Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras

Ban commends organization of Egyptian presidential elections and public’s participation
25 May – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today commended the Egyptian authorities for their organization of the country’s presidential elections and the people of Egypt for their participation. FULL STORY>>

Special Representative Augustine Mahiga. UN Photo/Stuart Price

Somalia’s leaders clear obstacles to ending transitional period – UN official
25 May – Leaders in Somalia have agreed to set up a Constituent Assembly that will adopt the East African nation’s new constitution in line with an existing roadmap to end the current transitional governing arrangement by an upcoming deadline, the United Nations envoy for the country said today. FULL STORY>>

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras

Secretary-General welcomes further talks on Iran’s nuclear capabilities
25 May – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomes the recently concluded talks between Iran and the E3+3 grouping – made up of the United Kingdom, the United States, US, China, France, Germany and Russia – his spokesperson said today. FULL STORY>>

UNHCR's help desk in Yida issues food distribution tokens to Sudanese refugees who have lost theirs. UNHCR/V. Tan

UN agency boosts services for Sudanese refugees in South Sudan
25 May – The United Nations refugee agency said today it is expanding relief operations for refugees in the Yida camp in South Sudan, where the number of people fleeing conflict in neighbouring Sudan has risen to more than 35,000. FULL STORY>>

UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay speaks to the press. Photo: OHCHR

UN human rights chief concerned over instability and violations in Guinea-Bissau
25 May – The top United Nations human rights official said today she remains concerned over continuing instability in Guinea Bissau, following the coup there last month and reports of human rights violations, including the violent repression of a peaceful demonstration, looting and arbitrary detention of civilians. FULL STORY>>

PEACE AND SECURITY

Secretary-General calls for conclusion of constitution-making process in Nepal - 24 May

Ban welcomes announcement of talks resuming between Sudan and South Sudan - 24 May

UN observers hold mediation meeting with opposition members in Syrian city of Douma - 24 May

UN envoy to Lebanon welcomes efforts to bolster security after recent tensions - 24 May

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Trade, Investment, Technology

At Rio+20, world must seize generational opportunity to achieve sustainable future – Ban - 23 May

At youth forum, UN labour chief warns of ‘growing discontent’ - 23 May

Top UN officials stress need for concrete commitments ahead of Rio+20 conference - 22 May

Asia-Pacific region must boost collaboration to ensure sustainable growth – UN official - 21 May

HUMANITARIAN AID, REFUGEES

UN relief coordinator warns over humanitarian crisis in Africa’s drought-hit Sahel - 24 May

During West African trip, Security Council hears testimonies of Ivorian refugees - 22 May

Airlift takes home thousands of South Sudanese citizens from Sudan – UN official - 21 May

Record number of African refugees migrating to Yemen – UN - 18 May

ENVIRONMENT, SHELTER

Access to low-cost energy vital in fight against poverty – General Assembly President - 24 May

New UN website fosters sharing of successful sustainable development projects - 23 May

On biodiversity day, UN chief calls for greater protection of world’s oceans - 22 May

UN soil carbon survey aims to help Tanzania reduce greenhouse gas emissions - 16 May

HUMAN RIGHTS

Top UN human rights official urges Zimbabwe’s president to ensure peaceful elections - 24 May

UN human rights probe panel reports continuing ‘gross’ violations in Syria - 24 May

UNESCO chief speaks out on killing of journalists in Honduras, Uganda - 24 May

Somalia: UN calls for efforts to minimize civilian casualties in military operation - 23 May

UN AFFAIRS, SECRETARY-GENERAL

UN chief to travel to Turkey and Saudi Arabia next week - 25 May

Ban calls for global leadership dedicated to the common good - 8 May

General Assembly President calls for inclusive economies in Arab world - 4 May

Three veteran UN officials selected for senior posts - 25 April

WOMEN, CHILDREN, POPULATION

More States ratify optional protocols to UN convention on children’s rights - 25 May

Combating malnutrition must be top priority in Yemen – UNICEF - 25 May

UN independent rights expert urges Gabon to combat trafficking of children - 24 May

New UN report urges greater efforts to prevent drowning deaths among children - 23 May

LAW, CRIME PREVENTION

UN legal counsel urges new law graduates to remain committed to cause of justice - 18 May

Trial of former Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko Mladic opens at UN tribunal - 16 May

Judge resigns from UN-backed Cambodia genocide tribunal - 16 May

At UN-backed court, Charles Taylor denies role in Sierra Leone atrocities - 16 May

HEALTH, POVERTY, FOOD SECURITY

No visible effects detected on workers in Japan nuclear plant, UN assessment finds - 23 May

UN independent expert urges Azerbaijan to spend more on health - 23 May

Appointed to new term, WHO head recommits to goal of better health for most vulnerable - 23 May

On Burkina Faso visit, UN relief chief stresses need for rapid response to food crisis - 23 May

UNESCO and Government of Mali agree on measures to protect cultural heritage - 24 May

UNESCO calls for protection of Libya’s Old City of Ghadamès - 23 May

General Assembly President pays tribute to those who rebelled against slavery - 15 May

Work-family balance benefits families and society at large, says Ban - 15 May