Latest Headlines From UN News Centre
UN chief promotes education, gender empowerment during final day of Mozambique visit
21 May 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today commended the Government and people of Mozambique for steady progress in political development, but urged greater efforts to overcome human rights challenges, including discrimination and violence against women, through education and awareness-raising.
Madagascar: Secretary-General concerned by latest electoral developments
20 May 2013 – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon shares the concerns expressed earlier by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union over the latest developments in the electoral process in Madagascar, according to the spokesperson for the world body’s chief.
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.
UN chief appoints head of peacekeeping mission in Mali
17 May 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appointed Albert Gerard Koenders of the Netherlands as the head of the recently approved United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali.
Syria conference should be held ‘as soon as possible,’ Ban says during visit to Russia
17 May 2013 – Stressing that a political solution is the only way to end the Syria crisis, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today that an international conference proposed by Russia and the United States should be held as soon as possible so as not to lose momentum.
UN chief ‘very concerned’ about deteriorating security in northeast Nigeria
16 May 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on all extremist groups in Nigeria to cease their attacks amid deteriorating security in the country and where a state of emergency has been declared in parts of the northeast.
Marking ‘Day of Families,’ Ban stresses growing importance of intergenerational solidarity
15 May 2013 – Supportive relationships between family members from different generations are more important now than ever before to face unemployment and other current social and economic challenges, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, marking the International Day of Families.
UN chief discusses new UN mission in Mali with Togolese President Gnassingbé
14 May 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has met with Togo President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé to discuss recent developments in Africa, the importance of promoting sustainable peace and security in West Africa and the creation of a UN peacekeeping mission in Mali to which Togo has contributed.
Amid growing threats across Africa, UN’s Ban urges ‘holistic approach’ to fight terrorism
13 May 2013 – From the Horn of Africa in the east and across the Sahel to the west, terrorism continues to pose a threat to the continent’s peace, security and development, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today as he warned that Africa was facing a rise in the presence of extremist groups and terrorist entities.
Secretary-General hails successful elections in Pakistan; first ever transfer of civilian Government
12 May 2013 – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated the Government and people of Pakistan on the successful conduct of national and provincial elections, hailing the polls, for which millions of voters turned out, as a major democratic step.
UN chief urges strong, peaceful voter turnout for upcoming Pakistan elections
09 May 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging all eligible Pakistanis to peacefully take part in the country’s upcoming elections while also expressing concern about the recent wave of violence and attacks aimed at disrupting preparations for the 11 May polls.
Deputy UN chief stresses need to advance sustainable tourism as cities continue to grow
08 May 2013 – The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General today encouraged governments, the tourism industry and local communities to work together to tackle the important challenge of urbanization and tourism to sustainable development.
Syria: Ban and Special Representative welcome US-Russia accord to spur political solution
08 May 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the Arab League for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, today welcomed the statements by Russia and the United States that they would work together to achieve a political solution to end a conflict that has claimed more than 70,000 lives over the past two years.
Security Council, Ban call on DR Congo to investigate death of Pakistani peacekeeper
08 May 2013 – The Security Council joined Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today in condemning the targeted attack against a United Nations military convoy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) South Kivu province, and calling on the Government to launch an investigation into the incident, which resulted in the death of a Pakistani peacekeeper.
Secretary-General calls for immediate release of UN peacekeepers held in Golan Heights
07 May 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called today for the immediate release of four peacekeepers being held by “armed elements” in the Golan Heights.