Latest News

Vowing to never stop calling for an end to the death penalty, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said studies have proven that those who are poor, mentally disabled, and/or are minorities are at higher risk of receiving the death sentence, regardless of guilt or innocence.

The magnitude of the dangers facing Libya should not be underestimated, the top UN official in the country told the Security Council today, noting that despite the passing of the timeline by which the United Nations had hoped a final political settlement would be endorsed, there is yet to be a final agreement.

In the wake of recent violence against publishers, writers, bloggers and civil society groups by extremists in Bangladesh, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights today condemned the acts and urged the Government to take “urgent, concerted measures to ensure the protection of all those who are being threatened by extremists operating in the country.”

The United Nations Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Leila Zerrougui today welcomed as “an important step” the commitment by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP) to stop the recruitment and use of children.

After a “seemingly endless cycle of violence,” Libya’s incessant conflict and political division may soon come to an end, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) told the United Nations Security Council today, noting that significant progress is being made towards achieving the goal of peace and stability in the country.

A United Nations-supported training course has been held in Somalia after the launch of a toll free hotline for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to tackle sexual violence by enhancing timely response to abuse cases and offering information on accessible health services.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today appealed to donors for more than $95 million to make sure emergency shelters are equipped with heating and ensure other measures are in place to protect from the harsh winter weather the unrelenting flow of refugees and migrants arriving in Greece and travelling through the Balkan countries.

Wrapping up a three-day visit to Ukraine, the United Nations humanitarian chief is calling for sustained and unimpeded access to the vulnerable communities caught in the middle of the crisis and who urgently need humanitarian aid.

Weather-driven concerns about sugar and palm oil supplies have led to a price increase of major food commodities in October, said Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today.

Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in a report to its 38th General Conference, which kicked off at the threshold of the new 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, the agency’s chief looked back on past achievements while appealing for enhanced cooperation from member States to address UNESCO’s priorities and tackle the current challenges.