Europe

From left to right: Special Representative Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias

Immigration and citizenship the focus of latest UN-backed Cyprus talks

23 July 2009
Immigration, asylum and citizenship issues topped the agenda during today’s round of the ongoing United Nations-backed talks between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders on the possible reunification of the Mediterranean island.

UN’s Geneva headquarters given ‘green’ seal of approval

23 July 2009
The United Nations’ Geneva headquarters has joined a select group of environmentally-friendly entities, having been awarded a prestigious certificate recognizing its ‘green’ efforts.
Ambassador Martin Palouš of the Czech Republic (centre) deposits instrument of ratification to the Rome Statute

Czech Republic becomes State Party to International Criminal Court

22 July 2009
The Czech Republic has become the latest country to ratify the Rome Statute, the pact that established the International Criminal Court and tasked it with trying people accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
Natalia Estemirova

UN experts offer help in investigating killings of rights defenders

21 July 2009
United Nations independent human rights experts today said that they stand ready to assist Russian authorities in carrying out an independent investigation into the recent string of murders of human rights lawyers, journalists and defenders, including the killing last week of Natalia Estemirova, a prominent activist looking into alleged rights abuses in Chechnya.
Milan Lukić (left) and his cousin Sredoje Lukić

Bosnian Serb cousins convicted by UN tribunal over horrific burnings

20 July 2009
The United Nations tribunal set up in the wake of the Balkan conflicts in the 1990s today convicted two Bosnian Serb cousins of war crimes, including the burning alive of scores of Muslim women, children and elderly men, an act the court said ranks among “the worst acts of inhumanity that a person may inflict upon others.”
Students at a UNDP-supported “e-School” in Albania

UN gives technological boost to 500,000 Albanian school students

20 July 2009
Almost half a million Albanian students now have access to modern computer laboratories, high-speed Internet and training in information technology skills thanks to a new United Nations-backed initiative aiming to improve their employment prospects.
The Ledra Street crossing point in Cyprus gets checked for unexploded ordnance

Cyprus leaders discuss security during latest round of UN-backed talks

17 July 2009
Security was again the focus during the latest round of United Nations-backed talks today between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders as they try to reach a solution that will unify the Mediterranean island.

UN pact to expose Europe’s biggest polluters

17 July 2009
A new United Nations pact is set to blow the cover of Europe’s biggest polluters, according to the world body’s Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) with President Nicolas Sarkozy of France

Climate change tops Ban’s talks with French leader

17 July 2009
The urgent need to forge consensus on a new climate change pact aimed at curbing harmful greenhouse gases dominated Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s talks today with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Natalia Estemirova

Top UN officials call for thorough investigation into killing of Russian activist

16 July 2009
Russian authorities must conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the murder of a prominent activist looking into alleged human rights abuses in Chechnya, top United Nations officials said today.