Annan congratulates legislators' group on opening 'House of Parliaments'
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today congratulated the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on the opening of its new House of Parliaments in Geneva.
Iraq needs $36 billion for reconstruction for 2004-2007 - UN assessment
Iraq needs some $36 billion for reconstruction for the years 2004 to 2007, according to the findings of United Nations missions to be presented at the Iraqi Donor Conference in Madrid later this month.
UN nuclear watchdog awaiting US report on Iraqi weapons
The United Nations nuclear watchdog is expecting to receive a copy of the recent report by the United States on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction (WMD), a spokesman for the agency said today.
Slums form 40% of urban housing, UN agency reports
The world's population increasingly favours city life, but 40 per cent of housing in urban areas can now be classified as slums, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) said in a report issued today ahead of World Habitat Day next week.
Women seafarers are few, sexually harassed and rarely promoted - UN agency
Women seafarers, found mainly on cruise ships, are a small but growing percentage of employees on waterborne transportation fleets, but they are discriminated against, sexually harassed and their special hygienic needs are generally ignored, the United Nations labour agency said in a report today.
UNICEF hails entry of 1 million Afghan girls to school
More than 1 million girls in Afghanistan have entered schools since the fall of the Taliban, which banned their attendance, in “a testament to the courage and wisdom of the Afghan people, and the generosity of the international community,” the United Nations children’s agency said today.
Israel's separation wall 'obstacle' to two-State solution - Annan
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed deep disquiet today by the Government of Israel's decisions to continue construction of a separation wall on the West Bank and build 600 new houses in the area, a UN spokesman said.
Secretary-General concerned about recent developments in Côte d'Ivoire
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called upon the Forces Nouvelles in Côte d'Ivoire to resume participation in the Government of National Reconciliation, which it abandoned last week.
Myanmar: Annan's envoy urges release of democracy leader
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy for Myanmar has urged its government to release detained democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other officials of her party, a UN spokesman said today.
UN brings situation in Liberian capital under control following clashes
Newly minted United Nations peacekeepers brought the situation in war-torn Liberia's capital, Monrovia, under control today after a night of random shooting following clashes yesterday that killed three people.