The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today designated Chinese opera performer Zhang Jun as an Artist for Peace.
The Security Council has stressed that a planned consultative meeting of Somalia’s leadership next month should result in agreement on a schedule for elections in the Horn of Africa country, where the interim federal institutions remain divided over governance issues beyond August when the transitional period expires.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in the French resort of Deauville today to participate in the summit of the Group of Eight (G-8) industrialized countries and speak on issues such as the pro-democracy movement in the Arab world, crises in Africa and women’s and children’s health.
Ahead of the annual International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, a new photo exhibit opened today in New York showcasing the vital of work of blue helmets in strengthening the rule of law in post-conflict countries.
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) reported today that post-election violence that began last December had killed more than 1,000 people in the western part of the country before it came to an end last month.
United Nations human rights officials and their counterparts in Nepal today welcomed a new law prohibiting discrimination against people who are considered members of low castes and are known as “untouchables” or “Dalits.”
Environment ministers and experts from seven countries in the Carpathian mountain region of Central and Eastern Europe today open a United Nations-backed meeting to discuss the sustainable development of the area.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has spoken with the Libyan Prime Minister and reiterated the urgent need for a real ceasefire and serious negotiations on initiating a transition to a government that fully meets the aspirations of the people of the North African country.
Large economies in developing countries – mainly China, Brazil and India – continue to lead the global recovery, amid weaker performances in relatively richer nations, where concerns over huge public debt have led to austerity measures that have dampened growth prospects, according to a new United Nations report.
One of Africa’s greatest untapped resources is its young people, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed today, urging the continent to take advantage of the skills and talents of its youth to promote sustainable development.