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.
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.
UN ideals point the way to solving the world's crises: Barack Obama
Sep 29, 2015, at 03:15 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): Warning against those who advocate authoritarianism and a return to the era of “might makes right†in the face of global disorder, United States President Barack Obama today gave a ringing endorsement of the lasting universality of the United Nations principles of freedom, prosperity and equality for all.
Report by UN and Gates Foundation presents vision for eradicating malaria by 2040
Sep 29, 2015, at 03:09 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): A new report released by the United Nations and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation presents a vision to eradicate malaria by 2040 that involves new strategies, tools and financing and urges world leaders to expand their commitments to fight a disease that still kills about one child every minute.
UN official alarmed at upsurge in human rights abuses in Burundi
Sep 29, 2015, at 03:08 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Monday reported an alarming upsurge in arrests, detention and killings in Burundi since the beginning of September, and urged the country’s authorities to fight against impunity.
World drug problem violates human rights in five key areas: UN official
Sep 29, 2015, at 03:07 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): The global drug problem violates human rights in five key areas – the right to health, the rights relating to criminal justice and discrimination, the rights of the child and the rights of indigenous peoples, a senior United Nations official said on Monday.
Nuclear deal could be blueprint for global relations: Iran's Prez
Sep 29, 2015, at 03:07 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): While safeguarding its historic and cultural heritage, Iran is looking to the future – not only the distant future but also the near future with a bright outlook for cooperation, President Hassan Rouhani told the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, stressing that his country’s recent nuclear deal could suggest a way forward for broader international relations among all nations based on mutual respect and non-intervention.
Divided peninsula last remaining vestige of Cold War: Republic of Korea's President
Sep 29, 2015, at 03:05 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): In her address to the annual high-level meeting of the General Assembly, President Park Geun-hye of the Republic of Korea (ROK) cited the Iranian nuclear deal as she urged the international community to focus on resolving the North Korean nuclear issue.
Russian President stresses national sovereignty within context of UN Charter
Sep 29, 2015, at 03:03 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): Stressing the unique legitimacy, representation and universality of the United Nations, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Monday that many of the crises facing the world have been exacerbated by countries acting against sovereign States outside the UN Charter.
UN Assembly: Gulf, Mid-east leaders call for urgent action against terrorism
Sep 29, 2015, at 03:01 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): Taking the podium at the 70th United Nations General Assembly on Monday, leaders from Gulf and Middle East countries appealed to world leaders to unite against the growing threats from Islamic religious extremists, and also drew attention to a wide range of issues including the Syrian crisis, the ongoing Israel-Palestine dispute and the European refugee crisis.
Xi Jinping urges General Assembly to put new development agenda into action
Sep 29, 2015, at 03:00 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): In his address to the United Nations General Assembly’s annual gathering of world leaders, the President of China warned that the security of all countries was interrelated and that no country could protect its security alone and none could find stability at the expense of another’s.
World leaders recommit to modernize 120,000-strong UN peacekeeping force
Sep 29, 2015, at 02:59 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): Leaders of more than 50 countries gathered for a summit on United Nations peacekeeping operations today to pledge new commitments and strengthen existing capabilities, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon saying "the demand for peacekeeping has never been greater."
Kazakh President proposes 30-year plan to promote fairness and human development
Sep 29, 2015, at 02:57 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): Stressing that there is no alternative to the United Nations as a universal organization, President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan on Monday looked ahead 30 years to its 100th birthday in 2045 to propose far-reaching reforms, from creating a supranational currency to moving its Headquarters from New York to Asia.
Better future for Somalia must remain collective priority: Ban
Sep 29, 2015, at 02:56 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): Outlining the progress made so far by the Government and people of Somalia, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday stressed that a better future for the Horn of Africa nation must remain a collective priority for the international community.
Mexican President urges UN to step up action against world drug problem
Sep 29, 2015, at 02:55 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): Addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, Enrique Peña Nieto spotlighted key issues facing the world body and urged the international community to promote sustainable development and combat climate change and also encouraged the reform and modernization of the UN Security Council.
Addressing General Debate, Cuban President calls for end to US embargo
Sep 29, 2015, at 02:53 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): In his first-ever address to the United Nations General Debate, Cuban President Raul Castro noted the warming of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba before promising to reintroduce an annual resolution calling for an end to the long-standing US embargo on the island nation.
UN: South African President calls for reform of Security Council
Sep 29, 2015, at 02:52 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): In his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, South African President Jacob Zuma stressed on reforming and restructuring of the UN Security Council in order to resolve conflicts surrounding Middle East and African nations.
Ban calls on all actors in Burkina Faso to act responsibly, exercise restraint
Sep 29, 2015, at 02:50 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday urgently called on all national stakeholders in Burkina Faso to act responsibly, exercise restraint and work in the best interests of the country.
Yemen: Ban condemns airstrikes that reportedly struck killing over 100
Sep 29, 2015, at 02:49 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned the airstrikes that reportedly struck a wedding party in Wahijah village, outside of the Red Sea port city of Mokha in Yemen, killing as many as 135 people.
UN: President of Zimbabwe denounces sanctions against his country
Sep 29, 2015, at 02:48 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): Addressing the General Assembly on Monday, President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe condemned sanctions against his country imposed by the European Union and the United States and called for broad scale reform of the United Nations and its institutions.
Syria: Hollande pledges to work towards political solution but not with Syrian leader
Sep 29, 2015, at 02:45 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): France is ready to work with all countries that want to find a political solution to the four-year crisis in Syria except for President Bashar Al-Assad, who cannot be part of the solution, French President François Hollande told the UN General Assembly on Monday at the annual general debate.
Renewed attacks in Central Africa prompt UN call for end to violence
Sep 29, 2015, at 02:41 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Security Council on Monday called for an immediate end to the sudden eruption of violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) which has led to more than 30 deaths and left over 100 wounded.
Terrorism most immediate problem for new Government: Nigerian President
Sep 29, 2015, at 02:38 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): The new Nigerian Government has many issues to contend with but none as important as defeating the terrorist threat posed by Boko Haram and bringing back the Chibok girls unharmed, the country’s President declared at the United Nations General Assembly on Monday.
General Assembly: Egypt calls for proactive UN strategy against extremism
Sep 29, 2015, at 02:26 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): Denouncing Islamic extremists for negating a religion that stands for tolerance, justice and mercy, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi took to the podium of the General Assembly on Monday to call on the United Nations and its Member States to join him in a proactive strategy to defeat terrorism.
UN: East European leaders urge stronger cooperation to tackle threats to global peace
Sep 29, 2015, at 02:18 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): Poland is ready to participate in the attainment of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted last week, the country’s President told the UN General Assembly on Monday, underlining that objectives such as the defence of democracy, sustainable economic growth, and fighting climate change all contribute to the preservation of peace world-wide.
General Assembly: Mali leader lauds UN for helping to restore peace to war-torn north
Sep 29, 2015, at 02:17 pm
New York, Sept 29 (IBNS): President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali took to the podium of the General Assembly on Monday to voice his “profound gratitude†to the United Nations for its help in restoring peace after a vicious civil war erupted in the north of the African sub-Sahara country in 2012.