World Heritage Committee condemns destruction of Mali sites
03 July 2012
The World Heritage Committee has condemned the destruction of sites in Mali – including in the fabled city of Timbuktu – and decided on measures to help the West African country protect its heritage, including the creation of a special fund to help it conserve its cultural heritage.
Somalia: UN and partners note roadmap progress, voice concern over missed deadlines
04 July 2012
While noting progress, the international group that brings together the United Nations and its diplomatic partners in support of efforts to restore peace and stability in Somalia today expressed concern over the missing of deadlines which form part of the process of ending the country's current transitional governing arrangements on 20 August this year.
Syria: chief UN observer receives ‘clear commitment’ from authorities on peace plan
04 July 2012
Addressing reporters in the Syrian capital of Damascus, the UN Chief Military Observer in the country, Major-General Robert Mood, today said the Government had indicated a clear commitment to a peace plan aimed at ending the violence there, and reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to helping the people of Syria.
UN food standards body sets new regulations to help improve consumer health
04 July 2012
The United Nations food standards body has agreed on new regulations, including the maximum level of melamine in liquid milk formula for babies, as part of its efforts to help protect the health of consumers, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today.
UNESCO and NGO partner appeal for funds to help wildlife reserve attacked by poachers
04 July 2012
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and a non-governmental organization today launched an emergency appeal to support the staff and rebuild the headquarters of a key wildlife reserve in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which was recently attacked by poachers.
Mali: Security Council demands end to hostilities, open to considering force deployment
05 July 2012
Condemning the forcible seizure of power in Mali earlier this year, the United Nations Security Council today demanded the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities by rebel groups in the country’s north and indicated its willingness to consider the deployment of a stabilization force in the troubled West African country.
Secretary-General salutes Libyans ahead of first free elections in decades
05 July 2012
Ahead of Libya’s first free elections in decades this weekend, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today saluted its people, and reaffirmed the support of the United Nations as the North African country progresses along the “road to democracy.”
UN proposes mechanisms to raise $400 billion to close gap on development financing needs
05 July 2012
In a major report, the United Nations today proposed a series of financial mechanisms to raise $400 billion annually for development needs, as many donor countries have cut back their assistance funding due to the global economic crisis.
Security Council extends UN mission in South Sudan for another year
05 July 2012
The Security Council today extended for 12 months the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), while focusing its mandate on civilian protection and the improvement of security in the African country.
UN mission in Syria to re-structure its observer presence throughout the country
05 July 2012
The United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) will restructure itself in order to better meet its operational mandate, its Chief Military Observer, Major-General Robert Mood, said today.
Investment in children must be a priority in South Sudan – UNICEF
06 July 2012
Ahead of the one-year anniversary of South Sudan’s independence, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today called for the rights of children to be made a priority, stressing that they are vital for the young nation’s growth and stability.
UNICEF warns of increasing violence against children in northern Mali
06 July 2012
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today voiced “grave concern” over the situation in northern Mali, warning of increasing evidence showing children being killed, injured or recruited into armed groups.
UN development cooperation forum ends with call for strong collaboration among states
06 July 2012
A United Nations forum on development cooperation today ended for a call for increased collaboration and accountability among countries, and incorporation of sustainability objectives.
At major conference, Ban calls for continued international engagement with Afghanistan
08 July 2012
Speaking at a major international conference, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for the international community to continue its engagement with and support for Afghanistan.
International pressure needed to prevent further escalation of violence in Syria – Ban
08 July 2012
“The situation has deteriorated significantly, and has become more militarized. Appalling violations of human rights continue to take place. The killings and violence seem to have taken on a very worrying sectarian character. At least 1.5 million people are now in need of urgent humanitarian aid,” Mr. Ban told journalists at the Japan National Press Club.
UN chief congratulates Timor-Leste on peaceful holding of parliamentary elections
08 July 2012
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated the people, Government and political parties of Timor-Leste for the peaceful and orderly manner in which the country held parliamentary elections on Saturday.
Use of ‘Big Data’ in development highlighted at UN Headquarters meeting
10 July 2012
The era of ‘Big Data’ presents the United Nations with an historic opportunity to better support and protect populations through analysis of digital information, according to a new report launched today at UN Headquarters in New York.
In calls to DR Congo and Rwanda leaders, Ban voices concern over M23 renegades
11 July 2012
In calls with the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed grave concern over reports that an armed group of former soldiers in the eastern DRC is receiving external support, according to Mr. Ban’s spokesperson.
Syria: UN-Arab League envoy reiterates need to implement six-point peace plan
11 July 2012
The Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States for Syria, Kofi Annan, today reaffirmed the importance of implementing a six-point plan to halt the violence in the Middle Eastern country, and stressed that the international community must continue to work together to end the ongoing conflict there.
UN commits to boosting reproductive health care services
11 July 2012
The World Health Organization (WHO) today committed to a series of actions aimed at improving family planning and reproductive health services in developing countries.
UN and 2015 Universiade organizers aim to promote dialogue through sport
11 July 2012
The United Nations and the organisers of the 2015 Universiade – an international sporting and cultural event for university students, which will be held in the Republic of Korea – have signed a partnership agreement which aims to support the attainment and awareness of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as to promote dialogue and mutual understanding through sport.
UNESCO adds 20 new sites to global network of biosphere reserves
11 July 2012
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today added 20 new sites to its global list of biosphere reserves, bringing the total to 599 in 117 countries.
Increased productivity needed to improve food security – UN report
11 July 2012
Higher demand for food due to population growth, urban migration and other factors will require countries to increase their productivity, according to a new report co-authored by the United Nations, which warns that without more supplies, prices will rise significantly.
Critical funding shortage threatens humanitarian response for Syria – UN official
16 July 2012
The humanitarian response for Syria is facing a critical shortage of funds, a top United Nations relief official warned today, calling on the donor community to scale up their contributions to enable aid agencies to help those affected by the escalating crisis.
On Day of Iraqi Child, UN reaffirms commitment to protect rights of 16 million children
16 July 2012
The United Nations today reaffirmed its commitment to protect and promote the rights of 16 million Iraqi children, on the occasion of the Day of the Iraqi Child, which commemorates the deaths of dozens of children who were killed by a car bomb on 13 July, 2005.
Syria: after Moscow meeting, Joint Special Envoy voices hope for Council agreement
17 July 2012
Addressing the media in Moscow, the Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States for the Syrian Crisis, Kofi Annan, today voiced the hope that members of the Security Council will be able to reach agreement on a course of action to deal with the situation in the Middle Eastern country.
UN rights chief calls for DR Congo murder trial to respect standards of due process
17 July 2012
The United Nations human rights chief today called for the appeal trial in the case of a murdered Congolese human rights defender, Floribert Chebeya Bahizire, and the disappearance of his driver, to fully respect international standards of due process.
UN expert urges US authorities to stop execution of two persons with disabilities
17 July 2012
An independent United Nations human rights expert has urged United States authorities to stop the execution of two people with psychosocial disabilities who are scheduled to be put to death tomorrow in the states of Georgia and Texas.
UN calls on United Arab Emirates to guarantee protection of rights defenders
17 July 2012
The United Nations today called on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to provide protection to human rights defenders to ensure they can carry out their work, following reports of various cases of harassment, arbitrary arrests, and expulsion from the country.
UN provides entrepreneurship training for young people in the Philippines
17 July 2012
The United Nations is providing training for young people to become entrepreneurs in the Philippines as a way to reduce poverty and stop the labour force from migrating to other countries.
Locust threat to croplands in Mali and Niger continues to grow, warns UN agency
17 July 2012
The desert locust threat to Mali and Niger’s croplands continues to grow as swarms of the insects have arrived to the northern parts of both countries, the United Nations food agency warned today.
UN rights expert urges international community to not turn its back on Tuvalu
19 July 2012
A United Nations independent expert today called on the international community to not turn its back on the small island State of Tuvalu, where communities are being seriously affected by climate change.
Côte d’Ivoire: UN deplores attack against camp for internally displaced
21 July 2012
A United Nations top official today strongly condemned the attack carried out by some 300 individuals against a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Côte d'Ivoire, which resulted in seven deaths and injured 13 people.
UN voices concern over 500,000 Palestinian refugees in Syria
22 July 2012
The United Nations today expressed grave concern over the implications of the violence in Syria for the 500,000 Palestinian refugees across the country.
Use of chemical weapons in Syria would be ‘reprehensible’ – UN chief
23 July 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced concern about the possible use of chemical weapons in the Syrian conflict and stressed the need for the international community to keep a close eye on the situation.
Iraq: UN condemns wave of attacks
23 July 2012
The United Nations mission in Iraq today strongly condemned the wave of attacks that started yesterday in the Middle Eastern country, killing dozens and injuring many more.
UN officials urge action to ‘turn the tide’ on global HIV/AIDS epidemic
23 July 2012
United Nations officials have called for a renewed commitment to tackle HIV/AIDS and end the epidemic once and for all, as over 20,000 delegates from all over the world gathered in the United States capital for the XIX International AIDS Conference.
UN International Youth Dya 2012 - Building a better world, partnering with youth
23 July 2012
“To unleash the power of young people, we need to partner with them.”
-- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
World must learn from Srebrenica massacre, stop bloodshed in Syria – Ban
26 July 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today paid his respects to the victims of Srebrenica and called on the world to learn the lessons from the 1995 massacre and stop the ongoing bloodshed in Syria.
Mali: UN calls for immediate action to avert humanitarian disaster
26 July 2012
The United Nations today called for immediate action to tackle Mali’s current humanitarian crisis which is driven by food insecurity, malnutrition, population displacement and widespread insecurity.
Unity, common purpose vital to resolve Guinea-Bissau political crisis – UN officials
26 July 2012
Addressing the Security Council, United Nations officials today stressed the need for all actors in Guinea-Bissau to work together to restore constitutional order following this year’s coup d’état and for unity among international partners on how to assist the country in this process.
Ban appeals to countries to make progress in arms trade treaty negotiations
26 July 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appealed to countries to show flexibility and make progress in the negotiations of a treaty that would regulate the conventional arms trade.
UN peacekeeping chief says decision to halve Syria observer force only temporary
26 July 2012
The United Nations is not packing up and going home, the world body’s top peacekeeping official told reporters in the Syrian capital today, noting that the observers sent home this week could be recalled if circumstances in the country change.
UN humanitarian arm allocates $20 million to assist refugee in South Sudan
27 July 2012
The United Nations humanitarian arm announced today it is providing $20 million to help alleviate the suffering of Sudanese civilians who have fled conflict and hunger and sought refuge in South Sudan.
Ban disappointed over lack of agreement on conventional arms trade treaty
UN News Centre – 30 July 2012
29 July 2012 –
Describing it as a “setback,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his disappointment over the failure by United Nations Member States to reach agreement on a treaty that would regulate the conventional arms trade.
Ban names high-level panel to map out ‘bold’ vision for future global development efforts
31 July 2012
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the members of a High-level Panel to advise on the global development agenda beyond 2015, the target date for achieving the anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
UN envoy urges Iraq to avoid violence in relocating Iranian exiles from camp
31 July 2012
At a meeting with the Iraqi Government, the United Nations top official in the Middle Eastern country today urged the authorities to avoid violence in resolving the situation of more than 1,000 Iranian exiles currently located in a camp in Iraq.
Côte d’Ivoire: human rights-based solutions key to resolving displacement – UN
31 July 2012
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Côte d’Ivoire need durable solutions based on a human rights approach to be able to rebuild their lives, a United Nations independent expert said today.
Number of Syrians displaced by conflict continues to rise, UN refugee agency reports
31 July 2012
With armed violence continuing unabated in parts of Syria, thousands of people are fleeing their homes on a daily basis and seeking refuge in schools, mosques and public buildings, as well as in neighbouring countries, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported today.
Ahead of visit to region, UN refugee chief calls for more support for displaced Malians
31 July 2012
A United Nations top official today urged the international community to boost its support for the hundreds of thousands of Malian refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries due to recent violence.
UN and G20 can support each other to advance common goals, say top officials
31 July 2012
As the General Assembly met today to hear about the outcome of the Group of 20 (G20) summit held in Mexico in June, top United Nations officials highlighted issues on which the two bodies can work together, including employment, nutrition and sustainable development.