Ahead of World Habitat Day, UN urges widespread improvement of world's urban slums
Oct 03, 2014, at 04:48 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS) With a quarter of the world’s population living in urban slums, a sustainable response to improving the living conditions of the urban poor is becoming increasingly necessary, the United Nations agency tasked with promoting environmentally and socially sustainable cities and towns said on Thursday.
South Sudan: amid ongoing tensions, UN confirms situation back to normal at protection site
Oct 03, 2014, at 04:47 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS) The United Nations confirmed on Thursday that an incident involving troops from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and internally displaced persons seeking refuge at a UN camp in South Sudan has "returned to normal."
Syria: UN child rights envoy 'appalled' by deadly school attacks in Homs
Oct 03, 2014, at 04:44 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS) The United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui on Thursday condemned the school attacks in Syria, which reportedly killed over 39 people, 30 of whom were children between age six and nine.
Young people can 'open new chapter' for Somalia, UN Youth envoy says in Mogadishu
Oct 03, 2014, at 04:43 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS) The United Nations Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi on a trip to Somalia this week reiterated his unwavering commitment to empowering young people to participate in development and peace processes, calling them the long-troubled country’s "biggest asset".
At annual event, UN Member States pave way for 'historic' treaty on conventional arms
Oct 03, 2014, at 04:41 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS) Fifty-two States participated in the this year's United Nations treaty event, held annually on the margins of the UN General Assembly’s high-level segment, as they signed or ratified a range of treaties on issues spanning human rights, disarmament, the environment, transnational organized crime and world trade, the Organization announced at the conclusion of the week-long proce
Honouring Gandhi's legacy, Deputy Secretary-General reaffirms power of peaceful protest
Oct 03, 2014, at 04:40 pm
New York, Oct 3 (IBNS) In these dramatic and perilous times, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson urged the international community to reaffirm the power and potential of bringing about change through peaceful means, following in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi, who inspired on Thursday’s International Day of Non-Violence.
Libya: Security Council calls meeting of political parties step towards peace
Oct 03, 2014, at 06:03 am
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS) The United Nations Security Council on Thursday welcomed the UN-facilitated meeting between members of Libya’s House of Representatives in the town of Ghadames on 29 September calling it an important step towards a peaceful resolution of the current political stalemate in Libya.
UN agency in Gaza trains teachers to aid students with 'psychological scars'
Oct 03, 2014, at 06:01 am
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS) The United Nations agency assisting Palestinian refugees across the Middle East said on Thursday that it is training teachers in Gaza to provide psychosocial support to the 241,000 children back in schools in the area.
Refugees perish at 'alarming' rate on dangerous crossing to Europe – UN agency
Oct 03, 2014, at 06:00 am
New York , Oct 2 (IBNS) The United Nations refugee agency reported on Thursday that new data on irregular crossings of the Mediterranean in the third quarter of 2013 show an alarming increase in the numbers of people perishing while attempting to make the journey to Europe.
'Staggering array' of gross human rights abuses in Iraq – UN report
Oct 03, 2014, at 05:57 am
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS) A "staggering array" of gross human rights abuses and "acts of violence of an increasingly sectarian nature" were committed by the group, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) over a period of nine weeks, the United Nations reported on Thursday.
Hong Kong crisis: Leung refuses to resign
Oct 03, 2014, at 05:38 am
Hong Kong, Oct 2 (IBNS) Amid demands for CY Leung's resignation, the Hong Kong's Chief Executive on Thursday said he will not step down from his post.
Syria: Ban strongly condemns deadly bomb attacks in Homs
Oct 02, 2014, at 03:32 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemns in the strongest terms on Wednesday’s bomb attacks in Homs, which reportedly killed dozens of schoolchildren, as "an act of the utmost depravity."
At UN meeting in Geneva, Ban spotlights trade as driver of global sustainable development
Oct 02, 2014, at 03:13 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS) The critical role played by international trade in lifting economies out of poverty is an invaluable one but must remain consonant with the objectives enshrined in the sustainable development goals, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared on Wednesday in an address to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
'Together we can make a difference,' says General Assembly President, previewing work ahead
Oct 02, 2014, at 03:08 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS) President of the 69th session the General Assembly, Sam Kutesa, told reporters at United Nations Headquarters on Wednesday that the high-level general debate was very successful and that over the next year, work will be undertaken with "a spirit of cooperation and optimism inspired by the belief that together we can make a difference."
Africa's achievements, challenges in peace, development focus of UN meeting
Oct 02, 2014, at 03:02 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS) While there has been great social and economic progress across Africa, its economies have not kept pace with legitimate demands, including providing jobs to young people, said United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson at a high-level meeting of regional partners held on Wednesday at Headquarters.
Iraq: UN reports at least 1,119 killed in September; actual figure likely higher
Oct 02, 2014, at 03:01 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS) At least 1,119 Iraqis – most of them civilians – were killed in August, the United Nations in the country on Wednesday reported, but cautioned that the figure does not include people killed in the ongoing operation in Anbar, or those who died from the heat or hunger after being forced to flee violence in their cities.
In Geneva, UN chief stresses central role of human rights in global humanitarian efforts
Oct 02, 2014, at 02:59 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS) Amid mounting crises, a warming planet and the spread of contagious diseases, the world is being consumed by "many troubles," United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday as he pressed the international community to engage in "unprecedented cooperation" as it faces a slew of global predicaments.
With its mandate completed, OPCW-UN mission draws down in Syria
Oct 02, 2014, at 02:58 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS) The joint United Nations mission to oversee the destruction of Syria’s stockpiles and production facilities has completed its mission and been shut down.
On International Day, UN encourages full participation of older persons in society
Oct 02, 2014, at 02:57 pm
New York, Oct 2 (IBNS) The United Nations on Wednesday encouraged Governments and people throughout the world to ensure that older persons are able to fully participate in society and that their rights and dignity are protected.
As global crises multiply, UN official urges rethink for overstretched humanitarian system
Oct 01, 2014, at 03:45 pm
New York, Oct 1(IBNS) The global humanitarian system has become dangerously overburdened as it faces a widening front of crises and conflicts, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees warned on Tuesday, as he urged a rethink of how the international community will confront the growing challenges of the 21st century.
New development agenda must be people-centred, reality-based, Bhutan tells UN
Oct 01, 2014, at 03:44 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS) With the international community heading into a "momentous" year, in which a sustainable development framework will be crafted, the Minister of Human and Cultural Affairs of Bhutan told the United Nations on Tuesday that the new agenda will be truly transformative only if it is grounded in the real needs of countries and promotes meaningful change.
At UN meeting, tolerance and education highlighted as critical allies against terrorism
Oct 01, 2014, at 03:43 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS) The international community must act swiftly and concretely to confront the root causes of violent extremism, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday, underlining the need to address terrorism through more comprehensive and holistic efforts.
Increased pension coverage key to future global development agenda, says UN agency
Oct 01, 2014, at 03:43 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS) In order to promote economic recovery and prevent pensionable citizens from relapsing into poverty, social protections must be placed at the forefront of the future development agenda currently being elaborated by Member States, says the United Nations labour agency.
In West Africa, UN launches strengthened response as Ebola shatters lives, orphans children
Oct 01, 2014, at 03:42 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS) Amid a climbing death toll and widespread panic, the Ebola outbreak continues to ravage West Africa leaving thousands of orphaned children in its wake, an official for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Tuesday, as a fortified UN mission arrived in the region to confront and contain the growing crisis.
Equality must be driving force of new development agenda, Belarussian minister tells UN
Oct 01, 2014, at 03:41 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS) As the international community lays the foundation for a sustainable development agenda that will follow the Millennium Development Goals in 2016, the Foreign Minister of Belarus on Tuesday urged the United Nations General Assembly to make globalization more even and equitable than it has been up to now.
At General Assembly, Eritrea criticizes 'dominant powers' for impeding vital overhaul of UN
Oct 01, 2014, at 03:41 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS) From the General Assembly podium on Tuesday, Eritrea called for a fundamental overhaul of the United Nation, charging that it has failed in its prime goals of securing world peace and ending poverty due to cynical determination of the dominant Powers to maintain control.
Oman Minister, in Assembly address, urges 'unified position' on Mid-east crises
Oct 01, 2014, at 03:40 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS) New and old crises in the Middle East are being exacerbated by the lack of international consensus on the paths to assist the concerned parties in resolving them, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Oman told the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, urging a "unified position" to tackle the region’s main challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
UN official urges sustained pressure on parties to Syria conflict to ensure aid access
Oct 01, 2014, at 03:39 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS) With winter fast approaching and the conflict in Syria showing no signs of abating, the United Nations humanitarian chief on Tuesday called for sustained pressure on the parties to ensure access to those in need of assistance as well as financial support to maintain vital aid operations.
In speech to UN Assembly, Yemen’s Minister highlights political transition, urges ongoing support
Sep 30, 2014, at 05:57 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS) With Yemen pressing ahead after coming through a complex, United Nations-assisted transition, the country’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jamal Abdullah Al-Sallal, told the General Assembly on Monday that continued international support would be needed, including a “strong call†from the UN Security Council against those seeking to undermine the political process.
Uruguay urges rooting new sustainable development agenda in human rights
Sep 30, 2014, at 05:51 pm
New York, Sept 30 (IBNS) The basis of a new sustainable development agenda must be poverty eradication, rooted in a strong foundation of human rights and recognition of rights, Uruguay’s Foreign Minister on Monday told the United Nations General Assembly, calling for a greater focus on equality.