This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Following the conclusion of the second round of presidential elections in Mali, political leaders in the West African country are being encouraged by the UN Secretary-General to promote a peaceful atmosphere and avoid incendiary rhetoric. António Guterres’s request came in a statement congratulating the […]UN chief appeals for calm as Mali presidential election draws to a close
August 16, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Following the conclusion of the second round of presidential elections in Mali, political leaders in the West African country are being encouraged by the UN Secretary-General to promote a peaceful atmosphere and avoid incendiary rhetoric. António Guterres’s request came in a statement congratulating the […]UNICEF appeals for end to ‘war on children’ in Syria and Yemen
August 14, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Attacks against children caught in the conflicts in Syria and Yemen must stop, the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, appealed on Monday. In a tightly worded statement, UNICEF pointed out that since Sunday, 28 children were reported killed in Idlib and western Aleppo, located in […]Somalia: UN urges steps to ensure future elections not ‘marred’ by rights abuses seen in recent polls
August 14, 2018 by 1 Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. In a report released on Monday, the United Nations urged Somalia to take steps to ensure future elections are not marred by the human rights violations and abuses committed during the 2016-2017 electoral process. “Insecurity, weak justice institutions, and an insufficient human rights protection […]To beat hunger and combat climate change, world must ‘scale-up’ soil health – UN
August 14, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Healthy soils are essential to achieve ‘Zero Hunger’ – and other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – peace and prosperity, the United Nations agriculture agency chief underscored in Brazil at the World Congress of Soil Science. On Sunday, more than 2,000 scientists gathered in Rio de […]Free and secure access needed in DR Congo conflict zone to tackle Ebola – WHO
August 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. After seeing first-hand the complexities of the Ebola response in the conflict-affected region of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) called for “free and secure” access to the disease-affected people. “All of […]FROM THE FIELD: Sailing a traditional and sustainable path in Fiji’s tropical waters
August 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Young people in Fiji are helping to revive indigenous cultural practices of the Pacific Ocean island while learning about sustainable transport thanks to an initiative supported by the UN Development Programme (UNDP). They are sailing the traditional 72-foot long Fijian boat, Uto ni Yalo, which […]Safe spaces offer security and dignity for youth, and help make the world ‘better for all’: Guterres
August 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. The world’s young people need safe spaces – both physical and digital – where they can “freely express their views” and “pursue their dreams” was the core message of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to mark this year’s International Youth Day. “The hopes of the […]Central Africa: Security Council concerned by ‘grave security situation’, calls for better agency cooperation
August 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. With Central African countries beset by ongoing terrorist activity, instability and the effects of climate change, the Security Council has asked the United Nations Secretary-General to review the work of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), and recommend areas for improvement. In […]‘Pioneering’ former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet officially appointed new UN human rights chief
August 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. After a vote on Friday by the United Nations General Assembly in New York, former two-time President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, hailed a “pioneer” by the UN Secretary-General, has officially been appointed as High Commissioner for Human Rights, effective from 1 September. Minutes after […]UN chief welcomes DR Congo President’s promise to stand down
August 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. The United Nations Secretary-General has commended the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Joseph Kabila’s decision on Thursday, not to stand in elections scheduled to take place on 23 December. In line with constitutional rules, Mr. Kabila was due to end […]Venezuelan exodus to Ecuador reaches record levels: UN refugee agency steps up aid
August 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. One of the largest population movements in Latin American history is under way from Venezuela, according to the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, which on Friday confirmed that it is increasing assistance to neighbouring Ecuador, where more and more Venezuelans are arriving each week. Amid […]Yemen bus attack just the latest outrage against civilians: UN agencies
August 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. An air strike on a busy market area in Yemen that reportedly killed scores of people including more than 20 children on a bus, is likely the worst attack on youngsters in the conflict so far, and the latest in a recent spate of […]UN underscores the need to celebrate indigenous peoples, not confine them
August 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Celebrating some 370 million indigenous people across 90 countries; marches, ceremonies and a host of other initiatives took place across the world, as the United Nations marked on Thursday the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. “They form about 5,000 distinct indigenous groups, […]UN Envoy urges Burundi leaders to ‘seize opportunities for national unity and peace’
August 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Burundi, Michel Kafando, has called on the country’s leaders to “seize the opportunity” offered by the recent adoption of a new constitution, to create a new political environment that is “conducive to the consolidation of national unity and peace”. […]UN chief condemns air strike that hit school bus in northern Yemen, killing scores of children
August 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday condemned an air strike by pro-Yemini Government coalition forces, which killed scores of children who were on board a bus travelling through a busy market area in the northern province of Saada. While the exact death toll remains to be confirmed, initial news reports indicate that the […]Thai citizenship means ‘dream of a brighter future’ for cave rescue boys, says UN Refugee Agency
August 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. The decision of the Thai Government to grant citizenship to three of the boys recently rescued after being trapped in a flooded cave, along with their football coach, has been welcomed by UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR. Following global media coverage of the rescue, it emerged […]Nagasaki is ‘a global inspiration’ for peace, UN chief says marking 73rd anniversary of atomic bombing
August 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. The survivors of the atomic bombings, known in Japanese as the hibakusha, have become global “leaders for peace and disarmament”, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at Thursday’s Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony in Japan, commemorating the 73rd anniversary of that devastating day. “Nagasaki is […]Millions at risk if Syria’s war moves to last redoubt of Idlib, warns senior aid official
August 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Aid access to embattled Syrians may soon improve following recent military gains by the Government, but the war “cannot be allowed to go to Idlib”, the head of the UN’s Humanitarian Task Force said on Thursday. Speaking in Geneva, Jan Egeland confirmed that fighting […]Nicaragua must end ‘witch-hunt’ against dissenting voices – UN human rights experts
August 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Following weeks of civil unrest in Nicaragua, a group of 11 UN independent human rights experts urged the Government on Thursday to stop the violent repression of protestors, which has left at least 317 people dead and 1,830 injured, stressing that “no one should be […]FROM THE FIELD: A mountain of indigenous knowledge in Peru
August 10, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Indigenous people in a remote mountain town in the Andes in Peru are being helped to boost their incomes by preserving a valuable but threatened breed of alpaca. The Suri alpaca, an animal which is similar to a llama, is known for its soft […]UN urges protection of indigenous peoples’ rights during migration
August 9, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Marking the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, UN Secretary-General António Guterres put a spotlight on the factors pushing indigenous people to migrate “within their countries and across international borders” despite their “profound spiritual connection to their lands and resources”. In his message […]Former Chilean President Bachelet put forward by UN chief as next High Commissioner for Human Rights
August 9, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. She has twice been President of Chile, and on Wednesday, ground-breaking politician and women’s rights champion, Michelle Bachelet was nominated by the United Nations chief António Guterres for the key post of High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Secretary-General nominated Ms. Bachelet after consulting […]Amid ‘volatile’ environment, UN mission chief urges Iraqi leaders to ‘listen to the voice of the people’
August 9, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Despite a myriad of “long-neglected social, economic and development needs”, the Head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on Wednesday said progress had been made towards recovery and stability in the battle-scarred country, and called for Iraqi political leaders to continue to […]In Tokyo, UN chief expresses full support for US-Japan dialogue with North Korea
August 9, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. At a joint press conference in Tokyo on Wednesday with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the ongoing talks between the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), as well as Japan’s renewed initiative of dialogue […]‘Well-being of two million’ in Gaza at stake as emergency fuel runs dry: UN humanitarian coordinator
August 9, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. To avert hospital closures and raw sewage overflowing onto the streets of Gaza, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator on Wednesday called on Israeli authorities to allow UN-purchased emergency fuel back across the border of the Palestinian enclave. “Restricting the entry of emergency fuel to […]Let Nagasaki remain ‘the last city’ to suffer nuclear devastation says museum director, as UN chief arrives
August 9, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. It’s essential that Nagasaki’s devastation should “not be forgotten” now or in the future, if the threat of nuclear war is to be lifted, said the Director of the Japanese city’s Atomic Bomb Museum, ahead of a visit there on Thursday by the UN […]UN chief calls for ‘increased commitment’ to resolution on 10th anniversary of Georgia conflict
August 8, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Ten years after conflict involving Georgia, Russia and the South Ossetia region broke out, United Nations chief, António Guterres said on Tuesday that “increased commitment” is needed by “relevant actors” to advance the on-going reconciliation and peace process. “The Secretary-General recalls that it is […]Bangladesh: Head of UN refugee agency calls on Asia-Pacific leaders to show ‘solidarity’ with Rohingya refugees
August 8, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. The Head of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), Filippo Grandi, on Tuesday urged government representatives and business leaders from the Asia-Pacific region to offer more support and protection for over 700,000 Rohingya refugees who have fled violence and discrimination in Myanmar’s Rakhine State over […]‘Immense’ needs of migrants making perilous journey between Yemen and Horn of Africa prompts $45 million UN migration agency appeal
August 8, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. As conflicts and natural disasters have sharply deteriorated living conditions in the Horn of Africa and Yemen, more and more people have been crossing the Gulf of Aden in both directions, leading the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to appeal for $45 million to […]Indonesia: Psychological impact on earthquake survivors turns villages into ‘ghost towns’
August 8, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Following the magnitude 7 earthquake which rocked the Indonesian island of Lombok at the weekend, more than 130 aftershocks have been felt with some villages being turned into “ghost towns”, journalists at the UN in Geneva heard on Tuesday. Mathew Cochrane, Spokesperson for the […]Rights experts call for greater protection of indigenous people during migration
August 8, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Governments are being urged to ensure that the rights of indigenous peoples are recognized, whether they are living on their traditional lands or forced to move elsewhere. The appeal has been made by a group of independent experts, appointed by the UN Human Rights […]Key Brazilian border crossing for Venezuela refugees reopens as asylum numbers pass last year’s total
August 8, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. Some 117,000 Venezuelans have claimed asylum already this year — more than for the whole of 2017 — the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Tuesday, after welcoming a decision by the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court to reverse the closure of the country’s border […]Ebola outbreak in DR Congo declared over, now let’s tackle other health challenges: WHO chief
July 25, 2018 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the United Nations. The Ebola virus outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been declared over, thanks to a concerted national and international effort to contain the threat, the UN’s top health official said on Tuesday. The countdown to the announcement began on 12 June, […]
