UN chief welcomes progress made by Comorian people in preparations for upcoming elections
New York, Feb 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the progress made by the people of the Comoros in preparations for presidential elections and polls for island governors on Sunday.
UN and partners to closely coordinate efforts ahead of DR Congo elections
New York, Feb 18 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The United Nations and its international partner organizations said they are closely following the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly in view of the upcoming elections in the country.
UN health agency delivers medical aid inside Yemen's Taiz city after blocked entry
New York, Feb 11 (Just Earth News/IBNS) Following months of blocked access to the Yemeni city of Taiz, and in response to mounting emergency health needs, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday it has successfully delivered more than 20 tonnes of life-saving medicines and medical supplies to meet the most urgent needs of those with limited access to humanitarian aid.
Senior UN officials urge elimination of ‘violent practice’ of female genital mutilation by 2030
New York, Feb 6 (Just Earth News/IBNS) The most senior United Nations officials are urging the world to eliminate female genital mutilation (FGM) by 2030, calling it a “violent practice†that scars girls for life, endangering their health, depriving them of their rights, and denying them the chance to reach their full potential.
Senior UN humanitarian official deeply concerned at Israel's administrative detention practices
New York, Feb 3 (Just Earth News/IBNS): A senior United Nations humanitarian official on Tuesday voiced deep concern at the administrative detention of more than 525 Palestinians in Israeli jails and detention centres, including one who has been on hunger strike for over two months.
UN envoy for Syria meets with Government delegation in Geneva
New York, Feb 3 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria on Tuesday met with a delegation from the country’s Government, one day after meeting with representatives of the opposition High Negotiation Committee (HNC), which he said had officially begun the UN-mediated intra-Syrian talks in Geneva.
UN-brokered Intra-Syrian talks officially start in Geneva with opposition meeting
New York, Feb 2 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The delayed intra-Syrian talks to end five years of bloody warfare officially started in Geneva on Monday with two hours of talks between the United Nations mediator and the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC).
UN chief 'alarmed' by Hamas leadership's pledge to keep building tunnels, firing rockets at Israel
New York, Jan 31 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Alarmed by recent statements from the Hamas leadership in Gaza about the group's intention to continue building tunnels and firing rockets at Israel, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday said such remarks and actions do "serious disservice" to the enclave's long-suffering people and put at risk the international community's humanitarian and development efforts.
Palestinians losing hope under 'stifling' Israeli occupation: UN chief
New York, Jan 28 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Amid ongoing violence in the Middle East, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated on Wednesday that he can understand why Palestinians are losing hope in the face of nearly 50 years of Israeli occupation, a statement that has provoked criticism that he was "giving terror a tailwind."
Security Council delegation visits Burundi in diplomatic push to end tension
New York, Jan 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Diplomats from the United Nations Security Council are wrapping up a visit to crisis-torn Burundi, after meetings with top Government officials in the capital, Bujumbura, where they encouraged all parties to pursue an inclusive dialogue process that would help end months of political turmoil.
UN and partners in Haiti reiterate support for conclusion of electoral process
New York, Jan 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations and its partners in Haiti reiterated on Friday their support for the outcome of the electoral process in the country, where political tensions have simmered ahead of the second round of presidential polls, which was set for Sunday, but which reportedly has been postponed.
Half the population of Central African Republic faces hunger, UN warns
New York, Jan 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): An emergency food security assessment by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and its partners has revealed that half the population of the Central African Republic (CAR) – nearly 2.5 million people – faces hunger.
UN chief condemns terrorist attack at Pakistani university
New York, Jan 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday condemned the terrorist attack by armed militants at Bacha Khan University in the city of Charsadda, Pakistan, which killed at least 19 people and wounded dozens more.
'Staggering' civilian death toll in Iraq: UN report
New York, Jan 20 (Just Earth News/IBNS): A United Nations report released on Tuesday details the severe and extensive impact on civilians of the ongoing conflict in Iraq, with at least 18,802 civilians killed and another 36,245 wounded between January 2014 and October 2015, while another 3.2 million people have been internally displaced due to violence.
Long-term funding crucial to monitoring nuclear agreement with Iran: UN
New York, Jan 20 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The head of the United Nations nuclear agency on Tuesday called for long-term predictable funding to monitor Iran’s agreement with the international community to never seek, develop or acquire nuclear weapons.