News by region:

Continuing push for Great Lakes peace, UN chief in Uganda after visit to Rwanda

24 May – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today thanked the Government of Uganda for its contribution to peace and security in Africa, travelling alongside World Bank President Jim Yong Kim on a first-of-its-kind visit to support a recent peace accord and promote economic development in the Great Lakes region.

Politics has too much sway over culture, education in Bosnia and Herzegovina – UN expert

24 May – An independent United Nations human rights expert today voiced concern at the extent to which political bodies have influence over cultural institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and urged the Government to ensure that people have opportunities to engage freely in cultural life.

UN rights experts call for stronger protection of victims of caste-based discrimination

24 May – More than 260 million people across the world are still victims of human rights abuses due to caste-based discrimination, United Nations independent experts warned today, urging South Asian countries to strengthen legislation to protect them.

As UN marks Buddhist holiday, Ban says spiritual ideals can help tackle global challenges

24 May – The teachings of Buddhism can offer significant insights on how to face today's most pressing challenges, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, in a message marking Vesak Day, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha.

Ban strongly condemns two suicide bombings in north-west Niger

23 May – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the two suicide bombings which took place today in north-west Niger, and conveyed his sincere condolences to the families of the victims.

UN official encourages Kyrgyzstan to tackle causes of 2010 inter-communal violence

23 May – A senior United Nations official has encouraged Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to address the causes of the inter-communal violence that erupted in 2010, while stressing that they must be fully in line with human rights standards.

UN official highlights positive trends in Africa to protect indigenous people’s rights

23 May – A United Nations official today stressed that Africa has taken positive steps to protect the rights of indigenous people, adding that the continent must continue making progress and avoid repeating mistakes made by other regions.

Japan to host world conference on disaster risk reduction in 2015 – UN

23 May – Japan will host the world conference slated to be held in 2015 at which countries will adopt the successor to the current global blueprint for disaster risk reduction efforts, it was announced today at a United Nation forum on the issue that wrapped up in Geneva.

DR Congo: In Goma, Secretary-General hails regional accord as ‘best chance for peace in years’

23 May – Arriving today in restive eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged all the leaders of Africa’s Great Lakes region to throw their support behind a recently-signed peace accord which aims to ensure security, as well as development, for the long-troubled country.

Sudan: UN humanitarian chief urges stronger bridges between humanitarian, development work

23 May – Civilians in Sudan are paying the biggest price in the war between the Government and rebels, the United Nations humanitarian chief reiterated today as she wrapped up a visit to the country urging more sustainable support for displaced populations, many of whom have been living in camps for a decade.