2013 has been declared "The International Year of the Quinoa" (IYQ).
Quinoa, known for its exceptional nutritional value and agronomic versatility, has a potential contribution in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.
The Andean indigenous peoples have maintained, controlled, protected and preserved quinoa as food for present and future generations.
Synthetic chemicals found in many households and industrial products could have significant health implications, according to a new report released by two UN agencies.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are calling for more research on the association between endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDCs, and specific diseases and disorders such as breast and prostate cancers.
Dianne Penn reports.
Duration: 2'49"
As the United Nations forum dealing with disarmament issues continued its session in Geneva, the issue of North Korea’s recent nuclear test took centre stage on Tuesday.
Representatives of member states criticized the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) for its nuclear test last week.
It’s been a tough first year for South Sudan since it became independent from Sudan, says the head of the UN Mission in the country.
Ms. Hilde Johnson told UN Radio’s Donn Bobb on Friday that despite worrying trends of violence in the country, there have been positive developments in the new African country.
Duration: 4’56”
Although UN agencies report an improvement in humanitarian conditions in Somalia, they point out that more than 250,000 displaced people are still living in camps in the capital, Mogadishu.
While many arrived there during the 2011 famine which affected the country, some have been living in camps for more than 20 years due to the civil war.
Thousands of displaced families were recently moved to a new camp site established by various UN agencies and their partners in cooperation with the Somali government.
Gerry Adams reports.
Duration: 3'11”
A meteor hit Russia's Chelyabinsk region on Friday injuring over a thousand people. Sergio Camacho, president of the Action Group of Objects close to the earth with the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), says injuries were mainly from flying glass because of the sonic boom and the pressure wave.
Beng Poblete-Enriquez spoke with Mr. Camacho who says this incident is a good opportunity for international cooperation to develop the capability to protect the earth from yet another impact.
Duration: 4’36”
World Interfaith Harmony Week was celebrated in early February at the United Nations.
First proposed and adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2010, the week provides an opportunity for all interfaith groups and other groups of goodwill to show the world what a powerful movement they are.
Gerry Adams reports.
Duration: 2'52"
What makes a city prosperous? UN-Habitat, the UN Human Settlements Programme, explores this question in its State of the World’s Cities report – the Prosperity of Cities.
Gerry Adams spoke with Yamina Djacta, head of the New York office of UN-Habitat, who told her both government officials and citizens contribute to a prosperous, liveable city.
Duration: 2'38"
UN Special Envoy for the Sahel, Romano Prodi, has wrapped up a three-day visit to the region which continues to battle political, humanitarian and security challenges.
The envoy was joined by Said Djinnit, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa, in meetings with senior leaders and civil society representatives in Senegal, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Niger.
The UN is moving to increase its engagement in Somalia.
That’s what a senior official from the UN Department of Political Affairs told members of the Security Council during a briefing on Thursday.
After years without a government followed by transitional rule, a new Somali president was elected in September 2012.
Dianne Penn reports.
Duration: 2'35"
