UN News stories

32 stories found over the past 45 days
UN global disasters forum opens with condolences for Oklahoma City tornado victims

21 May 2013 – A United Nations forum dedicated to building resilience to disasters and making communities safer opened today in Geneva with expressions of sympathy for the people of Oklahoma City over the loss of life caused yesterday by a deadly tornado.

General Assembly adds French Polynesia to UN decolonization list

18 May 2013 – The United Nations General Assembly voted on Friday to place French Polynesia back on the UN list of territories that should be decolonized and requested the French Government to “facilitate rapid progress […] towards a self-determination process.”

UN human rights chief welcomes signing of Bangladesh work safety accord by major companies

17 May 2013 – The United Nations human rights chief today welcomed the decision of dozens of international companies to sign on to an fire-and-safety agreement in the aftermath of the deadly factory collapse in Bangladesh, while calling for additional actions to overhaul the entire garment sector.

Syria conference should be held ‘as soon as possible,’ Ban says during visit to Russia

17 May 2013 – Stressing that a political solution is the only way to end the Syria crisis, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today that an international conference proposed by Russia and the United States should be held as soon as possible so as not to lose momentum.

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.

Ban appoints Atefeh Riazi of the United States as new UN information technology chief

09 May 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Atefeh Riazi of the United States as the new Chief Information Technology Officer for the United Nations, with the responsibility for all substantive and operational needs of the world body relating to information and communications technology (ICT).

Ban recommends adjustment in UN mission in Guinea-Bissau to help restore order, stability

09 May 2013 – The mandate of the United Nations political mission in Guinea-Bissau should be adjusted to support a two-phase process towards full restoration of constitutional order and medium-term stability in the country, which last year faced a military coup, according to a report by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon presented to the Security Council today.

Food prices rise for second month, strong cereal crop forecast for 2013 – UN agency

09 May 2013 – World food prices rose for a second straight month, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today said, while global production of coarse grains could set a new record this year with strong growth also projected for global wheat and rice production.

Syria: Ban and Special Representative welcome US-Russia accord to spur political solution

08 May 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the Arab League for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, today welcomed the statements by Russia and the United States that they would work together to achieve a political solution to end a conflict that has claimed more than 70,000 lives over the past two years.

US faces gaps in protecting human rights in business activities – UN experts

02 May 2013 – Despite progress and innovation in key sectors of the United States’ economy, too many loopholes remain to adequately protect human rights from adverse business practices, a group of United Nations independent experts today warned.