Rights abuses in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: UN
Mar 18, 2015, at 02:18 pm
New York, Mar 18 (IBNS): The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said on Tuesday that it is deeply concerned about the prolonged political impasse in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and its human rights implications.
Eighty countries adopt call to action at first UN conference on dementia
Mar 18, 2015, at 02:17 pm
New York, Mar 18 (IBNS): A two-day ministerial conference on dementia hosted by the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) ended in Geneva on Tuesday with 80 countries calling for action to address “a tidal wave†of new cases of the disease projected to cost the world $1.2 trillion by 2050.
Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi calls for push to end child labour
Mar 18, 2015, at 02:16 pm
New York, Mar 18 (IBNS): Depriving children of their childhood and their freedom is “the biggest crime against humanity,†child rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi said on Tuesday during a visit to United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Darfur security, humanitarian situations deteriorated: UN
Mar 18, 2015, at 02:15 pm
New York, Mar 18 (IBNS): The security and humanitarian situations in the Darfur region of Sudan “deteriorated significantly†over the past year, the head of United Nations peacekeeping told the Security Council on Tuesday, adding that there had also been no tangible progress toward resolving the conflict.
Bulgarian national appointed head of UN regional centre in Central Asia
Mar 18, 2015, at 02:13 pm
New York, Mar 18 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Petko Draganov of Bulgaria as his Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), located in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
UN official urges more rapid change for gender equality
Mar 18, 2015, at 02:12 pm
New York, Mar 18 (IBNS): A senior United Nations official on Tuesday stressed the need for more rapid advancements on gender equality, saying the pace of change since the 1995 World Conference on Women, held in Beijing, on many issues has not been sufficient and major disparities between genders remain.
Prince Harry to embed with the Australian Army
Mar 17, 2015, at 05:46 pm
Sydney, Mar 17 (IBNS): Prince Harry is all set to be embedded with the Australian Army, officials said on Tuesday.
Sendai: Early warning saves lives, but communities need targeted
Mar 17, 2015, at 02:37 pm
New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): When disaster strikes, the surest way to save more lives is to get targeted, practical information quickly out to communities, United Nations experts told delegations gathered in Sendai, Japan, but stressed that even the most technically impressive systems “are useless†if people are not reached or do not understand the warning.
Ban promises necessary action to assist cyclone-hit Vanuatu
Mar 17, 2015, at 02:36 pm
New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): With United Nations relief agencies stepping up their response in Vanuatu after the country was hit by Cyclone Pam, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday that the event “tragically underscored†the importance of global efforts on disaster risk reduction.
Eritrea: UN-mandated inquiry finds human rights abuses
Mar 17, 2015, at 02:34 pm
New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): A four-month United Nations investigation into the human rights situation in Eritrea has found “very clear patterns†of violations and abuses, according to a report delivered on Monday at the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva.
UN launches social media campaign to create world’s happiest playlist
Mar 17, 2015, at 02:33 pm
New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): The question "Does happiness have a sound? And, if so, what does it actually sound like?" is what the United Nations is asking as it launches its latest campaign –#HappySoundsLike – an appeal for the global citizenry “to nominate a song that brings a smile to your face†ahead of this year’s International Day of Happiness, observed annually on 20 March.New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): The question "Does happiness have a sound? And, if so, what does it actually sound like?" is what the United Nations is asking as it launches its latest campaign –#HappySoundsLike – an appeal for the global citizenry “to nominate a song that brings a smile to your face†ahead of this year’s International Day of Happiness, observed annually on 20 March.
UN panel probing new information on Dag Hammarskjöld death
Mar 17, 2015, at 02:30 pm
New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): The United Nations on Monday announced the members of the Independent Panel of Experts tasked with examining new information related to the tragic death of former Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld and his party in September 1961.
Security Council: UN envoy cites hope for Afghan peace process
Mar 17, 2015, at 02:28 pm
New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): The top United Nations envoy for Afghanistan on Monday said there was renewed hope for the peace process as he briefed the Security Council, which extended the mandate of the UN mission in the country for another year.
Countries urged to make dementia public health priority: WHO
Mar 17, 2015, at 02:27 pm
New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday opened the first ever Ministerial Conference on Global Action Against Dementia by reminding health ministers from around the world, experts and civil society representatives that every four seconds someone is diagnosed with the incurable disease.
Nigeria: UN political chief delivers message of solidarity
Mar 17, 2015, at 02:19 pm
New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): The top United Nations political official arrived in Nigeria today for a two-day visit aimed at conveying the world body’s support and solidarity with the country ahead of the general elections starting on 28 March.
Women’s participation in sports key to boosting gender equality: UN
Mar 17, 2015, at 02:17 pm
New York, Mar 17 (IBNS): The greater participation of women and girls in sports can help lift their involvement in society, fight gender stereotypes and accelerate progress towards gender parity, the head of the United Nations entity for gender equality and women’s empowerment declared on Monday.
Health at very center of disaster risk reduction: WHO
Mar 16, 2015, at 02:18 pm
New York, Mar 16 (IBNS): The Ebola outbreak in West Africa, powerful storms in the Asia-Pacific region and ongoing conflicts in Syria and elsewhere are all stark reminders that health and stronger health system capacities must be central to the new framework for managing disaster risk currently being discussed in Sendai, Japan, senior United Nations health agency officials emphasized on Sunday.
Ban praises Sendai earthquake recovery system
Mar 16, 2015, at 02:17 pm
New York, Mar 16 (IBNS): Integrating disaster risk reduction into development can save lives and livelihoods, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said as he toured Sendai, Japan, which was devastated four years ago by an earthquake and tsunami but which today, following an impressive rebuilding effort, is a reminder to the world that “we must turn all of the painful lessons of disasters into new policies for a better future.â€
UN relief agencies ramp up support to cyclone-hit Vanuatu
Mar 16, 2015, at 02:15 pm
New York, Mar 16 (IBNS): Amid reports that powerful Cyclone Pam has impacted at least half the population of Vanuatu, the country's President, attending a United Nations conference under way in Japan aiming to reduce disaster risk, appealed for international support in anticipation of large-scale needs.
2 Indonesian planes crash during practice, pilots safe
Mar 16, 2015, at 12:33 am
Langkawi , Mar 15 (IBNS) Two Indonesian Air Forces Jupiter Aerobatic planes crashed during a practice session before an air show on Malaysia's Langkawi island on Sunday, media reports said.
UN responding to 'devastating' impact of Tropical Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu, Pacific region
Mar 15, 2015, at 05:47 pm
New York, Mar 15 (IBNS)The United Nations announced on Saturday that it is taking all necessary steps to respond to the catastrophic impacts of a devastating tropical cyclone that affected most of Vanuatu over the past two days.
Cyclone hits Vanuatu, several feared dead
Mar 15, 2015, at 05:27 am
Port Vila , Mar 14 (IBNS): Dozens are feared dead as super tropical cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu on Saturday, reports said.
In Japan, UN chief urges global solidarity to strengthen disaster resilience, boost development
Mar 15, 2015, at 03:00 am
New York, Mar 14 (IBNS): With global leaders gathered in Sendai, Japan, to agree a new framework for managing disaster risk which will reduce mortality and curb economic losses, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday declared that responding to the world's growing needs requires empowering individuals, supporting communities and backing promises with resources.
Sendai: Critical role of women in building disaster resilience focus of event at UN conference
Mar 15, 2015, at 02:57 am
New York, Mar 14 (IBNS) Spotlighting the positive actions of women in planning and decision-making to make their communities safer before, during and after disasters strike, senior United Nations, Government and civil society representatives on Friday emphasized that risk reduction efforts can never be fully effective or sustainable if the needs and voices of women are ignored.
21 drown in Myanmar ferry mishap
Mar 14, 2015, at 07:10 pm
Yangon, Mar 14(IBNS) At least 21 passengers were dead and 26 missing when a ferry sunk off the coast in western Myanmar's the Rakhine state, reports said on Saturday.
US watching developments on Lakhvi's release
Mar 14, 2015, at 04:18 pm
Washington, Mar 14(IBNS) The United States has said it is closely watching developments in Pakistan related to the release of 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.
Sendai: World leaders gather for UN conference
Mar 14, 2015, at 01:55 pm
New York, Mar 14 (IBNS): World leaders are gathering for a United Nations conference in Sendai, Japan, to agree on a new framework for managing disaster risk which will reduce mortality and economic losses.
As Syria crisis enters fifth year, UN leaders urge end to conflict
Mar 14, 2015, at 01:54 pm
New York, Mar 14 (IBNS): World leaders must put their differences aside and work to bring about meaningful change in Syria, where the country’s ongoing brutal conflict is preparing to enter its fifth year, senior United Nations officials have urged.
UN ready to assist as Tropical Cyclone Pam threatens Vanuatu
Mar 14, 2015, at 01:52 pm
New York, Mar 14 (IBNS): As the pacific island nation of Vanuatu braces for Tropical Cyclone Pam, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced on Friday that it is standing by to assist the Government.
Suriname, Côte d’Ivoire moves away from death penalty: UN
Mar 14, 2015, at 01:51 pm
New York, Mar 14 (IBNS): The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has welcomed the decision by the parliaments of Suriname and Côte d’Ivoire to eliminate capital punishment from their penal codes in a move, it said, that may prompt other countries in their regions to do the same.