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Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appointed Iván Velásquez Gómez of Colombia to head the United Nations-backed commission charged with dismantling illegal armed groups and tackling impunity in Guatemala.

Although the fighting is over, the suffering is not, the United Nations human rights chief today said wrapping up a week-long visit to Sri Lanka where she warned that the country is sowing the seeds of future discord by limiting personal freedoms and human rights.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today met with the top United Nations disarmament official, just back from Damascus, on the chemical weapons investigation and the latest developments in Syria. The meeting comes as the UN inspection team arrived in the Netherlands earlier today to carry out a rapid analysis of samples gathered.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged participants at the European Forum Alpbach to boost action towards achieving the anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to shape a shared vision for a universal sustainable development agenda.

A group of United Nations human rights experts today urged greater protection for relatives and civil society groups fighting for the rights of victims of enforced disappearances, noting that they are the subject of intimidation and reprisals and require special support from UN Member States.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned the latest bout of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and called on all parties to engage in the political process that aims to address the causes of the conflict.

As tensions continue to ratchet up regarding the crisis in Syria, United Nations agencies today reiterated their commitment to continue providing emergency relief for Syrians inside the country, as well as for displaced persons, despite facing various security challenges.

The United Nations food relief agency is helping thousands of people displaced by increasing violence perpetrated by armed groups in the Central African Republic (CAR), according to its spokesperson.

As the situation in Syria continues to rapidly evolve, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon cut short an official visit in Europe to return to the world body’s New York Headquarters for a series of consultations with Member States today, while UN inspectors are wrapping up their initial investigation into the possible use of chemical weapons in the war-torn country.

As the world’s leading economies prepare to meet next week in Saint Petersburg, Russia, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on countries to show leadership and commitment to achieve a sustainable future.