'Time to overcome diplomatic failure' in Syria, says head of UN-mandated rights probe
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:44 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) It is time to overcome diplomatic failure and recognise that there is a global interest in returning Syria to peace, the head of a United Nations-mandated human rights inquiry said today, warning that if conflict continues, nations will be "fuelling a war to keep their influence over a country that will barely exist."
UN chief strongly condemns reported violence against civilians in Burkina Faso
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:40 pm
N ew York, Sept 22 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Mondaystrongly condemned reports of violence against civilians in Burkina Faso and urged the country’s defense and security forces, especially the Presidential Guard, to exercise restraint and respect the human rights of all citizens.
All countries must contribute to solving global refugee crisis, says General Assembly President
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:35 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) All countries must contribute to solving the global refugee crisis, the President of the United Nations General Assembly said today, underscoring that the international community has an unequivocal obligation towards the women, men and children seeking refuge from conflict and violence.
Indigenous and local groups from 20 countries recognized with UN Equator Prize
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:33 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) A Brazilian indigenous group that inspired the film Avatar, a conservation outfit in Indonesia that is saving sea turtles and a movement for pygmy rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are among the 20 winners of a United Nations prize that recognizes outstanding community efforts to reduce poverty, protect nature and strengthen resilience in the face of climate change.
UN observes International Day of Peace with call for global ceasefire
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:31 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) The United Nations on Monday observed the International Day of Peace with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appealing to all warring parties to lay down their weapons and observe a global ceasefire and "stop the killings and the destruction, and create space for lasting peace."
Head of UN atomic watchdog reports 'significant' progress in resolving outstanding issues with Iran
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:28 pm
ew York, Sept 22 (IBNS) Significant progress has been achieved in the implementation of a road-map to resolve all outstanding issues regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, the head of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today, after visiting a nuclear site and meeting senior Government officials, including the President, over the weekend.
Billions of people in developing world still without Internet access, new UN report finds
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:27 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) Broadband Internet is failing to reach billions of people living in the developing world, including 90 per cent of those living in the poorest nations, according to a new United Nations report that offers country-by-country data on the state of access around the globe.
International push needed to end child rights violations in Yemen - UN official
Sep 22, 2015, at 02:25 pm
New York, Sept 22 (IBNS) Describing the current situation in Yemen as "beyond tragic" for all affected by the hostilities, a senior United Nations official said it is "ever more important" for both the Security Council and the international community to promote political dialogue aimed at ending violations against children.
Sep 22, 2015, at 06:14 am
Santiago, Sept 21 (IBNS): An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter Scale rocked Chile on Monday, officials said.
Deploring latest military escalation, UN mission in Libya urges immediate ceasefire
Sep 21, 2015, at 03:25 pm
New York, Sept 21 (IBNS) The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Sunday strongly condemned the military escalation in Benghazi and called for an immediate ceasefire, stressing the need to give the ongoing political dialogue a chance to bring the country's conflict to an end.
UN chief condemns rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza
Sep 21, 2015, at 03:24 pm
New York, Sept 21 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday condemned the recent rocket attacks by extremist Palestinian militants on Israel from Gaza.
In Jordan, top UN relief official calls for greater support for Syrian refugees, hosts communities
Sep 21, 2015, at 03:23 pm
New York, Sept 21 (IBNS) The top United Nations humanitarian official wrapped up a visit to Jordan on Sunday with a call on the international community to urgently increase support to Syrian refugees and the local communities hosting them.
Global brands join forces with UN to boost food aid to families affected by war
Sep 21, 2015, at 03:21 pm
New York, Sept 21 (IBNS)The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Sunday unveiled a new partnership with some of the world's leading companies, including McDonald's, Burger King, Facebook, Google and MasterCard, in an unprecedented effort to support refugees and displaced people struggling to feed their families.
In Niger, global community must match generosity of host communities - UN relief official
Sep 19, 2015, at 02:56 pm
New York, Sept 19 (IBNS) The top United Nations humanitarian official for the Sahel on Friday commended the immense generosity of the Government and host communities in Niger which are hosting those fleeing violence in neighbouring Nigeria, and called on the international community to take its responsibility for a greater share of the "humanitarian burden."
Countries need to step up search of disappeared persons- UN human rights group
Sep 19, 2015, at 02:51 pm
Ne w York, Sept 19 (IBNS) The United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances on Friday urged countries to make the search of disappeared persons a priority, saying that governments now have more information on the number of mobile phones than on the number of disappeared persons.
Lives in Ukraine being lost in accountability vacuum, warns UN rights expert
Sep 19, 2015, at 02:49 pm
New York, Sept 19 (IBNS) The Ukrainian Government and the armed groups operating in the country must implement a proper system of accountability to end the violence, an independent United Nations human rights expert warned on Friday.
Burkina Faso: Ban welcomes release of several leaders, demands others be freed immediately
Sep 19, 2015, at 02:48 pm
New York, Sept 19 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the release on Friday of the Transitional President of Burkina Faso who was detained along with several other officials following this week’s coup d’état, and reiterated his demand that all those being held be freed immediately.
Global partnership needs 'rejuvenation' to achieve new sustainable development agenda - UN report
Sep 19, 2015, at 02:47 pm
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS) The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) achieved significant progress over the past 15 years, but persistent gaps in official development assistance and insufficient access to markets, affordable medicines and new technologies have highlighted the need for a rejuvenation of the global partnership for development, according to a new United Nations report launched on Friday.
Security Council voices 'grave concern' over recent violence around holy sites in Jerusalem
Sep 19, 2015, at 02:43 pm
New York, Sept 19 (IBNS) The United Nations Security Council expressed its "grave concern" over escalating tensions around holy sites in Jerusalem and called for the “immediate cessation of violence†and the restoration of calm, especially surrounding the Haram Al-Sharif/Temple Mount compound.
Time running out for Europe to solve refugee crisis; children particularly vulnerable- UN
Sep 19, 2015, at 02:37 pm
New York, Sept 19 (IBNS) In the wake of yesterday’s “mayhem†on the Serbian border with Croatia, which has now closed some of its entry points, and the dramatic situation on the Hungarian border this week, the United Nations is urging a coherent and united response to Europe’s refugee crisis.
Ahead of International Day of Peace, UN chief appeals for cease-fire on 21 September
Sep 19, 2015, at 02:34 pm
New York, Sept 19 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling for the laying down of arms and a 24-hour cease-fire on 21 September, which is observed around the world each year as the International Day of Peace.
Boko Haram violence displaces 1.4 million children in Nigeria and beyond- UNICEF
Sep 19, 2015, at 02:27 pm
New York, Sept 19 (IBNS): The number of attacks by Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria and neighbouring countries has risen, and half a million children have had to flee to safety in the past five months, bringing the total number of displaced children in the region to 1.4 million, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday.
Global malaria target met amid sharp drop in cases: UN
Sep 18, 2015, at 02:37 pm
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): Malaria death rates have plunged by 60 per cent since 2000, but the ancient killer remains an acute public health problem with 15 countries mainly in sub-Saharan Africa accounting for some 80 per cent of cases and deaths globally, according to a new United Nations report released on Thursday.
UN and Kenya team up to end AIDS epidemic by 2030
Sep 18, 2015, at 02:35 pm
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): The United Nations programme that works to combat HIV/AIDS is working with the Government of Kenya in a bid to end the AIDS epidemic in the country by 2030, through the creation of a new data-collecting tool to track progress in current HIV programming.
Ban seeks support from Member States to end sexual misconduct by UN personnel
Sep 18, 2015, at 02:33 pm
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday highlighted specific actions aimed at ending sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations personnel that require "urgent" support from countries that provide troops and police to peacekeeping operations.
Hungary: UN rights chief appalled at treatment of refugees, migrants by authorities
Sep 18, 2015, at 02:30 pm
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief said on Thursday he is "appalled" at the recent actions displayed by the Hungarian Government in its treatment of refugees and migrants, and urged European institutions to take firm action to respond to the crisis affecting several countries.
War-weary Afghan population clamouring for peace and they deserve it: UN envoy
Sep 18, 2015, at 02:28 pm
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): The top United Nations official in Afghanistan told members of the Security Council on Thursday that the country’s path to stability and self-reliance cannot be taken for granted, and that support from the international community continues to be crucial.
Countries urged to submit climate action plans ahead of UN conference in Paris
Sep 18, 2015, at 02:25 pm
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is eager to get countries to submit as soon as possible their action plans that will form the basis of the new universal climate change agreement to be adopted in December in Paris, a senior United Nations official dealing with the issue said on Thursday.
Security Council extends UN mission in Liberia for another year
Sep 18, 2015, at 02:24 pm
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): The Security Council on Thursday extended the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) until 30 September 2016, and authorized a reduction in the number of its personnel, as preparations continue for the security transition to the country’s authorities next year.
UN says Chile’s investment in disaster risk reduction paid off
Sep 18, 2015, at 02:20 pm
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) on Thursday lauded the Chilean Government’s successful efforts to reduce disaster risk and minimise the number of casualties from the 8.3-magnitude earthquake and tsunami which occurred on Thursday night.