Security Council imposes sanctions on Eritrea
The Security Council today imposed arms and travel sanctions on Eritrea for supporting insurgents trying to topple the nascent government in nearby Somalia.
Ban hails work of UNICEF chief after she announces plan to step down
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid tribute today to Ann Veneman, the Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), after she announced that she will not be seeking a second five-year term in the top post at the UN agency.
UN humanitarian chief calls for stronger steps against Ugandan rebels in DR Congo
On the eve of the anniversary of last year’s Christmas Day massacre of at least 477 civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by the rebel Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), the top United Nations humanitarian official called for stronger measures to protect civilians still vulnerable to attacks.
Poor weather drives tea prices to record high in 2009 – UN
Tea prices reached a record high in 2009, but should ease next year as weather improves in the main tea-producing regions in Asia and Africa, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported today.
Forcible return of Uighurs from Cambodia sparks UN experts’ concern
Two United Nations human rights experts have expressed their concern over the forcible return from Cambodia to China of 20 ethnic Uighur asylum-seekers who had fled violence in their home country.
UN to launch labour rights contest for Cambodian garment workers
Garment workers in Cambodia will have to know their rights to compete in a radio contest being launched by the UN labour organization, with the winners to be announced on International Labour Day in May next year.
Assembly President hopes next year’s Mexico meeting will forge climate pact
While most countries are not happy with the outcome of this month’s summit on climate change in Copenhagen, “really good progress” was made towards a binding agreement “to save the world,” with the United Nations leading the way to possible adoption at next year’s meeting in Mexico, General Assembly President Ali Treki said today.
Haiti: UN-backed road construction aids impoverished residents
A cracked, flood-prone and sewage-infested stretch of road in a quarter of Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, has been transformed into a resurfaced, smooth and clean highway for cars and pedestrians, improving both the health and image of the area, thanks to a United Nations-backed works programme.
Women’s political participation in North Africa enhanced under UN-backed project
Women’s political participation in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia is to be enhanced under a new United Nations-backed project launched today for an innovative website to provide them access to information, the exchange of experiences, ideas and good practices.
Violent clashes between police, Maoists spark UN concern in Nepal
The United Nations human rights office has called for restraint in the wake of clashes between police and protestors on the first day of nationwide strike called by Maoists.