Asia Pacific

Plu Reh sets off for the bus station on the first leg of his journey to Bangkok and then by plane to the United States

50,000th Myanmar refugee leaves Thailand for new life in US, UN reports

30 June 2009
An ethnic Karenni schoolteacher is the 50,000th refugee from Myanmar sheltering in Thailand who has left to begin a new life in the United States, marking a milestone for the world’s largest resettlement operation, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) announced today.
Posters of candidates line the streets in Afghanistan for the 20 August 2009 presidential election

Afghanistan: UN envoy sees potential to end conflict amid ‘complex’ situation

30 June 2009
The current situation in Afghanistan – marked by the most intense fighting in years, and upcoming presidential polls – is extremely complex, but if managed well could also become a turning point in ending the conflict, the top United Nations envoy to the country said today.
Ceremony marking the resumption of primary responsibilities for police operations in Timor-Leste by the PNTL

Timor-Leste police take over duties from UN in second district

30 June 2009
Police in another district in Timor-Leste have taken over law enforcement duties from the United Nations, it was announced today.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) at joint press conference with Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone of Japan

Myanmar should release all political prisoners, Ban says ahead of visit

30 June 2009
Myanmar should release all political prisoners, including the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today ahead of a planned visit to the Asian country for talks with the leadership on key issues.
A displaced family arrives in Sugar Mill new camp, in Charsadda district, Pakistan

UN health agency urges greater funding for displaced in Pakistan

30 June 2009
Extra funding is urgently needed to strengthen disease control efforts, re-stock rapidly dwindling supplies of essential drugs and improve access to reproductive health services in north-western Pakistan, where some 2 million people have been uprooted by violence, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) says.

Infrastructure critical to stimulate Afghan economic growth – UN envoy

29 June 2009
The top United Nations official in Afghanistan has stressed the need for investment in large infrastructure projects, which he said would connect the region and stimulate economic growth.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right) comforts survivors of cyclone Nargis in Bebaye Township, Myanmar on 22 May 2008

Secretary-General to visit Myanmar later this week

29 June 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will visit Myanmar from 3 to 4 July, at the invitation of the Government, to highlight key issues such as the need to release all political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, it was announced today.
Measuring radiation-contaminated soil.
IRIN/OCHA

High-level forum stresses need to tackle radioactive waste in Central Asia

29 June 2009
A high-level forum organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) wrapped up in Geneva today with the adoption of a joint declaration stressing the need to tackle the challenge of radioactive waste in Central Asia.
Special Adviser on Myanmar Ibrahim Gambari

UN envoy arrives in Myanmar for latest visit

26 June 2009
The United Nations envoy for Myanmar has arrived in the South-East Asian nation for a two-day visit, a spokesperson for the world body announced today.
IDPs at UNHCR-provided tents in Swabi District, Pakistan (file)

Pakistan: UN agency refutes media claims of large-scale return of displaced

26 June 2009
Despite local media reports of widespread returns of some of the 2 million people uprooted by the conflict between Government forces and militants in north-west Pakistan, the United Nations refugee agency today said that there was no large-scale movement out of the makeshift camps housing the displaced.