UN: Israeli leader calls on Palestinians to resume peace talks
Oct 02, 2015, at 04:33 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS): At the same United Nations podium from which Mahmoud Abbas announced on Wednesday that he would no longer be bound by accords with Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday called on the Palestinian leader to begin immediate unconditional peace talks in a speech largely devoted to denouncing Iran for its threats to annihilate the Jewish State.
UN: South Sudan reaffirms resolve to uphold historic peace accord
Oct 02, 2015, at 04:17 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS): Taking to the podium at the 70th United Nations General Assembly, James Wani Igga, Vice-President of the Republic of South Sudan congratulated, among others, UN and its Mission in the country for support towards the historic accord signed between South Sudan and opposition groups, ending the prolonged conflict there.
Burundi leader focuses on recent polls, upcoming dialogue in address to UN Assembly
Oct 02, 2015, at 04:15 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS): The Vice-President of Burundi, Joseph Butore, addressed the General Assembly on Thursday, focusing on the elections that took place in his country this year and the upcoming dialogue there.
Given global tensions, Alliance of Civilizations needed more than ever: UN officials
Oct 02, 2015, at 04:14 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS): United Nations officials on Thursday stressed the ever-growing importance of the Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), especially in light of the rising xenophobia, intolerance and extremism being witnessed in various parts of the world.
European leaders at UN urge concerted action amid humanitarian crises
Oct 02, 2015, at 04:12 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS): Several European leaders took to the podium on Thursday at the UN General Assembly’s annual debate, highlighting that the world is again living in restless times, especially in light of the unprecedented scale of humanitarian crises, including the migrant and refugee crisis.
Ban welcomes submission of climate action plans by 147 nations
Oct 02, 2015, at 04:11 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday welcomed the submission of national climate action plans by 147 countries, accounting for over 85 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, calling it a "positive first step" towards achieving a universal climate change agreement this December.
Timorese leader says reforms will bolster UN's journey ahead to fulfil aims of Charter
Oct 02, 2015, at 04:06 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS): Prime Minister Rui Maria De Araújo of Timor-Leste addressed the annual United Nations General Assembly debate on Thursday and called for renewing efforts in fulfilling all UN principles by introducing reform within the Organization including restructuring the Security Council.
New Zealand deplores lack of Security Council action on Syria, calls for limiting veto
Oct 02, 2015, at 04:02 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS): The Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, took to the podium of the General Assembly on Thursday to deplore the lack of action by the Security Council, the United Nations body with legally binding powers, over its failure to end the bloodbath in Syria, blaming in particular the paralyzing power of veto held by the body’s five permanent members.
Minor provocation can 'freeze' north-south relation on peninsula: DPR Korea leader
Oct 02, 2015, at 04:01 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS): Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Ri Su Yong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) denounced the United States for abusing its powers at the UN Security Council and thereby violating the 'sovereignty, dignity, peace and security of our nation.'
UN: Kyrgyzstan pledges full commitment to combat against terrorism
Oct 02, 2015, at 03:59 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS): Addressing a range of issued before the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Erlan Abdyldayev, welcomed the new 2030 Agenda, stressed the right of each State to development and underscored the need to combat terrorism and violent extremism.
UN must be more empowered in global governance, Cambodian leader tells Assembly
Oct 02, 2015, at 03:58 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS): The Prime Minister of Cambodia, Namhong Hor highly commended the United Nations on its adoption of Agenda 2030, and stressed that the General Assembly should be more empowered to enhance global governance and managing global issues.
Nepalese Minister calls for enhanced partnerships to address global challenges
Oct 02, 2015, at 03:55 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS): Noting that the number of least developed countries (LDCs) has grown from 25 to 48 since 1971, with only four countries "graduating" from this status, the Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal on Thursday told the United Nations General Assembly that their struggle has been "unfairly long."
Afghanistan: U.S. C-130 plane crashes, 11 killed
Oct 02, 2015, at 03:14 pm
Kabul, Oct 2 (IBNS): A U.S. C-130 plane crashed at Jalalabad Airport near the Afghan-Pakistani border in Afghanistan leaving 11 people dead, media reports said on Friday.
US: Several killed in Oregon shooting
Oct 02, 2015, at 08:13 am
Oregon, Oct 2 (IBNS): Several people were feared dead in a shooting incident at Umpqua Community College in Oregon state of USA on Thursday, media reports said.
China:Death toll from letter bombs touches 7
Oct 01, 2015, at 03:09 pm
Beijing, Oct 1 (IBNS) The death toll in the 17 suspected letter bombs that rocked south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has touched seven, media reports said on Thursday.
President of Sri Lanka details country's vision built on sustainability and reconciliation
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:55 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): After years of conflict, "a new era of democracy" dawned in Sri Lanka this year, ushering in justice, freedom and equality, the country's President told the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, reporting that his Government supports a "fresh universal approach" that deals honestly with the past while pursuing sustainable development.
Afghanistan: UN stresses need to protect civilians amid reported abuses in Kunduz
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:53 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): Amid reports of extrajudicial executions, abductions and other abuses in Kunduz following this week's attack by the Taliban, the United Nations on Wednesday reminded all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan of their obligations to protect civilians and to respect human rights at all times.
Ban underscores shared responsibility to resolve Mid-east conflicts
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:51 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday called for using all the tools available to the United Nations to help steer the Middle East and North Africa towards a path of freedom, safety and dignity, citing in particular the obligation of the international community to ensure a peaceful solution to the conflict in Syria and accountability for serious crimes committed there.
Closing gender gap, ending child marriage key priorities, says Ghanaian President
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:50 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): Spotlighting the importance his country places on gender equality, the President of Ghana told the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday that a major priority will closing the "vast" gaps between men and women through, among other efforts, providing decent education for girls and working to end child marriage.
UN: Citing Israeli violations, Palestinian leader renounces security, political accords
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:48 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): On the day that the Palestinian flag was raised at United Nations Headquarters for the first time, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday renounced political and security accords with Israel, saying it must now resume its responsibilities as occupying Power, due to its continual violations of the 20-year-old agreements.
Amid numerous challenges, Lebanon needs great international support: Ban
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:47 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): While thanking Lebanon’s partners for their efforts to support the country in the face of numerous challenges, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday highlighted the need for even greater assistance, particularly as the country deals with the Syrian refugee crisis.
People over 60 will double by 2050 but little evidence they will be healthier: UN report
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:46 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): The number of people over the age of 60 is expected to double by 2050 and require radical societal change because "unfortunately, 70 does not yet appear to be the new 60" contrary to widespread assumptions, according to the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO).
Central American leaders say UN must be democratized to tackle today's crises
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:45 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): As the annual high-level segment of the General Assembly entered its third day, leaders from Central America stressed reform of United Nations institutions and the urgent need to bolster multilateral relations between States.
UN: Turkish Prime Minister urges action to end Syrian crisis
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:44 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): Recalling the heart-rending story of the little boy whose lifeless body washed up on a beach in Turkey last month, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Wednesday urged the United Nations to take swift action to address the deepening crisis in Syria and to protect the millions of people "fleeing war and tyranny."
'UN has no equal,' says Sultan of Brunei, praising scope of sustainability agenda
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:42 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): Despite what some people may say about its effectiveness, the Sultan of Brunei on Wednesday told world leaders in the General Assembly that the United Nations has no equal, and 70 years of existence is a testament to its relevance.
UN event tackles biggest refugee and migration crisis since Second World War
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:40 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): As the world confronts the biggest refugee and migration crisis since the Second World War, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday convened a high-level meeting on the issue and outlined eight guiding principles to improve preparedness.
Global response to terrorism vital for solving refugee crisis: European leaders
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:37 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): European leaders took to the podium of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday to call for a global response to terrorism, both by combatting it and taking early action to pre-empt the scourge, which has seen hundreds of thousands of refugees flooding to the continent's doorstep.
Terrorism and climate change greatest threats to humanity: Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:35 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): As the global community marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday that two global challenges pose the greatest threat to the sustainability of humankind: terrorism and violent extremism, and climate change.
Middle East Quartet strongly condemns Israeli-Palestinian violence
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:34 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): The United Nations and its diplomatic partners in the Middle East Quartet on Wednesday condemned "in the strongest possible terms" violence against Israeli and Palestinian civilians, and reiterated that unilateral actions by either party cannot prejudge the outcome of a negotiated solution.
UN: Pakistan's Prime Minister proposes new peace initiative with India
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:32 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif proposed on Wednesday renewed peace talks with India, aimed at defining the relationship between the Asian countries 'as one of cooperation, not confrontation.'