Asia Pacific

Departing UN envoy warns Timor-Leste of the danger of ‘black hole’ of conflict

22 September 2006
Giving his final press conference today after four years in Timor-Leste, the top United Nations envoy warned the country’s leaders that the tiny South-East Asian nation could be sucked into a “black hole” of conflict following the upsurge of violence earlier this year and amid continued tension, especially in the capital Dili.

Pacific nations stress vulnerability of small island States during UN debate

22 September 2006
The vulnerability of the small island nations of the Pacific Ocean to the forces of nature and shifts in global economic development were the focus of speeches at the United Nations General Assembly today from representatives of five of the region’s countries.

At UN, China urges two Koreas to overcome differences through dialogue

22 September 2006
Declaring China’s commitment to peace on the Korean peninsula, the country’s Foreign Minister, addressing the United Nations General Assembly today, urged the two countries there to resolve their differences through negotiations.

Asian nations underline need to protect and support migrants during UN debate

22 September 2006
The rights of the world’s migrants, from workers seeking a better economic life to refugees escaping conflict or natural disaster, were spotlighted today during speeches to the United Nations General Assembly by representatives of Asian nations.

Central Asia's nuclear-arms-free zone can spur stability elsewhere, officials tell UN

22 September 2006
The recently signed Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia can spur progress on other issues related to those arms, the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan told the United Nations General Assembly today.

Violence in Afghanistan is at its most severe since the fall of the Taliban in 2001: Annan

21 September 2006
The upsurge in violence in Afghanistan over the past few months represents a “watershed” and is the most severe threat to the country’s transition to peace since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan warns today, urging greater military and diplomatic efforts to counter the insurgency.

Canada’s Prime Minister calls on UN to ensure sustained progress in Afghanistan

21 September 2006
United Nations Member States must ensure that Afghanistan can consolidate its gains and overcome the enormous challenges ahead, the prime minister of Canada, which has deployed 2,500 troops to the war-ravaged country, said today.

At UN, Republic of Korea's Foreign Minister urges Pyongyang to return to talks

21 September 2006
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly today, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea urged officials from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to return to talks and work towards denuclearizing the shared peninsula.

South Pacific countries sound alarm at UN debate on impact of global warming

20 September 2006
The South Pacific nations of Papua New Guinea and Kiribati have used their addresses to the annual debate of the General Assembly to voice concern about rising sea levels in the region and to urge United Nations Member States to do much more to reduce global warming.

Opium poppy trade must be stopped to defeat terrorists, Afghan leader tells UN debate

20 September 2006
The upsurge in terrorism across Afghanistan over the past year will not end until the booming opium poppy industry is defeated and farmers can find alternative livelihoods, the country’s President told the United Nations General Assembly today.