'Uphold international humanitarian law' UN chief tells parties to Yemen conflict
May 10, 2018, at 08:52 pm
New York, May 10 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern on Wednesday over the “recent and sharp escalation” in the Yemen conflict, calling on all parties to make civilian protection a priority.
Iran deal represents ‘significant verification gain’ – UN atomic energy chief
May 10, 2018, at 08:47 pm
New York, May 10 (IBNS): Speaking the day after the United States withdrew from an international agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme, the head of the United Nations atomic watchdog agency made it clear that Iran has consistently stuck to its commitments.
Lebanon elections ‘vital step’ in democracy-building: UN chief
May 10, 2018, at 08:43 pm
New York, May 10 (IBNS): Congratulating Lebanon on holding parliamentary elections on Sunday , United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on the country’s political leaders to work in "a spirit of unity".
Rival South Sudan leaders still ‘bent on armed confrontation’ – UN peacekeeping chief
May 09, 2018, at 02:34 pm
New York, May 9 (IBNS): The peace process in South Sudan is at a critical juncture while opposing sides allow themselves to get bogged down in arguments over ministerial quotas, the United Nations peacekeeping chief said on Tuesday, as the country prepares for a third round of regionally-backed peace talks.
‘Fabric of society’ at risk in Bosnia and Herzegovina, UN Security Council told
May 09, 2018, at 02:31 pm
New York, May 9 (IBNS): With elections looming, tensions across Bosnia and Herzegovina are rising alongside inflammatory rhetoric against the country’s long-standing peace agreement, a senior figure monitoring its implementation has warned.
UN chief ‘deeply concerned’ by US decision to exit Iran nuclear deal
May 09, 2018, at 02:28 pm
New York, May 9 (IBNS): Following a decision on Tuesday by the United States to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, the United Nations chief said he was “deeply concerned” by the move, and called on all parties to preserve the deal.
In Cuba, UN chief stresses Latin America’s courageous ‘development vision’
May 09, 2018, at 02:20 pm
New York, May 9 (IBNS): The United Nations chief on Tuesday highlighted the central role he hopes Latin America and the Caribbean region will play in ensuring “fair globalization” that leaves no one behind.
Smugglers see thousands of migrants in Yemen as ‘a commodity’, UN agency warns
May 09, 2018, at 02:14 pm
New York, May 9 (IBNS): With an estimated 7,000 migrants entering Yemen each month, most of them seeking to reach Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, the United Nations migration agency on Tuesday called for greater efforts to protect them from smugglers and other criminals.
‘Silence the guns’ urges UN disarmament chief as global week of action begins
May 08, 2018, at 01:40 pm
New York, May 8 (IBNS): The international community must present a united front against gun violence which kills nearly 250,000 each year and injures many more, said a senior United Nations official on Monday, marking the start of a Global Week of Action Against the scourge.
UN experts urges Poland to ensure unrestricted ‘civic space’ during climate talks
May 08, 2018, at 01:27 pm
New York, May 8 (IBNS): Poland’s new law designed to address safety concerns during the United Nations climate change conference to be held there later this year could infringe on the privacy of environmentalists and curtail their rights to protest peacefully, UN human rights experts said Monday.
UN chief condemns deadly attack on voter registration centre in eastern Afghanistan
May 07, 2018, at 01:32 pm
New York, May 7 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned an attack on a mosque being used as a voter registration centre in Afghanistan’s Khost province and underscored his support to the country as it prepares for elections later this year.
UN leaders vow to stamp out workplace sexual harassment
May 05, 2018, at 01:39 pm
New York, May 5 (IBNS): Leaders from across the UN system on Friday pledged to increase efforts to stamp out sexual harassment within their ranks; ensuring a zero-tolerance approach where abusers are held accountable, and staff feel safe to report incidents.
UN chief ‘optimistic’ over peace efforts to denuclearize Korean Peninsula
May 04, 2018, at 01:41 pm
New York, May 4 (IBNS): The UN chief expressed optimism on Thursday that the full denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula could become a reality, following last week’s historic joint declaration from the leaders of the north and south, which eased months of rising tension over North Korea’s nuclear programme.
‘Standing up for our right to truth,’ UN celebrates press freedom
May 04, 2018, at 01:39 pm
New York, May 4 (IBNS): With journalism under increasing attack worldwide, top United Nations officials on Thursday joined a growing chorus of calls for the better protection of media workers.
May 04, 2018, at 01:30 pm
New York, May 4 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned Wednesday’s attack on the electoral commission headquarters in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, and reiterated the world body’s commitment to support the country.
UN chief condemns violence in Central African Republic capital Bangui
May 04, 2018, at 01:20 pm
New York, May 4 (IBNS): Voicing concern over inflammatory rhetoric in the wake of widespread violence in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR), United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on all actors to remain calm and to work together to bring peace to the country.
South Sudan: UN Mission chief urges warring parties to abide by truce agreement
May 03, 2018, at 01:43 pm
New York, May 3 (IBNS):The surge of violence in South Sudan’s Unity region "looks set" to continue despite the ceasefire accord signed last year by warring parties, the top United Nations official in the African country said on Wednesday.
Leaders obliged to confront anti-Semitism ‘everywhere and always’, stresses UN envoy
May 03, 2018, at 01:32 pm
New York, May 3 (IBNS): The United Nations’ top official for the Middle East Peace Process has said that spreading “deeply disturbing” conspiracy theories which fuel anti-Semitism are unacceptable, and serve neither the interests of Palestinians themselves, or the pursuit of peace in the region.
Central African Republic: UN urges calm in wake of violence in capital Bangui
May 03, 2018, at 01:29 pm
New York, May 3 (IBNS): The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) has appealed for calm following fresh violence in the capital Bangui which claimed the lives of several civilians, including a religious leader.
Can science and technology really help solve global problems? A UN forum debates vital question
May 02, 2018, at 03:03 pm
New York, May 2 (IBNS): Science and technology offer part of the solution to climate change, inequality and other global issues, a United Nations official said on Tuesday, spotlighting the enormous potential these fields hold for achieving humanity’s common goal, of a poverty and hunger-free world by 2030.
May 02, 2018, at 02:57 pm
New York, May 2 (IBNS): More than 50 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse involving personnel serving with the United Nations and its partners in the field were received in the first three months of this year, the global organization said on Tuesday.
‘Sharp escalation’ in fighting across Myanmar’s Kachin state, warns rights expert
May 02, 2018, at 02:50 pm
New York, May 2 (IBNS): Raising alarm over a “sharp” escalation in hostilities in Myanmar’s Kachin province, a United Nations human rights expert has called on all parties to ensure greater protection for civilians.
Almost 500,000 affected as devastating floods inundate central Somalia – UN mission
May 02, 2018, at 02:43 pm
New York, May 2 (IBNS): United Nations agencies in Somalia have stepped up their response in the wake of devastating flash floods across large parts of the country that have impacted nearly 500,000 people and displaced close to 175,000 from their homes.
Nations begin drafting ‘operating manual’ for climate action at UN conference in Bonn
May 01, 2018, at 01:46 pm
New York, May 1 (IBNS): The latest round of United Nations climate change negotiations began on Monday in Bonn, Germany, to further develop the “operating manual” for implementing the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement, which aims to keep temperature rises this century, well below 2 degrees Celsius.
Nearly two-thirds of global workforce in the ‘informal’ economy – UN study
May 01, 2018, at 01:44 pm
New York, May 1 (IBNS): More than 61 per cent of the world’s employed population – two billion people – earn their livelihoods in the informal sector, the United Nations labour agency said on Monday, stressing that a transition to the formal economy is critical to ensure rights’ protection and decent working conditions.
UN ‘outraged’ by suicide attacks in Afghanistan
May 01, 2018, at 01:40 pm
Kabul, May 1 (IBNS): Strongly condemning terrorist attacks in the Afghan capital, Kabul, and in Kandahar, senior United Nations officials, including Secretary-General António Guterres, underscored the need to bring those behind the attacks to justice.
Students gather at UN to ‘Remember Slavery,’ honour those who suffered brutal slave trade
Apr 28, 2018, at 12:59 pm
New York, Apr 28 (IBNS): Students from around the world joined United Nations and Government officials in New York on Friday to celebrate the contributions made by the people of African descent, beginning from the time they were taken from their countries and forced into generations of servitude.
Apr 28, 2018, at 12:52 pm
New York, Apr 28 (IBNS): Some 2,900 mostly Syrian and Iraqi families have arrived in Evros this month, with eight others losing their lives trying to cross the Evros River from Turkey – prompting the United Nations refugee agency to call on the Greek Government to improve the conditions at its reception area.
Israel must address excessive use of force and deaths in Gaza protests – UN rights chief
Apr 28, 2018, at 12:46 pm
New York, Apr 28 (IBNS): With over 40 Palestinians killed and more than 5,500 injured during protests in Gaza over the past month – many by live ammunition – the top United Nations human rights official on Friday called on Israel to ensure that its security forces do not resort to use of excessive force amid the ongoing demonstrations.
UN rights experts voice concerns about ‘structural racism’ in United Kingdom
Apr 28, 2018, at 12:40 pm
New York, Apr 28 (IBNS): United Nations human rights experts have expressed serious concerns about racism rooted in the fabric of the United Kingdom’s society, given the disproportionate number of people of African descent and of ethnic minorities dying due to excessive use of force by State security.