Europe

High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Valentin Inzko addresses the Security Council.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

Challenges to peace accord ‘cast shadow’ on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress, Security Council told

5 May 2016
The readiness of some political actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina to question and challenge the 1995 peace accord, including new attempts to undermine the sovereignty and authority of the State and its institutions, continues to cast a shadow over positive efforts to advance economic and social reforms, the United Nations Security Council was told today.
Children outside refugee tents on 8 March 2016, in Idomeni, Greece.
UNICEF/Tomislav Georgiev

UNICEF calls for better protection of children under revised EU asylum rules

4 May 2016
As the European Union (EU) prepares for critical talks on the rules governing applications from people seeking protection in Europe, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for the interests and rights of children to be given greater priority.
Tayé-Brook Zerihoun (left), Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, briefs the Security Council on the situation in Ukraine.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Ukraine: Security Council meets on situation with sense of ‘urgency and hope’

28 April 2016
As the conflict in the eastern part of Ukraine enters its third year, the United Nations Security Council today met with both a sense of urgency and hope, as described by a senior UN political official.
Former UN police officers with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (left) Kevin Curtis and (right) Vladimir Dzuro.
UN Photo/Loey Felipe

PODCAST: Hunting a war criminal from the former Yugoslavia

28 April 2016
Two policemen working for the United Nations in the 1990s who were tasked with tracking down alleged war criminals from the former Yugoslavia have been talking about the “horror stories” they heard from the families of victims.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre, at lectern) addresses the Austrian Parliament in Vienna.
UN Photo/Nikoleta Haffar

In address to Austrian Parliament, Ban urges 'cooperative approach' to EU asylum policies

28 April 2016
Migrants and Refugees

From its leadership on major United Nations bodies to its peacekeepers in the field, development aid and defence of human rights, Austria is a very important, vital member of the world community, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said during an address to the Parliament of Austria earlier today in Geneva.

The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Complex.
Exploring the Zone/Philip Grossman

Chernobyl: with disaster’s effects still being felt after 30 years, UN renews commitment to a safer future

26 April 2016
Marking 30 years since the Chernobyl nuclear accident, senior United Nations officials today underlined the need to take stock of the lessons learned from the disaster and the many problems that still linger, while renewing their commitment to a safer future.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) and Sebastian Kurz, Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of Austria, address reporters at a joint press conference.
UN Photo/Nikoleta Haffar

In Vienna, Ban to discuss how UN can deliver on world’s expectations

26 April 2016
Peace and Security

While on a visit to the capital of Austria, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be leading discussions on how the UN system can work together in unity so that it can deliver on the expectations of the international community.

Credit: FAO
FAO

Legal framework key to realizing right to food for the most vulnerable in Poland – UN expert

25 April 2016
An overall legislative framework is critical to ensure accessibility and affordability to food in Poland, an independent United Nations human rights expert said today, urging the Government to strengthen the protection of the right to food especially for small farmers.
Tens of thousands of desperate people are attempting to cross the Mediterranean and reach Europe in dangerous boats like these in Libya.
UNHCR/F. Noy

Security Council deplores maritime tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea

23 April 2016
The United Nations Security Council has deplored the recent maritime tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea that resulted in up to 500 deaths when an overcrowded boat capsized en route from Libya to Europe, emphasizing the need for better coordination of efforts to deal with the smuggling of migrants.
On 26 January 2016, refugees and migrants wait to enter the Miratovac Refugee Aid Point in southern Serbia, on the border with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, after crossing the Mediterranean.
UNICEF/Emil Vas

UN refugee agency says up to 500 lives lost after boat sinks in Mediterranean

20 April 2016
The United Nations refugee agency said today that as many as 500 people may have lost their lives this past week when an overcrowded boat carrying refugees and migrants sank in the Mediterranean Sea at an unknown location between Libya and Italy.