Global

Annan praises UN nuclear watchdog agency on winning Nobel Peace prize

7 October 2005
Peace and Security

Hailing their “vital mission” in stemming the proliferation of nuclear weapons, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today lauded the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its Director General, Mohamed ElBaradei, on winning the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize, the latest in a long series of UN laureates.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan addresses UN Security Council meeting on Rule of Law and Transnational Justice in Conflict and Post-Conflict Societies.
UN Photo/Ky Chung

Annan says UN working on new tools to foster rule of law and transitional justice

6 October 2004
Law and Crime Prevention

The United Nations is working on developing "important new tools" to strengthen its support for the rule of law and transitional justice in States that are either still facing or just emerging from conflict, Secretary-General Kofi Annan told the Security Council today.

Askar A. Akayev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, addressing the General Assembly.
UN Photo/Michelle Poiré

General Assembly speakers canvass topics from terrorism to trade and debt relief

28 September 2004
UN Affairs

From the dangers of terrorism and the importance of regional solidarity to the concerns of small island States and calls for the introduction of debt relief, leaders from around the world spotlighted a diverse array of issues during the annual high-level debate at the United Nations General Assembly this morning.

Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia, addressing the General Assembly.
UN Photo/Michelle Poiré

General Assembly debate discusses Security Council, terrorism, global trade

27 September 2004
UN Affairs

Security Council reform, calls for a fairer global trading system, disarmament, the threat of terrorism and the gap between the haves and have-nots were among the subjects debated this morning when the United Nations General Assembly's annual high-level debate resumed for its second week.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi

Iraqi leader appeals to UN Assembly for help to defeat terrorists, rebuild country

24 September 2004
UN Affairs

As the General Assembly wrapped up the fourth day of its annual high-level debate, Prime Minister Ayad Allawi of Iraq appealed to its neighbours and the international community for help in rebuilding the country ruined by war and a brutal regime and defeating terrorists bent on destroying the dreams of the Iraqi people for a country rooted in democracy.

New General Assembly President Julian Robert Hunte of St. Lucia opens the 58th session with a strike of the gavel. At his left is Secretary-General Kofi Annan and right is Chen Jian, Under-Secretary-General of Department of General Assembly Affairs and Conference Services.
UN Photo/Mark Garten

General Assembly opens 58th session with plea for multilateralism and reform

16 September 2003
UN Affairs

The United Nations General Assembly opened its 58th annual session today with a minute of silence for staff killed in the terrorist attack in Baghdad, a pledge to persevere in the speedy restoration of sovereignty to the Iraqi people, a promise to pursue the benefits of multilateralism embodied by the world organization and a plea for reform.

On day against child labour, two UN agencies highlight trafficking of youngsters

12 June 2003
Women

Commemorating the second World Day Against Child Labour, two United Nations agencies today drew global attention to an estimated 1.2 million children trafficked each year into domestic servitude, sexual abuse, involuntary marriage and hazardous work.

UN sets up new unit to respond to crisis of 50 million internally displaced persons

8 January 2002
Migrants and Refugees

With an estimated 50 million people around the world having lost their homes due to war and natural disasters, the United Nations has set up a new unit to respond to the severe crisis of internally displaced persons.

Environment dominates debates at UN population commission, chairman says

5 April 2001
Economic Development

The relationship between demographic factors and environmental degradation -- now under discussion at the United Nations Commission on Population and Development -- remains a divisive issue, that body's chairman said today.

Efficacy and safety of Norplant contraceptive confirmed by UN study

2 April 2001
Health

A five-year international study of users of Norplant® implants in eight developing countries "confirms the safety with respect to serious disease and the high contraceptive efficacy" of the method, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) announced over the weekend.