'The time for excuses is over,' island leaders tell UN, urging action on climate change
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:28 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): Speaking on Wednesday at the United Nations General Assembly, the Prime Minister of Fiji, along with other leaders of other small island developing States, warned of the existential threat of climate change and looked forward to the possibility of consensus at the upcoming conference in Paris.
Fallout from Boko Haram violence fastest growing crisis in Africa: UN relief official
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:25 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): The humanitarian fallout from the violence inflicted by Boko Haram is the fastest growing crisis in Africa, a senior United Nations relief official warned on Wednesday, appealing for concerted action on the humanitarian, security and development fronts to tackle the situation.
Libya warns of ISIL's increasing influence, calls for unanimity to end region's crises
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:24 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): In his address, at the annual General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly, Libya's Acting Head of State, Agila Saleh Essa Gwaider, reported on the "overwhelming threat" posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which is hindering Libya from becoming to a transparent democracy.
Iraqi leader highlights progress despite 'evil will' of region's terrorist groups
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:22 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): The 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly is being held as the world tackles challenges on many scales, especially ones posed by the terrorist group known as Da'esh or the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Prime Minister of Iraq told world leaders attending the annual debate in New York.
China: Blasts kill 3, injures 15
Oct 01, 2015, at 01:38 am
Beijing, Sept 30 (IBNS) At least three people were killed as blasts rocked south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Wednesday, media reports said.
Bangladesh: Foreign missions' alert for its citizens surprises PM Sheikh Hasina
Sep 30, 2015, at 11:12 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Amid directions given by UK, US and Australia governments to their nationals to limit their movements in Bangladesh, country's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in the USA, expressed her surprise over the move.
Sep 30, 2015, at 10:46 pm
Moscow, Sept 30 (IBNS) Fugitive National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden has joined micro-blogging site Twitter and since then 954K followers are following his account.
President of Guyana urges UN to protect small States from foreign aggression
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:47 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Reaffirming his country's commitment to international law and the primacy of the decisions of the United Nations, the President of Guyana on Tuesday called on the world body to stand by its commitment to protect small States from foreign aggression, in this case, attempts by Venezuela to "unravel borders which have been undisturbed for decades."
With South Sudan at crossroads, Ban urges parties to reaffirm commitment to peace
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:46 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Citing a new window of opportunity for peace in South Sudan, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called on all parties to demonstrate a genuine commitment to the peace agreement signed last month, including by immediately halting military operations and forming the Transitional Government of National Unity.
Taliban attack: UN rights chief urges protection of civilians in Afghan city
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:43 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Following Monday’s attack by the Taliban in the Afghan city of Kunduz, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Monday urged both parties to the conflict to take all measures to protect civilians from harm.
The only sustainable future is one that includes us all: Rwandan President
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:41 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Change is coming and it is vitally necessary, the President of Rwanda told the General Assembly on Tuesday, urging United Nations Member States to not merely pledge commitment to the Global Goals but to acknowledge that the bold new targets will only be reached if all countries work together and acknowledge their mutual interdependence.
Mongolian President urges coordinated action to tackle pressing global issues
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:39 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): In his speech at the 70th United Nations General Assembly's annual General Debate, Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj urged his international counterparts to unite and exercise decisive leadership to fulfil UN's core missions.
African leaders highlight UN's ability to support countries and rid world of fear
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:35 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): The UN has played a significant role in reducing conflicts on the African continent and in other parts of the world was a message underlined by a number of African leaders who addressed the United Nations General Assembly today during the annual general debate.
Growing threat of violent extremism demands unified response: Ban
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:32 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Addressing the growing threat posed by violent extremist groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as Da'esh, goes to the heart of the mission of the United Nations and requires a unified response, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed on Tuesday at a high-level event held in New York.
UN agencies call for end to violence and discrimination against LGBTI community
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:30 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Twelve UN agencies on Monday called for an end to violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) adults, adolescents and children, and set out specific steps to protect these individuals.
Lethal use of force could worsen tensions, UN warns Israelis and Palestinians
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:26 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights office on Tuesday stressed the need for Israeli and Palestinian security forces to refrain from the use of excessive force amid the clashes and escalating tensions in East Jerusalem and in the West Bank, warning that such action could further inflame an already tense situation.
Breakthrough needed to ensure nuclear-test-ban treaty enters into force: Ban
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:24 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Lamenting the fact that nearly two decades after its negotiation the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) has still not entered into force, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged world leaders gathered at the United Nations to demonstrate the necessary political will to usher in a nuclear-weapon-free world.
Ukrainian President says country suffering 'brutal violation' of UN Charter
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:22 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Ukraine is suffering from a brutal violation of the fundamental norms and principles of the United Nations Charter, President Petro Poroshenko told world leaders on Tuesday at the annual General Assembly debate.
UNICEF advocate Orlando Bloom urges protection of refugee and migrant children
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:21 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Actor and Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Orlando Bloom called for greater protection for tens of thousands of refugee and migrant children on the move in Europe.
Upcoming elections represent milestone in Myanmar's democratic transition: Ban
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:19 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): The upcoming elections represent a milestone in Myanmar's transition to democracy, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday, adding that their credibility will depend on acceptance of its outcome among the political leaders and the broader population.
Japan announces major boost in assistance for Syrian and Iraqi refugees
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:16 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): In his address to the annual high-level meeting of the General Assembly, Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, vowed to enhance his country's assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons from Syria and Iraq.
Presidents of Sierra Leone and Liberia outline post-Ebola recovery plan in UN Assembly
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:15 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): In their respective statements to the United Nations General Assembly, the leaders of Sierra Leone and Liberia, among the countries hardest hit by the Ebola outbreak, discussed their subsequent recovery efforts, and also spoke about the need for the reform of UN bodies.
Kuwaiti leader affirms importance of scaling up aid as crises persist in Middle East
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:13 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Sheikh Jaber Al Mubarak Al Hamad Al Sabah, the Prime Minister of Kuwait, affirmed his country's commitment to promoting the existence of peaceful societies and highlighted the "serious challenges" facing Yemen, Syria, Libya and Iraq.
Armenian President reports to General Assembly on increasing tension with Azerbaijan
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:11 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): The peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh problem remains one of the most salient issues in the South Caucasus, the President of Armenia on Tuesday told world leaders attending the General Assembly, while highlighting that the establishment of the UN has been one of the "greatest achievements of humankind" that consolidated nations around shared aspirations and principles.
Fighting terrorism is a priority Tajikistan, President tells UN Assembly
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:10 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Taking the podium at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Emomali Rahmon, the President of Tajikistan stressed that combating terrorism and extremism, and curbing drug trafficking are some of the top priorities for his country.
President tells UN Assembly negotiations created new opportunity for all Cypriots
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:08 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): Expressing the hope that a new round of negotiations that resumed this past May will lead to the final settlement of the "Cyprus problem," Nicos Anastasiades, the President of Cyprus, told the United Nations General Assembly on Monday that a negotiated settlement would create a "win-win" situation, not only for the people of Cyprus, but for the region, the interested parties and the wider international community.
Ban stresses need to respect rights of death penalty victims' families
Sep 30, 2015, at 02:06 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS): As momentum continues to build towards abolishing the death penalty, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday stressed the need to ensure that the rights of victims and their families are respected as part of efforts to ensure a life of dignity for all.
IS link not confirmed in Italian national killing, says Bangladesh government
Sep 29, 2015, at 11:16 pm
Dhaka, Sept 29 (IBNS) Bangladesh government on Tuesday said that the involvement of militant group Islamic State (IS) an Italian national, who was killed in capital Dhaka, has not confirmed so far.
UN mission deplores deadly suicide attack at volleyball game in Afghanistan
Sep 29, 2015, at 03:25 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemned Sunday’s suicide attack at a volleyball game in the south-eastern province of Paktika that killed at least 17 civilians and injured at least 60 more, most of them children.
Brazilian President urges solidarity towards global goals, tackling refugee crisis
Sep 29, 2015, at 03:16 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): Following the tradition of being the first Head of State to address the annual General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff today, in a wide-ranging address, stressed, among other issues, her country’s improved economy after the 2008 economic crisis and its efforts to provide refuge for migrants stranded across Europe.