Asia Pacific

A woman irons fabric at a garments factory at the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
World Bank/Chhor Sokunthea

UN agency calls on global clothing brands to help Cambodian manufacturers absorb wage hike

5 January 2015
With the introduction of a new minimum wage for workers in the garment and footwear industry in Cambodia, United Nations experts have called on global brands that source their products from the country to play a part in helping the industry to absorb the cost increases.
President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye.
UN Photo/Amanda Voisard

In call with Republic of Korea leader, Ban reaffirms support for peace on Korean Peninsula

2 January 2015
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the President of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Park Geun-hye, discussed the country’s continued support for the work of the United Nations amid wider efforts to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula in a phone call on New Year’s Day.
Women and children on their way to a winter-time wedding ceremony in Bamiyan, Afghanistan.
UNAMA/Aurora V. Alambra (file)

Ban strongly condemns shelling that struck Afghan wedding party

2 January 2015
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned in the “strongest terms” the recent shelling that hit a wedding party in Afghanistan and reportedly killed 25 people and wounded 45 others.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras (file photo)

UN chief conveys condolences after crash of Malaysian airliner

1 January 2015
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his “sincerest condolences” to the families of the crew members and passengers of downed AirAsia flight QZ8501 as recovery efforts continue amid harsh conditions in the Java Sea.