Asia Pacific

Chinese children paint for the environment in UN-sponsored competition

12 November 2008
Children across China are taking part in a United Nations-backed painting competition launched today to depict the challenges the world faces in combating climate change.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Ban voices deep concern at ‘severe’ prison terms for Myanmar demonstrators

12 November 2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed his deep concern at reports this week that authorities in Myanmar have issued lengthy jail terms to some participants in last year’s peaceful demonstrations in the Asian country.

South Asian experts address lack of access to water, sanitation at UN-backed forum

11 November 2008
Over 100 experts are gathering at a United Nations-backed meeting kicking off today in Bangladesh to address the problem of water in Asia, where half the people still have no access to adequate sanitation.
A young woman and her child look at their destroyed home in Baluchistan

As winter approaches, UN assesses urgent needs of Pakistani earthquake survivors

11 November 2008
Survivors of a deadly earthquake that struck western Pakistan two weeks ago urgently need winterized tents, blankets, warm clothing, food, health services and restored drinking water supplies as already very low temperatures are likely to plunge even lower as winter approaches, according to the latest United Nations assessment.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay

Top UN human rights official urges halt to Afghan executions

11 November 2008
The United Nations human rights chief voiced her dismay today after several prisoners were put to death in Afghanistan in recent days and urged the Government to stop any further planned executions.

Six months after devastating Chinese quake, UN continues to assist victims

11 November 2008
The United Nations is pressing on with efforts to help survivors of the massive May earthquake centred in China’s Sichuan province, which claimed some 70,000 lives and left millions of others homeless.

Russia donates mobile health facilities to Nepal, UN health agency reports

11 November 2008
Russia has donated three huge multi-purpose tents for use as field hospitals in flood-ravaged areas of Nepal, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) reports as the agency continues to provide relief to flood victims.

Secretary-General applauds tsunami early warning system in Indonesia

11 November 2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the launch of the Indonesian Tsunami Early Warning System, congratulating the country’s Government for its regional leadership by taking steps towards making its citizens less vulnerable to the effects of such a natural disaster.

Afghanistan: UN extends presence with opening of new office in Baghlan

10 November 2008
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has opened its newest office in Pul-i-Khumri, the capital of the country’s northern Baghlan province, bringing the total number of its field offices to 18.
Fisheries production in Armenia has dropped 81 per cent since 1989

UN agriculture agency to tackle fisheries crisis in Central Asia

10 November 2008
The dramatic decline in fisheries production within the Central Asian and Caucasus regions will be tackled today at a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) meeting in Tajikistan.