Americas

UN honours community projects that reduce poverty through conservation

19 May 2004
In celebration of the International Day for Biodiversity, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today will present the Equator Prize to communities from Colombia, India and Namibia for their efforts to cut poverty.

Development efforts must be culturally sensitive, UN Population Fund says

18 May 2004
Making local alliances in culturally sensitive situations gives aid workers a greater chance of succeeding in their development efforts, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says in a new report.

WHO lauds US fast-track initiative on AIDS drugs

18 May 2004
The United Nations public health organization today welcomed the recent announcement by the United States that it would speed up to as little as a few weeks its review of the fixed-dose and co-packaged therapies for HIV/AIDS that will be financed for developing countries by international donors.

Jamaica first to sign for low-priced AIDS drugs under UN and Clinton initiatives

18 May 2004
Jamaica is the first country to have signed an agreement to receive HIV/AIDS drugs and diagnostic tests at the reduced prices negotiated by the Clinton Foundation and paid for by the United Nations-initiated Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the Fund said today.

UN peacekeeping budget needs extra $1 billion by year's end, Annan says

17 May 2004
United Nations peacekeeping missions, which are becoming increasingly numerous and more complex, will need an extra $1 billion by the end of 2004, bringing up the total funds available to nearly $4 billion, Secretary-General Kofi Annan told the Security Council today.

UN-created health care fund welcomes US initiative on AIDS drugs

17 May 2004
A Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS and other diseases initiated by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed a move by the United States to speed up review and approval of fixed-dose and co-packaged drugs to as little as a few weeks.

Security Council calls on UN membership for more engagement in peacekeeping

17 May 2004
The United Nations Security Council today called on Member States to give the world body the political and financial support, as well as the civilian and military personnel, "to allow the multiple operations to start optimally and fulfil their respective mandates in an effective manner."

Spanish envoy to US appointed head of Security Council anti-terror directorate

14 May 2004
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has informed the Security Council of his intention to name the Spanish Ambassador to the United States, Javier Ruperez, as the head of the restructured Counter-terrorism Committee (CTC).

AIDS, children, empowering women central themes as UN marks Families Day

14 May 2004
The impact of HIV/AIDS which has already orphaned 14 million children worldwide, the worst forms of child labour that affect 180 million youngsters, and the "critical" need to empower women are central themes of the International Day of Families being celebrated throughout the United Nations system tomorrow.

UN official urges top priority for fighting hunger other than high-profile disasters

12 May 2004
With one child dying every five seconds from hunger-related diseases, the head of the United Nations emergency feeding agency has appealed to the United States to put a greater priority on funds for people suffering from chronic hunger than just on the victims of high-profile disasters and emergencies.