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.
UN human rights experts urge Israel not to legalize force-feeding
New York, June 25 (IBNS): The independent United Nations experts dealing with torture and the right to health on Wednesday urged the Israeli parliament not to authorize the force-feeding and medical treatment of prisoners on hunger strike against their will.
3 international experts tapped to assist with UN-mandated SL conflict probe
New York, June 25 (IBNS): Three distinguished experts have agreed to advise the United Nations-mandated investigation into alleged human rights violations committed during the final stages of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka.
UN officials spotlight vital role of seafarers in global trade, transport
New York, June 25 (IBNS) Seaborne trade is the engine room of the global economy, senior United Nations officials declared on Wednesday, marking the Day of the Seafarer by calling on people everywhere to recognize the seafarers who, with quiet dedication, keep the wheels of the world in motion.
Central African Republic: UN official urges strong action to protect women, girls
New York, June 25 (IBNS): With women and girls in Central African Republic (CAR) falling prey to a raft of “terrifying†violations ¬perpetrated by armed groups – from rape to sexual slavery and forced marriage ¬– the head of UN Women Tuesday urged the Security Council to take strong action to help restore the rule of law in the country and bolster women’s participation, leadership and protection.
UN envoy denounces latest attack on Lebanese security forces
New York, June 25 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon has strongly condemned the suicide bombing that took place Monday at the entrance to the southern suburbs of Beirut in which a member of the security forces was killed and a number of people were injured.
UN reports FDI hit $1.4 trillion in 2013, upward trend to continue
New York, June 24 (IBNS): Global foreign direct investment is up and expected to rise over the next three years, driven mainly by stronger economies in developed countries, according to a new United Nations report which highlights the key role that transnational corporations and foreign investment could play in accelerating progress on sustainable development.
Illegal trade in wildlife, timber products funding armed groups: UN report
New York, June 25 (IBNS): Global environmental crime, possibly worth more than $200 billion annually, is helping finance criminal, militia and terrorist groups and threatening the security and sustainable development of many nations, notably in sub-Saharan Africa, according to a new joint United Nations-INTERPOL report.
In Windhoek, Ban inaugurates UN House, hails cooperation with Namibia
New York, June 25 (IBNS): Hailing the valuable history between the United Nations and the Namibian people, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived Tuesday in Windhoek to “write another chapter in our cooperation,†as he inaugurated the UN House there, which will help enhance the coordination of the world body’s activities and agencies working in the country.
Peshawar: One killed in PIA plane firing
Peshawar, June 25 (IBNS) A woman was killed and two others were injured when unidentified gunmen fired at a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar city of Pakistan, said reports on Wednesday.
Deputy UN chief urges generous support for Peacebuilding Fund
New York, June 24 (IBNS): Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson on Tuesday appealed to Member States for continued support towards meeting the annual $100 million target of a United Nations fund that helps post-conflict countries build lasting peace.
Ukraine situation remains deeply worrying, Security Council told
New York, June 24 (IBNS ) While there have been several steps recently to help de-escalate tensions in Ukraine, including a ceasefire that seems to be holding and the start of peace talks, the situation on the ground remains deeply worrying, senior United Nations officials reported to the Security Council on Tuesday.
Iraq violence: UN confirms more than 2,000 killed since early June
New York, June 24 (IBNS): More than 1,000 people were killed in Iraq, and another 1,000 injured in the two weeks since the group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ISIS) and its allies began to sweep across the country, the United Nations on Tuesday confirmed, stressing that those figures should be viewed "very much as a minimum."
Pakistani offensive against Taliban militants uproots over 400,000 peopl: UN
New York, June 24 (IBNS):Pakistan’s military offensive against Taliban militants in the north of the country has displaced more than 400,000 people and the number continues to rise, the United Nations refugee agency reported on Tuesday.