Yemen: UN condemns terrorist attack on Sana'a mosque
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned today’s terrorist attack at the al-Bolayli mosque in Yemen’s capital Sana’a, which happened during prayers for the Eid al-Adha holiday.
Colombia: Ban welcomes 'significant progress' towards reaching final peace agreement
New York, Sept 25 (IBNS) Following a recent upsurge in fighting between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Government, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursdaywelcomed the agreement reached by the parties in Havana, Cuba on the issue of victims and commended their commitment to place victims at the center of the peace process.
Concerned by escalating violence in Burkina Faso, Ban urges respect for all citizens
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is following with “great concern†the situation in Burkina Faso, and on Tuesday called upon the country’s defence and security forces to avoid at all costs an escalation of violence and to ensure the respect for physical security and human rights of all Burkinabé citizens.
Libyan parties encouraged to act on UN-backed peace plan
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) The United Nations envoy for Libya has announced the finalization of a proposed peace plan to end the political crisis in the North African nation, adding that it is now up to the parties to act on the text.
UN envoy hopes intra-Syrian thematic discussions will 'set the stage' for end to conflict
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) Returning from consultations with Syrian interlocutors in Damascus and Istanbul, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria announced on Tuesday that he met with facilitators appointed by the Secretary-General to head working groups designed to find a political solution to the five-year conflict.
New York, Sept 23 (IBNS) Addressing on Tuesday a high-level gathering at United Nations Headquarters, the President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) declared that the empowerment of women and the full realization of their human rights are essential for achieving sustainable development and for building peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
In Jordan, top UN relief official calls for greater support for Syrian refugees, hosts communities
New York, Sept 21 (IBNS) The top United Nations humanitarian official wrapped up a visit to Jordan on Sunday with a call on the international community to urgently increase support to Syrian refugees and the local communities hosting them.
Time running out for Europe to solve refugee crisis; children particularly vulnerable- UN
New York, Sept 19 (IBNS) In the wake of yesterday’s “mayhem†on the Serbian border with Croatia, which has now closed some of its entry points, and the dramatic situation on the Hungarian border this week, the United Nations is urging a coherent and united response to Europe’s refugee crisis.
UN and Kenya team up to end AIDS epidemic by 2030
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): The United Nations programme that works to combat HIV/AIDS is working with the Government of Kenya in a bid to end the AIDS epidemic in the country by 2030, through the creation of a new data-collecting tool to track progress in current HIV programming.
UN says Chile’s investment in disaster risk reduction paid off
New York, Sept 18 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) on Thursday lauded the Chilean Government’s successful efforts to reduce disaster risk and minimise the number of casualties from the 8.3-magnitude earthquake and tsunami which occurred on Thursday night.
UN urges creation of special court in Sri Lanka after report confirms horrific abuses
New York, Sept 17 (IBNS): A new report released on Wednesday by the United Nations human rights office has identified patterns of grave violations in Sri Lanka between 2002 and 2011, and recommends the establishment of a hybrid special court to ensure that justice is served.
UN welcomes partnership and leadership to spearhead sustainable energy efforts
New York, Sept 17 (IBNS): A firm foundation to ensure affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all has been built but a solid long-term institutional arrangement is needed, the United Nations Secretary-General said on Wednesday, as he welcomed the creation of an international not-for-profit organization to spearhead renewable energy efforts.
UN marks International Day by stressing vital role of civil society for true democracy
New York, Sept 16 (IBNS): A strong and freely operating civil society is crucial for successful and stable democracies and must be given the space to carry out their vital functions, the United Nations emphasized on Tuesday, as it marked the International Day of Democracy.
Opening 70th UN General Assembly, President underscores urgent need for action
New York, Sept 16 (IBNS): A major priority for the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly is to ensure that all actors move swiftly to deliver on the promises being made for sustainable development, the President of the 193-member body said on Tuesday.
UN officials condemn 'virtual silence' about escalating violence in Yemen
New York, Sept 16 (IBNS): Two senior United Nations officials on Tuesday condemned "the virtual silence" about the increasing impact on civilians of the escalating conflict in Yemen, and urged leaders from all sides to refrain from manipulating religious identities for political purposes.