Old Middle East hand to become top UN envoy in Iraq
Staffan de Mistura, a veteran of United Nations operations in the Middle East, is slated to become the next top UN envoy in Iraq.
Developing countries’ economic outlook positive for first time in three decades – UN
The economic outlook for developing countries is positive for the first time since the early 1970s, driven in large part by the growth in China and India, according to an annual report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released today.
Finnish official named to head advisory group for UN Peacebuilding Fund
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has designated Finland’s Marjatta Rasi to serve as the first chair of the advisory group to the United Nations fund set up to help meet the immediate needs of countries emerging from conflict.
Cooperation with civil society crucial to tackling climate change, UN officials say
Top United Nations officials underscored the necessity of the partnership between the world body and civil society in addressing climate change at a non-governmental organization (NGO) conference which kicked off in New York today.
Côte d’Ivoire: UN envoy takes part in talks on implementing political accord
The senior United Nations envoy in Côte d’Ivoire has taken part in a fresh round of talks on how to ensure the successful implementation of the political agreement reached earlier this year among the leaders of the divided West African country.
Small arms and light weapons in Central Africa lead talks at UN meeting
An initiative to control the trade of small arms and light weapons in Central Africa and a planned code of conduct for the region’s armed and security forces are expected to top the agenda at a United Nations-sponsored security meeting taking place in Yaoundé, Cameroon, this week.
Ban Ki-moon reports ‘steady progress’ towards deploying hybrid force in Darfur
The United Nations is making “steady progress” towards setting up its landmark hybrid peacekeeping force in Darfur with the African Union (AU), but complex logistical challenges lie ahead and Member States need to provide military contributions before further benchmarks for deployment can be met, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s latest report on the mission says.
Recent steps by Government of Myanmar are ‘setback’ to democracy – UN envoy
The recent crackdown by Myanmar’s Government after peaceful protests over fuel prices is a setback for the country and has the effect of calling into question the Government’s commitment to democratization, the United Nations envoy to the country said today as he detailed plans to visit Myanmar again as early as next month.
Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders discuss comprehensive settlement – UN
Greek Cypriot leader H.E. Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader H.E. Mehmet Ali Talat discussed issues leading to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem during a United Nations-sponsored meeting today.
DR Congo: UN relief chief deplores recent violence in far east
The United Nations humanitarian chief and President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today voiced their extreme concern about the humanitarian situation in the far east of the country, where a fresh outbreak of fighting among Government forces, renegade troops and armed groups has displaced more than 10,000 civilians in the past 10 days.