Asia Pacific

Nukunonu Atoll seaside, one of the regions of the world vulnerable to climate change [File Photo]

UN sounds alarm on threat to Pacific nations’ security posed by climate change

6 August 2009
With rising sea levels threatening to inundate Pacific Island nations, United Nations officials have issued a call for urgent action to be taken to ensure that human security and development gains are not reversed.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial

Hiroshima anniversary time to renew commitment to disarm – top UN officials

6 August 2009
The 64th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima serves not only as a reminder of the destruction wrought by nuclear weapons but as a time to renew the global commitment to rid the world of this deadly scourge, top United Nations officials said today.

New UN scheme to help poor countries weather economic crisis, climate change

5 August 2009
The United Nations is setting up a new system to mitigate the impact of the global economic crisis on poorer countries, such as those in the Pacific region that are already being hobbled by climate change, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.
Stop killing journalists.
UNESCO

UNESCO chief urges culprits in murder of Filipino journalist be brought to justice

5 August 2009
The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom has condemned the latest murder of a journalist in the Philippines and called for the perpetrators of the crime to be brought to justice.
ESCAP Executive Secretary Noeleen Heyzer

Help women weather economic crisis, UN official tells Asia-Pacific nations

5 August 2009
The top United Nations official in the Asia-Pacific region has called on countries to help women weather the ongoing economic crisis, including by promoting their interests as part of government stimulus packages.
Former US President Bill Clinton

Ban welcomes release of US journalists from DPR Korea

5 August 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the release of two United States journalists by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) during the visit to Pyongyang by former US President Bill Clinton.
The Peace doves are part of a campaign launched by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) [File Photo]

Renowned photographer to capture images of peace, progress in Afghanistan – UN

5 August 2009
World-famous photographer Tim Page is joining the United Nations mission in Afghanistan to document efforts to shore up democracy and peacebuilding efforts in the South Asian nation.
Aung San Suu Kyi

Ban briefs Group of Friends on Myanmar on latest developments

5 August 2009
The international community remains committed to ensuring that authorities in Myanmar release all political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today after meeting with key nations to brief them on the latest developments in the Asian country.

Top UN official lauds Pakistan’s Guinness World Record for tree planting

4 August 2009
The top United Nations environment official has lauded Pakistan’s efforts in setting a Guinness World Record for planting over 500,000 trees in one day, part of the South Asian nation’s pledge in the global Billion Tree Campaign.

Sri Lanka: UN supports anti-measles campaign for displaced children

3 August 2009
More than 36,000 children living in camps in northern Sri Lanka after being uprooted by the recent conflict will be vaccinated against measles in a special child health campaign launched this week by the Government, United Nations agencies and their partners.