Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) and World Bank President Jim Yong Kim (right) are greeted on arrival in Kinshasa by President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Photo: MONUSCO/Myriam Asmani

On joint visit to DR Congo, UN and World Bank chiefs voice support for latest peace effort
22 May – In the first visit of its kind, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank President Jim Yong Kim are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to support a recent peace deal and promote economic development in the long-troubled region. FULL STORY>>

Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry briefs the Security Council. UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Amid turmoil in Mideast, UN envoy urges ‘concerted action’ to resume Israeli-Palestinian talks
22 May – While international attention is understandably on the tragedy that continues to unfold in Syria, it is equally important to ensure the resumption of negotiations aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a senior United Nations envoy stressed to the Security Council today. FULL STORY>>

Photo: World Bank/Allison Kwesell

UN urges collective efforts to achieve ‘water secure world’ on Day for Biological Diversity
22 May – 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. FULL STORY>>

A Syrian refugee hangs laundry in front of her tent in Zaatari camp in Jordan. Photo: Areej Abu Qudairi/IRIN

UN emergency fund provides $9.8 million to assist Syrian refugees in Jordan
22 May – The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has provided $9.8 million to support the establishment of a new camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan and to help meet the growing needs of those fleeing the ongoing conflict. FULL STORY>>

In Latin America and the Caribbean there are approximately 50 million indigenous peoples, about 10% of the total population. Photo: UNDP Peru

Political participation by indigenous peoples in Latin America still low – UN report
22 May – Indigenous peoples in Latin America have undergone an unprecedented mobilization in the past 20 years, but political participation, particularly among women, is still low, the United Nations said in a new report released today. FULL STORY>>

PEACE AND SECURITY

UN expanding mine action work in Mali - 22 May

Security Council extends UN political mission in Guinea-Bissau - 22 May

Guinea: UN official initiates consultations between Government, opposition leaders - 22 May

UN envoy proposes set of principles to guide peace efforts in DR Congo - 21 May

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Trade, Investment, Technology

Post-2015 development agenda must focus on equality – UN experts - 21 May

Eight countries submit action plans to combat illegal trade in elephant ivory – UN - 17 May

UN presents awards for promoting information technology to improve road safety - 17 May

UN officials call for harnessing power of information technology to reduce road fatalities - 16 May

HUMANITARIAN AID, REFUGEES

International community must help Darfur become self-sufficient – UN official - 22 May

Number of Syrians in need of humanitarian aid rises to over 8 million – UN - 21 May

UN praises Bangladesh's preparedness, response to tropical storm Mahasen - 20 May

UN assesses low damage from weakened Cyclone Mahasen in Bangladesh, Myanmar - 17 May

ENVIRONMENT, SHELTER

UN agency to open nuclear emergency preparedness centre in Fukushima - 22 May

UN global disasters forum opens with condolences for Oklahoma City tornado victims - 21 May

Ahead of June climate change talks, UN body urges coordinated response to CO₂ ‘danger zone’ - 13 May

At UN conference, countries boost protection against hazardous chemicals and waste - 13 May

HUMAN RIGHTS

UN human rights chief welcomes signing of Bangladesh work safety accord by major companies - 17 May

Nigerian rebels could face war crimes charges for ‘population cleansing’ – UN rights office - 17 May

Countries must repeal laws that discriminate against LGBT individuals – UN officials - 17 May

Papua New Guinea’s plans to resume death penalty ‘major setback’ – UN - 17 May

UN AFFAIRS, SECRETARY-GENERAL

In ‘time of tension,’ role of Alliance of Civilizations must be enhanced, says Ban - 13 May

UN's overall financial situation 'positive,' top management official reports - 10 May

Ban appoints Atefeh Riazi of the United States as new UN information technology chief - 9 May

Ban appoints British diplomat as new UN envoy for Somalia - 29 April

WOMEN, CHILDREN, POPULATION

UN chief promotes education, gender empowerment during final day of Mozambique visit - 21 May

UN officials in Afghanistan urge ratification of law to eliminate violence against women - 20 May

UN envoy urges 'uniting for youth' with first in series of virtual Google+ Hangouts - 17 May

CAR: UN agency ‘condemns in strongest possible terms’ killing of teen linked to rebels - 10 May

LAW, CRIME PREVENTION

UN Member States appraise Global Action Plan to combat human trafficking - 13 May

Security Council: Libyan trials could be ‘Nuremberg moment,’ ICC prosecutor says - 8 May

UN rights expert urges Russia to ensure independence of judiciary - 26 April

On World Intellectual Property Day, UN honours creativity and innovation - 26 April

HEALTH, POVERTY, FOOD SECURITY

Central African Republic: UN measles vaccination campaign to protect 125,000 children - 21 May

Over 7 million people now receiving HIV treatment in Africa – UN report - 21 May

UN agency steps up efforts to help Niger respond to cholera epidemic - 21 May

Hunger, poverty rates in Egypt up sharply over past three years – UN report - 21 May

On World Day, UN encourages joining ‘do one thing for diversity and inclusion’ campaign - 21 May

Indigenous culture, youth among key topics as UN permanent forum opens 12th session - 20 May

In Kabul, UNESCO chief spotlights Afghanistan’s educational and cultural gains - 20 May

Natural resource revenues could nearly double school access in developing nations – UN study - 7 May