Asia Pacific

Stop killing journalists.
UNESCO

UNESCO chief deplores killing of Filipino radio news anchor

31 March 2011
The head of the United Nations agency defending press freedom today condemned the recent murder of a radio news anchor in the Philippines and urged that her killer be brought to justice.
The poorest of those most affected by high food prices spend over 75 per cent of their income on food

High food prices keep millions in Asia-Pacific region in poverty – UN

31 March 2011
High food prices prevented more than 19 million people in the Asia-Pacific region from lifting themselves out of poverty last year, the United Nations said in a new study released today, warning that soaring food and fuel inflation will keep large sections of the region’s population below the poverty threshold.
Flood-affected farmer carries away wheat seeds donated by US and distributed by FAO

UN seed investment in Pakistan yields four times its value in crops

30 March 2011
Four million people in areas of Pakistan stricken by last year’s floods will now have sufficient food for the next six months thanks to a United Nations-sponsored $54 million investment in quality wheat seeds that is expected to produce a crop worth $190 million.
Special Rapporteur on the effects of foreign debt on human rights, Cephas Lumina.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

UN expert urges rights-based approach in tackling Viet Nam’s challenges

30 March 2011
While applauding the development gains made by Viet Nam, an independent United Nations human rights expert has stressed the need for the South-East Asian nation to ensure a human rights-based approach in addressing social and economic challenges.

Ban calls for genuine transition to democracy in Myanmar

30 March 2011
Myanmar’s authorities have a duty to show that their announced transfer of power from the long-ruling State Peace and Development Council to a new Government is more than a change in name and a genuine move away from military rule, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.
IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano

High-level UN meeting in June will urge political will on nuclear safety

30 March 2011
The high-level conference that the United Nations global nuclear safety watchdog is hosting in June will address the political impact of the Japanese power plant crisis, and not just its technical aspects, the agency’s chief said today.
Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch

UN-backed tribunal concludes appeal hearing for convicted Khmer Rouge figure

30 March 2011
The United Nations-backed tribunal in Cambodia dealing with mass killings and other crimes committed under the Khmer Rouge three decades ago today concluded the appeal hearing for the former head of a notorious detention camp who was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity last year.
IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano

UN nuclear agency calls high-level meeting on Japanese power plant crisis

28 March 2011
The head of the United Nations agency that coordinates global nuclear safety today called for a high-level conference within three months to strengthen safety measures and emergency responses in light of the Japanese power plant crisis.
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and SRSG Ameerah Haq exchange letters for transferring policing responsibilities

Ban lauds transfer of police responsibility from UN mission to Timorese force

28 March 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the transfer of responsibilities for all police operations in Timor-Leste from the United Nations mission to the country’s national force, calling it an important step for the young nation.
Young Afghans take advantage of free computer and English training programme

Young Afghans, many of them girls, benefit from UN-backed computer courses

28 March 2011
Hundreds of young Afghans, many of them girls, are getting free computer and English training under a United Nations-backed programme that is free and prepares them for future employment by assisting them with resume writing and preparing for job interviews.