Security Council calls on Libyan authorities to stem proliferation of arms
UN News Centre – 02 November 2011
The Security Council has called on interim authorities in Libya to take action to prevent the proliferation of arms, missiles and related materiel, warning of the danger they pose to the newly liberated North African country and the wider region.
Ban launches high-level group to mobilize action on sustainable energy for all
UN News Centre – 02 November 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the members of a high-level group tasked with mobilize action among governments, the private sector and civil society for one of his key initiatives – supporting the provision of clean and affordable energy for everyone.
UNICEF calls for urgent funding for nutrition crisis in DPR Korea
UN News Centre – 02 November 2011
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today called for funding to assist millions of people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), particularly children and women, who are at risk of becoming severely malnourished.
Building a better world with cooperatives
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs – 02 November 2011
Over one billion people are members of cooperatives, a serious enterprise model that puts people at the heart of all business. Owned and controlled by the members they serve, they are great tools for empowering people.
As world passes 7 billion milestone, UN urges action to meet key challenges
UN News Centre – 02 November 2011
Top United Nations officials today marked the global population reaching 7 billion with a call to action to world leaders to meet the challenges that a growing population poses, from ensuring adequate food and clean water to guaranteeing equal access to security and justice.
Nigeria’s plastic bottle house
BBC Africa – 09 November 2011
Nigeria's first house built from discarded plastic bottles is proving a tourist attraction in the village of Yelwa.
Direct aid transfers are efficient way to tackle poverty – report
Alertnet – 09 November 2011
Providing international aid directly to the poorest and most vulnerable people shows clear and immediate benefits, according to a report by Britain’s National Audit Office.
UN urges Rwanda to boost efforts to transition to green economy
16 November 2011
Rwanda must build on its efforts to transition to a green economy, according a United Nations report released today on the country’s post-conflict environmental situation, which also urges the Government to implement measures that will boost the economy while protecting natural resources.
Philosophy can benefit society, aid search for peace and development – UN official
17 November 2011
Philosophy, the exercise of critical thought and freedom of expression, is vital in the search for lasting responses to the challenges of peace and development, a top United Nations official stated as the world body marked this year’s World Philosophy Day.
UN reports three areas in Somalia have emerged from famine
18 November 2011
The United Nations reported today that three areas in Somalia which were declared to be in a state of famine earlier this year have emerged from the dire food crisis as a result of scaled-up relief delivery, but warned that the situation remains critical for millions of people in the Horn of Africa country.
UN calls for urgent funds to deal with ongoing cholera outbreak in DR Congo
18 November 2011
The United Nations humanitarian arm warned today that $5.5 million is urgently needed from donors to combat an outbreak of cholera that has infected more than 17,000 people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
UN and China launch joint initiative to promote ecosystem management
18 November 2011
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and China’s academy of sciences today launched a joint programme designed to promote proper management of ecosystems in developing countries, with a special focus on Africa.
Ban urges Asia-Pacific private sector to support women and children’s health
18 November 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged business leaders in the Asia and Pacific region to support the United Nations-led global effort to improve the health of women and children to create healthier communities across the world.
Sustainable development key to Africa’s socio-economic challenges – Migiro
21 November 2011
Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro today stressed that sustainable development is key to addressing Africa’s economic, social and environmental challenges, noting that the continent has the capacity to transition to a green economy without the adverse effects that have accompanied growth in other regions.
ICC judges will decide where Qadhafi’s son will stand trial, says Prosecutor
22 November 2011
It will be up to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to decide where Saif al-Islam Qadhafi, son of the former Libyan leader, will stand trial to face charges for crimes against humanity, the court’s Prosecutor said today as he arrived in Tripoli for talks with national authorities.
UN launches global conversation ahead of sustainable development conference
22 November 2011
The United Nations today launched a campaign ahead of its major conference on sustainable development (Rio+20) in June next year, inviting governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and people everywhere to engage in a global conversation about the communities they want to see in the future.
Citing value for money, Ban urges generous support for UN Peacebuilding Fund
22 November 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for continued backing and financial support for the United Nations fund that helps countries emerging from conflict to build lasting peace, stressing the timely and effective assistance delivered to several nations already.
UN, MTV and award-winning band launch campaign against human trafficking
22 November 2011
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched a joint campaign with MTV Latin America, the television network Tr3s and rock band Calle 13 to raise awareness about human trafficking and exploitation of youth in Hispanic communities.
UN environmental agency awards biologist for reducing human-animal conflict
22 November 2011
A British biologist today received a United Nations award for her work using the diminutive bee to thwart the world’s largest land animal, the elephant, from crop-raiding in Kenya.
UN study provides guidelines to meet greenhouse gas emissions targets by 2020
23 November 2011
A new United Nations study released today provides policy-makers with technical and economically feasible guidelines on how to cut down greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions so governments can meet their environmental targets by 2020.
Investment in children is paying off, but it must reach most vulnerable – UN report
23 November 2011
Children’s well-being has improved dramatically thanks to increased global political will and efficient supportive programmes and policies, according to a report released today by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Save the Children UK, but it also warns that benefits need to reach the most disadvantaged children for gains to be sustainable.
Libya: UN chief welcomes formation of new interim Government
23 November 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the formation of the new interim Government in Libya and congratulated Prime Minister Abdurrahim El-Keib and members of his cabinet.
UN rights chief deplores killing of protesters in Egypt
23 November 2011
The United Nations human rights chief today deplored the role of Egypt’s military and security forces in attempting to suppress recent protests demanding a return to civilian rule, particularly the reported killing of some 30 protesters, and called for an independent probe into the abuses.
Political transition settlement reached in Yemen – UN envoy
23 November 2011
Yemen’s warring forces have agreed to a political transition settlement, the top United Nations envoy to the country announced today, calling the deal “an important milestone towards restoring peace and stability, maintaining national unity and territorial integrity, and laying the foundation for economic recovery.”
UN officials urge global focus on new challenges to peace and security
23 November 2011
Senior United Nations officials today cited organized crime, pandemics and the effects of climate change as daunting challenges to the maintenance of international peace and security and called for regional and global multi-disciplinary cooperation to tackle the threats.
Top UN officials highlight youth leadership in ending violence against women
23 November 2011
Top United Nations officials today called for engaging all of society, and especially young people, to end violence against women, a scourge that spans the globe and takes many forms, including rape, domestic violence and harassment at work.
Five million Pakistanis still need help in wake of floods, UN agencies say
25 November 2011
More than five million Pakistanis are now estimated to require humanitarian assistance as a result of this year’s floods, and almost half of those in need are children, United Nations aid agencies reported today.
UN telecoms agency urges use of technology to tackle climate change
25 November 2011
The United Nations International Telecommunications Union (ITU) said today that it will, with partners, urge delegates at the UN climate change conference in South Africa next week to harness the power of information and communication technology to promote measures to mitigate and adapt to global warming.
Palestinian pupils at UN schools form group image as dove of peace
25 November 2011
Hundreds of children from United Nations-run schools in the Jericho area of the occupied Palestinian territory today created a massive aerial image jointly with the renowned artist John Quigley to send out a peace message to the world.
As Congolese prepare to vote, Ban calls for peaceful and secure elections
27 November 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged politicians and voters in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to ensure that tomorrow''s presidential and parliamentary elections take place as peacefully and smoothly as possible.
Syrian forces have committed crimes against humanity – UN rights panel
28 November 2011
Syria’s military and security forces have committed crimes against humanity during their crackdown on protesters, a United Nations-appointed probe said today, urging the Government to immediately end “gross” human rights violations and bring perpetrators to justice.
UN climate change conference kicks off in Durban with call to action
28 November 2011
Thousands of representatives from governments, international organizations and civil society gathered today in Durban, South Africa for the start of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which seeks to advance ways to cut global carbon emissions and pollution.
Somalia: UN strongly condemns seizure of aid agency assets by insurgent group
28 November 2011
Senior United Nations officials today voiced grave concern over the seizure by members of Somalia’s Al-Shabaab insurgent group of property belonging to United Nations agencies and several non-governmental organizations (NGOS) striving to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the country’s south.
Yemenis facing deepening humanitarian crisis, UN relief official warns
29 November 2011
Millions of people in Yemen are facing a severe humanitarian crisis, a senior United Nations relief official said today, warning that the situation is likely to deteriorate over the next year despite the recent accord to restore peace and stability.
This year will be world’s tenth warmest on record, UN report finds
29 November 2011
Temperatures this year are the tenth highest on record since 1850, and the highest ever in a year which experienced a La Niña event, a meteorological phenomenon which is supposed to have a cooling influence on Earth’s atmosphere, a United Nations agency reported today.
New UN satellite survey of forests charts extent of global deforestation
30 November 2011
The rate of global deforestation, mainly the conversion of tropical forests to agricultural land, averaged 14.5 million hectares a year between 1990 and 2005, according to a satellite-based survey released today by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Rising use and trafficking of illicit stimulants threaten security, health in Asia – UN
30 November 2011
The rising manufacture, trafficking and use of methamphetamines in East Asia and Southeast Asia pose a growing threat to public health and security in the region, as transnational organized criminal groups become increasingly involved, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said today.
At aid forum, Ban urges countries to not turn their backs on the world’s poor
30 November 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged countries today to fulfil their aid commitments and invest in the world’s poor, adding that success will only be attained if donors unite their efforts and ensure their financial support is accountable, flexible and country-driven.
UN urges food sector to reduce fossil fuel use and shift to ‘energy-smart’ agriculture
30 November 2011
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has urged the global food industry to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, saying that excessive reliance on that form of energy is likely to undermine efforts to produce enough food for the world’s growing population.
Ban voices outrage after attack against UK embassy in Iranian capital
30 November 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed his shock and outrage at yesterday’s attack against the United Kingdom’s embassy in Iran and urged the country’s authorities to take steps to prevent similar attacks against other diplomatic missions.
UN agency for Palestinian refugees to build green schools in Gaza
30 November 2011
The United Nations relief agency for Palestinian refugees said today it has formed a partnership with a renowned architect to build 20 environmentally-friendly schools in the Gaza Strip.