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Less than a week after an urgent funding appeal by the heads of the lead UN food and refugee agencies, lack of donor attention threatening to cut off aid to thousands trying to escape violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) emerged again today as a top item in the bi-weekly humanitarian briefing in Geneva.

With nearly everyone on Earth now having access to a mobile cellular network and some three billion people online, a United Nations information and communication technology (ICT) forum opening in Geneva today called for greater efforts to ensure that everyone also has access to broadband connectivity.

Hollywood actress, activist and United Nations Special Envoy Angelina Jolie today called for concerted action to end once and for all the use of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war.

Urging all political leaders in Iraq to show national unity against the myriad threats facing the country, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed grave concern about the “serious deterioration” of security in Mosul, and condemned the recent spate of terrorist attacks that have left scores of dead and wounded in Iraq’s northern and eastern provinces.

In her last opening statement to the United Nations Human Rights Council, outgoing High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay stressed today the benefit to all countries of ensuring universal protection of individuals and groups from abuse, even if it means the countries are then subject to criticism.

As Afghans prepare to vote in the presidential run-off, senior United Nations officials in the country are calling on key stakeholders to improve the electoral process, and reminding policymakers that Afghan men, women and children should be meaningfully involved in the peace efforts and future direction of their country.

Hundreds of activists and Government delegates gathered at United Nations Headquarters today to identify practical ways to take the rights, needs and concerns of persons with disabilities, particularly youth, into consideration as they strive to advance inclusive, sustainable development.

The United Nations refugee agency said today it was receiving increasing reports of abuse and exploitation as people continue to seek safety overseas two years after inter-communal violence erupted in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the successful conduct of assembly elections in Kosovo and called on authorities to remain committed to strengthening democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights of all living there.

The top United Nations political official today concluded a visit to Ukraine where he reiterated Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s commitment to supporting the country, and held meetings with senior Government and civil society representatives.