Europe

Sochi Olympics, 2010 FIFA World Cup & Norwegian Sport Events Rally Behind the Climate Neutral Call

UN agrees to advise Russia on ‘greening’ 2014 Sochi Olympics

9 June 2009
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has signed an agreement with the organizers of the 2014 Sochi Olympics in Russia to make the Games environmentally friendly.
Refugee teenagers in Romania

Teens require better asylum procedures in Central Europe – UN agency

4 June 2009
The growing number of teenagers independently seeking asylum in countries across Central Europe are often met with inadequate services, the United Nations refugee agency reported today.
John Holmes, USG for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator

UN humanitarian chief praises support of European donors

3 June 2009
The top United Nations humanitarian official today paid tribute to the support his office receives from European donors at a meeting in Tallinn, Estonia.
A boat carrying asylum seekers and migrants in the Mediterranean Sea.
UNHCR/L.Boldrini

European migration policies must not undermine refugee rights – UN official

2 June 2009
The top United Nations refugee official has called on the European Union (EU) to ensure that migration control measures do not undermine fundamental rights of asylum-seekers and refugees.
Credit: IOM 2007

Poland becoming transit, destination country for human trafficking – UN expert

29 May 2009
Poland’s accession to both the European Union (EU) and the Schengen zone has transformed it into both a transit and destination country for human trafficking, a United Nations independent expert said today, noting that the Eastern European nation has made progress in fighting the scourge.
The Ledra Street crossing point in Cyprus gets checked for unexploded ordnance

Security Council renews mandate of UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus

29 May 2009
The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus, known as UNFICYP, while urging the leaders of the Mediterranean island’s Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to pick up the pace of their reunification talks.

Ban rejects Georgian claim he was ‘blackmailed’ by Russia

28 May 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today spoke out against Georgia’s claim that he was coerced by Russia into amending his recent report on the Caucasus nation.
Credit: IOM 2007

Belarus making strides in combating human trafficking, UN expert finds

26 May 2009
The United Nations independent expert on human trafficking today commended Belarus – which is creeping towards becoming a source, transit and destination country for victims – for its efforts to combat the scourge.
Crime scene investigation.

Fight against drugs and crime in south-east Europe gets boost with UN pact

21 May 2009
Tackling the challenges posed by illicit drugs and organized crime in south-east Europe is one of the major priorities of a new agreement boosting cooperation between the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).
Russian tennis star Vera Zvonareva

Russian tennis star partners with UNESCO to serve notice on gender inequality

20 May 2009
Russian tennis ace, Olympic bronze medallist and Grand Slam champion Vera Zvonareva was named today as a Promoter of Gender Equality by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).