Power of UN-sponsored school meals for girls to be highlighted in video series
05 March 2012
A 13-year-old girl living in one of Kenya’s poorest slums who has grown up receiving school meals through the United Nations food relief agency will share her experiences with other children around the world in a series of videos to be broadcast online tomorrow.
One year on, UN pays tribute to resilience of Japanese quake survivors
05 March 2012
A commemoration of the first anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last year was held today at United Nations Headquarters, with senior officials paying tribute to the resilience of the survivors of the disaster and the efforts of the world body to help them.
One year on, UN pays tribute to resilience of Japanese quake survivors
05 March 2012
A commemoration of the first anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last year was held today at United Nations Headquarters, with senior officials paying tribute to the resilience of the survivors of the disaster and the efforts of the world body to help them.
UN kicks off talks on new blueprint for disaster risk reduction
05 March 2012
The United Nations disaster risk reduction office today announced the start of consultations on a new international blueprint for reducing disaster losses ahead of a conference on the issue that Japan has offered to host in 2015.
World meets goal of boosting access to clean water but lags on better sanitation – UN
06 March 2012
The goal of reducing by half the number of people without access to safe drinking water has been achieved, well ahead of the 2015 deadline for reaching the globally agreed development targets aimed at ridding the world of extreme poverty, hunger and preventable diseases, the United Nations said today.
New UN-backed emissions reduction scheme helps poorer nations use clean energy
06 March 2012
Rural households in developing countries will soon be able to swap kerosene lamps and diesel generators for clean renewable energy thanks to a financial incentive provided under the emissions reduction mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), it was reported today.
‘State religions’ risk alienating minorities, warns UN rights expert
06 March 2012
State-sanctioned religions risk alienating minorities and discriminating against members of other faiths, an independent United Nations human rights expert warned today.
Ban calls for greater efforts to remove barriers to women’s economic empowerment
06 March 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for greater efforts to remove barriers that hinder women’s full participation in the economy, citing lack of access to jobs, markets, credit and property as some of the impediments.
UN, governments to meet on regional strategy against Lord Resistance Army
13 March 2012
United Nations and government officials from central Africa will meet in Uganda next week to finalize a comprehensive regional strategy on combating the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), the rebel group that gained notoriety for its atrocities in Uganda, but which has in recent years extended its violence to neighbouring countries.
New UN agreement seeks to protect environment from hazardous electronic waste
13 March 2012
A new United Nations agreement seeks to diminish the damage caused by electronic waste through the collection and recycling of hazardous materials, as well as by introducing measures to improve the ways in which this equipment is managed.
In landmark ruling, ICC finds Congolese warlord guilty of recruiting child soldiers
14 March 2012
The International Criminal Court (ICC) today found Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga Dyilo guilty of recruiting child soldiers, in a landmark ruling hailed by United Nations officials as an important step in the fight against impunity.
UN-Arab League envoy receives response from Syria, seeks clarifications
14 March 2012
The Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States for Syria has received a response from the Syrian authorities on issues he raised when he visited the country to help find a peaceful solution to the ongoing violence, and is seeking further clarifications, his spokesperson said today.
UN rights expert urges Israel to release Palestinian woman prisoner on hunger strike
14 March 2012
An independent United Nations human rights expert today urged Israel to release Hana Shalabi, a Palestinian woman prisoner who has been on a hunger strike for nearly a month.
Côte d’Ivoire: UN envoy lauds new premier and parliament president
14 March 2012
The head of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Côte d’Ivoire today congratulated the country’s new Prime Minister and the newly-elected president of parliament and assured them of the mission’s continued support.
Nearly five million Yemenis need food assistance, UN survey finds
14 March 2012
Almost five million Yemenis are unable to produce or buy the food they need, according to preliminary findings of a United Nations survey, which states that the number of people experiencing severe food insecurity has nearly doubled since 2009.
Unleash potential of small farmers to improve food security, says Ban
15 March 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for unleashing the potential of small farmers and food producers worldwide, the majority of whom are women, to ensure food security is guaranteed for all.
UN envoy strongly condemns attack on Somali government compound
15 March 2012
The United Nations envoy for Somalia has strongly condemned the suicide attack that took place yesterday at a government compound in the capital of the Horn of Africa nation.
UN health agency unveils new data to help countries reduce deaths from tobacco use
15 March 2012
Tobacco use is responsible for five million or 12 per cent of all deaths of adults above the age of 30 globally each year, according to a United Nations report unveiled today, that for the first time provides estimated mortality rates attributable to tobacco for 2004, the year before the international treaty on tobacco came into force.
ICC Prosecutor to seek near maximum sentence for convicted Congolese warlord
15 March 2012
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) today described the conviction of Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga Dyilo on charges of recruiting child soldiers as “a victory for humanity,” adding that he will ask for a prison term that is close to the maximum 30 years.
Ban commends Sudan, South Sudan for progress in talks to resolve outstanding issues
15 March 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has commended the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan for the progress they have made in talks aimed at resolving post-independence issues, including agreements reached on the status of citizens of each State and the demarcation of the border.
Status quo in Syria ‘indefensible,’ Ban says on anniversary of uprising
15 March 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today marked the anniversary of the uprising in Syria by calling for an end to the ongoing bloodshed, which has claimed more than 8,000 lives since popular protests began a year ago, and for a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
E-waste guide launched to help Pacific media
15 March 2012
E-waste is electrical and electronic equipment that is at the end of its useful life. This covers home or business items that use power, some examples of which are televisions, radios, computers, phones and digital cameras. Pacific Island communities now face growing challenges from the impacts of e-waste.
Asia-Pacific nations review progress on sustainable transport at UN-backed forum
15 March 2012
Senior officials from over 30 Asia-Pacific nations are meeting at a United Nations-backed forum in Bangkok to review progress towards a sustainable and efficient regional transport network.
UN-Arab League envoy sending team to Syria to continue talks on ending crisis
16 March 2012
The Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States for Syria, Kofi Annan, today said he will send a team to the country at the weekend to continue discussions on proposals he has presented to the leadership as he tries to find a peaceful solution to the year-long bloody conflict.
UN rights chief urges all sides to ensure free and fair elections in Guinea-Bissau
16 March 2012
As the people of Guinea-Bissau prepare to elect a new president this weekend, the United Nations human rights chief today called on all sides to ensure that the polls are free and fair.
Disaster stalking children in Africa’s drought-prone Sahel region, warns UNICEF
16 March 2012
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is warning that more than a million children below the age of five in the Sahel are facing a disaster amid the ongoing food crisis in the drought-prone region of Africa.
Annual UN population prize awarded to US advocate and Malaysian NGO
16 March 2012
A reproductive health advocate from the United States and a Malaysian non-governmental organization (NGO) specializing in family planning and sexual health will be this year’s recipients of the annual United Nations Population Award, it was announced today.
UN-led initiative harnesses partnerships to tackle water and sanitation challenges
16 March 2012
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has facilitated the formation of a global platform to unite local actors to solve water and sanitation challenges, including encouraging water authorities in developed countries to support the improvement of services in poorer regions through donations.
Ban praises people of Timor-Leste for holding peaceful presidential election
18 March 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today congratulated the people of Timor-Leste for demonstrating their commitment to democracy and peace by participating in presidential election.
UN experts call for including human rights standards in development goals
19 March 2012
A group of independent United Nations experts today urged States to include universally agreed international human rights norms and standards, as well as accountability mechanisms, in the goals that will emerge from a UN sustainable development forum in June.
Solomon Islands must act to end violence against women, UN rights expert says
19 March 2012
The Solomon Islands must do more to protect women from violence and provide victims of gender inequality and discrimination access to justice, an independent United Nations human rights expert stressed after visiting the country.
International community must ‘speak with one voice’ to address Syrian crisis – Ban
20 March 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed that the international community must continue to “speak with one voice” to find a solution to the Syrian crisis, stressing that there is no time to lose in seeking to end the ongoing violence.
Afghan transition process on track despite recent violent incidents – UN envoy
20 March 2012
The transition process in Afghanistan remains on track despite recent tragic incidents, the United Nations envoy to the country said today, adding that efforts continue to strengthen the capacity of national institutions to maintain rule of law and provide services to the population.
On regional tour, Ban salutes Indonesia’s commitment to UN peacekeeping
20 March 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today hailed Indonesia’s regular contribution of troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions as a remarkable expression of international solidarity on peace and security, noting that the country’s president is himself a former blue helmet.
Serious human rights violations committed during DR Congo elections – UN report
20 March 2012
Serious human rights violations, including killings, disappearances and arbitrary detentions, were committed by Congolese and security forces during last year’s presidential and legislative elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to a United Nations report released today.
Top UN official in Iraq condemns series of deadly bombings
20 March 2012
The top United Nations envoy in Iraq has strongly condemned today’s series of deadly bomb attacks in a number of cities that claimed the lives of dozens of people and injured many others.
UN refugee agency steps up assistance to thousands uprooted by Mali conflict
20 March 2012
The United Nations refugee agency is increasing its assistance to the tens of thousands of Malians who have been uprooted by the fighting between the army and Tuareg rebels, including providing shelter, clean water, and healthcare to camps in neighbouring countries.
UN agency outlines steps to boost support to young Palestinian refugees
20 March 2012
The United Nations agency assisting Palestinian refugees today unveiled 10 commitments through which it will strengthen support to and better engage young refugees, as it wrapped up a two-day conference held in Brussels.
UN police chief: ‘zero impunity’ for peacekeepers guilty of sexual abuse
21 March 2012
The United Nations police chief today called on Member States to ensure that peacekeeping personnel found guilty of sexual exploitation and abuse are punished and that everything possible is done to prevent such crimes from being committed in the first place.
UN chief calls for greater cooperation for 21st century’s security challenges
21 March 2012
Pointing to recent crises in Côte d’Ivoire, Libya and Syria, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today spoke about the need for the international community to work together to deal with the “unprecedented peace and security challenges of the 21st century.”
UN-backed effort aims to vaccinate 111 million children against polio in four days
21 March 2012
A United Nations-backed campaign will seek to vaccinate more than 111 million children under the age of five against polio in 20 African countries in just four days.
UN honours heroes and survivors of transatlantic slave trade
23 March 2012
The United Nations is hosting a series of events, beginning today, to pay tribute to the men and women who bravely fought against the transatlantic slave trade and those who continue to stand up against modern forms of slavery.
Looking to Rio+20, world must act on sustainable development, says UN forum
23 March 2012
The international community must “reset the global development agenda” and strengthen its commitment to sustainable development, a United Nations-backed conference in Istanbul heard today.
Sustainable development efforts of 25 grassroots groups win UN-backed prize
23 March 2012
Twenty-five local community projects – ranging from a wildlife sanctuary in Bangladesh to a medicinal plants farm in Brazil, a land and water conservation group in Morocco to a reforestation and farming initiative in Ethiopia – are the winners of a United Nations-backed partnership prize for promoting local sustainable development solutions.
Situation on Korean peninsula, nuclear security feature in Ban’s talks in Seoul
24 March 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the President of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Lee Myung-bak, held talks in Seoul today, focusing on issues such as the situation on the Korean peninsula, global nuclear security and the crisis in Syria.
More intensified push needed to end global epidemic of tuberculosis – Ban
24 March 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon marked this year's World Tuberculosis Day with a call for a greater push to eliminate once and for all the second top infectious killer of adults after HIV/AIDS.
UN Launches Initiative to Promote Role of Law in Advancing Sustainable Development
26 March 2012
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and partners have launched a new international initiative to promote the role of law towards achieving environmental sustainability and the transition to a low carbon, resource-efficient green economy.
UN chief ‘deeply concerned’ over military clashes on Sudan-South Sudan border
26 March 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is deeply concerned about the military clashes in the border region of Sudan and South Sudan, and calls on their Governments to fully respect and implement the agreements they have already reached on security, border monitoring and the disputed area of Abyei, Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said today.
Security Council concerned over situation in Sahel region, condemns Mali rebellion
26 March 2012
The Security Council today voiced serious concern over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Africa’s Sahel region, saying that the presence of armed and terrorist groups, as well as the proliferation of weapons in the area, have exacerbated the problem.
Regional engagement crucial as Afghan transition gathers pace – Ban
26 March 2012
As Afghanistan’s transition picks up pace, regional engagement becomes even more important, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today as the country’s partners met in neighbouring Tajikistan.
UN agency welcomes US contribution of $10 million to help Palestinian refugees
26 March 2012
The head of the United Nations agency assisting Palestinian refugees today welcomed a $10 million contribution from the United States to its funding.
Investing in agriculture most effective way to eradicate poverty in Africa – UN
26 March 2012
With the deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) just three years away, a senior United Nations official today emphasized that spending on agriculture is the most effective type of investment for halting poverty in Africa.
UN Drylands Ambassador calls for greater efforts to fight desertification
26 March 2012
With land degradation and desertification affecting 1.5 billion people across the globe, 75 per cent of them among the world’s poorest, the United Nations’ most recently-appointed Drylands Ambassador today called for greater efforts to combat the problem.
UN official: ‘race against time’ to avert disaster in Africa’s drought-stricken Sahel
28 March 2012
The food and nutrition crisis facing countries in West Africa’s drought-prone Sahel region has continued to deteriorate at an alarming rate despite commendable early response efforts by governments and international aid agencies, a senior United Nations official said today.
Situation on South Sudan-Sudan border cools as parties say they want to meet – UN
28 March 2012
Tensions stemming from military clashes in the border area between Sudan and South Sudan appear to be de-escalating as both parties have stated their willingness to meet in the coming days in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to prevent a new eruption of violence, a United Nations spokesperson said today.
Ban calls on Syria to implement UN-Arab League envoy’s plan to end crisis
28 March 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to implement a six-point plan put forward recently to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in the country.
UN rights chief praises Senegal election, urges Mali and Guinea-Bissau to follow suit
28 March 2012
The United Nations human rights chief today congratulated Senegal for conducting peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections, and called on other West African countries, where there has been increasing political tension and violence, to do the same.
New UN partnership seeks to advance HIV/AIDS response across Africa
28 March 2012
The United Nations has teamed up with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency to advance sustainable responses to HIV/AIDS, health and development across the continent.
New mandate will strengthen engagement in Afghanistan – UN envoy
28 March 2012
The United Nations envoy in Afghanistan said today that the recently renewed mandate of the world body’s mission in the country lends itself to stronger engagement with the Government and society at large to advance peace, development and a host of other goals.