UN says Paris Agreement on climate change must aim for long-term environmental stability
New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): As global leaders prepare to sign the Paris Agreement on climate change on Friday at United Nations Headquarters in New York, the head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction on Thursday called on signatories to go beyond their existing commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if the world is to avoid catastrophic future weather events.
At UN, Forest Whitaker calls on leaders to ensure benefits of global goals ‘touch everyone’
New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Peacebuilding advocate and Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker addressed world leaders on Thursday at the United Nations, asking them to ensure that the benefits of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can touch everyone worldwide.
UN and World Bank chiefs announce members of joint high-level panel on water
New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim announced on Thursday the appointment of 10 Heads of State and Government, as well as two Special Advisors, to the High-Level Panel on Water.
Immunization ‘game-changers’ should be the norm worldwide, says UN health agency
New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The UN World Health Organization (WHO) announced that during World Immunization Week 2016, which begins Sunday, it will be highlighting recent gains in immunization coverage, and outlining further steps countries can take to meet global vaccination targets by 2020.
Hundreds evacuated from four besieged areas in Syria – UN mediator
New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): In what he called “modest but very real†progress on the humanitarian track of the crisis in Syria, the United Nations envoy for the country on Thursday reported that, among other steps, more than 500,000 civilians have been reached during the cessation of hostilities, and yesterday, some 500 people were medically evacuated from several besieged areas.
UN urges action on sustainable development to create pathways for global 'transformation'
New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The President of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday called on the international community to take action on the new UN sustainable development agenda in order to begin a transformation for the benefit of all people and the planet, or risk failure that will be felt for generations to come.
Libya: UN envoy calls for safe evacuation of civilians caught up in Benghazi fighting
New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Thursday called on all the warring parties in Benghazi to ensure that civilians are protected, also urging them to allow and facilitate the safe and immediate exit of all civilians who are trapped in areas affected by fighting.
UN guidelines and new technologies boost efforts to help curb 'ghost fishing'
New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): International guidelines being developed by a United Nations agency and new technologies are expected to boost efforts to cut down levels of abandoned fish gear, which often continues to carry out the capture process, entangling fish and other marine animals in its nets, a phenomenon known as “ghost fishing.â€
Ecuador earthquake: UN relief chief calls for more support to vulnerable communities
New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The top United Nations relief official wrapped up his two-day mission to Ecuador yesterday, announcing that he is releasing $7 million from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund to assist people affected by the deadly earthquake that struck on Saturday, while calling for more support to vulnerable communities.
Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 90th birthday
London, Apr 21 (IBNS) Britain on Thursday is celebrating the 90th birth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet Vladimir Putin
Moscow, Apr 21 (IBNS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is all set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Milestone events at UN to kick-start action on new sustainability goals, climate pact
New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): In a watershed moment for international cooperation, global political, business and civil society leaders are headed to New York where they will pledge fast action on the new United Nations sustainable development agenda and the landmark Paris climate agreement, to build on momentum from 2015 to create a better future for people and the planet.
Ecuador: top UN relief official stresses ‘solidarity’ as earthquake recovery efforts continue
New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien said that more than 21,000 people are in need of immediate shelter following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Ecuador on Saturday night, while the Government has stepped up recovery efforts in conjunction with several UN agencies.
Fiji: humanitarian work ‘far from over’ two months after storm, UN reports
New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Marking two months since Tropical Cyclone Winston hit Fiji, the United Nations senior humanitarian official in the South Pacific has said that “work is far from over†and that there are significant needs for continued relief efforts.
‘Bold and decisive’ action needed for Africa’s future, UN deputy chief tells Member States
New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations and African countries are working as one to support the continent’s people in realizing their hopes and aspirations for peace and development, which will require “bold and decisive†action, Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said on Wednesday at a special event on the continent’s future.