Worldwide Supermodel Alek Wek of newly independent South Sudan recently participated in a United Nations event focusing on young people. The two-day high-level meeting, which hosted representatives from 400 youth groups, was in connection with International Youth Year. Ms. Wek spoke with Darrin Farrant on the conference theme, “Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding.” She drew [...]
Indonesia is the fourth largest country in the world, with 237 million people according to the 2010 census. 18 percent of these people are ‘youth’ between the ages of 15 and 24 years old. Creating decent employment opportunities for young people in Indonesia is a top priority for officials there. The country's President, Susilo Bambang [...]
For 14 years, Liberia in West Africa was shattered by a bloody civil war. By 2003 it was officially over, but according to the United Nations, the legacy of violence continues. Today, sexual violence rates remain high, with about 40 percent of rape victims being under the age of 12. In this UN TV report, [...]
The best way to agree to a two state solution with a secure Israel andnon-militarized viable Palestinian state is through negotiations. That's what the Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told reporters at UN headquarters in New York. Ehud Barak met with the UN Secretary-General to discuss the resumption of the peace process and the situation [...]
Worldwide Supermodel Alek Wek of newly independent South Sudan recently participated in a United Nations event focusing on young people. The two-day high-level meeting, which hosted representatives from 400 youth groups, was in connection with International Youth Year. Ms. Wek spoke with Darrin Farrant on the conference theme, “Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding.” She drew [...]
News and features from United Nations Radio.
More than a hundred speakers voiced their support for the participation of young people in national and global efforts for peace, development and human rights, urging global attention to overcoming obstacles to the self-realization of youth consistent with the wide-ranging outcome document. Many spoke of the need to harness the energy of youth that had [...]
Saint Kitts and Nevis had made significant strides in education, from the implementation of universal education to that of early childhood education. Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports, Information Technology, Telecommunications and Posts Glen Phillip said that of his country's population of 50,000, youth comprised a significant majority. Glen Phillip: We believe that it is in [...]
Jamaica supports the decision of the United Nations to establish a network on youth development and is committed to collaborating with it, as well as to sharing its experiences globally. That's what Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Olivia Grange told a high-level meeting on youth. She urged the United Nations to redouble its collaboration [...]
Less than a year after its creation, the Haiti Reconstruction Fund (HRF) has allocated US$237 million to finance 14 reconstruction initiatives, or 71 percent of the US$ 335 million received by donors, according to the Fund's first Annual Report, released this week. The HRF finances activities such as infrastructure, repair and construction of housing, education, [...]
It's been one year since devastating floods tore through Pakistan, killing 2,000 people and submerging one fifth of the country. At least two million people are again threatened by floods there during this year's monsoon season, due to a shortage of reconstruction funds. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says more than $600 [...]
The Eritrean Government has been accused of planning a massive attack on an African Union meeting held earlier this year in Ethiopia. A report by the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea states that had it been successful, the operation would almost certainly have caused mass civilian casualties. The report also says the Ethiopian [...]
News and features from United Nations Radio.
A Lebanese led investigation has been launched into an attack on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. Several soldiers were wounded on Tuesday in an attack on vehicles carrying members of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon, also known as UNIFIL. Neeraj Singh, the Spokesperson for UNIFIL, told UN Radio's May Yaacoub that of the six [...]
Water is a public good and cannot be sold for a profit according to Bolivian President Evo Morales Ayama. Speaking at a UN meeting marking the first anniversary of water and sanitation as a human right, he said that Bolivia considers water a public commodity. The Bolivian President made his first call for a UN [...]
News and features from United Nations Radio.
News and features from United Nations Radio.
1.Nelson Mandela International Day celebrated 2.UNHCR begins aid airlift in Horn of Africa 3.Famine declared in two regions of southern Somalia 4.Climate change affects world peace and security 5.Iran successfully fights illegal drugs Duration: 15'00″ Narrated and Produced by Zafar Qureshi
News and features from United Nations Radio.
Governments in developed and developing countries are being challenged to create jobs for some of the estimated 81 million unemployed young people around the world. The lack of jobs has, according to many experts, fueled recent popular uprisings in the Arab world. This week in New York a High-Level meeting on youth employment is being [...]
An international meeting is taking place Monday to mobilize the response to the famine in Somalia. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is bringing together various UN and humanitarian agencies at its Rome headquarters to coordinate efforts in the Horn of Africa. Julie Walker reports. Thousands of people have died from the hunger crisis and [...]
Governments around the world are being urged to put policies in place to create jobs for the growing number of young people entering the employment market. The International Labour Organization (ILO) says that 81 million people between 15 and 24 years of age were unemployed at the end of 2009. A High-Level meeting on youth [...]
There is "strong evidence" that atrocities such as mass killings are being carried out by Sudanese forces in the Southern Kordofan region. That's what some UN human rights experts say and they are calling for an immediate investigation. Gay McDougall, the Independent Expert on minority issues said she is worried about reports that people of [...]
American jazz musician Herbie Hancock has been named a Goodwill Ambassador by UNESCO, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, for his "dedication to the promotion of peace through dialogue, culture and the arts." Right before his appointment, Gerry Adams spoke with him about his plans for this new position. Duration: 3’11″
The last remaining fugitive indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) is now in the custody of the UN. Goran Hadzic was transferred to The Hague Friday, after being arrested two days earlier in Serbia. He had been on the run for seven years. Hadzic was indicted by The Hague in 2004 [...]
Reports of widespread and systematic human rights violations by security forces in Syria, could amount to crimes against humanity according to two UN special advisers. Francis Deng, the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and Edward Luck, the Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, said that Syrian security forces have reportedly continued [...]
The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced his shock after a large bomb blast struck the centre of the Norwegian capital, Oslo, Friday, killing at least seven people and injuring many more. Media reports indicate that the explosion occurred mid-afternoon local time near a series of key Government buildings in downtown Oslo. A fatal [...]
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has made an impassioned plea to the international community to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in Somalia, where severe drought has plunged communities in the southern region of the country into famine. In an op-ed published in the Los Angeles Times Friday, Ban says the UN needs approximately $1.6 billion in aid [...]
Huge challenges still exist to return peace and stability to Darfur. That's one of the findings of the final report by the Special Representative of the Joint African Union-United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID). In a briefing to UN Security Council members, Ibrahim Gambari said international support is needed to insure the agreement signed [...]
News and features from United Nations Radio.
People displaced by conflict in the Sudanese region of Darfur are beginning to return home, but their numbers are limited, according to the UN. There are around 1.8 million so-called internally displaced people or IDPs in Darfur. Ibrahim Gambari the head of UNAMID, the joint African Union/ UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur, has been in [...]
The World Food Programme (WFP) is to start airlifting vital supplies into parts of Somalia, which is suffering from the worst drought in more than 60 years. Famine was declared in two regions in the south of the country on Wednesday, where aid agencies have no or limited access. The first food aid airlifts will [...]
The World Food Programme (WFP) is continuing its airlift of supplies into Somalia's capital of Mogadishu, where each day 1,000 people arrive after fleeing famine stricken regions in the south. WFP is also supplying food and blankets to 175,000 people in an area along the border with Kenya and Ethiopia. 40,000 displaced people in the [...]
UN aid agencies will continue their humanitarian work in Somalia, despite claims by the rebel group Al-Shabaab that there is no famine in the Horn of Africa country. The UN declared a famine on Wednesday in southern Somalia and has ramped up its aid effort in response. The World Food Programme (WFP) says they have [...]
At least 47 women were raped over a 24 hour period by elements of the Congolese armed forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and no one is being held accountable. A report by the UN Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) into the mass rapes in North Kivu found there is a need to [...]
Economic sanctions are worsening hunger in Madagascar according to the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food. Olivier De Schutter, who just wrapped up his official mission to the Indian Ocean island nation, said it's time to reconsider those sanctions imposed following Madagascar's 2009 political crisis. He warns they are aggravating an already dire [...]
Despite tensions, the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire that ended the conflict in 2006 is holding up “very well” according to the Special Coordinator of the Secretary-General for Lebanon. Michael Williams told the UN Security Council that the arrangements put in place by resolution 1701 have contributed to preserving stability and containing tensions in the area, despite some [...]
As many as 18 people have reportedly been killed and many others injured during clashes between anti-Government demonstrators and security forces in Malawi this week. Protesters were demonstrating against shortages of fuel and foreign exchange and calling for greater freedoms and human rights. Martin Nesirky is the spokesman for the Secretary-General. "The Secretary-General is concerned [...]
Closing trade and development gaps can make the Asia-Pacific region a global economic centre of gravity, according to the top UN official there. Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, the UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) says China, India and Indonesia are emerging as the growth poles [...]
There has been a significant increase in the number of Palestinian homes demolished by Israel in one West Bank village. That's what two senior UN officials report following a visit to the Bedouin village of Khan Al Ahmar. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that more demolitions have taken place so [...]
A play about some of the issues women and girls face, including sexual violence and exploitation is in the works by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Marsha Norman. She is working with "Theatre for Humans" a group that tackles social issues and the UN's Creative Community Outreach Initiative. Norman has written numerous plays about what she [...]
Aid agencies are gearing up to increase aid to southern Somalia. On Wednesday, the United Nations declared famine in two regions of southern Somalia. Gerry Adams reports. Duration: 2’26″
News and features from United Nations Radio.
A new fund designed to help developing countries conserve and use their livestock breeds in a sustainable way has received the first contribution of a total of $1 million. The fund run by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will provide financing for individual projects submitted by countries in support of the internationally-agreed Global Plan [...]
International support is needed to curb alarming levels of child malnutrition in Niger. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) says that more than 15 children out of every 100 suffer from acute malnutrition in the West African country. The agency says a poor harvest and pastoral season in late 2010, has contributed to malnutrition rates. Niger [...]
A three year study in South Africa has confirmed research that suggests that male circumcision can help prevent HIV in men. The study showed a 55% reduction in HIV prevalence and a 76% reduction in HIV incidence in circumcised men. The Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) says it's the first time research has shown [...]
Airlifts of aid into famine-stricken Somalia are being launched by the World Food Programme (WFP). The agency is reaching 1.5 million people now, and is scaling up to help an additional 2.2 million in previously inaccessible southern Somalia. Julie Walker reports. “The World Food Programme says more than 11 million people are in need of [...]
Scientists are discussing how to make sure that trade in wild animals doesn't threaten their survival. They're meeting in Geneva as part of the UN administered Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). CITES grants varying degrees of protection to more than 33,000 species of traded animals and plants. Scientists recommend which species the [...]
Iran has had a great deal of success when it comes to curbing illegal drugs, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The country leads the world in opium seizures at 89 per cent and heroin at 41 per cent. Yury Fedotov is Executive Director of UNODC and just got back from [...]
Iran is suffering from the second most severe addiction to heroin and opium in the world according to the UN office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). There are 1.2 million addicts in the country. The government is making efforts to prevent the opiates from being imported into the country from neighbouring Afghanistan and Pakistan. Daniel [...]
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he's alarmed at the growing violence in Syria, as the government continues to crackdown on protesters calling for change. He is again urging the Syrian government to allow humanitarian access to affected areas and to facilitate the visit by the fact-finding mission of the Office of the High Commissioner for [...]
A member of staff from the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping operation in Darfur (UNAMID), has been released by Sudanese authorities after almost three months in captivity. Idriss Abdelrahman was released Wednesday in the South Darfur state capital of Nyala. Prosecutors told UNAMID that the charges against him had been dropped because of a lack [...]
The whole of southern Somalia will be facing famine within two months, unless money is found to feed more people. On Wednesday, the United Nations declared a famine in two parts of the region, where half a million children are thought to be close to death. Across the Horn of Africa, it's estimated that up [...]
News and features from United Nations Radio.
Climate change is not only occurring, it is accelerating and threatens to cause an exponential increase in natural disasters, undermining the world's ability to cope. This was the warning Achim Steiner, the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) gave the UN Security Council as it discussed the double barrelled challenge of climate change [...]
Climate change is affecting world peace and security according to a senior UN official. UN member states have been unable to come to a consensus on the affects of climate change, but the UN says the link is clear. Talking to the Security Council on Wednesday, the Executive Director of the UN's Enviornment Programme (UNEP), [...]
With famine in parts of Somalia, the United Nations has appealed for an additional $500 million in aid funding. The UN says the drought in Horn of Africa means 31 countries need $7.9 billion for the year. Valerie Amos, the United Nations Under Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, launched the mid-year review [...]
Children are the most badly affected by the famine which has been declared in two regions of southern Somalia – southern Bakool and Lower Shabelle. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) says that one in three children in the affected regions is malnourished and more than six per 10,000 under the age of five are [...]
The use of commercial blood tests to diagnose tuberculosis or TB, does more harm than good. After a year long study, theWorld Health Organization (WHO) has called for an immediate halt to the use of blood test kits for detection of TB. WHO says the test kits are produced by Western companies, but exported to [...]
The last remaining fugitive, out of the total of 161 people indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) has been arrested. Goran Hadzic was taken into custody Wednesday in Serbia after 7 years on the run. Julie Walker reports. The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia says it welcomes [...]
Famine has been declared in two regions of southern Somalia – southern Bakool and Lower Shabelle. The United Nations says that 3.7 million people across the country, that's nearly half of the Somali population, are now in crisis and in urgent need of assistance. An estimated 2.8 million of those are in the south. Consecutive [...]
An attack on the residence of Guinea's President Alpha Condé has been condemned by the UN Secretary-General. Condé is safe and it's unclear who was behind the attack, which reportedly included rockets and automatic weapons. Ban Ki-moon said that no disagreements or differences justify a recourse to violence in a democracy. He is calling on [...]
The United Nations tribunal set up to deal with Yugoslav war crimes during the Balkans conflict in the 1990s, has upheld the contempt conviction of a former staffer. Florence Hartmann had served as a prosecution spokesperson at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Julie Walker reports. “Florence Hartmann was found guilty of [...]
The security situation in Iraq remains unpredictable with some people believing life was better under the former dictator, Sadaam Hussein. That's according to the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative to Iraq, Ad Melkert. He's been in New York to brief the UN Security Council about the current situation in the Middle-East country. Daniel Dickinson asked him [...]
Iraq will need sustained support to face pressing challenges as it rebuilds its government and economy. The Secretary-General's Special Representative for Iraq, Ad Melkert, told the Security Council he is "cautiously optimistic" about the future of the country, but decisive action needs to be taken against the perpetrators of violence. "Are you optimistic or are [...]
Humanitarian workers are finding it increasingly difficult for to get aid into the South Kordofan state of Sudan and to access those in need there. The office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says authorities in South Kordofan continue to demand that relief supplies be channelled through national non-governmental organizations. The World Food Programme [...]
Former Côte d'Ivoire president Laurent Gbagbo is under investigation for the deaths of hundreds of civilians in his country, following disputed elections there. Gbagbo clung to power through force even though he was voted out of office in November. He was taken into custody in May and has been under the protection of the UN. [...]
The judicial authorities in Côte d'Ivoire are investigating allegations that the former president of the West African country was involved in the deaths of civilians in the months that followed disputed elections. Laurent Gbagbo refused to step down after he was defeated in elections by Alassane Ouattara, in November last year. The United Nations special [...]
News and features from United Nations Radio.
Voters are being given the chance to pick the best advertising campaign to promote awareness in Europe about the battle to defeat gender-based violence. The United Nations has opened online voting for the "VOTE to Say No – UNiTE to End Violence against Women" contest. More than 2,700 entries from 40 European countries – prepared [...]
Aid distributions across central and southern parts of Somalia are being stepped up as the dual effects of drought and conflict contribute to what's been described as the world's worst humanitarian situation. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) says humanitarian workers don't have the access they need to deal with an emergency on this scale. [...]
The murder of Mexican journalist Angel Castillo Corona has been condemned by the head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom. Corona, who wrote about politics, was beaten to death 4 July while travelling on a Mexican highway. His 16 year old son, who was with him, was also killed when the [...]
Assistance to Somalia is being stepped up following the deepening of the crisis there. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) is assisting 90,000 people in Mogadishu and in southwest Somalia with a series of aid distributions. Non-food aid for over 125,000 people is also being handed out in other areas, including the Gedo and Lower [...]
Government housing policies in Algeria need to be more open and public. Those are the findings of a 10-day mission to the country by Raquel Rolnik, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing. While she commended the government's commitment to building low income housing, Rolnik also reminded officials there has to be [...]
Donn Bobb reports: Saint Lucia is seeing progress in its fight against the spread of HIV and AIDS. Minister of Health Keith Mondesir told me they have started to see reductions in the numbers of newly-infected cases: Keith: We are starting to see reductions in terms of infections. Also, we have increased the number of [...]
The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says that the continued impact of the economic crisis is no excuse for reducing funding to help developing and least developed countries improve trade with the rest of the world. Speaking at the Third Global Review of Aid for Trade in Geneva, Mr Ban said that donors have [...]
A series of emergency airlift flights to bring aid to Somalis in refugee camps has begun. One hundred tones of family-sized tents have been dispatched to the Dadaab refugee camp near the Kenya-Somalia border. The airlifts will support the UN refugee agency's (UNHCR) efforts to help more than 430,000 Somali refugees in Kenya and Ethiopia, [...]
The number of people needing humanitarian assistance in southern Yemen is on the rise because of the continuing conflict in the country between the government and those calling for change. Hundreds of thousands of people have had to flee as the fighting rages and homes are bombed according to the UN Office for the Coordination [...]
Iran has had a great deal of success when it comes to curbing illegal drugs, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The country leads the world in opium seizures at 89 per cent and heroin at 41 per cent. The head of UNODC is on a three day mission to Iran [...]
Côte d'Ivoire is facing a period of rebuilding following a contested presidential election which led to four months of fighting in the West African country. Former president Laurent Gbagbo refused to give up power to Alassane Ouattara who was widely considered to have won the election in November 2010. Thousands of people died in the [...]
News and features from United Nations Radio.
A global program has been launched to give countries, especially developing ones, more access to trade data, so they can build their export business. Once fully developed, the "Transparency in Trade Initiative" (TNT) will provide free information on trade policy instruments such as tariffs, non-tariff measures and service regulations. TNT is a joint program between [...]
Restoring law and order to Cote d'Ivoire is key to getting the country on track as it rebuilds from conflict following a contested Presidential election. The former president Laurent Gbagbo refused to cede power to the winner of presidential elections, a stand-off which led to months of internal conflict. YJ Choi, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative [...]
Scientists from around the world are meeting in Geneva over the next few days to discuss how to control trade in wild animals, such as fish and reptiles. The meeting is part of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which is run by the United Nations Environment [...]
Resources to help developing and least developed countries trade with the rest of the world have increased by 60% over the past six years, according to a review of the Aid for Trade programme, run by the World Trade Organisation (WTO). A report released today also shows that funding is holding up in spite of [...]
Developing countries are being helped by a program started in 2005 that provides financial and technical assistance for them to take part in international trade. A global review of the "Aid for Trade" program is underway at a World Trade Organization (WTO) conference in Geneva. WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy says its not just developing countries [...]
A former mayor of New York has been reflecting on the "gentle" but "tough" anti-apartheid campaigner and former South African president, Nelson Mandela. Mayor David Dinkins received Mr Mandela during the former president's first trip outside South Africa following his release from prison. On Nelson Mandela International Day celebrated each year on his birthday, July [...]
Donn Bobb reports: The reforms of Haiti's judiciary that were approved four years ago have to be implemented if the judiciary is to gain greater capacity and autonomy. The deputy high commissioner for human rights Kyung-wha Kang told reporters there needs to be greater investment in the judiciary, not just in buildings, but in adequate [...]
Aid is arriving for thousands of refugees in the drought-affected Horn of Africa. The first UN emergency airlift flight arrived in Nairobi, Sunday carrying 2,300 family tents for the Dadaab refugee camp. The population of the sprawling complex near the Kenya-Somalia border could end up topping half a million people as the crisis gets worse. [...]
Military forces will have to leave the area surrounding the temple of Preah Vihear, following an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling Monday. The 11th century Hindu temple straddles Cambodia and Thailand and both countries have been fighting over it. Julie Walker reports. The Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia according to a 1962 International [...]
People around the world are donating their time today in the service of others, as a way of celebrating Nelson Mandela International Day. The former South African leader, who is celebrating his 93rd birthday is one of the reasons Apartheid ended in that country. He spent 67 years of his life in the service of [...]
Tributes are being paid to the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela as he celebrates his 93rd birthday. Each year on July 18th his work as a campaigner against the apartheid regime and his contribution to post-apartheid South Africa is recognised by the United Nations. On Nelson Mandela International Day the eminent American civil [...]
Taxi moto, boda bodas are different names for motorbike taxis that are very popular in the east African region. These bikes are the preferred means of transport because they are cheap and can speed through traffic. But in Burundi these bikes are driven mainly by former rebels or fighters. They are also suspected of being [...]
Thirteen years ago the international community came together to put an end to impunity for the gravest crimes, this resulted in the Rome statute. In 2002, the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened its doors in the Hague. July 17 marks the first World Day for International Justice. Judge Sang-Hyun Song is President of the International [...]
Hundreds of thousands of migrants have fled the fighting in Libya since it began five months ago, but many thousands more are in hiding in the country, fearing for their lives. The conflict continues as rebels continue to battle Libyan government forces. The International Organisation for Migration is trying to help them get to their [...]
Kenya has been praised for its decision to open an additional site at Dadaab refugee camp in north-eastern Kenya. Around 380,000 refugees mainly from drought and conflict-affected Somalia are accommodated in the camp. Nicki Chadwick reports. Duration: 1'52" UN welcomes opening of new camp for Somali refugees in Kenya
Indigenous women in Indonesia face a double marginalisation firstly as indigenous peoples and secondly as women. That's according to Rukka Sombolinggi, an indigenous woman from the Toraja community in South Sulawesi. Rukka Sombolinggi spoke to Jocelyne Sambira at a UN forum about the situation of indigenous women in Indonesia today. Duration: 2’37″
"Women in conflict and post-conflict situations" is on the agenda of the current session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, is an international human rights treaty that focuses on women’s rights and women’s issues worldwide. Its Committee, an expert body made [...]
The Young Professionals Programme, YPP, has two objectives – to bring fresh talent to the United Nations from under-represented countries and to recognize the talent that already exists at the UN among staff members in the General Service Category. YPP replaces the National Competitive Recruitment Examination and involves a faster placement process. Duration: 3′ 49:
News and features from United Nations Radio.
Somali leaders are being congratulated for showing a commitment to peace, by following through on the terms of deal reached last month. The Kampala Accord broke the political deadlock in Somalia. Under the terms, the country's President and the Speaker of Parliament stay for another year. Augustine Mahiga, is the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia. [...]
The UN is reiterating its message that climate change is a growing threat to people and economies worldwide. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made the statement during a forum on sustainable development in Finland, where he also met with President Tarja Halonen. Ban said that ecosystems are under strain, and the global thermostat is running high. Spokesman [...]
There's been an outbreak of measles and cholera in the Horn of Africa and the World Health Organization is concerned that polio could be next. The region, which includes Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya and Somalia, has been experiencing severe drought. A lack of clean water and sanitation is causing infectious diseases to spread. WHO has been [...]
The UN is hoping to send an assessment mission to Sudan's South Kordofan to check on reports of mass graves, but is unsure if the government will allow them access. Ivan Šimonović, Assistant Secretary-General of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights says reliable sources showing the existence of mass graves have [...]
More than 11 million people are in need of life-saving assistance as they face the worst drought in decades in the Horn of Africa. Horn of Africa countries, including Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia, as well as other countries in this region of northeast Africa, continue to experience severe drought with accompanying health consequences. Gerry [...]
Now that Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services has released 66 detainees, the UN Human Rights chief wants others let go as well. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay says she welcomes the move by Sudan and that "such action is encouraging and should be extended to others in illegal detention" in the country. [...]
There is no military solution to the crisis in Libya, there must be a political one. That's the message UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon delivered through his envoy, to the Libya contact group meeting in Istanbul, Turkey. He wants world leaders to support efforts underway by the UN to get the Libyan government and those fighting [...]
People are being encouraged to donate 67 minutes of their time to public service on Monday, 18 July in honour of Nelson Mandela International day. 67 is one minute for every year of Mandela's own service to humanity. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the "Take Action! Inspire Change" campaign is one of the best ways to [...]
An agreement signed between the Sudanese Government and the rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), has been called a "significant step forward" in the attempt to bring peace to the troubled Sudanese region of Darfur. An estimated 300,000 people have been killed since conflict erupted in Darfur in 2003. The Sudanese Government and rebel movement [...]
Migrants trying to escape the violence in Libya are living in fear for their lives, according to the International Organisation for Migration, IOM. The IOM says that it's continuing to evacuate growing numbers of migrants from the country. Nearly 625,000 have now fled Libya since the end of February as fighting continues between the Libyan [...]
More than 600 prisoners in detention centres in northern Haiti are learning to read and write. The literacy project based at Cap Haïtien is aiming to increase the chances of inmates of getting a job and reintegrating into society once they are released. The prisoners that pass the class successfully are called to train in [...]
Kenya's decision to open the Ifo Two extension at the Dadaab refugee complex near the border with Somalia has been welcomed by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. One thousand three hundred refugees have been arriving there every day – fleeing conflict and drought in Somalia. Kenya had refused to open the camp. Adrian Edwards, [...]
Indigenous women in Indonesia face a double marginalisation firstly as indigenous peoples and secondly as women. That's according to Rukka Sombolinggi, an indigenous woman from the Toraja community in South Sulawesi. Rukka Sombolinggi spoke to Jocelyne Sambira at a UN forum about the situation of indigenous women in Indonesia today. A poet’s homage to her [...]
Poetry is not an art form that is readily associated with the work of the United Nations. But try telling that to Bassey Ikpi, a Nigerian poet and writer, who performed her work during the recently held Africa Day celebration at UN headquarters in New York. In this piece compiled by Beng Poblete-Enriquez, Bassey remembers [...]
1. 10 million facing food shortages in Horn of Africa 2. Thousands of migrants stranded in Libyan desert 3. 70 million mosquito-nets distributed in Africa in 12 months 4. UN's top political affairs official Lynn Pascoe addresses SC on operation in Libya 5. WFP to cut food assistance programs in Afghanistan 6. Use of new [...]
PART I Somali refugee situation worsens 3'38 '' PART II New IMF selection a ''breakthrough'' for women 3'43'' PART III World needs to raise 1.9 trillion dollars per year to complete green overhaul. 2'42'' PART IV 50 million African orphans have to fend for themselves. 1'45'' Duration: 14’41″ Narrated and Produced by: Ambalika Misra
PART I South Sudan: New nation of the world. 3'25 '' PART II Message for youth from newly reappointed UN Secretary-General. 1'22 '' PART III International arrest warrant issued for Libyan leader. 3'51'' PART IV The benefits of education in Mali. 3'22'' Duration: 14’50″ Narrated and Produced by: Ambalika Misra
Members of NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation hold their fourth Libya contact group meeting in Istanbul, Turkey in an effort to come up with a solution to the ongoing conflict in the North African country. This comes as fighting between forces loyal to the Libyan government and the opposition, continues for a fifth [...]
Pirates are extending their area of operations past the coast of Somalia, increasing their use of pirated vessels as mother ships and using high levels of violence. Ambassador Mary Seet-Cheng from Singapore, who heads the contact group on piracy, says despite the best efforts of the international community, piracy continues to be a threat to [...]
The people of South Sudan are, in the words of the Vice-President of the newly independent country, "free at last". Vice-President Riek Machar was speaking as his country's flag was raised at the United Nations headquarters in New York for the first time. South Sudan officially became independent on July 9th after voting in a [...]
Seven Estonian cyclists abducted in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley in March, were released Thursday. The United Nations envoy for Lebanon, Michael Williams, says they are now in Beirut and in good health. He met with Hezbollah to access the situation. The group was doing a bicycle tour when abducted on 23 March after entering Lebanon through [...]
The next pandemic, or global outbreak, of influenza is being anticipated by the World Health Organization. Through its Global Vaccine Action Plan, or GAP, the plan is to increase the supply of a pandemic vaccine and reduce the gap between potential demand and supply anticipated during such a pandemic. But in spite of the plans, [...]
The world is still unprepared for a major influenza pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) says drug manufacturers and governments need to increase their capacity to produce influenza vaccines. The WHO's Global Vaccine Action Plan aims to increase the supply of a pandemic vaccine and reduce the gap between potential demand and supply anticipated during [...]
Tunisia now has its first United Nations human rights office. The country underwent a popular uprising earlier this year, during which government forces violently cracked down on citizens demanding democratic change. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, who opened the office in the capital, Tunis, said the world was watching as Tunisians kept [...]
The situation in Libya is taking a turn for the worse. People are facing extreme hardships: fuel supplies are dwindling and there are visible traces of the bombing in the capital, Tripoli. That's what Abdel Al-Khatib the UN Secretary-General's special envoy to Libya saw on his last visit there where he met with senior officials [...]
The flag of the Republic of South Sudan has been raised at the United Nations in New York marking the acceptance of the newly independent country as the 193rd member of the UN. South Sudan celebrated independence from its northern neighbour on July 9th and was quickly voted on as a new member of the [...]
At an emotional ceremony at the United Nations, the flag of the Republic of South Sudan was raised. It is now be one of 193 country flags that will fly outside the New York building. The Vice President of South Sudan, Riek Machar Teny says it's a meaningful day for his country. "This is, [...]
China has a rapidly increasing elderly population the growth rate for which has been rarely seen before in the world. That's according to the World Bank's Lead Economist for China, Philip O'Keefe. People over the age of 60 now account for 13.3% of the population, a trend fuelled, in part, by the one-child policy. With [...]
Almost 500,000 children in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya are suffering from imminent, life-threatening severe malnutrition. With the crisis in the region being fuelled by drought, soaring food prices and conflict in Somalia, an estimated 10 million people are in need of humanitarian aid. The Director of UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), Anthony Lake is in Nairobi [...]
Some 84,000 people have fled fighting betweeen the Pakistan military and insurgents in the North-western region, according to the United Nations refugee agency. UNHCR is already handing out tents, and emergency supplies in camps in Central Kurram, but says it will increase aid to reach the newly displaced. Malaysian government risks undermining democratic progress The [...]
Libya will be on the agenda when NATO members meet Friday in Istanbul, Turkey. The Libya contact group meeting includes officials from more than 40 nations and the UN involved in the operation. They will be discussing the UN resolution to protect civilians, which gave NATO the authority to use aerial bombings in the country. [...]
The Republic of South Sudan is now the 193rd member state of the United Nations. The General Assembly passed the resolution, introduced by South Africa Thursday, by consensus. In welcoming Africa's newest nation, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the country still needs to broker peace with its northern neighbour Sudan, from which it seceded. "It is imperative [...]
NARRATOR: The World Bank Board of Directors approved a US$5 million zero-interest credit to help Grenada strengthen its conditional cash transfer program. As a result, the project will improve coverage of poor households receiving cash transfers provided children go to school and to health check-ups. Minister of Finance, Planning, Economy, Energy and Cooperatives, Nazim Burke, [...]
More civilians in Afghanistan are being killed by the Taliban and other insurgent groups using improvised explosive devices or IEDs. A new report from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, UNAMA, shows civilian casualties up 15% from the same time last year. It finds the Taliban and other insurgent groups responsible for about 80% of [...]
NARRATOR: AIDS drugs designed to treat HIV can also be used to reduce dramatically the risk of infection among heterosexual couples, two studies conducted in Africa showed for the first time on Wednesday. The findings add to growing evidence that the type of medicines prescribed since the mid-1990s to treat people who are already sick [...]
• South Sudan is this week becoming the 193rd member of the Untied Nations. This follows a Security Council recommendation that the General Assembly admit the newest nation as a member of the United Nations family.The Vice President of South Sudan says his country will be a responsible member of the international community. West Africa [...]
A temporary, or what has been called a "less than permanent" solution, could lead to a permanent solution of the Middle East controversy. Kiyo Akasaka, head of the UN Department of Public Information, told Gerry Adams that suggestion, which might involve short-term agreements on territories, refugees or Jerusalem, was one of many discussed at an [...]
Terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India that caused numerous deaths and injuries on Wednesday, have been condemned by the UN Security Council. German Ambassador Peter Wittig, who is the council President for the month says members send their condolences to the victims' families, and to the people and Government of India. "The members of the Security [...]
11 million people in the Horn of Africa affected by drought are receiving some form of aid from the United Nations, including food, water and sanitation. The UN says the cycle of recurring crises will continue if long term measures are not put in place. At a UN food security meeting in New York participants [...]
More than 190 people have died following an outbreak of cholera in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The World Health organization (WHO) says at least 3,200 cases have been reported since March. Charles Appel reports. The cholera outbreak started in Kisangani then spread downstream along the Congo River all the way to the capital [...]
The perception of the world about the Arab people may significantly change. The "Arab spring" may be influencing the Israeli-Palestinian peace process in a positive way, says Kiyo Akasaka. The head of the UN Department of Public Information is attending an international media seminar on Middle East peace. He told UN Radio one topic of [...]
A project is underway to upgrade the early warning system for flooding in Pakistan. Last year, nearly 2,000 people were killed from heavy monsoon rains in the South Asian nation. The project by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) also encourages the development of safer homes and buildings. Last year's rains left [...]
A pill aimed at reducing the risk of acquiring HIV has shown promising results with 73% of HIV-negative people tested not catching the virus. Two studies involving heterosexual couples in Africa where one partner is infected with HIV and the other is not, shows that the risks of transmission reduced for both men and women. [...]
South Sudan is set to become the 193rd member of the Untied Nations after the Security Council recommended its admission to the world body. The newest African nation declared its independence from Sudan on 9 July after over two decades of civil war between north and South Sudan. Derrick Mbatha has compiled this report. Duration: [...]
The UN food agency is considering going back to areas in southern Somalia controlled by the anti-government group Al-Shabab after the militants called for aid agencies to return. The World Food Programme or WFP pulled out of the region last year after threats to the lives of its workers. Julie Walker reports. WFP says with [...]
The production of and funding for renewable energy has increased, despite the global economic crisis, The "Renewables 21: Global Status Report" published by the UN environment programme, UNEP, shows that the sector continues to perform well despite incentive cuts and low natural-gas prices. In 2010, renewable energy supplied an estimated 16% of global consumption. Also, [...]
The UN Security Council has recommended The Republic of South Sudan for membership of the world body. The full General Assembly will vote Thursday to make the new nation the 193rd member of the UN. South Sudan officially declared independence from Sudan July 9 after decades of civil war between the two sides. The [...]
A new pill has shown to be effective in reducing the risk of contracting HIV by 73%. The study was done by the University of Washington. It involved over 4700 couples in Kenya and Uganda, where one partner had HIV and the other did not. Both the World Health Organization and the UN organisation, UNAIDS, [...]
The UN Security Council has recommended South Sudan for membership of the world body. The full General Assembly would then vote to make the new nation the 193rd member of the UN. South Sudan officially declared independence from Sudan July 9 after decades of civil war between the two countries. However, there is still insecurity [...]
A desperate picture of the humanitarian situation caused by the drought in the Horn of Africa has been described by the UN's humanitarian coordinator. Valerie Amos has just visited the region and has been talking of the "terrible stories" of human suffering that she came across. The Horn of Africa is experiencing the worst drought [...]
Attacks on schools and hospitals by security forces or armed groups have devastating consequences on children's lives and on their communities. In a move to prevent such attacks, the UN Security Council has decided to declare hospitals and schools safe havens for children. Derrick Mbatha reports. Duration: 3’11″ Related Story: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=39013&Cr=children&Cr1=armed+conflict Related Press Release: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2011/sgsm13698.doc.htm
Recent attacks against the US and French embassies in Damascus, Syria have been condemned by members of the UN Security Council . Diplomats were wounded in the attacks and embassy premises were damaged. Diplomatic missions are protected under the 1961 Vienna Convention. The Council is calling on the Syrian authorities to protect diplomatic property and [...]
The gravity and seriousness of the drought in the Horn of Africa should not be underestimated, according to the UN's humanitarian coordinator. Valerie Amos has just returned from a trip to the region where she was able to talk to people affected by the severe drought and food shortages. She says she was most affected [...]
The decision by the West African country, Senegal, not to repatriate former Chadian dictator Hissène Habré has been welcomed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Spokesman Rupert Colville says there were concerns that Habré would not get a fair trial in Chad and that he could be tortured. [...]
230 migrants and over 40 wounded people have been evacuated by boat to the Libyan city of Benghazi, according to the International Organization for Migration. The IOM says the latest rescue operation was necessary to ease overcrowding and rising tensions in camps located in Misrata. The evacuees were mainly men from West Africa and Asia. [...]
The situation in West Africa is "not fully stable", according to Said Djinnit, the head of the United Nations Office for West Africa. Mr. Djinnit says there have been "some positive developments" since his last briefing to the Security Council on the region in December 2010. He told Jean-Pierre Ramazzani that despite successes in ending [...]
Over 10 million people are facing severe food shortages in the Horn of Africa following the region's worst drought in 60 years. Both conflict and drought have been driving people to seek food and better circumstances. Antonio Guterres, High Commissioner of the UN refugee agency UNHCR, recently visited Ethiopia and Kenya and has appealed for [...]
Some 84,000 people have fled fighting betweeen the Pakistan military and insurgents in the North-western region, according to the UN's refugee agency, UNHCR is already handing out tents, and emergency supplies in camps in Central Kurram, but says it will increase aid to reach the newly displaced. UNHCR spokesperson Ariane Rummery spoke to Daniel Dickinson about the agency’s recent [...]
Efforts are being scaled up to reach thousands of people fleeing recent fighting in north-western Pakistan. The UN's refugee agency says 84,000 people are believed to have been uprooted by the recent Pakistan military operations to flush out insurgents in the region. Central Kurram, the tribal belt bordering Afghanistan, is the latest scene of fighting. [...]
Hospitals and schools have been declared safe havens by the United Nations Security Council. In a resolution unanimously adopted on Tuesday, the Council calls for all parties who attack such facilities to be held accountable. Schools have become the target of violent attacks or threats by both state and non-state forces in at least 31 countries [...]
African countries need to develop their manufacturing sectors in order to create jobs and wealth and combat poverty. That's according to the latest report of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The report says that Africa is losing ground in labour-intensive manufacturing which is considered the [...]
At least 72 Yemeni children have been killed during pro-democracy protests since February, according to the UN's Children's Fund. UNICEF is reiterating its call to all parties involved in the conflict to protect children from all harm. Spokesperson Marixie Mercado says most of the deaths have taken place in major towns. "Over 700 children have [...]
The situation in Sudan's South Kordofan region remains 'unpredictable' as heavy bombardments continue in and around the main towns of Kadugli and Delami, the UN's humanitarian agency OCHA says. More than 2,000 people have been reportedly displaced from Delami, a town 100 kilometers north-east from Kadugli. Assessments are ongoing to determine their needs, according to [...]
An outbreak of measles and cholera is sweeping across the Democratic Republic of Congo according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The diseases have already claimed over 2,500 lives. WHO says efforts to contain the outbreaks through vaccination campaigns and provision of hygiene kits have been hampered by lack of adequate funding. The measles outbreak [...]
Millions of people in Somalia and the Horn of Africa face a dire hunger crisis unless the international community steps up its efforts to address the severe food shortages in the region, according to UN experts. Shamsul Bari UN Human rights expert on Somalia and Olivier de Schutter UN Expert on the right to food [...]
Supporting peace, stability and development will be the UN's "main mission" in South Sudan according to the United Nations top envoy to the newly independent country. South Sudan celebrated independence on July 9th after splitting from its northern neighbour, the Republic of Sudan. Hilde Johnson, the Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan [...]
Ethiopia, along with other countries in the region is experiencing a devastating drought. Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, says as of June an estimated 3.2 million people were receiving food assistance throughout Ethiopia and increase of 400,000 from February to April of this year. Amos says today the government announced [...]
A political solution is needed in Libya. That's the message the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy delivered to both the Libyan Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister during recent meetings in Tripoli. Abdel Al-Khatib says a settlement must address the legitimate demands and aspirations of the people who are demanding Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi to leave [...]
Access to clean water and adequate sanitation is not available to everyone in Namibia, says Catarina de Albuquerque, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights to water and sanitation. She has just concluded a week-long visit to the country, where an innovative toilet invented in Namibia may be the key to improved sanitation. She spoke [...]
The Malaysian government's violent response to demonstrators demanding free and fair elections needs to be investigated according to the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Frank La Rue says democratic progress is being undermined by the government. On Saturday, security authorities used tear gas and water cannons on [...]
In October, the 7 billionth baby will be born, making the world population, 7 billion. In conjunction with World Population Day Monday July 11, the United Nations Population Fund or UNFPA and its global partners are launching the 7 Billion Actions" campaign. The aim is to come up with programs to take on the challenges [...]
The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression wants to conduct an inquiry into the Malaysian governments violent response to demonstrators demanding free and fair elections. On Saturday security authorities used tear gas and water cannons on peaceful protestors, reportedly leading to one death and scores of injuries. They also [...]
The Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights says she now has a much better picture of the challenges faced by Haitians in their everyday lives. Kyung-wha Kang made her comments to reporters at the end of a 5-day visit to the country during which she held discussions on the situation of human rights in the [...]
Four Afghans working on clearing landmines and other explosive remnants of war were brutally executed in the Farah province of Afghanistan, says the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The deminers were abducted along with a group of thirty one individuals on 6 July, where they were singled out and murdered. UNAMA says attacks on [...]
After the euphoria following South Sudan's declaration of independence on 9 July, the world's newest nation has many challenges ahead. That's according to Hilde Johnson, the head of the UN Mission in South Sudan. Maintaining peace with its northern neighbour, Sudan, which it seceded from, is one of the critical challenges that the new Republic [...]
The Secretary-General’s special envoy for Libya has just returned from the country's capital Tripoli where he raised the idea of a peaceful transition with the government there. spoke to both the Libyan Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. Jocelyne Sambira reports. The UN's special envoy to Libya, Abdul al-Khatib stressed the need for a political solution [...]
An attempt to revive the stalled Mideast peace process is underway in Washington, DC. Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have been stalled since last year following Israel's refusal to extend a 10-month freeze on settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory. The meeting comes at a time when Palestinian leaders are pushing for UN recognition as a [...]
On the 31st of October the world will reach 7 billion people. That's the projection from the United Nations Population Fund or UNFPA on this World Population Day, July 11. While it's a once in a lifetime milestone, it's also an opportunity for the UN to push for better mechanisms to take care of those [...]
South Sudan is faced with enormous challenges as a newly independent state according to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The country has split from its northern neighbour, the Republic of Sudan, following decades of conflict between the north and south of the country. Speaking at the independence ceremony held on Saturday in the capital, [...]
South Sudan has become the newest country in the world following an independence ceremony in the capital Juba. South Sudan is splitting from its northern neighbour, the Republic of Sudan following decades of conflict between the north and south of the country. The ceremony on Saturday was the culmination of a process which began with [...]
The flag of the world's newest nation, South Sudan, has been raised at an independence ceremony in the capital Juba. Thousands of people celebrated the birth of their country on Saturday. South Sudan became independent after a referendum in January which was part of a peace process that brought an end to a decades [...]
The people of South Sudan have been celebrating independence and the formation of the world's newest nation. The new country's flag was raised at a ceremony in the capital Juba on Saturday morning. South Sudan became independent after a referendum in January in which the south voted unanimously to separate from the north of Sudan. [...]
While focusing on the humanitarian recovery, the International Monetary Fund is also concerned about the economic impact the earthquake and tsunami disaster has had on Japan. Hyun-Sung Khang of the IMF spoke to Kenneth Kang, a member of the IMF's Japan Country Team, who says while Japan is recovering faster than expected, it still has [...]
Three hundred and seventy stranded Chadian migrants, mainly women and children have been airlifted out of the Southern Libyan town of Sebha back to Chad. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says this is the first evacuation operation by a plane it has chartered in Libya where fighting continues between government and opposition forces. IOM [...]
1. A new book "Poor Poverty: The Impoverishment of Analysis, Measurement and Policies" argues that without sustained productive job creation, poverty policies and programmes will not succeed. . 2. The second session comprises the interview with the Head of UNFPA Indonesia, Jose Ferraris. He talks about the importance of building the capacity of midwives to [...]
News and features from United Nations Radio.
While focusing on the humanitarian recovery, the International Monetary Fund is also concerned about the economic impact the earthquake and tsunami disaster has had on Japan. Hyun-Sung Khang of the IMF spoke to Kenneth Kang, a member of the IMF's Japan Country Team, who says while Japan is recovering faster than expected, it still has [...]
Grenada is one of the world´s major producers and exporters of nutmeg and mace. The nutmeg industry has made significant contribution to the economic development, employment creation and foreign exchange earnings. However, the hurricanes Ivan and Emily in 2004 and 2005 have devastated the nutmeg sector and led to a dramatic decline of nutmeg production [...]
United Nations aid agencies have made an urgent appeal for financial support to assist millions of people affected by the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the horn of Africa. UN Refugee agency UNHCR, UNICEF and the World Food Programme(WFP) say they were running out of funds to assist the estimated 10 million people now facing severe food shortages [...]
Over two million children in the Horn of Africa are malnourished and in need of urgent life saving food assistance according to the United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF. Of these, half a million are facing imminent life threatening conditions with long lasting consequences to their physical and mental development. UNICEF says it was seeking to [...]
Grenada shares in the progress made in the battle against HIV and AIDS. That's what Health Minister Anne Peters told a recent high-level meeting on HIV and AIDS at UN headquarters. But she was quick to add that a comprehensive response to HIV and AIDS is still a challenge, due mainly to taboo and stigmatization, [...]
Thursday this week saw the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding to launch the international design competition for the Permanent Memorial at the United Nations to honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. In an effort to acknowledge the tragedy of slavery, racial prejudice and the lingering consequences of the centuries-long [...]
While women still face barriers when it comes to equality with men, significant progress has been made. Those are the findings of the first major report from the newly formed UN Women, which is committed to gender equality and women's empowerment. The report, Progress of the World's Women: In Pursuit of Justice, finds governments need [...]
News and features from United Nations Radio.
Global efforts to reduce the number of people living in poverty have not been dampened by the global economic downturn and the high food and energy prices according to the latest UN Millennium Development Goals report. The report says 15 per cent of the global population will be living in poverty by 2015, which is well [...]
• As South Sudan prepares for its independence on 9 July, humanitarian challenges such as food shortages and displacement remain. Many of the 1.4 million people living in South Kordofan border state between the north and the south are in need of humanitarian aid. There is also the issue of the citizenship of the people [...]
Food is crucial to achieving the Millennium Development Goals set by world leaders in 2000 to eradicate extreme poverty by 2015, according to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Speaking at a meeting of civil society on food security and sustainable development in Madrid, Spain, Mr. Ban said that food is also a matter of peace [...]
News and features from United Nations Radio.
More than a million children and adults in Europe and Central Asia are living in long-term residential care, according to a recent UN report. Hundreds of thousands of babies with disabilities are routinely placed in state-run homes. Many suffer neglect and live in appalling conditions, the report says. The UN's Children's Fund and the Office [...]
One point nine trillion dollars a year will be needed in the next two to three decades for a complete green technological transformation. That's according to the UN's economic arm, UN-DESA that studies global economic and social trends globally. Business as usual is not an option, the agency says. If nothing is done, the Earth will [...]
News and features from United Nations Radio.
Many of the 1.4 million people living at the border between north and South Sudan are in need of humanitarian aid, according to United Nations Office of Humanitarian Assistance. As South Sudan prepares to declare its independence from the north on July 9th, UN humanitarian organizations are expressing concern of food shortages and displaced persons. [...]
Libya is facing a critical shortage of drugs, vaccines and other essential medical supplies according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The last international procurement of medical supplies by Libya was made in January before the start of the on going political crisis. WHO says it was in negotiations with the UN Security Council Sanction [...]
Aid agencies say Somali children under the age of five are facing starvation as they flee with their families across the border into Kenya and Ethiopia. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) says severely malnourished children are dying within 24 hours of reaching its refugee camps. The agency says the situation is Somalia, which has [...]
Humanitarian needs in the Nafusa mountains remain serious, according to aid workers returning from an assessment mission in the area. The town of Wazin in Western Libya has been the scene of heavy fighting and the town has suffered significant damage, according to Brendan McDonald, Head of OCHA in Libya. It is the first time [...]
The number of refugees in need of third country resettlement is expected to reach 780,000 over the next three years according to the UN Refugee agency UNHCR. The increase is against only 80,000 resettlement places available each year. UNHCR says many vulnerable refugees will remain in an agonizing limbo unless countries increase the number of [...]
Lack of funding is stalling the global target on education for all by 2015, according to the United Nations. 16 billion dollars is required annually to meet education needs in low income countries but donors invested only 4.7 billion dollars in 2008. Speaking at the start of the UN Economic and Social Council(ECOSOC) meeting in [...]
"World War Z" book about UN agent being made into movie A novel about an agent of the fictional United Nations Postwar Commission. is about to become a Hollywood movie starring Brad Pitt. The book, "World War Z", deals with socially conscious issues that author Max Brook's says need to be told, not just by [...]
The Responsibility to Protect, or R2P, focuses on the international community's responsibility to prevent and halt four crimes – genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing. Agreed on in 2005 at the United Nations World Summit, the principle is now being discussed in relation to Libya. Gerry Adams asked Edward Luck, the United [...]
Musical history has been made at the United Nations General Assembly after military bands from the United States and China held their first ever joint concert. This musical and military exchange between the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" and the Military Band of the People's Liberation Army of China seeks to foster cooperation and [...]
67 million children worldwide aren't in school, according to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Making primary education accessible to all is one of the main issues that will be discussed at a high-level meeting which begins in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday. Eleven countries from Bangladesh and Malawi to Belarus and Venezuela will give [...]
Twenty-five natural and cultural sites have been added to the World Heritage list compiled by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. They range from the Ningaloo Coast, located in a remote part of Australia, which includes one of the longest near-shore reefs in the world to the Wudalianchi National Park in China. [...]
140 million people across Europe are without access to safe drinking water and sanitation. That's according to Jean Rodriguez of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). He says most of these people are living in countries with economies in transition and have lower levels of access to water and sanitation compared with Western Europe. [...]
Twenty-five unique sites from around the globe have been added to the World Heritage list put out by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. They range from the Ningaloo Coast, located in a remote part of Australia, which includes one of the longest near-shore reefs in the world to the Wudalianchi National [...]
Some 215 million children are involved in hazardous work across the globe according to the International Labour Organization, which is actively fighting to bring that number down. India has the largest number of child workers, despite laws to eradicate this, the practice continues. But, the ILO along with various local labor groups are working to [...]
News and features from United Nations Radio.
New Security Council President pushes resolution protecting schools and hospitals The UN Security Council President for the month of July says he will propose a resolution to protect schools and hospitals in places of conflict. German Ambassador Peter Wittig says tougher measures are needed, possibly even sanctions, to make sure these places are not targets [...]
Two people have been killed at the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya as rioting broke out over the demolition of illegal food–distribution structures. The camp was constructed 20 years ago to house refugees fleeing the conflict in Somalia. Now it is home to some 370,000 people. Emmanuel Nyabera is a spokesman for the UN refugee [...]
The authorities in Texas in the United States have been urged by the UN to halt the planned execution of a Mexican national. Humberto Leal Garcia was sentenced to death in 1995 by a Texan court for the kidnapping, rape and murder of a 16 year old girl. He is due to be executed on [...]
One in three children in Somalia is severely malnourished, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). South Somalia is the worst drought affected area in the Horn of Africa, where aid is severely restricted because of the ongoing conflict. Humanitarian conditions are the worst they have been in a decade, according to UNICEF's Marixie Mercado. "Right [...]
Two refugees have been shot and killed and dozens injured following rioting at the Dadaab refugee camp in north-eastern Kenya. The UN Refugee agency UNHCR which runs the camp says the rioting broke out as local police sought to disperse crowds protesting the closure of illegal food distribution structures that have sprung up around the camp. [...]
At least 121 women were raped by soldiers from the DR Congo army in South Kivu Province in June this year, according to the UN Human rights office. The incident is reported to have taken place between the 11 and 12 of June in Nyakiele Village which is located in a very remote area of [...]
Peter Wittig The UN Security Council has a new President for the month of July, German Ambassador Peter Wittig. He says Libya and Syria are likely to be at the top of the Council's agenda as the two countries and others in the Middle East and North Africa continue to experience insecurity. But, Ambassador Wittig [...]
The protection of children in conflict and climate security will be high on the UN Security Council's agenda, says German Ambassador to the United Nations, Peter Wittig. Germany is presiding over the UN's main organ responsible for the maintenance of peace and security in July. Ambassador Wittig says conflicts like Sudan, Syria and Libya will [...]
