 million Iraqis uprooted across the country and where more than 250,000 civilians have fled their homes over the past six months.
UN agency reaches Donetsk after months of restricted humanitarian access
Oct 21, 2015, at 04:37 pm
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS): The World Food Programme (WFP) on Tuesday announced that after a three-month suspension, it has restarted humanitarian activities in the non-Government-controlled area of Donetsk city in eastern Ukraine.
Central Africa: Security Council condemns violence, reiterates decision to apply sanctions
Oct 21, 2015, at 04:34 pm
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council today expressed its deep concern about the recent upsurge of violence and instability in the Central African Republic (CAR), and reiterated its decision to apply an asset freeze and travel ban to those engaging in or providing support for acts that undermine the peace, stability or security of the country.
UN relief wing races against time to reach isolated areas of Nepal
Oct 21, 2015, at 04:32 pm
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS): As the approaching winter has left a small time window for aid workers to reach earthquake-hit, high-altitude areas in Nepal, the United Nations humanitarian wing and its partners are racing against the clock to ensure timely delivery of food and shelter supplies to the isolated communities.
Floods deal devastating blow to agriculture and food security in Myanmar: UN
Oct 21, 2015, at 04:28 pm
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS): A new joint United Nations agency-Myanmar Government report paints a grim picture of the destruction caused by flooding in the country, where more than half a million hectares of rice paddy were affected and almost a quarter of a million livestock were killed, including poultry, cattle, pigs and goats, when Cyclone Komen struck in late July and early August this year.
Floods deal devastating blow to agriculture and food security in Myanmar: UN
Oct 21, 2015, at 04:23 pm
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS): A new joint United Nations agency-Myanmar Government report paints a grim picture of the destruction caused by flooding in the country, where more than half a million hectares of rice paddy were affected and almost a quarter of a million livestock were killed, including poultry, cattle, pigs and goats, when Cyclone Komen struck in late July and early August this year.
Security Council: Heads of UN bodies highlight reinforcing areas of concern
Oct 21, 2015, at 04:22 pm
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS): During a debate on the working methods of the Security Council, the President of the General Assembly, as well as the Deputy Secretary-General and the Vice President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) emphasized the need for continued and improved interaction between the main bodies of the United Nations.
Liberal leader Justin Turdeau next Canada PM: Ends conservative rule
Oct 20, 2015, at 05:48 pm
Ottawa, Oct 20 (IBNS) Liberal leader Justin Trudeau has been elected as Canada's next Prime Minister as he records a landslide victory in Monday's general election, reports said.
Ban inaugurates exhibition on UN's 70th anniversary, meets with students in Slovakia
Oct 20, 2015, at 05:07 pm
New York, Oct 20 (IBNS): During a visit to the capital of Slovakia on Monday, the United Nations Secretary-General inaugurated an exhibition commemorating the 70th anniversary of Organization, featured at the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
UN agencies expand operations in southern Africa as poor harvests deepen food insecurity
Oct 20, 2015, at 04:58 pm
New York, Oct 20 (IBNS): An estimated 27.4 million people in southern Africa face food insecurity in the next six months, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Monday, announcing the expansion of their operations to respond to the challenge, caused by poor harvests across the region.
UN expert warns that despite Mali's progress, security situation human rights
Oct 20, 2015, at 04:51 pm
New York, Oct 20 (IBNS): Wrapping up his recent visit to Mali, a United Nations independent expert noted positive developments on the ground but stressed that the "precarious security situation" creates an environment in which violation so of the most fundamental human rights can still occur.
Yemen: UN envoy completes visit to Saudi Arabia as part of efforts to secure peace
Oct 20, 2015, at 04:46 pm
New York, Oct 20 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen on Monday concluded a visit to Saudi Arabia before his briefing to the Security Council this week on his preparations for peace talks that he hopes will "lead to concrete benefits for the Yemeni people and the foundation for sustainable peace."
UN atomic energy chief encourages States to improve global emergency response
Oct 20, 2015, at 04:32 pm
New York, Oct 20 (IBNS): Opening a week-long conference in Vienna, Austria, on strengthening national systems in dealing with nuclear and radiological emergencies, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told delegates on Monday that national-level response plans in preparedness need to be in line with international safety standards and best practices.
UN atomic energy chief encourages States to improve global emergency response
Oct 20, 2015, at 04:26 pm
New York, Oct 20 (IBNS): Opening a week-long conference in Vienna, Austria, on strengthening national systems in dealing with nuclear and radiological emergencies, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told delegates on Monday that national-level response plans in preparedness need to be in line with international safety standards and best practices.
Global event to turn world 'UN blue' to mark 70th anniversary of United Nations
Oct 20, 2015, at 03:55 pm
New York, Oct 20 (IBNS): Ahead of UN Day, marked annually on 24 October, the United Nations announced on Monday that around 200 iconic monuments, buildings, museums, bridges and other landmarks in nearly 60 countries around the world will be lit up blue – the official colour of the Organization – as part of a global campaign to commemorate its 70th anniversary.