In Japan, Ban calls on G7 to back global goals, climate action, UN humanitarian response efforts
May 28, 2016, at 04:39 pm
New York, May 28 (Just Earth News): Addressing world leaders at an event on the side lines of the G-7 meeting currently under way in Nagoya, Japan, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the gathering to remain focused on key UN and global priorities: climate change; humanitarian action, refugees and migrants; global health; and the Sustainable Development Goals.
World Heritage sites at risk from climate change – joint UN report
May 28, 2016, at 04:38 pm
New York, May 28 (Just Earth News):Some 31 natural and cultural World Heritage sites in 29 countries across the world are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, a new report released by the United Nations has found.
UN refugee agency begins delivering supplies to families escaping besieged Fallujah
May 28, 2016, at 04:37 pm
New York, May 28 (Just Earth News): The United Nations refugee agency said on Friday that it is delivering emergency relief supplies to families who managed to escape the besieged Iraqi city of Fallujah over the past few days.
South Sudan: New team of explosive detection dogs arrives at UN mission
May 28, 2016, at 04:35 pm
New York, May 28 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in South Sudan said on Friday it will receive 37 new explosive detection dogs as part of an increase in the presence of such dogs throughout the country.
UN relief chief calls for more assistance for ‘distressing and dire’ situation of Syrians
May 28, 2016, at 04:34 pm
New York, May 28 (Just Earth News): Following a visit to Hatay in southern Turkey, the top United Nations humanitarian official has called for greater assistance for Syrians in need, both inside the country and across the region, warning that the humanitarian situation for millions of people remains “unrelentingly distressing and dire.â€
UN rights office warns of severe lack of funding for human rights body for the Americas
May 28, 2016, at 04:31 pm
New York, May 28 (Just Earth News):The United Nations human rights office on Friday said it is disturbed by the severe financial crisis the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is facing, warning that the Commission's capacity to respond to victims of rights violations across the Americas may be seriously diminished if it doesn't receive the necessary funding in the coming weeks.
LDCs: UN conference on least developed countries opens in Turkey to assess progress made since 2011
May 28, 2016, at 04:29 pm
New York, May 28 (Just Earth News):A United Nations conference focused on the world's least developed countries (LDCs) kicked-off on Friday in Antalya, Turkey, to assess these 48 States' progress over the past five years, and to find ways of accelerating their path towards sustainable development.
Pakistan PM extends his stay in London
May 28, 2016, at 04:17 am
London, May 27 (IBNS): Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is currently in London, has extended his stay in the city, media reports said.
Syria: MSF evacuates hospital as front line approaches
May 28, 2016, at 02:29 am
New York, May 27 (IBNS) Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is evacuating most of its staff and patients from Al Salamah hospital in northern Syria after an Islamic State offensive in Azaz, in Aleppo governorate, approached the area.
NATO Secretary General to visit Poland
May 28, 2016, at 01:09 am
Brussels, May 27 (IBNS): NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will travel to Warsaw on Monday and Tuesday.
Barack Obama visits Hiroshima, says memory must never fade
May 27, 2016, at 10:46 pm
Hiroshima, May 27 (IBNS) US President Barack Obama, the first sitting US President to visit Hiroshima blast site on Friday, said that the memory of war must never fade, according to reports.
NATO Deputy Secretary General to visit Albania
May 27, 2016, at 09:45 pm
Brussels, May 27 (IBNS) NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow will visit Albania on Monday, May 30, 2016.
Indonesia: Introduces capital punishment, chemical castration for child rapists
May 27, 2016, at 04:33 pm
Jakarta, May 27 (IBNS) Child rapists in Indonesia are set to receive either a capital punishment or chemical castration, under a new law, according to reports.
UN envoy for Syria tells Security Council peace talks will resume ‘as soon as feasible’
May 27, 2016, at 11:12 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for Syria on Thursday told the Security Council that he intends to begin the next round of intra-Syrian talks 'as soon as feasible, but certainly not within the next two to three weeks,’ the Organization reported on Thursday.
Ban appoints governing body of ‘technology bank’ for least developed nations
May 27, 2016, at 11:06 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News):Ahead of a major United Nations conference on priorities for the world’s least development countries (LDCs), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has announced the appointment of members to a governing council that will provide support towards the operationalization of a proposed Technology Bank for those vulnerable nations.
May 27, 2016, at 11:04 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News): United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson stressed on Thursday the need for Member States to redouble efforts at prevention – whether to combat climate change, build resilience or address potential conflict flashpoints before they reach a tipping point.
Attacks on health care and medical personnel in crises occur with ‘alarming frequency’ – UN
May 27, 2016, at 11:03 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News):The World Health Organization (WHO) said in a new report on Thursday that attacks on health care in emergency situations disrupt the delivery of essential health services, endanger care providers, deprive people of urgently needed medical attention, and undermine long-term health development goals.
Justice and accountability ‘critical components’ for lasting peace in Libya – ICC Prosecutor
May 27, 2016, at 11:01 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News):Justice, accountability and the deterrent effects of the law remain “critical components†for achieving lasting peace in Libya, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, encouraging the country’s Government to give priority to devising effective plans and strategies to address atrocity crimes, and to invest in the relevant national institutions responsible for such work.
Yemen: ‘hope’ emanating from UN-sponsored talks, as details of peace agreement discussed
May 27, 2016, at 10:59 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News):The United Nations envoy for Yemen said on Thursday that hope is emanating from the ongoing peace talks for the country as the warring parties started discussing details of elements that would be included in a comprehensive agreement.
UN health agency launches programme for outbreaks and humanitarian emergencies
May 27, 2016, at 10:58 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News):At the World Health Assembly taking place in Geneva this week, Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) have agreed to establish a new Health Emergencies Programme that will add operational capabilities for outbreaks and humanitarian emergencies that complement the health agency’s traditional technical and normative roles.
Iraq: civilians in besieged Fallujah at ‘extreme risk,’ senior UN humanitarian official warns
May 27, 2016, at 10:57 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News):Humanitarian agencies on the ground in Iraq are warning that civilians in the city of Fallujah –which has been under the control of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) for more than two years – are at extreme risk, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Iraq has said.
May 27, 2016, at 10:52 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News):Starting on Friday, the 48 least developed countries (LDCs) of the world will be the focus of a global United Nations conference in Antalya, Turkey, that aims to review their progress over the past five years.
In Republic of Korea, Ban urges Asian nations to settle border disputes, historical issues
May 27, 2016, at 10:50 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called on all Asian countries to deepen dialogue, expand cooperation, and address border disputes, historical issues and threats to stability on the Korean Peninsula.
INTERVIEWS: Top UN peacekeeping, logistical officials discuss threats to 'blue helmets'
May 27, 2016, at 10:49 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News): In extreme circumstances like deliberate targeting by jihadists and traffickers to more complicated assignments, on Thursday's United Nations peacekeepers need courage, a high degree of professionalism and resilience, the head of the so-called 'blue helmets' on Thursday said.
UN launches campaign to urge 'smart' transition to sustainable cities
May 27, 2016, at 10:47 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News):Two United Nations entities have launched a global initiative to advocate for public policy that will promote use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) as a catalyst for the transition to smart sustainable cities.
Pakistan confirms Mullah Akhtar Mansour's death in drone attack
May 26, 2016, at 09:51 pm
Islamabad, May 26 (IBNS): The Pakistan government on Thursday confirmed the death of Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour during a drone strike in the province of Balochistan.
‘The will to advance towards peace clearly exists’ in the Middle East – UN envoy
May 26, 2016, at 02:05 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for the peace process in the Middle East on Wednesday warned the Security Council that, as circumstances on the ground continue to deteriorate, lamenting the disappearance of a negotiated two-state solution has become a “default narrative†for many.
May 26, 2016, at 02:04 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News): As bellwethers for ecosystem health and biodiversity, bees play a crucial role in agriculture and ending hunger, and “pollinator-friendly†approaches are therefore highly encouraged, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
DR Congo: Ban ‘profoundly concerned’ over reports of rising political tensions
May 26, 2016, at 02:02 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed profound concern over reports of increasing political tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) linked to the continuing uncertainty surrounding the country’s electoral process.
On Africa Day, Ban urges leveraging gains to ensure ‘no African is left behind’
May 26, 2016, at 02:01 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News): Despite an uncertain global economic landscape, Africa’s prospects are positive, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday, urging the continent’s leaders to use recent gains to address rising social and economic inequalities.