Asia Pacific

Nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan, experienced system failure after the massive quake and tsunami

Japanese nuclear reactor crisis ‘very serious,’ says UN atomic chief on eve of visit

16 March 2011
Repeatedly calling the nuclear reactor crisis in Japan “very serious,” the head of the United Nations agency that coordinates global nuclear safety announced today that he will make a flying visit to the country to see what further help he can offer.
Nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan, experienced system failure after the massive quake and tsunami

UN nuclear agency to send team of experts to Japan to help in reactor crisis

15 March 2011
The United Nations agency that coordinates global nuclear safety is sending an environmental monitoring team to Japan after the partial meltdown at reactors there, as its chief said today the situation differed from the world’s worst nuclear accident at Chernobyl 25 years ago.

Ban stresses UN support for transition to greater Afghan responsibility

15 March 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has recommended that the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) be extended for another one year, saying the mission will continue to support the transition process agreed between the Government and its international partners.
Two-day seminar on international water cooperation opens in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

UN gathering to promote water cooperation in Central Asia kicks off

14 March 2011
A United Nations seminar on international water cooperation opened today in Tajikistan as part of an effort to promote dialogue and strengthen cooperation between Central Asian countries over the use of water and energy resources.
UNDAC teams are permanently on stand-by to deploy following disasters and humanitarian emergencies worldwide

Japan: UN stepping up assistance in wake of quake and tsunami

14 March 2011
A United Nations disaster team has arrived in Japan and local officials have asked the world body to dispatch a team of nuclear safety experts as emergency operations continue in the wake of Friday’s catastrophic earthquake and tsunami.
International Atomic Energy Agency headquarters

Japan informs UN atomic watchdog of explosion at nuclear power plant

12 March 2011
The United Nations atomic watchdog agency today reported that Japan''s nuclear safety body has informed it of an explosion at one of the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which was affected by yesterday''s massive earthquake, and that an assessment is under way.
A view in Tokyo in the aftermath of the earthquake.

UN voices sorrow, pledges assistance after quake and tsunami hit Japan

11 March 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed deep sorrow today and offered the full support of the United Nations after a massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan, killing dozens of people and destroying towns, villages and large swathes of infrastructure.
Damage to Preah Vihear temple

Cambodia and Thailand agree to UNESCO meeting over damaged temple site

11 March 2011
Representatives of Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to a United Nations-sponsored meeting to discuss ways to safeguard the Preah Vihear Temple, a World Heritage List site that was damaged during border clashes between the South-East Asian neighbours earlier this year.
Richard Falk, UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories.
UN Photo/JC McIlwaine

UN rights expert condemns sharp increase in Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes

11 March 2011
An independent United Nations expert has called on Israel to stop illegally demolishing Palestinian homes in the West Bank, including two apartment buildings in East Jerusalem where 150 people are about to be evicted, citing a recent surge in such actions.

Pakistan joins UN programme for treatment and care of drug users

11 March 2011
In an effort to reduce the health and social impact of drug use in Pakistan, the United Nations and the country’s authorities are working together on a new project to ensure addicts have access to appropriate treatment and care.