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Representatives from governments negotiating the outcome document for the United Nations Sustainable Development Conference (Rio+20) today agreed to add five more days of deliberations to bridge differences that have kept them from making further progress in negotiations.

The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) today voiced concern over the high number of mass prison breaks that have occurred in the West African country this year, and reiterated its commitment to work with the Government to address this issue.

A United Nations mediator facilitated the peaceful transfer of command of a key military brigade from a relative of the country’s former President to an official appointed by his elected successor, Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi Mansour, as part of the country’s ongoing transition process.

A group of independent United Nations experts today condemned the ongoing arrests and harsh sentencing of human rights defenders in Iran, and urged the Government to ensure they are provided with adequate protection.

An independent United Nations expert today urged the Algerian authorities to make the most of the opportunity offered by legislative elections next week, to ensure that the new regulations for civil society organizations, adopted at the end of last year, adequately meet the requirements of international human rights law.

Stressing the need for an integrated response to terrorism, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today he hoped Member States will decide to create the position of a UN Counter-Terrorism Coordinator to promote better coordination, collaboration and cooperation among all players.

The UN refugee agency is helping more than 20,000 people who have fled fighting between government forces and renegade troops in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in recent days and found shelter in areas near Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.

The Arab world faces the challenge of building inclusive economies, the President of the General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, has said, stressing that this can only be achieved by ensuring that governments are accountable and responsive to the aspirations of their people.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Jens Anders Toyberg-Frandzen of Denmark to spearhead United Nations efforts to assist Sierra Leone in consolidating its hard-won peace.

The creation of green jobs is essential to ensure a sustainable future, United Nations officials stressed today at a forum held at the Organization’s Headquarters in New York aimed at giving young people a platform to voice their concerns, experiences and ideas to tackle youth unemployment.