General News

Corruption “steals” from everyone in society according to a representative from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The agency’s Jason Reichelt said that corruption came in many forms including fraud, bribery, and theft from private or public institutions, depriving governments of valuable development funding.

According to the World Bank, about $1 trillion is paid each year in bribes around the world.

“Desperate appeals” are being made for humanitarian workers to evacuate the sick and injured from Syria’s Aleppo amid continued intense fighting, the UN said on Thursday.

In a call for a pause in the violence, so that civilians can emerge from their shelters without being attacked, UN Special Adviser Jan Egeland said that aid teams still do not have access to the east of the city.

Daniel Johnson has more.

Duration: 2'03"

The humanitarian needs of displaced people in Eastern Ukraine are increasing this winter, contrary to the expectations of the UN’s Refugee agency (UNHCR) in the region.

The conflict in Ukraine between government forces and separatist rebels in the east, along the border with Russia, began in 2014 and is still ongoing, displacing more than a million people.

The Lord’s Resistance Army rebel group, is continuing to cause “unspeakable suffering” for civilians in central African countries where it operates, according to the UN’s Special Representative for the region.

François Louncény Fall, acting head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa, UNOCA, was briefing Security Council members in New York on the main threats to peace and security.

Matthew Wells has more.

Duration: 2'39"

With the resources to keep responding effectively and improvements in water and sanitation for all Haitians, “cholera will go”.

That’s according to David Nabarro, the UN Special Adviser responsible for the organization’s on-going cholera response in Haiti.

He was speaking after the UN apologized last week for its response to the initial cholera outbreak in Haiti six years ago that claimed more than 9,000 lives.

The UN has pledged to provide both immediate and long-term support for those affected.

A new study has found that the UN brings significant economic, cultural and educational benefits to the people of New York City.

According to Penny Abeywardena, Commissioner of NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, the UN has generated thousands of jobs and huge economic output for the city.

Referencing the centrepiece of the American football season, she said hosting the UN is similar to “having seven Super Bowls every year”.

Andita Listyarini has been speaking to Ms Abeywardena.

Duration: 2’59”

The political accord in Libya “stands firm” but is “stuck,” according to the head of the United Nations Support Mission in the country, (UNSMIL).

The accord, which was signed a year ago this month, is aimed at ending conflict in the North African country following the ouster of former President Muammar al-Qhadafi in 2011.

Almost half a million people have been forced to flee their homes because of the ongoing insecurity.

Biodiversity, or the variety of life on Earth, provides “essential services” to mankind, according to the Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

Development and scientific experts gathered a few days ago on the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, to discuss how to protect the world’s biodiversity.

UNDP has been working with developing countries across the world to help manage these natural resources in line with their own priorities and needs.

With nearly four billion people still unable to get online, the UN Internet Governance Forum provides a valuable “space” to discuss ways of connecting even the poorest rural areas of the world.

The transformation from agrarian- to industrial-based economies is a “very big challenge” for countries in Africa, according to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

The UN agency’s role is to eradicate global poverty by assisting developing and middle income countries in achieving inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

Speaking to LiLing Huang on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of UNIDO, the Director General there, LI Yong, outlined the key challenges for the continent.