Top UN relief official alarmed as aid agencies ordered to leave Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine
Sep 25, 2015, at 03:24 pm
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) Alarmed by news that the de facto authorities in crisis-torn eastern Ukraine have ordered United Nations agencies in Luhansk to end operations and to leave the area by tomorrow, 25 September, the top UN humanitarian official urged the authorities, as well as parties “with influence over [them]†to ensure the resumption of humanitarian aid by UN and non-governmental agencies.
Sep 25, 2015, at 03:23 pm
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) Speaking at a presidential dialogue on the African Urban Agenda at United Nations Headquarters in New York today, the Secretary-General addressed the leaders of several African countries and highlighted the importance of effective urban planning as a vital tool for development.
Seven new advisers named to UN Emergency Relief Fund
Sep 25, 2015, at 03:19 pm
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) Since its inception in 2006, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated more than $4 billion in support of humanitarian operations in 95 countries and territories facing natural or man-made catastrophes, ranging from the victims of earthquakes and tsunamis to survivors fleeing war and atrocities in their own homelands.
All eyes on UN as world body prepares to adopt new Sustainable Development Goals
Sep 25, 2015, at 03:18 pm
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) World leaders, heads of global financial institutions and other dignitaries are heading to New York, where, after months of intense negotiations, the United Nations is set to launch a landmark new framework for sustainable development that will aim to end poverty and build a life of dignity for all, leaving no one behind.
UN chief 'deeply saddened' at deaths in wake of stampede at Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia
Sep 25, 2015, at 03:16 pm
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed deep sadness to learn of the death of more than 700 Hajj pilgrims, as well as of injuries to many others caused by a deadly incident in Mina Valley, near Mecca, in Saudi Arabia.
Yemen: UN condemns terrorist attack on Sana'a mosque
Sep 25, 2015, at 03:14 pm
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned today’s terrorist attack at the al-Bolayli mosque in Yemen’s capital Sana’a, which happened during prayers for the Eid al-Adha holiday.
On World Maritime Day, UN highlights importance of maritime education and training
Sep 25, 2015, at 03:07 pm
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) Marking the observance of World Maritime Day, top UN officials highlighted the importance of the international shipping industry, as well as the necessity of maintaining high education and training standards within the sector as a key part of the implementation of the new Sustainable Development Goals.
Syria: UN health agency urges donors to assist countries ‘doing the heavy lifting’
Sep 25, 2015, at 03:04 pm
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) Crippling funding shortfalls are hindering the ability of emergency teams to meet the escalating health needs of the millions of Syrians displaced by civil war and donors need to step up support to countries in the region doing the “heavy lifting,†warned the World Health Organization (WHO).
UN welcomes expanded EU support to refugees fleeing conflict, urges speedy implementation
Sep 25, 2015, at 03:03 pm
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon joined the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on Thursdayin welcoming a decision by the European Union (EU) to increase resources for humanitarian assistance to countries neighbouring war-ravaged Syria.
Colombia: Ban welcomes 'significant progress' towards reaching final peace agreement
Sep 25, 2015, at 02:57 pm
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) Following a recent upsurge in fighting between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Government, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursdaywelcomed the agreement reached by the parties in Havana, Cuba on the issue of victims and commended their commitment to place victims at the center of the peace process.
Death toll in Mecca stampede crosses 700
Sep 25, 2015, at 12:48 am
Mina, Saudi Arabia, Sept 24 (IBNS): The death toll in the stampede tragedy at Mina near the Muslim holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia rose to 717 on Thursday, media reports said.
Three new suspected cases of typhoid near Yarmouk camp in Syria
Sep 24, 2015, at 02:08 pm
New York, Sept 24 (IBNS) Following humanitarian operations in the southern Syrian town of Yalda, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said it has identified three new suspected cases of typhoid.
UN agency opens two new camps for displaced Iraqis in Baghdad
Sep 24, 2015, at 02:07 pm
New York, Sept 24 (IBNS) The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), partners and local authorities announced on Wednesday the recent opening of two new camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Baghdad province, providing shelter to close to 3,500 Iraqis who have had to flee the Anbar province due to recent fighting.
Following coup d'etat in Burkina Faso, Ban welcomes reinstatement of President
Sep 24, 2015, at 02:05 pm
New Yoek, Sept 24 (IBNS): Following a coup d'etat last week in Burkina Faso, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday welcomed the reinstatement of President Michel Kafando and of the transitional institutions in the country.
Lawsuit claims monkey selfie copyright belongs to monkey
Sep 23, 2015, at 09:20 pm
San Francisco, Sept 23 (IBNS) The U.S. Copyright Act grants copyright ownership of a "selfie" to the "author" of the photograph—and there's nothing in the law that limits such ownership on the basis of species.
Ahead of sustainability summit, 'Global Goals' will light up UN Secretariat building in New York
Sep 23, 2015, at 03:07 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) The United Nations Secretariat Building in New York will be illuminated this evening with massive projections relating to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ahead of the three-day special UN summit beginning on Friday.
Ban praises progress of panel to investigate chemical weapons in Syria
Sep 23, 2015, at 03:05 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday congratulated the leadership of a panel that has been charged with establishing a mechanism to investigate the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
UN envoy on sexual violence in conflict wraps up official visit to Guinea
Sep 23, 2015, at 03:03 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) The United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura has wrapped up an official visit to Guinea, where her Office has been supporting an investigation into events that took place in 2009 at a stadium in the capital, Conakry, where more than 100 people were killed and at least 100 women were raped during an opposition demonstration.
UN rights experts urge Saudi Arabia to immediately halt child executions
Sep 23, 2015, at 03:02 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) A group of independent United Nations human rights experts on Tuesday urged the Saudi Arabian Government to stop the imminent execution of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, convicted for a crime he allegedly committed as a child.
Concerned by escalating violence in Burkina Faso, Ban urges respect for all citizens
Sep 23, 2015, at 03:00 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is following with “great concern†the situation in Burkina Faso, and on Tuesday called upon the country’s defence and security forces to avoid at all costs an escalation of violence and to ensure the respect for physical security and human rights of all Burkinabé citizens.
Thousands of women on the move in Europe need reproductive healthcare - UN
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:58 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Tuesday stressed the need to ensure women refugees and migrants moving across Europe have access to life-saving sexual and reproductive healthcare, as it appealed for $4.2 million for humanitarian assistance.
Libyan parties encouraged to act on UN-backed peace plan
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:57 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) The United Nations envoy for Libya has announced the finalization of a proposed peace plan to end the political crisis in the North African nation, adding that it is now up to the parties to act on the text.
Philippines: UN experts calls for probe into killings of indigenous rights defenders
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:54 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) Two independent United Nations human rights experts on Tuesday called on the Philippines Government to investigate the deaths of three human rights defenders in Surigao del Sur in Mindanao.
Ban urges Israelis, Palestinians to defuse tensions, prevent escalation
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:52 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged both the Israeli and Palestinian sides to defuse tensions and prevent an escalation of the current situation on the ground, during a recent phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
UN agency warns European leaders of 'last opportunity' for response to refugee crisis
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:51 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) European Union leaders are meeting in Brussels on Tuesday and on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing refugee and migration crisis, in what the United Nations cautioned may be the last chance to create a coherent response to end the suffering and exploitation of refuges and migrants.
UN envoy hopes intra-Syrian thematic discussions will 'set the stage' for end to conflict
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:50 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) Returning from consultations with Syrian interlocutors in Damascus and Istanbul, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria announced on Tuesday that he met with facilitators appointed by the Secretary-General to head working groups designed to find a political solution to the five-year conflict.
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:48 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) Addressing on Tuesday a high-level gathering at United Nations Headquarters, the President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) declared that the empowerment of women and the full realization of their human rights are essential for achieving sustainable development and for building peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
Yemen: UN chief 'extremely concerned' at escalating ground fighting and airstrikes
Sep 23, 2015, at 02:47 pm
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) The United Nations Secretary-General on Tuesday voiced extreme concern at the escalating ground fighting and airstrikes that have caused further devastation to Yemen’s cities and an ever-growing number of civilian casualties in recent days.
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:55 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) The United Nations Security Council took note of the recent appointment of Carlos Correia as the Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau as an important step towards ending the country’s political crisis, and stressed the importance of forming a new Government at the earliest.
Secretary-General condemns suspected Boko Haram attacks in north-east Nigeria
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:51 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the multiple bomb attacks at a mosque and nearby areas conducted by suspected Boko Haram elements in Maiduguri in north-east Nigeria on Sunday.