Americas

Ban congratulates US leader for lifting entry restriction based on HIV status

31 October 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today congratulated United States President Barack Obama for announcing that travel restrictions for people living with HIV from entering the country will be removed.

Haiti: UN calls for speedy new government after premier’s ouster

30 October 2009
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti today appealed to all sides to cooperate in ensuring stability and speedily install a new government team after the impoverished country’s Senate voted the Prime Minister out of office.

Secretary-General encouraged by deal resolving political crisis in Honduras

30 October 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said that he is encouraged by news that an agreement has been reached to resolve the political crisis in Honduras that began when President José Manuel Zelaya was ousted from power in June.

UN welcomes United States removal of entry restriction based on HIV status

30 October 2009
The United Nations agency spearheading the world body’s efforts to tackle the HIV/AIDS pandemic today welcomed the decision of the United States to remove 22-year-old entry restrictions based on HIV status.

General Assembly again calls for lifting of United States embargo against Cuba

29 October 2009
The General Assembly has voted for the 18th consecutive year to condemn the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba for the past half century and called for it to be lifted.

UN rights expert voices concern over use of unmanned drones by United States

28 October 2009
The use of pilot-less drones by the United States to target militants in Pakistan and Afghanistan will be regarded as a breach of international law unless Washington can demonstrate that it follows the appropriate precautions and accountability mechanisms, an independent United Nations human rights expert warned.

Renewed multilateralism order of the day, Ban tells graduates in Seattle

26 October 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted the need for greater collaboration among nations to address common challenges, including the global economic slowdown, the flu pandemic and climate change, adding that the United States is central to these efforts.

Climate change the focus as Ban kicks off visit to Seattle

25 October 2009
Climate change was the focus today as Ban Ki-moon kicked off his first visit to Seattle as United Nations Secretary-General, setting out to see firsthand the efforts of United States citizens, communities and businesses to protect the environment.
UNESCO

UNESCO head speaks out against murder of Mexican reporter

21 October 2009
The head of the United Nations agency tasked with upholding press freedom today condemned the killing of a radio presenter in Mexico, stressing that the murder affects the whole of Mexican society.

Central America most crime-ridden region in world, UN report finds

21 October 2009
Central America has become the region with the highest levels of non-political crime worldwide, with an average murder rate of 33 per 100,000 inhabitants last year, three times greater than the global average, a new United Nations report warns, noting that crime threatens the region’s development.