Middle East Quartet representative Tony Blair is stepping down: UN
May 28, 2015, at 02:21 pm
New York, May 28 (IBNS): The diplomatic Quartet on the Middle East peace process on Wednesday announced that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair plans to step aside as the group’s Representative and expressed its “deep appreciation†for his “remarkable service†and commitment to advancing peace and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians.
Tanzania cholera epidemic improving but ‘challenges’ still remain: UN
May 27, 2015, at 02:37 pm
New York, May 27 (IBNS): United Nations-backed containment measures aimed at stemming the deadly cholera epidemic in western Tanzania's Lake Tanganyika region appear to be working, the Organization's refugee agency (UNHCR) announced on Tuesday amid a tapering off in the number of reported deaths among both Burundian refugees and locals.
Ban praises Ireland’s ‘compassionate leadership’ on migration and refugees
May 27, 2015, at 02:36 pm
New York, May 27 (IBNS): As he wrapped up a visit to Ireland on Tuesday, the Secretary-General congratulated the country on its “fruitful and strong†relationship with the United Nations over the past 60 years and looked forward to a continued partnership as the world tackled several significant challenges.
UN expert calls on Serbia to expedite legal measures amid housing crisis
May 27, 2015, at 02:34 pm
New York, May 27 (IBNS): Amid a range of structural challenges, including high unemployment and poverty, Serbia is now also facing a housing crisis which demands an immediate Government response, according to a United Nations independent human rights expert.
Pause in Syria fighting critical for farmers to harvest crops: UN
May 27, 2015, at 02:33 pm
New York, May 27 (IBNS): The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has called for humanitarian pauses in Syria so farmers can safely harvest and transport crops within the country to reach all Syrians in need.
South Sudan: UN envoy describes ‘great challenge’ of protecting civilians
May 27, 2015, at 02:28 pm
New York, May 27 (IBNS): Travelling around South Sudan to see efforts made by the United Nations to protect civilians in the country, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Ellen Margrethe Løj, who also heads the UN Mission (UNMISS), visited Bentiu in Unity state this weekend.
Nigeria: UN warns of ‘alarming’ spike in suicide attacks by women and girls
May 27, 2015, at 02:27 pm
New York, May 27 (IBNS): Northeast Nigeria has witnessed a sharp increase in suicide attacks involving women and girls this year, the United Nations children’s agency warned on Tuesday, calling on the country’s incoming Government make the safety and well-being of children a political priority.
Security Council extends UN mission in Somalia until August
May 27, 2015, at 02:26 pm
New York, May 27 (IBNS): The Security Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) as the Horn of Africa country continues down its road towards political recovery and increased security.
UN rights chief spotlights Burundi, migrant crises in Europe and Asia
May 27, 2015, at 02:23 pm
New York, May 27 (IBNS): The top United Nations human rights official drew attention to several issues of concern on Tuesday in an informal address to the Geneva-based Human Rights Council from the eruption of violence in Burundi and the overflowing migrant dilemmas in the Mediterranean and South-East Asia, to the protracted and worsening conflict in South Sudan.
Ban calls for postponement of Yemen consultations
May 27, 2015, at 02:10 pm
New York, May 27 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has requested that his Special Envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, postpone the planned consultations aimed at seeking a peaceful and Yemeni-led political transition process in the country, according to a United Nations spokesperson.
UN launches mass polio vaccination campaign set to target Iraqi children
May 27, 2015, at 02:08 pm
New York, May 27 (IBNS): Aiming to target 5.7 million children under the age of five, the United Nations on Tuesday launched a mass polio vaccination campaign in Iraq, which is set to be conducted in all governorates to maintain the country's polio-free status.
Ukraine: UN reports humanitarian situation still dire amid sporadic fighting
May 27, 2015, at 02:07 pm
New York, May 27 (IBNS): The tenuous situation in eastern Ukraine continues to be marked by sporadic fighting and a crippling humanitarian crisis forcing many civilians to seek refuge in underground shelters or in neighbouring countries, the United Nations relief arm confirmed on Tuesday.
WHO governing body agreed on ‘landmark’ reforms on emergency response
May 27, 2015, at 02:06 pm
New York, May 27 (IBNS): The World Health Assembly wrapped up its work on Tuesday after giving the greenlight for the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) to reform its emergency and response capacity to better tackle future disease outbreaks like Ebola, and agreeing to address antimicrobial resistance and air pollution, as well as improve access to affordable vaccines and set global nutrition targets.
Serbia and Kosovo must try to overcome challenges: Security Council
May 27, 2015, at 02:04 pm
New York, May 27 (IBNS): As Serbia and Kosovo aim to overcome the legacy of conflict, the two countries must avoid procrastination on implementing the remaining steps of the April 2013 Accord and allowing older issues to shackle opportunities to open new ground, the United Nations Security Council was told on Tuesday.
Kyrgyz law on civil society groups must protect free expression: UN expert
May 27, 2015, at 02:03 pm
New York, May 27 (IBNS): The United Nations rights office called on Tuesday on the Government of Kyrgyzstan to ensure that the freedoms of expression and association are protected in line with international human rights standards as the country’s Parliament prepared to hear the first reading of draft law that could negatively affect the work of civil society organizations there.
UN Women partners with Spanish football team to boost gender equality
May 27, 2015, at 02:02 pm
New York, May 27 (IBNS): The United Nations entity dedicated to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women announced on Tuesday a partnership with Valencia Club de Fútbol, the first time ever that UN Women will collaborate with a professional sports team.
Lebanon: UN official in country urges end to political vacuum
May 26, 2015, at 01:40 pm
New York, May 26 (IBNS): The vacuum in the post of Lebanon's presidency has undermined the country's ability to address a range of growing security, economic and social challenges, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Sigrid Kaag, warned on Monday.
Africa Day: Ban spotlights achievements, reflects on challenges of 2015
May 26, 2015, at 01:39 pm
New York, May 26 (IBNS): Each year, Africa Day is an opportunity to celebrate the continent's achievements and to reflect on its challenges, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday, highlighting the courage and determination it took to make remarkable progress to end the Ebola outbreak and urging leaders to commit to ending violence against women and empower them.
Ban tells refugee community world must provide 'safe avenues of migration'
May 26, 2015, at 01:38 pm
New York, May 26 (IBNS): The international community must intensify efforts to provide regular and safe avenues of migration and access to protection, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared on Monday as he wrapped up his trip to Ireland with a visit to a community of resettled refugees.
UN meteorological forum: Experts meet to discuss post-2015 action plan
May 26, 2015, at 01:36 pm
New York, May 26 (IBNS): With a welcoming 'tweet' from the International Space Station and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's renewed appeal for “bold climate action,†the United Nations-backed World Meteorological Congress opened its seventeenth session on Monday as international delegates will seek to address continuing concerns over global warming.
Somalia: UN official condemns killing of parliamentarian
May 25, 2015, at 01:59 pm
New York, May 25 (IBNS): The United Nations official in Somalia has condemned a deadly attack against two Somali Members of Parliament (MP) and reiterated the Organization's support for the country's democratic process.
Burundi: Ban condemns opposition politician's murder as tensions rise
May 25, 2015, at 01:58 pm
New York, May 25 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the killing of a Burundian politician and his bodyguard in a move that threatens to further destabilize the country amid simmering political tensions and a growing humanitarian crisis.
UN official in South Sudan urges accountability for human rights violations
May 25, 2015, at 01:56 pm
New York, May 25 (IBNS): The United Nations Special Representative for South Sudan, Ellen Margrethe Løj, has urged accountability and justice for those responsible for gross human rights violations committed as a result of South Sudan's continuing fighting.
Ireland: Ban says strong cooperation key to overcoming global challenges
May 25, 2015, at 01:53 pm
New York, May 25 (IBNS): Amid an explosion of world conflicts, humanitarian crises and human rights challenges, the international community is enduring a “time of test†which demands strong global cooperation and bold action, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday affirmed.
May 24, 2015, at 11:51 pm
Kuala Lumpur, May 24 (IBNS) A mass grave has been found close to 17 human trafficking detention camps in Malaysia's Padang Besar, country's authority said.
Ireland becomes first nation to approve same sex marriage by popular vote
May 24, 2015, at 08:09 pm
Dublin, May 24 (IBNS) Ireland became the first nation to approve same-sex marriage by a popular vote on Saturday bringing victory to the gay rights movement in the country.
-1432390559.jpg "Early trends show Ireland voters back same-sex marriage")
Early trends show Ireland voters back same-sex marriage
May 24, 2015, at 01:16 am
Dublin, May 23 (IBNS) In a significant development, early trends have indicated that people of Ireland have voted in favour of same-sex marriage, media reports said.
Modest global growth set to continue for rest of year: UN economic report
May 23, 2015, at 03:52 pm
New York, May 23 (IBNS): A new United Nations report released on Friday says that modest paced global economic growth continues, and predicts a gradual improvement in the situation over the second half of 2015 and into next year.
International Day: Ban says biodiversity is essential to sustainable development
May 23, 2015, at 03:50 pm
New York, May 23 (IBNS): Variety of life on Earth is essential for the welfare of current and future generations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday on the International Day for Biological Diversity, as he called on the international community to recommit to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss particularly as the United Nations prepares to adopt a new set of development goals.
Burundi: UN appeals for wider cholera relief efforts
May 23, 2015, at 03:49 pm
New York, May 23 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced encouragement at the ongoing political dialogue in Burundi following weeks of tensions and a reportedly failed coup d'état in the country's capital of Bujumbura, according to a United Nations spokesperson.