UN envoy announces start of talks to achieve return to political track on Syria
May 06, 2015, at 02:43 pm
New York, May 6 (IBNS): A series of consultations that began on Tuesday in Geneva aim to redouble international efforts in search of a political process to resolve the conflict in Syria, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, told journalists on Tuesday.
More funding needed to tackle massive humanitarian needs in Sudan: UN
May 06, 2015, at 02:42 pm
New York, May 6 (IBNS): The international humanitarian community in Sudan has appealed for more funds to respond to the “massive†needs in the country that has been long-affected by conflict and poverty, a senior United Nations relief official said on Tuesday.
International Day: UN says midwife training to tackle maternity and child deaths
May 06, 2015, at 02:41 pm
New York, May 6 (IBNS): Nearly 800 women continue to die every day from complications of pregnancy and childbirth, the United Nations spotlighted as it marked the International Day of the Midwife with a call for greater investment to increase the number of midwives and enhance the quality and reach of their services.
UNICEF brings aid to displaced Yarmouk families in Damascus suburb
May 06, 2015, at 02:34 pm
New York, May 6 (IBNS): The United Nations children’s agency participated in two missions this week to provide humanitarian assistance to families recently displaced from Yarmouk camp, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday.
UN urges international assistance as Niger and Chad faces regional crisis
May 06, 2015, at 02:32 pm
New York, May 6 (IBNS): Beset by multiple crises themselves, Niger and Chad are making heroic efforts to cope with the impact of the turmoil swirling around them, but the international community is failing in its responsibility to share the burden, a senior official for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday.
UN guide aims to address mental health needs in humanitarian emergencies
May 06, 2015, at 02:31 pm
New York, May 6 (IBNS): Two United Nations agencies on Tuesday issued a new guide to address the growing needs of millions of adults and children suffering from mental health problems in humanitarian emergencies around the world arising from natural disasters, disease outbreaks and armed conflicts.
Security Council hears Liberia briefing as country anticipates being Ebola-free
May 06, 2015, at 02:30 pm
New York, May 6 (IBNS): Liberia is expected to be declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) within the week if no more new cases of the disease are discovered before then, the top United Nations official in Liberia said on Tuesday as she briefed the Security Council.
UN lauds South Sudan as country ratifies landmark child rights treaty
May 05, 2015, at 03:09 pm
New York, May 5 (IBNS): The United Nations has hailed South Sudan’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) as the African nation takes a critical step towards protecting and promoting the rights of all children.
UN officials cite strengthening cooperation with regional partners as a priority
May 05, 2015, at 03:08 pm
New York, May 5 (IBNs): United Nations Secretary-General Ban K-moon and the General Assembly President Sam Kutesa on Monday drew attention to the importance of the Organization’s cooperation with regional partners to shape a “bold new vision†for a post-2015 development agenda, as well as to tackle the world’s myriad pressing challenges.
UN launches #SaveKidsLives campaign to boost road safety for children
May 05, 2015, at 03:07 pm
New York, May 5 (IBNS): Each day some 500 children die from road traffic crashes, thousands more are injured and the situation is only getting worse, the United Nations warned on Monday as it launched #SaveKidsLives, a global campaign to generate action to make streets safe for children.
Yemen: UN official urges safe access to Sana’a airport to deliver critical aid
May 05, 2015, at 03:06 pm
New York, May 5 (IBNS): The aid operation in Yemen cannot meet the life-saving needs of people unless humanitarians are assured safe and reliable access to the capital’s international airport, the United Nations relief coordinator for the country said on Monday, calling it an “essential lifeline.â€
UN environment chief warns of ‘tsunami’ of e-waste at a conference
May 05, 2015, at 03:04 pm
New York, May 5 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations body tasked with setting the global environmental agenda on Monday stressed the need to limit the use of dangerous chemicals and to find a solution to the masses of electronic waste building up around the world, as a Conference of Parties to three major Conventions on the subject began in Geneva on Monday.
UN chief appoints new Deputy Special Coordinator for Middle East peace
May 05, 2015, at 03:02 pm
New York, May 5 (IBNS): Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Robert Piper of Australia as his new Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, a United Nations spokesperson confirmed on Monday.
Ban condemns Texas shooting, urges for democratic debate and dialogue
May 05, 2015, at 03:01 pm
New York, May 5 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned Sunday’s shooting in Texas that injured a law enforcement officer, reiterating that such criminal acts have nothing to do with religion or belief.
UN deputy chief calls for decision on international arrangement on forests
May 05, 2015, at 02:59 pm
New York, May 5 (IBNS): Opening the eleventh session of the United Nations Forum on Forests on Monday, the Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, Monday called on delegates to work on agreeing a strengthened International Arrangement on Forests, which balanced ambition and practicality.
DR Congo: UN official condemns ‘intolerable’ attack on mission helicopter
May 05, 2015, at 02:58 pm
New York, May 5 (IBNS): The head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has condemned Monday’s attack on a UN helicopter near the city of Beni as “unacceptable and intolerable.â€
Royal baby named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana
May 05, 2015, at 02:59 am
London, May 4 (IBNS): Prince Williams and the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton have named their girl child, who was born on Saturday, as Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, officials said on Monday.
Press Freedom Day: UN says free expression vital for the world
May 04, 2015, at 01:13 pm
New York, May 4 (IBNS): Freedom of expression and press freedom are critical to the successful implementation of good governance and human rights around the world, top United Nations officials declared on Sunday as they inaugurated the 2015 edition of World Press Freedom Day with a reminder that both freedoms were “essential†for the shaping of a new global sustainable development agenda.
Facebook COO Sandberg's husband dies
May 04, 2015, at 01:38 am
New York, May 3 (IBNS): Dave Goldberg, chief executive officer of SurveyMonkey and husband of Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg has passed away on Friday, his family has confirmed.
May 03, 2015, at 05:33 pm
Syria, May 3 (IBNS): After a reported overnight attack on Yarmouk refugee camp, the United Nations relief agency assisting Palestinians across the Middle East has called on the Syrian Government to refrain from using explosive weapons in populated areas, 'including airborne weapons, whose indiscriminate effects expose civilians to imminent danger and suffering.'
Prince William's wife Kate gives birth to girl chiled
May 03, 2015, at 12:15 am
London, May 2 (IBNS) Prince William's wife Kate gave birth to a girl on Saturday, the couple's second child, sparking celebrations for the royal family.
UN envoy to kick-off Syria talks in Geneva next week
May 02, 2015, at 02:24 pm
New York, May 2 (IBNS): The United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Syria will begin next week a series of in-depth, separate consultations with Syrian stakeholders and regional and international actors to take stock of their views on reopening peace talks based on the 2012 so-called Geneva Communiqué, a spokesperson for the Organization has announced.
Number of South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia passes 200,000: UN
May 02, 2015, at 02:22 pm
New York, May 2 (IBNS): The number of South Sudanese refugees who have fled to Ethiopia since fighting broke out in South Sudan in mid-December 2013 has passed the 200,000 mark and more are expected amid fresh conflict across the border, the United Nations refugee agency reported on Friday.
UN-backed Expo in Milan spotlights need to ensure healthy
May 02, 2015, at 02:20 pm
New York, May 2 (IBNS): The world produces more than enough food to “feed every member of the human family,†yet one in nine people still go hungry, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon underscored on Friday in a message for the opening ceremony of a six-month long expo in Milan, Italy, in which the UN is participating to demonstrate that ending hunger in our lifetime is possible.
World Press Freedom Day: UN event addresses safety of journalists
May 02, 2015, at 02:19 pm
New York, May 2 (IBNS): The United Nations on Friday commemorated World Press Freedom Day 2015 with a moment of silence for journalists killed in the line of duty, and drew attention to the need for greater gender equality in the media and the safety of journalists in the digital age, where protection from surveillance will become increasingly important.
Maldives: UN rights office says trial of former President politicized, unfair
May 02, 2015, at 02:17 pm
New York, May 2 (IBNS): The trial and conviction of former Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed was vastly unfair, arbitrary and disproportionate, a senior United Nations human rights official announced on Friday as she reported on her recent visit to the Asian country.
Security Council demands immediate end to hostilities in Mali
May 02, 2015, at 02:16 pm
New York, May 2 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council Friday expressed its deep concern at the outbreak of violence that has occurred in Mali this past week, which “threatens to undermine the peace process, and demanded that the hostilities cease immediately.â€
Burundi: UN human rights office reiterates call for free and fair elections
May 02, 2015, at 02:14 pm
New York, May 2 (IBNS): The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed its deep concern about measures taken this week by Burundian authorities to seriously curtail rights to freedom of expression and assembly, urging measures to ensure the space necessary for the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.
Central Africa: UN investigation into sexual abuse allegations continues
May 02, 2015, at 02:13 pm
New York, May 2 (IBNS): The United Nations is proceeding with its investigation of the events surrounding the release to a third party of an internal report on allegations of sexual misconduct by French military personnel in the Central African Republic (CAR), a spokesperson for the Organization has confirmed.
International Jazz Day: UN spotlights power of music to build bridges
May 01, 2015, at 03:11 pm
New York, May 1 (IBNS): The top United Nations cultural official said on Thursday that artists across the globe have been drawn to the spontaneity and freedom of expression of jazz for over a century, as musicians and music lovers the world over celebrate International Jazz Day.