Yemen stands ‘closer than ever to peace,’ says UN envoy, as talks continue in Kuwait
Apr 23, 2016, at 01:44 pm
New York, Apr 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):The United Nations envoy for Yemen said that on Friday’s sessions of the UN-brokered peace negotiations among Yemeni parties were “positive and promising,†as both sides continue to work towards achieving an agreement on ending the violence and devastation in the country.
Burundi: one year into political crisis, UN agency warns thousands of people still fleeing country
Apr 23, 2016, at 01:43 pm
New York, Apr 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS):One year after the crisis in Burundi began, the United Nations refugee agency on Friday said that almost 260,000 people have fled the country, warning that the number could increase by thousands throughout the year – unless a political solution is found and a civil war averted.
Baghdad suicide bombing an act of ‘unparalleled criminality’– UN envoy
Apr 23, 2016, at 01:40 pm
New York, Apr 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The most senior UN official in Iraq has strongly condemned a terrorist suicide bombing that targeted worshippers at a mosque in Radwaniya in southern Baghdad on Friday, killing and injuring many innocent civilians.
Somalia: Security Council ‘gravely concerned’ over fragile security situation
Apr 23, 2016, at 01:39 pm
New York, Apr 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Expressing ‘grave concern’ at the fragility of the security situation in Somalia, the United Nations Security Council has called for progress on the constitutional review process in the country, and for the completion of the Federal State formation process to be accelerated.
Ecuador: Government and UN launch emergency appeal to kick-start post-quake assistance
Apr 23, 2016, at 01:38 pm
New York, Apr 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The Government of Ecuador and the United Nations on Friday launched an urgent $72.7 million appeal to respond to the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck coastal provinces of north-west of the country less than a week ago, aiming to kick-start life-saving assistance, protection services and early recovery support to assist approximately 350,000 people over the next three months.
‘On Friday is an historic day,’ says Ban, as 175 countries sign Paris climate accord
Apr 23, 2016, at 01:37 pm
New York, Apr 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): As 175 world leaders signed the Paris Agreement at United Nations Headquarters on Friday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the next critical step is to ensure that the landmark accord for global action on climate change enters into force as soon as possible.
Thailand: UN human rights chief concerned over growing military role in Government
Apr 23, 2016, at 01:36 pm
New York, Apr 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations human rights chief on Friday on expressed growing concern about the military's deepening role in Thailand's civilian administration, as well as tight curbs on dissent, as the country prepares to vote on a final draft Constitution.
Two thirds of unimmunised children live in conflict-affected countries – UNICEF
Apr 23, 2016, at 01:34 pm
New York, Apr 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Almost two thirds of children who have not been immunized with basic vaccines live in countries that are either partially or entirely affected by conflict, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday, ahead of World Immunization Week.
Apr 23, 2016, at 01:33 pm
New York, Apr 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): As the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) prepares for an upcoming global conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, the head of the UN body has stressed the need to leverage ‘soft power’ to curb the rise of violent extremism and prevent conflict.
‘We are in a race against time,’ says Ban, as leaders sign landmark Paris climate accord
Apr 23, 2016, at 01:32 pm
New York, Apr 23 (Just Earth News/IBNS): With their signatures of the landmark Paris climate accord, “governments made a covenant with the future,†Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at the end of a United Nations ceremony that saw the largest single-day turn-out for such an event, and which puts the world on a path towards low-carbon growth and a more sustainable future.
Fire in Chinese chemical storage warehouse
Apr 22, 2016, at 09:17 pm
Beijing, Apr 22 (IBNS) A warehouse storing chemical products exploded and caught fire in east China's Jiangsu Province on Friday morning, tweeted China Xinhua News.
As UN concludes session on world drug problem, States reaffirm need to tackle the complex issue
Apr 22, 2016, at 02:01 pm
New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations General Assembly this afternoon was set to conclude a special session on the world drug problem in which Member States reaffirmed their commitment to tackling the pervasive challenges presented by drugs around the globe and promoting a society free of drug abuse for the well-being of all humanity.
‘Make peace your choice’ urges UN envoy, as Yemen talks begin in Kuwait
Apr 22, 2016, at 01:57 pm
New York, Apr 22 (Just Earth News/IBNS): Following a three-day delay, the United Nations-brokered peace negotiations among Yemeni parties started on Thursday in Kuwait, with the aim of reaching an agreement on a clear way to end the violence and devastation in the country.
UN says Paris Agreement on climate change must aim for long-term environmental stability
Apr 22, 2016, at 01:56 pm
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’
Apr 22, 2016, at 01:54 pm
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
Apr 22, 2016, at 01:53 pm
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
Apr 22, 2016, at 01:51 pm
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
Apr 22, 2016, at 01:50 pm
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'
Apr 22, 2016, at 01:48 pm
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
Apr 22, 2016, at 01:46 pm
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'
Apr 22, 2016, at 01:45 pm
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
Apr 22, 2016, at 01:43 pm
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
Apr 22, 2016, at 12:20 am
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
Apr 21, 2016, at 11:20 pm
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
Apr 21, 2016, at 01:20 pm
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
Apr 21, 2016, at 01:18 pm
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
Apr 21, 2016, at 01:16 pm
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
Apr 21, 2016, at 01:15 pm
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.
UN refugee agency says up to 500 lives lost after boat sinks in Mediterranean
Apr 21, 2016, at 01:13 pm
New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency said on Wednesday that as many as 500 people may have lost their lives this past week when an overcrowded boat carrying refugees and migrants sank in the Mediterranean Sea at an unknown location between Libya and Italy.
Ban hails rule of law as ‘foundation of progress’ as ‘World Court’ marks 70th anniversary
Apr 21, 2016, at 01:11 pm
New York, Apr 21 (Just Earth News/IBNS): The collective jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has made an “enormous contribution†to international law, benefiting both nations and citizens around the world, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday marking the 70th anniversary of the main judicial organ of the United Nations.