UN envoy welcomes resumption of cement deliveries into Gaza
New York, May 24 (Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for the peace process in the Middle East on Monday welcomed the decision to resume the private import of cement into Gaza after nearly 45 days of suspension.
Venezuelan Government and opposition should address challenges through dialogue – Ban
New York, May 22 (Just Earth News):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon continues to follow events in Venezuela and is encouraged by the ongoing initiatives by former Heads of State and Government to promote dialogue between the Government of Venezuela and the opposition, under the auspices of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).
On World Day, UN hails potential of cultural diversity to boost development
New York, May 22 (Just Earth News):Cultural diversity is an outstanding source of exchange, innovation and creativity, and has the enormous potential to accelerate sustainable development, the United Nations cultural agency declared on Saturday.
Ban urges UN system to bolster support for indigenous peoples, as annual forum concludes
New York, May 21(Just Earth News):Much has been achieved to improve the rights of indigenous peoples, but conflicts on their lands and territories, and the lack of inclusion of their voices in peace processes, remain a challenge, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday at the closing of a two-week forum.
New York, May 21(Just Earth News):One of the expected outcomes of the first World Humanitarian Summit (WHS), which will take place next week in Istanbul, Turkey, is a commitment from the international community to dedicate more resources to prevent and reduce human suffering.
Zika ‘on doorstep of Africa,’ UN health agency warns after virus confirmed in Cabo Verde
New York, May 21(Just Earth News): The United Nations health agency on Friday confirmed that the Zika virus strain circulating in Cabo Verde, an island nation off the northwest coast of Africa, is the same as the one responsible for the outbreaks linked to neurological disorders and microcephaly in South America.
Ecuador: month after quake, humanitarian needs acute; many without roof over heads – UN
New York, May 21(Just Earth News): One month after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that claimed the lives of over 650 people in north-western Ecuador, humanitarian needs remain acute there, as 73,000 people have been displaced, 15,000 people have lost their identity documents, and 17,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, mostly from Colombia, who lived in the stricken areas were also affected, the United Nations refugee agency said on Friday.
Rome, May 19 (IBNS): With more than 60 million people across the world reeling from the drought caused by El Nino, Josefina Stubbs from the UN's International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has a strong message for leaders gathering at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul next week.
UN health agency foresees low to moderate risk of Zika virus spread in Europe
New York, May 19 (Just Earth News):The overall risk of a Zika virus outbreak across Europe is low to moderate during late spring and summer, according to a new risk assessment published on Wednesday by the World Health Organization (WHO), with a varying risk across the region that is higher in countries where Aedes mosquitoes are present.
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): Warning of a return to a full-scale war in Syria, an international group of diplomats reaffirmed its determination to bolster a fragile ceasefire, ensure aid reach those in need, and make progress toward a peaceful political transition, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
On World Telecommunication Day, UN hails role of IT in sustainable development
New York, May 18 (Just Earth News): The global sustainable development agenda recognizes the great potential of information and communication technology to accelerate human progress, bridge the digital divide and advance knowledge, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday, marking World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
Nearly one in five suicide bombers used by Boko Haram is now a child – UN
New York, May 17 (Just Earth News): The number of children used by Boko Haram as suicide bombers up tenfold over the past year, the United Nations humanitarian wing has reported, also warning that the group’s gunmen continue to carry out attacks on civilian and military targets despite the ramped up military operations in the Lake Chad Basin region.
Yemen: UN-mediated peace talks continue, with consensus on some issues
New York, May 15 (Just Earth News):In his latest update on the Yemeni peace talks currently under way in Kuwait, the United Nations envoy for the conflict-torn country reported that the two delegations discussed proposals to bridge the gap between their respective visions, reaching consensus on some issues.
Security Council 'deeply disappointed' over failed election deadlines in Haiti
New York, May 15 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council has expressed its deep disappointment that Haitian actors failed to meet the election and inauguration deadlines agreed upon in the February political accord, calling on all actors to ensure the prompt return to constitutional order.
UN Economic and Social Council President urges coherent global action to address El Niño
New York, May 14 (Just Earth News/IBNS): On the heels of a United Nations special meeting on El Niño, the President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has emphasized the need to reduce the impact of the phenomenon by implementing agreed-upon international frameworks in a coherent manner and increasing resilience-building efforts for the development of holistic disaster risk management worldwide.