For decades, the Arab nomadic community of Rezeigat from the North of Sudan and the Dinka Ngok and Malual from Aweil North East, have been able to trade and graze their cattle in each others land. But that free movement became restricted when South Sudan attained its independence from Sudan in July 2011, and subsequently [...]
The Security Council on Thursday adopted a resolution that calls for sanctions against groups in Mali that are connected to Al-Qaida. The Council also expressed serious concern about the insecurity and humanitarian situation in the country, which is leading to an increasing number of displaced people, as well as refugees in neighbouring states. Colombian Ambassador [...]
•The fabled city of Timbuktu and its 15th century tombs are in imminent danger of destruction as fighting continues in Mali. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is so concerned, it placed Timbuktu on its list of World Heritage in Danger. UNESCO is calling on all parties in Mali to safeguard the site, [...]
The UN's top official in South Sudan says the country has been through a tough first year and it's not over yet. Hilde Johnson, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for South Sudan, says internal violence, tensions with its northern neighbor and economic insecurity are the major challenges. The nation, which declared independence from Sudan, will mark [...]
A UN child rights expert has commended Somalia for signing an agreement ending the recruitment of child soldiers. Radhika Coomeraswamy, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children in Armed Conflict, hopes it will lead to the youngsters' reintegration into society. Coomeraswamy spoke about the agreement during her final press briefing in New York on [...]
Financial needs of developing countries have long outstripped the willingness and ability of donors to provide aid, says a UN financial report released Thursday. It is time, says the report, to find other ways to finance development needs and new global challenges. Gerry Adams reports Duration: 2’31″
Despite the global economic and financial crisis, foreign direct investment (FDI) world-wide reached $1.5 trillion in 2011, surpassing pre-crisis levels. That information comes in the World Investment Report, released on Thursday by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). However, the report predicts growth will level off to $1.6 trillion this year. James Zhan [...]
The United Nations is calling for a mechanism that would fund development projects and help countries respond to challenges such as climate change. The proposal comes in this year's World Economic and Social Survey which says innovative financing could bring in $400 billion a year. The report notes that recent financial challenges have led many [...]
The allocation of development finance as well as South-South cooperation and other new forms of partnership are on the agenda of the 2012 Development Cooperation Forum which opened on Thursday. The two-day forum is an initiative of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), where economic, social and environmental issues are debated. ECOSOC president [...]
The UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) is consolidating its efforts to better support the Syrian people, according to mission chief Major-General Robert Mood. UNSMIS suspended operations in mid-June due to the escalation of violence, and General Mood said personnel and assets will be relocated from some cities to boost the mission's presence in other [...]
The first year of independence for South Sudan has been a tough one, according to the senior UN official in the country. Hilde Johnson, head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), said deadly unrest in the country's largest state, Jonglei, and tensions with neighbouring Sudan, were among the challenges. She was speaking at [...]
The Food Price Index has fallen for the third consecutive month, reaching its lowest level since September 2010. That information comes from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) which measures the monthly change in average international prices of a basket of 55 food commodities. FAO says the index is now more than 15 percent [...]
