UN News stories

12 stories found over the past 45 days
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.

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.

World population projected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050 – UN report

13 June 2013 – The current world population of 7.2 billion is projected to increase by 1 billion over the next 12 years and reach 9.6 billion by 2050, according to a United Nations report launched today, which points out that growth will be mainly in developing countries, with more than half in Africa.

UN agency-private sector venture builds on ‘extend the day and extend play’ project in Africa

03 June 2013 – The United Nations industrial development agency is teaming with one of the largest lighting manufactures in the world to bring light to rural Africa in support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Secretary-General’s Sustainable Energy for All initiative.

South African epidemiologist to lead panel of expert scientists on HIV – UN agency

03 June 2013 – The head of the United Nations agency leading the global HIV/AIDS response today appointed South African scientist Salim S. Abdool Karim to chair a panel set up to provide advice on how new research and innovations can help tackle the epidemic.

Joint efforts critical to achieve peace in eastern DR Congo – UN chief

26 May 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed that African countries have a “historic opportunity” to end the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and underlined that joint efforts will be critical to stabilize the region.

Over 7 million people now receiving HIV treatment in Africa – UN report

21 May 2013 – The number of people in Africa receiving antiretroviral treatment increased from less than 1 million to 7.1 million over seven years, according to a United Nations report which documents the progress in the AIDS response in the world’s second largest continent.

UN chief appoints head of peacekeeping mission in Mali

17 May 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appointed Albert Gerard Koenders of the Netherlands as the head of the recently approved United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali.

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.

New UN study highlights huge potential for generating clean energy in Africa

13 May 2013 – Less than 1 per cent of all patent applications relating to clean energy technology (CET) have been filed in Africa, according to a new United Nations study, which also highlights the opportunity for the continent to leapfrog existing fossil-fuel energy sources and, in the process, cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health.