Asia Pacific

UNDP Administrator Helen Clark (right) at a road side reception during a field trip to Rajasthan, India

Asia-Pacific has one of world’s largest gender gaps, UN report finds

8 March 2010
The countries of Asia and the Pacific have not duplicated their economic success in the realm of gender equality, according to a new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report, which found that discrimination and neglect are threatening the very survival of women in the region.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre) visiting Menik Farm in Sri Lanka on 23 May 2009

Ban voices concern about lack of progress on key issues in Sri Lanka

8 March 2010
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed concerns about the lack of progress on political reconciliation, the treatment of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the setting up of an accountability process in Sri Lanka since the United Nations signed a joint statement with the Government last year in the wake of the end of its civil war with separatist Tamil rebels.
WFP supplied 2 million people in Pakistan with food in February 2010 alone

UN reaches 2 million hungry people in Pakistan

5 March 2010
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has supplied 2 million people in Pakistan with food in February alone, it was reported today.
Over 50,000 Nepalis still remain displaced despite the end of the armed conflict in 2006

Top UN political official to visit India, Nepal

5 March 2010
The top United Nations political official is heading to India next week, followed by a visit to Nepal to discuss the country’s stalled peace process, it was announced today.
In Remembrance.

UNESCO chief deplores killing of Nepalese media owner

4 March 2010
The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom today condemned the murder of Nepalese media owner Arun Singhaniya, while reiterating her concerns over the ongoing threats faced by journalists in the South Asian nation.
Special Representative Kai Eide addresses final press conference in Kabul

World must enhance understanding of Afghanistan, says outgoing UN envoy

4 March 2010
Success in Afghanistan hinges on a better understanding of Afghan society by the world and the assumption of greater responsibility by its authorities, the outgoing United Nations envoy there said today.
Stop killing journalists.
UNESCO

Killing of Nepalese media group head sparks UN alarm

3 March 2010
The United Nations human rights office in Nepal today expressed its deep concern over the killing of the head of a media group, the latest in a string of murders of journalists in the Asian nation.
Severe winter conditions in Mongolia are preventing expectant mothers from reaching health facilities

UN provides medical help for pregnant women amid Mongolia’s harsh winter

3 March 2010
Severe winter conditions in Mongolia are preventing expectant mothers from reaching health facilities, requiring the United Nations to bring medical help closer to them.
Silk manufacturing in China.
UNIDO

China unseats Japan as second largest industrial manufacturer – UN

3 March 2010
China has overtaken Japan as the world’s second largest industrial manufacturer, after the United States, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) announced today.

UN monitoring situation in south-eastern Bangladesh following recent violence

2 March 2010
The United Nations system in Bangladesh is closely monitoring the situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region, which has been the scene of recent violence between different ethnic groups, and stands ready to assist those in need, a spokesperson for the world body said today.