UN News stories

336 stories found over the past 45 days
As Syria crisis roils Middle East, Ban says Israeli-Palestinian peace remains urgent priority

18 June 2013 – With spiralling violence in Syria stoking tension in the Middle East, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said “we must not lose sight of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” whose resolution was no less urgent.

Ban appoints Irish major general to head up UN’s oldest peacekeeping mission

18 June 2013 – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the appointment today of Major General Michel Finn, of Ireland, as head of Mission and Chief of Staff of the Jerusalem-based UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), the first such operation the world body set up almost 60 years ago.

East Rennell region in Solomon Islands placed on UN list of world heritage in danger

18 June 2013 – The East Rennell area in the Solomon Islands was inscribed today on the United Nations Scientific, Cultural, and Educational Organization’s (UNESCO) list of endangered sites due to logging that is affecting the island’s ecosystem.

Mali: UN officials welcome accord between Government and Tuareg rebels

18 June 2013 – The United Nations envoy for Mali welcomed the signing today of an agreement between the Malian Government and Tuareg rebels that paves the way for inclusive peace talks as well as presidential elections next month.

Radio programmes that address global issues honoured by UN/New York Festivals Awards

18 June 2013 – A message of hope from a boy on the war-torn streets of Kabul, a profile of Danish efforts to help the elderly live the way they choose and an investigative story on the cruel reality of human trafficking are the winners of this year’s awards for outstanding radio programming presented by the United Nations as part of the 2013 New York Festivals Awards.

Afghanistan: UN concerned over appointment of new human rights commissioners

18 June 2013 – The United Nations human rights Office today expressed concern over President Hâmid Karzai’s appointment of five new commissioners to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), stressing that selection processes must follow agreed international standards.

Libya’s democratic transition can benefit from national political dialogue, says UN envoy

18 June 2013 – Managing Libya’s democratic transition is bound to be difficult given the legacy of decades of brutal rule, a senior United Nations envoy told the Security Council today, adding that the country could benefit from a national political dialogue on the way forward.

Hungary must revoke amendment threatening judicial independence – UN rights chief

18 June 2013 – The top United Nations human rights official today urged the Hungarian Government to revoke a constitutional amendment that threatens the judiciary’s independence and endangers the country’s system of checks and balances.

UN calls on Brazilian authorities to exercise restraint as protests flare

18 June 2013 – Brazilian authorities must exercise restraint in dealing with spreading social protests in the country, the United Nations human rights office said today in the wake of reported clashes between demonstrators and police in Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte.

Visiting Lebanon, UN official urges greater support for Syrian refugees and their hosts

18 June 2013 – The United Nations refugee chief today urged greater support for those who have fled the conflict in Syria and for the countries hosting them, as he kicked off a visit to the region in Lebanon, where the pressure on local communities has become “overwhelming.”