UN News stories

10 stories found over the past 45 days
Hunger, poverty rates in Egypt up sharply over past three years – UN report

21 May 2013 – Poverty and food insecurity in Egypt have risen significantly over the last three years, according to a joint reports released today by the United Nations food agency and partners.

Eight countries submit action plans to combat illegal trade in elephant ivory – UN

17 May 2013 – Eight countries identified as being the most affected by the illegal trade in elephant ivory have submitted national action plans to the United Nations-backed treaty for the conservation of endangered species containing measures to combat the scourge.

Tetanus eliminated in over 30 countries at high risk – UN and partners

15 May 2013 – The United Nations and its partners today announced that tetanus – one of the most deadly diseases a mother and her newborn can face – has been eliminated in more than 30 countries with previously had high rates of the illness.

UN rights chief warns Egypt at risk of drifting away from ideals that ignited revolution

08 May 2013 – Expressing concern about key legislative measures being considered by Egyptian authorities, the United Nations human rights chief today urged the Government to take steps to ensure it does not drift further away from the ideals that drove the 2011 revolution in the country.

Egyptian institution and Ugandan health advocate awarded 2013 UN population prize

02 May 2013 – An academic institution associated with the Al-Azhar University in Egypt and a public health advocate from Uganda are this year’s recipients of the annual United Nations Population Award, the UN agency dealing with global population issues has announced.

Syria: Ban renews call for on-site access for chemical weapons probe team

29 April 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today renewed his appeal for unfettered access to Syria for the United Nations team probing the alleged use of chemical weapons during the conflict, as he met in New York with the head of the investigation.

UN General Assembly hears calls for greater engagement to help Africa consolidate gains

25 April 2013 – As the General Assembly met today to consider how best to help Africa in its efforts to promote peace and development, top United Nations officials highlighted the gains made so far and called for greater engagement to consolidate progress as well as advance even further.

Commodity-based industrialization key to long-term development in Africa – UN report

23 April 2013 – Sweeping political and economic changes over the last half century have set the stage for Africa’s emergence as a global economic power, and the continent should take advantage of that opportunity through a commodity-based industrialization strategy, according to United Nations economic report launched today.

UN has key role in empowering women in post-revolutionary Middle East, experts say

17 April 2013 – Amid the reverberations from popular uprisings known as the “Arab Spring,” the United Nations has a key role to play in supporting women in the Middle East by convening disparate voices and identifying new modes of cooperation, experts on women’s rights said during a “Classroom Conversation” with university students from around the world.

UN says $81 million urgently needed for food relief to 3.5 million Syrians

12 April 2013 – The United Nations food relief agency today said it urgently needs $81 million to assist 2.5 hungry people inside Syria and one million refugees in neighbouring countries until June, and warned that without funding it would have to stop many of its current aid programmes.