Ban welcomes approval of new chief for UN’s in-house watchdog
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the General Assembly’s approval of Carman Lapointe-Young of Canada as the new head of the United Nations internal watchdog office.
Cypriot leaders resume UN-backed discussions
The leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities of Cyprus today held another round of talks on the issue of property, part of a United Nations-facilitated process aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island.
General Assembly declares access to clean water and sanitation is a human right
Safe and clean drinking water and sanitation is a human right essential to the full enjoyment of life and all other human rights, the General Assembly declared today, voicing deep concern that almost 900 million people worldwide do not have access to clean water.
General Assembly President voices sadness over deadly plane crash in Pakistan
The President of the General Assembly has voiced his sadness after learning of today’s plane crash near the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, which has reportedly killed all 152 people aboard the aircraft.
Secretary-General to honour atomic bomb victims in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Ban Ki-moon is set to become the first United Nations Secretary-General to attend the Peace Memorial Ceremony on the anniversary of the nuclear attack on Hiroshima when he visits the southern Japanese city next week.
UN agency welcomes access to displaced in northern Central African Republic
The United Nations refugee agency today welcomed the decision by the Government of the Central African Republic (CAR) to allow access to displaced civilians an area in the far north of the country that had been off limits to aid workers since December due to insecurity.
UN development chief begins visit to Brazil
The United Nations development chief today began a two-day visit to Brazil during which she will meet with senior Government officials and discuss progress towards achieving the anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
UN voices concern over missing pilot in Darfur
The United Nations today expressed its deep concern over a helicopter pilot who has been missing for two days in the south of Sudan’s war-torn Darfur region.
New prison opens in Liberia as part of UN efforts to help country rebuild
The United Nations deputy envoy in Liberia has assured the country of the world body’s continued support for recovery and development in the West African nation, which include a new modern UN-funded prison and a centre where peacekeepers will teach vocational skills to young people.
UN health agency sounds alarm on high obesity in Pacific island nations
Pacific Ocean countries face a severe obesity problem, which is also causing increased rates of heart disease and strokes, according to the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO).