Americas

Everglades returns to UNESCO list of global heritage sites in danger

30 July 2010
The Everglades National Park in the United States is back on the List of World Heritage in Danger because of the “serious and continuing degradation of its aquatic ecosystem,” the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced today.

UN ambassador Nicole Kidman spotlights needs of women in post-quake Haiti

30 July 2010
Actress Nicole Kidman, wrapping up a visit to Haiti today in her role as United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, stressed the need to tackle gender-based violence and support initiatives that advance women’s livelihoods as the country rebuilds after the January earthquake.

Galapagos Islands removed from UN list of World Heritage sites in danger

29 July 2010
Ecuador’s headway in combating threats posed by invasive species, unbridled tourism and over-fishing has allowed the Galapagos Islands to be removed from the list of World Heritage sites considered to be in danger by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Dismissal of Honduran judges sends an intimidating message – UN

29 July 2010
The recent dismissal of three judges and a magistrate in Honduras, apparently because they spoke out during the political crisis that engulfed the country last year, sends a disturbing message to other jurists in the Central American country, three independent United Nations human rights experts warned today.

UN development chief begins visit to Brazil

28 July 2010
The United Nations development chief today began a two-day visit to Brazil during which she will meet with senior Government officials and discuss progress towards achieving the anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

More Haitian children to be vaccinated in UN-backed campaign

27 July 2010
The United Nations and its partners are aiming to reach an additional 500,000 Haitian children during a second round of emergency immunizations in the Caribbean nation that was struck by a devastating earthquake just over six months ago.

Latin America and the Caribbean is world’s most unequal region, UN report shows

26 July 2010
Populations in Latin America and the Caribbean have the world’s highest levels of differences in wealth and income, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says in a new report that calls for social policies which tackle the problem of inequality in the region.

UN agency launches initiative to ship donated books to Haitian children

26 July 2010
The United Nations agency tasked with promoting education has launched an initiative to send donated books to camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Haiti, in an effort to restart the learning process for the country’s children whose schools and libraries were destroyed by the earthquake in January.

UN chief urges dialogue to resolve Colombia-Venezuela tensions

23 July 2010
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on Colombia and Venezuela to resolve their differences through dialogue after Venezuela reportedly broke off diplomatic ties with Colombia, which accused it of harbouring rebel groups.

UN Police in Haiti arrest fugitives suspected of rapes inside camps for displaced

23 July 2010
United Nations Police (UNPOL) serving in Haiti have arrested two men who had escaped from jail and are suspected of being responsible for several subsequent rapes in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) set up after the massive earthquake that struck the country at the start of the year.