UN officials urge innovation at session on integrating sustainability agenda
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Integration across sectors and disciplines, and between actors and institutions, is essential to drive forward and successfully implement the United Nations development agenda, the Vice-President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) emphasized at the conclusion of a three-day segment on promoting integration of the three pillars of sustainable development.
South Sudan: Security Council calls on transitional government to implement peace accord
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday called on the newly formed transitional unity Government of South Sudan to end the cycles of violence and suffering and fully implement the peace agreement signed by warring parties in August 2015.
At regional session, UN agricultural agency urges sustainable development for better nutrition
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): While many countries in Europe and Central Asia have made progress in reducing the prevalence of hunger, other forms of malnutrition still exist in the region and can only be combated by prioritizing food security, agriculture and rural development, the head of the United Nation’s agricultural agency said on Wednesday
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): A consequence of failing to fund the activities of the United Nations agency tasked with ensuring the wellbeing of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East would be an increased risk of extremism, more poverty, and a region even more riven by conflict, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned on Wednesday , urging donors to step up their financial support.
UN agencies boost partnership on visualization of food security data for Yemen
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are boosting wider understanding of how families in conflict-torn Yemen struggle with persistent food insecurity, through a new interactive visualization of data captured by mobile technology and shared on an open source platform.
UN sanctions: what they are, how they work, and who uses them
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Counter-terrorism and non-proliferation are on the agenda on Wednesday at the Security Council, where at least seven sanctions committees will brief the main United Nations body responsible for maintaining international peace and security. We’ve prepared a quick snapshot covering the basics of UN sanctions and how Sanctions Committees work.
Good governance of natural resources vital for post-conflict recovery – UN-backed study
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): A new United Nations-backed study finds that meeting the essential needs of people after armed conflict while sustaining peace requires more than a forum for governing natural resources — it also requires good governance.
Nearly a quarter of the world’s school-age children live in crisis-hit countries – UNICEF
New York, May 5 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Almost one quarter of the world’s school-age children – 562 million – live in countries affected by humanitarian emergencies – a new report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and partners has revealed.
Security Council demands protection for hospitals and health workers in conflict zones
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): With increasing wartime assaults on and patterns of systematic destruction of health facilities in countries affected by conflict, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Tuesday to strengthen protection for health care workers, the sick and wounded, hospitals and clinics, in war zones.
Syrian refugee begins Olympic torch relay in Brasilia – UN agency
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Flanked by cheering crowds, a 12-year-old Syrian refugee girl ran with the Olympic flame through Brasilia on Tuesday, kicking off a relay across the host country ahead of the Olympic Games in August, the United Nations refugee agency announced.
Ban announces intention to appoint seasoned Mexican diplomat to head UN climate framework
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has started the process of consultation with the Conference of Parties through its Bureau, and has informed of his intention to appoint Patricia Espinosa Cantellano of Mexico as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Ban announces intention to appoint expericed Norwegian offical to head up UN environment office
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Following consultations with the chairpersons of the regional groups of Member States, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has informed the General Assembly of his intention to appoint Erik Solheim of Norway as the new Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Ban welcomes launch of UN inspection to facilitate flow of commercial goods to Yemen
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed yesterday’s official launch of the operations of a UN inspection mechanism to facilitate the unimpeded flow of commercial goods and services to Yemen, while ensuring compliance with the arms embargo created by the Security Council, his spokesman said on Tuesday.
UN envoy ‘cautiously hopeful’ for re-launch of truce in Syria
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Following discussions in Moscow on the intra-Syria talks, the United Nations envoy facilitating the process has said that he is cautiously hopeful that the cessation of hostilities pact will be re-launched, “perhaps even later on Tuesday.â€
UN expert warns combat against violent extremism could be used as ‘excuse’ to curb free speech
New York, May 4 (Just Earth News/IBNS): A United Nations human rights expert on Tuesday signaled concern that efforts to counter “violent extremism†may be construed as the “perfect excuse†for democratic and authoritarian governments to restrict free expression and control access to information.