‘Unlock full power of business’ to achieve Global Goals, UN deputy chief tells forum
Jul 18, 2018, at 09:24 am
New York, July 18 (IBNS): Businesses can contribute in important ways to the realization of a world free of poverty and hunger by 2030, including through job creation, technological innovation and the provision of finance resources, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General said on Tuesday.
Jul 18, 2018, at 09:08 am
New York, July 18 (IBNS): The United Nations Secretary-General has called on the Nicaraguan Government to end violence against demonstrators which has cost an estimated 280 lives, and begin a national “political dialogue” to end the crisis which has gripped the country for nearly three months.
At Partnership Forum, UN officials highlights need for continued support for Somalia
Jul 17, 2018, at 09:11 am
New York, July 17 (IBNS): Speaking at the first day of the Somalia Partnership Forum in Brussels on Monday, senior United Nations officials commended the country’s government for its efforts in political reform, security, economic development, and recovery and humanitarian assistance – while flagging the need for further progress and international support for these efforts.
Dress the world in wood, UN says in its ‘Forests for Fashion’ initiative
Jul 17, 2018, at 09:05 am
New York, July 17 (IBNS): The fashion industry is valued upward of 2.5 trillion dollars, and employs some 75 million people globally – so it makes good sense to shift textile production from fossil fuel-based synthetic fibers to renewable, biodegradable textiles, made from wood, according to a new United Nations initiative that aims to make forests literally more fashionable.
Sand and dust storms, a 'human well-being' issue, says high level panel
Jul 17, 2018, at 09:02 am
New York, July 17 (IBNS): From higher morbidity and mortality rates to reduced economic growth, the impact of sand and dust storms can be major, especially for lower-income nations and vulnerable communities. However, with stronger collaboration and improved information-sharing, much of the risk could be managed and mitigated, a UN meeting heard on Monday.
Progress has been made, but 'not at a sufficient speed to realize the SDGs': UN ECOSOC President
Jul 17, 2018, at 08:59 am
New York, July 17 (IBNS): One week after zeroing-in on how to build sustainable, resilient societies, key players from around the world debated on Monday at United Nations Headquarters in New York, how to keep up the momentum to turn the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into a reality.
UN chief condemns violence against civilian protesters in Nicaragua
Jul 17, 2018, at 08:56 am
New York, July 17 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday deplored and condemned the ongoing violence against civilians, including against students, in Nicaragua.
'Status quo in Libya cannot be sustained', UN Envoy tells Security Council
Jul 17, 2018, at 08:53 am
New York, July 17 (IBNS): Despite encouraging signs on the political and humanitarian front, efforts must be sustained and intensified in Libya to avoid further “economic collapse, the breakdown of public services, and more frequent and intense outbreaks of violence”, said the United Nations Special Envoy for the country on Monday.
Jul 16, 2018, at 09:37 am
New York, July 16 (IBNS): With a ceasefire largely holding after a day-long flare-up in fighting between Israel and Gaza militants, the United Nation envoy on the Middle East peace process was in the enclave on Sunday urging Israelis and Palestinians to pull back from the brink of a confrontation “that nobody wants…and everybody will lose.”
Jul 15, 2018, at 06:28 pm
New York, July 15 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in south-west Pakistan that killed more than 120 people and left scores wounded at an election rally Friday.
‘Historic moment’ for people on the move, as UN agrees first-ever Global Compact on migration
Jul 14, 2018, at 07:49 am
New York, July 14 (IBNS): For the first time ever, United Nations Member States have agreed an all-encompassing Global Compact to better manage international migration, address its challenges, strengthen migrant rights and contribute to sustainable development.
Safe and orderly migration is ‘in everybody’s interest’, says senior UN official
Jul 13, 2018, at 09:18 am
July 13 (IBNS): International migration “has been with us forever”, and a safe and orderly means of facilitating it is “in everybody’s interest”, said a UN envoy.
‘Multilateralism in action’ says UN chief ahead of expected agreement on migration compact
Jul 13, 2018, at 09:03 am
New York, July 13 (IBNS): With the General Assembly set to agree a new global compact on migration, the United Nations chief on Thursday highlighted its “immense potential” to harness the benefits of orderly migration and lower the risks facing millions on the move without documentation.
UN chief pushes for greater benefits from new technology, as he launches digital experts panel
Jul 13, 2018, at 08:39 am
New York, July 13 (IBNS): A high-profile group of tech experts has been assembled at the request of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, tasked with putting the benefits of digital technology to more effective use, while also protecting against unwanted or unexpected negative impacts.
UN forum spotlights cities, where struggle for sustainability ‘will be won or lost’
Jul 12, 2018, at 08:59 am
New York, July 12 (IBNS): Although cities are often characterized by stark socioeconomic inequalities and poor environmental conditions, they also offer growth and development potential – making them central to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and a main focus of the third day of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Wednesday.
Visiting North Korea, UN relief chief spotlights funding shortfall to meet humanitarian needs
Jul 12, 2018, at 08:56 am
New York, July 12 (IBNS): The United Nations is seeking to raise $111 million to meet humanitarian needs in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), where millions of people face malnutrition, a shortage medicines, and lack of access to safe drinking water, the Organization’s top relief official said on Wednesday.
World Population Day: ‘A matter of human rights’ says UN
Jul 11, 2018, at 09:33 am
New York, July 11 (IBNS): Family planning was affirmed to be a human right 50 years ago, leading to what would become the annual observation of World Population Day, which focuses attention on the impact the number of children born, has on the world.
Jul 11, 2018, at 09:23 am
New York, July 11 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday described the Joint Declaration, signed by the leaders of Eritrea and Ethiopia, as “a historic and significant” move with “far-reaching consequences” for the whole Horn of Africa region and beyond.
Achieving targets on energy helps meet other Global Goals, UN forum told
Jul 11, 2018, at 09:14 am
New York, July 11 (IBNS): Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today, including poverty eradication, gender equality, adaptation to climate change, food security, health, education, sustainable cities, jobs and transport, speakers told a key United Nations forum on sustainable development on Tuesday.
Women vital for ‘new paradigm’ in Africa’s Sahel region, Security Council hears
Jul 11, 2018, at 09:06 am
New York, July 11 (IBNS): Women across Africa’s Sahel region can be agents for a “new paradigm” for peacebuilding and development that benefits all people there, the United Nations Security Council heard on Tuesday.
Thai cave boys spared thundershowers, highlighting extreme climate disruption: UN weather agency
Jul 11, 2018, at 08:54 am
New York, July 11 (IBNS): Thundershowers that have been forecast in northern Thailand luckily did not materialize, easing the extraordinary rescue of a boys’ football team and their coach, who spent well over two weeks trapped in a cave complex there, UN weather experts said on Tuesday.
Security Council urges countries to factor child protection into conflict prevention efforts
Jul 10, 2018, at 09:23 am
New York, July 10 (IBNS): Countries have been urged to mainstream child protection into the policies they introduce aimed at preventing conflict, in line with a Security Council resolution adopted on Monday.
New UN agriculture agency report underscores value of fishing in fight against global hunger
Jul 10, 2018, at 09:20 am
New York, July 10 (IBNS): The vital role that fishing and fish-farming play in supporting some of the poorest families across the world, came under the spotlight on Monday with the publication of the annual United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report on the global industry.
‘Laser-sharp focus’ needed to achieve Global Goals by 2030, UN political forum told
Jul 10, 2018, at 09:17 am
New York, July 10 (IBNS): Progress has been made on achieving global goals to end poverty and hunger but meeting the targets by the deadline of 2030 will require a laser-sharp focus and a true sense of urgency, a key United Nations forum on sustainable development heard on Monday.
Syria: Civilians caught in crossfire, UN refugee chief urges Jordan to open its border
Jul 06, 2018, at 07:53 am
New York, July 6 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR, appealed on Thursday for Jordan to open its border with south-west Syria to help protect around 750,000 civilians who are “caught in the crossfire”, amidst airstrikes and heavy shelling.
Mali facing ‘alarming’ rise in rights violations, warns UN expert
Jul 05, 2018, at 08:06 am
New York, July 5 (IBNS): In Mali, a senior United Nations rights expert on Wednesday described an “alarming” deterioration of the security, human rights and humanitarian situation in northern and eastern areas of the country.
As many as 330,000 displaced by heavy fighting in south-west Syria – UN agency
Jul 04, 2018, at 08:01 am
New York, July 4 (IBNS): Intense air and ground-based strikes at multiple locations in Syria’s south-western Dara’a governorate has resulted in the “largest displacement” in the area since the conflict began more than seven years ago, the United Nations refugee agency has reported.
Egypt urged to free prominent couple jailed arbitrarily since last June: UN rights office
Jul 04, 2018, at 07:58 am
New York, July 4 (IBNS): The UN human rights office is urging Egypt to free a prominent married couple that has been arbitrarily detained for more than a year.
UN chief condemns attack targeting international forces in northern Mali
Jul 02, 2018, at 09:07 am
New York, July 2 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned an attack in Gao, northern Mali, targeting international forces that left at least two civilians dead and over fifteen injured.
Nuclear non-proliferation treaty an ‘essential pillar’ of international peace, says UN chief
Jul 02, 2018, at 09:03 am
New York, July 2 (IBNS): On the 50th anniversary of the opening for signature of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged all State parties to ensure the Treaty’s continued strength and importance in the years ahead.