UN says Paris Agreement on climate change must aim for long-term environmental stability

Apr 22, 2016, at 01:56 pm

New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): As global leaders prepare to sign the Paris Agreement on climate change on Friday at United Nations Headquarters in New York, the head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction on Thursday called on signatories to go beyond their existing commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if the world is to avoid catastrophic future weather events.

At UN, Forest Whitaker calls on leaders to ensure benefits of global goals ‘touch everyone’

Apr 22, 2016, at 01:54 pm

New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Peacebuilding advocate and Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker addressed world leaders on Thursday at the United Nations, asking them to ensure that the benefits of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can touch everyone worldwide.

UN and World Bank chiefs announce members of joint high-level panel on water

Apr 22, 2016, at 01:53 pm

New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim announced on Thursday the appointment of 10 Heads of State and Government, as well as two Special Advisors, to the High-Level Panel on Water.

Immunization ‘game-changers’ should be the norm worldwide, says UN health agency

Apr 22, 2016, at 01:51 pm

New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The UN World Health Organization (WHO) announced that during World Immunization Week 2016, which begins Sunday, it will be highlighting recent gains in immunization coverage, and outlining further steps countries can take to meet global vaccination targets by 2020.

Hundreds evacuated from four besieged areas in Syria – UN mediator

Apr 22, 2016, at 01:50 pm

New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): In what he called “modest but very real” progress on the humanitarian track of the crisis in Syria, the United Nations envoy for the country on Thursday reported that, among other steps, more than 500,000 civilians have been reached during the cessation of hostilities, and yesterday, some 500 people were medically evacuated from several besieged areas.

UN urges action on sustainable development to create pathways for global 'transformation'

Apr 22, 2016, at 01:48 pm

New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The President of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday called on the international community to take action on the new UN sustainable development agenda in order to begin a transformation for the benefit of all people and the planet, or risk failure that will be felt for generations to come.

Libya: UN envoy calls for safe evacuation of civilians caught up in Benghazi fighting

Apr 22, 2016, at 01:46 pm

New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Thursday called on all the warring parties in Benghazi to ensure that civilians are protected, also urging them to allow and facilitate the safe and immediate exit of all civilians who are trapped in areas affected by fighting.

UN guidelines and new technologies boost efforts to help curb 'ghost fishing'

Apr 22, 2016, at 01:45 pm

New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): International guidelines being developed by a United Nations agency and new technologies are expected to boost efforts to cut down levels of abandoned fish gear, which often continues to carry out the capture process, entangling fish and other marine animals in its nets, a phenomenon known as “ghost fishing.”

Ecuador earthquake: UN relief chief calls for more support to vulnerable communities

Apr 22, 2016, at 01:43 pm

New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The top United Nations relief official wrapped up his two-day mission to Ecuador yesterday, announcing that he is releasing $7 million from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund to assist people affected by the deadly earthquake that struck on Saturday, while calling for more support to vulnerable communities.

Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 90th birthday

Apr 22, 2016, at 12:20 am

London, Apr 21 (IBNS) Britain on Thursday is celebrating the 90th birth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet Vladimir Putin

Apr 21, 2016, at 11:20 pm

Moscow, Apr 21 (IBNS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is all set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Milestone events at UN to kick-start action on new sustainability goals, climate pact

Apr 21, 2016, at 01:20 pm

New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): In a watershed moment for international cooperation, global political, business and civil society leaders are headed to New York where they will pledge fast action on the new United Nations sustainable development agenda and the landmark Paris climate agreement, to build on momentum from 2015 to create a better future for people and the planet.

Ecuador: top UN relief official stresses ‘solidarity’ as earthquake recovery efforts continue

Apr 21, 2016, at 01:18 pm

New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien said that more than 21,000 people are in need of immediate shelter following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Ecuador on Saturday night, while the Government has stepped up recovery efforts in conjunction with several UN agencies.

Fiji: humanitarian work ‘far from over’ two months after storm, UN reports

Apr 21, 2016, at 01:16 pm

New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Marking two months since Tropical Cyclone Winston hit Fiji, the United Nations senior humanitarian official in the South Pacific has said that “work is far from over” and that there are significant needs for continued relief efforts.

‘Bold and decisive’ action needed for Africa’s future, UN deputy chief tells Member States

Apr 21, 2016, at 01:15 pm

New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations and African countries are working as one to support the continent’s people in realizing their hopes and aspirations for peace and development, which will require “bold and decisive” action, Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said on Wednesday at a special event on the continent’s future.

UN refugee agency says up to 500 lives lost after boat sinks in Mediterranean

Apr 21, 2016, at 01:13 pm

New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency said on Wednesday that as many as 500 people may have lost their lives this past week when an overcrowded boat carrying refugees and migrants sank in the Mediterranean Sea at an unknown location between Libya and Italy.

Ban hails rule of law as ‘foundation of progress’ as ‘World Court’ marks 70th anniversary

Apr 21, 2016, at 01:11 pm

New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The collective jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has made an “enormous contribution” to international law, benefiting both nations and citizens around the world, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday marking the 70th anniversary of the main judicial organ of the United Nations.

UN health agency launches global strategy to end leprosy

Apr 21, 2016, at 01:09 pm

New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations health agency on Wednesday launched a new global strategy for a world free of leprosy, calling for stronger commitments and accelerated efforts to stop disease transmission and end associated discrimination and stigma.

Egypt: Ban calls for fair trial standards in judicial proceedings against rights defenders

Apr 21, 2016, at 01:08 pm

New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has announced he is closely following the judicial proceedings in Egypt against a number of civil society organizations and human rights defenders.

FEATURE: As UN ‘World Court’ turns 70, long-time registrar sees evolution of body’s work

Apr 21, 2016, at 01:07 pm

New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Having ruled on such diverse issues as plunder of natural resources in Africa to border disputes in South America and whale hunting in the Pacific, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – the main judicial organ of the United Nations – turns 70 on Wednesday and UN Radio has talked with long-time registrar Philippe Couvreur about the evolution of the tribunal’s vital work.

Ban strongly condemns violent demonstrations in northern Mali

Apr 21, 2016, at 01:05 pm

New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the violent demonstrations that took place on Monday 18 April, in Kidal, in the north of Mali, which, according to preliminary information, left two protesters dead and several others injured.

Narendra Modi's wax statue ready

Apr 21, 2016, at 12:46 am

New Delhi, Apr 20 (IBNS) The wax statue of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has been prepared by the artists of popular Madame Tussauds Museums, is ready.

Prince George appears on postage stamp for first time

Apr 20, 2016, at 10:17 pm

London, Apr 20 (IBNS) As Queen Elizabeth II is gearing up to celebrate her 90th birthday on Thursday, a new picture of the British royal family has been released, showcasing all the four generations, which will be used by the Royal Mail on its special stamps.

NATO-Russia Council meeting today

Apr 20, 2016, at 05:49 pm

Brussels, Apr 20 (IBNS) The NATO-Russia Council will be meeting on Wednesday for the first time since June 2014, an official release said.

INTERVIEW: Even as some ‘guns go silent’ in Syria, access to besieged areas is limited, says UN aid official

Apr 20, 2016, at 02:02 pm

New York, Apr 20 (Just Earth News/IBNS): With a cessation of hostilities largely holding in Syria, the situation is “encouraging,” but areas under siege remain particularly vulnerable, according to a senior United Nations humanitarian official.

Deadly quakes in Japan and Ecuador spotlight need for rigorous structural safety standards – UN

Apr 20, 2016, at 02:00 pm

New York, Apr 20 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) said on Tuesday that the deaths in Ecuador and the dozens of victims in Japan spotlighted a basic fact about earthquakes; that buildings, and not the shake itself, claim most lives.

‘Yemeni people deserve no less,’ says Ban, urging start of peace talks

Apr 20, 2016, at 01:58 pm

New York, Apr 20 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged all parties to the peace process in Yemen to “engage in good faith” with his envoy, so that talks can start without further delay.

‘Yemeni people deserve no less,’ says Ban, urging start of peace talks

Apr 20, 2016, at 01:56 pm

New York, Apr 20 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged all parties to the peace process in Yemen to “engage in good faith” with his envoy, so that talks can start without further delay.

Mali: UN mission renews call for calm after two demonstrators killed in Kidal

Apr 20, 2016, at 01:53 pm

New York, Apr 20 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations mission in Mali renewed its call for calm as well as its commitment to the implementation of the peace process following a demonstration yesterday morning in the Kidal region in the north of the country, in which two demonstrators were killed and four others were wounded.

Somalia: UN envoy welcomes progress in preparations for elections in 2016

Apr 20, 2016, at 01:52 pm

New York, Apr 20 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The Security Council heard on Tuesday from the top United Nations official in Somalia that political progress is being made in the country, but that much remains to be done in a short period, including completing the electoral process for 2016 and boosting support to the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM).