Americas

UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz

UN must step up aid to developing world, Uruguay’s Foreign Minister tells Assembly

29 September 2012
From the podium of the General Assembly, Uruguay’s Foreign Minister Luis Almagro today called on the United Nations to step up its aid to developing countries, particularly middle income countries.
UNECE

California law on human right to water sets example for others – UN expert

28 September 2012
The new law passed by the state of California in the United States on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation is an “inspiring example” for governments, a United Nations independent expert said today.
UN Photo/J Carrier

At UN debate, Latin American ministers call for Security Council reform, veto limits

28 September 2012
Taking the podium at the United Nations General Assembly today, the Foreign Ministers of Chile and Peru called for Security Council reform, with Chile proposing that its permanent members forego the right of veto in situations involving crimes against humanity and other heinous offences.
UN Photo/Marco Castro

Nicaragua urges a ‘reinvention’ of the United Nations, Foreign Minister tells debate

28 September 2012
“The world’s well-being and power is increasingly in the hands of market and financial elites,” Nicaragua’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Santos Lopez, told the General Assembly today as he highlighted the shrinking role of the State in public affairs and the need for reform or reinvention at the world body.
UN Photo/J Carrier

Jamaica and Guyana flag need for more aid for middle income states amidst debt crisis

27 September 2012
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller spoke up for middle-income states before the United Nations General Assembly today, calling on the international community not to forget them in aid for development and the fight against disease.
UN Photo/Mark Garten

UN committed to addressing most pressing issues in Caribbean countries, says Ban

27 September 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to help Caribbean countries tackle some of the most pressing issues in the region, including climate change, organized crime and debt.
UNODC

Drug trafficking threatens rule of law in Central America – UN report

27 September 2012
Drug trafficking and related violence constitutes a serious threat to the rule of law in Central America, a new United Nations report states, stressing the need to strengthen institutions so they are not exploited by cross-border criminals.
UN Photo/Marco Castro

Paraguay will never accept foreign intervention in its affairs, its President tells UN debate

27 September 2012
On what he described as the “first and last time” he will address the United Nations General Assembly, the President of Paraguay, Federico Franco Gomez, affirmed that his country will not abide by any infringement on its sovereignty.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Honduras: UN official urges action to tackle chronic insecurity for lawyers, journalists

26 September 2012
The United Nations human rights chief today called on Honduras to take urgent steps to combat impunity for crimes against lawyers and journalists, stressing that recent killings reflect the “chronic insecurity” that these professions are subject to in the country.
UN Photo/J Carrier

At General Debate, Colombia encourages UN in efforts to solve Syrian crisis, aid Haiti

26 September 2012
In a speech to the General Assembly, Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos today called on the United Nations to persevere in its efforts to resolve the fighting in Syria and reduce poverty in Haiti.