Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has been awarded the Agricola Medal by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The medal, the highest award given by FAO, was presented by the agency's Director-General, José Graziano da Silva in Beijing on Tuesday. Gerry Adams reports. Presenting the Agricola Medal, FAO Chief José Graziano da Silva said it [...]
Somalia has a chance to get out a "failed state syndrome", according to United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson. Mr. Eliasson briefed reporters on Tuesday about the activities at the United Nations during the past ten days when world leaders gathered in New York for the annual debate in the General Assembly. He said one [...]
A programme to reduce the number of women who die during childbirth in Tanzania has met with success. Bloomberg Philanthropies is funding the programme to train health workers in Tanzania, particularly in rural areas. At a UN press conference on Tuesday Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete thanked Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York for his [...]
In the wake of the global economic crisis, some countries implemented policies aimed at stimulating economic growth. However, these moves have not been successful in bringing about recovery. The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) recently released a report which explores the links between the global economy, income distribution, growth and development. Dianne Penn [...]
The assassination of a local parliamentarian in The Maldives has been condemned by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Afrasheem Ali was stabbed outside his home on Tuesday. The IPU calls his death the latest and most tragic act of violence in the island nation stemming from the resignation of the democratically-elected President in February. Dianne Penn [...]
The International Day of Non-Violence observed on 2 October coincides with the birthday of renowned Indian leader, Mahatma Gandhi. The observance promotes non-violence through education and public awareness. At an event to commemorate the day in New York, Indian Foreign Minister Shri S.M. Krishna said Mahatma Gandhi was impatient for change, yet he shunned violence [...]
A special meeting marking the 15th anniversary of the Chemical Weapons Convention took place at the United Nations on Monday. The Chemical Weapons Convention is an arms control agreement which outlaws the production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons. The Convention was many decades in the making, said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, but only entered [...]
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has condemned the killing of a Member of Parliament in the Maldives earlier on Tuesday. The IPU says the death of Afrasheem Ali is the latest and most tragic act of violence in a country that has been in a political crisis since the start of the year. Charles Appel reports. [...]
The number of Syrians registered or awaiting registration as refugees in four neighbouring countries has increased three-fold in just three months, according to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR). The agency says there are now more than 300,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq compared to around 100,000 in June. UNHCR spokesperson Adrian [...]
Indigenous communities in Namibia are demanding greater inclusion in decision-making at all levels, according to the United Nations independent expert on the rights of indigenous people. James Anaya says indigenous people also want increased educational opportunities and full recognition of traditional authorities representing minority communities. Professor Anaya says there are government initiatives for the development [...]
The UN General Assembly wrapped up its annual debate on Monday evening after hearing from leaders from around the world. More than 190 heads of State and Government, Vice presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers and heads of delegations expressed their views on the current state of the world. In closing remarks General Assembly President Vuk [...]
Over 1,000 Sub- Saharan African migrants stranded in Morocco are to be repatriated back to their countries of origin under a voluntary programme to be undertaken by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The organization says the migrants mainly from Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal and Cote d'Ivoire were most likely smuggled into Morocco with the intention [...]
Several prominent human rights defenders, journalists and political activists have been arrested and detained in Iran in what the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) says is a severe clamp down on critical voices in the country. Among those arrested is Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, from the Centre for Human Rights Defenders. Mr. Dadkhah has been detained [...]
