UN News stories

41 stories found over the past 45 days
UN urges collective efforts to achieve ‘water secure world’ on Day for Biological Diversity

22 May 2013 – Unless greater efforts are made to reverse current trends, the world will run out of freshwater, the United Nations said today marking the International Day for Biological Diversity and urging stronger scientific alliances to understand and protect natural resources.

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.

Post-2015 development agenda must focus on equality – UN experts

21 May 2013 – United Nations independent experts today called on countries to ensure the post-2015 development agenda focuses on equality, social protection and accountability, noting that one billion people around the world are still living in poverty.

Indigenous culture, youth among key topics as UN permanent forum opens 12th session

20 May 2013 – Around 2,300 indigenous participants are expected to discuss culture, education and health during the 12th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, which will include a special focus on youth, indigenous groups in Africa and the importance of strengthening ties with international financial institutions.

In Mozambique, Ban calls for push to achieve Millennium Development Goals

20 May 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today emphasized the importance of countries stepping up their efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) before their 2015 deadline and stressed developing countries like Mozambique have the most to benefit from accelerated action.

Amid competing global challenges, public health deserves priority – UN official

20 May 2013 – At a time when the world is dealing with myriad challenges, from climate change to food insecurity, it is more important than ever to ensure that public health receives the both the attention and resources it deserves to ensure the well-being of millions, a senior United Nations official said today.

UN economic and social body urges stronger global governance to achieve anti-poverty goals

16 May 2013 – A more effective and inclusive global governance system will be necessary to ensure that the international community achieves the Millennium Development Goals and establishes an actionable post-2015 agenda, the head of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) today said, while urging a review of the UN body to meet new demands.

Consensus forming on ‘golden thread of development,’ says co-chair of UN panel on post-2015 agenda

15 May 2013 – A United Nations high-level panel on a post-2015 global development agenda wrapped up today with consensus emerging on how to make a more equitable world, said British Prime Minister David Cameron in his role as co-chair of the body.

Health gap between countries is narrowing, but challenges remain – UN report

15 May 2013 – The health gap between poor and rich countries has narrowed significantly over the past two decades according to a United Nations report released today, which stresses that in spite of this progress, challenges still remain to achieve the health targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Emerging information technology trends and innovation take centre stage at UN forum

13 May 2013 – More than 1,500 participants from Government, private sector, civil society and international organizations are meeting at a United Nations forum in Geneva this week to review and measure progress towards targets set almost a decade ago designed to help countries more effectively harness the power of information and communication technologies (ICTs).