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The United Nations peacekeeping chief presented to a Washington, DC-based think tank today a broad survey of new challenges, priorities and strategies for UN peacekeeping as the world Organization embarks on a major review of its operations, requested by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the top United Nations envoy in Iraq are urging the country’s leaders to come together to address the rapidly deteriorating security situation and prevent sectarian reprisals amid the ongoing violence.

Challenging the Security Council to take immediate action to protect victims in the ongoing Darfur crisis, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) underscored today that without concrete steps to apprehend those accused of crimes against humanity, the world’s efforts to ensure justice in Darfur could “go down in history as an indefensible failure.”

The majority of civilians in Syria continue to bear the brunt of the ongoing conflict, the head of a United Nations-appointed human rights panel said today, noting that violence has escalated to an unprecedented level, humanitarian aid is arbitrarily denied and perpetrators of crimes have no fear of consequence.

The United Nations today strongly condemned the continued, targeted killing of Afghan election workers in the wake of last Saturday’s presidential run-off poll, and stressed that they must be able to carry out their important work without the threat of violence.

Arriving in Geneva to mark the 50th anniversary of the United Nations body that promotes international trade to fight poverty, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today that the complex effort needs to meet current and future goals in development, and sustainability requires innovation and stepped-up international partnership.

Marking the World Day to Combat Desertification, United Nations officials today emphasized the importance of restoring degrading lands to avoid or soften the potentially disastrous impacts of climate change.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appointed Major General Luciano Portolano of Italy as the new head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The United Nations General Assembly today unanimously approved Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid al-Hussein of Jordan as the new High Commissioner for Human Rights, succeeding Navi Pillay of South Africa.

Following confirmation that President Juan Manuel Santos has been re-elected, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said he looks forward to continuing to work with his Government in “efforts to promote peace, human rights and development” for all Colombians.