UN Libya envoy meets with armed groups in support of political agreement
Jun 24, 2015, at 05:03 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS) As part of an overall United nations-supported effort on the security track of Libya’s national dialogue, the United Nations envoy for country has met in Misrata with representatives of armed groups, stressing the importance of local ceasefires and reconciliation agreements are welcome developments.
Ban hails creation of International Day against Sexual Violence in Conflict
Jun 24, 2015, at 05:00 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the United Nations General Assembly’s decision to establish 19 June as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, a spokesperson for the Organization announced today.
UN deputy chief urges ramped-up support for global peacebuilding efforts
Jun 24, 2015, at 04:55 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS) The international community must boost material and financial support for peacebuilding initiatives in order to better help countries emerging from conflict build a sustainable and peaceful future, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said today.
With all parties now signed onto Mali peace accord, world must back implementation-UN envoy
Jun 24, 2015, at 04:51 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS) Welcoming the signature last Saturday by all parties to the conflict in Mali of the Accord for Peace and Reconciliation, the top United Nations envoy for the country on Tuesday told the Security Council that now the implementation phase must start.
UN rights expert deplores 'profound failure of diplomacy' as Syria conflict escalates
Jun 24, 2015, at 03:41 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS) Syria's "ever-accelerating" cycle of violence continues to reap civilian casualties and provoke "unspeakable suffering", the head of a United Nations-mandated Commission of Inquiry warned today, as he lamented the international community's inability to bring the country’s four-year war to a close.
On International Day, UN reminds world of invisible plight of millions of widows and their children
Jun 24, 2015, at 03:38 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging the world on the fifth International Widows Day "to assert the rights of those whose bereavement is followed by exclusion, abuse or the loss of homes, livelihoods and social standing."
Europe must uphold values of human rights, democracy, UN chief says in Strasbourg visit
Jun 24, 2015, at 03:38 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS) As global challenges proliferate from Yemen to South Sudan and beyond, the United Nations and Europe must unite in the fight to defend democracy and international solidarity, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared on Tuesday in a sweeping address that touched on issues ranging from the rise of violent extremism to the threat of climate change.
Jun 24, 2015, at 03:32 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS) The global community will fail millions of children if it does not focus on the most disadvantaged, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warns in its final report on achievement of the child-related UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), emphasizing that “we were not ambitious enough†to reach those with the greatest needs.
In pivotal year, public servants must rise to the moment: UN chief
Jun 24, 2015, at 03:29 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS) In a world of enormous social, economic and environmental challenges, public services must be accountable and our public servants fully able to rise to the moment, on Tuesday said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
New UN office opens in Seoul to monitor human rights issues in DPR Korea
Jun 24, 2015, at 03:28 pm
New York, June 24 (IBNS) A new UN office to work on the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was opened on Tuesday in Seoul by the United Nations High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein.
Jun 23, 2015, at 09:12 pm
New York, June 23 (IBNS) The global community will fail millions of children if it does not focus on the most disadvantaged, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warns in its final report on achievement of the child-related UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), emphasizing that “we were not ambitious enough†to reach those with the greatest needs.
General Assembly awards first-ever UN Nelson Mandela Prize to nationals of Namibia and Portugal
Jun 23, 2015, at 09:09 pm
New York, June 23 (IBNS): The President of the United Nations General Assembly announced that the first-ever United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize will be awarded to Dr. Helena Ndume, of Namibia, and Jorge Fernando Branco Sampaio, of Portugal.
In Europe, UN chief praises Luxemburg's commitment on development issues
Jun 23, 2015, at 09:01 pm
New York, June 23 (IBNS): Currently in Europe, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made an official visit to Luxembourg, where he met with a number of Government officials, including the Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel.
South Sudan: UN mission reports five people injured in shooting at Juba marketplace
Jun 23, 2015, at 08:57 pm
New York, June 23 (IBNS): The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has reported that five internally displaced persons (IDPs) – four women and one man – were shot during an incident early Saturday evening.
Central African Republic: Ban appoints panel to investigate UN response to sexual abuse allegations
Jun 23, 2015, at 08:55 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed a panel to investigate the response of the United Nations to allegations of sexual abuse surrounding a deployment of foreign military forces in the Central African Republic (CAR), a spokesperson for the Organization has announced.
Security Council has 'obligation to act now' to protect civilians from ISIL - UN rights expert
Jun 23, 2015, at 08:49 pm
New York, June 23 (IBNS): A United Nations expert appointed by the world body's Geneva-based Human Rights Council appealed today for the Security Council to take immediate action to enforce international law and protect civilians living “in daily fear for their lives" in areas controlled by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant group (ISIL) where "shocking crimes are being committed on an industrial scale."
Jun 22, 2015, at 05:51 am
New York, June 21 (IBNS) The first International Day of Yoga is being celebrated around the world on Sundayfollowing recognition by the United Nations General Assembly that the holistic benefits of the ancient Indian practice and its inherent compatibility with the principles and values of the UN.
As elections draw near, Ban sends to Burundi a Special Envoy in support of regional efforts
Jun 22, 2015, at 05:49 am
New York, June 21 (IBNS) Concerned by the political crisis in Burundi, "which threatens to undo more than a decade of work to consolidate peace and reconciliation in the country", UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced on Sundaythe arrival in Bujumbura of his Special Representative and Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa, Abdoulaye Bathily.
Al Jazeera reporter detained in Germany
Jun 22, 2015, at 01:52 am
Berlin,June 21 (IBNS): Germany has detained a journalist Ahmed Mansour, working with Al Jazeera, at the request of the Egyptian authorities, media reports said on Sunday.
Mali: Ban welcomes the signature of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation by remaining parties
Jun 21, 2015, at 10:52 pm
New Delhi, June 21 (IBNS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed Saturday the signature, earlier today, of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali by the Coordination coalition of armed groups in Bamako.
On World Refugee Day, UN chief appeals for hearts to be open to refugees everywhere
Jun 21, 2015, at 10:38 pm
New York, June 22 (IBNS): With one in every 122 human beings a refugee, internally displaced or seeking asylum United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is marking World Refugee Day by calling urgently on "governments and societies around the world to recommit to providing refuge and safety to those who have lost everything to conflict or persecution."
Palestinian life in West Bank constrained by Israeli policies – UN expert
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:57 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) The international community must ensure the promise of universal human rights no longer rings hollow to Palestinian “living under the 48-year-long Israeli occupation,†on Friday said a UN independent expert.
Maldives court decision undermines human rights protections in country, warns senior UN official
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:48 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) The United Nations human rights chief has voiced concern over a judgement issued by the Maldives Supreme Court in which the country’s human rights processes appear to be severely challenged.
Mali: UN welcomes announcement by armed groups of withdrawal from eastern town
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:41 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has welcomed the announcement made last night by the armed groups of the so-called "Platform" to withdraw from the town of Menaka, in accordance with the arrangements for a cessation of hostilities.
Adopting resolution, UN creates International Day against Sexual Violence in Conflict
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:30 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) In an effort to boost the global fight against the horrors faced by women and girls in zones of conflict worldwide, the United Nations General Assembly on Friday approved by consensus a new resolution to commemorate 19 June as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:25 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) Two United Nations agencies on Friday expressed strong concerns over Hungary’s plans to build a four-metre high fence along its border with Serbia, with the UN refugee agency saying the wall will "be a further obstacle for people who have fled from war zones like Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq and who desperately need safety and protection."
Thailand confirms first MERS case as outbreak spreads – UN health agency
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:22 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) Thailand has confirmed its first case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS, in a male traveller from Oman, and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday is urging countries in Southeast Asia to step up vigilance and review preparedness to respond to the disease.
Only 'limited window to act' to assist farmers in Nepal recovering from earthquakes – UN agency
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:21 pm
New York , June 20 (IBNS) With only 13 per cent of a United Nations emergency agricultural appeal met by donors, Nepal’s farmers trying to recover from this year’s twin earthquakes will not be able to plant rice seeds before the start of the monsoon rains expected in the coming days and replenish livestock, fertilizers, and tools lost in the disaster, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
UN launches new aid appeal as Yemen faces 'looming humanitarian catastrophe'
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:04 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) The United Nations relief arm has called for over one billion dollars in funding in order to lift Yemen from a devastating crisis that has plunged the country into severe food insecurity and left it on the brink of an all-out humanitarian disaster, the Organization on Friday confirmed, as national stakeholders from the Gulf state wrapped up UN-backed political consultations in Geneva, Switzerland.
UN agency urges Dominican Republic to refrain deporting stateless people
Jun 20, 2015, at 09:00 pm
New York, June 20 (IBNS) The Dominican Republic must ensure that people whose citizenship was thrown into question by a 2013 ruling of the Constitutional Court will not be deported, the UN refugee agency said on Friday.