Seven people reportedly perish trying to reach Europe from North Africa – UN
08 May 2012
At least seven people are reported to have died recently while sailing from Libya to Malta, bringing the number of reported or confirmed dead among people attempting to reach Europe from the North African nation to 81 this year, the United Nations refugee agency said today.
UN humanitarian chief urges donors to support Afghan people
08 May 2012
The United Nations humanitarian chief today called on donors and humanitarian agencies to give continued support to the people of Afghanistan, stressing that there is still much to do during the country’s transition period.
UN launches initiative to help end new HIV infections among children by 2015
08 May 2012
The lead United Nations agency dealing with the global AIDS response today launched a campaign to help bring attention to the goal of ending new HIV infections among children by 2015 and ensure mothers living with HIV remain healthy.
Security Council warns of sanctions if Guinea-Bissau political crisis continues
08 May 2012
As negotiations towards finding a solution to the political crisis in Guinea-Bissau continue, the Security Council today reiterated its readiness to consider targeted sanctions against those involved in last month’s military coup if the situation is not resolved.
Amid civil war concerns in Syria, envoy describes ongoing violence as ‘unacceptable’
08 May 2012
Amid concerns from the international community over the prospects of a “full civil war” in Syria, the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian Crisis, Kofi Annan, said today that the ongoing levels of violence and human rights abuses in the Middle Eastern country are unacceptable and the UN observer mission is possibly the only remaining chance to stabilize it.
Ban calls for global leadership dedicated to the common good
08 May 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for global leadership dedicated to the common good, which brings nations together to find solutions for a world which is witnessing growing injustice, insecurity and social inequality
Bird-watching can help boost ecotourism industry, says UN environment agency
10 May 2012
Bird-watching, a popular hobby around the world, can present significant economic opportunities for countries through sustainable tourism, the United Nations environment agency said today, stressing that States should increase efforts to support this growing industry.
South Sudan must sustain efforts to protect human rights, says UN official
11 May 2012
Welcoming South Sudan’s commitment to human rights, a top United Nations official today encouraged the country on its “very long and difficult path to peace, prosperity and a full realization of human rights,” and stressed the importance of addressing issues such as arbitrary detentions, torture and violence against women.
In UN-backed meeting, countries reaffirm their commitment to ban nuclear testing
11 May 2012
Meeting in Vienna today, members of the United Nations-backed treaty to ban nuclear testing reiterated their commitment to seek a safer world without nuclear weapons.
UN mission in Afghanistan condemns attacks on schools by insurgents
11 May 2012
The United Nations mission in Afghanistan today voiced serious concern over reported attacks on schools and education officials by anti-government groups in recent weeks, saying the raids were a violation of children's right to education.
As death toll rises, UN urges greater protection of civilians in Yemen, especially minors
11 May 2012
The use of the heavy weaponry, landmines and detonating unexploded ordnance in Yemen have claimed the lives of 27 children and maimed 32 others so far this year, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said today, urging all parties to the conflict to respect their obligation to protect civilians, especially minors.
Despite concerns, Iraq making progress on path to stability – UN envoy
11 May 2012
Despite some predictions in the wake of the United States troop withdrawal from Iraq, the Middle Eastern country is making progress on its path to stability, according to the United Nations envoy there.
UN official urges Islamic nations to integrate ancient principles into refugee laws
11 May 2012
Addressing a first-of-its-kind meeting on refugees in the Muslim world, the top United Nations refugee official today urged Islamic nations to take long-standing principles of providing asylum and enshrine them in national legislation
New UN-backed guidelines aim to protect rights to land, fisheries and forests
11 May 2012
A United Nations-backed committee today endorsed a set of far-reaching global guidelines to help governments protect the rights of people, especially the poor, to own or access land, forests and fisheries.
Ban welcomes South Sudan’s withdrawal of police from disputed Abyei
12 May 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed South Sudan's decision to withdraw its police force from the disputed area of Abyei , and strongly urged neighbouring Sudan to pull out its police from the area as well, in accordance with the agreement both parties signed in June last year.
UN relief official calls for sustained aid and livelihood support in Somalia
12 May 2012
A senior United Nations relief official today urged the international community to build on the effective delivery of aid that helped roll back last year's famine in Somalia, noting that about 2.5 million people in the Horn of Africa country remain in need of humanitarian support.
UN mission in Afghanistan condemns assassination of peace council member
13 May 2012
The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has condemned today's assassination of Maulawi Arsala Rahmani, a senior member of the country's High Peace Council, and stated its continued commitment to supporting the locally-led peace and reconciliation process.
UN soil carbon survey aims to help Tanzania reduce greenhouse gas emissions
16 May 2012
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is helping Tanzania determine how much carbon is stored in forests and forest soils, in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
Pacific Island nations taking the lead in sustainably managing ocean resources
18 May 2012
Leaders of Pacific Island developing nations attending a regional United Nations meeting here yesterday appealed to the world to help them deal with the impact of climate change and protect their marine environment to ensure their well-being and very survival.
Presence of observers in Syria has ‘calming effect’ in areas deployed – UN official
18 May 2012
Amid ongoing violence in parts of Syria, the presence of UN military observers on the ground has had an overall calming effect in their areas of deployment in the Middle Eastern country, the head of the UN observer force said today.
Sustainable development must inform global economic revival efforts – Ban
18 May 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today that efforts to revive the global economy must be based on a long-term vision of sustainable and inclusive development, stressing that the current financial difficulties make it imperative that the world seeks balanced growth for future generations.
Independent UN rights expert urges greater effort to eradicate torture in Tajikistan
18 May 2012
The United Nations independent expert on torture today said he was encouraged by recent legal changes in Tajikistan, including the introduction of a new provision defining torture and specifying penalties, but noted that mistreatment of suspects remains common.
Record number of African refugees migrating to Yemen – UN
18 May 2012
A record number of African migrants fled to Yemen this year, with 43,000 people having reached the Middle Eastern country in only four months, the United Nations refugee agency said today, adding that it is concerned with the rise in insecurity and trafficking in the region.
UN and Libya announce joint initiative to improve food security
18 May 2012
The United Nations food agency and Libya today signed an agreement to collaborate in a joint programme that seeks to increase food production while protecting the country’s natural resources.
Asia-Pacific region must adopt low carbon policies to sustain growth – UN
UN News Centre – 29 May 2012
Asia-Pacific nations must adopt low carbon policies to reduce poverty and sustain their economic growth, according to a United Nations roadmap launched today, which puts forward a series of strategies to help developing countries in the region deal with shrinking natural resources and climate change and drive sustainable development.
Neglected indigenous food can be important tool to fight hunger – UN official
UN News Centre – 31 May 2012
Indigenous foods which have been neglected by the food industry and urban consumers can be an important tool to alleviate hunger and malnutrition, a United Nations official said today.