Europe

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right) meets with Prince Willem-Alexander who has been inaugurated as King of the Netherlands.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Secretary-General congratulates Netherlands’ new King, praises predecessor Beatrix

30 April 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today warmly congratulated Willem-Alexander on his inauguration as King of the Netherlands – ‘an indispensable partner of the United Nations’ – and paid tribute to the public service that his mother, Princess Beatrix, rendered over the past 33 years.
The ill-fated 4th block of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.
IAEA/Petr Pavlicek

On Chernobyl anniversary, UN chief says impact of disaster must never be forgotten

26 April 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today marked the 27th anniversary of the worst nuclear power plant accident in history by stressing that the impact of the Chernobyl disaster must never be forgotten and calling for continued international assistance for the people and regions affected.
Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Najat Maalla M’jid.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Kyrgyzstan must uphold its vows to protect children from sexual abuse, UN expert urges

26 April 2013
Alcohol abuse and domestic violence, early and forced marriages and bride kidnappings are among the factors making children in Kyrgyzstan more vulnerable to sexual exploitation and forced labour, warned a United Nations independent expert at the end of her recent visit to the country.
Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers Gabriela Knaul.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

UN rights expert urges Russia to ensure independence of judiciary

26 April 2013
An independent United Nations human rights expert has urged the Russian Government to take specific measures to guarantee the independence and impartiality of the justice system, while noting positive developments in the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.
E.U. High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, brokered landmark agreement between Serbia and Kosovo reached on 19 April 2013 in Brussels.
European Union 2013 - European Parliament

Ban welcomes ‘landmark’ agreement between Serbia and Kosovo negotiators

19 April 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed a “landmark” agreement between leaders of Serbia and Kosovo in the context of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue facilitated by the European Union, voicing hoped that the new accord would help usher in a future of peace and stability in the Balkans.
Syria refugees shop with the WFP food vouchers they received in Turkey.
WFP

Turkish law on protection of foreigners wins UN praise

12 April 2013
The United Nations refugee agency today welcomed a new Turkish law on foreigners as an important advancement for international protection and pledged continued backing to the authorities as they implement it.
A person being inteviewed which is an essential part of the stateless determination process.
UNHCR/D. Telemans

UN refugee agency applauds United Kingdom’s efforts to end statelessness

9 April 2013
The United Nations refugee agency today welcomed a new determination procedure in the United Kingdom to end legal limbo for stateless people and legalize their presence there.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

Meeting in Vatican, Secretary-General and Pontiff discuss ways to eradicate poverty

9 April 2013
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Pope Francis today discussed what can be done to accelerate work to reduce poverty and advance economic development during a meeting in the Vatican.
Matthew Nimetz, Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for the talks between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

More talks on name of former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia expected soon, UN envoy says

9 April 2013
The next round of talks between Greece and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the dispute over the latter’s name is expected within two months, a United Nations envoy today said after a meeting with representatives of both sides to lay out a new proposal.
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher at a press conference at the United Nations in June 1982.
UN Photo/Yutaka Nagata

Praising ‘Iron Lady,’ Ban says ‘We will owe a great deal to her leadership’

8 April 2013
A ‘pioneering leader’ and a ‘great model’ are among the praises Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon bestowed on Baroness Margaret Thatcher today following news of the death of the former British Prime Minister known as the ‘Iron Lady,’ as he expressed his deepest condolences to her family and country.