Afghanistan: UN welcomes establishment of electoral system reform commission

Jul 20, 2015, at 02:06 pm

New York, Jul 20 (IBNS): The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Sunday welcomed the establishment by the National Unity Government of an Electoral System Reform Commission in the country.

Palace 'disappointed' over British tabloid publishing image of Queen giving Nazi salute

Jul 19, 2015, at 08:50 pm

London, July 19 (IBNS): The Buckingham Palace has expressed "disappointment" over the footage and images released by the British tabloid-The Sun-from 1933 showing young Queen Elizabeth II performing a Nazi salute.

Indian arrested in China for suspected terror links released

Jul 19, 2015, at 02:42 am

Beijing, Jul 18 (IBNS) An Indian national, detained in China for suspected terror links, has been released, reports said on Saturday.

South Sudan: UN official cites will of the people to achieve peace despite 'bleak' situation

Jul 19, 2015, at 02:37 am

New York, July 18 (IBNS) The outlook for South Sudan is not completely bleak, a senior United Nations has said in Juba, noting that travelling throughout the country, he has repeatedly heard the phrase: “we want peace now.”

One year after tragedy, Ban pays tribute to victims of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17

Jul 18, 2015, at 03:24 pm

New York, July 18 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid on Friday tribute to the victims who lost their lives a year ago aboard the "tragic” Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which crashed in eastern Ukraine.

UNESCO calls for investigation into death of Indian journalist

Jul 18, 2015, at 03:23 pm

New York, July 18 (IBNS) The Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, on Friday called on the Indian authorities to investigate thoroughly the death of reporter Akshay Singh in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh on 4 July.

UN chief condemns terrorist attacks that killed 60 people in northeast Nigeria

Jul 18, 2015, at 03:20 pm

New York, July 18 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday condemned the terrorist attacks that killed over 60 people in the towns of Gombe and Damaturu, in northeast Nigeria over the last two days.

Ban condemns deadly car bomb attack in Saudi Arabia

Jul 18, 2015, at 02:45 pm

New York, July 18 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the car bomb attack perpetrated at a police checkpoint yesterday in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia.

Security Council urges all Libyan parties to unite in support of new political agreement

Jul 17, 2015, at 03:40 pm

New York, July 17 (IBNS) The United Nations Security Council has welcomed the initialling of the Libyan political agreement in Skhirat, Morocco on 11 July as the latest step towards resolving the country's political crisis.

Full-fledged UN peacekeeping mission in Somalia would be 'high-risk undertaking,' Security Council told

Jul 17, 2015, at 03:37 pm

New York , July 17 (IBNS) A United Nations peacekeeping mission in Somalia would be a "high-risk undertaking," considering the threats posed by Al-Shabaab militants and despite advances made by the African Union Mission in the country (AMISOM), a senior UN official told the Security Council today.

Deadly tribal clashes in South Darfur draw concern of UN-African Union mission

Jul 17, 2015, at 03:34 pm

New York, July 17 (IBNS) The African Union–United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) on Thursdayexpressed deep concern over reports of escalating tensions and confrontations between the Reizegat and the Habaniya tribes in Al Sunta – 150 kilometres south-east of Nyala – South Darfur.

With Haiti now 'back on its feet,' upcoming elections will be critical for future stability – UN officials

Jul 17, 2015, at 03:23 pm

New York, July 17 (IBNS) Haiti’s imminent elections will look to inaugurate a new period of transparency, democracy and development long yearned for by its citizens, senior United Nations officials told a gathering of the county's partners during a key meeting held on Thursday at UN Headquarters in New York.

ADDIS: UN officials hail outcome of conference on development financing as first milestone of 2015

Jul 17, 2015, at 03:20 pm

New York, July 17 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and senior United Nations officials on Thursdayhailed the outcome of the financing for development conference in Addis Ababa as the first milestone in a critical year in which major decisions are also expected on the future sustainable development agenda and on climate change.

Burundi: UN experts urge Security Council action amid mounting violence

Jul 17, 2015, at 03:17 pm

New York, July 17 (IBNS) The escalating pattern of politically motivated violence in Burundi demands a response from the United Nations Security Council before the hostilities can evolve into wholesale atrocities, a group of the Organization’s independent experts have warned.

In Djibouti, UNICEF Ambassador Eddie Izzard visits Yemeni children refugees fleeing war

Jul 17, 2015, at 03:13 pm

New York, July 17 (IBNS) United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) United Kingdom Ambassador Eddie Izzard has met child refugees in Djibouti who have fled the devastating war in Yemen, the country of the comedian's birth.

Addis: Africa's economic transformation in focus at UN conference

Jul 16, 2015, at 02:04 pm

New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): A lack of industrialization puts Africa's long-term growth at risk, a senior United Nations official said on Wednesday, as participants at the Third International Conference on Financing for Development discussed the economic transformation of the continent.

UNESCO chief denounces murder of Honduran journalists

Jul 16, 2015, at 02:03 pm

New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): The Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, on Wednesday denounced the killing of three journalists in Honduras, reiterating that crimes against media workers cannot be allowed to go unpunished.

Greece: UN expert says new measures must not lose sight of human rights

Jul 16, 2015, at 02:02 pm

New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): The implementation of new austerity measures in Greece amid the country’s deteriorating economic crisis must not come at a cost to human rights, a United Nations expert warned on Wednesday as he urged international institutions and the Greek Government to make "fully informed decisions" before adopting additional reforms.

Outcome at UN financing conference vital for development agenda: Ban

Jul 16, 2015, at 02:01 pm

New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday stressed that a successful outcome at the United Nations financing conference in Ethiopia is vital for the future sustainable development agenda and could shape international cooperation for years to come, as negotiations on the draft text entered its final stages.

Addis: First UN world youth skills day celebrates youth empowerment

Jul 16, 2015, at 01:59 pm

New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): On the first-ever commemoration of World Youth Skills Day, United Nations officials on Wednesday declared that investing in developing the skills of young people can help build a more just and sustainable future for all and is one of the most important decisions any country can make.

Libya: UN envoy says all parties must back political dialogue process

Jul 16, 2015, at 01:58 pm

New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): A peaceful transition in Libya will only succeed through a significant and coordinated effort in support of a future Government of National Accord and by ensuring that sufficient security is achieved throughout the country so that public administration can resume its key functions, the top UN official in Libya told the Security Council on Wednesday.

Addis: Islamic finance should fund sustainable development, UN conference told

Jul 16, 2015, at 01:57 pm

New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): Islamic finance offers a promising alternative to traditional sources of funding and should be utilized to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that countries will adopt in September, participants at the Third International Conference on Financing for Development were told.

After nuclear deal, Iran must now focus on human rights: UN expert

Jul 16, 2015, at 01:56 pm

New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): The latest agreement between the Government of Iran and negotiations from six nations on limiting the scope of the Gulf country’s nuclear programme has opened the door to further discussion of the Iranian human rights situation, according to an independent United Nations expert.

Millions need relief from 'terrifying' violence in Yemen: UN official

Jul 16, 2015, at 01:54 pm

New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): As millions face "terrifying" violence, extreme hunger and little medical aid in Yemen, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the "catastrophic" situation, and renewed his appeal for an immediate and unconditional humanitarian pause.”

Cambodia: UN expert urges authorities to reject bill that 'threatens' free society

Jul 16, 2015, at 01:53 pm

New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): United Nations human rights expert Maina Kiai on Wednesday urged Cambodia to reject a draft law that would allow authorities to shut down and criminalize any group advocating for human rights, basic freedoms and good governance, saying “it is not too late to reverse the course of action.”

UN officials urge continued support for Haiti as country prepares for elections

Jul 16, 2015, at 01:52 pm

New York, Jul 16 (IBNS): Haiti’s impending elections will be an “historic milestone” for the Caribbean country as it continues on its journey toward economic and political recovery, according to two senior United Nations officials.

UN applauds 'historic' deal on Iranian nuclear programme

Jul 15, 2015, at 03:47 pm

New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): The United Nations has welcomed the agreement reached between international negotiators and the Government of Iran as the two parties pave the way for a viable solution on the Gulf country's nuclear programme and towards possible peace in the region.

Ban: Investing in gender equality vital to economic growth, sustainable development

Jul 15, 2015, at 03:46 pm

New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): Increased investments in gender equality are vital if the world is to achieve sustained economic growth and development, United Nations Secretary-General said on Tuesday during the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Addis: UN agency stresses role of partnerships to finance inclusive

Jul 15, 2015, at 03:44 pm

New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): Partnerships involving all development players will be key to scaling up the financing needed for industrial infrastructure and projects, an important element in the economic and social advancement of countries, a senior United Nations official told a conference in Ethiopia on Tuesday.

Addis: UN announces world has delivered on halting AIDS epidemic

Jul 15, 2015, at 03:42 pm

New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): The world has exceeded the targets contained in the Millennium Development Goals to halt and reverse the spread of HIV and is on track to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, according to a report released on Tuesday in Addis Ababa by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).