Asia Pacific

The UN Department of Public Information (DPI)/Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Conference in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.

DPI/NGO: Environmental challenges – a forceful argument for global citizenship

31 May 2016
While global citizenship means many things to many people, discussions at the sixty-sixth United Nations/Non-Governmental Organizations Conference maintained that cultivating empathy, a scientific appreciation for the natural world and responsibility towards future generations must be at the core of education for global citizenship.
Cristina Gallach, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, speaks between roundtable discussions at UN Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organization Conference, Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.
Liz Scaffidi/UN News Centre

DPI/NGO:UN conference reflects on quality divide in education

31 May 2016
The third Sustainable Development Goal – to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all – was front and centre at a United Nations conference in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea, providing face-to-face opportunities for tackling a range of issues, including the education gap.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) with Hwang Kyo-ahn (right), Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, during their meeting with participants of the 11th Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, taking place on Jeju Island.
UN Photo/Mark Garten

In Republic of Korea, Ban urges Asian nations to settle border disputes, historical issues

26 May 2016
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on all Asian countries to deepen dialogue, expand cooperation, and address border disputes, historical issues and threats to stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Aerial view of flooding in Sri Lanka, after Tropical Storm Roanu hit the island.
UNDP Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: Deadly tropical storm displaces more than 230,000, UN relief wing reports

24 May 2016
The United Nations humanitarian wing has reported that at least 84 people have died, another 116 are missing, and more than 230,000 are displaced following a severe tropical storm this past week that caused widespread flooding and landslides in 22 districts of Sri Lanka.
Nader Shah Nangarhari (left) and his son Firoz Khan
UN/Lucas Millard

VIDEO: Afghan cyclists bring message of peace to UN Headquarters

20 May 2016
On a round-the-world trip to promote peace that included cycling 7,000 miles from Istanbul, an Afghan father and son arrived Friday morning at United Nations Headquarters in New York, the final destination of the first leg of this epic journey.
Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Taleb Rifai addresses the First World Conference on Tourism for Development being held in Beijing, China, 18-21 May 2016.
UNWTO

UN conference spotlights role of tourism in fighting poverty and building peace

20 May 2016
Tourism plays a crucial role in lifting people out of poverty and building peace, participants from more than 100 countries gathered at a United Nations conference in Beijing, China, this week have said, calling for greater efforts to step up international cooperation in that regard.
Photo: UNODC
UNODC

UN human rights experts urge Singapore not to execute Malaysian national

18 May 2016
Two United Nations human rights experts on summary executions and on torture today urged the Government of Singapore not to carry out the execution of Kho Jabing, a Malaysian national who was sentenced to death in 2010 after being found guilty of unintentional murder.
In Kunduz, Afghanistan, about 2500 families displaced by conflict, receive humanitarian assistance from various agencies.
OCHA/Mohammad Sadiq Zaheer

Nearly 1,000 Afghans fleeing their homes daily, warns UN relief wing

17 May 2016
The United Nations humanitarian wing has reported that since the beginning of the year, about 1,000 Afghans have fled their homes every day due to fighting, and aid workers are struggling to meet the needs of those on the run from hard hit provinces such as Kunduz, Herat and Uruzugan.
Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Shamshad Akhtar, addresses the opening of the Ministerial segment of the 72nd session in Bangkok, Thailand.
ESCAP

Partnerships, fresh policy ideas needed to ensure ‘no one is left behind,’ UN Asia-Pacific forum told

17 May 2016
Strong political commitment, action and well-functioning coordination mechanisms, fully supported by the countries of Asia and the Pacific, will be critical to ensure that “no one is left behind,” were spotlighted at the opening of the2016 session of the main United Nations policy forum in the region.
Street scene in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
World Bank

Cambodia: UN experts urge end to attacks against civil society, human rights defenders

12 May 2016
United Nations human rights experts today called on the Government of Cambodia to stop a clampdown on civil society, human rights defenders, parliamentarians and UN personnel, and instead protect civil society and respect fundamental freedoms in the country.