UN health agency launches programme for outbreaks and humanitarian emergencies
May 27, 2016, at 10:58 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News):At the World Health Assembly taking place in Geneva this week, Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) have agreed to establish a new Health Emergencies Programme that will add operational capabilities for outbreaks and humanitarian emergencies that complement the health agency’s traditional technical and normative roles.
Iraq: civilians in besieged Fallujah at ‘extreme risk,’ senior UN humanitarian official warns
May 27, 2016, at 10:57 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News):Humanitarian agencies on the ground in Iraq are warning that civilians in the city of Fallujah –which has been under the control of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) for more than two years – are at extreme risk, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Iraq has said.
May 27, 2016, at 10:52 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News):Starting on Friday, the 48 least developed countries (LDCs) of the world will be the focus of a global United Nations conference in Antalya, Turkey, that aims to review their progress over the past five years.
In Republic of Korea, Ban urges Asian nations to settle border disputes, historical issues
May 27, 2016, at 10:50 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called on all Asian countries to deepen dialogue, expand cooperation, and address border disputes, historical issues and threats to stability on the Korean Peninsula.
INTERVIEWS: Top UN peacekeeping, logistical officials discuss threats to 'blue helmets'
May 27, 2016, at 10:49 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News): In extreme circumstances like deliberate targeting by jihadists and traffickers to more complicated assignments, on Thursday's United Nations peacekeepers need courage, a high degree of professionalism and resilience, the head of the so-called 'blue helmets' on Thursday said.
UN launches campaign to urge 'smart' transition to sustainable cities
May 27, 2016, at 10:47 am
New York, May 27 (Just Earth News):Two United Nations entities have launched a global initiative to advocate for public policy that will promote use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) as a catalyst for the transition to smart sustainable cities.
Pakistan confirms Mullah Akhtar Mansour's death in drone attack
May 26, 2016, at 09:51 pm
Islamabad, May 26 (IBNS): The Pakistan government on Thursday confirmed the death of Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour during a drone strike in the province of Balochistan.
‘The will to advance towards peace clearly exists’ in the Middle East – UN envoy
May 26, 2016, at 02:05 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News): The United Nations envoy for the peace process in the Middle East on Wednesday warned the Security Council that, as circumstances on the ground continue to deteriorate, lamenting the disappearance of a negotiated two-state solution has become a “default narrative†for many.
May 26, 2016, at 02:04 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News): As bellwethers for ecosystem health and biodiversity, bees play a crucial role in agriculture and ending hunger, and “pollinator-friendly†approaches are therefore highly encouraged, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
DR Congo: Ban ‘profoundly concerned’ over reports of rising political tensions
May 26, 2016, at 02:02 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed profound concern over reports of increasing political tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) linked to the continuing uncertainty surrounding the country’s electoral process.
On Africa Day, Ban urges leveraging gains to ensure ‘no African is left behind’
May 26, 2016, at 02:01 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News): Despite an uncertain global economic landscape, Africa’s prospects are positive, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday, urging the continent’s leaders to use recent gains to address rising social and economic inequalities.
Security Council ends 13-year sanctions regime on Liberia
May 26, 2016, at 02:00 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News):Acknowledging the sustained progress made on rebuilding Liberia after the 1999-2003 civil war, the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday terminated an arms embargo against the country and dissolved the related mechanisms, namely the sanctions Committee and the expert panel.
Haiti: UN agencies support Government in vaccination campaign against cholera
May 26, 2016, at 01:59 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News): Two United Nations agencies said on Wednesday they are supporting the Government of Haiti in a vaccination campaign against cholera that aims to reach 400,000 people in 2016.
UN launches unprecedented #WildforLife campaign to end illegal trade in wildlife
May 26, 2016, at 01:58 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News): The United Nations on Wednesday launched the #WildforLife campaign against illegal trade in wildlife, warning that such trade is pushing species to the brink of extinction, robbing countries of their natural heritage and profiting international criminal networks.
South Sudan: Senior UN relief official condemns killing of health worker
May 26, 2016, at 01:57 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News):The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan has strongly condemned the killing of Veronika Racková, a Slovakian nun and medical doctor who was shot on 15 May in Yei, while on a humanitarian mission, and later succumbed to her wounds.
Citing obstruction, UN torture prevention panel suspends Ukraine visit
May 26, 2016, at 01:56 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) has suspended its visit to Ukraine after being denied access to places in several parts of the country where it suspects people are being deprived of their liberty by the Security Service of Ukraine, the SBU.
UNESCO welcomes Azerbaijan’s decision to free investigative reporter Khadija Ismayilova
May 26, 2016, at 01:55 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News): The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has welcomed Azerbaijan’s Supreme Court decision to free an award-winning investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova.
May 26, 2016, at 01:54 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News): At the second United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-2) taking place in Nairobi this week, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) was among a group of agencies launching a new tool and report that recommends ways to protect threatened coral reefs.
UN agencies provide seeds and food to break hunger cycle in Central African Republic
May 26, 2016, at 01:53 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News): Two United Nations agencies have begun providing both seeds and food to nearly 50,000 hungry farming families in some areas of the conflict-torn Central African Republic (CAR) to ensure that they don’t eat seeds meant for planting.
At Crime Commission, UN official urges stepped-up responses to curb human trafficking
May 26, 2016, at 01:52 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News):Despite all of the positive effects of migration, the unprecedented flow of people is generating new criminal opportunities, the head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said on Wednesday at a high-level event on the recently launched UN-European Union initiative aimed at curbing human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Security Council condemns terrorist attacks in cities on Syria's coast
May 26, 2016, at 01:51 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Syria – claimed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) – that killed and injured more than 100 people on 23 May, expressing condolences to the victims' families and a speedy recovery to the injured.
UN rights office 'deeply concerned' about possible imminent executions in Gaza
May 26, 2016, at 01:50 pm
New York, May 26 (Just Earth News):Expressing concern about possible imminent executions in Gaza, the United Nations human rights office on Wednesday urged the authorities in Gaza to uphold their obligations to respect the rights to life and to a fair trial and not carry out death penalty.
Afghan Taliban appoint Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada as new leader
May 25, 2016, at 07:14 pm
New Delhi, May 25 (IBNS) The Afghan Taliban apparently named Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada as their new leader following the death of Mullah Akhtar Mansour, media reported on Wednesday.
Iraq: UN human rights office urges investigation into use of force against protestors
May 25, 2016, at 01:51 pm
New York, May 25 (Just Earth News): The United Nations human rights office on Tuesday urged the Government of Iraq to immediately conduct an independent, transparent and effective investigation into the use of force by security forces against protestors outside the Green Zone in Baghdad this past week.
UN chief welcomes municipal elections in Lebanon
May 25, 2016, at 01:49 pm
New York, May 25 (Just Earth News):United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the holding of municipal elections in Lebanon, which are expected to conclude on 29 May, urging all Lebanese leaders to act responsibly to elect the country’s President, a post vacant for two years, without a further delay, his spokesperson said on Tuesday in a statement.
African Union ‘most important partner,’ UN peacekeeping chief tells Security Council
May 25, 2016, at 01:47 pm
New York, May 25 (Just Earth News):The Security Council on Tuesday stressed the importance of strengthening the existing cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union (AU), a regional organization described by a senior UN official as “the most important peacekeeping partner.â€
Burundi: UN probe completes on-the-ground deployment of human rights monitors
May 25, 2016, at 01:45 pm
New York, May 25 (Just Earth News): The United Nations Independent Investigation in Burundi, which was set up to investigate human rights violations in the country since April 2015, said on Tuesday it has completed the deployment of a team of human rights monitors on the ground.
WHS: Humanitarian summit has ‘set new course,’ says Ban, calling for action on commitments
May 25, 2016, at 01:44 pm
New York, May 25 (Just Earth News): Hailing the global community’s achievements at the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called for commitments made to be taken forward for transformative change from the top down and from the ground up.
Argentina: UN rights expert urges immediate action to address exclusion of indigenous peoples
May 25, 2016, at 01:43 pm
New York, May 25 (Just Earth News):The United Nations human rights expert on racism on Tuesday urged the Government of Argentina to take urgent measures to sustainably address the invisibility, marginalization and systematic exclusion of indigenous peoples in the country.
Economic development in Africa centres around urbanization – UN-backed report
May 25, 2016, at 01:42 pm
New York, May 25 (Just Earth News):With two-thirds of Africans expected to live in cities by 2050, how Africa urbanizes will be critical to the continent’s future growth and development, a new report presented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has found.