UN Daily News 30 September 2009
News and features from United Nations Radio.
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Entries posted on “September 2009”
Indonesia says voice of developing countries will be heard in G20
The developing countries are now part of the solution to the global economic problems as they participate in international economic and financial decision making, according to the Foreign Minister of Indonesia.
UN Daily News 29 September 2009
News and features from United Nations Radio.
Bangladesh speaks up for climate migrants
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh appealed for support to climate migrants, during the General Assembly debate on Saturday.
Trinidad and Tobago: reform international economic system
On Saturday, the fourth day of the General Assembly's annual debate, Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister cautioned against complacency as the world begins to emerge from its global recession.
Lesotho wants the G-20 to honor their pledge
Addressing the General Assembly, the Prime Minister of Lesotho expressed concern on Saturday, that the disbursement of funds promised by the G-20 leaders has been stalled.
Tuvalu urges nations not to abandon Kyoto Protocol on climate change
The Pacific Island nation of Tuvalu is calling on the world community to commit to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to avoid too much of an increase in global temperatures.
Secretary-General commends Alliance of Civilizations
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has commended a UN intercultural organization for its concrete initiatives to build trust among diverse cultures.
Burundi calls for changes to UN mandate in Somalia
Burundi is paying a heavy cost to keep the peace in Somalia, its Second Vice President told the General Assembly on Saturday.
Secretary-General urges respect for Geneva treaties on conduct of war
At a meeting to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the world continued to face challenges in ensuring respect for the principles embodied in these treaties.
African nations bar Madagascar from addressing the UN forum
Twenty-three Member States prevented Madagascar from addressing the General Assembly on Friday.
UN Chief expresses concern about Iran's nuclear programme
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his grave concern about Iran's nuclear enrichment activities in light of news that a new fuel enrichment plant is being constructed in the country.
Security Council condemns harassment of Brazilian embassy in Honduras
Members of the Security Council on Friday called on the de facto authorities of Honduras to stop harassing the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa.
UN relief agency says there is dire need for nutrition in Mogadishu
The United Nations relief agency (OCHA) is warning of a dire need to provide nutrition to hungry people in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.
President Mugabe calls for permanent Security Council seats for Africa
Revitalization of the United Nations is long overdue says Robert Mugabe, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
Secretary-General appeals for donations for UN mission in Chad and Central African Republic
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is appealing to donor nations and institutions to be generous when they meet in Brussels to raise funds for the UN Mission in Chad and the Central African Republic (MINURCAT).
Palau prepares to receive Guantanamo inmates
A crash course in the English language and the local culture await six Guantanamo detainees who are on their way to the Pacific island nation of Palau.
French First Lady on better mother/child protection against HIV
Millions of mothers across the developing world are giving birth to babies with HIV, despite improved access to treatment. UN Radio’s Nick Baker and Alicia Wood report. Duration: 3’03″ Mother-to-child transmission of HIV continues to affect families from Afghanistan to Burkina Faso, even when treatment is often available. A lack of testing and education in [...]
UN says over $1.4 billion is needed for developing countries to deal with H1N1
The United Nations estimates that it will require more than 1.4 billion dollars to support health systems in developing countries deal with the H1N1 influenza pandemic.
Palau to become world's first shark sanctuary
The Pacific Ocean nation of Palau is urging the international community to help save sharks from extinction.
Give Africa permanent seats on the Security Council, its leaders say
PRES: Leaders at the General Assembly debate are once again calling for a reform of the Security Council. One of the ideas most presented, is a request for an enlargement of the Security Council. Jocelyne Sambira has the story. NARR: African leaders attending the 64th United Nations General Assembly have asked for two permanent seats [...]
Brazilian Foreign Minister says Honduran authorities violate embassy
Brazilian Foreign Minister, Celso Amorim has called on the Security Council to address what he says is the violation of his country's embassy in Tegucigalpa by de facto authorities of Honduras.
The benefits of wood energy
PRES: Wood energy consumption is on the rise in the countries of Europe and North America, according to a study by the UN Economic Commission for Europe. It is being driven by government subsidies for renewable energy. Bissera Kostova has the story. Duration: 3’03″ NARR: It may come as a surprise that cutting down trees [...]
Wood energy consumption increases in ECE countries
Wood energy consumption has increased by three-and-a-half per cent between 2005 and 2007 in the member states of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (ECE).
FAO calls for increased investment in agricultural research
The United Nations agriculture agency says that boosting agricultural production to feed an expanded world population will require increased public investment in research.
Human Rights chief welcomes Switzerland ratification of anti-torture treaty
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, has warmly welcomed ratification by Switzerland of a treaty against torture.
New paradigm needed in Haiti: Preval
Addressing the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Haitian President Rene Preval said no matter how much aid developing countries receive, unless that aid is part of a larger development plan, it will have limited impact.
Grenada says the world is waiting on the choices governments will make to address climate change
Today marked the moment when the political momentum has shifted in favour of sealing a fair, effective and ambitious global climate deal in Copenhagen. That’s how Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon summed up Tuesday’s high-level summit on climate change to reporters Tuesday evening. The Secretary-General said “this summit has put fresh wind in our sails. It has [...]
Conflict and drought force more Somalis to flee to Kenya
More than 6,000 Somali refugees are arriving in northern Kenya each month, adding more pressure on the already overcrowded camps there, according to the Untied Nations refugee agency (UNHCR).
Freeze of Jewish settlements is a must for solution in Middle East
The Secretary-General of the League of Arab States has said that a freeze in the construction of Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories is a must for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations to succeed.
President Chavez fears there are 'two President Obamas'
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says while he agrees with some of the positions of US President Barack Obama, he's concerned that there are two Obamas.
Queen Rania praises UNRWA's sixty years of work for Palestinian refugees
This year UNRWA, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees, is celebrating sixty years of providing urgently needed assistance to the Palestinian people.
Secretary-General convenes climate change summit for world leaders
On the eve of the annual debate in the UN General Assembly, world leaders expressed their views on how to address climate change at a special summit organized by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. It is the last stop on the journey to signing a new treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emission [...]
Rwandan President calls for "true multilateralism"
It is time for the world to embrace "true multilateralism," Rwandan President Paul Kagame told the UN General Assembly on Thursday.
UNRWA has offered hope to generations of Palestinians: DSG Migiro
For sixty years, UNRWA – the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees has addressed the needs of Palestinians who have had no other place to turn. Deputy-Secretary-General Asha- Rose Migiro says the agency's steadfast support, has allowed countless refugees to stand on their own feet.
Writing a new chapter in history for peace and security
The Security Council has adopted Resolution 1887, which, among other things, calls upon the States that are party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to comply fully with all their obligations and fulfill their treaty commitments. It also calls upon all States to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Jocelyne Sambira has the [...]
Trial results show it is possible to prevent HIV infection with vaccine
INTRO: Results from the largest ever HIV clinical trial held to date show that it is possible for a vaccine to prevent HIV infection in a general population. The trial was performed in Thailand. The World Health Organization, WHO, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), are optimistic about the results, as UN [...]
UNRWA's work praised on 60th anniversary
PRES: Sixty years ago the United Nations Relief Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA, was set up to provide humanitarian assistance in the wake of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Today, world leaders gathered in New York, paid tribute to the agency’s work in serving the world’s largest and oldest refugee population. Bissera Kostova reports. Duration: [...]
UN Security Council votes to promote Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
Foreign Ministers from 150 countries meeting at the United Nations have agreed to push for a ban on all nuclear tests everywhere.
Manufacturing of flu pandemic vaccines "inadequate": WHO
The World Health Organization estimates that the worldwide production capacity for H1N1 pandemic vaccines now stands at 3 billion doses per year.
IAEA chief calls for stronger nuclear security
More than 200 incidents of illicit trafficking, loss or theft of nuclear and radioactive material were reported to the UN nuclear watchdog organization in 2008.
WHO and UNAIDS encouraged by new HIV vaccine success
Two UN agencies are optimistic following the announcement of the results of the largest-ever clinical trial of an HIV vaccine.
Messenger of Peace Michael Douglas supports push for nuclear disarmament
Foreign Ministers from more than 100 countries are meeting at the UN to push for the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
Security Council holds "historic" summit on nuclear non-proliferation
Nuclear disarmament is "the only sane path to a safer world," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the Security Council on Thursday.
Bob Dylan donates royalties to UN food agency
Royalties from world renowned musician, Bob Dylan's forthcoming Christmas album will be donated to the World Food Programme, the agency announced on Thursday.
UN leaders to meet with Iran on its nuclear program
Permanent members of the UN Security Council and a representative from Germany met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting Wednesday to discuss Iran's nuclear program and announced plans to enter into talks with Iran October 1st on the issue.
Secretary-General calls on states to sign and ratify nuclear test ban treaty
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called on all states to sign and ratify the nuclear test ban treaty.
Iranian leader calls for fundamental change starting with the UN
The world is currently facing a number of challenges according to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and he says the world needs to undergo fundamental changes.
Secretary-General urges Myanmar to create conditions for credible elections
Following his meeting with eleven foreign ministers on the latest developments in Myanmar, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said there is a strong collective interest on the future of Myanmar.
Libyan leader calls for UN reform and end to Security Council veto
In his first ever address to the UN General Assembly, Libyan President Muammar Qadhafi delivered a rambling speech highlighting such concerns as climate change and the food crisis.
Secretary-General concerned that Honduras not ready to hold credible elections
Following Honduran President Manuel Zelaya's return to the country earlier this week, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has decided to temporarily suspend the UN"s technical assistance to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Honduras.
UN humanitarian agencies say situation in Yemen worsening
The UN's relief agency reports that the situation in the northern Yemeni Governorate of Sa'ada and neighboring communities continues to worsen as a result of ongoing fighting between security forces and armed Al-Houthi groups.
Trial of former Rwandan minister begins
The trial of a former Rwandan government minister, accused of participating in the 1994 genocide, began at the United Nations court in the town of Arusha, Tanzania on Wednesday.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ratifies Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) on Wednesday.
Opening of the General Assembly offers a fresh start, says Ban
PRES: The UN General Assembly opened its annual debate in New York amidst a flurry of activity and high expectations.
Reactions to the annual gathering in New York
Each year the General Assembly brings leaders, diplomats, media and protesters from across the world to New York City. The 64th GA is no exception.
UN warns that food aid to needy Ethiopians could stop this month
The United Nations relief agency (OCHA) is warning that food assistance to needy people in Ethiopia could stop this month as a result of shortfalls in resources.
WFP calls on international community to enhance efforts for better nutrition
The World Food Program reports that children under the age of two who do not receive enough nutritious food may suffer irreversible damage.
President Barack Obama pledges that the U.S. will lead by example
United States President Barack Obama has called on his counterparts to embrace a new era of engagement based on mutual interests and mutual respect.
Climate change and bio-fuels are major challenges to food production
Climate change and biofuels pose serious challenges to food production, particularly in developing countries, according to the United Nations agriculture agency.
Secretary-General calls for collective action to face global challenges
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday called on world leaders to work together to tackle global problems.
Secretary-General calls on all parties to use restraint in Darfur
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on all parties in Darfur, Sudan, to use restraint and renew their commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
Secretary-General condemns attack in Jonglei State of Southern Sudan
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the 20 September attack on residents of Duk Padiet village in Jonglei State, in southern Sudan.
Secretary-General remains gravely concerned about abduction of UNAMID staff members in Sudan
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon remains gravely concerned about the abduction of two international staff members of the African Union-United Nations mission in Darfur (UNAMID).
UN chief praises world unity in fight against climate change
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says world leaders rose to an exceptional moment Tuesday when they spoke with a unified voice and unequivocally called for the world to fight against climate change. At the close of the world body's high-level summit on climate change, the UN Chief said differences were bridged and trust built.
UN chief vows support for Palestinian efforts to build state institutions
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday expressed his strong support for Palestinian efforts to complete the building of state institutions in two years, and promised full UN assistance towards that goal.
IPCC Chief says inaction no option in climate change fight
Addressing the UN's high-level summit on Climate Change, Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stressed the urgent need to combat climate change.
Netherlands Princess Maxima encourages access to financial services for all
The Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development Princess Maxima of the Netherlands is working to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to financial products. She tells UN Radio that in many countries, large numbers of people are unable to open a bank account, negotiate a loan or purchase insurance. Princess Maxima first explains [...]
Water is where climate change makes its first impact: Netherlands Prince Willem-Alexander
Chair of the Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands is raising awareness of the importance of water security and how to improve water and sanitation. UN Radio’s Donn Bobb spoke with Prince Willem-Alexander on the impact of climate change on Water and Sanitation and first asked him about the [...]
Palestinian budget shortfall needs to be addressed: Norwegian Foreign Minister
The chairman of a group in charge of assistance to Palestinians says a shortfall in the Palestinian budget needs to be addressed urgently.
Wangari Maathai calls for leadership on climate change
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Wangari Maathai, on Tuesday called on world leaders to provide leadership to combat climate change.
Secretary-General welcomes transfer of Rwandan genocide suspect
The UN Secretary-General has welcomed the transfer by officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo of a former senior Rwandan accused of participating in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
Billion Tree Campaign reaches 7 billion trees
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced on Tuesday that the Billion Tree Campaign has reached seven billion trees, one for every person on the planet.
Nobel Laureate Al Gore urges greater US involvement in climate change efforts
Despite differences of opinion among US lawmakers when it comes to the issue of climate change, former Vice President and Nobel Laureate Al Gore called on members of the US Congress to quickly pass climate change legislation.
No more time to lose, UN Chief tells world leaders.
PRES: With the clock ticking towards December’s climate change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, Secretary General Ban ki-moon pressed world leaders to speed up action on global warming to preserve the planet. Jocelyne Sambira has the story. NARR: More than a 100 Head of States are meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, in [...]
Small island states push for climate deal
PRES: While the effects of climate change are global, they will be felt most acutely by countries exposed to sea level rise. The most vulnerable to this effect are the small island developing states. They have also been the most among the most vocal in calling for action on climate change. Bissera Kostova has the [...]
Situation remains volatile despite ceasefire in conflict-torn Yemen
The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR is warning that the situation in Yemen's northern Sa'ada province remains volatile despite an announced two-week suspension of military operations.
UN Climate Change Summit opens in New York
The United Nations Summit on Climate Change opened in New York on Tuesday bringing together more than one hundred leaders from around the world.
US President says failure to act on climate change could be catastrophic
Addressing the UN General Assembly for the first time, US President Barack Obama declared that the United States recognizes the urgent need to address climate change, saying failure could lead to an “irreversible catastrophe."
UNHCR calls for humane treatment of evicted migrants at Calais camp in France
The United Nations Refugee agency UNHCR is appealing to the French government to ensure humane treatment was accorded to migrants evicted from their makeshift camp in the northern French city of Calais.
UN Chief expresses outrage at recent Pakistan bomb attack
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned a suicide bomb attack that took place at a village in North West Pakistan on Friday.
Secretary-General says 100 million may fall below poverty line this year
A report to be released next week during the General Assembly, estimates that over a million people will fall below the poverty line in 2009 as a result of the economic crisis.
Burundi releases the last of its child soldiers
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's report on Children and Armed Conflict released Friday, welcomed the fact that all child soldiers in Burundi have been reunited with their families.
Development and energy go hand in hand
Narrator: Energy has a central role in social and economic development. This basic but often overlooked fact was discussed at the 2009 International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Scientific Forum held recently in Vienna, Austria. The Forum focused on the “densely interlinked issues” of poverty reduction, climate change and economic development. IAEA’s Louise Potterton found out [...]
WHO applauds vaccine donations to developing countries.
The World Health Organization has welcomed the move by several of the world's richest nations to donate H1N1 flu vaccines to developing countries that would otherwise not have access.
IOM launches information campaign on dangers of Gulf of Aden
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has organized a campaign to better inform migrants and asylum-seekers of the dangers they face when traveling through Somalia to the Gulf of Aden and beyond.
Secretary-General welcomes release of political prisoners in Myanmar
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the release of a limited number of political prisoners in Myanmar as part of a larger amnesty announced on Thursday.
Talks in Cyprus "Very Encouraging"
United Nations Special Envoy to Cyprus, Alexander Downer, was in New York this week to meet with the Secretary- General. His visit coincided with an announcement by Greek-Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat that they would step up peace talks and meet twice a week over the coming month to [...]
Red Cross facilitates release of two soldiers in DR Congo
Two soldiers of the Congolese army who had been detained by Rwandan rebel forces in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have been released.
AU mission in Somali is not deterred by terrorist attack
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) says it will not be deterred by Thursday's terrorist attack on its base.
UN to create new umbrella agency for women
One of the final acts of the 63rd Session of the UN General Assembly was the adoption of a historic resolution calling for the creation of a new UN agency for women. The new entity will bring together the mandates of the four existing organizations in the UN system that advocate for women. Supporters say [...]
Book makes the case for women's empowerment
Women: a weekly 14-minute news magazine that looks at issues affecting women around the world
WFP is short of funds to feed hungry Kenyans
The World Food Programme warned on Friday that a shortage of funds will soon force it to reduce monthly rations to millions of Kenyans in need of food assistance.
UN Human rights chief calls for probe into air strikes in Yemen
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has called on the government of Yemen to launch an investigation into the air strike which killed dozens of people on Wednesday.
UN Chief calls for disarmament on Peace Day
In his message for International Day of Peace this Friday, the UN Secretary-General is calling on the international community to renew its engagement to the disarmament cause.
UN Envoy renews call for peace in the Middle East
The upcoming General Assembly meeting is an opportunity for world leaders to re-launch negotiations for a two State solution in the Middle East, the UN envoy for the region said on Thursday.
Deadly air raid in Northern Yemen kills and maims civilians
On Thursday, United Nations agencies operating in Northern Yemen sounded the alarm on reports of civilians killed and wounded in an air raid on a camp for internally displaced people.
U.S. offers 10 per cent of vaccines to fight H1N1 in developing countries
President Barack Obama announced on Thursday that the United States will make available 10 per cent of its H1N1 vaccine supply available to developing countries through the World Health Organization.
On the way to a unified Cyprus
UN Special Envoy to Cyprus, Alexander Downer, said Thursday that he was "cautiously optimistic" about a peace agreement being reached between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders in the near future.
Foreign investments continue to fall worldwide, says UN trade agency
The UN Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD, has released a report on Thursday predicting a gloomy future for foreign global trade investment.
The human rights of migrants in detention centers
The Human Rights Commission is holding a panel discussion on the human rights of migrants in detention centres. Gerry Adams reports. Narrator: The plight of migrants, and particularly those in irregular situations, is one of the world’s most critical challenges, says UN Human Rights High Commissioner Navi Pillay. She was speaking at the opening of [...]
UN Daily News 17 September 2009
News and features from United Nations Radio.
Pascoe visits Sri Lanka
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed concern about the condition of the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced civilians in Sri Lanka following the country’s recently ended civil war. To discuss that issue and number of other outstanding concerns, the UN chief has dispatched Lynn Pascoe, the chief of the UN’s political affairs department to Sri [...]
Ban condemns deadly terrorist attack on African Union peacekeepers in Somalia
The UN Secretary General has condemned in the strongest terms possible a terrorist attack aimed at the African Union base in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, on Thursday.
UN expert calls for independent probe into alleged execution video
A United Nations Independent expert has called for an impartial investigation to determine the authenticity of a video tape showing images of Sri Lankan soldiers carrying out alleged executions.
UN agriculture agency helps small scale farmers in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is facing serious food shortages, with nearly seven million people relying on emergency food aid this year. To help alleviate hunger in the country, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has started a major operation to assist small-scale farmers. The project is financed by a 20-million dollar grant from the European Union’s Food [...]
Evidence links death of 15 people in Cote d’Ivoire to toxic waste dumping
A United Nations expert says he has found strong evidence linking the death of at least 15 people in Cote d’Ivoire to the dumping of toxic waste by a foreign shipping company.
Human rights chief says migration should not be associated with criminality
The Human Rights Council is holding a panel discussion in Geneva this Thursday, on the human rights of migrants in detention centers.
General Assembly approves new agency for women
The UN General Assembly has decided to consolidate the existing activities of agencies that deal with women's issues into one main organization.
G8 leaders need to deliver on their pledges to meet the MDG goals
A new UN report released Wednesday calls on industrialized countries to strengthen the global partnership for development in this time of crisis.
"Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide"
Stories of women overcoming appalling circumstances – like violence, sex trafficking and rape – and changing their world – are what make up the book “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.” Gerry Adams has more: Narrator: Written by Pulitzer Prize winners Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, the book was introduced at [...]
Ban hopeful the UN Summit will break the nuclear deadlock
The upcoming General Assembly will be one of the most historic and crucially important sessions in the history of the United Nations, says Mr. Ban in an interview with UN Radio where he spoke about several global challenges the UN is tackling.
UN Daily News 16 September 2009
News and features from United Nations Radio.
Partnering to meet the Millennium Development Goals
Just one year after the worst global financial crisis since the great depression, many are asking if the crisis is over and how we can ensure it does not happen again? A new UN report released Wednesday examines the impact the financial crisis has had on developing states. In an interview with UN Radio’s Marsha [...]
UNCTAD says sudden contraction of trade has harmed the developing world
A deep and sudden contraction of world trade has had a damaging effect on developing countries, according to the head of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Ozone Day goes global
Marking the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, the UN Secretary-General hailed the now universal participation to the ozone protection treaties with the inclusion of Timor Leste.
WFP warns that hunger is recipe for disaster
The World Food Programme has warned that hunger this year is a recipe for disaster with food aid reaching a 20-year low, despite the soaring numbers of critically hungry people.
Humanitarian support for Yemen must be bolstered to avoid catastrophe: OCHA
The humanitarian emergency in Yemen has been largely neglected by the international community.
A terrible year for children in armed conflict, says top UN Official
Addressing the Human Rights Council this Tuesday, the UN representative for children in armed conflict said this has been a terrible year for children in places like Gaza, northern Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, just to name a few.
Yemen Flash Appeal still lacks funding
One hundred fifty thousand people have been driven from their homes by fighting in northern Yemen. But the Yemen Flash Appeal for 23 million dollars launched at the beginning of September has yet to receive any funding. Gerry Adams has the story: Various UN agencies are using funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund, CERF, [...]
UN Fact-Finding Mission on Gaza issues its report
The United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict has released its long-awaited report. The report has been compiled by the four-member mission, led by Judge Richard Goldstone of South Africa. Gail Walker has more. NARRATOR: The more than 500 page report is an analysis of 36 specific incidents in Gaza and a number [...]
UN Daily News 15 September 2009
News and features from United Nations Radio.
Possible war crimes committed on both fronts, says UN report on Gaza conflict
The head of the United Nations fact finding mission on the Gaza conflict briefed the press this Tuesday on the findings of the report.
Smuggling incident turns tragic in the Gulf of Aden
In three separate incidents involving smuggling boats in the Gulf of Aden, 16 people have died and 49 others are missing or presumed dead.
Human Rights Chief calls for firm action against discrimination
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay says discrimination remains a "scourge" that affects every country.
UN Refugee agency awards US Senator Kennedy posthumous prize
The UN refugee agency has awarded late US Senator Edward Kennedy with this year's Nansen Refugee Award in recognition of his achievements as a life-long advocate on behalf of the world's most vulnerable.
UN rights body bars representative of Honduras
The United Nations Human Rights Council has resolved to exclude the ambassador of Honduras in Geneva from its proceedings.
UN Daily News 14 September 2009
News and features from United Nations Radio.
UNICEF reports dramatic drops in child deaths
UN Calling Asia – a weekly magazine programme, in English, that keeps you in touch with UN developments covering Asia and the Pacific
Preventing suicide in different cultures
Every year, a million people die from suicide, that’s three thousand deaths a day, or one death every 40 seconds. The World Health Organization (WHO) says more men than women commit suicide, but women attempt to take their lives more frequently with one exception: China. The continuing high rate of maternal mortality No woman should die [...]
UN Daily News 11 September 2009
News and features from United Nations Radio.
CARICOM has a common desire to see Haiti return to the path of sustainable stability and security
Caribbean News Round-Up: a weekly 15-minute news magazine on developments at the United Nations concerning the Caribbean.
UN Daily News 10 September 2009
News and features from United Nations Radio.
UN Daily News 09 September 2009
News and features from United Nations Radio.
Quelling violence through education
Today is International Literacy Day and with more than 700 million people unable to read and write – most of them women – more needs to be done to ensure education for all. Take the case of Afghanistan, one of the world’s least literate nations. Our UN correspondent spoke to Catherine Mbengue, the UNICEF representative [...]
UN Daily News 08 September 2009
News and features from United Nations Radio.
Secretary-General urges leader of Madagascar to adhere to Maputo accords
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appealed to the President of the transitional authority and other interested parties in Madagascar to adhere to the spirit of the Maputo agreements.
UNHCR calls on China for access to Myanmar refugees
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Friday called on the Chinese authorities to allow access to the border area where there are refugees from Myanmar.
Secretary-General reaffirms support for anti-impunity body in Guatemala
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday reaffirmed his strong support for the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala, known as CICIG.
UN relief agency shifts focus of aid to displaced people in Pakistan
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that humanitarian services in Pakistan are shifting focus in their assistance to the people who have been displaced by conflict in the Swat valley.
UN team assesses earthquake-struck districts of Indonesia
A 10-member United Nations team is conducting an assessment of the districts affected by the earthquake which struck Indonesia on Wednesday.
Deputy Secretary-General: challenges to meeting UN goals
In a wide-ranging interview with UN Radio’s Maha Fayek, UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro talks about UN priorities and the role of her office in trying to meet them. A national of Tanzania, Ms. Migiro knows first hand the impact climate change, for example, has had on her country. In this interview, she talks about [...]
Torrential rains inundate West Africa
INTRO: Torrential rains have soaked much of West Africa, killing at least five people and causing 150 thousand others to flee. Burkina Faso is one of the worst affected countries, as we hear from Elizabeth Byrs, spokesperson for OCHA, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: Byrs: And already 100 thousand ten have [...]
A historic moment: the US to preside over UN Summit
PRES: The United States is presiding over the UN Security Council this September which coincides with the UN Summit scheduled for later this month. The Presidency of the UN Security Council rotates each calendar month among the fifteen council members. Jocelyne Sambira has the story. NARR: For the first time in history, on September 24 [...]
Asha-Rose Migiro: UN advocate for Millennium Goals
INTRO: Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro of Tanzania, like UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, has been in office for more than two years. While she is less visible in the public eye than the Secretary-General, she has an equally challenging set of responsibilities, among them keeping track of progress on the MDGs, or Millennium Development Goals. UN [...]
Red Cross and Crescent launches worldwide campaign on H1N1
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on Friday launched a worldwide communications campaign to better prepare communities for the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic.
UN calls for probe into NATO air strike in Afghanistan
The United Nations has called on NATO to investigate a bombing that killed more than 80 people in Afghanistan on Friday.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appeals for swifter work on a new climate treaty
Caribbean News Round-Up: a weekly 15-minute news magazine on developments at the United Nations concerning the Caribbean.
WMO members approve mechanism for sharing information on climate and weather
Members of the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on Thursday approved an agreement to set up a global mechanism for sharing information on the climate and weather.
The Secretary-General raises the alarm on climate change after his visit to the Arctic
PRES: Climate change experts are in Geneva debating on ways to better adapt to variations in the climate due to global warming. The UN Secretary-General joined them this Thursday and made a passionate plea to world leaders asking them to cut greenhouse emissions before it is too late. Jocelyne Sambira reports. NARR: The Copenhagen Climate [...]
Why organized crime in the Asia-Pacific Region persists
INTRO: If the fight against organised crime in the Asia-Pacific Region is indeed a war, then organised crime laws have not been able to secure a victory, says a report prepared for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the UNODC. Dr. Andreas Schloenhardt, a professor at the University of Brisbane in Australia, prepared a [...]
UN team conducts assessment in earthquake affected areas of Indonesia
A team of 10 officials from UN agencies conducted assessments in the affected districts of Java, Indonesia following Wednesday's earthquake which registered 7.3 on the Richter scale.
UN Humanitarian Coordinator calls on Israel to allow material for water and sanitation into Gaza
The United Nations Humanitarian organizations on Thursday called on Israel to allow full and unrestricted access for materials critically needed to restore water and sanitation in Gaza.
Help nations cope with climate devastation: Holmes
We are coming down to the wire, with less than 100 days left before the United Nations Climate Change Conference begins in Copenhagen on December 7."
Ban urges a strong climate deal
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made a passionate appeal Thursday for swifter work on a new climate treaty to fend off "widespread economic disaster" with a surge in sea levels.
Sudanese girl finds a role model in a WFP pilot
PRES: 17-year-old Tereza Kitale Daniel from south Sudan dreamed of being a pilot. But she wasn’t sure that was possible – all the pilots she saw in Sudan were men. Until this year, while participating in a workshop organized by UNICEF, she met Justine Takoki, a Kenyan female pilot based in Juba, who works for [...]
Ban urges urgent action against global warming
A Norwegian coast-guard vessel carried Ban Ki-moon north, breaking through the partially frozen sea until it reached the polar ice cap, about 700 miles from the North Pole.
New WHO study shows promising way of malaria control in Kenya
INTRO: According to Dr. Ulrike Fillinger, there’s been an increase in malaria infections in the African highlands due to drug resistant strains of the disease and land-use changes. But in a study she completed for the World Health Organization, she’s found that killing the larvae malaria mosquito and using insecticide treated bed nets can reduce [...]
Deputy Secretary-General calls for signing of disability convention
The Deputy United Nations Secretary-General on Wednesday urged all states to intensify their efforts to sign, ratify and implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
UN Secretary-General wraps up visit to Norway
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday wrapped up his visit to Norway, after ending a boat trip in the morning that took him to polar ice of the Arctic Circle.
Landmine survivors call for attention to their needs
Survivors of landmines are calling on government to implement all the provisions of the Mine Ban Treaty adopted ten years ago.
Landmines survivors battle for recovery on their own
PRES: Ten years after the Mine Ban Treaty came into effect, the world has still not lived up to its promise to treat and reintegrate landmine survivors into society. A report by Handicap International called Voices from the Ground surveyed close to 2,000 landmine survivors in 25 countries found that governments failed to live up [...]
Combating opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan
PRES: Opium cultivation and production in Afghanistan has fallen for the second consecutive year. It is a welcome piece of good news at time of pessimism about Afghanistan’s situation, according to the head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. The question is whether this downward trend can be sustained. Bissera Kostova has more [...]
First humanitarian supplies reach Yemen's Sa'ada area
The first shipment of humanitarian supplies arrived in the conflict-affected Sa'ada area in Yemen on Wednesday.
New WHO study shows promising way of malaria control in Kenya
A study conducted in western Kenya shows that a combination of measures can substantially reduce the risk that children can be infected with malaria.
Yemen flash appeal
The United Nations is urgently appealing for 23.5 million dollars to provide humanitarian relief to people displaced by recent fighting between Yemeni government forces and armed groups.
UN report urges rich nations to help developing nations fight global warming
The world's rich countries must provide some $500 to $600 billion a year as soon as possible in a green new deal to help developing nations fight global warming.
Opium production down in Afghanistan: UNODC
Opium production in Afghanistan is down by 10 percent and poppy cultivation is down by 22% from last year, according to a survey by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
Heavy fighting causes suffering to civilians in Somalia
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says civilians continue to be the victims of heavy fighting in Mogadishu in Somalia.
UN official says climate change is a threat to development
Climate change is a threat to development that according to a senior official in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
UN Secretary-General welcomes peaceful election in Gabon
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the peaceful participation of the people of Gabon in the country's presidential elections on Sunday.
Water a source of conflict or tool for peace?
PRES: The United Nations estimates that by 2015, at least 40 percent of the world’s population, 3 billion people, will live in countries where it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible to get enough water to satisfy their basic needs. With the threat of climate change, some people believe water scarcity will fuel wars [...]
Partnering with the media to promote the work of the UN
INTRO: The Creative Community Outreach Initiative is a new undertaking within the United Nations Department of Public Information that, by partnering with television, films, news and other media, seeks to promote peace and raise awareness of critical global issues. The brainchild of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, CCOI, as it is called, began only about a [...]
UN Secretary-General visits Polar Ice Rim
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday boarded a Norwegian boat, the Svalbard, to visit the Polar Ice Rim.
UNHCR warns of unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in northern Yemen
A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Sa'ada in northern Yemen where the situation is deteriorating by the day.
MONUC Deputy SRSG talks about stopping the rapes in eastern DRC
The United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) has sent special teams to the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu to prevent rape and other atrocities. The UN estimates that since 1996 there have been at least 200,000 cases of rape in the eastern DRC. UN Radio’s Jean-Pierre Ramazani was [...]
Up to 100,000 seeking sanctuary in safe areas of Sa'ada governorate: WFP
The UN food agency -WFP says up to 100,000 people are reportedly on the move desperately seeking sanctuary in safer areas of Sa'ada governorate, as a result of fighting between government forces and rebels in north-western yemen.
Over 20 world leaders gather in Poland for World War II anniversary
More than twenty world leaders gathered in Poland on Tuesday to mark the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II.
FAO members agree on treaty to combat illegal fishing
Members of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization have agreed on a treaty to close fishing ports to vessels involved in illegal fishing.
Situation deteriorates in Sa'ada City in Yemen
United Nations relief agencies say a humanitarian crisis is unfolding northern Yemen where intense fighting has been raging between government forces and rebel groups.
Sixteen Africans drown and six are missing in Gulf of Aden
Sixteen Africans have drowned and six others are missing in the Gulf of Aden while trying to reach Yemen.
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