Developing nations are looking to Dubai for "inspiration" on how to make the UN global agenda for sustainable development a reality, the Director of the UN South-South Cooperation has said. The city is often referred to as the "commercial capital and tourism centre" of the United Arab Emirates or UAE. Delegates at the 2016 Global [...]
"Transform world" through cities "To transform our world, we must transform its cities;" that's the message from the UN Secretary-General on World Cities Day marked annually on October 31. Globally, more than half of all people live in cities and human settlements, and that proportion is projected to grow to two thirds by 2050. The [...]
The use of the internet to promote cigarettes has been identified as one of the biggest challenges to global efforts to reduce smoking, UN health experts said Monday. In a call for action ahead of an international meeting on tobacco control, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that countries should work more closely together to [...]
Support to the International Criminal Court (ICC) must remain "strong" and countries should retain their membership, the president of the court has urged. Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi made the appeal to UN Member States on Monday, during a presentation of her annual report. Last week, three African countries — South Africa, Burundi and Gambia, announced [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Jocelyne Sambira and Daniel Dickinson. In today's programme: The President of the International Criminal Court has urged three African countries not to withdraw from the tribunal And: 300 million children globally are breathing toxic air
Refugee agency plans to double cash aid by 2020 An ambitious plan to double the amount of cash assistance to refugees has been announced by the UN. On Monday the UN Refugee Agency said the measure is needed,because an increasing number of forcibly displaced people now live in urban areas, where cash is [...]
Political leaders in Yemen have been told there are "no winners in war" and have been urged by the UN to agree to a new roadmap for peace. The Gulf state descended into conflict after Shia Houthi rebels seized the capital Sana'a in 2014 and forced the government to move most of its operations to [...]
More than five million people in Somalia do not have enough to eat and over a million require life-saving aid, the head of the UN food agency in the country has said. The World Food Programme (WFP) and its partners are stepping up efforts to help communities cope with a severe drought exacerbated by El [...]
Approximately 300 million children, or one in seven youngsters globally, are living in areas of the world with the most toxic levels of outdoor air pollution, according to a report by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). Air pollution is linked to pneumonia and other respiratory diseases that can kill children or affect their development, with [...]
The UN Special Envoy for Syria has said he is "appalled and shocked" by the high number of rockets launched into the western part of Syria's Aleppo city in the last 48 hours. The war in Syria has been raging for the last five years. Since March 2011, over a quarter of a million people [...]
If the voices of slum-dwellers are ignored in the New Urban Agenda for world cities, adopted by UN Member States in October, then it "will fail". That's according to José Lobo, of Arizona State University in the United States, who partners with the Slum Dwellers International network, based in 32 countries around the world. He [...]
An appeal for dialogue has been made by the UN to warring parties in the Central African Republic following the deaths of 25 people over the past days. The African country continues to endure a three-year long political crisis, with deadly clashes between rival groups. Daniel Dickinson has more details. Violence has increased recently, particular [...]
A photography project which aims to give refugees and migrants their identity back has opened at UN Headquarters in New York. The photographs in the "I AM with them" exhibition were taken by Anne A-R as she walked alongside people from Sudan, Iraq, Syria and Afganisatn across Europe over a period of three months. Isabelle [...]
Reported attack on western Aleppo school condemned A reported attack on a school in the Syrian government-held western part of Aleppo city on Friday, which killed a number of children, has been condemned as a possible war crime by the UN Secretary-General. In a statement, Ban Ki-moon said that those responsible for such attacks "must [...]
Lack of a "large ransom" delayed the release of 26 hostages held by Somali pirates for nearly five years, according to a representative from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The hostages were crew members of the FV Naham 3, an Omani-flagged fishing vessel which had been hijacked by the Somali pirates, off [...]
A free mobile app which guides visitors around more than 65 art and architectural works on display at UN Headquarters has been launched. According to Vincenzo Pugliese, Chief of UN Guided Tours, the app will "enhance visitors' experience" and give insight into the artworks donated by Member States. More than 1,000 visitors take a tour [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Dianne Penn and Matthew Wells. In today's programme: Forced relocations and executions as operation to liberate Mosul continues And: The challenge of providing safe and efficient transportation systems
Transportation plays a critical role in a country's development by facilitating the means for workers to get to their jobs and for goods to reach markets. Yet, providing citizens with access to safe, affordable and efficient modes of transport remains a challenge for governments and the industry. That's according to international experts appointed by the [...]
Tens of thousands of people living in areas surrounding the Iraqi city of Mosul are being used as human shields by ISIL as the battle to retake the city from the extremist group rages on. That's according to the UN human rights office (OHCHR) which reported that in one incident this week, ISIL killed more [...]
The announcement by three African countries of their intent to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) sends a "wrong message" according to the UN Secretary-General. Ban Ki-moon, speaking in the Security Council chamber on Friday, said that pulling out of the court undermined the commitment to justice on the part of South Africa, Gambia, [...]
Italian lawmakers urged to pass bill supporting refugee children: UNICEF Italian lawmakers have been urged by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), to pass a "historic" bill which would strengthen support and protection for a record number of unaccompanied refugee and migrant children. At least 20,000 of them, together with those separated from their families, [...]
Landowners, farmers and individuals from the indigenous communities in Australia are susceptible to "harassment" by mining companies, a UN independent expert has said. UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Defenders, Michel Forst, who has just concluded a working visit to the country, said that these companies often play a "tricky" role, as the farmers fight [...]
Being a woman and a human rights defender in Pakistan is "risky" a young activist who founded a non-profit called "Aware Girls" with her sister when she was just fifteen. Saba Ismail grew up in the conservative Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan before "violent religious extremism" became an international buzzword. [...]
Calais camp conditions "more dangerous than ever": UNICEF Conditions inside a camp in Calais, France, which until this week was home to hundreds of refugees and migrants, have been described as "more dangerous than ever" for children. UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, said on Thursday that many children had been forced to sleep out in [...]
2017 is already looking like "another year of fear" for children caught up in conflict, and denied their rights to an education. That's according to the UN Special Envoy for Global Education, Gordon Brown, speaking at UN Headquarters on Thursday. He pledged to invest US$42 million in child protection and schooling to help 1.5 million [...]
ISIL human rights abuses emerge as Mosul campaign continues In Iraq, information continues to emerge of human rights violations committed by the terrorist group ISIL following the start of a military offensive to free the northern city of Mosul from its control. The UN mission in the country, UNAMI, said human rights monitors have received [...]
Although air travel accounts for less than two per cent of the emissions that contribute to global warming, the aviation industry is doing its part to protect the environment. That's according to the Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Dr Liu Fang. The aviation industry recently announced that from 2020, it will [...]
The fight against human trafficking is increasingly moving "centre stage" as an issue for the international community, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, (UNODC). The agency says that human trafficking affects every country of the world, as countries of origin, transit or destination. Andita Listyarini reports. UNODC says there are no firm [...]
Films, videos and sound recordings are a means to tell stories about the world's people while also reflecting their diversity. That's according to the UN cultural agency, UNESCO, which highlights their value on the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, observed on 27 October. The celebrations this year include a film festival in Myanmar that pays [...]
Human rights monitors have received reports of mass killings, abductions, recruitment of child soldiers and other abuses, as families continue to flee communities surrounding Mosul in Iraq. Government forces backed by allies have launched an offensive to free the northern city from the terrorist group ISIL. Basma Baghall has been speaking to Roueida El Hage, [...]
South Sudan at "tipping point" warns woman activist South Sudan is at a "tipping point" and might slide back into war, a young woman activist from the country has warned. Rita Lopidia Abraham, founder and Executive Director of EVE Organization for Women Development, briefed the UN Security Council on Tuesday during a women, peace and [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Jocelyne Sambira and Matthew Wells.
More than a million people in low and middle-income countries have been treated with "highly effective" new drugs for the disease hepatitis C, according to the World Health Organization. Many of the chronic sufferers treated, have been completely cured said WHO on Thursday, during the launch of a report detailing results of a two-year-old programme [...]
Killing of 22 children, 6 teachers in Syria school bombing "a war crime" The killing of 22 children along with six of their teachers in the Syrian city of Idlib, has been denounced as "a war crime" if it turns out the bombing was deliberate. That's the view of UN Children's Fund Executive Director, [...]
"We are not giving up" on evacuating the sick and wounded of eastern Aleppo, said the UN's humanitarian coordinator for Syria on Thursday. Jan Egeland regretted the failure of a UN plan to carry out the evacuation last weekend, and demanded that the warring parties in the siege of Aleppo, drop their conditions to allow [...]
A Ugandan woman has been speaking at the UN about how education has turned her life around, from being condemned by some as a "useless person" to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Beatrice Ayuru is the founder of Lira Integrated School, whose mission is to educate impoverished children in northern Uganda. Ms Ayuru, who at [...]
Humanitarians are taking a closer look at "neglected and protracted" refugee situations as well as new refugee flows under a global compact aimed at addressing challenges faced by people on the move, a senior UN official has said. Countries adopted the "New York Declaration" in September to protect and save the lives of refugees and [...]
Forgotten humanitarian crisis in north-east Nigeria A "forgotten crisis" is taking place in north-eastern Nigeria which the UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA) warns could be the worst on the African continent. Seven years of insecurity sparked by the terrorist group Boko Haram has affected up to 15 million people in four states, leading to mass [...]
“Incandescent with rage”, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator told members of the Security Council “the buck stops with you” when it comes to saving eastern Aleppo from total destruction. Stephen O’Brien used his monthly briefing on the Middle East, to tell the council that “selfish, inhuman interests” had “trumped the moral imperative” of ending Syria’s five-year-long [...]
US abstains for first time on General Assembly Cuba resolution The United States has abstained for the first time on a General Assembly resolution calling for an end to the US economic embargo on Cuba. The US embargo has been in place for more than 50 years, and for the 24 years that the [...]
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has paid tribute to colleagues from all UN agencies, funds and programmes, who have given their lives "in the service of peace." Speaking at the 5th Annual Memorial Service at UN headquarters on Wednesday, to honour those who have died serving the UN, he said there was "nothing more powerful than the [...]
A "forgotten crisis" is taking place in north-eastern Nigeria which the UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA) warns could be the worst on the African continent. Seven years of insecurity sparked by the terrorist group Boko Haram has affected up to 15 million people in four states, leading to mass displacement. It has also caused a [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Jocelyne Sambira and Matthew Wells. In today's programme: The UN secures tents to receive families fleeing the Iraqi city of Mosul; And: A "forgotten humanitarian crisis" is taking place in north-east Nigeria;
Thousands of tents have been airlifted to Iraq in anticipation of a large-scale displacement from the northern city of Mosul, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has confirmed. The agency says it is securing 50,000 tents and 50,000 emergency shelter kits for families on the move. A military offensive launched by government forces is underway to [...]
Violent protests in Central African Republic condemned by UN chief Violent protests in the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR) which left at least four civilians dead, have been condemned by the UN Secretary-General. The protests on Monday in Bangui, took place outside the headquarters of the UN Mission in CAR, known as MINUSCA. [...]
A study of 55 women members of parliament (MPs) from across the globe reveals that the majority have experienced death threats, rape threats and other forms of psychological violence. Furthermore, 20 per cent of the MPs reported that they have been slapped, pushed or struck by an object that could have caused injury, while 12 [...]
Afghanistan is being asked to intensify efforts to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of its citizens who have been displaced due to ongoing insecurity in the country. That recommendation has been made by the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Internally Displace People (IDPs). Chaloka Beyani has also urged the international community [...]
When it comes to the New Urban Agenda for world cities, action needs to start at "the base" and not come from the top-down. That's the passionate view of Alima Sagito, a grassroots campaigner from Ghana, speaking at the UN's Habitat III conference on the future of world cities, which took place recently in Quito, [...]
The death toll among refugees and migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea has reached an all-time high, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has reported. At least 3,740 lives have been lost so far this year compared to 3,771 for the whole of 2015, the highest number on record. Many of those making the journey [...]
The UN is determined to "do the right thing" on behalf of the Haitian people when it comes to the damaging effects of cholera and Hurricane Matthew. That's the pledge from Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, who said a package of measures would be presented soon to help eliminate the cholera outbreak which has affected an [...]
Removal of "Jungle" migrant camp in Calais underway The removal of a controversial migrant camp in Calais, France, known as the "Jungle" is underway. At its height the unofficial migrant settlement was home to 7,000 people, who were hoping to travel mainly to the UK. On Tuesday the destruction of the camp continued as [...]
Severely malnourished children in some parts of Yemen are surviving on bread alone most days of the week. That's what mothers told a team from the World Food Programme (WFP) which concluded a visit to the country on Tuesday. Fierce conflict between Yemeni government forces and rebels has raged more than a year, but access [...]
As the battle to liberate the Iraqi city of Mosul from the terrorist group ISIL intensifies, reports continue to emerge that the extremists are using civilians as "human shields." That's according to the UN human rights office which has received "very alarming information" that supports the belief that people living in areas near the city [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Jocelyne Sambira and Daniel Dickinson. In today's programme: Reports of ISIL atrocities surface as the battle for the Iraqi city of Mosul continues; And: an activist from South Sudan warns that her country is at a "tipping point";
South Sudan is at a "tipping point" and might slide back into war, a young woman activist from the country has warned. Rita Lopidia Abraham, founder and Executive Director of EVE Organization for Women Development, briefed the UN Security Council on Tuesday during a women, peace and security debate. Sixteen years ago, a resolution was [...]
The United Nations chief has said he is "ashamed" of atrocities committed against women around the world including those carried out by UN peacekeepers. Ban Ki-moon was speaking at a debate in the UN Security Council to mark the 16th anniversary of a key resolution on women, peace and security. Daniel Dickinson has more details. [...]
Alarm over rising hunger and malnutrition in Yemen In war-torn Yemen, fears are growing for vulnerable communities amid an expected shortage of humanitarian supplies, the UN said on Tuesday. The World Food Programme (WFP) which issued the warning, said that it has had to split rations in recent months to help a total of [...]
The risk of "outright violence" against the LGBT community is growing in cities but hopes are high that a newly-adopted agenda for future urban living will create more "safe spaces". That's the view of Cicely-Belle Blain, a Canadian youth worker, who was one of the delegates to the recent Habitat III conference on the future [...]
Some farmers in Guatemala have lost up to 80 per cent of their harvests this year due to changing weather patterns and poor rainfall, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) reports. The UN agency is supporting the construction of water collection tanks and use of improved agricultural practices that will allow farmers to produce [...]
Cities of the future will have an expanded "social safety net," including more "digital food" for the needy, according to the deputy chief of the World Food Programme (WFP). Deputy Executive Director, Amir Abdulla, was speaking at the recent Habitat III Conference on reshaping the cities and towns of the future, in Quito, Ecuador. He [...]
It is "deeply regrettable" that critically ill people have not been evacuated from the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo, despite calls from the UN and its partners in the past few days. That was the sentiment expressed by the UN Humanitarian Coordinator Stephen O'Brien in a statement released on Monday. A government offensive to take [...]
After a day of violent protest in the Central African Republic which left four dead on Monday, the UN Mission in the country, MINUSCA, says it will "stand firm" in carrying out its mandate. That's according to MINUSCA spokesperson, Vladimir Monteiro, speaking from the capital, Bangui. Four demonstrators were killed and 14 others were injured, [...]
Mosul operation displaces more than 7,000 so far Military operations to free the Iraqi city of Mosul from extremists have displaced more than 7,000 people so far, UN humanitarians in the country have reported. They described the situation as "fluid," with the numbers and patterns of displacement fluctuating among the various front lines of [...]
The world has fallen short in its efforts to support millions of people displaced within their own countries due to conflict or natural disasters, a senior UN humanitarian official has said. UN Deputy Relief Coordinator Kyung-wha Kang was speaking at a meeting in New York on Monday aimed at finding ways to better assist the [...]
Opium production in Afghanistan has increased by 43% according to a survey released on Monday by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). 4800 metric tons of opium has been produced in the past year, compared to 3300 metric tons during the previous year. The highly-addictive drug heroin is obtained from the 'opium poppy', a [...]
Using the arts to promote human rights and making change happen are the ambitious goals of one artist whose work has been unveiled in Geneva. Created by Spanish sculptor Cristóbal Gabarrón, "Enlightened Universe" is a monumental steel sphere that's surrounded by a spiral of 70 larger-than-life figurines. The piece has been erected by the lake [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Jocelyne Sambira and Dianne Penn. In today's programme: Somalia's Gaalkacyo "tense, volatile" as people continue to flee fighting And: Teenage author encourages children to stand up against bullies
The situation in Gaalkacyo, Somalia is "tense, volatile and has the potential to break out in renewed fighting" the head of the UN humanitarian agency in the country has said. Fighting in the area has continued for the third week, leaving 18 people dead and 60 injured since 7 October. Humanitarian partners estimate that more [...]
Paris Treaty points way to low-carbon growth: UN Day message The entry into force of the Paris Agreement on climate change marks humanity's best chance for "greener, cleaner, low-carbon growth," the UN Secretary-General has said. Ban Ki-moon's comments came in a message for United Nations Day, celebrated annually on 24 October, which marks the [...]
Heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere reached record levels in 2015, UN climate experts said Monday, and they've warned that things are likely to stay that way for generations to come. According to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the El Niño weather phenomenon was most to blame. The droughts it triggered limited [...]
Violence against women is "pervasive" in the Asia-Pacific region despite laws to prevent it, according to a senior official from the United Nations gender agency, UN Women. Many countries in the region have found it difficult to implement laws due to impunity for the perpetrators of crimes. UN Women is working with the authorities in [...]
"Saying something" is the first step to fight child bullying, says author and activist Aija Mayrock, who recently spoke at the UN. The 21-year-old was motivated by her own experience as a victim of this aggressive and coercive behavior in school to write a book entitled "The Survival Guide to Bullying". Ms Mayrock said that [...]
Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, some girls living in displacement camps resorted to trading sex in order to meet their basic needs. This is one example of how natural disasters have a disproportionate effect on women, according to the UN's gender entity, UN Women. As Haiti emerges from the wreckage of Hurricane Matthew, which [...]
Warring parties in Yemen are being urged by the UN special envoy for the country to renew an existing ceasefire for another 72-hours. A three-day halt in the fighting went into effect on Wednesday at midnight following a month of intense clashes between government forces and Houthi rebels. The truce is due to end late [...]
"Road networks have been built for cars and not to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians, making it unsafe for them." That's according to the director of the UN's Environment Programme (UNEP) in New York. In a UNEP study released this week, unsafe infrastructure for walking and cycling, has been contributing to the death of over one [...]
The cartoon and movie character Wonder Woman has been designated by the UN as an Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls. The designation is part of a campaign, in cooperation with DC Entertainment and Warner Bros., to raise awareness about Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality. Wonder Woman, one of the [...]
Plans to evacuate sick and injured in eastern Aleppo delayed Plans to evacuate the sick and injured in eastern Aleppo did not begin on Friday morning as planned, the UN Spokesperson has confirmed. The conditions were not in place to ensure a safe, secure and voluntary evacuation of these people and their families, humanitarians [...]
To combat urban crime, mayors and other city authorities should not only rely on the police services, but should also encourage community participation in safety and security efforts. That's according to Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, a former mayor of Kigali, Rwanda, and Deputy Executive Director at UN-Habitat, which promotes a sustainable urban future. Eighty cities across [...]
Some 350,000 people in eastern Cuba have been affected by Hurricane Matthew, according to a senior UN official in the country. UN Resident Coordinator Myrta Kaulard said debris left by the storm which struck earlier this month has made some hard-to-reach areas in Guantánamo province even more difficult to access. While 1,600 homes were destroyed, [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Dianne Penn and Jocelyne Sambira.
Horrific violence in Syria's Aleppo was the focus of an extraordinary session of the UN Human Rights Council on Friday, which ended with a call for a special inquiry into dramatic recent events in the city. Such so-called "special sessions" are rare, and indeed, this one was the only one to happen so far in [...]
Tax evasion across the world is "shocking" and costs governments some US$3 trillion every year, according to a UN independent expert. Governments, especially in developing countries, rely on taxes to support economic and social development. Alfred de Zayas is an Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order He's urging the [...]
The ceasefire in Yemen is "fragile but largely holding" the UN special envoy to the country announced on Friday. A 72-hour halt to the fighting began on Wednesday at midnight following a month of intense clashes between government forces and Houthi rebels. An estimated 12 million people in Yemen, nearly half of the population, are [...]
Spotlight on Aleppo as UN Human Rights Council re-opens for special session A special session of the UN Human Rights Council has got under way to highlight the plight of those affected by conflict in Syria's Aleppo. At the start of the meeting in Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein [...]
An electoral process in Somalia that has been described as "a big step forward" for the country is underway. It is being held to choose a parliament and president, with the hope that one-person, one-vote elections will take place in 2020. Michael Keating is the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia and head of the [...]
Popular support for the ceasefire in Colombia is "one of the happy developments" in the wake of the recent referendum there, the head of the UN mission in the country has said. The 2 October plebiscite saw Colombians narrowly rejecting a peace deal between the Government and FARC rebels aimed at ending five decades of [...]
The "unilateral pause" in the bombing in Syria announced by Russia on Thursday has been welcomed by the UN Secretary-General. Ban Ki-moon made the remarks during a special meeting on Syria in the UN General Assembly. The results of a military government offensive to take back eastern Aleppo have been "horrific," Mr Ban said. Jocelyne [...]
Haiti towns devastated by Hurricane Matthew continue to receive aid Humanitarians continue to deliver critical assistance to devastated areas in Les Cayes in Haiti, a spokesperson for the UN has said. Affected families received additional food by the World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday and further distributions are planned this week. So far, WFP [...]
US$21 billion "dividend" to keep 10-year old girls in school Developing countries around the world could reap a US$21 billion "dividend" if all 10-year old girls were able to finish secondary education. That's the finding of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in its State of the World Population Report for 2016. The report shows girls [...]
Somalia electoral season begins What's been described as a "complicated" electoral process is now underway in Somalia. The indirect elections are being held to choose a parliament and president, with hopes that one-person, one-vote elections will take place in 2020. Michael Keating is the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia and head of the UN [...]
New Urban Agenda guarantees rights of women and girls The rights of women and girls to enjoy full equality, living in safe and sustainable cities, are “guaranteed” under the New Urban Agenda adopted at the UN’s Habitat III conference. That’s according to Deputy Executive Director of UN Women Lakshmi Puri who has been attending the [...]
The adoption of a new agenda to transform the world’s cities will be “useless” unless countries and cities implement it. That’s the passionate view of Joan Clos, Secretary-General of the UN’s Habitat III conference which ends on Thursday in Quito, Ecuador. The once-every 20-years conference on Sustainable Urban Development has been focused on making cities [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Dianne Penn and Jocelyne Sambira. In today's programme: Medical evacuations set to begin amid pause in fighting in Aleppo, Syria And: Why 10-year-old girls are the face of the future
Walking and cycling can save lives and fight climate change Countries are being urged by the UN to invest at least 20 per cent of their transport budgets in walking and cycling infrastructure in order to save lives and combat climate change. Motorized transport is responsible for a quarter of global carbon dioxide emissions [...]
Medical evacuations of hundreds of sick and wounded people from Aleppo in Syria could begin on Friday, the UN has said. The development comes after the announcement of a temporary truce in the city between government forces and opposition militia. Speaking in Geneva, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura welcomed the pause in [...]
Developing countries around the world could reap a US$21 billion "dividend" if all 10-year old girls are able to finish secondary education. That's the finding of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in its State of the World Population Report for 2016. The report shows girls are less likely than boys to complete schooling and more [...]
Road safety is "a basic human right for children," according to the Malaysian-born actress and UN Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador, Michelle Yeoh. Some 500 children around the world die each day on dangerous roads and thousands more are injured. Hao Cheng caught up with Ms Yeoh on the margins of the Habitat III conference on [...]
"I am here essentially to listen and to learn;" that's the message that the UN Secretary-General-designate brought to delegates during a special meeting of the 193-Member State General Assembly on Wednesday. António Guterres, who was officially selected as the organization's 9th Secretary-General on 14 October addressed the Assembly in New York and provided more details [...]
Rations available to feed 1m people fleeing Mosul Food rations have been prepositioned outside the Iraqi city of Mosul for one million people, who may flee as a result of a government offensive to retake the city. Mosul has been held by terrorists of the ISIL group for the last two years. Thousands of people [...]
International human rights experts are urging authorities in the Central African Republic (CAR) to tackle the threat of mercenaries and foreign fighters who have joined armed groups in the country. More than 1,000 foreign combatants, mostly from Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Sudan, are in the CAR, according to the UN Working Group on mercenaries which [...]
The international focus on the question of Palestine may have been overtaken by the tragedy in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East, but it cannot be relegated to a secondary problem. That's what the UN special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process told members of the Security Council on Wednesday. Israel continues to [...]
A new initiative has been launched to raise awareness about the health impacts of air pollution which the World Health Organization (WHO) calls "an invisible killer." The 'BreatheLife' campaign highlights measures cities can implement to minimize impacts, including through better housing, transport and waste and energy systems. It was unveiled on Wednesday at Habitat III, [...]
Around 900 million people will move to cities in Africa over the next 35 years, according to a director of the African Development Bank, who is attending the UN's Habitat III conference in Quito, Ecuador. Amadou Oumarou, who hails from Cameroon, said that the "future of society" across the continent will be based on steadily-growing [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Dianne Penn and Jocelyne Sambira. In today's programme: Yemen's 72-hour ceasefire is welcome but not enough, say aid workers And: A new city agenda will also protect the world's migrants. We hear more from the UN conference on urban development underway in [...]
A deal to supply lifesaving vaccines to dozens of countries at half the price they usually cost could prevent 5.7 million child deaths, UN health experts announced on Wednesday. Under the terms of the agreement with global drug manufacturers, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) will buy 450 million doses of vaccine over the next three [...]
Civilian casualties in Afghanistan continue to surge: UN report Civilian casualties in Afghanistan have continued to surge, according to the latest figures from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Tadamichi Yamamoto, the head of the agency, said that it is "imperative" for all warring parties to ensure all "feasible precautions" are being taken [...]
A temporary halt to fighting in Yemen has been described by the UN aid workers as welcome, but not enough, as humanitarian teams try to deliver aid to hard-to-reach communities caught up in the conflict. A 72-hour ceasefire is due to come into effect at midnight on Wednesday involving forces loyal to President Hadi Mansour [...]
Ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq, like the so-called Yazidis, face an "uncertain future" with the ongoing liberation of Mosul, a women's rights activist has warned. Ameena Saeed Hassan, a Yazidi from Sinjar in Northern Iraq, spoke at the UN's headquarters about the persecution of her people by the ISIL terrorist group, also known as [...]
Torture, coercion and other forms of ill-treatment remain rife in some parts of the world during interviews of criminal suspects in an investigative context, a UN independent expert has said. Juan Méndez, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, said that many law enforcement officials have been "conditioned to accept torture" as a necessary method to [...]
The rights of women and girls to enjoy full equality, living in safe and sustainable cities, are "guaranteed" under the New Urban Agenda adopted this week at the UN's Habitat III conference. That's according to Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, Lakshmi Puri, who has been attending the global summit in Quito, Ecuador, designed to [...]
"All migrants will be protected" in the world's cities if governments stick to new global standards for urban living, agreed this week at the UN's Habitat III conference in Ecuador. That's according to William Swing, Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), who has been attending the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban [...]
With the military offensive to take back the Iraqi city of Mosul from the terrorist group ISIL now underway, humanitarians are in "a race against time" to meet the needs of civilians expected to flee the fighting. That's according to UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the country Lise Grande who has called for greater international solidarity [...]
UN chief "encouraged" by Colombia commitment to peace The UN Secretary-General on Tuesday said he "remained encouraged" by the commitment to peace reiterated by all parties to the Colombian peace process. Ban Ki-moon made the remarks on the margins of a UN conference in Quito focused on sustainable urbanization and city-building, also known as UN [...]
People in Haiti are frustrated that they are not getting the help they need to deal with a cholera outbreak on the Caribbean island; that's according to a senior UN official who has been visiting the country. The devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew which struck the country earlier this month has increased the risk of [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Dianne Penn and Jocelyne Sambira. In today's programme: Aid agencies warn of a potential humanitarian catastrophe as the battle for the Iraqi city of Mosul gets underway And: We join the UN General Assembly president on a walkabout to view urban development [...]
Aleppo truce "must come from all warring parties for aid to get in" A joint Russia and Syrian government call for a temporary halt to the violence in Aleppo does not mean that aid deliveries can resume to the war-torn Syrian city, the UN said Tuesday. For that to happen, all weapons must fall silent [...]
A massive aid operation is under way to help civilians who are expected to flee conflict in the Iraqi city of Mosul, amid warnings by the UN that ISIL extremists there may be using chemical weapons. An estimated one million people could be displaced as the Iraqi army attempts to push ISIL fighters away from [...]
A plan to resume a nationwide cessation of hostilities in Yemen on Wednesday has been announced by the UN special envoy for the country. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said he has received assurances from all Yemeni parties of their renewed commitment to a ceasefire that first went into effect in April. Conflict between forces loyal [...]
Civilians in Iraq are living under constant threat of mines and explosives, the UN has said. Agnès Marcaillou, the director of UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) recently spoke about mitigating the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Iraq and other countries. The agency educates populations of affected nations about the risks of IEDs and encourages [...]
National politics are important "but the 21st Century will be based on cities" and not countries, according to the mayor of Canada's second city, Montréal. Apart from running Montréal, Denis Coderre is president of the "Metropolis" group, which represents all of the world's big cities, with populations of over one million. He was speaking at [...]
The rush to leave the countryside for cities in the past used to leave the current President of the UN General Assembly feeling heartbroken. Speaking from personal experience, Peter Thomson said that rural development projects used to go to waste thanks to depopulation in poorer countries, until the arrival of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, [...]
Climate change will make it even more expensive for the world's poorest people to afford food, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). A warmer world means the availability of crops, livestock and fisheries will also be affected, thus disrupting the lives of millions of people employed in these industries. The findings come [...]
Fighting in South Sudan "prolongs" suffering Ongoing fighting in South Sudan is prolonging the suffering of people there according to the UN. The UN mission in country, UNMISS, reported explosions in Unity state on Sunday which led to 67 civilians seeking protection at a UN compound. Fighting between government and opposition forces has been [...]
Reducing the impact of cholera and supporting people and communities affected by the disease is the goal of a new UN approach in Haiti, where more than 9,000 deaths have occurred since a 2010 outbreak. Cholera is spread through contaminated food and water and it is feared that the destruction caused by Hurricane Matthew earlier [...]
You're listening to United Nations Radio, from the Habitat 3 Conference, in Quito, Ecuador, I'm Matthew Wells. We're bring you today's programme from the official opening of a once-every-20 years event that will help decide the future growth and sustainability of cities and towns across the world… Thousands have gathered in this lush equatorial capital [...]
The inhabitants of a city in Iraq which the Iraqi government is attempting to retake from terrorists could be used as human shields, the UN's most senior humanitarian official in the country has warned. An air and ground attack to retake Mosul was launched in the early hours of Monday morning in an attempt to [...]
Transforming the world "for the better" means transforming our towns and cities through sustainable development and planning. That's according to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, opening the Habitat III conference in Quito, Ecuador, and urging governments at all levels to work on implementing the so-called New Urban Agenda. The agenda being adopted this week sets new [...]
Abuse of human rights is a measure of poverty Poverty is not simply measured by inadequate income, but also by a range of other elements including the denial or abuse of fundamental human rights. That's according to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message to mark the annual International Day for the Eradication [...]
Up to 1.5 million people in the Iraqi city of Mosul "are at extreme risk" from the campaign to retake the strategic location from ISIL militants, the UN has warned. In a statement released to coincide with the Iraqi army-led offensive now under way, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien called on all parties to [...]
One young woman from the United States has been telling the UN what it takes in her view, to become a civic leader. Hariella Lawson, 17, says that the key is being open to any opportunities that may arise. The New Jersey native was at UN headquarters in New York, talking about how girls [...]
Mayors across the world need to "take ownership" of a new global agenda for sustainable development in the towns and cities they represent, said the UN chief on Sunday. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was speaking in the Ecuadorian capital, Quito, on the eve of the official opening of the UN's Habitat III conference, which aims [...]
"Strong" new building codes are one of the ways that Ecuador is aiming to "build back better", six months on from an earthquake which killed more than 650 people. That's according to Diego Zorilla, the UN Development Programme's Resident Coordinator in the South American country, which is working with the government to promote new building [...]
People are throwing away so much that it's having a negative impact on the climate, a representative from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization has warned. When the squandered food breaks down, it emits greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide (CO2), a pollutant that is warming the Earth. According to the FAO about 1.3 billion tons [...]
"Absolute devastation;" that's how the UN chief, Ban Ki-moon described what he saw on Saturday as he visited the areas in Haiti most badly hit by a hurricane that struck the country ten days ago. The UN Secretary-General flew over Les Cayes to carry out an aerial inspection of the destruction caused by Hurricane Matthew. [...]
An agreement reached by more than 150 countries to phase out a global warming greenhouse gas has been welcomed by the UN Secretary-General. The deal to reduce the production and use of hydrofluorocarbons or HFCs was struck in Rwanda after an amendment was made to the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty aimed at protecting the [...]
Muslim women are often stigmatized in the media and seen as having no "equal rights", according to a girls' rights activist who recently spoke at the UN. Urooba Abid, a high school student from New York, has been advocating women empowerment in local Islamic communities. Religion is "not to blame", as stereotypes are more often [...]
Rural women comprise nearly half the world's agricultural workers, according to the United Nations. The global body is calling for greater support to help them thrive in its promise to "leave no one behind." The appeal was made by the UN Secretary-General in a message for the International Day of Rural Women, observed on 15 [...]
More than 300,000 young children died last year due to diarrhoeal infections linked to poor access to safe drinking water and sanitation, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). This Saturday, 15 October, is Global Handwashing Day and the agency is urging children, families and communities to make handwashing a habit to help prevent the [...]
Solidarity, speed and solutions are key for the UN as it works to address cholera in Haiti and prevent any further spread of the water-borne disease in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. That's according to Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson who on Friday outlined the organization's new US$400 million strategy to battle cholera, which has killed [...]
The decision by France to close an informal camp for refugees and migrants has been welcomed by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). French authorities announced earlier this month that the so-called "Jungle" camp, located in the port city of Calais, will be closed in the coming days. The camp has been problematic for several years [...]
UN chief welcomes release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls The release of 21 Nigerian girls who had been kidnapped by Islamic militants more than two years ago has been welcomed by the UN Secretary-General. They were among more than 200 girls from a school in Chibok, located in north-east Nigeria, who were abducted by the [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Jocelyne Sambira and Dianne Penn. Urbanization has "huge potential and also huge risks" the head of UN-Habitat warns ahead of a global summit in Quito, Ecuador to discuss the future of cities; And; A Nigerian activist who helped launch the "Bring Back [...]
Appeal for calm in Central African Republic amid escalating violence A deadly escalation of violence in Central African Republic has prompted the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) to appeal for restraint. The call follows a spate of recent incidents in the north of the country, where a transitional government is in place, after years of [...]
Five out of six children under two-years-old are not getting enough nutrition to support their growth and brain development, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) reports. Improving nutrition for young children could save 100,000 lives a year, according to the agency, which on Friday released the second part of a report that maps infant and young [...]
Rape is the "second most reported" serious crime in Liberia and often goes unpunished, a report by the UN Mission in the country (UNMIL) has found. Peacekeepers and human rights officers with the UN gathered information between January and March 2015, and documented 803 rape cases. Close to 80 per cent of the victims were [...]
A "surge in diplomacy for peace" is needed to limit human suffering across the world, according to the UN Secretary-General-Designate, António Guterres. Mr Guterres was officially selected as the organization's 9th Secretary-General on Thursday. He will begin his five year term on January 1st next year, and will succeed Ban Ki-moon. Madiha Sultan asked him about [...]
Invest in smallholder farmers otherwise "this talk of zero hunger is just talk," the head of a UN specialized agency focusing on agricultural development has urged. The Zero Hunger Challenge launched by the UN Secretary-General in 2012, is a global movement to end hunger, eliminate all forms of malnutrition and build inclusive and sustainable food [...]
Many young fighters belonging to the extremist Boko Haram group can be convinced to return to their communities "with the right approach". That's what Hamsatu Allamin, negotiator and peacemaker from the town of Maiduguru in Nigeria, said when asked about the possibility of reintegrating them. During the rise of the militant group, and after witnessing [...]
The process of urbanization has "huge potential and also huge risks" according to the senior UN official leading the biggest conference on world cities in 20 years. "Habitat III", as it's known, begins this weekend in the Ecuadorian capital, Quito, and thousands will be attending from around the globe, to adopt The New Urban Agenda. [...]
Terrorists from the ISIL group operating in the Middle East are adapting to what the UN is calling a "new reality," which is expected to lead to an increase in attacks outside conflict zones. ISIL has experienced what a new report has described as "significant military setbacks," particularly in Iraq and Syria, but is finding [...]
Rising violence against civilians in Central African Republic has been condemned by the UN. Clashes between rival groups in the troubled country have forced thousands of people to flee their homes and disrupted vital humanitarian aid operations. Daniel Dickinson reports The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) condemned an increase in attacks on civilians in the Central [...]
Midwives "face cultural isolation, unsafe accommodation, low salaries" Midwives around the world face cultural isolation, unsafe accommodation, and low salaries, according to the first global survey of midwifery personnel carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO). The UN health agency called for an end to the "discrimination and lack of respect" that hinder midwives' [...]
The UN special envoy to Burundi has been tasked by the Security Council to travel to the country and work on a "consensus" regarding the possible deployment of a UN police component. Jamal Benomar presented a report to Council members on Thursday regarding the status of the implementation of the French-led resolution that authorized the [...]
"Human dignity" to be the "core of our common work" says Guterres The former Portuguese Prime Minister António Guterres has been officially appointed Secretary-General-Designate of the United Nations and has promised to put "human dignity" at the core of his work. He told the General Assembly that he accepted the job with "gratitude and humility" [...]
"Extreme concern" over increased armed conflict in South Sudan "Extreme concern" has been expressed by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) over increased reports of violence and armed conflict in various parts of the country. The Mission reported heavy artillery and gunfire in Leer town between government and opposition forces which led to numerous [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Matthew Wells and Jocelyne Sambira. In today's programme: the new Secretary-General-elect promises to put human dignity at the core of his and the UN's work… António Guterres said he was accepting the top job with "gratitude and humility." And; earthquakes and tsunamis may be [...]
Disparity in household chores shows need for more investment in girls: UNICEF Girls worldwide collectively spend more than 550 million hours each day cooking, cleaning, taking care of younger siblings and performing other unpaid household chores. The finding comes in a UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) report, which shows how gender disparity in domestic work starts [...]
The former Portuguese Prime Minister,António Guterres, was officially appointed Secretary-General-Designate of the United Nations on Thursday and promised to put "human dignity" at the core of his work. He told the General Assembly that he accepted the job with "gratitude and humility" and promised to put gender-equality at the centre of his five-year term in [...]
King of Thailand praised as "unifying national leader" following his death King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand who died on Thursday has been praised by the UN Secretary-General for his "long dedication to his country and his legacy as a unifying national leader." The 88-year old King was head of state for seven decades and [...]
Tuberculosis is a far bigger threat to life than previously thought and the global effort to beat it is "dismal", UN health experts have announced. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), countries need to act much faster on prevention, detection and treatment of the disease, which killed 1.8 million people last year. Global goals [...]
"Intensive" efforts are being led by UN Syria negotiator Staffan de Mistura to stop the fighting in Syria and push for humanitarian aid access ahead of his meeting with Russia's Sergey Lavrov and John Kerry from the US at the weekend. That's the message from Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy, Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, who was [...]
Of all the natural disasters that can befall nations, earthquakes and tsunamis are the biggest killers, the UN has said. In a new report, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) also warns that climate-related deaths linked to events such as storms and heatwaves are the next most dangerous threat. The findings coincide with [...]
A seed distribution campaign has helped Ethiopian farmers "bounce back" following a severe drought caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has said. According to the agency, more than 32,000 tonnes of seed have been doled out to 1.7 million households who do not have access to enough nutritious [...]
Hordes of visitors and the ease of arranging home rentals via the Internet are turning one of the world's most famous cities into a "tourist village," according to a senior official with the UN cultural agency. Francesco Bandarin is urging authorities in Venice, Italy, and in other cities, to think about the long-term impacts of [...]
A convoy loaded with food, non-food items and a "massive" water purification system left Haiti's capital on Wednesday for some of the areas hit by Hurricane Matthew. It's part of UN efforts to support the country as it emerges from the category 4 storm that hit a week ago, killing upwards of 400 people and [...]
Afghanistan: Attacks on two mosques in two days "truly abhorrent" At least 10 people have been killed and nearly 40 injured in an explosion at a mosque in Afghanistan on Wednesday, the second such incident in 24 hours. The UN representative in the country, Tadamichi Yamamoto, called the attacks "truly abhorrent." Wednesday's blast occurred [...]
It is crucial that Burundi and the United Nations continue dialogue on key human rights issues. That's according to the UN human rights office which is "deeply concerned" by the government's decision to suspend cooperation with its branch in the country. Dianne Penn reports. Burundi's government announced on Tuesday that it had suspended "all cooperation [...]
Colombia is set to begin formal negotiations on 27 October in Havana, Cuba, with the country's second-largest rebel group, the National Liberation Army or ELN, the UN has confirmed. The announcement comes after two years of exploratory negotiations between the left-wing rebel group and the Government. It also follows the rejection in a vote by [...]
"Extreme concern" has been expressed by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) over increased reports of violence and armed conflict in various parts of the country. The Mission reported heavy artillery and gunfire in Leer town between government and opposition forces which led to numerous deaths and the displacement of the civilian population. There [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Matthew Wells and Dianne Penn. In today's programme: heavy fighting breaks out across parts of South Sudan with "numerous deaths" reported in the town of Leer…We'll have the latest. And, we'll hear how Africa's made a huge step forward in infrastructural development.. [...]
Afghan mosque attack an "atrocity" A deadly attack on a mosque in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, has been labelled an "atrocity" by the UN mission in the country, UNAMA. At least 18 people, including four women and two children, were killed in the incident which took place on Tuesday night. Fifty others were injured. They [...]
The extent of the damage due to Hurricane Matthew across Haiti is "massive", according to UN staff who are working in the hardest hit areas. Najwa Mekki of the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, said that it would likely take "years and years" for the affected populations of the Caribbean island to recover. She was speaking [...]
A third of all workers in Eastern Europe, Turkey and Central Asia, or 37 million people, are employed in the informal sector or in "vulnerable" jobs. That's according to Progress at Risk, a report by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), which calls for labour taxes to be cut in order to encourage more secure formal [...]
People are happiest at the beginning and ends of their lives and older people enjoy better mental health than the young and middle-aged. That's what a best-selling American author and blogger on ageism- the discrimination or prejudice against older people- discovered. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that negative or ageist attitudes towards older people [...]
Africa has made a "huge step forward" in developing its infrastructure from building roads to power grids, according to the CEO of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). Ibrahim Mayaki made the remarks on the margins of a high-level event at UN headquarters informally known as "Africa Week". The continent needs more than US$93 [...]
"Vigorous support" is needed in Haiti to ensure that credible elections take place after they were delayed due to a hurricane, the UN's senior representative in the country has said. Hurricane Matthew struck the Caribbean island last week destroying whole villages and killing almost 400 people. Daniel Dickinson reports. Haiti's presidential election was due to [...]
Fighting reported in Leer, South Sudan Sustained small arms fire as well mortar explosions and tank fire has been reported by the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) around Leer town in the north of the country. The Mission said Government and opposition forces were reportedly fighting each other over the weekend. The almost [...]
The risk of a polio outbreak spreading in the Lake Chad region of Africa is real, the UN Children's Fund UNICEF said Tuesday. The disease resurfaced in Nigeria in August and now the agency is aiming to vaccinate 41 million people in the north-east of the country, as well as in neighbouring Chad, Cameroon and [...]
Strengthening and "gearing up" partnerships is essential for Africa's peace and stability, according to the UN's Special Advisor on the continent, addressing a High-Level event at UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday. Maged Abdelaziz said that there could be no development without peace, nor peace without development, and that ambitious goals could not be [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Matthew Wells and Daniel Dickinson. In today's programme, there's little chance of peaceful elections at present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the UN's top official there tells us. And, Africa's peace and stability needs closer partnerships to end war and [...]
Increasing the cost of sugary drinks and taxing them more could have massive health benefits for millions of people, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday. Announcing the recommendation on World Obesity Day, the UN health agency detailed findings showing how price increases can go hand-in-hand with a drop in consumption. Latest figures show that [...]
One million cholera vaccines ready to tackle Haiti cholera spike One million doses of cholera vaccine are to be sent to Haiti in the aftermath of the devastation left by Hurricane Matthew, UN health experts said Tuesday. The disease has claimed more than 9,000 lives since 2010. The World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned that [...]
The former Prime Minister of Portugal, António Guterres, is due to be formally appointed as the next United Nations Secretary-General on Thursday. He will take up the post on January 1st, 2017 and will replace the current UN chief Ban Ki-moon who has served the organization for the past 10 years. Daniel Dickinson reports António [...]
The prevailing "mood" in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) does not allow for a "genuine dialogue' and a peaceful election process, the UN special envoy in the country has said. Maman Sambo Sidikou, who is also the head of the UN Mission there, made the remarks as the Security Council prepared to discuss [...]
Development projects can still thrive in South Sudan despite the almost three-year long civil conflict there and the ensuing humanitarian crisis, according to the UN. The international community has been focussing on the response to the crisis which began in December 2013, but it has also launched a plan which it's hoped will help to [...]
An 18-year old Indian woman who was trafficked as a child says her personal experience motivated her to fight for the rights of other young girls. Anoyara Khatun from a village in West Bengal, India recently spoke about her advocacy work at the UN in New York. According to the UN Office on Drugs and [...]
Improved data collection on issues girls face across the world, can provide a better understanding of their lives and help to solve their problems according to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). The data can be used to further gender equality and empower women, a key focus of the sustainable development goals or SDGs. On International [...]
South Sudan is one of the worst countries in the world to be a girl, according to an NGO there marking the UN International Day of the Girl Child on Tuesday. Save the Children says that 52 per cent of girls are married before the age of 18, and do not enjoy the same access [...]
Reports of a series of deadly attacks in the South Sudanese town of Yei have been described as "horrific" by the UN mission in the country, UNMISS. According to UN agencies, some 100,000 people are trapped in Yei, which is situated in Central Equatoria state, about 150 kilometres south-west of the capital Juba. Until recently, [...]
Girls worldwide collectively spend more than 550 million hours each day cooking, cleaning, taking care of younger siblings and performing other unpaid household chores. The finding comes in a report by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) which shows how gender disparity in domestic work starts early. It reveals that girls aged five to 14 years [...]
The international community needs to support African countries as they strive to improve good governance, the UN Secretary-General has said. Ban Ki-moon was speaking on Monday at the inaugural event for Africa Week at the United Nations. Dianne Penn reports. The UN chief said governance systems in Africa are improving, especially through the African Peer [...]
Death penalty does not diminish terrorism: UN Secretary-General Capital punishment does not deter terrorism and could even attract followers to extremist groups, according to the UN Secretary-General. Ban Ki-moon's comments came in a message on the World Day against the Death Penalty, observed this Monday, 10 October. The focus this year is on terrorism-related [...]
Efforts to stabilize the Central African Republic could be undermined if the international community fails to maintain its commitment to the troubled country, according to the UN Peacekeeping chief. A three-year long political crisis in CAR as it's known has resulted in a violent conflict that has affected nearly the whole country. It's left some [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Daniel Dickinson and Dianne Penn.
Devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti has made it even more vital to step up efforts to address cholera in the country, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told journalists in New York on Monday. UN personnel were accused of being responsible for a cholera outbreak which has resulted in more than 9,000 deaths and affected [...]
Human Rights chief condemns "outrageous" Yemen funeral attack "Outrageous attacks" in Yemen, such as airstrikes that killed at least 140 mourners at a funeral this weekend, cannot be allowed to continue, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has said. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on Monday reiterated his call for an independent international inquiry [...]
Violence against women and gender inequality are "significant" challenges for the Pacific region, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, has said. OHCHR has been working with the authorities of nations across the Pacific to ensure that the rights of individuals, especially women, are upheld at all times. The Pacific has some of the highest rates [...]
Approximately one in 10 people worldwide suffered from a mental disorder over the past year, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported. Supporting those going through this ordeal is the goal of World Mental Health Day, observed annually on 10 October. The theme this year focusses on how first-line responders such as police officers, firefighters [...]
The killing of more than 140 people in the Yemeni capital Sana'a, following airstrikes, has been condemned by the UN Secretary-General. In a statement following the attack on the large funeral ceremony on Saturday, Ban Ki-moon expressed his sincere condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims. Matthew Wells reports. The UN chief called [...]
A new app has been developed by a young entrepreneur in Ghana, which allows patients in remote areas to "see" a doctor, over their mobile phone. At present, there is less than one doctor for every 5,000 people in the West African country. But Raindolf Owusu hopes that his BISA app will help close the [...]
The besieged Syrian city of Aleppo will soon lie in ruins, "abandoned to its executioners", without an immediate end to bombing by the government and its allies. That's according to the French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, addressing the UN Security Council in New York on Saturday. He spoke minutes before Russia used its veto as [...]
Scientists' "most pessimistic estimates" on climate change are being overtaken by "events on the ground" in the Artic, the UN Secretary-General warned on Saturday. Ban Ki-moon was in the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik, addressing the Arctic Circle Assembly on the state of global warming. He said that despite two major "breakthroughs" this week on the Paris [...]
The struggle of indigenous communities in the face of climate change is the theme of The Anthropologist, a movie which was screened recently at the UN Office in Vienna. The film is told through the perspectives of the daughters of two renowned women anthropologists: the late Margaret Mead, who popularized the discipline in the United [...]
Peacekeepers from the UN mission in Haiti, MINUSTAH, are supporting efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to scores of people affected by Hurricane Matthew. The storm barrelled through the Caribbean nation on Tuesday and the UN says more than 350,000 people require assistance while some news agencies are putting the death toll at over 800. Haiti [...]
The global aviation industry has reached a "historic" deal to cut harmful greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, a senior official with the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has said. The deal in Montreal, Canada follows the entry into force this week of the UN-led climate change accord, known as the Paris Agreement, in which [...]
"Deep concern" for up to 10,000 displaced from Kunduz, Afghanistan Up to 10,000 people have fled fighting in the Afghan city of Kunduz in recent days, prompting the UN Humanitarian Affairs office (OCHA) to express its deep concern for the "rapidly deteriorating" situation. Taliban militants have been attempting to regain control of the strategically-important [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Jocelyne Sambira and Matthew Wells. In today's programme… Communities in Haiti have been "totally destroyed" by Hurricane Matthew And, a Ugandan left on death row for 18 years says, "it's not easy to forgive"
Peace prize for Colombian President offers "hope and encouragement" The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Colombia's President "provides needed hope and encouragement" to the country at a "critical moment." That's the view of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday, reacting to news that the prestigious prize has been awarded to President Juan [...]
Some communities in the south of Haiti have been totally destroyed as a result of the hurricane which swept over the Caribbean nation on Tuesday; that's according to the UN humanitarian office, OCHA. Media reports put the number of dead due to Hurricane Matthew at up to 800 people. Around 1.2 million have been affected [...]
Music and the arts are a potential "money pot" for all countries, especially in the developing world. That's according to World Bank consultant, Patrick Kabanda, who adds that a country's cultural wealth presents a huge development opportunity, and engine for "social progress". The passionate music fan from Uganda is writing a book on the role [...]
A Ugandan man who lived for more than 18 years on death row says it's "not easy to forgive", in his own words, "everybody who participated in my suffering." But that's exactly what Edward Mpagi has been able to do, taking his call for the abolition of the death penalty worldwide, all the way to [...]
'Lack of awareness of legal remedies, complex court procedures and financial constraints are some of the issues women face in accessing justice. This is according to a UN official from Nepal. Sudhir Bhattrai, Under Secretary, in Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke at an event at UN headquarters, on developing a 'Transformational Approach' to ensure [...]
Civilians caught up in fighting in northern Mali "continue to suffer" despite the best efforts of the UN Mission there (MINUSMA) to protect them. That's according to the UN Peacekeeping chief, Hervé Ladsous, briefing the Security Council on Thursday. Mr Ladsous said MINUSMA was adopting a "more robust and proactive posture" to protect civilians following [...]
"Vision, political skills" make Guterres the right choice: UNHCR chief A combination of "vision, political skills and a deep sense of humanity" make António Guterres the right choice to lead the UN. That's according to his successor in charge of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Filippo Grandi. Mr Guterres ran the agency for [...]
Very serious challenges remain "on the ground" in South Sudan Very serious challenges remain "on the ground" in South Sudan which are preventing the United Nations from carrying out its work effectively; that's the assessment of a senior UN peacekeeping official who is currently in the African country. South Sudan is recovering from almost three [...]
Security Council nominates António Guterres as the new UN chief The former Prime Minister of Portugal António Guterres has been nominated as the next United Nations Secretary-General…in what was described as an "important show of unity" by the Security Council. A formal vote was held by acclamation behind closed doors on Thursday 6th October….it followed [...]
Detainees on Pacific island "completely without hope" Migrants and refugees being held on the Pacific island of Nauru are "completely without hope" according to the regional head of the UN human rights office, OHCHR. Nauru has been operating an off-shore processing centre for the Australian government despite calls from the UN and other organizations to [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Jocelyne Sambira and Matthew Wells. In today's programme… the former Prime Minister of Portugal Antonio Guterres has been nominated as the next United Nations Secretary-General So, what can the rest of the world expect from Mr Guterres when he becomes the world's [...]
The former Prime Minister of Portugal António Guterres has been nominated as the next United Nations Secretary-General…in what was described as an "important show of unity" by the Security Council. A formal vote was held by acclamation behind closed doors. It followed an unprecedented selection process during which all 13 candidates made open presentations to [...]
An estimated 350,000 Haitians will need humanitarian assistance after Hurricane Matthew tore across the Caribbean island nation, according to the UN. The head of the Humanitarian Office, OCHA, in the capital, Port-au-Prince, said weather conditions had prevented a thorough evaluation so far, but the damage had been extensive. Matthew Wells reports. According to news reports, [...]
The UN Security Council has confirmed António Guterres, a former Portuguese Prime Minister and former UN High Commissioner for Refugees, as its choice for the next UN Secretary-General. Mr Guterres has said that he put himself up for the job because it was the best way to address the immense suffering he saw in his [...]
Climate agreement entering into force is "historic moment" The entering into force of the Paris Agreement on climate change is a "historic moment for people everywhere" according to the UN's top climate official. Patricia Espinosa, who heads up the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), said that the speed at which more than 55 [...]
In Aleppo, thousands of people could die and the whole city may soon be destroyed unless rebel fighters retreat from the city and Syria and Russia call a halt to their aerial bombing campaign, the UN's Staffan de Mistura said Thursday. In a direct appeal to the three parties in the more than five-year-old conflict, [...]
A new marketing label has been launched which the UN hopes will help sustainable mountain goods to stand out from the crowd. The label will be granted to products that support "local biodiversity" and production methods that are traditional to mountain communities across the world. It's an initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) [...]
Very serious challenges remain "on the ground" in South Sudan which are preventing the United Nations from carrying out its work effectively; that's the assessment of a senior UN peacekeeping official who is currently in the African country. South Sudan is recovering from almost three years of internal conflict which has led to the deaths [...]
The Paris Agreement on climate change crossed "the second and final threshold" on Wednesday and will enter into force next month. The announcement was made by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, after sufficient countries ratified the agreement, representing 55 per cent of global carbon emissions. More details from Matthew Wells. Mr Ban described the momentum for [...]
Sport and faith "drive social change", tolerance and peace: UN chief Sport and faith foster "fundamental values of respect and friendship" according to the UN chief Ban Ki-moon, speaking at a conference in the Vatican on Wednesday. The event, entitled "Sport at the Service of Humanity" was an initiative of the Holy See and [...]
Governments around the world are being urged to close development gaps as a means to address the negative impacts of climate change. That's among the main findings of the World Economic and Social Survey 2016 published by the UN's Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The report looks at building resilience and reducing the [...]
The former Portuguese Prime Minister António Guterres has emerged as the "clear favourite" for the UN's top job, the President of the UN Security Council said on Wednesday. Russia's ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters at UN Headquarters that Mr Guterres was the consensus candidate to become Secretary-General. A formal vote of the 15-member Council will [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Daniel Dickinson and Matthew Wells.
Afghanistan needs to be kept on the path towards stability, accountability and greater self-reliance, the UN Secretary-General has said. Ban Ki-moon made the remarks in Brussels where an international conference aimed at raising development aid for Afghanistan up until 2020 is taking place. Daniel Dickinson reports. Duration: 2’34″
An "increased investment and trust" on the part of Member States is needed for the UN to "continue to deliver". That's according to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in his final submission on the work of the Organization, as he steps down after ten years in the top job. Priyanka Shankar has more. The UN chief said [...]
Nearly 69 million new teachers needed to reach 2030 goals Close to 69 million new teachers will be needed in order to reach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). That's the stark conclusion reached by the statistical institute of the UN's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, marking World Teachers Day on 5 October. In [...]
Much more needs to be done to tackle the cholera outbreak in Haiti, Ban Ki-moon has said, adding that the situation is one he regrets as Secretary-General of the United Nations. Nearly 800,000 Haitians have been infected by cholera and more than 9,000 have died from it since 2010, when the country was hit by [...]
Slavery and other labour abuses are at a "significant" level in the seafood sector, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Seafood industry representatives, fish workers' unions, government representatives and international organizations such as FAO have been meeting in Spain to discuss, amongst other issues, how best to ensure that employees are not [...]
Future trade agreements between the US and Sub-Saharan African countries could become a "powerful" tool to enforce labour standards, a senior UN official has said. The International Labour Organization's Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Africa, Aeneas Chuma recently attended a forum on trade and economic cooperation between the two blocs. The African Growth and [...]
The "faint" voices of migrants will be heard much more loudly "in UN circles" thanks to the inclusion of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). That's the hope and belief of the IOM's Director-General, William Lacy Swing, speaking shortly after the official ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York, welcoming the agency into the system. [...]
The individual responsibility of all people to make the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs a reality is the key message a young journalist will be taking from the UN back home to Guyana. The SDGs will frame global development plans over the next 15 years. Kurt Campbell a reporter for the Guyana-based News Source organization [...]
Attacks on Mali mission condemned by Secretary General Two UN Peacekeepers from Chad have been killed and 4 others severely injured, in a series of attacks against the UN Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attacks, calling them "war crimes under international law." The UN chief called for "swift action" [...]
The international community "must do more to deliver" life-saving humanitarian aid to Yemeni civilians, especially when it comes to the shattered health care system, said the UN relief chief on Tuesday. Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien was speaking at the end of a three-day visit to the country where four of out five people are [...]
A report on alleged chemical weapons use in the Darfur region of Sudan underscores the need to bring an end to the ongoing conflict there, the head of UN Peacekeeping told the Security Council on Tuesday. Hervé Ladsous was referring to an investigation released last week by Amnesty International which found that "at least 30 [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Dianne Penn and Matthew Wells. In today's programme… Sudan encouraged to cooperate with chemical weapons body And, a report explains why children make up "the worst of the worst-off" in the world
An emergency response to support people affected by the landfall of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti is underway, the UN's food agency has confirmed. The hurricane, which according to media reports is the strongest to hit the Caribbean region in nearly a decade, moved over the south-west coast of Haiti on Tuesday morning bringing high winds, [...]
European parliamentarians have "underscored their commitment" to fight climate change by backing the ratification of the Paris Agreement, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday. The Secretary-General made a special trip to the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France, in order to urge Member States of the European Union (EU) to "fast track" ratification. Daniel Dickinson [...]
Children are "the worst of the worst-off in the world", according to new joint study carried out by UNICEF and the World Bank. Martin Evans, is the UN Children's Fund's senior advisor on poverty, and he says they are twice as likely to be "extremely poor" when compared to adults. The report follows on from [...]
Hurricane Matthew's impact on Haiti could be "catastrophic" The impact of Hurricane Matthew could be "catastrophic" on Haiti and its neighbours, the UN said Tuesday. Issuing the warning, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported wind speeds at the centre of the storm in excess of 230 kilometres per hour. The agency's Clare Nullis also said [...]
The international community is expected to continue providing Afghanistan with up to US$ 2 billion in development aid for the next four years, the UN special envoy to the country has said. A major conference got underway in Brussels on Tuesday, hosted by Afghanistan and the European Union, to secure continued support for the country's [...]
Migrants and refugees being held on the Pacific island of Nauru are "completely without hope" according to the regional head of the UN human rights office, OHCHR. Nauru has been operating an off-shore processing centre for the Australian government despite calls from the UN and other organizations to shut it down. A vast majority of [...]
Killing of 19 Afghan civilians on the road condemned by UN The killing of 19 Afghan civilians in two separate incidents which involved improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, has been condemned by the UN Mission in the country, UNAMA. The civilian vehicles detonated the IEDs in Helmand and Badghis provinces a few days ago. Here's [...]
Climate change is taking its "largest toll" on the world's poor, and "further aggravates" existing inequalities according to a senior UN official working on economic development. Lenni Montiel was speaking at the launch of the World Economic and Social Survey 2016. Matthew Wells reports. The report, entitled Climate Change Resilience – an Opportunity for Reducing [...]
Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations Radio, with Jocelyne Sambira and Matthew Wells. In today's programme… the Syria crisis is a "perfect storm" which only a politically negotiated settlement can resolve, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in Geneva; And, the World Health Organization has delivered much needed medical supplies to [...]
The United Nations needs to be able to "see around the corner" and prepare for the many challenges it faces; that's according to the latest candidate to be put forward as the new Secretary-General of the organization. Kristalina Georgieva of Bulgaria becomes the 13th candidate for the role as the world's top diplomat. Daniel Dickinson [...]
The Syria crisis is a "perfect storm" which only a politically negotiated settlement can resolve, Ban Ki-moon insisted Monday. Speaking at the United Nations in Geneva, the UN chief condemned the "carnage" that has killed hundreds of thousands of people and left the country in ruins. In what could be Mr Ban's last visit to [...]
Reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) depends "in large part" on making the world's cities "inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable". That's according to UN chief Ban Ki-moon, in a message for World Habitat Day, marked on 3 October. The Secretary-General urged governments, city planners and communities everywhere, to keep "housing at the centre" of policymaking. [...]
More than 11 tonnes of medical supplies have been airlifted to Al-Qamishli in northern Syria for the first time since last December, a spokesperson for the World Health Organization has said. Speaking on the line from Damascus, Tarik Jasarevic said the aid was "really helpful" for this part of Syria where accessibility to health services [...]
UN chief "encouraged" by commitment of Colombian leaders to peace Faced with the rejection of Colombia's peace deal between the government and FARC rebels, the UN Secretary-General said on Monday he was "encouraged" by the leaders' commitment to peace. In Sunday's referendum, Colombian voters narrowly rejected the landmark peace accord signed last week, with 50.2 [...]
Visitors to UN Headquarters recently had the chance to travel back in time to help create a better future for children worldwide. By using a "time machine," they demonstrated their support for The UN Children's Fund's (UNICEF) call for investment in better data on young people. The agency says without adequate child-related data, such as [...]
"We've got to stop" the criminals who have turned endangered rosewood into the world's most trafficked wild product. That's the urgent alarm being raised by John Scanlon, Secretary-General of CITES, The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which is part of the UN's environmental conservation effort. The convention is holding its largest ever conference [...]
India has formally joined the Paris climate change agreement, the country's permanent representative to the UN, has confirmed. Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin submitted India’s instrument of ratification on Sunday to coincide with Mahatma Gandhi's birthday and the International Day of Non-Violence. The Asian nation, which produces more than four per cent of global emissions, became the 62nd [...]
A culture of non-violence begins with respect for one another, but it also implies respect for nature and life on Earth, the UN deputy chief has said. Jan Eliasson made the remarks on the International Day of Non-Violence observed by the UN every year on 2 October. It's also the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi who helped [...]
The "innovative" use of technology is helping to boost rural education in Bangladesh according to the founder of a school who has been nominated as a UN Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs. Shougat Nazbin Khan set up H A Digital School & College in the north of the Asian country in [...]
An orchestra of volunteer musicians is preparing for its biggest performance yet…in front of an audience of 4,000 people which is set to include UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Founded and directed by professional conductor Antoine Marguier, the United Nations Orchestra will also be hoping to fulfil another mission, namely raising funds for vital humanitarian work. [...]
