Middle East

Education vital for achieving all other development goals, Ban tells Doha forum

30 November 2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged participants at a global finance meeting in Doha to ensure that all children receive the education they need, without which countries will not be able to achieve their development targets.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at development financing conference in Doha

In Doha, Ban urges ‘bold’ steps to prevent financial turmoil becoming human crisis

29 November 2008
Warning of the consequences of the current financial turmoil on other key global challenges, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for bold and effective efforts to ensure that today''s emergency does not become tomorrow''s human crisis with particularly devastating effects on the world''s poorest.

Secretary-General condemns rocket attack near UN premises in Baghdad

29 November 2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the rocket attack that occurred near the United Nations compound in Baghdad''s International Zone today, killed two catering staff and injuring 15 others.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon opens high-level retreat on the global financial crisis

Doha forum crucial to crafting global response to financial crisis – Ban

28 November 2008
A United Nations conference set to begin tomorrow in Doha provides a vital opportunity to plan a globally coordinated response to the financial crisis to ensure the well-being of millions worldwide, especially the poor, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed today.
IAEA Director General Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei

UN nuclear inspector calls on Syria, Israel to fully cooperate with probe

27 November 2008
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency today said “it is baffling” that satellite pictures necessary for his investigation into an alleged nuclear reactor site in Syria were not available, as he called for complete cooperation from all sides.
Head of UN Assistance Mission for Iraq Staffan de Mistura

Gender violence in Iraq threatens to undermine families and society, UN warns

26 November 2008
The top United Nations official in Iraq has called for the urgent establishment of a national legal framework guaranteeing the protection of women, warning that continued gender violence threatens to undermine the country’s families and society.
Power shortages in Gaza have meant that children often have no lights by which to study

Palestinians in Gaza paying ‘heavy price’ as conditions worsen, says UN official

26 November 2008
The top United Nations relief official in the occupied Palestinian territory today appealed to donors to provide urgent funds to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation there, particularly in Gaza, where continued border closures in recent weeks have prevented the delivery of vital food, medicine and fuel supplies.
USG for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe

Continued talks between Israel and Palestinians encouraging, UN political chief says

25 November 2008
The top United Nations political official today voiced regret that Israel and the Palestinians will probably not reach a peace agreement by the end of this year under the negotiating track launched last in the United States city of Annapolis, but noted that ongoing direct talks between the two sides are a positive sign.

Prevailing Israeli-Lebanese calm should lead to greater progress, UN report finds

25 November 2008
While pleased that relative calm continues to prevail between Israel and Lebanon, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said he is disturbed by the repeated exchanges of threats between Israel and Hizbollah and believes greater progress should have been made since the adoption of the United Nations resolution that helped end fighting between them two years ago.
Staffan de Mistura

Top UN official deplores latest bombings in Iraqi capital

24 November 2008
The top United Nations envoy to Iraq has strongly condemned the series of bombings that struck Baghdad today, killing and injuring innocent civilians on their way to work.