Saving lives of migrants in Southeast Asian waters should be a priority: UN
May 22, 2015, at 01:34 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): A group of United Nations human rights experts on Thursday welcomed the Malaysian, Indonesian and Thai leaders’ decision not to pushback asylum seekers arriving in their territorial waters and urged the international community to assist those countries financially to protect the human rights of all migrants.
UN envoy says 2015 year of fear for children, urging schools funding in crisis zones
May 22, 2015, at 01:33 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): The United Nations education envoy told journalists in New York on Thursday that “shocking figures†relating to the position of children in emergency situations underlined the need for a new humanitarian fund to ensure the education of millions of children.
Ban meets Republic of Korea's Prez, spotlights importance of post-2015 agenda
May 22, 2015, at 01:32 pm
New York, May 22 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is on Thursday wrapping up his visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) following a meeting with the country’s president Park Geun-hye and an appeal for greater dialogue across Asia, the United Nations confirmed on Thursday.
UN agency welcomes initial step on migration by Southeast Asian countries
May 21, 2015, at 03:04 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency welcomed on Wednesday the commitment announced by the Foreign Ministers of Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand to resolve the issue of the thousands of refugees and migrants stranded in boats in the Bay of Bengal and off the coast of Southeast Asia.
Ban announces inclusive consultations on Yemen; urges good faith engagement
May 21, 2015, at 03:03 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, said on Wednesday that he is pleased to announce the launch of inclusive consultations aimed at restoring momentum towards a Yemeni-led political transition process, according to a statement released by his Spokesman.
Ban condemns fighting in South Sudan, deplores deaths of civilians
May 21, 2015, at 03:01 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): The United Nations has strongly condemned the escalation of hostilities in the past ten days between Government and opposition forces in Unity and Upper Nile states in South Sudan.
Seoul: Ban spotlights role of young people and technology in development agenda
May 21, 2015, at 03:00 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): Continuing his official visit to Republic of Korea, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at two forums on Wednesday highlighted the importance of youth, education and information communication technologies (ICTs) in shaping the future sustainable development agenda.
UN deputy chief says action on sustainability a 'moral and historical duty'
May 21, 2015, at 02:59 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): The world is facing complex challenges regarding the future of sustainable energy which demand comprehensive and immediate solutions, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson declared on Wednesday as he delivered remarks to the General Assembly's Global Energy Ministerial Meeting.
Mali: UN Mission condemns attack against staff compound amid violence
May 21, 2015, at 02:57 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): The United Nations mission in Mali strongly condemned today an attack against a residential compound housing its military personnel in the country capital of Bamako, a spokesperson for the Organization confirmed on Wednesday.
Korea’s foreigners-only HIV test violated New Zealand teacher’s rights: UN experts
May 21, 2015, at 02:56 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): A New Zealand woman’s rights were violated when her employers in the Republic of Korea demanded that, as a foreign English teacher, she undergo HIV/AIDS and drug tests as a condition of having her contract renewed, United Nations experts have found.
UNESCO chief urges cessation of hostilities at Palmyra world heritage site
May 21, 2015, at 02:55 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Wednesday called on all warring factions in Syria to immediately end hostilities within the archaeological site of Palmyra following reports that extremist groups had breached the ancient city’s perimeter.
Expert urges WHO to do more to protect people from toxic substances
May 21, 2015, at 02:54 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): The UN independent expert on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes on Wednesday urged the World Health Organization to “play a much larger, more active role†in protecting people from the negative impacts of toxic pollution.
UN officials urge Israel to halt plans to transfer Palestinian Bedouins
May 21, 2015, at 02:52 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): Two United Nations humanitarian officials with responsibilities in the occupied Palestinian territory have on Wednesday expressed their grave concern over the Government of Israel’s “rapidly advancing plans†to transfer Palestinian Bedouins in the central West Bank from their current communities.
Ebola: WHO deploys team on border of Guinea and Guinea-Bissau
May 21, 2015, at 02:50 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday reported “a substantial increase†in the weekly total of new Ebola cases in Guinea and Sierra Leone and deployed a response team to the border with Guinea-Bissau because of its proximity to a recent cluster of cases in a neighbouring Guinean prefecture.
Health services for Palestine refugees extended despite regional turmoil: WHO
May 21, 2015, at 02:48 pm
New York, May 21 (IBNS): A newly published report by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) spotlights improved health services being delivered to millions in five fields across the Middle East, despite pronounced challenges in the region.
UN calls on Southeast Asian countries to protect migrants making sea journeys
May 20, 2015, at 02:02 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): Several senior United Nations officials have on Tuesday strongly urged the leaders of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, to protect migrants and refugees stranded on vessels in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, to facilitate safe disembarkation, and to give priority to saving lives, protecting rights, and respecting human dignity.
Yemen: UN agencies urge predictable pauses for humanitarian aid
May 20, 2015, at 02:00 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): Yemen’s five-day ceasefire aimed at allowing the delivery of critical aid to the country’s beleaguered civilian population did not last long enough for providing the necessary relief, according to the United Nations humanitarian agencies.
Ban announces visit to DPR Korea, aims to boost cooperation on Peninsula
May 20, 2015, at 01:59 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday announced he will visit an industrial complex in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday, saying that he hoped the rare trip “will provide positive impetus to further develop it and expand to other areas†to promote inter-Korean relations.
Burundi humanitarian crisis worsens as political tensions in country grow
May 20, 2015, at 01:57 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): The humanitarian crisis caused by the “escalating political tensions†in Burundi has worsened, according to the United Nations which on Tuesday reported an uptick in the number of Burundian refugees seeking asylum and a deterioration in health conditions at refugee camps receiving them.
UN agency calls for renewed global commitment to develop effective HIV vaccine
May 20, 2015, at 01:56 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): To mark HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, or UNAIDS, has renewed its call for a sustained worldwide commitment to finding an effective HIV vaccine.
South Sudan: UNICEF warns women and children being victimized
May 20, 2015, at 01:55 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): Almost two years since the eruption of the conflict in South Sudan, the situation continues to deteriorate with women and small children making up the majority of most recent casualties, a representative from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the country said on Tuesday.
UN forum: Ban urges leaders aim to set global education roadmap until 2030
May 20, 2015, at 01:54 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): Education is not a privilege but rather a birthright that secures human rights and fights violent extremism, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday in Incheon, Republic of Korea, as he opened the World Education Forum 2015 which aims to set the roadmap for global education until 2030.
Security Council: UN envoy says world must not squander opportunity in Somalia
May 20, 2015, at 01:52 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): While it is too soon to celebrate definitive success in Somalia, and while the situation remains challenging, progress is being made and the international community would be missing a strategic opportunity if it failed to realize how much is being achieved, the top United Nations in the country told the Security Council on Tuesday.
Iraq must protect internally displaced as crisis deepens: UN expert
May 20, 2015, at 01:51 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): A United Nations human rights expert on Tuesday urged the Government of Iraq to step-up its efforts and give a higher priority to nearly three million internally displaced persons (IDPs).
UN rights expert urges Armenia to shed light on violence against children
May 20, 2015, at 01:49 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): The UN independent human rights expert on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography on Tuesday urged the Armenian government to devote more attention to the issue of violence against children as well as irregularities in adoption processes, which can amount to sale of children
Security Council: UN official warns Middle East status quo not tenable
May 20, 2015, at 01:48 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): The Middle East is threatened by “a vicious tide of terror and extremism†amid stalled peace negotiations and growing regional tensions, a United Nations envoy on the region warned on Tuesday.
Violence against women and girls shames every society: UN anti-crime chief
May 20, 2015, at 01:46 pm
New York, May 20 (IBNS): Voicing concern over the continued killing of women and girls, the United Nations anti-crime chief on Tuesday issued a strong call to end such acts, as well as to unravel the gender at the heart of the “dreadful daily experiences of violence†that blight so many of their lives.
Republic of Korea: Ban says education key for global peace and stability
May 19, 2015, at 02:49 pm
New York, May 19 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has returned to his native Republic of Korea (ROK) for the first time in two years in order to attend a series of international events, including a critical summit on education and development, the United Nations confirmed on Monday.
Civilians in Yarmouk facing vulnerability of highest severity: UN agency
May 19, 2015, at 02:46 pm
New York, May 19 (IBNS): As the United Nations agency assisting Palestinian refugees in the Middle East continued humanitarian operations in around the Yarmouk Camp, deep concerns remained about violence that continues to profoundly threaten the lives and safety of Palestine refugees.
UN assists as diarrhoea leaves seven Burundi refugees dead at Tanzania camp
May 19, 2015, at 02:45 pm
New York, May 19 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency has announced on Monday that it is taking urgent measures to contain the spread of a severe watery diarrhoea outbreak among newly arrived Burundian refugees in Tanzania, as seven people have been reported dead since Wednesday.