Don't ignore AIDS, UN envoy warns Asian government officials
A top United Nations envoy today called on ministers and senior government officials from 47 Asian nations not to ignore the threat of HIV/AIDS and its devastating impact on communities.
Annan welcomes security handover to UN Mission in DR of Congo
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has welcomed the smooth changing of the guard in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where UN peacekeepers will now police the war-torn town of Bunia and its surroundings, taking over from the French-led interim force deployed there since June.
Annan bans smoking in all UN Headquarters premises
Secretary-General Kofi Annan has issued a ban on smoking in any of the United Nations premises at the Headquarters in New York, in a bid to eliminate the risks associated with second-hand smoke.
Côte d'Ivoire requests UN assistance for upcoming elections
As preparations for upcoming general elections get underway in Côte d'Ivoire, the country's fledgling government has asked the United Nations to help lay the groundwork for the 2005 ballot and to monitor the procedures to ensure fair and creditable outcome.
UN health agency pledges to help poorer countries with access to generic drugs
Calling for speedy implementation of a new agreement allowing countries without proper capacity for pharmaceutical production to import cheaper generic drugs, the United Nations health agency has pledged to work with interested states to realize the full public health advantages of the measures.
Top UN envoy continues efforts to ensure peace, stability in Liberia
In the uneasy calm that has settled over battle-scarred Monrovia, the top United Nations envoy for Liberia continued his meetings with local and regional players to cement the fragile peace, while UN agencies continued helping people in and around the capital, gradually trying to reach deeper into the country's interior.
Substantial number of UN staff to be temporarily removed from Iraq
The United Nations has decided to temporarily remove a substantial number of international staff from Iraq while security issues are examined on the ground following the terrorist attack on UN headquarters in Baghdad two weeks ago which killed 22 people and injured scores more, a spokesman said today.
Western Sahara: Annan hails Polisario's release of over 200 war prisoners
Reacting to the latest developments concerning Western Sahara, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed the release by the Frente Polisario of 243 prisoners of war who were repatriated to Morocco by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
UN envoy deplores deadly attack on Kosovo Serbs
The senior United Nations envoy to Kosovo today strongly condemned an attack Sunday evening which left one Serb dead and four others injured.
Top UN health official urges treatment for AIDS patients in Africa
The senior United Nations health official today made an impassioned plea for urgent treatment for AIDS patients in Africa, where more than 30 million people are now HIV-positive.