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Small island developing States, among the world’s most vulnerable countries, have received a boost of nearly $3 million to give them better access to technology, thanks to a joint initiative by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and Spain.

The United Nations voiced concern today over evidence recently uncovered in Guinea suggesting that undercover narcotics operations are producing illicit drugs on a large scale in the small West African country.

The Maasai people of Laikipia in Kenya have received digital recording equipment, marking a milestone in a United Nations-backed pilot-project aimed at helping indigenous communities document and preserve their cultural heritage, the UN intellectual property agency announced today.

With reports of widespread rape and other atrocities pouring in from the eastern Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations mission there has sent some 40 teams to the region over the past six months to bolster the protection of civilians.

The international community remains committed to ensuring that authorities in Myanmar release all political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today after meeting with key nations to brief them on the latest developments in the Asian country.

The top United Nations human rights official today expressed deep concern over sectarian clashes in northern Nigeria, especially over reports of civilians killed during the fighting between a local Muslim sect and Government troops.

The top United Nations environment official has lauded Pakistan’s efforts in setting a Guinness World Record for planting over 500,000 trees in one day, part of the South Asian nation’s pledge in the global Billion Tree Campaign.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog’s board has approved an almost €25 million increase in the agency’s 2010 budget enabling the watchdog to continue its work.

The first infantry soldiers from Burkina Faso arrived today in Darfur to serve with the joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission to the troubled Sudanese region, as more blue helmets from three other countries prepare to join the force soon as well.

Faith-based groups play a key role in promoting development, the head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has said, stressing the need for stepped-up cooperation between the world body and religious organizations in boosting the welfare of the most vulnerable.