Shanghai: Ban urges China's support for sustainable development
New York, May 20 (IBNS): The partnership between the United Nations and China was in the spotlight on Monday in Shanghai where just-arrived UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met with President Xi Jinping and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi before outlining key global challenges at the city's premiere institute for the study of international politics, economy and security strategy.
Iraq: Ban welcomes parliamentary election results
New York, May 20 (IBNS): Welcoming the announcement of the initial results of Iraq's Council of Representatives election, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday looked forward to the final tally and subsequent timely formation of a new government.
Syria: Palestinian students allowed to leave Yarmouk camp
New York, May 20 (IBNS): Amid a "dire" situation in the Yarmouk refugee camp where thousands of civilians have been and hiding from snipers and often eating weeds to survive, the United Nations agency that administers aid to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East has confirmed that 120 students were allowed to do what anywhere else would generate few headlines - take school exams.
Ban saddened by collapse of DPR Korean building
New York, May 20 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday expressed deep sorrow at the loss of lives and injuries caused by the recent tragic collapse of a building in Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Libya: UN urges peaceful settlement of differences
New York, May 20 (IBNS): The United Nations mission in Libya on Monday voiced deep concern over the recent violence in the country, and called on all sides to address differences through political means and on authorities to quickly address the lawlessness.
UN forum spotlights challenges of indigenous peoples
New York, May 20 (IBNS): Non-recognition and marginalization of indigenous populations of Asia, home to two-thirds of the world's 370 million indigenous peoples, and a growing concern of rising violence against indigenous women and girls surfaced at the mid-way point of the annual UN gathering of indigenous peoples around the world.
UN launches tools to tether investment to disaster risk planning
New York, May 20 (IBNS): Launching an initiative to mainstream disaster risk management into business investment, the United Nations on Monday showcased a digital globe that viscerally lays out current and possible future effects of climate change and other threats, to help stem rampant economic loss from geographic events.
Ban commends Guinea-Bissau as electors count ballots
New York, May 20 (IBNS): With ballot counting underway in Guinea Bissau's presidential run-off, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday welcomed the successful conclusion of the second round of voting and urged the political parties to peacefully address any grievances arising from the elections through the appropriate channels.
Somalia: UN deploys special force to protect staff in Mogadishu
New York, May 19 (IBNS): A special United Nations defensive military force recommended by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to protect UN staff and facilities in Mogadishu, was deployed on Sunday to shore up the world body's operations in long-troubled Somalia.
UNICEF seeks action to save children of South Sudan
New York, May 19 (IBNS): With malnutrition and conflict stalking the youngest and most vulnerable citizens of South Sudan, the United Nations warned on Sunday that hundreds of thousands of children in the country's most crisis-torn areas are at imminent risk of death and disease, including the threat of cholera.
Turkey mine disaster: 24 arrested
Istanbul, May 18 (IBNS): Turkish police have arrested 24 people in connection with the coal mine tragedy in Turkey's Soma city on Tuesday, media reports said on Sunday.
Syria: Ban warns against targeting civilians
New York, May 17 (IBNS): Following reports that armed groups cut water supplies in Syria's flashpoint town of Aleppo, leaving at least 2.5 million people with no access to safe water for drinking and sanitation for days, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warned that such deliberate targeting of civilians is a “clear breach†of international law.
WTD: UN spotlights broadband for sustainable development
New York, May 17 (IBNS): With digital development now well recognized as a transformative tool to fast-track sustainable development, the United Nations is marking World Telecommunication and Information Society Day with calls on the global community to roll-out high-speed broadband networks, making digital communication affordable as well as universally accessible.
Guinea-Bissau polls: UN chief urges high turnout, peaceful vote
New York, May 17 (IBNS): On the eve of run-off presidential elections in Guinea-Bissau, United Nations UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged voters to show the same sense of civic duty exhibited during the first round of the polls “by turning out in large numbers and in a peaceful manner.â€
Bangladesh ferry disaster toll at 54
Dhaka, May 17 (IBNS): The death toll in Thursday's Bangladesh ferry disaster touched 54 on Saturday as 23 more bodies were rescued by rescuers, media reports said.