World needs ‘new vision for urbanization,’ says UN chief
Apr 13, 2016, at 01:48 pm
New York, Apr 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Welcoming Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa to the United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday said the world needs a new vision for urbanization – a “New Urban Agenda†– to help protect the environment and limit climate change.
UN marks 55th anniversary of first human flight into outer space
Apr 13, 2016, at 01:46 pm
New York, Apr 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations on Tuesday observed the International Day of Human Space Flight to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the first human space flight, which ushered in the beginning of the space era for mankind.
Iraq: UN mission warns of increasing risks for civilians in besieged Fallujah
Apr 13, 2016, at 01:44 pm
New York, Apr 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said it is receiving reports that humanitarian conditions are worsening and human suffering is increasing in the city of Fallujah, which has been under control of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) for more than two years.
UN rights office ‘surprised’ by Venezuela’s ruling against reconciliation bill
Apr 13, 2016, at 01:42 pm
New York, Apr 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations human rights office on Tuesday expressed concern about yesterday’s ruling by Venezuela’s top court against a bill that could serve as the basis for a path of dialogue and reconciliation in that country.
Airdrops in Syria continue as UN mediator meets with Iranian official in Tehran
Apr 13, 2016, at 01:41 pm
New York, Apr 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS):During a visit to Tehran, the United Nations mediator on the crisis in Syria underlined the importance of consulting with Iran's authorities because they “have an influence†and useful advice, while UN humanitarian agencies provided their latest updates in Geneva.
UN agency urges inclusion of victims of mass displacement in Colombian peace talks
Apr 13, 2016, at 01:40 pm
New York, Apr 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday called on the negotiators of Colombian peace talks to give special attention to the rights of victims of five-decade conflict that has produced the world’s second-biggest displacement situation after Syria.
Desert Locust outbreak in Yemen leaves surrounding countries potentially at risk
Apr 13, 2016, at 01:38 pm
New York, Apr 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The presence of recently discovered Desert Locust infestations in Yemen, where conflict is severely hampering control operations, poses a potential threat to crops in the region, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned on Tuesday.
United Nations begins informal briefings to select next Secretary-General
Apr 13, 2016, at 01:37 pm
New York, Apr 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Kicking off what he has called a “new and transparent process,†General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft on Tuesday opened informal dialogues with candidates for the next United Nations Secretary-General, for the first time providing an opportunity for substantive and open engagement with the candidates – for the full UN membership and the public.
Nigeria: UN human rights experts call for progress in abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok
Apr 13, 2016, at 01:35 pm
New York, Apr 13 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Ahead of the second anniversary of the abduction of 200 schoolgirls in the town of Chibok in Nigeria, a group of United Nations and African human rights experts on Tuesday appealed to Boko Haram to immediately reveal the location of the girls, and urged the Government of Nigeria to escalate its efforts to free all civilians kidnapped by the group.
Ban highlights need to fight ‘genocide ideology,’ as UN reflects on 1994 atrocities in Rwanda
Apr 12, 2016, at 01:45 pm
New York, Apr 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): At an event marking the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the only way to prevent genocide and other “egregious†violations of human rights is to acknowledge shared responsibility and commit to shared action to protect those at risk.
UN experts urges Honduras to end impunity in murder of human rights defender
Apr 12, 2016, at 01:44 pm
New York, Apr 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): More than a month after the killing of Berta Cáceres, a female human rights defender, eight United Nations experts have jointly reiterated their appeal to the Government of Honduras to provide justice and reveal the truth in her murder, and to ensure the security and protection of all people defending the environment and human rights in the country.
PODCAST: actress Gillian Anderson presents film at UN on human trafficking
Apr 12, 2016, at 01:42 pm
New York, Apr 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): “Film can change the world,†said actress Gillian Anderson in a recent interview at the United Nations about the movie SOLD, the story of a 13-year-old Nepalese girl's journey into sexual slavery and eventual emancipation.
UN survey finds displaced Palestinian families in Gaza Strip live in desperate conditions
Apr 12, 2016, at 01:41 pm
New York, Apr 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): More than 75,000 Palestinian families internally displaced in the Gaza Strip as a result of the 2014 escalation of hostilities continue to live in fraught conditions and are in need of homes, the United Nations relief coordination wing for the Occupied Palestinian Territory reported on Monday.
New UN report focuses on green, inclusive industrialization in Africa
Apr 12, 2016, at 01:37 pm
New York, Apr 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Welcoming the launch of the latest economic report on Africa, a senior United Nations official on Monday highlighted that African countries should leapfrog “business as usual,†carbon-intensive methods of growth and instead pursue a pathway to green industrialization.
Data 'essential' to 2030 Agenda, UN Commission on Population and Development told
Apr 12, 2016, at 01:36 pm
New York, Apr 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Addressing the opening of the 2016 session of the Commission on Population and Development, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday underscored the importance of that body's role in advancing the new global development agenda.
At UN peace operations review, Ban urges change of mindset in response to new challenges
Apr 12, 2016, at 01:34 pm
New York, Apr 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Ensuring that United Nations peace operations effectively confront and respond to both current and future global peace and security challenges requires sustained efforts to bolster progress throughout 2016 and beyond, including the right processes, strong partnerships and clear political strategies, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday.
Violence, use of teargas at Greek border 'matter of great worry' – UN refugee agency
Apr 12, 2016, at 01:31 pm
New York, Apr 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency on Monday expressed concern about yesterday's violence at the border between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia near Eidomeni and the extensive scenes of teargas in use.
UN agencies step up joint response to help drought-affected northern Somalia
Apr 12, 2016, at 01:30 pm
New York, Apr 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) are intensifying joint efforts to assist communities in northern Somalia coping with a severe drought exacerbated by El Niño conditions.
Yemen: UN officials welcome cessation of hostilities
Apr 12, 2016, at 01:28 pm
New York, Apr 12 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen has welcomed the start of the cessation of hostilities that began at midnight, 10 April, urging all parties to work to ensure that the terms are fully respected and create a conducive environment for the peace talks scheduled to resume next week.
UN food aid reaches besieged Syrian city of Deir Ezzor by air
Apr 11, 2016, at 12:50 pm
New York, Apr 11 (Just Earth News/IBNS): In a boost to international humanitarian efforts in Syria, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Sunday delivered aid by air for hungry people trapped in the besieged eastern city of Deir Ezzor, an area controlled by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh).
Apr 10, 2016, at 12:59 pm
New York, Apr 10 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Ahead of a cessation of hostilities set to start on 10 April, the senior United Nations relief official for Yemen on Saturday expressed hope that all parties to the conflict in that country abide by the ceasefire agreement, noting that only a political solution can bring the lasting peace Yemenis deserve and are demanding.
UN envoy urges Libyan House of Representatives to vote on national unity government
Apr 10, 2016, at 12:58 pm
New York, Apr 10 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Welcoming yesterday's executive meeting of the House of Representatives, the United Nations envoy for Libya on Saturday called on the House to convene in the Libyan port city of Tobruk over the coming days to vote on the national unity government.
North Korea claims it successfully tested rocket engine
Apr 10, 2016, at 01:08 am
Seoul, Apr 9 (IBNS): North Korea on Saturday claimed the country has successfully conducted a ground test of a new engine for an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), South Korean media reports said.
At least 23 killed in Peru bus accident
Apr 09, 2016, at 05:49 pm
Lima, Apr 9 (IBNS) At least 23 people were killed and 32 injured after a bus plunged into a river in the Andes Mountains near Cusco in south-eastern Peru, media reports said.
UN Development Cooperation Forum can contribute to advancing 2030 Agenda
Apr 09, 2016, at 01:54 pm
New York, Apr 9 (Just Earth News/IBNS): In Brussels on Friday, the President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Oh Joon, emphasized that its forum that reviews the latest international development cooperation trends has an important role to play in advancing the new global development agenda.
UN officials urge boost in development action to meet humanitarian challenges in Africa
Apr 09, 2016, at 01:52 pm
New York, Apr 9 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Greater efforts in preparedness response, recovery and development interventions are needed from humanitarian actors for African nations to meet the immediate needs of their citizens, become more resilient to shocks and crises, and ultimately achieve food security, senior United Nations officials stressed on Friday.
Apr 09, 2016, at 01:50 pm
New York, Apr 9 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations special coordinator on sexual exploitation and abuse is in Central African Republic (CAR) to discuss stronger measures to respond to the scourge.
Greece: UN agency urges full hearings for stranded refugee and migrant children
Apr 09, 2016, at 01:48 pm
New York, Apr 9 (Just Earth News/IBNS): With the process of returning refugees and migrants from the Greek islands to Turkey underway as part of a European Union-Turkey agreement, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is reminding States of their duty to care and protect all children and give them a full and fair hearing when deciding on their future.
Selecting a new UN Secretary-General: a job interview in front of the whole world
Apr 09, 2016, at 01:47 pm
New York, Apr 9 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The selection process for a new United Nations Secretary-General, traditionally decided behind closed-doors by a few powerful countries, will for the first time in history involve public discussions with each candidate campaigning for the world’s top diplomatic post.
Ban welcomes G20 support for Paris climate accord signing
Apr 09, 2016, at 01:45 pm
New York, Apr 9 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Photo: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday welcomed the statement of China, this year’s President of the Group of 20, affirming the G20’s full support for the 22 April signing of the Paris Agreement on climate change, and calling for the accord’s entry into force as early as possible.