Negotiations kick off for upcoming UN conference on world’s poorest nations
UN News – 04 April 2011
With a major United Nations conference on the world’s poorest nations just weeks away, Member States today began another round of negotiations aimed at achieving a new action plan to advance the economic and social development of these vulnerable countries.
Libya: UN envoy stresses importance of concerted global effort to end crisis
UN News – 04 April 2011
The international community must continue to work together to help the people of Libya find a solution to their conflict, the United Nations envoy for the North African country said today, adding it remained unclear how long the current situation would last.
Ban stresses cultural tolerance at meeting with representatives of Islamic countries
UN News – 05 April 2011
The recent burning of a copy of the Koran in the United States and similar actions anywhere else contradict the efforts of the United Nations to promote tolerance, intercultural understanding and mutual respect between cultures and religions, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.
UN relief chief warns of dire humanitarian situation inside Libyan city
UN News – 06 April 2011
The top United Nations relief official today voiced serious concern about the dire humanitarian situation inside the north-western Libyan city of Misrata, where thousands of residents are short of food, water, medicines and other basic supplies after weeks of intense fighting.
Haiti will continue to need strong international support, Ban tells Security Council
UN News – 06 April 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today pledged the continued assistance of the United Nations for Haiti, which, while having made significant gains in recent months, still faces a number of daunting challenges such as reviving its crippled economy and strengthening the rule of law.
UN refugee chief voices deep shock after more than 200 migrants drown off Italy
UN News – 06 April 2011
The head of the United Nations refugee agency expressed deep shock today at the apparent drowning of more than 200 migrants attempting to make their way to Italy from conflict and unrest in North Africa.
UN documentary forum shines a spotlight on global fight against hunger
UN News – 08 April 2011
Filmmakers, activists, journalists, aid workers, policy-makers and United Nations staff are gathering in New York this weekend for a two-day documentary forum aimed at raising public awareness about the fight against hunger worldwide.
Syria: Ban voices concern after deadly clashes in southern city
UN News – 10 April 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced concern after the latest outbreak of violence in Syria, where it is reported that both protesters and security personnel were killed during demonstrations in the southern city of Deraa.
UN forces being operation in Ivorian city in response to attack by pro-Gbagbo forces
UN News – 10 April 2011
United Nations peacekeepers in Côte d'Ivoire launched a military operation late today against the forces supporting the former president Laurent Gbagbo after they continued to mount attacks against the UN, the country's elected Government and civilians in the city of Abidjan.
UN rights expert voices frustration at United States over access to detained soldier
11 April 2011
An independent United Nations human rights expert today voiced his deep disappointment and frustration that the United States has not allowed him unmonitored access to a soldier accused of being the source of large amounts of classified material given to the website Wikileaks.
With children caught in crossfire, UNICEF urges immediate halt to Libyan fighting
11 April 2011
Tens of thousands of children in the Libyan city of Misrata are at risk from intensified fighting between pro- and anti-Government forces and indiscriminate shelling, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warning today, urging an immediate halt to the violence.
Secretary-General calls for greater use of science and technology to build better cities
11 April 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for the use of science and technology to build better cities, saying that most global population growth in the coming years is expected to occur in urban areas of developing countries, with rising demand for land, housing, basic services and infrastructure.
UN study explores ways to effectively deliver aid in risky situations
12 April 2011
Attacks against humanitarian personnel have tripled over the past decade, rising to more than 100 deaths each year, with the most of the fatalities occurring in areas where violence has increased significantly, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Somalia, according to a United Nations-backed study unveiled today.
First annual UN celebration marks 50 years since human space travel began
12 April 2011
The United Nations today celebrated the first annual International Day of Human Space Flight, marking 50 years since Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made history by becoming the first human to travel into outer space.
Côte d’Ivoire: Ban warns against retribution towards Gbagbo’s supporters
12 April 2011
In telephone discussions with Mr. Ouattara late yesterday, the Secretary-General stressed the expectation that since Mr. Gbagbo is now in the hands of the President’s forces, any further bloodshed will be avoided.
At Doha summit, Ban underscores importance of united global action on Libya
13 April 2011
Ban Ki-moon today stressed the vital need for united global action to tackle the ongoing crisis in Libya, where fighting between pro- and anti-Government forces rages on and the humanitarian situation is worsening, as well as to assist with the recovery once the conflict has ended.
Côte d’Ivoire: Security Council calls for formation of an all-inclusive Government
13 April 2011
The Security Council today encouraged the President of Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, to form an all-inclusive, broad-based Government now that he is assuming his responsibilities as head of State following the surrender of his predecessor, who had until this week refused to cede power after his defeat in last year’s presidential poll.
Upcoming UN-backed summit to focus on sustainable management of rainforests
13 April 2011
Top officials from more than 35 nations covering the world’s three major rainforest regions will gather at a United Nations-backed conference next month to discuss the common challenges faced by these vital ecosystems that support more than a billion people
Business leaders participate in UN-backed debate on green economy
14 April 2011
Some 200 representatives from business and industry, governments and civil society have concluded United Nations-supported discussions in Paris on the role of the private sector in the global transition towards a low carbon, resource-efficient green economy.
UN envoy stresses need to prevent conflict-related sexual violence before it begins
14 April 2011
It is critical to prevent conflict-related sexual violence before it happens, a top United Nations official stressed today, stating that the problem warrants continuous consideration by the Security Council as it deals with fighting in countries such as Libya, Côte d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Congratulations Benson Saulo on becoming Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations
Generation One – 14 April 2011
Benson Saulo is the first Indigenous Australian to become the Youth Representative to the United Nations.
Ban deplores ‘appalling’ murder of kidnapped Italian in Gaza
15 April 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned the murder of Vittorio Arrigoni, an Italian national who was abducted in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.
Parties to UN climate change convention appoint team to design new climate fund
15 April 2011
Parties to the United Nations climate change convention today announced the selection of a 40-member committee tasked with designing an international fund to manage resources mobilized to enable developing countries to address the effects of climate change.
Iraq: UN mission voices deep concern at recent camp deaths
15 April 2011
The United Nations mission in Iraq today voiced its deep concern at the recent events that led to the deaths of 34 people at a camp housing Iranian exiles, noting that it has repeatedly urged the Government to refrain from the use of force.
As world faces interconnected threats, General Assembly focuses on human security
15 April 2011
The interconnected risks that the modern world faces, from conflicts and natural disasters to deep poverty and disease, means a much broader definition of security is needed to ensure that individuals can live their lives with dignity and autonomy, the General Assembly heard today.
Filling of Security Council seats is for Member States to decide - Ban
16 April 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says it is for United Nations Member States to decide which nations fill the non-permanent seats on the Security Council, dispelling any notion that he supports a particular candidate.
UN-backed accord improves global preparedness for flu pandemics
17 April 2011
A United Nations-backed agreement reached this weekend will help ensure that influenza virus samples will be shared during a pandemic with partners who need the information to take steps to protect public health.
UN and Libya reach agreement on humanitarian presence in Tripoli
18 April 2011
United Nations envoys visiting Libya have reached an agreement with the authorities on setting up a humanitarian presence in the capital, Tripoli, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, while once again calling for an immediate end to the fighting that has taken a heavy toll on civilians.
Opium cultivation in Afghanistan expected to fall despite high prices – UN
18 April 2011
Poppy cultivation in Afghanistan is expected to decline slightly this year despite the prevailing high prices of opium, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported today, saying that Government effort to discourage production could yield further reduction.
UN uses social media to enable donations to feed hungry children
19 April 2011
In an effort to encourage individuals to help feed tens of thousands of hungry children across the world, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has created a social media platform through which people can share their favourite meals by making donations to the agency.
Ban voices concern at deadlock in UN-backed negotiations on Western Sahara
19 April 2011
Neither party to the dispute over Western Sahara has taken steps to date that would suggest a readiness to move to an acceptable compromise, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in a new report in which he recommends measures to help advance progress in the United Nations-backed negotiations.
Libya: UN food aid arriving via newly-opened humanitarian corridor
19 April 2011
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said today it has started moving food aid through a new humanitarian corridor into western Libya to reach areas heavily affected by the fighting.
At Chernobyl disaster site, Ban stresses need for ‘new chapter’ for affected region
20 April 2011
Making the first visit by a United Nations Secretary-General to Chernobyl, the site of the April 1986 nuclear accident, Ban Ki-moon today paid tribute to the many victims of the disaster and called for a “new chapter” to begin in the areas still affected
UNICEF urges better protection of children in Middle East and North Africa
20 April 2011
Ongoing violence in the Middle East and North Africa, from Libya and Yemen to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, is taking a heavy toll on the lives of young people, the head of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said today, urging all parties to do more to ensure the protection of children in the region.
Security Council extends mandate of UN committee on weapons of mass destruction
20 April 2011
The Security Council today extended for 10 years the mandate of a committee tasked with monitoring a United Nations resolution on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and requested it to carry out a comprehensive review of the implementation of the text.
Côte d’Ivoire: UN peacekeepers begin clearing explosives after election conflict
22 April 2011
The United Nations peacekeeping force in Côte d'Ivoire has begun clearing explosive devices that were left over by combatants during the bloody post-election violence that engulfed the West-African country following the runoff presidential poll last November.
Ban deplores fresh clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, urges restraint
23 April 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said he is troubled by reports of renewed fighting over the past two days between Cambodian and Thai troops along the two countries' border, which has reportedly claimed the lives of many people on both sides.
Armed groups in Central African Republic continue to recruit children – UN report
25 April 2011
A new United Nations report voices serious concern about the continued recruitment of children by armed groups in the Central African Republic (CAR) and calls for measures to address the ongoing “protection crisis” in the country.
Sri Lanka: UN rights chief urges further investigations into reports of war crimes
26 April 2011
The United Nations human rights chief today urged further investigations into the conduct of the final stages of the conflict in Sri Lanka after a UN panel into those events found there were credible reports that both Government forces and Tamil rebels had committed war crimes.
By air and by sea, more UN relief aid arrives for civilians in strife-torn Libya
26 April 2011
Vital United Nations relief assistance has arrived by sea and by air in the Libyan cities of Benghazi and Misrata in the past couple of days, as fighting continues to rage between the Government and rebels seeking the ouster of Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi.
Secretary-General speaks out against killings of peaceful protesters in Syria
27 April 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed “increasingly grave concern” about the situation inside Syria, where hundreds of peaceful demonstrators protesting against the Government have been killed or injured in recent days.
Libya faces potential food crisis unless stocks are replenished soon, UN warns
UN News Centre – 28 April 2011
Unless a major effort is undertaken to replenish food stocks in Libya the country is at risk of a major food crisis within the next two months, a senior United Nations official warned today.
Daly Belgasami of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said that the disruption of port activities, coupled with the lack of fuel and hard currency, is making it difficult for the country to import enough food.
Yemen: UN chief appeals for restraint amid further violent clashes
UN News Centre – 28 April 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appealed for restraint after more violent clashes during protests in the Yemeni capital reportedly left 12 people dead and several hundred wounded.
The clashes that erupted yesterday during demonstrations in Sana’a are the latest incident in the unrest that has gripped the country since February. The violence in Yemen, especially the use of force by Government forces against peaceful demonstrators, has drawn repeated criticism from senior UN officials, including Mr. Ban and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay.
As drought deepens in Ethiopia, UN and partners urge scaling up of aid
UN News Centre – 28 April 2011
United Nations humanitarian agencies are calling for increased assistance to an estimated 2 million people affected by drought in the Horn of Africa country, where emergency conditions are projected to persist until the next rainy season arrives in October.