Economic and Social Council: UN official tells humanitarian needs at all-time high
Jun 18, 2015, at 01:42 pm
New York, Jun 18 (IBNS): Humanitarian needs are at an all-time high, the top United Nations relief official declared on Wednesday, stressing that while the Organization needs no less than $18.8 billion to meet the needs of nearly 80 million people, it has received only 26 per cent of that amount.
Security Council: UN troop commanders recount challenges of modern peacekeeping
Jun 18, 2015, at 01:41 pm
New York, Jun 18 (IBNS): From Mali to South Sudan and the Middle East and beyond, United Nations peacekeepers are tackling peace and security challenges of increasing intensity and broader global breadth, the top UN peacekeeping official said on Wednesday as he urged the full support of the international community for the Organization’s ‘blue helmets’ as they confront the world’s manifold threats.
Damascus: UN envoy condemns violence against civilians in Syria
Jun 18, 2015, at 01:39 pm
New York, Jun 18 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria ended on Wednesday a three-day visit to Damascus, which took place in the framework of the current consultations aimed at operationalizing the Geneva Communiqué of 30 June 2012.
Yemen: Envoy says UN-backed talks ‘is start towards return to political process’
Jun 18, 2015, at 01:38 pm
New York, Jun 18 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, has deemed the fact that both Yemeni delegations are in now Geneva to participate in the UN-facilitated consultations “an important start towards the return to a political process,†a spokesperson for the world body said on Wednesday.
Ban urges insurance industry leaders to work for shaping more sustainable future
Jun 18, 2015, at 01:37 pm
New York, Jun 18 (IBNS): As a major source of long-term investment, the insurance industry can and must play a strong role in shaping a more sustainable future, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday, urging the industry to show strong leadership and voice support for a host of upcoming United Nations-led initiatives aimed at ensuring a more sustainable world for all.
Security Council calls for political solution to Libyan crisis
Jun 18, 2015, at 01:36 pm
New York, Jun 18 (IBNS): The Security Council has emphasized the urgency for Libyan stakeholders to reach a political solution to the country’s crisis amid ongoing United Nations-facilitated talks.New York, Jun 18 (IBNS): The Security Council has emphasized the urgency for Libyan stakeholders to reach a political solution to the country’s crisis amid ongoing United Nations-facilitated talks.
Integrated global approach needed to ease plight of Roma: UN rights expert
Jun 18, 2015, at 01:35 pm
New York, Jun 18 (IBNS): Noting that economic, political and social marginalization of Roma communities remains a major issue, a United Nations human rights expert urged thinking outside the “poverty paradigm†and adopting an integrated approach to address their plight.
Azerbaijan: UN rights office urges Government to ensure free expression and association
Jun 17, 2015, at 10:25 pm
New York, June 17 (IBNS): Voicing concern over “a shrinking democratic space†in Azerbaijan as human rights defenders, journalists and Government critics are increasingly being deprived of their liberty, the United Nations rights office today called on the authorities to galvanize efforts to safeguard the freedoms of expression and association in the country.
'Essential shifts' needed for UN to tackle new peacekeeping challenges, report reveals
Jun 17, 2015, at 10:04 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): Focus on political solutions, responsive and flexible operations, stronger partnerships and field-focused and people-centered mandates; these are the essential shifts the United Nations must urgently address as it faces challenging new landscapes in peacekeeping and conflict prevention, the chair of a high-level expert panel said on Wednesday, introducing a long-awaited report at the world body’s New York Headquarters.
Latest UN humanitarian report reveals surge in financing needs for relief efforts
Jun 17, 2015, at 09:40 pm
New York, June 17 (IBNS): Amid a widespread diffusion of conflicts and crises across the globe, an increasing amount of funding is now required to respond to the world’s growing humanitarian calamities, according to the latest report released today by the United Nations’ relief arm.
In interview, senior UN official says accountability key to preventing child deaths in conflict
Jun 17, 2015, at 09:17 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): Ensuring that Member States and their military commanders on the ground remain accountable for any violent actions targeting children is key to preventing atrocities against minors affected by armed conflict, the United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui, has affirmed.
South Sudan: amid 'intensifying' crisis, UN and European Union mobilize $275 million in aid
Jun 17, 2015, at 09:12 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): To tackle the humanitarian impact of the "relentlessly deteriorating" crisis in South Sudan, the European Union and the United Nations on Tuesday announced that more than $275 million has been pledged in support of the victims in the country and the wider region.
Thousands flee Syria for Turkey, escaping aggression between rival military forces UN refugee agency
Jun 17, 2015, at 09:06 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): New fighting in northern Syria has forced 23,135 refugees – some 70 per cent of whom are women and children to flee across the border into Turkey's Sanliurfa province, the United Nations refugee agency reported on Tuesday.
Greek islands under 'tremendous strain' as hundreds of refugees arrive daily-UN
Jun 17, 2015, at 08:59 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): More than 55,000 refugees have arrived in the Greek islands so far this year, with hundreds arriving every day in inflatable dinghies and wooden boats, putting a “tremendous strain†on the communities that receive them and worsening conditions for the new arrivals, the United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday.
Europe should make 'mobility' central in migration policy, UN rights expert says
Jun 17, 2015, at 08:54 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): The ability of migrants to reach European soil despite a huge investment in securing international borders shows that sealing them is impossible, and only serves to empower people traffickers in the Mediterranean, a United Nations independent expert said on Tuesday.
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Pakistan forces kill 25 militants
Jun 17, 2015, at 08:52 pm
Rawalpindi, June 17 (IBNS): Security forces have killed 25 militants during clashes in Pakistan's North Waziristan area on Wednesday, media reports said.
In Geneva, UN rights chief calls for 'urgent measures' in promoting girls' education
Jun 17, 2015, at 08:34 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS): Although the empowerment of women has been among the most significant achievements of the past century, the international community must "push further" in its struggle to ensure the right to education for all girls, the top UN human rights official declared today.
Yemen: UN reports uptick in civilian deaths as fighting in country continues
Jun 17, 2015, at 08:28 pm
New York, Jun 17 (IBNS) The civilian cost of the Yemen crisis continues to grow amid the country’s ongoing hostilities, according to the latest figures released today by the United Nations human rights office (OHCHR).
Afghanistan: Mine blast kills 3
Jun 17, 2015, at 12:05 am
Kabul, June 16 (IBNS): At least three people were killed and 16 others were injured in a mine blast in Afghanistan's Uruzgan province on Tuesday, media reports said.
New UN guidebook seeks to prevent child labour practices in agriculture
Jun 16, 2015, at 02:00 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): A new handbook issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will seek to establish guidelines intended to prevent the use of child labour across the world's agricultural communities in an effort to tackle a problem that affects some one hundred million children globally, the United Nations agency announced on Monday.
UN chief shines spotlight on once-taboo topic of elder abuse
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:59 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNs): The distressing crime of elder abuse often occurs in quiet, private settings, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, as he reminded people around the world of the importance of making “a vocal, public response†to support the rights of older persons to a life free of violence and abuse.
Geneva: Ban says international community has ‘obligation to act’ for Yemen peace
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:57 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): The international community has not a moment to lose if it is to help end the fighting in Yemen and broker a lasting peace for the country, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today as he urged stakeholders to “make the most of the momentum of opportunity.â€
UN official urges action to bolster protections and end abuses
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:56 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): While 70 years of work by the United Nations has helped build a formidable system of rights protections, the nagging persistence of “everything else†– wars and ongoing deprivation – is deeply worrying, the top UN human rights official declared on Monday, urging renewed action to promote economic and social rights for all and tackle pervasive discrimination and repression.
South Sudanese refugee influx in Sudan an emergency within an emergency: UN
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:55 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency reported on Monday that some 14,000 South Sudanese – mainly women and children – have fled into Sudan over the weekend, describing the situation as “an emergency within an emergency.â€
UN encourages cradle-to-grave plans for using spent fuel and radioactive waste
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:53 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): Projecting that the use of nuclear power will continue to grow in the coming decades, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday urged countries with nuclear energy programmes to share their spent fuel and radioactive waste management know-how with less-experienced countries.
UN chief condemns deadly Boko Haram attack in Chad
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:52 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned a series of deadly bombings in the Chadian capital of N’Djamena which reportedly killed more than 25 people and injured dozens of others, according to a spokesperson for the United Nations.
Remittances from Europe provide 'lifeline' to millions worldwide: UN agency
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:51 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): According to a report released on Monday by the Rome-based United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), migrant workers living in Europe last year provided a lifeline to more than 150 million people around the world by sending home $109.4 billion in remittances.
General Assembly elects former Danish Minister as President of 70th session
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:50 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): The United Nations General Assembly has elected by acclamation Mogens Lykketoft of Denmark as President of its upcoming 70th session.
Syria: UN special envoy arrives in Damascus for talks with Government officials
Jun 16, 2015, at 01:48 pm
New York, Jun 16 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura has begun a visit to the capital, Damascus, following an invitation by the Government to visit the country, according to a spokesman for the Organization.
Libya: UN official calls for release of abducted Tunisian diplomatic staff
Jun 15, 2015, at 02:35 pm
New York, Jun 15 (IBNS): The top United Nations official in Libya has strongly condemned an attack on the Tunisian consulate in the Libyan capital of Tripoli which resulted in the capture of ten consulate staff members.New York, Jun 15 (IBNS): The top United Nations official in Libya has strongly condemned an attack on the Tunisian consulate in the Libyan capital of Tripoli which resulted in the capture of ten consulate staff members.