Ban lays out remaining hurdles in climate talks in Copenhagen
16 December 2009 – The outcome of the historic climate change negotiations in Copenhagen hinges on the issues of emissions reductions and financing, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today as he urged world leaders to use the final days of the talks to strike an ambitious new agreement.
Green campaigner Wangari Maathai to become UN Messenger of Peace
14 December 2009 – The Nobel Peace Prize laureate and green advocate Wangari Maathai will become a United Nations Messenger of Peace with a special focus on the environment and climate change, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today.
UN gathers experts to help strengthen agriculture in poor nations, tackle food shortages
14 December 2009 – The United Nations agency that promotes commerce to fight poverty kicked off a meeting today aimed at finding ways in which trade, investment and technology transfers between developing countries – so-called “South-South” cooperation – can improve farming to boost food security in poorer nations.
Ban voices concern over health of Saharawi activist on hunger strike
12 December 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has held talks with the Foreign Minister of Morocco to voice his “grave” concern over an independence activist from Western Sahara who has been on hunger strike since last month.
Football greats seek to score Millennium Development Goals in UN charity game
10 December 2009 – An international roster of football stars meet SL Benfica of Portugal in Lisbon next month in a United Nations ‘Match Against Poverty,’ with soccer greats Ronaldo of Brazil and Zinédine Zidane of France playing on the same side for the first time in a symbolic demonstration of the urgency of working together to fight the global scourge.
Zimbabwe’s humanitarian situation remains fragile despite gains, UN official warns
09 December 2009 – The humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe, plagued in recent years by food shortages, an erosion of basic services and an economic downturn due in part to long-running political strife, has significantly improved but continued aid is still needed to maintain the positive gains, a top United Nations official said today.
UN partners with giant retail business to boost local economies in poorer nations
09 December 2009 – The United Nations agency tasked with hastening sustainable industrial growth in poorer countries today partnered with one of the world’s largest retail companies to establish initiatives that advance food standards and the livelihoods of small-scale producers in developing and emerging economies.
Corruption major impediment to advancing development, warn UN officials
09 December 2009 – Corruption kills development and is one of the biggest obstacles to achieving the globally agreed targets to reduce poverty, hunger and other social ills by 2015, also known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), United Nations officials warned today.
UN humanitarian arm launches $378 million appeal for Zimbabwe
07 December 2009 – International aid agencies and the Government of Zimbabwe today appealed for $378 million to support humanitarian and early recovery efforts in the Southern African country over the next year, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced today.
Empowering people with disabilities vital for development targets – Ban
03 December 2009 – Efforts to achieve global development targets must include improving living standards and quality of life for everyone, including the world’s 800 million people with disabilities, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
