Americas

Hundreds more flee fighting in Colombia, UN refugee agency reports

28 April 2006
In yet another humanitarian crisis arising from Colombia’s four-decade-long civil turmoil, hundreds of people are fleeing heavy fighting between the army and one of the Andean country’s irregular armed groups in the south-western department of Nariño, the United Nations refugee agency reported today.

Wise owl and pregnant statue represent UN Millennium Goals in Latin America

27 April 2006
An owl, the symbol of wisdom used by Aztec wisemen, a 3,000-year-old sculpture of an ear of corn, and stone image of a pregnant woman are among a new series of icons that will symbolize the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on T-shirts, posters and banners in Latin America.

Opening NY Stock Exchange, Annan sounds bell for responsible investment

27 April 2006
Secretary-General Kofi Annan rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange this morning, launching a United Nations programme to encourage institutional investors to weigh the environmental and social impact of their investments.

With 10,000 people abducted yearly, UN launches anti-kidnapping manual

26 April 2006
To protect the estimated 10,000 people kidnapped throughout the world every year, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) today launched a manual to help States handle the scourge, which often results in the death of victims.

Hailing Haiti vote, Security Council says long-term challenges still need attention

25 April 2006
The United Nations Security Council today welcomed the recent parliamentary elections in Haiti while stressing that the impoverished Caribbean country still faces numerous challenges requiring international help.

Annan hails Haiti's parliamentary elections as crucial step on road to peace

24 April 2006
The calm atmosphere in which the second round of Haiti's parliamentary elections took place on Friday represents a crucial step towards placing the impoverished and strife-torn Caribbean country on the path to peaceful and stable development, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today.

New Macalester College Institute in US will foster global understanding – Annan

24 April 2006
Returning to the United States college that he graduated from over three decades ago, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has hailed the inauguration of its newly created Institute for Global Citizenship as a step forward in fostering international understanding.

UN Haiti envoy hails parliamentary elections while denouncing violent incidents

22 April 2006
The senior United Nations envoy to Haiti has hailed parliamentary elections in the country as a major step towards consolidating democracy while decrying clashes that resulted in the closure of three voting centres.

UNICEF seeks more funds to help children caught in Colombia’s civil conflict

20 April 2006
Facing a serious funding shortfall for its activities in Colombia, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has appealed for more than $4 million to protect former child soldiers and prevent additional recruitment in the country’s decades-old civil war, provide life-saving aid to displaced people and increase de-mining.

UN, New York Tolerance Center to host films on Holocaust, genocide prevention

19 April 2006
The United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) and the New York Tolerance Center today announced plans to jointly launch a film series next week aimed at fostering an international discussion on the Holocaust and the dangers of hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice.