Cambodia: UN rights expert calls for a widening of democratic space, other reforms
Jun 27, 2014, at 03:30 am
New York, June 25 (IBNS): Having ended his eleventh fact-finding mission, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia Wednesday noted progress in key areas, but expressed concern at seeing that the democratic space in the country shrink.
Libya: UN envoy hopes parliamentary polls will lead to greater political stability
Jun 26, 2014, at 07:13 am
New York, June 25 (IBNS): The United Nations envoy in Libya on Wednesday commended the authorities on the organization of the parliamentary elections and urged all citizens to take part in the polls, which he hoped will pave the way for greater stability in the country.
Afghanistan needs statesmanship, not brinksmanship: UN envoy
Jun 26, 2014, at 07:10 am
New York, June 25 (IBNS): Amidst challenges that are testing Afghanistan’s electoral, institutional and legal frameworks, together with the maturity of its political leaders, the top United Nations official in the country underscored on Wednesday the vital need for the Afghan political class to act decisively to manage these events and "avoid any slippery slope to civil disorder and instability."
Military effort to quell insurgency must be backed by political process, UN envoy says on Iraq
Jun 26, 2014, at 07:08 am
New York, June 25 (IBNS): The “grave†situation in Iraq requires a solution based on military, political and social processes that will address the concerns of all communities, the top United Nations official in the crisis-torn country said on Wednesday, appealing also for financial resources to aid the already-overstretched UN relief effort there.
UN human rights experts urge Israel not to legalize force-feeding
Jun 26, 2014, at 07:06 am
New York, June 25 (IBNS): The independent United Nations experts dealing with torture and the right to health on Wednesday urged the Israeli parliament not to authorize the force-feeding and medical treatment of prisoners on hunger strike against their will.
3 international experts tapped to assist with UN-mandated SL conflict probe
Jun 26, 2014, at 07:05 am
New York, June 25 (IBNS): Three distinguished experts have agreed to advise the United Nations-mandated investigation into alleged human rights violations committed during the final stages of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka.
UN officials spotlight vital role of seafarers in global trade, transport
Jun 26, 2014, at 07:04 am
New York, June 25 (IBNS) Seaborne trade is the engine room of the global economy, senior United Nations officials declared on Wednesday, marking the Day of the Seafarer by calling on people everywhere to recognize the seafarers who, with quiet dedication, keep the wheels of the world in motion.
Central African Republic: UN official urges strong action to protect women, girls
Jun 25, 2014, at 08:52 pm
New York, June 25 (IBNS): With women and girls in Central African Republic (CAR) falling prey to a raft of “terrifying†violations ¬perpetrated by armed groups – from rape to sexual slavery and forced marriage ¬– the head of UN Women Tuesday urged the Security Council to take strong action to help restore the rule of law in the country and bolster women’s participation, leadership and protection.
UN envoy denounces latest attack on Lebanese security forces
Jun 25, 2014, at 08:49 pm
New York, June 25 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon has strongly condemned the suicide bombing that took place Monday at the entrance to the southern suburbs of Beirut in which a member of the security forces was killed and a number of people were injured.
UN reports FDI hit $1.4 trillion in 2013, upward trend to continue
Jun 25, 2014, at 08:47 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS): Global foreign direct investment is up and expected to rise over the next three years, driven mainly by stronger economies in developed countries, according to a new United Nations report which highlights the key role that transnational corporations and foreign investment could play in accelerating progress on sustainable development.
Illegal trade in wildlife, timber products funding armed groups: UN report
Jun 25, 2014, at 08:44 pm
New York, June 25 (IBNS): Global environmental crime, possibly worth more than $200 billion annually, is helping finance criminal, militia and terrorist groups and threatening the security and sustainable development of many nations, notably in sub-Saharan Africa, according to a new joint United Nations-INTERPOL report.
In Windhoek, Ban inaugurates UN House, hails cooperation with Namibia
Jun 25, 2014, at 08:39 pm
New York, June 25 (IBNS): Hailing the valuable history between the United Nations and the Namibian people, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived Tuesday in Windhoek to “write another chapter in our cooperation,†as he inaugurated the UN House there, which will help enhance the coordination of the world body’s activities and agencies working in the country.
Peshawar: One killed in PIA plane firing
Jun 25, 2014, at 04:35 pm
Peshawar, June 25 (IBNS) A woman was killed and two others were injured when unidentified gunmen fired at a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar city of Pakistan, said reports on Wednesday.
Deputy UN chief urges generous support for Peacebuilding Fund
Jun 25, 2014, at 06:10 am
New York, June 24 (IBNS): Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson on Tuesday appealed to Member States for continued support towards meeting the annual $100 million target of a United Nations fund that helps post-conflict countries build lasting peace.
Ukraine situation remains deeply worrying, Security Council told
Jun 25, 2014, at 06:09 am
New York, June 24 (IBNS ) While there have been several steps recently to help de-escalate tensions in Ukraine, including a ceasefire that seems to be holding and the start of peace talks, the situation on the ground remains deeply worrying, senior United Nations officials reported to the Security Council on Tuesday.
Iraq violence: UN confirms more than 2,000 killed since early June
Jun 25, 2014, at 06:08 am
New York, June 24 (IBNS): More than 1,000 people were killed in Iraq, and another 1,000 injured in the two weeks since the group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ISIS) and its allies began to sweep across the country, the United Nations on Tuesday confirmed, stressing that those figures should be viewed "very much as a minimum."
Pakistani offensive against Taliban militants uproots over 400,000 peopl: UN
Jun 25, 2014, at 06:06 am
New York, June 24 (IBNS):Pakistan’s military offensive against Taliban militants in the north of the country has displaced more than 400,000 people and the number continues to rise, the United Nations refugee agency reported on Tuesday.
Phone-hacking trial: Rebekah Brooks cleared
Jun 25, 2014, at 02:35 am
London, June 24 (IBNS): A court here cleared former News International CEO Rebekah Brooks off all charges in the phone-hacking trial on Tuesday, media reports said.
Ahead of Samoa conference, island nations gather in New York to discuss partnership opportunities
Jun 24, 2014, at 10:29 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS): Preparations are well underway for a United Nations conference on the challenges and opportunities of partnering with small island developing States, a top UN organizing official Monday said as representatives are gathering in New York to agree on what will be the outcome of the conference.
UN urges focus on potential of forests to reduce poverty, spur green development
Jun 24, 2014, at 10:23 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS): Across the world, forests provide employment, energy, nutritious foods and a wide range of other goods and ecosystem services with tremendous potential to contribute to sustainable development and a greener economy, according to the United Nations agency report The State of the World’s Forests (SOFO).
Security Council calls on Libyans to ensure peaceful holding of parliamentary polls
Jun 24, 2014, at 10:16 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS) The United Nations Security Council Monday called on all parties in Libya to ensure the free and fair holding of the parliamentary elections scheduled for 25 June, stressing that the polls are an important step in the country’s democratic transition.
Efficient public administration central to attaining development goals Ban
Jun 24, 2014, at 10:09 pm
New York, June 24 (JEN): Marking United Nations Public Service Day, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed Monday the invaluable contributions of public servants and administrators in the international community’s efforts to build a better world for all.
Syria: UN agency ready to expand aid work in Yarmouk, if reported truce holds
Jun 24, 2014, at 09:59 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS): Following a reported ceasefire in the besieged Yarmouk camp in Syria, the United Nations agency that administers aid to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East said it is ready to resume and expand its humanitarian activities as soon as it has access to the site.
Plastic waste causes $13 billion in annual damage to marine ecosystems: UN
Jun 24, 2014, at 09:52 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS): Concern is growing over widespread plastic waste that is threatening marine life – with conservative yearly estimates of $13 billion in financial damage to marine ecosystems, according to two reports issued at the inaugural meeting of the United Nations Environment Assembly.
Marking International Widows' Day, Ban urges end to harmful practices, abuse against women
Jun 24, 2014, at 09:38 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS): No woman should lose her status, livelihood or property when her husband dies, yet millions of widows in our world face persistent abuse, discrimination, disinheritance and destitution stressed United Nation Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Monday in his message for this year’s International Widows’ Day.
Top UN humanitarian official urges greater effort to foresee, prevent crises
Jun 24, 2014, at 09:31 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS): While the United Nations and its partners continued over the past year to meet the needs of an ever-increasing number of desperate people – from Syria to the Central African Republic, the Philippines and beyond – the world body’s Emergency Coordinator Monday called for “a new [humanitarian] business model†– one that manages risks rather than deals with crises.
UN peacebuilding forum examines progress, challenges in assisting post-conflict nations
Jun 24, 2014, at 09:24 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS): While international aid is necessary to help countries emerging from conflict to consolidate peace and embark on much-needed development, it is vital to help them generate their own resources and capacities, Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson stated Monday, as he addressed the first annual session of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission.
UN political chief urges restraint by Israelis, Palestinians
Jun 24, 2014, at 07:26 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS): Amid a “critical†security situation on the ground, the United Nations political chief Monday called on Israelis and Palestinians to exercise maximum restraint and find a way to return to negotiations.
New UN high-level body on environment opens inaugural session in Nairobi
Jun 24, 2014, at 07:22 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS): A United Nations body that focuses on the environment and has representatives from all 193 UN Member States is meeting for the first time Monday in Nairobi, to discuss issues such as illegal wildlife trade, chemical waste and air pollution, and new universal development goals.
Removal of Syria's chemical weapons material complete: OPCW-UN mission
Jun 24, 2014, at 07:16 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS): The Joint Mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations (OPCW-UN) announced Monday that the removal of Syria’s chemical weapons material is now complete.