UN News stories

44 stories found over the past 45 days
Debt crises hitting both rich and poor countries threaten UN development agenda, officials say

23 April 2013 – Debt distress, no longer just the province of poor countries, is a drag on development programmes as well as on the world economy, United Nations leaders said today as economic experts and representatives of international financial institutions met to discuss practical and equitable mechanisms for restructuring sovereign debt.

UN-backed Asian forum highlights transportation’s role in sustainable development

23 April 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed efforts by Asian countries meeting at a United Nations-backed regional forum to address transportation as part of the effort to fight climate change and achieve sustainable development.

On Mother Earth Day, UN Member States urged to promote harmony with nature

22 April 2013 – Top United Nations officials today urged the 193 Member States to renew their pledges to honour and respect Mother Earth marking the day selected by the world body to promote harmony with nature and sustainable development.

Stronger joint action of UN, international financial institutions urged at development forum

22 April 2013 – Poverty reduction, trade growth and job creation require greater coordination between the United Nations and the Bretton Woods institutions, the head of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) today urged at the opening of a special high-level meeting on sustainable development and the post-2015 development agenda.

Fighting international crime is key to sustainable development, UN official says

22 April 2013 – International crime undermines sustainable development, hinders access to education and discourages investment opportunities, the head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said today, adding that disrupting the flow of illegal profits had become a crucial for successful crime fighting.

FORESTS: UN forum endorses measures to improve sustainable forest management

20 April 2013 – The United Nations Forum on Forests concluded its tenth session in Istanbul in the early hours of Saturday after agreeing on a series of measures to improve the sustainable management of forests, and deciding to consider setting up a voluntary global fund to support this endeavour.

Energy, climate change and poverty top Ban’s agenda on sidelines of World Bank-IMF meeting

19 April 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is meeting today with public and private donors on the sidelines of the World Bank-International Monetary Fund meeting in Washington DC to discuss financing energy, poverty and sustainable development projects to boost progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

FEATURE: UN-backed partnership helps Kenyans protect forests, improve livelihoods

19 April 2013 – A United Nations-backed project in Kenya is protecting forests and wildlife, as well as providing alternative livelihoods, and offers valuable lessons on how governments and the private sector can successfully work together for the betterment of communities and the environment.

UN reports subdued Asia-Pacific growth in 2013 as region faces developed world uncertainty

18 April 2013 – Growth in Asia-Pacific remains subdued due to the impact of persistent weaknesses and uncertainties in the developed economies, the United Nations reported today, urging Governments to implement macroeconomic policies that focus more on inclusivity and sustainable development.

FORESTS: Amazon treaty body hailed as model for regional conservation efforts

18 April 2013 – An eight-member grouping of countries working to ensure sustainable development and improve the lives of local communities in South America’s Amazon – home to the world’s largest tropical rainforest – has been hailed as a model for regional cooperation at the tenth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF10).