UN agencies join forces to protect forcibly displaced during pandemic
May 25, 2020, at 02:00 pm
To strengthen and advance public health services for millions of forcibly displaced people globally, two United Nations signed an agreement on Thursday to better protect some 70 million from COVID-19.
Guterres commends India and Bangladesh for life-saving work in face of deadly cyclone
May 25, 2020, at 01:50 pm
The UN chief António Guterres commended the governments and people of India and Bangladesh on Saturday, for their life-saving efforts ahead of devastating Cyclone Amphan, and for the effective relief effort, wishing those survivors injured and affected by the disaster, a speedy recovery.
US state department condemns Taiwan’s exclusion from World Health Assembly
May 19, 2020, at 04:13 pm
Washington/UNI: The US State Department has expressed its disappointment at Taiwan's exclusion from the World Health Assembly calling it a politically motivated decision.
COVID-19 wake-up call for all nations: UN chief Antonio GuterresÂ
May 18, 2020, at 06:10 pm
Geneva/Xinhua/UNI: United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday that the COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest challenge of our age and it must be a wake-up call for all nations.
UN chief appeals to ‘common humanity’ across all faiths, in tackling the coronavirus
May 13, 2020, at 12:59 pm
New York/IBNS: Our shared vulnerability to the coronavirus pandemic reveals “our common humanity”, the UN chief said on Tuesday during an online meeting with religious leaders on the important role they can play, in limiting the damage caused by COVID-19.
3 UN peacekeepers killed, 4 injured in Mali
May 11, 2020, at 12:05 pm
Bamako/Xinhua/UNI: The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) confirmed Sunday evening that three of its peacekeepers were killed during a routine patrol by improvised explosive devices (IED) near Aguelhok in northern Mali.
Iraq: Guterres welcomes new Prime Minister, calls for ‘meaningful’ reforms
May 08, 2020, at 12:12 pm
New York/IBNS: UN Secretary-General António Guterres and his Special Representative in Iraq, welcomed the long-delayed formation of a new Government in Baghdad on Thursday and called for meaningful reforms to be put into place to better the lives of the Iraqi people and strengthen democratic institutions.
‘Timeless message of unity’ resonates on holy day celebrating Buddhism, amidst pandemic
May 08, 2020, at 11:06 am
New York/IBNS: To the millions around the world who celebrate the birth, enlightenment and passing of Lord Buddha, the UN chief sent warm wishes on Thursday, officially marked as the Day of Vesak, noting that “we can all be inspired by his teachings”.
COVID-19: UN and partners launch $6.7 billion appeal for vulnerable countries
May 08, 2020, at 10:55 am
New York/IBNS: Humanitarians are seeking nearly $7 billion to protect millions of lives and halt the spread of COVID-19 in more than 60 of the world’s most fragile countries.
Venezuelans ‘teetering on the brink of survival’ warn UN human rights experts
May 07, 2020, at 03:27 pm
New York/IBNS: United Nations independent experts demanded on Wednesday that the Venezuelan Government take concrete actions to tackle the devastating impact on basic human rights of the country’s economic crisis.
COVID-19 makes universal digital access and cooperation essential: UN tech agency
May 06, 2020, at 04:01 pm
New York/IBNS: As the COVID-19 pandemic reshapes the way in which we work, keep in touch, go to school and shop for essentials – across the world – it has never been more important to bridge the digital divide for the 3.6 billion people who remain off-line.
Food insecurity in West Africa could leave 43 million at risk as coronavirus hits
May 06, 2020, at 03:03 pm
New York/IBNS: Well over 40 million people across West Africa face desperate food shortages in coming months, with COVID-19 restrictions a new factor adding to people’s vulnerability, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday.
Millions of missing airmiles: How the UN civil aviation agency is helping airlines take off again
May 02, 2020, at 01:41 pm
New York/IBNS: In normal times, the world’s airlines would be carrying nearly 2 billion international passengers this year. That’s 5.7 million a day. But with the COVID-19 pandemic gripping the planet, these are not normal times. In its latest analysis of the economic impact of novel coronavirus on global commercial aviation, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) warns of a potential overall reduction of 872 million to just over 1.3 billion international passengers – if signs of recovery emerge in late May.
China firmly opposes US support for Taiwan's participation in UN
May 02, 2020, at 01:13 pm
United Nations/Xinhua/UNI: The US UN mission has gravely interfered with China's internal affairs by openly supporting Taiwan's participation in the United Nations, said a spokesperson of the permanent mission of China to the UN.
Tap youth talent to tackle COVID-19 crisis and beyond, UN chief tells Security Council
Apr 28, 2020, at 01:07 pm
New York/IBNS: Even amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries must do more to harness the talents of young people to address the crisis and its aftermath, the UN Secretary-General told the Security Council on Monday during a videoconference meeting to review the five years since its adoption of a landmark resolution on youth, peace and security.
Apr 25, 2020, at 12:54 pm
New York/IBNS: The coronavirus pandemic has spawned new threats to press freedom in some countries, according to the UN human rights chief, who declared on Friday that “credible, accurate reporting is a lifeline for all of us”.
Common coronavirus enemy, forges some Palestine-Israel cooperation, but West Bank annexation looms
Apr 24, 2020, at 02:34 pm
New York/IBNS: The COVID-19 pandemic is creating opportunities for cooperation that Israelis and Palestinians must embrace to sustain Middle East peace efforts and bring an end to decades of conflict, the United Nations’ top envoy in the region said on Thursday.
Guterres vows support for island States in twin fight against COVID-19, climate crisis
Apr 22, 2020, at 01:30 pm
New York/IBNS: In an era of new challenges wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Secretary-General António Guterres is pledging the UN’s continued support to small island States – longtime leaders in the global fight against the devastating impacts of climate change.
Keep critical food supply chains operating to save lives during COVID-19, urges new UN-backed report
Apr 22, 2020, at 01:22 pm
New York/IBNS: A new study on food insecurity by an alliance of UN, governmental, and non-governmental agencies analyzes what is fueling global food crises and examines how, among other emergencies, the COVID-19 pandemic is perpetuating downward cycle for millions.
UN human rights office calls for compassion following Rohingya deaths at sea
Apr 18, 2020, at 10:21 am
New York/IBNS: The UN human rights office (OHCHR), is calling for compassion for people desperately seeking shelter, after 30 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar died on a boat in the Bay of Bengal that had spent nearly two months at sea.
Even during COVID-19, art ‘brings us closer together than ever’ – UN cultural agency
Apr 16, 2020, at 01:52 pm
New York/IBNS: With billions of people either in lockdown or on the front lines battling the COVID-19 pandemic, this first celebration of World Art Day is a timely reminder that “art has the power to unite and connect in times of crisis”, the head of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said on Wednesday.
Coronavirus-driven debt crisis threatens poor countries already at risk, says UN report
Apr 10, 2020, at 11:39 am
New York/IBNS: As governments struggle to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, billions of people living in countries teetering on the brink of economic collapse are being threatened further by a looming debt crisis, according to a new UN report released on Thursday.
Put women and girls at centre of COVID-19 recovery: UN Secretary-General
Apr 10, 2020, at 11:26 am
New York/IBNS: Limited gains in gender equality and women’s rights made over the decades are in danger of being rolled back due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UN Secretary-General said on Thursday.
UN General Assembly: The world’s ‘town hall’ remains open during COVID-19 crisis
Apr 08, 2020, at 12:12 pm
New York/IBNS: Although it seems the whole world is on lockdown as countries follow health guidelines to curb the spread of COVID-19, the global “town hall” at UN Headquarters in New York remains open for business, albeit with a technical twist.
UN backs global action to end violence against women and girls amid COVID-19 crisis
Apr 07, 2020, at 11:56 am
New York/IBNS: The United Nations is advocating immediate global action to end all forms of violence against women and girls in the midst of a global upsurge related to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across the world.
UN chief calls for domestic violence ‘ceasefire’ amid ‘horrifying global surge’
Apr 06, 2020, at 10:32 am
New York/IBNS: UN chief António Guterres is calling for measures to address a “horrifying global surge in domestic violence” directed towards women and girls, linked to lockdowns imposed by governments responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Political prisoners should be among first released in pandemic response, says UN rights chief
Apr 04, 2020, at 01:50 pm
New York/IBNS: The decision by many Governments to release prisoners to slow the transmission of new coronavirus, was welcomed on Friday by the UN’s top rights official, Michelle Bachelet.
Apr 01, 2020, at 12:53 pm
New York/IBNS: As the world exhibits new bonds of solidarity in response to the coronavirus pandemic, it is a matter of “humanitarian and practical urgency to lift unilateral economic sanctions immediately,” to prevent hunger crises in pandemic-hit countries, a UN human rights expert, said on Tuesday.
UN launches COVID-19 plan that could ‘defeat the virus and build a better world’
Apr 01, 2020, at 12:49 pm
New York/IBNS: The UN chief launched on Tuesday a new plan to counter the potentially devastating socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, calling on everyone to “act together to lessen the blow to people”.
UN helps Pacific prepare for COVID-19 pandemic, warns that children are ‘hidden victims’
Mar 31, 2020, at 01:43 pm
New York/IBNS: United Nations agencies are working together to provide vital support to Pacific Island countries as they rally to combat COVID-19 outbreaks across the region.