General News

Ending the use of rape and other forms of sexual violence as a weapon of war is still one of the greatest challenges to the protection of human rights according to the UN's Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Margot Wallström says one useful tool in fighting impunity is the list of 'named and shamed' for crimes of conflict-related sexual violence. For the first time it has been included in the Secretary-General's annual report out this week.

Africa’s rising energy needs has been the focus of a meeting in Nairobi, Kenya this week that brought together environmental experts from across the globe.

The UNEP Governing Council is a global ministerial forum convened annually to review important and emerging policies in the field of environment.

It’s the Council’s last major meeting before the Rio +20 Conference on Sustainable Development scheduled for June.

Bryan Coll reports.

Duration: 2'11"

Smarter ways of growing crops could be one of the answers to the growing problem of not having enough food for a growing population, according to world leaders at an International Fund for Agricultural Development conference.

The two-day session of the 35th Governing Council features presentations by various stakeholders, including President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.

President Kagame shared his perspective on the importance of agriculture and how sustainable productivity improvements can reduce poverty in developing countries.

Julie Walker reports.

The number of African Union troops serving in Somalia will be increased from the current level of 12,000 to over 17,000.

This follows a unanimous vote by the UN Security Council on Wednesday to raise the troop strength, just one day ahead of the London Conference on Somalia.

Dianne Penn reports.

Duration:  2'27"

One hundred and twenty Japanese engineers arrived in South Sudan this week to join the United Nations peacekeeping mission there in helping the young country build roads and bridges.

Infrastructural development is a top priority for South Sudan, which gained its independence from Sudan in July.

The Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force of engineers is the ninth team from the country to participate in UN peacekeeping operations.

Julie Walker reports.

Duration:  2'10"

Voters flocked to the polls in Yemen on Tuesday.

They are voting  for a new president under a deal reached last year after months of deadly protests against President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who ruled the country for 33 years.

Dianne Penn reports.

Duration:  1'53"

Organized crime is threatening the already fragile peace, security and stability in West Africa and the Sahel region, according to UN officials and other leaders.

At a Security Council meeting hosted by Togo, the country’s President, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe said more resources and a greater commitment from the international community are needed.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told Ambassadors that while the UN has been helping in the region, the upheaval in Libya is having side effects such as an influx of weapons.

Day to day living is a challenge for people living in informal refugee settlements around Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

Twenty-four children have died recently after being exposed to the harshest winter the country has experienced in 15 years.

The UN is now providing supplies to families living in makeshift shelters to help them make it through the winter.

Charles Appel reports.

Duration: 2'22"

An official complaint has been made at the United Nations by Argentina over what it says is the militarisation of the South Atlantic and more precisely the Falkland Islands or Malvinas.

The archipelago, which is situated 300 miles off the coast of Argentina in the South Atlantic, is a British overseas territory.

The two countries fought a war in 1982 when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).

Daniel Dickinson reports

Duration: 3’01”

Health facilities should be treated as neutral premises. That call comes from the World Health Organization.

WHO is alarmed that with the ongoing crisis in Syria, sick and wounded people—and those who treat them—are facing difficulties in both accessing and providing medical care.  Dianne Penn reports.

Duration: 2'37"