UN officials condemn 'virtual silence' about escalating violence in Yemen
Sep 16, 2015, at 02:17 pm
New York, Sept 16 (IBNS): Two senior United Nations officials on Tuesday condemned "the virtual silence" about the increasing impact on civilians of the escalating conflict in Yemen, and urged leaders from all sides to refrain from manipulating religious identities for political purposes.
Killing of Somali media worker draws condemnation from UN official
Sep 16, 2015, at 02:15 pm
New York, Sept 16 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending the freedom of the press on Tuesday denounced the recent killing of a Somali news editor.
New allegation of sexual exploitation received by UN mission in Central Africa
Sep 16, 2015, at 02:14 pm
New York, Sept 16 (IBNS): A new allegation of sexual exploitation in the Central African Republic (CAR) was received on Tuesday by the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country, reportedly committed by one of its civilian staff last Saturday.
UN chief to highlight important work that lays ahead for world leaders
Sep 16, 2015, at 02:13 pm
New York, Sept 16 (IBNS): Ahead of what is expected to be one of the busiest high-level periods in recent memory at the United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will brief reporters on Wednesday on a range of issues that world leaders will tackle in New York beginning next week.
Netizens slam Charlie Hebdo for publishing 'controversial' cartoon on Aylan Kurdi
Sep 15, 2015, at 11:56 pm
Paris, Sept 15 (IBNS): French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has triggered a fresh controversy by publishing cartoon on the death of Syrian toddler Aylan Kurdi in its current issue, media reports said.
Central America faces major crop losses due to El Nino: UN agency
Sep 15, 2015, at 02:54 pm
New York, Sept 15 (IBNS): This year's cereal outputs in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua have been severely reduced because of the dry weather associated with the El Nino weather phenomenon, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Monday.
UN atomic energy chief highlights importance of science and technology for development
Sep 15, 2015, at 02:48 pm
New York, Sept 15 (IBNS): The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday stressed the importance of science and technology for development, as he highlighted the links between the Sustainable Development Goals that will be adopted by United Nations Member States next week and the work of the Agency.
UN official welcomes proclamation of International Day to honour victims of genocide
Sep 15, 2015, at 02:47 pm
New York, Sept 15 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide has welcomed the resolution adopted by the General Assembly last week proclaiming 9 December as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime.
Persecution of civil society, migration crisis top concerns of UN rights chief
Sep 15, 2015, at 02:45 pm
New York, Sept 15 (IBNS): An "exhausted and angry" High Commissioner for Human Rights on Monday opened the 30th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council with a wide-ranging address in which he singled out countries by name for their role in accelerating human misery and implored decision-makers worldwide to swiftly establish an effective and principled policy to deal with the global migration crisis.
Creator of energy solutions to shine a light on childbirth wins $1 million UN grant
Sep 15, 2015, at 02:43 pm
New York, Sept 15 (IBNS): We Care Solar, which provides renewable energy at low cost with a medical device that prevents maternal and child complications during labour in areas without electricity, was announced on Monday as the winner of a $1 million grant by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).
UN chief voices concern at latest escalation at Jerusalem's holy sites
Sep 15, 2015, at 02:42 pm
New York, Sept 15 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday echoed the concerns expressed by the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process about the latest escalation at the holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Cameroon host to families fleeing Nigeria, Lake Chad basin: UN relief official
Sep 15, 2015, at 02:40 pm
New York, Sept 15 (IBNS): Families on the run often surviving brutal attacks in Nigeria are now threatened with the lack of food, water and deadly epidemics in neighbouring Cameroon, where they have sought refuge, the top United Nations humanitarian official in the region said on Monday.
President talks about changing the world, as 69th UN General Assembly concludes
Sep 15, 2015, at 02:38 pm
New York, Sept 15 (IBNS): The 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly presented countries with a "historic opportunity" to change the world for the better and was guided by the overarching principles of cooperation, compromise and solidarity, its President said Monday.
Libyan parties reach consensus on main elements of political agreement: UN envoy
Sep 14, 2015, at 01:36 pm
New York, Sept 14 (IBNS): The United Nations envoy for Libya announced on Sunday that consensus has been reached by the parties on the main elements of a political agreement aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis.
UN Mid-east envoy urges respect for Jerusalem's holy sites
Sep 14, 2015, at 01:35 pm
New York, Sept 14 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process voiced concern at Sunday's provocations and violence in and around the holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem and urged respect for the sanctity of the area ahead of the upcoming Jewish and Muslim holy days.
UN calls for full, swift implementation of European proposals for refugee crisis
Sep 12, 2015, at 03:06 pm
New York, Sept 12 (IBNS): The United Nations refugee agency on Friday welcomed the European Commission's proposals unveiled last Wednesday to address the current refugee crisis in Europe, adding that given the urgency of the situation, these proposals need to be implemented fully and swiftly.
France and Bulgaria must halt forced evictions of Roma: UN rights chief
Sep 12, 2015, at 03:04 pm
New York, Sept 12 (IBNS): Ongoing forced evictions of Roma and Travellers in a number of European States, including France and Bulgaria, are cause for serious concern, the United Nations human rights chief said on Friday.
Forests of the future fundamental to achieving Sustainable Development Goals: FAO
Sep 12, 2015, at 03:01 pm
New York, Sept 12 (IBNS): The 14th World Forestry Congress concluded on Friday with a declaration setting out a vision for 2050 that sees forests playing "a decisive role" in ending hunger, improving livelihoods and combating climate change, said the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
National Geographic Society wins UN environmental prize for science and innovation
Sep 12, 2015, at 02:59 pm
New York, Sept 12 (IBNS): The National Geographic Society, one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world that reaches more than 700 million people each month, is this year's winner of the United Nations Champions of the Earth award in the area of science and innovation.
Ban outlines measures to strengthen UN peace operations, tackle abuse
Sep 12, 2015, at 02:58 pm
New York, Sept 12 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday presented his agenda to strengthen United Nations peacekeeping, including setting out three "fundamental" changes urgently required to adapt operations to new realities, as well as measures to root out sexual exploitation and abuse.
Nepal: Ban stresses need for dialogue, respect for peaceful protest
Sep 12, 2015, at 02:56 pm
New York, Sept 12 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is concerned about the recent violence in Nepal and saddened by the loss of lives, a spokesperson for the United Nations chief said on Friday.
UN official outlines steps taken in response to Central Africa's abuse allegations
Sep 12, 2015, at 02:55 pm
New York, Sept 12 (IBNS): The United Nations peacekeeping chief on Friday announced that following reports of alleged sexual exploitation and abuse, seven peacekeepers serving with the UN mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) have been repatriated, while nine have had their payments suspended.
Ban offers 'good offices' support in Colombia-Venezuela border dispute
Sep 12, 2015, at 02:54 pm
New York, Sept 12 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has conveyed to the Foreign Ministers of Colombia and Venezuela that he "trusted" their countries would address the border challenges they faced through constructive dialogue, and offered his "good offices" mediation services if both parties so requested.
Security Council calls on Yemeni parties to speed up peace efforts
Sep 12, 2015, at 02:52 pm
New York, Sept 12 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council on Friday welcomed the announcement on the upcoming Yemeni peace talks and commended the decision by the Government to participate in them along with other parties.
Crane collapses in Mosque in Mecca, 65 killed
Sep 12, 2015, at 04:51 am
Mecca, Sept 11 (IBNS): At least 65 people died after a crane collapsed at a mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, media reports said.
9/11: America observes 2001 tragedy
Sep 11, 2015, at 09:35 pm
Washington, Sept 11 (IBNS) Fourteen years have passed since the September 11, 2001, tragedy which claimed almost 3000 lives in what is considered to be the worst man-made disaster to hit the country in the 21st Century.
World food prices hit lowest level in almost seven years: FAO
Sep 11, 2015, at 03:22 pm
New York, Sept 11 (IBNS): The price of major food commodities continued to drop through August due to abundant supplies, a decline in energy prices and concerns over the economic slowdown in China, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported on Wednesday.
Liberia making progress on numerous fronts, UN official tells Security Council
Sep 11, 2015, at 03:21 pm
New York, Sept 11 (IBNS): Liberia is working hard to build institutions, pass legislation and put in place mechanisms that will enable it to maintain stability without the presence of a peacekeeping force, the head of United Nations peacekeeping told the Security Council on Wednesday.
Darfur: UN humanitarian officials deplore fatal attack on health workers
Sep 11, 2015, at 03:19 pm
New York, Sept 11 (IBNS): United Nations humanitarian officials in Sudan have strongly condemned an attack carried out against health workers who were returning from a routine mission in West Darfur.
Global nuclear-test ban urgently needed for safer, more secure world: UN officials
Sep 11, 2015, at 03:18 pm
New York, Sept 11 (IBNS): Top United Nations officials on Wednesday highlighted the existential threat posed by nuclear testing, and called for all States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the international treaty that seeks to achieve a ban on such testing.