Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain Le Roy says that the UN has not only Darfur and the Democratic Republic of Congo but 16 other peacekeeping operations that are clearly making the difference for thousands of civilians. UNTV / FILE
Fighting between government forces and militants in northwestern Pakistan continues, forcing a massive exodus from the Swat valley. The population of displaced grows daily – more than half of the homeless are children. UNICEF
Hip-hop pioneer and renowned celebrity Russell Simmons is confirmed as the Goodwill Ambassador for the Permanent Memorial at the United Nations to honor the victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. UNTV
The team named by the Human Rights Council to look into alleged human rights violations during the conflict in Gaza at the beginning of the year may hold public hearings on the question.