UN News stories

134 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.

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.

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.”

UN chief renews call for entry into force of treaty banning nuclear tests

17 June 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today renewed his call for the earliest entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which prohibits all nuclear tests across the world.

Ban appoints Rwandan General as military chief of UN integrated Mali mission

17 June 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Major General Jean Bosco Kazura as Force Commander for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

UN envoy and young Pakistani activist launch drive for safe, universal education

17 June 2013 – A 15-year-old Pakistani girl targeted by assassins – Malala Yousafzai – is the first signatory of a new worldwide petition calling for urgent action to ensure the right of every child to safely attend school, launched today with the backing of the United Nations Special Envoy for Education.

UN General Assembly set to explore impacts of ocean acidification

17 June 2013 – The United Nations General Assembly will begin today its consideration of the impacts that the increasing acidification of the world's oceans will have on the marine environment and on people.

On World Day, UN officials urge global action to increase response to drought

17 June 2013 – Countries must work collectively to build resilience and prepare themselves against drought, United Nations officials stressed today, highlighting the extensive costs of this global threat.

Following latest attacks, UN envoy urges Iraqi leaders to establish dialogue

16 June 2013 – The United Nations envoy in Iraq today condemned the latest wave of car bombings across Iraq that injured dozens of civilians, and called on the country's leaders to sit together and address the nation's current challenges.