Expanding social protection offers a faster track to ending hunger: UN report
Oct 14, 2015, at 01:56 pm
New York, Oct 14 (IBNS): A new report published on Tuesday by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) finds that social protection is emerging as a critical tool in the drive to eradicate hunger, yet the vast majority of the world’s rural poor are yet to be covered.
UN agency condemns suicide attacks in Chad, pledges continued support
Oct 14, 2015, at 01:54 pm
New York, Oct 14 (IBNS): The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday deplored the violent and fatal suicide attacks that were carried out over the weekend in the western Chad town of Baga Sola.
UN global advocate Daniel Craig visits Cyprus
Oct 14, 2015, at 01:53 pm
New York, Oct 14 (IBNS): In his new role as the United Nations Global Advocate for the Elimination of Mines and Explosive Hazards, renowned actor Daniel Craig underscored the humanitarian importance of the UN's de-mining efforts in Cyprus, his first country visit for the Organization.
Security Council renews commitment to resolution on women, peace and security
Oct 14, 2015, at 01:50 pm
New York, Oct 14 (IBNS): Marking the 15th anniversary the adoption of the United Nations Security Council's resolution 1325, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday declared his commitment to the inclusion of women in peace-building processes, while the Council adopted a new text by which it decided to integrate women, peace and security concerns across all country-specific situations on its agenda, within relevant contexts.
UN mission concerned by Taliban threats against Afghan media outlets
Oct 14, 2015, at 01:49 pm
New York, Oct 14 (IBNS): Expressing serious concerns at recent statements made from the Taliban that identified specific Afghan media outlets and its staff as targets, the United Nations Assistance Mission in the country (UNAMA) on Tuesday urged all parties to the conflict to respect and protect the right to freedom of expression.
'Knowledge saves lives,' UN stresses on International Day for Disaster Reduction
Oct 14, 2015, at 01:47 pm
New York, Oct 14 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday stressed the "indispensable" power of traditional, indigenous and local knowledge in his message on this year’s observance of the International Day for Disaster Reduction.
Iran: UN deputy chief highlights country's contributions over the decades
Oct 14, 2015, at 01:46 pm
New York, Oct 14 (IBNS): Commemorating in Tehran the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, the UN Deputy Secretary-General has highlighted the contributions Iran has made to the global community over the decades, as well as the significant challenges the country still faces.
Syria: UN human rights advisers alarmed at rise of incitement to religious violence
Oct 14, 2015, at 01:34 pm
New York, Oct 14 (IBNS): Senior United Nations human rights officials on Tuesday expressed their alarm at the rise in violent rhetoric by influential religious leaders – including calls for "holy war" against certain faiths – in relation to the situation in Syria.
UN relief official urges action to address urgent needs in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Oct 14, 2015, at 01:32 pm
New York, Oct 14 (IBNS): The head of Operations at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), John Ging, called on Tuesday for renewed international commitment to address urgent humanitarian needs, and to shore up regional peace and stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan, noting that the two countries were on differing humanitarian trajectories.
Dutch Safety Board's final report on flight MH17 crash in Ukraine welcomed by UN
Oct 14, 2015, at 01:31 pm
New York, Oct 14 (IBNS): The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on Tuesday welcomed the Dutch Safety Board's final report on Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which crashed on 17 July 2014 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine.
-1444736367.jpg "Pakistan: Landslide buries shanties in Karachi, 13 killed")
Pakistan: Landslide buries shanties in Karachi, 13 killed
Oct 13, 2015, at 10:39 pm
Karachi, Oct 13 (IBNS): AT least 13 people were killed in a landslide that buried shanties in Gulsitan-e-Jauhar area here on Tuesday, media reports said.
Rockets hit Russian embassy in Damscus
Oct 13, 2015, at 07:46 pm
Damascus, Oct 13 (IBNS) Two rockets hit the Russian embassy in Damascus on Tuesday, reports said.
UN forum on food security focuses on eradicating hunger by 2030
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:34 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): Marking the first international gathering on food security and nutrition since world leaders approved the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) commenced on Monday, focusing on ending hunger by 2030.
Gender parity in education achieved in less than half the world's countries: UNESCO
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:33 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): A new gender report compiled by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), shows that fewer than half the countries have achieved the goal of ensuring gender parity in both primary and secondary education before 2005.
UN urgently appeals for $86 million to tackle food insecurity in Zimbabwe
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:32 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): The United Nations in Zimbabwe has appealed to humanitarian and development partners for $86 million that is critically needed to fill a shortfall to support 1.5 million people affected by food insecurity in the country.
Member States pledge $100 million to UN agency supporting Palestine refugees
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:30 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): Twenty-two Member States of the United Nations are planning to pledge $100 million dollars to support next year's budget of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) which provides educational, health, relief and social services for some five million such refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and Gaza.
UN agency calls for robust political action to halt violence in West Bank
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:29 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): Deeply alarmed by the escalating violence and widespread loss of civilian life in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem and in Israel, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on Monday called for strong and immediate political action and accountability to stem the ongoing violence and prevent its further escalation.
UN mission in Darfur welcomes rebel group order to ban recruitment of child soldiers
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:27 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) on Monday welcomed as a "significant step" an order by the rebel Justice and Equality Movement known as JEM that prohibits the recruitment and use of children in its ranks.
UN official thanks Greece and frontline islands for response to continued arrivals
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:25 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): During a two-day mission to Greece – the main European Union entry point for nearly 450,000 refugees and migrants so far this year – the United Nations' most senior refugee official said he had witnessed the improved humanitarian response mounted by Greek local authorities and civil society while lamenting the continued lack of a large-scale and effective European response.
Afghanistan: UN urges prompt investigation into murder of mission staff member
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:23 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is deeply troubled and saddened over Monday's killing in Kandahar of Toorpaki Ulfat, a staff member of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
Peace endures when women can participate meaningfully in peace talks: UN report
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:20 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): A new report on women, peace and security, launched on Monday to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the landmark United Nations Security Council resolution on the issue, highlights the important gains to be made by the greater empowerment of women in peacebuilding efforts.
Somalia: UN boosts El Niño preparedness and relief, urges more funding
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:19 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): Efforts have been ramped up recently to mitigate the impact of floods and draughts in Somalia driven by the El Niño phenomenon between now and December, which may worsen the food security and humanitarian situations, the United Nations has said, while stressing the urgent need for more financial support to continue its relief work in the country.
UN budget proposal shows commitment to strict financial management: Ban
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:18 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): Introducing his proposed $5.5 billion budget for the work of the United Nations over the next two years, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday that it encompasses the Organization's "vision and commitment to budget discipline and strict financial management."
Africa Week: Ban lauds steps taken for continent’s long-term development agenda
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:16 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): Africa Week 2015 kicked off at Headquarters on Monday with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commending African Member States of the United Nations for taking an "important step" this year toward the establishment of a Continental Free Trade Area envisioned in the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
UN mission in Central Africa on 'high alert' as armed group threatens capital
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:14 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has reported that it is on "high alert" as the situation in the war-torn country remains fragile, with armed groups threatening to destabilize its capital city, Bangui.
Ban condemns suicide attacks in Cameroon
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:13 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned the suicide attacks in Kangaleri, Cameroon, on 11 October, suspected to be carried out by Boko Haram elements.
Ban calls for urgent and collective action to reform UN peace operations
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:12 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday urged immediate action to strengthen the Organization's peace operations, telling the 193-member UN General Assembly that is essential to act now and "not wait, as in the past, for crisis or tragedy to propel reform."
As Guinea awaits election results, Ban urges all political leaders to maintain peace
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:10 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): After weekend polls in Guinea, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday encouraged all political leaders and national stakeholders to maintain the peaceful atmosphere that prevailed on election day and to refrain from any statements that may lead to violence or unrest.
Terrorist attacks in Chad and Cameroon condemned by UN Security Council
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:07 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): The members of the UN Security Council have strongly condemned the "horrific" terrorist attacks attributed to Boko Haram, perpetrated on Saturday and Sunday in the towns of Baga Sola, Chad, and Kangaleri, Cameroon, which resulted in a large number of deaths and casualties.
Transformative political process key to resolving Syrian crisis: UN envoy
Oct 13, 2015, at 02:05 pm
New York, Oct 13 (IBNS): Only a parallel, all-inclusive transformative political process that is compliant within the framework of the Geneva Communiqué, can lead to a resolution of the ongoing crisis and Syria and tackle terrorism in the region, the United Nations Special Envoy for the country said on Monday.