UN Interviews

Discussions over a new partnership with the Sudanese government to bring humanitarian relief to civilians in the volatile Darfur region are in their final phase.

That’s according to the deputy chief in charge of protection, for the UN and African Union joint Mission in Darfur, UNAMID.

Bintou Keita, UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative, has been advocating on behalf of the Mission for a new Temporary Operating Base for the UN in the former rebel stronghold of Golo, in Jebel Marra.

The number of people from South Sudan seeking refuge in Uganda has reached one million, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has warned.

An average of 1,800 South Sudanese civilians have been crossing into Uganda every day during the past year.

Another one million or more South Sudanese are being hosted by Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic.

The allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers in the Central African Republic or CAR came as a “huge shock” to the UN Mission there also known by the acronym, MINUSCA.

That’s what Diane Corner, the Deputy Head of MINUSCA said during a visit to UN Headquarters in New York on the last day of her tenure.

International troops serving as peacekeepers in CAR were accused of sexually abusing a number of young children in exchange for food or money between 2013 and 2015.

Tourism in Africa can reduce poverty but the industry needs help to resist challenges from conflict, climate change and health emergencies, the UN said on Wednesday.

In a new report from UN trade agency UNCTAD, latest data indicates that the sector accounts for one in 14 jobs on the continent – with women and young adults playing a key role.

There are around 100 million African children out of school which is endangering the global push towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

That’s according to the former President of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete, who is leading The Education Commission’s push to convert its call for new ways of financing classrooms around the world, into action.

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.