In Djibouti, UNICEF Ambassador Eddie Izzard visits Yemeni children refugees fleeing war
Jul 17, 2015, at 03:13 pm
New York, July 17 (IBNS) United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) United Kingdom Ambassador Eddie Izzard has met child refugees in Djibouti who have fled the devastating war in Yemen, the country of the comedian's birth.
Addis: Africa's economic transformation in focus at UN conference
Jul 16, 2015, at 02:04 pm
New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): A lack of industrialization puts Africa's long-term growth at risk, a senior United Nations official said on Wednesday, as participants at the Third International Conference on Financing for Development discussed the economic transformation of the continent.
UNESCO chief denounces murder of Honduran journalists
Jul 16, 2015, at 02:03 pm
New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): The Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, on Wednesday denounced the killing of three journalists in Honduras, reiterating that crimes against media workers cannot be allowed to go unpunished.
Greece: UN expert says new measures must not lose sight of human rights
Jul 16, 2015, at 02:02 pm
New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): The implementation of new austerity measures in Greece amid the country’s deteriorating economic crisis must not come at a cost to human rights, a United Nations expert warned on Wednesday as he urged international institutions and the Greek Government to make "fully informed decisions" before adopting additional reforms.
Outcome at UN financing conference vital for development agenda: Ban
Jul 16, 2015, at 02:01 pm
New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday stressed that a successful outcome at the United Nations financing conference in Ethiopia is vital for the future sustainable development agenda and could shape international cooperation for years to come, as negotiations on the draft text entered its final stages.
Addis: First UN world youth skills day celebrates youth empowerment
Jul 16, 2015, at 01:59 pm
New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): On the first-ever commemoration of World Youth Skills Day, United Nations officials on Wednesday declared that investing in developing the skills of young people can help build a more just and sustainable future for all and is one of the most important decisions any country can make.
Libya: UN envoy says all parties must back political dialogue process
Jul 16, 2015, at 01:58 pm
New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): A peaceful transition in Libya will only succeed through a significant and coordinated effort in support of a future Government of National Accord and by ensuring that sufficient security is achieved throughout the country so that public administration can resume its key functions, the top UN official in Libya told the Security Council on Wednesday.
Addis: Islamic finance should fund sustainable development, UN conference told
Jul 16, 2015, at 01:57 pm
New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): Islamic finance offers a promising alternative to traditional sources of funding and should be utilized to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that countries will adopt in September, participants at the Third International Conference on Financing for Development were told.
After nuclear deal, Iran must now focus on human rights: UN expert
Jul 16, 2015, at 01:56 pm
New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): The latest agreement between the Government of Iran and negotiations from six nations on limiting the scope of the Gulf country’s nuclear programme has opened the door to further discussion of the Iranian human rights situation, according to an independent United Nations expert.
Millions need relief from 'terrifying' violence in Yemen: UN official
Jul 16, 2015, at 01:54 pm
New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): As millions face "terrifying" violence, extreme hunger and little medical aid in Yemen, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the "catastrophic" situation, and renewed his appeal for an immediate and unconditional humanitarian pause.â€
Cambodia: UN expert urges authorities to reject bill that 'threatens' free society
Jul 16, 2015, at 01:53 pm
New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): United Nations human rights expert Maina Kiai on Wednesday urged Cambodia to reject a draft law that would allow authorities to shut down and criminalize any group advocating for human rights, basic freedoms and good governance, saying “it is not too late to reverse the course of action.â€
UN officials urge continued support for Haiti as country prepares for elections
Jul 16, 2015, at 01:52 pm
New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): Haiti’s impending elections will be an “historic milestone†for the Caribbean country as it continues on its journey toward economic and political recovery, according to two senior United Nations officials.
UN applauds 'historic' deal on Iranian nuclear programme
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:47 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): The United Nations has welcomed the agreement reached between international negotiators and the Government of Iran as the two parties pave the way for a viable solution on the Gulf country's nuclear programme and towards possible peace in the region.
Ban: Investing in gender equality vital to economic growth, sustainable development
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:46 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): Increased investments in gender equality are vital if the world is to achieve sustained economic growth and development, United Nations Secretary-General said on Tuesday during the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Addis: UN agency stresses role of partnerships to finance inclusive
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:44 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): Partnerships involving all development players will be key to scaling up the financing needed for industrial infrastructure and projects, an important element in the economic and social advancement of countries, a senior United Nations official told a conference in Ethiopia on Tuesday.
Addis: UN announces world has delivered on halting AIDS epidemic
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:42 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): The world has exceeded the targets contained in the Millennium Development Goals to halt and reverse the spread of HIV and is on track to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, according to a report released on Tuesday in Addis Ababa by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
Addis: UN talks resume on financing framework for global development
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:40 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): Negotiations on a comprehensive financing framework for sustainable development resumed on Tuesday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Member States have gathered for a United Nations conference aimed at securing the resources necessary for the well-being of all people and the health of the planet.
Addis: Financing roles of private investment, business highlighted at conference
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:39 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): In Addis Ababa, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday underscored the crucial financing role of the business sector in ensuring the necessary resources for people-centred sustainable development.
Turkish authorities urged to tackle anti-LGBT violence: UN rights office
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:37 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed deep concern over attacks and incitement to violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Turkey and has called on the authorities to take active measures to combat homophobic and transphobic violence and discrimination, a UN spokesperson said on Tuesday.
UN rights office welcomes Israel’s release of Palestinian prisoner
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:34 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): The United Nations rights office on Tuesday welcomed the recent release of a Palestinian prisoner who had been on a hunger strike protesting his continuing administrative detention by the Israeli authorities since 8 July 2014.
UN report finds ‘huge inequalities’ in global mental health services
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:33 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): People suffering from mental health disorders are facing unequal access to specialized care, the United Nations health agency announced on Tuesday as it urged international governments to boost financing for mental health services around the world.
Yemen: UN agencies deliver life-saving medicines and domestic supplies
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:30 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): With an expected humanitarian pause failing to take hold in crisis-torn Yemen over the past weekend, the United Nations said on Tuesday that four out of five people in the country rely on some type of assistance, and the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that it has been able to deliver urgently needed supplies to the port city of Aden.
Afghanistan: UN condemns attack targeting civilians at a mosque
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:29 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): Offering deep condolences to the victims’ families and a speedy recovery for those injured in the latest attack in Afghanistan targeting civilians, the top United Nations official in the country, Nicholas Haysom, condemned the attack, which targeted people gathered for Iftar at the Grand Mosque in Pul-e-Khomri, in the northern Baghlan province.
Ukraine: UNICEF appeals to restore damaged water facilities for 1.3 million people
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:27 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): With only 60 per cent of the pre-conflict water supply capacities still functioning in Ukraine, some 1.3 million people are struggling to cope with a “serious water crisis†because of damaged or destroyed water lines, forcing many families to travel with buckets to working wells in neighbouring villages, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Tuesday.
Abeyi: Security Council extends UN peacekeeping force through Dec 2015
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:26 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council has extended the mandate of the Organization’s interim peacekeeping force in Abyei – a resource-rich area contested by Sudan and South Sudan – as part of ongoing efforts to maintain peace and protect civilians in the disputed territory.
DR Congo mission's success hinges on ‘partnership’ with Government: Security Council
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:24 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): The capacity of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to fulfil its mandate rests on “persistent engagement†with the authorities, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the Mission, Martin Kobler, told the Security Council on Tuesday.
Government, UN and donors examine organization’s work in Afghanistan
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:22 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), senior Afghan Government officials and representatives from the international donor community have gathered on Tuesday in Kabul for the first of three meetings aimed at examining the role of UN entities in the country.
Nuclear deal with Iran is built on verification: Barack Obama
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:56 am
Washington, July 14 (IBNS): US President Barack Obama on Tuesday said the nuclear deal with Iran is built on 'verification'.
UN chief condemns twin suicide bombings in Cameroon
Jul 14, 2015, at 03:50 pm
New York, July 14 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the twin suicide bombings that targeted the city of Fotokol in the north of Cameroon on 12 July.
Ban urges South Sudan leaders to 'give up war' and forge a political agreement
Jul 14, 2015, at 03:50 pm
New York, July 14 (IBNS) Just days after marking the somber fourth anniversary of South Sudan’s independence, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Mondayurged the leaders of the country to end hostilities and to move beyond their “partial interests†and show courage and leadership.