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).
Addis: UN talks resume on financing framework for global development
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:40 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): Negotiations on a comprehensive financing framework for sustainable development resumed on Tuesday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Member States have gathered for a United Nations conference aimed at securing the resources necessary for the well-being of all people and the health of the planet.
Addis: Financing roles of private investment, business highlighted at conference
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:39 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): In Addis Ababa, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday underscored the crucial financing role of the business sector in ensuring the necessary resources for people-centred sustainable development.
Turkish authorities urged to tackle anti-LGBT violence: UN rights office
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:37 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed deep concern over attacks and incitement to violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Turkey and has called on the authorities to take active measures to combat homophobic and transphobic violence and discrimination, a UN spokesperson said on Tuesday.
UN rights office welcomes Israel’s release of Palestinian prisoner
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:34 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): The United Nations rights office on Tuesday welcomed the recent release of a Palestinian prisoner who had been on a hunger strike protesting his continuing administrative detention by the Israeli authorities since 8 July 2014.
UN report finds ‘huge inequalities’ in global mental health services
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:33 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): People suffering from mental health disorders are facing unequal access to specialized care, the United Nations health agency announced on Tuesday as it urged international governments to boost financing for mental health services around the world.
Yemen: UN agencies deliver life-saving medicines and domestic supplies
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:30 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): With an expected humanitarian pause failing to take hold in crisis-torn Yemen over the past weekend, the United Nations said on Tuesday that four out of five people in the country rely on some type of assistance, and the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that it has been able to deliver urgently needed supplies to the port city of Aden.
Afghanistan: UN condemns attack targeting civilians at a mosque
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:29 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): Offering deep condolences to the victims’ families and a speedy recovery for those injured in the latest attack in Afghanistan targeting civilians, the top United Nations official in the country, Nicholas Haysom, condemned the attack, which targeted people gathered for Iftar at the Grand Mosque in Pul-e-Khomri, in the northern Baghlan province.
Ukraine: UNICEF appeals to restore damaged water facilities for 1.3 million people
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:27 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): With only 60 per cent of the pre-conflict water supply capacities still functioning in Ukraine, some 1.3 million people are struggling to cope with a “serious water crisis†because of damaged or destroyed water lines, forcing many families to travel with buckets to working wells in neighbouring villages, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Tuesday.
Abeyi: Security Council extends UN peacekeeping force through Dec 2015
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:26 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council has extended the mandate of the Organization’s interim peacekeeping force in Abyei – a resource-rich area contested by Sudan and South Sudan – as part of ongoing efforts to maintain peace and protect civilians in the disputed territory.
DR Congo mission's success hinges on ‘partnership’ with Government: Security Council
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:24 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): The capacity of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to fulfil its mandate rests on “persistent engagement†with the authorities, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the Mission, Martin Kobler, told the Security Council on Tuesday.
Government, UN and donors examine organization’s work in Afghanistan
Jul 15, 2015, at 03:22 pm
New York, Jul 15 (IBNS): The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), senior Afghan Government officials and representatives from the international donor community have gathered on Tuesday in Kabul for the first of three meetings aimed at examining the role of UN entities in the country.
UN chief condemns twin suicide bombings in Cameroon
Jul 14, 2015, at 03:50 pm
New York, July 14 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the twin suicide bombings that targeted the city of Fotokol in the north of Cameroon on 12 July.
Ban urges South Sudan leaders to 'give up war' and forge a political agreement
Jul 14, 2015, at 03:50 pm
New York, July 14 (IBNS) Just days after marking the somber fourth anniversary of South Sudan’s independence, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Mondayurged the leaders of the country to end hostilities and to move beyond their “partial interests†and show courage and leadership.
Central African Republic: UN concerned by decision of authorities to deny refugees vote
Jul 14, 2015, at 03:48 pm
New York, July 14 (IBNS) United Nations agencies voiced concern on Mondayabout the decision of Central African Republic authorities to deny refugees from the country the right to participate to the presidential election set for this fall.
Ban welcomes announcement of new measures to de-escalate recent violence in Colombia
Jul 14, 2015, at 03:44 pm
New York, July 14 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed yesterday’s announcements that the Colombian Government and the FARC-EP plan to institute new measures in de-escalating the fighting in the country and accelerate negotiations towards a peace agreement, the United Nations has confirmed.
Widespread human rights violations being committed by all parties in Iraq: UN report
Jul 14, 2015, at 03:32 pm
New York, July 14 (IBNS) The ongoing conflict in Iraq continues to exact a “terrible†and deadly toll on the country’s civilians, particularly in the areas still under control by the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), according to a new report released on Mondayby the United Nations.
Paris mall siege: 18 people evacuated from mall
Jul 13, 2015, at 09:31 pm
Paris, July 13 (IBNS) Police have evacuated 18 people from a shopping mall in France capital Paris where gunmen entered on Monday, media reports said.
Ahead of Yemen ceasefire, UNICEF sounds alarm about impact of crisis on children
Jul 11, 2015, at 09:21 pm
New York, July 11 (IBNS) Yemen's humanitarian crisis has reached a new low amid disintegrating health services and the spread of infectious disease among children, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) confirmed on Friday just hours before a ceasefire aimed at facilitating the delivery of critical relief is slated to begin.
With some 1,000 refugees arriving daily, Greek islands under 'severe strain,' warns UN agency
Jul 11, 2015, at 09:20 pm
New York, July 11 (IBNS) Close to 1,000 refugees are now arriving on the Greek islands every day, creating an unprecedented emergency for Greece and other countries, the UN refugee agency warned on Friday.
Burundi: UN rights office warns about consequences of country's 'extremely tense' situation
Jul 11, 2015, at 09:16 pm
New York, July 11 (IBNS) One day after United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein alerted the Security Council about the seriousness of the electoral crisis in Burundi, his Office on Friday issued a new warning about the impact the "extremely tense situation" there could have on the stability and the development of Central Africa.
Marking World Day, UN spotlights plight of vulnerable populations in emergencies
Jul 11, 2015, at 09:13 pm
New York, July 11 (IBNS) The United Nations plans to raise awareness of the needs of women and girls in emergencies on World Population Day 2015 with campaigns including an outdoor event in the Kazakh capital of Almaty and a panel discussion in the Thai capital of Bangkok on this year's theme 'vulnerable populations in emergencies.'
UN experts report uptick in flow of Tunisian militants to conflict zones, call for urgent response
Jul 11, 2015, at 01:51 pm
New York, July 11 (IBNS) The number of Tunisian militants flocking to join the hostilities in Syria and Iraq is one of the highest among those traveling to fight alongside extremists in the Middle East's two most dogged conflicts, the United Nations Working Group on the use of mercenaries confirmed today.
Jul 11, 2015, at 01:49 pm
New York, July 11 (IBNS)Main UN economic forum closes high-level segment with calls to bolster sustainable development agenda.
Thailand's deportation of ethnic group prompts grave concern by UN human rights office
Jul 11, 2015, at 01:42 pm
New York, July 11 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights office on Friday expressed grave concern over Thailand's deportation to China of more than 100 people understood to be ethnic Uighurs – including some 20 women – and strongly urged Thai authorities to ensure the protection of 60 others who remain in detention.
Thailand's deportation of ethnic group prompts grave concern by UN human rights office
Jul 11, 2015, at 01:23 pm
New York, July 11 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights office on Friday expressed grave concern over Thailand's deportation to China of more than 100 people understood to be ethnic Uighurs – including some 20 women – and strongly urged Thai authorities to ensure the protection of 60 others who remain in detention.