Asia Pacific

Asia-Pacific journalists begin UN training on coverage of development goals

7 February 2007
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) today began a three-day specialized training programme to help television journalists from around the region enhance their reporting on anti-poverty targets known collectively as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Louise Arbour

Top UN rights official says all sides must end deadly violence in Nepal

7 February 2007
Expressing deep concern over deadly violence in the south-eastern Terai region of Nepal, the top United Nations human rights official today said it was “imperative” for all sides to stop the clashes, which have claimed at least 23 lives, caused countless injuries and destroyed property.

Illegal logging in Indonesia threatens very survival of orangutan, UN report warns

6 February 2007
The orangutan, one of the world’s few great apes, is making its last stand in the jungles of Indonesia as illegal logging accelerates at a far faster rate than previously thought, and emergency action is needed now to ensure their survival, including international initiatives to curb demand for the lumber, a new United Nations report warned today.

Sri Lanka: UN delivers aid to over 2,000 families hosting internally displaced

6 February 2007
In Sri Lanka’s northern Jaffna Peninsula, the United Nations refugee agency has supplied aid to more than 2,000 families hosting thousands of internally displaced people (IDPs) who have escaped renewed fighting between the Government forces and separatist Tamil Tiger rebels.
Special Representative Ian Martin

Secretary-General Ban plans to appoint Ian Martin to head the UN Nepal mission

6 February 2007
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has informed the Security Council that he intends to appoint Ian Martin of the United Kingdom as his Special Representative and Head of the UN Political Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), his spokesperson announced today.

UN ready to assist relief and recovery efforts following Indonesian floods

5 February 2007
United Nations humanitarian agencies say they are standing by to help Indonesian authorities respond to the deadly flooding that has paralyzed the capital Jakarta and surrounding areas in recent days, forcing almost 150,000 people to flee their homes.

Timor-Leste security situation remains ‘volatile,’ warns Secretary-General

5 February 2007
While the overall situation in Timor-Leste has improved over the past six months, the security situation remains volatile and the political climate is constantly changing, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, recommending that the United Nations mission in the impoverished nation be extended for another year.

Number of Afghans in Pakistan registered in UN-backed operation to pass 2 million

5 February 2007
The number of Afghans in Pakistan registered by Pakistani authorities assisted by the United Nations refugee agency has passed the two million mark today, yielding further information for continued repatriation efforts for those who fled decades of conflict in their homeland.

Afghanistan: UN voices concern at possible impunity for human rights abusers

2 February 2007
The top United Nations human rights official voiced concern today that the national stability plan passed by Afghanistan’s lower house of Parliament this week could lead to past serious human rights violations going unpunished, undermining efforts to secure long-term peace in the war-torn country.

UN refugee agency welcomes Australian visa for long-term Iraqi refugee

2 February 2007
The United Nations refugee agency has welcomed Australia’s decision to grant a permanent visa this week to an Iraqi refugee whom it had detained on the Pacific island nation of Nauru for five years.