Europe

Lamberto Zannier, Head of UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo

UN's Kosovo mission reorients field presence to non-Albanian ethnic communities

26 November 2008
The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) is re-orienting its field presence to concentrate in areas occupied by ethnic non-Albanians following Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia, the top United Nations official there said today.
Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UNFICYP Chief of Mission

Leaders continue UN-backed talks on Cyprus peace process

25 November 2008
Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders continued United Nations-sponsored talks on the reunification of the Mediterranean island today, focusing on the issues of federal offences and the federal police.
UNMIK Headquarters in Pristina

Challenges emerge for UN in Kosovo, nearly a year after independence declaration – Ban

25 November 2008
The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has faced significant challenges over the past five months to its ability to perform the vast majority of its tasks after Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.
Gay McDougall, UN Independent Expert on Minority Issues

UN experts call for strong government response to anti-Roma violence in Europe

21 November 2008
Two United Nations human rights experts today expressed grave concern over the recent rise in anti-Roma sentiment and violent incidents in several European countries, calling for a stronger response from governments.

International Monetary Fund approves $2.1 billion loan for hard-hit Iceland

20 November 2008
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a $2.1 billion loan to Iceland to help the Nordic nation stabilize its currency, restore confidence in its banking system and limit the harshest effects of the global financial crisis.

Security Council extends European force in Bosnia and Herzegovina for another year

20 November 2008
The Security Council today gave a year-long extension to the European Union stabilization force (EUFOR) that is tasked with ensuring the continued compliance of all sides with the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement that ended fighting in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

French human rights advocate receives UNESCO prize for lifetime’s work

19 November 2008
One of the drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 60 years ago will receive a prestigious prize in recognition of his life-long advocacy for a culture of rights around the world, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced today.
A section of Ukraine's oil-contaminated shoreline

Clean-up needed on Ukrainian shores one year after major oil spill – UN report

19 November 2008
Ukraine needs to clean up its contaminated shoreline one year after a major oil spill in the Kerch Strait damaged flora and fauna in the area and caused significant revenue losses for local industries, according to a new joint report released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the European Commission (EC).
Special Envoy for Georgia, Johan Verbeke

‘Important qualitative leap’ made in Georgia talks, UN reports

19 November 2008
International talks on the Russian-Georgian conflict in South Ossetia made an “important qualitative leap” today, moving from a sterile procedural debate to a substantive one, a senior United Nations envoy said.
Icelandic singer Björk

With shout-out from Björk, UN unveils environmental awareness campaign

19 November 2008
The Icelandic singer and green campaigner Björk today endorsed a new United Nations environmental campaign to raise public awareness on the impacts of global warming.