Progress made on humanitarian track for Syria, UN advisor reports
Mar 24, 2016, at 01:42 pm
New York, Mar 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The advisor to the United Nations envoy on Syria on Wednesday reported further progress in the humanitarian relief efforts in the conflict-battered country, with more areas reached, allowing medical kits to get through checkpoints, and children to be vaccinated.
Diplomatic Quartet to prepare report to lay ground for Israel-Palestine talks – UN envoy
Mar 24, 2016, at 01:34 pm
New York, Mar 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations envoy for the peace process in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Wednesday unveiled a plan by the diplomatic Quartet – comprising the UN, Russia, the United States and the European Union – to produce a report that would help create a political environment for the two sides to resume peace negotiations.
Senior UN official warns of dire consequences for millions of Iraqis due to funding shortfalls
Mar 24, 2016, at 01:30 pm
New York, Mar 24 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Returning from a visit to Iraq, a senior United Nations relief official on Wednesday drew attention to the worsening situation for more than 10 million people in need, and to the urgency to mobilize more funding for the humanitarian response.
‘Witchcraft’ beliefs trigger attacks against people with albinism, UN expert warns
Mar 23, 2016, at 01:35 pm
New York, Mar 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):People with albinism are being hunted for witchcraft rituals, their body parts hacked off with machetes, and even having their graves desecrated, a United Nations expert warned on Tuesday in her first report to the UN Human Rights Council.
World Water Day: UN calls for ‘better water and better jobs’
Mar 23, 2016, at 01:33 pm
New York, Mar 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):With nearly half of the world’s workers employed in water-related sectors, sustainable access to safe water can change lives and livelihoods, the United Nations on Tuesday said, underscoring the link between water and jobs, this year’s theme for World Water Day.
UN strongly condemns terrorist bombings in Brussels as 'an attack on us all'
Mar 23, 2016, at 01:30 pm
New York, Mar 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations has strongly condemned on Tuesday's terrorist bombings in Brussels, extending condolences to the victims and their families while expressing solidarity with the people and Government of Belgium.
Zika: 'the more we know the worse things look,' UN health agency chief reports
Mar 23, 2016, at 01:18 pm
New York, Mar 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The head of the United Nations health agency on Tuesday reported that in less than a year, the status of Zika has changed from “a mild medical curiosity†to a disease with severe public health implications, warning that “the more we know the worse things look.â€
New products and technologies needed to aid small farmers, UN agriculture chief says
Mar 23, 2016, at 01:06 pm
New York, Mar 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The head of the United Nations agricultural agency on Tuesday called for great use of agroecology, biotechnology and other creative tools to eradicate hunger, fight malnutrition and achieve sustainable agriculture.
UN welcomes ICC's first conviction for rape as war crime
Mar 23, 2016, at 01:03 pm
New York, Mar 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday welcomed the judgement issued by the International Criminal Court in the case of former Congolese vice-president Jean-Pierre Bemba.
Inclusive approach needed to embrace religious diversity in Denmark – UN expert
Mar 23, 2016, at 12:57 pm
New York, Mar 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):While appraising Denmark as a liberal country that values and respects freedom and religion, an independent United Nations human rights expert on Tuesday also addressed challenges Danish society faces, especially towards “an open, inclusive†identity and religious diversity.
Ukraine: UN experts urge accountability for human rights violations by foreign fighters
Mar 23, 2016, at 12:55 pm
New York, Mar 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):On Tuesday in Geneva, the United Nations Working Group on mercenaries called on the Government of Ukraine to ensure accountability for human rights violations committed by foreign armed actors during the conflict that has plagued the country since 2014.
‘Investing in forests is an insurance policy for the planet,’ says UN chief
Mar 22, 2016, at 03:31 pm
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):On the International Day of Forests, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on governments, businesses, civil society and other partners to adopt holistic policies and practices to protect, restore and sustain healthy forests.
Senior UN official condemns arson attack in occupied West Bank
Mar 22, 2016, at 03:21 pm
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):A senior United Nations official has condemned an arson attack by suspected Jewish extremists on the home of a Palestinian family in the occupied West Bank village of Duma.
'The future is happening now,' warns UN, calling for urgent measures to cut carbon emissions
Mar 22, 2016, at 03:17 pm
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The Earth is already one degree Celsius hotter than at the start of the 20th century, halfway to the critical two-degree threshold, and national climate change plans adopted so far may not be enough to avoid a three-degree temperature rise, the UN weather agency warned on Monday upon the release of its 2015 annual report on the status of the climate.
Political transition 'mother of all issues' for Syria talks – UN mediator
Mar 22, 2016, at 03:14 pm
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The UN mediator for the intra-Syrian talks said on Monday that political transition is the “mother of all issues†in the ongoing peace negotiations involving the Government and the opposition.
#Climatechain: UN to launch campaign illustrating water-environment-climate change link
Mar 22, 2016, at 03:11 pm
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):As the global community marked World Water Day during a special event at United Nations Headquarters, the UN Children's Fund reported that rapidly changing weather conditions are limiting access to safe drinking water for millions, and announced the launch of a new campaign on the link between water, the environment and climate change.
Marking the World Day, Ban celebrates potential of people with Down syndrome
Mar 22, 2016, at 03:06 pm
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The autonomy and independence of people with Down syndrome and other disabilities should be supported, so that they can be empowered to contribute to our common future, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday said marking World Down Syndrome Day.
Ban spotlights need for human, economic development in Africa's Great Lakes region
Mar 22, 2016, at 03:03 pm
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday stressed the importance of human and economic development in addressing peace and security challenges in Africa's Great Lakes region, calling for the use of natural resources there as a powerful driver of growth.
Mar 22, 2016, at 03:00 pm
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):On the first year of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nations celebrates Nowruz, “an ancient tradition with modern relevance,†as an occasion to strengthen the international community's resolve to leave no one behind in the collective journey to a better future.
'Assault on one minority community is attack on all,' Ban says on Day to eliminate racism
Mar 22, 2016, at 02:57 pm
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Observing the world's day set aside to bolster efforts on eliminating racial discrimination, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday urged increased global efforts towards that aim and declared that “an assault on one minority community is an attack on all.â€
Caste systems violate human rights of millions worldwide – new UN expert report
Mar 22, 2016, at 02:52 pm
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):At least 250 million people worldwide still face appalling and dehumanising discrimination based on caste and similar systems of inherited status, warned the United Nations expert on minority issues while presenting finding to the UN Human Rights Council.
Mar 22, 2016, at 02:50 pm
New York, Mar 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations rights chief on Monday welcomed the judgement delivered by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the case of Jean-Pierre Bemba, a Congolese national found guilty of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including rape, murder and pillage, committed in 2002 and 2003 in the Central African Republic (CAR).
Colombia: over 250,000 children impacted by conflict despite peace talks, UN agency reports
Mar 21, 2016, at 12:01 pm
New York, Mar 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Hostilities in Colombia have disrupted the lives of more than a quarter of a million children since peace talks began three years ago, the United Nations children's agency on Saturday reported.
Earth Hour 2016: UN goes dark to spotlight climate change
Mar 20, 2016, at 12:15 pm
New York, Mar 20 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations will go dark later this evening as the Organization shuts off the lights at its iconic Headquarters complex in New York and other facilities around the world in observance of 'Earth Hour,' an annual global event to put the spotlight on the issues facing the planet and to inspire millions across the world to live more sustainably.
UN chief condemns deadly Istanbul attack as 'appalling violence'
Mar 20, 2016, at 12:13 pm
New York, Mar 20 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday has condemned the bombing in the Turkish city of Istanbul and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice, consistent with human rights obligations.
‘No alternative to political settlement of the Burundian crisis,’ Ban tells Security Council
Mar 19, 2016, at 03:00 pm
New York, Mar 19 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Briefing the Security Council, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and United Nations High Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Friday voiced concern about spiralling violence and rights violations in Burundi, and called for an inclusive political dialogue to peacefully resolve the 11-month crisis.
UN appoints Red from the ‘Angry Birds’ as Honorary Ambassador for International Day of Happiness
Mar 19, 2016, at 02:57 pm
New York, Mar 19 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations on Friday appointed Red, the leader of the “Angry Birds†mobile game characters, as an envoy to inspire climate action toward a sustainable and happier future for all.
Refugees need protection, not rejection,’ UN says in wake of EU-Turkey deal
Mar 19, 2016, at 02:55 pm
New York, Mar 19 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations refugee agency has stressed the importance of ensuring safeguards in carrying out on Friday’s agreement between the European Union (EU) and Turkey on the situation of refugees and migrants making their way to Europe.
Intra-Syrian talks advancing without ‘excessive rhetoric,’ says UN envoy
Mar 19, 2016, at 02:53 pm
New York, Mar 19 (Just Earth News/IBNS):As the first week of the new round of intra-Syrian talks ended on Friday, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria said the “proximity system†of the discussions, whereby parties are meeting indirectly through his mediation, has contributed to the talks moving forward.
Ban appoints new Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan; new leadership at UN Afghan mission
Mar 19, 2016, at 02:50 pm
New York, Mar 19 (Just Earth News/IBNS):Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on Friday the appointment of Nicholas Haysom of South Africa as his Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan.