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Strongly condemning yesterday’s attacks in Pakistan – which reportedly left more than 50 people dead in the wake of separate assaults on the country’s main airport in Karachi, and on busloads of Shia pilgrims in Baluchistan – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged the Government step up its efforts to tackle terrorism and religious extremism.

Marking the upcoming 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the landmark treaty that has become known as the “Constitution for the Oceans”, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today encouraged Member States to recommit to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) at what he considers a crucial moment for climate change.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) today inaugurated a new site adjacent to its base in Malakal to offer protection for civilians uprooted by conflict and to relieve the congestion inside the world body’s compound, which is hosting an estimated 19,000 people.

Just days away from the kick-off of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed the “best values of sport” – teamwork, fair play and mutual respect – as the United Nations today joined the international fervour that accompanies the games, even getting its normally staid diplomats out of suits and ties and into their national team uniforms.

A new global new development agenda based on human rights and the rule of law is the surest pathway to balancing the needs of people and the planet, while eradicating extreme poverty and closing socio-economic gaps, senior United Nations officials said today.

The recent turmoil in Libya has not only slowed the pace of important aspects of the democratic transition but threatens to thrust the North African nation back into conflict and instability, the United Nations envoy to the country told the Security Council today.

The United Nations agricultural agency announced today that it is partnering with Norway to build an advanced research vessel as part of efforts to avert the effects of climate change and other threats to the world’s fish stocks, as calls were heard for urgent action to address those threats at an international forum in Rome.

A United Nations envoy today renewed the world body’s commitment to supporting ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Government to secure the safe release of the abducted schoolgirls from Chibok, and called for concerted efforts to tackle the insurgency in the north-east of the country.

The top United Nations envoy to Somalia today appealed to an end to clan-based hostilities in the Lower Shabelle region which have resulted in a number of casualties in recent days.

To commemorate World Oceans Day, the United Nations family is encouraging the international community to reflect on the multiple benefits of oceans and commit to keeping them healthy and productive for current and future generations.