UN agency welcomes safe return of two missing staff in Ethiopia
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) confirmed today that two Ethiopian staff members who went missing after a deadly incident in mid-May have been safely recovered.
UN chief calls for specific steps to close gender gap in parliaments
The world’s countries must take concrete measures to close the gender gap in their parliaments and governments, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, warning that democracies are jeopardized whenever women are marginalized.
UN’s global network of biosphere reserves grows by 18 new sites
The United Nations today added 18 new sites to its global list of biosphere reserves, bringing the total to 581 in 114 different countries, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported.
Gaza’s children fly high at UN-backed Summer Games
More than 3,000 students in Gaza today smashed the first of what they hope to be four world records this northern summer, by “flying” dozens of parachutes, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said today.
Youth education and employment key to progress in Africa – Migiro
The United Nations today urged African countries to empower the continent’s youth through schooling and jobs, stressing that the foundation for peace and development lay in giving young people opportunities to build better lives for themselves.
Security Council extends mandate of UN force in Golan Heights by six months
The Security Council today agreed to extend the mandate of the United Nations force monitoring the ceasefire in the Golan Heights between Israel and Syria for another six months, voicing grave concern that recent events have put the long-held ceasefire in jeopardy.
Arab Spring shows human rights are for everyone, everywhere – UN official
The top United Nations human rights official said today that the so-called Arab Spring across North Africa and the Middle East this year has shown that human rights are for “all of us, all of the time, everywhere.”
Ban calls for stepped-up action against attackers of children in armed conflicts
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reiterated his concern over the growing number of attacks on schools and hospitals and threats to children in armed conflicts around the world, stating that the United Nations is considering targeted measures against those who commit such crimes.
Ban welcomes five-party nuclear disarmament meeting
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed a meeting in Paris today of five nuclear non-proliferation treaty States as a unique opportunity to advance nuclear disarmament.
Greek austerity measures could violate human rights, UN expert says
The United Nations independent expert on foreign debt and human rights warned today that the austerity measures and structural reforms proposed to solve Greece’s debt crisis may result in violations of the basic human rights of the country’s people, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported.