Asia Pacific

UN ‘committed to continue to support’ Pakistan’s Electoral Commission in wake of general election

The United Nations Secretary-General has congratulated the people of Pakistan for “exercising their constitutional right to vote” on Wednesday, thereby reaffirming “their commitment to a democratic Pakistan.”

Cambodia: Before crucial vote on Sunday, UN chief calls for ‘pluralistic political process’

As Cambodians prepare to vote in general elections on Sunday, the United Nations Secretary-General issued a statement on Friday calling for “an inclusive and pluralistic political process” saying that it “remains essential for safeguarding the progress made by Cambodia in consolidating peace.”

Pakistan: UN chief condemns suicide attack that killed dozens near polling station

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on Wednesday condemned the killing of dozens of people near a polling station in the western city of Quetta due to a suicide attack, as voters headed to the polls in Pakistan’s general elections.  

UN ready to assist rescue and relief effort as dam collapses in Laos, with many feared dead

Following reports that dozens of people are dead or missing following the collapse of a dam that was under construction in Laos, the United Nations chief on Tuesday said that the world body stands ready to support the rescue and relief efforts, if authorities request it.

UN experts urge India to align new anti-trafficking bill with human rights law

India must revise its planned new legislation to tackle trafficking in persons so that the measures proposed are in line with international human rights law, said two independent UN human rights experts on Monday.

Afghanistan: UN mission condemns deadly attack near Kabul airport

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has condemned Sunday’s terrorist attack outside Kabul’s airport that reportedly killed and injured scores of civilians.

The world ‘must rally’ to support one million Rohingya refugees, UN Migration chief says

A failure to remain focused on the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh “would have tragic outcomes” for the nearly one million children, women and men living in Cox’s Bazar, said William Lacy Swing, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), on Tuesday.

Pakistan: UN strongly condemns terrorist attack that leaves scores dead and wounded at election rally

The United Nations Security Council has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in south-west Pakistan that killed more than 120 people and left scores wounded at an election rally Friday.

Visiting North Korea, UN relief chief spotlights funding shortfall to meet humanitarian needs

The United Nations is seeking to raise $111 million to meet humanitarian needs in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), where millions of people face malnutrition, a shortage medicines, and lack of access to safe drinking water, the Organization’s top relief official said on Wednesday.

Rohingya cannot become ‘forgotten victims,’ says UN chief urging world to step up support

Painting a grim picture of villages being burned to the ground and other “bone-chilling” accounts he heard from Rohingya refugees who fled violence in Myanmar, the UN chief has called on the world to answer their calls for help with real action.