Amid clashes between Afghan forces, Taliban, UN mission urges civilian protection
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Deeply concerned by the rising number of civilian casualties in ongoing military operations in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in the country (UNAMA) Thursday urged all parties to take precautions to ensure civilian protection.
Ban 'appalled' by deadly bombing near shopping centre in Nigeria's capital
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Thursday voiced his condemnation of the bomb attack that took place yesterday near a shopping centre in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, which reportedly resulted in the death of at least 21 people.
Humanitarian needs outpacing response amid ongoing obstacles to aid delivery in Syria: UN
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Four months after the Security Council adopted a resolution demanding unimpeded access to people in need of assistance in Syria, relief agencies continue to face obstacles to aid delivery while the needs continue to grow and are now outpacing response efforts, the United Nations humanitarian chief reported Thursday.
UN human rights chief urges Iran to halt imminent execution of juvenile offender
New York, June 27 (IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief Thursday called on authorities in Iran to halt the imminent execution of a juvenile offender, while also voicing concern about the excessive use of the death penalty in the country since the start of the year.
Showing little change, global number of children out of school stalls at 58 million – UNESCO
New York, June 27 (IBNS): The global number of out-of-school children aged 6 to 11 is still as high as 58 million, showing little overall improvement since 2007, according to a new United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report, which also reveals that positive change is possible, spotlighting success in 17 countries that have reversed that trend over the past decade.
Global drug use stable, but nearly 200,000 deaths still recorded : UN
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Global drug use has stabilized, but some 200,000 people are still victims of drug-related deaths, according to the latest World Drug Report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
'Prohibition of torture is absolute,' says Ban on International Day in support of victims
New York, June 27 (IBNS): Reiterating their pledge that every victim of torture will one day gain his or her right to acknowledgement, senior United Nations officials marked the International Day in Support of those victims by calling on the international community to strengthen efforts “to eradicate this heinous practice.â€
Security Council updates mandate of UN mission in Mali, extends two other operations
New York, June 26 (IBNS): The Security Council Wednesday extended the mandates of United Nations peacekeeping forces in Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and the Golan, in separate meetings, as part of its efforts to maintenance of international peace and security.
UN agencies 'surging' staff, funds to meet urgent humanitarian needs in Iraq
New York, June 26 (IBNS): Yet again, another humanitarian crisis has hit war-torn Iraq, disproportionately and negatively impacting the hungry poor, the head of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said today, wrapping up a two-day visit to the country, which has in recent weeks, seen violent armed groups sweep through a number of provinces sending massive numbers of desperate people fleeing for safety.
UN resolved to help Equatorial Guinea build better future: Ban
Malabo, June 26 (IBNS): The United Nations will help Equatorial Guinea to reduce poverty and inequality, and promote food security, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pledged Wednesday as he arrived in the country on the eve of his address to the African Union Summit.
More Governments now online but greater effort needed to boost e-services: UN
New York, June 26 (IBNS): With all United Nations Member States now online, more Governments are expanding electronic participation and using more mobile and social media tools to reach people, the world body reported today as part of an e-government survey that also highlighted a lack of resources and a continued digital divide.
Cambodia: UN rights expert calls for a widening of democratic space, other reforms
New York, June 25 (IBNS): Having ended his eleventh fact-finding mission, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia Wednesday noted progress in key areas, but expressed concern at seeing that the democratic space in the country shrink.
Libya: UN envoy hopes parliamentary polls will lead to greater political stability
New York, June 25 (IBNS): The United Nations envoy in Libya on Wednesday commended the authorities on the organization of the parliamentary elections and urged all citizens to take part in the polls, which he hoped will pave the way for greater stability in the country.
Afghanistan needs statesmanship, not brinksmanship: UN envoy
New York, June 25 (IBNS): Amidst challenges that are testing Afghanistan’s electoral, institutional and legal frameworks, together with the maturity of its political leaders, the top United Nations official in the country underscored on Wednesday the vital need for the Afghan political class to act decisively to manage these events and "avoid any slippery slope to civil disorder and instability."
Military effort to quell insurgency must be backed by political process, UN envoy says on Iraq
New York, June 25 (IBNS): The “grave†situation in Iraq requires a solution based on military, political and social processes that will address the concerns of all communities, the top United Nations official in the crisis-torn country said on Wednesday, appealing also for financial resources to aid the already-overstretched UN relief effort there.