In Cairo, UN Assembly chief holds talks on Egypt’s democratic transition
20 February 2012
The President of the General Assembly and Egypt's Foreign Minister held talks today in Cairo on the state of the country's democratic transition in the wake of the Arab Spring reform movement.
UN forum in South-East Asia calls for more investment to reduce disaster risks
20 February 2012
Last year's devastating floods across South-East Asia were a “wake-up call” on the need for much greater investment in disaster risk reduction across the region, a United Nations forum heard today.
Ban calls for global economic model that promotes greater social justice
20 February 2012
Calling on people to tap into the spirit of recent public protests worldwide against inequality, corruption, repression and a lack of decent jobs, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed the need for economic development to ensure greater social justice for everyone.
In Niger, top UN officials stress response to food crisis must build future resilience
18 February 2012
Two top United Nations officials visiting Niger, one of the countries hit hardest by the current food crisis across Africa's Sahel region, have called on governments and donors to respond to the crisis in ways that will build resilience among local communities for the future.
UN and partners help to power education with solar panel donation
17 February 2012
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has partnered with religious institutions to provide solar panels that will power much-needed electricity to schools as well as promote the use of renewable energy.
UN expert calls on Uruguay to provide access to water to poor communities
17 February 2012
An independent United Nations human rights expert today called on Uruguayan authorities to implement measures to provide access to health and sanitation to its poorest and most marginalized communities.
By-elections in Myanmar will be key test of commitment to democracy – UN
17 February 2012
Myanmar’s upcoming by-elections will serve as a critical test of the Government’s commitment to having a credible democratic process, a senior United Nations official said today, calling on authorities to ensure that all political parties can compete openly in the ballot.
UN chief calls on countries to listen to voices of women and young people
16 February 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed today the need to empower women and youth, who have been at the centre of recent social protest movements worldwide, and warned countries against ignoring their voices as they are critical to countries’ development.
Sudan: Security Council alarmed by humanitarian crisis in conflict-hit states
14 February 2012
The Security Council today voiced alarm at the rising levels of malnutrition and food shortages in parts of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states in Sudan, saying the situation could deteriorate further if international humanitarian personnel are not given access to carry out assessments and deliver aid.
Top UN officials to travel to Niger as new food crisis looms across Sahel region
14 February 2012
Two top United Nations officials will travel later this week to Niger, where 5.4 million people are struggling to get enough to eat, part of a wider emergency affecting at least 10 million people across the Sahel region.
UN partners to improve early warning system for African communities
14 February 2012
A new partnership involving the United Nations will ensure the rapid dissemination of weather updates from African meteorological experts to disaster managers in vulnerable communities.
UN chief urges more companies to embrace business sustainability ideals
14 February 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today encouraged more businesses to embrace the principle of sustainability in their strategies, noting that with the most of the world’s ecosystems in decline, widening social inequality and climate change, global prosperity, productivity and stability was at stake.
Blue economy needed to protect Mediterranean Sea and world’s oceans – UN official
10 February 2012
The Mediterranean Sea is a “key pillar” for the development of the countries in the region, a senior United Nations official said today, warning that continued degradation of the aquatic environment could put its entire ecology at risk.
UN welcomes charges against army colonel over mass rapes in Guinea
10 February 2012
A senior United Nations official welcomed today the news that a Guinean court has filed charges against an army colonel accused of being responsible for mass rapes that occurred during a pro-democracy protest in the country’s capital in 2009.
Ban urges dialogue in dispute over Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
10 February 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced hope that Argentina and the United Kingdom can avoid escalating their dispute over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) and resolve their differences through dialogue.
Libya: UN calls for justice after killings of displaced persons
10 February 2012
The United Nations political mission for Libya today voiced serious concern over the killing of seven internally displaced persons (IDPs), including three children and two women, and urged authorities to investigate the crime and bring those responsible to justice.
Ban urges Sudan and South Sudan to make compromises on unresolved disputes
10 February 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced concern over the lack of progress in talks to resolve post-independence issues between Sudan and South Sudan, as well as the possibility of an escalation in tensions after unilateral decisions taken by the two governments over their oil dispute.
UN official outlines priorities ahead of sustainable development summit
09 February 2012
A senior United Nations official today outlined a set of priorities that Member States should tackle ahead of the Sustainable Development Conference (Rio+20) in June so that there is a clear framework of action during the event.
Asia-Pacific nations seek faster response against HIV at UN gathering
06 February 2012
Although the Asia-Pacific region has witnessed widespread gains in combating the spread of HIV, experts at a United Nations meeting were told today that the epidemic is still outpacing the region’s efforts against new infections.
Nearly 2,000 African communities end female genital mutilation – UN
06 February 2012
A new United Nations report shows that almost 2,000 communities across Africa abandoned female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) last year, prompting calls for a renewed global push to end this harmful practice once and for all.