Asia Pacific

Processed foods are increasingly pricing locally produced, healthier foods out of the market. Source: FAO

Pacific island countries urged to produce more healthy, competitive foods - UN

11 March 2014
As more and more markets in Pacific Island countries fill their shelves with imported processed foods, healthier locally produced items are being priced out of the market, warned the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today, encouraging local governments to adopt measures and regulations to help reverse that trend.
Asia and the Pacific should take major decisions soon about ways to increase food production and address undernourishment.
FAO/ Ishara Kodikara

Asia and the Pacific must boost food production to meet future demand

10 March 2014
The United Nations today stressed that Governments in Asia and the Pacific – which has more hungry people than all the other regions of the world combined – should take some major decisions soon about ways to increase food production and address undernourishment.
Behind the signs of early recovery in typhoon-hit regions of the Philippines there are still millions of people who are extremely vulnerable.
OCHA/Jennifer Bose

Philippines: UN agency pledges long-term support for typhoon-stricken farmers, fishers

10 March 2014
Noting the positive results of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) response programme in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan, the agency’s chief today committed to long-term support for farming and fishing communities, earlier today during a visit to the region.
Aerial view of Malé, the capital of the Maldives.
Nattu

After Maldives high court removes election officials, Ban urges respect for rule of law

10 March 2014
United Nations Secretary-General today expressed concern about the situation in the Maldives following the decision of the Supreme Court to remove the Chair and the Vice Chair of the Elections Commission and to sentence the Chair for contempt of court.
Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
UN Photo

Conviction of Malaysian opposition leader draws UN rights office concern

7 March 2014
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed serious concern today over the conviction of Malaysian opposition leader, Karpal Singh, who was found guilty of sedition late last month and is due to be sentenced on 11 March.
Behind the signs of early recovery in typhoon-hit regions of the Philippines there are still millions of people who are extremely vulnerable.
UNICEF Philippines/2014/Gpirozzi

Sustained global support vital as Philippines recovers from Typhoon Haiyan – UN

7 March 2014
The top United Nations relief official warned today that behind the signs of early recovery in typhoon-hit regions of the Philippines there are still millions of people who are extremely vulnerable, and urged the international community to sustain the emergency response and ensure a smooth transition to long-term development.
Surya P. Subedi, Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in Cambodia.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Independent UN expert welcomes electoral reform agreement in Cambodia

6 March 2014
An independent United Nations human rights expert hailed a five-point agreement reached today by Cambodia’s two main political parties to initiate electoral reforms in the country towards a more transparent process, and greater freedom of expression and right to public assembly.
Wide view of the Security Council.
UN Photo/JC McIlwaine (file photo)

DPR Korea: Security Council extends expert panel assisting sanctions committee

5 March 2014
The Security Council today extended for another 13 months the mandate of the panel of experts dealing with United Nations sanctions imposed on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) for testing nuclear arms.
A wide view of the Security Council in session (file photo).
UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras

Security Council condemns terrorist attack at Chinese train station 'in the strongest terms'

2 March 2014
The Security Council on Sunday strongly condemned the terrorist attack that took place on 1 March at the train station in Kunming, China, and underlined the need to bring those responsible to justice.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN Photo (file photo)

UN chief strongly condemns 'terrible' attack at Chinese railway station

1 March 2014
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned an attack that took place on Saturday at the railway station in Kunming, China, and hoped that those responsible will be brought to justice.