Ban hails regional accord as ‘best chance for peace in years’

Ban hails regional accord as ‘best chance for peace in years’

Arriving today in restive eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ban Ki-moon urged all the leaders of Africa’s Great Lakes region to throw their support behind a recently-signed peace accord which aims to ensure security.

23.5.2013
HFA

Japan to host world conference on disaster risk reduction next year

Japan will host the world conference slated to be held next year at which countries will adopt the successor to the current global blueprint for disaster risk reduction efforts, it was announced today at a United Nation forum on the issue that wrapped up in Geneva.

23.5.2013
Stability

Ban strongly condemns two suicide bombings in north-west Niger

Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the two suicide bombings which took place today in north-west Niger, and conveyed his sincere condolences to the families of the victims.

23.5.2013
WESP

Global economic growth still sluggish, with prospect of gradual improvement

Global economic growth will continue to be “below potential” this year, according to a report released today by the United Nations that adds that job creation will be vital to spur recovery.

23.5.2013
Kyrgyz/Uzbeks

UN official encourages Kyrgyzstan to tackle causes of 2010 inter-communal violence

A senior United Nations official has encouraged Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to address the causes of the inter-communal violence that erupted in 2010, while stressing that they must be fully in line with human rights standards.

22.5.2013
Negociations

Serry urges ‘concerted action’ to resume Israeli-Palestinian talks

While international attention is understandably on the tragedy that continues to unfold in Syria, it is equally important to ensure the resumption of negotiations aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a senior United Nations envoy stressed to the Security Council today.

22.5.2013
UNDP

Political participation by indigenous peoples in Latin America still low

Indigenous peoples in Latin America have undergone an unprecedented mobilization in the past 20 years, but political participation, particularly among women, is still low, the United Nations said in a new report released today.

In FOCUS

17.5.2013
Brussels

UN welcomes donors’ €3.25 billion pledge to help rebuild Mali

The United Nations today welcomed the international community’s pledge of €3.25 billion to support a recovery plan for Mali, which is emerging from a recent crisis that saw its northern territory overtaken by extremists and hundreds of thousands of people uprooted by conflict.

13.5.2013
High level meeting

Togo leader slams rich countries over aid cuts

The president of Togo, one of the world's poorest countries, on Monday slammed rich nations who have cut development aid saying it contributes to the spread of terrorism.

13.5.2013
Dignity and peace

Amid growing threats across Africa, Ban urges ‘holistic approach’ to fight terrorism

From the Horn of Africa in the east and across the Sahel to the west, terrorism continues to pose a threat to the continent’s peace, security and development, Ban Ki-moon said today as he warned that Africa was facing a rise in the presence of extremist groups and terrorist entities.

22.5.2013
Guinea

UN official initiates consultations between Government, opposition leaders

A United Nations envoy today convened a consultative meeting in the Guinean capital, Conakry, between the Prime Minister and opposition leaders, pressing ahead with UN efforts to assist the parties in resolving differences over preparations for stalled legislative elections and other contentious issues through peaceful means.

22.5.2013
UNIOGBIS

Security Council extends UN political mission in Guinea-Bissau

The United Nations Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations political mission in Guinea-Bissau to assist in finding solutions to the political and economic crisis being exacerbated by additional challenges posed by transnational crime, in particular drug trafficking and money laundering.

22.5.2013
Basic need

CERF provides $9.8 million to assist Syrian refugees in Jordan

The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has provided $9.8 million to support the establishment of a new camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan and to help meet the growing needs of those fleeing the ongoing conflict.