Asia Pacific

Participants at workshop

UN Asia-Pacific forum focuses on technology for people with disabilities

29 September 2008
The United Nations today kicked off an initiative to improve access to information and communication technology (ICT) for persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific, including using a computer keyboard or being able to see information on the Internet – things most people take for granted.

Security situation in Afghanistan ‘markedly’ worse, reports Secretary-General

29 September 2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for a change of pace and direction in Afghanistan, where the worsening security situation is hampering the efforts of the Government, the United Nations and international partners to rebuild the strife-torn nation.
U Nyan Win, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar

Myanmar issues call at General Assembly for lifting of ‘immoral’ sanctions

29 September 2008
Myanmar could become the rice bowl of its region and provide energy to other countries if “immoral” sanctions against it were lifted, the country’s Foreign Minister told the General Assembly today.
Rashid Meredov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan

More investment needed to boost global energy security, Turkmenistan tells UN

29 September 2008
Ensuring global energy security requires stepped-up investment, a top official from Turkmenistan, one of the world’s major oil and natural gas producers, told the final day of the General Assembly’s high-level annual debate.
Deputy Prime Minister Puka Temu of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea

‘Obsolete’ market system to blame for deforestation, Papua New Guinea tells UN

27 September 2008
The current global economic system is to fault for deforestation, Papua New Guinea’s Deputy Prime Minister told the General Assembly’s high-level debate today, stressing the need to protect the South Pacific nation’s rainforests from degredation.
Foreign Minister Marat Tazhin of Kazakhstan

World on brink of new nuclear arms race, top Kazakh official warns UN

27 September 2008
With the world on the precipice of a new rush to boost arms supplies, reaching consensus on nuclear disarmament is more critical than ever, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister told the General Assembly today.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Special Adviser Ibrahim Gambari

Myanmar: Ban reviews latest developments with ‘Group of Friends’

27 September 2008
Members of a group of nations helping Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his efforts to spur change in Myanmar today encouraged the Government of the Asian country to work more closely with the UN to deal with issues of concern, including the release of the long-detained political prisoner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

India: Ban deplores recent string of bomb attacks against civilians

27 September 2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced his deep concern over recent bombings in Indian cities that target civilian areas, after a blast today at a market in the capital, Delhi, killed a 13-year-old boy and injured many others.
Vladimir Norov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan, at UN, calls for ‘radical’ new approach to problems in Afghanistan

27 September 2008
A radical overhaul of policies focusing more on economic and social assistance rather than military strength is needed if Afghanistan is to ever achieve peace and stability, Uzbek Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov told the General Assembly today.
Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

DPR Korea committed to peaceful resolution of nuclear issue, UN told

27 September 2008
A senior official from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) told the General Assembly today that the country hopes to resolve issues regarding its nuclear programme peacefully, but warned that it will take action in response to recent moves by the United States.