Moments and Milestones: Photo exhibit provides snapshot of UN’s 70-year history
New York, Oct 23 (IBNS): In the wake of catastrophic war, and following months of intense negotiations, representatives of 51 countries laboured in 1945 to overcome differences and founded an enduring global institution for peace, security and human progress.
Humanitarian situation in Iraq deteriorating and growing more complex: UN relief wing
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): The humanitarian situation in Iraq is deteriorating and growing more complex, as conflict protracts, coping capacities diminish, and funding falls short, according to a report issued on Tuesday by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Ban welcomes Korean family reunions, looks forward to more dialogue, exchanges
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday welcomed the holding of reunions of separated families of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK), and stressed that humanitarian measures such as this should be regularized and not subject to political security and considerations.
'Endless cycle of suffering' must stop, Ban says in Ramallah
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): On the second day of his visit to Israel and Palestine to ease the current tensions in the region, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate end to violence, which "will only push back the day…both sides will live in peace and security," and pledged the support of the United Nations to all efforts to create the conditions to make meaningful negotiations possible.
UNICEF applauds call from religious groups in Myanmar seeking tolerance for children
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): In the light of upcoming elections in Myanmar and amid reports of rising religious intolerance, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday welcomed a joint statement by the leaders of four main religious groups in the country calling for tolerance and respect of religious freedom as essential conditions for every child to grow and develop to their full potential.
UN agency and EU kick-off pledging conference to support return of Somali refugees
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres on Tuesday convened with the European Union a pledging conference to rally support for Somalia by creating conditions for the voluntary return of refugees to the east African nation faced with "one of the most complex crisis in recent history."
Yemen: 3.3 million people in need of critical aid in besieged Taiz, warns WHO
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): The top United Nations health official in Yemen is appealing for unrestricted access to Taiz, where "innocent lives are at risk" in the besieged highland city where more than 3.3 million people are in critical need of health assistance, safe drinking water, food and fuel.
Hardliners will not 'hijack' Libyan political process, declares UN envoy
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): The effort towards forming a unity government in Libya will continue, the United Nations envoy for the country said on Tuesday, emphasizing that while a position had been announced that some parties had not voted for the UN-backed political agreement, "there is no chance for small groups or personalities to hijack this process."
UN human rights chief urges recognition of dignity and worth of every human being
New York, Oct 22 (IBNS): The turmoil and crises the international community faces clearly demonstrate the disasters that may occur when human rights are "neglected and ground down," the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, said on Tuesday in a wide-ranging address to UN Member States in New York.
UN rights experts call for release of Qatari poet jailed for writing and reciting poem
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS): United Nations human rights experts on Tuesday urged the Government of Qatar to release Mohammed al-Ajami, a poet who is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence for writing and reciting a poem at his home.
'Actions by States are increasingly transnational,' UN expert warns
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS): The UN Special Rapporteur on torture Juan Méndez on Tuesday urged governments across the world not to allow a vacuum of human rights protection even when they act beyond their borders, saying "torture is torture here, there and everywhere."
UN flags importance of reliable data to achieve development agenda
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS): Emphasizing that "reliable and timely statistics and indicators are more important than ever," United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged all partners and stakeholders to work together to achieve the ambitious 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
Women worldwide live longer, healthier lives with better education: UN report
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS):The lives of women and girls around the world have improved in several areas over the last 20 years but they continue to be victims of gender based discrimination and violence, according to a new report launched on Tuesday by the United Nations.
UN refugee agency provides shelter to Iraqis uprooted in restive Anbar province
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS): The UN refugee agency has opened its most recent camp for internally displaced persons in Iraq’s restive Anbar province – host to the largest number of 3.2 million Iraqis uprooted across the country and where more than 250,000 civilians have fled their homes over the past six months.
UN agency reaches Donetsk after months of restricted humanitarian access
New York, Oct 21 (IBNS): The World Food Programme (WFP) on Tuesday announced that after a three-month suspension, it has restarted humanitarian activities in the non-Government-controlled area of Donetsk city in eastern Ukraine.