Europe

Georges Charpak

UNESCO chief pays tribute to Nobel physics laureate Georges Charpak

30 September 2010
The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) expressed her profound sorrow at the death of French scientist Georges Charpak, winner of the 1992 Nobel Prize for Physics.
Photo: Porao

UN telecom agency joins forces with Portugal to bring laptops to schools

30 September 2010
The United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Portugal have joined forces to bring laptops to schools in developing countries.
During restoration

UN-managed project to upgrade old market in Cyprus breaks ground today

29 September 2010
A United Nations-managed project to upgrade the retailers’ area of the old market in the northern part of Nicosia, Cyprus, breaks ground today under a programme funded by the European Union (EU).
Amb. Tine Mørch Smith of Norway

European nations avow UN centrality in overcoming global obstacles

29 September 2010
European nations have underlined the crucial role of the United Nations in prevailing over key global challenges, urging continued reform of the Organization to ensure its efficiency at the General Assembly’s annual high-level debate.
Archbishop Dominique Mamberti of the Holy See, addresses the General Assembly

At UN, Holy See hails Millennium Development Goals document, with reservations

29 September 2010
The Holy See today hailed the efforts to eliminate poverty at last week’s United Nations summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) but voiced concern at paragraphs on population control and minority lifestyles in the outcome document.
Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas of Greece, addresses general debate of the General Assembly

At UN, Greece urges compromise on former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s name

28 September 2010
Greece’s Foreign Minister told the General Assembly today that his country is ready to reach a solution as early as tomorrow on the long-running dispute over the official name of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Aurelia Frick, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Justice and Cultural Affairs of the Principality of Liechtenstein, addresses the general debate of the sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly

Reforms can help UN remain central figure in global governance, says Liechtenstein

28 September 2010
Highlighting the primacy of the United Nations amid a growing field of groupings, such as the Group of 20 (G20) developed and emerging powers and others that discuss global issues, the Foreign Minister of Liechtenstein today called on Member States to reform the world body so that it can remain the central forum for finding effective solutions to today’s challenges.
Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais

Malta ratifies treaty banning sale, prostitution of children during annual UN event

28 September 2010
A top United Nations official today hailed Malta’s ratification of a global treaty banning the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography as a critical step towards protecting the rights of young people.
Roma child playing music ©UNESCO/Michel Ravassard

Half of Roma children drop out of primary school, UN-backed report finds

27 September 2010
Despite efforts to expand and improve education for children in the Roma community, the largest ethnic minority in Europe, an estimated 50 per cent fail to complete primary education, according to a report on early childhood education unveiled today at a conference co-organized by the United Nations.
Bernard Kouchner, Minister for Foreign Affairs of France

France calls for wide-ranging reforms to make UN more effective and responsive

27 September 2010
France today called for a “stronger, more representative and more efficient” United Nations to promote quicker economic development, fight climate change more effectively, garner the needed resources to do so, and reform the Security Council and Human Rights Council.