Diabetes is not just a health issue, but a disease which concerns the whole of society, according to a spokesperson from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Changes in life-style in countries across the world are resulting in more cases of the sometimes fatal condition.
Around 422 million people now suffer from diabetes, a figure which has almost doubled in the past 35 years.
A video of a celebrity wedding which took place in Brazil is being premiered at the UN on Friday as part of an event to highlight a decade of progress in Latin America in protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex or LGBTI people.
The video features Daniela Mercury a Brazilian singer who has sold more than 20 million albums.
Ms Mercury divorced her husband and years later married her girlfriend.
The freedom that jazz music engenders can play an important role in promoting tolerance around the world.
That’s according to drummer, Marko Djordjevic, who was performing at the United Nations on International Jazz Day.
Daniel Dickinson asked him why it is important to have a day dedicated to jazz.
The report begins with the music of John Coltrane played by Mr Djordjevic and saxophonist, Tivon Pennicott.
Duration: 2’38”
Jazz has a diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe, according to the United Nations’ cultural organization (UNESCO).
Every year on 30 April, International Jazz Day brings together communities, artists, historians and jazz enthusiasts to celebrate and learn about jazz and its roots.
The musical genre is recognized for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and dignity.
Stephanie Coutrix reports.
Duration: 2’49”
The Second International Jazz Day is being commemorated on April 30th 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey.
UNESCO proclaimed International Jazz Day in November 2011 and five months later, the first celebration was held at United Nations headquarters in New York.
South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela and other musicians rehearsed on Sunday in preparation for the first International Jazz Day which is being celebrated on Monday, 30 April.
The day was proclaimed by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in November 2011.
UNESCO says it is intended to raise awareness of the virtues of jazz as an educational tool and a force for peace, unity, dialogue and enhanced cooperation among people.
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock says jazz is a universal language that does not need translation.
The legendary musician is taking part in a special concert, along with several other big name performers to mark the first International Jazz Day on 30 April.
Mr. Hancock is one of a number of musicians performing at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York.
Around the world, men are being mobilised to stand up against gender inequality.
From taxi drivers in Kenya, to student activists in India and refugees in Uganda, all have pledged to confront gender inequality in their communities.
They’re part of a pilot project known as the Mobilising Men Initiative, which is led by the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom and supported by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
Timor-Leste saw a great deal of violence during the political crisis in 2006, but this year the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is looking forward to a largely peaceful electoral process.
Finn Reske-Nielsen, Deputy Special Representative for the Secretary General says UNDP has been helping the country gear up for March’s presidential election, as well as June’s parliamentary polls.
He also says that the departure of the UN peacekeeping mission to Timor-Leste does present a challenge, but one that can be overcome.
Preparations are underway for a first ever summit in South Africa in June to create partnerships between the various nations and the diaspora communities around the world.
As part of these efforts, the African Union recently organized a gathering of lawmakers from Africa and the diaspora in New York.
The meeting, which was facilitated by the Office of the United Nations Special Adviser on Africa, brought together lawmakers, experts and scholars from Africa and the African diaspora.
