UN refugee chief warns against overlooking humanitarian crises in Africa
Sep 30, 2014, at 05:08 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS) The United Nations refugee chief on Monday warned the international community about the risks of overlooking the humanitarian crises in Africa, calling for a renewed commitment to preventing conflict and ending protracted displacement.
Adverse conditions stop poorer countries reaching development goals, Laos tells UN
Sep 30, 2014, at 05:06 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS) Armed conflicts, political unrests, pandemics, and environmental degradation have impeded efforts by the world’s least developed countries (LDCs) to reach the anti-poverty Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Laotian Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun Sisovlith told the United Nations General Assembly on Monday.
Holy See calls at General Assembly for 'renewed' UN to use 'licit force' against terror
Sep 30, 2014, at 04:54 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS) In the face of terrorist attacks on Christians and other minorities in the Middle East, and other lethal crises, Pope Francis' representative at the General Assembly’s high-level annual meeting on Monday called for a reinvigorated United Nations capable of deploying the necessary multilateral force to defeat the scourge.
World needs 'paradigm shift' towards sustainable agriculture, UN agency urges
Sep 30, 2014, at 04:49 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS) In order to move towards more sustainable agriculture, a broader approach is needed to overhaul the world’s food system, the head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Monday, as he pressed for a global reduction in the quantity of chemicals and water in contemporary agriculture.
In Republic of Korea, UN meeting tackles safe use of living modified organisms
Sep 30, 2014, at 04:47 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS) Representative from governments, civil society and industry around the world on Monday kicked off a five-day United Nations meeting in the Republic of Korea (ROK) to ensure the safe use of modified living organis.
Pacific islands facing 'existential threats' need special attention, Vanuatu's leader tells UN
Sep 30, 2014, at 04:45 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS) Taking to the General Assembly podium on Monday, Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, Joe Natuman said that as a Pacific small Island developing State (SIDS), his country was confronted with unique development challenges, which needed to be addressed by the UN and international community.
Not a single child untouched by recent Gaza conflict, says UN rights expert
Sep 30, 2014, at 04:39 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS) There is not a single child who has not been adversely affected by the recent conflict in Gaza, where children suffer from bedwetting, difficulties in sleeping, nightmares, a loss of appetite, and display more aggressive behaviour at school, an independent United Nations human rights expert said on Monday.
Spanish job growth still 'incomplete' amid slow global economic recovery – UN report
Sep 30, 2014, at 04:36 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS) The Spanish economy requires "comprehensive" measures to boost lagging job creation and lower its rate of chronic unemployment, among the highest in Europe, a new report by the United Nations labour agency has warned.
At UN debate, African leaders say global sustainability agenda must reflect local realities
Sep 30, 2014, at 04:33 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS) With a new sustainable development agenda as the focus of this year’s annual General Assembly debate, African leaders on Monday called on the United Nations to take into consideration the continent’s specific realities and challenges.
UN congratulates Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on inauguration
Sep 30, 2014, at 04:32 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations mission in Afghanistan on Monday welcomed the inauguration of Ashraf Ghani as President and reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to cooperate with the national unity government in the country’s progress to peace, stability and development.
Ashraf Ghani took oath as new Afghan President
Sep 29, 2014, at 11:27 pm
Kabul, Sept 29 (IBNS): Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai took oath as Afghanistan's new President on Monday as suicide blast ripped capital Kabul killing four at the same time.
7 Ukrainian soldiers killed in rebel attack
Sep 29, 2014, at 09:12 pm
Kiev, Sept 29 (IBNS): Seven Ukrainian soldiers have died in a rebel attack in the midst of cease-fire on Sunday night near the Donetsk airport in eastern Ukraine, media reported.
Pakistan: 8 killed in explosion at Hangu IDPs camp
Sep 29, 2014, at 01:15 am
Hangu, Sept 28 (IBNS) An explosion left at least eight people killed and several others injured at Muhammad Khawaja area in Pakistan's Hangu town on Sunday, media reports said.
Pakistan: US Drone attack kills 2
Sep 29, 2014, at 01:05 am
Islamabad, Sept 28 (IBNS) A US drone strike in Pakistan's South Waziristan Agency has killed at least two people and left four other injured on Sunday, media reports said.
European leaders addressing UN say current crises threaten global governance system
Sep 28, 2014, at 07:49 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS): European leaders addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday raised the spectre of what some saw as Russia’s largely unchallenged actions in Ukraine and the march of armed militants through large swaths of northern Iraq as emblematic of an international system in dire need of repair.
At Global Citizen Festival, Ban tells crowd "a better world is around the corner"
Sep 28, 2014, at 07:47 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS) Surrounded by a roaring crowd of an estimated 60,000 people, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was joined last night by a star-studded roster of the world's leading performers as he helped kick-off the third annual Global Citizen Festival-a celebration of global unity and a reaffirmation of the will to address the planet's most pressing issues.
Afghan minister at UN Assembly lauds country's achievements, vows international cooperation
Sep 28, 2014, at 07:43 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS) Ahead of Monday's presidential swearing-in, the Afghan Foreign Minister on Saturday outlined his country's achievements in the past year as Afghanistan is on the eve of a "transformative decade" with the transfer of security responsibilities from an international coalition force to the Afghan community by the end of this year.
Over 30 dead in Japanese volcanic eruption
Sep 28, 2014, at 07:43 pm
Tokyo, Sept 28 (IBNS): Over 30 people have lost their lives after a volcano erupted in central Japan on Saturday, reports said.
DPR Korea, in UN address, says reunification 'only way to prevent war, safeguard peace'
Sep 28, 2014, at 07:43 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS) Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Ri Su Yong, told delegates that despite recent gains in economic development, his country continued to face "serious obstacles" due to the continuing divisions separating the Korean peninsula.
Greece calls for closer cooperation between Europe, UN in crisis management
Sep 28, 2014, at 07:41 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS) Addressing the General Assembly on Saturday, Greek Deputy Prime Minister Evangelos Venizelos called for strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union to maintain world peace.
At General Assembly, Viet Nam urges UN to strengthen global peace, security
Sep 28, 2014, at 07:41 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS) In his address to the General Assembly on Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh of Viet Nam called on the United Nations and its Member States to lay a firm and long-term foundation for peace, security and development, adding that only peace and development together could put the international community on the path towards a prosperous world.
China urges UN Assembly to break new ground when setting future development goals
Sep 28, 2014, at 07:40 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS) The new sustainable development agenda should advance people’s wellbeing, promote inclusivity and ensure implementation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the United Nations General Assembly, delivering his country’s annual address to the world body.
Cuba takes General Assembly podium to call for deep UN reform
Sep 28, 2014, at 07:38 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS) Speaking from the tribune of the General Assembly on Saturday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno RodrÃguez Parrilla called for a profound reform of the United Nations, starting with the 15-member Security Council.
Thailand, in UN address, urges 'strong global partnership' for development goals
Sep 28, 2014, at 07:36 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS) Sustainable development must go "hand in hand" with democracy, human rights, and peace and security, Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn of Thailand told the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday while adding that ensuring human security should be at the heart of each nation’s sustainable development programme.
United Arab Emirates, at UN, urges global action against groups sowing terror in name of Islam
Sep 28, 2014, at 07:35 pm
New York, Sept28 (IBNS) Addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan denounced terrorist groups in the region who falsely wave the banner of Islam and called for concerted international action to defeat them.
Development, political process top agenda for African leaders addressing UN Assembly
Sep 28, 2014, at 07:32 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS) The Vice-President of Burundi on Saturday told the United Nations General Assembly that his country would consider it erroneous to abandon the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and “reset the counter to zero†after the 2015 deadline for reaching those landmark targets.
UNESCO chief condemns killing of Guinean journalists raising awareness about Ebola
Sep 28, 2014, at 07:29 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS) The head of the United Nations agency mandated to defend press freedom on Saturday deplored the deaths of three journalists killed while reporting on an Ebola aid mission in south-eastern Guinea.
In address, Russia calls for Security Council probe of all aspects of terrorism
Sep 28, 2014, at 07:26 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS) Calling for a comprehensive approach to terrorism, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took the General Assembly’s podium on Saturday to propose a United Nations Security Council enquiry into all aspects of the scourge in the Middle East and North Africa.
Sep 28, 2014, at 07:16 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS) Underscoring the Central African Republic’s "extreme vulnerability" in the wake of political instability and internal conflicts, the President of the Transitional Government told the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday while the country would need assistance, she is "firmly determined" to tackle the nation's myriad challenges on the road to peace and stability.
Rich must help poorer States in post-2015 development, Bangladesh tells UN Assembly
Sep 28, 2014, at 07:14 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS) From the podium of the General Assembly on Saturday, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for global aid for poorer countries as the United Nations draws up the post-2015 agenda, an ambitious multi-year development blueprint that aims to eliminate poverty and protect the environment.