Security Council debate on ‘women, peace and security’ spotlights prevention and gender equality links

Oct 28, 2017, at 09:47 am

New York, Oct 28(Just Earth News): At the Security Council on Friday, a senior United Nations official called on Member States, regional organizations and civil society for greater partnership to boost women’s participation at all levels and help ensure UN peace efforts are stronger and more sustainable.

Linking past and present, audiovisual heritage is ‘part of our common history,’ UNESCO says on World Day

Oct 28, 2017, at 09:46 am

New York, Oct 28(Just Earth News): Through sound recordings and moving images, audiovisual heritage provides priceless insight to the past while preserving unique documentation for future generations, the United Nations cultural agency said on the day set aside to raise global awareness about the importance of the fragility of this heritage.

UN chief pays tribute to courage, resilience of people of Central African Republic

Oct 28, 2017, at 09:45 am

New York, Oct 28(Just Earth News): Addressing lawmakers in the Central African Republic, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday stressed the international community's commitment to helping tackle the myriad challenges plaguing the conflict-torn country, and strongly defended the role of the UN peacekeeping force there.

Suffering of 350,000 civilians in rural Damascus 'an outrage' – UN rights chief

Oct 28, 2017, at 04:27 am

New York, Oct 27(Just Earth News): The United Nations human rights chief on Friday called on the parties to the conflict in Syria to allow badly needed food and medical supplies to Eastern Ghouta in rural Damascus, describing the situation of at least 350,000 besieged civilians there as “an outrage.”

Winter may be 'harsh blow' to vulnerable children in Middle East, UNICEF warns amid funding gap

Oct 28, 2017, at 04:26 am

New York, Oct 27(Just Earth News): Freezing temperatures, storms and heavy snowfall will add to the misery afflicting hundreds of thousands of families affected by conflict across the Middle East unless assistance – including cold weather clothing and supplies – is urgently provided, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned.

Catalan lawmakers vote to declare independence from Spain

Oct 28, 2017, at 01:31 am

Barcelona, Oct 27 (IBNS): In a major development, the Catalan Parliament on Friday voted in favour of declaring independence from Spain.

Dual citizenship: Australian deputy Prime Minister disqualified by court

Oct 27, 2017, at 04:29 pm

Canberra, Oct 27 (IBNS): An Australian court has disqualified the country's deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce after finding him guilty of faulting the citizenship clause.

UN chief stresses need to support Central African Republic’s peacebuilding strategy

Oct 27, 2017, at 09:55 am

New York, Oct 27(Just Earth News): On the third day of his visit to the Central African Republic (CAR), United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday called on the international community to support the conflict-ravaged country’s peacebuilding and recovery strategy.

UN envoy ‘confident’ Baghdad and Erbil can work hand in hand to overcome differences

Oct 27, 2017, at 09:54 am

New York, Oct 27(Just Earth News): Even as Iraq breathes a sigh of relief with the defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or Da’esh), it has been hit by another crisis – one between Baghdad, the capital, and Erbil, in the Kurdistan region – the top United Nations official in the country has said.

African regional consultations on UN global compact on migration begin in Ethiopia

Oct 27, 2017, at 09:53 am

New York, Oct 27(Just Earth News): Although the debate on migration has largely focused on Europe, the global compact being negotiated must be adapted to the realities and peculiarities of each region, including Africa, where more than half of migrants moved to other countries on the continent, a senior United Nations official said Thursday.

Measles deaths fall, but world still far from eliminating disease – UN-backed report

Oct 27, 2017, at 09:52 am

New York, Oct 27(Just Earth News): Annual deaths from measles dropped below 100,000 last year for the first time 90,000, United Nations and other international agencies reported on Thursday, as they warned however that the world is still far from reaching goals on eliminating the disease.

Fresh round of intra-Syrian talks set for 28 November, UN mediator tells Security Council

Oct 27, 2017, at 09:51 am

New York, Oct 27(Just Earth News): Announcing that he will convene the eighth round of intra-Syrian talks on 28 November in Geneva, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria on Thursday urged all stakeholders to seize the opportunity to find a solution to the crisis plaguing the war-torn country.

UN will accompany Haiti in shaping a sustainable future, deputy Mission chief says

Oct 27, 2017, at 04:24 am

New York, Oct 26(Just Earth News): The United Nations will remain side by side with Haiti on the country’s path to sustainable development, the Organization’s senior official in the island nation has said.

‘Imagine the potential of one billion children;’ UNICEF urges investment in Africa’s youth amid major demographic changes

Oct 27, 2017, at 04:23 am

New York, Oct 26(Just Earth News): If Africa is to keep pace with an unprecedented demographic transition – African’s under-18 population will reach 750 million by 2030 – scaled-up investment in health, education and women’s protection and empowerment will be needed or the continent will face a ‘bleak’ future, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported Thursday.

UN-Americas action plan seeks to strengthen protection of human rights defenders in region

Oct 27, 2017, at 04:22 am

New York, Oct 26(Just Earth News): The United Nations human rights office and its counterpart in the Americas have launched a new and deeper cooperation plan to address one of the most pressing problems in that region – the protection of human rights defenders.

Poor maritime connectivity hurting weaker, smaller nations – UN report

Oct 26, 2017, at 09:50 am

New York, Oct 26(Just Earth News): A United Nations report out Wednesday revealed the poor maritime connectivity continues to keep smaller and weaker economies from reaching world markets, highlighting the need for evidence-based improvements to trading systems and procedures to address these challenges.

In Saudi Arabia, UN envoy seeks to further initiatives to end violence in Yemen

Oct 26, 2017, at 09:49 am

New York, Oct 26(Just Earth News): A United Nations envoy has met with senior Yemeni and Saudi officials to discuss his initiatives to end fighting in Yemen, stressing that “this is at heart a political conflict so it can only be solved with political negotiations.”

Peru must place human rights at heart of development, urges UN rights chief

Oct 26, 2017, at 09:48 am

New York, Oct 26(Just Earth News): While Peru has made great strides over the past decade in reducing poverty, it needs to stand up firmly for human rights to ensure an economy that is sustainable and benefits all, according to the United Nations human rights chief.

In Central African Republic, UN chief warns of religious divide, seeks global solidarity to rebuild country

Oct 26, 2017, at 09:47 am

New York, Oct 26(Just Earth News): On the second day of his visit to the Central African Republic (CAR), United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday called on the international community to show solidarity in helping the crisis-torn country chart a new future while warning against religious divide.

Plausible that ‘attack or threat’ led to crash that killed former UN chief Hammarskjöld – new report

Oct 26, 2017, at 09:46 am

New York, Oct 26(Just Earth News): A new United Nations-mandated report has found it “appears plausible” that an external attack or threat may have led to the fatal plane crash that killed former UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld.

Migrants helped to return from Greece, reintegrate, start businesses back home – UN agency

Oct 26, 2017, at 04:36 am

New York, Oct 25(Just Earth News): Over the past 15 months, more than 2,000 migrants who have voluntarily returned home from Greece have successfully reintegrated back into their countries of origin, according to the United Nations migration agency. New York, Oct 25(Just Earth News): Over the past 15 months, more than 2,000 migrants who have voluntarily returned home from Greece have successfully reintegrated back into their countries of origin, according to the United Nations migration agency.

Syria: UN health agency steps up services for thousands of people in Raqqa

Oct 26, 2017, at 04:34 am

New York, Oct 25(Just Earth News): The United Nations health agency is stepping up the delivery of medicines and medical supplies to thousands of people in newly accessible areas of Raqqa.

Interview: Health care is a human right, senior UN official says; urges protection for medical workers

Oct 25, 2017, at 09:49 am

New York, Oct 25(Just Earth News): Health is a human right and health care workers are human rights defenders, the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights has said, reminding Governments to provide healthcare for their citizens and to protect professionals who deliver these services.

UN urged to help countries devastated by recent natural disasters to 'build back better'

Oct 25, 2017, at 09:48 am

New York, Oct 25(Just Earth News): Hurricanes Irma, Harvey and Maria may be over, but the devastating impact they had on the countries in their path continues, likewise the effects of successive earthquakes in Mexico, said senior United Nations officials Tuesday, calling for more action at all levels to manage disaster and climate risk and to prepare for future extreme weather events.

Eradication of polio 'once and for all' within reach – UN health agency

Oct 25, 2017, at 09:47 am

New York, Oct 25(Just Earth News): Despite progress towards global eradication of polio, sustained commitment is needed to overcome the final hurdle and stamp out the disease once and for all, the United Nations health agency said on Tuesday, the World Polio Day.

Widespread militia activity, political unrest drive millions from their homes in DR Congo, UN warns

Oct 25, 2017, at 09:45 am

New York, Oct 25(Just Earth News): Some 3.9 million people across several regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been displaced from their homes, and amid growing violence and unrest, the United Nations refugee agency warned on Tuesday that the number could rise even further.

We need the will to overcome global challenges, Secretary-General says on UN Day

Oct 25, 2017, at 03:57 am

New York, Oct 24(Just Earth News): In his first United Nations Day message, Secretary-General António Guterres called on people around the world to overcome their differences to address global challenges that go beyond national borders.

Ending child marriage in West and Central Africa on pace to take 100 years, warns UNICEF

Oct 25, 2017, at 03:56 am

New York, Oct 24(Just Earth News): Unless progress is accelerated, ending child marriage in West and Central Africa will take more than 100 years, with far-reaching, life-altering consequences for millions of child brides and crippling impact on the region's prosperity, the United Nations children's agency has said.

Don't just blame teachers when system is at fault, says UNESCO

Oct 25, 2017, at 03:56 am

New York, Oct 24(Just Earth News): Blaming just the teacher or the school for systemic educational problems can have serious negative side effects, warns a new report from the United Nations educational agency.

Syria: IS-fighting British man killed

Oct 24, 2017, at 09:05 pm

London, Oct 24 (IBNS): A British person, who was fighting against so called Islamic State in Syria, has been killed in Raqqa, media reports said on Tuesday