The United Nations refugee agency today reported that the number of people fleeing the fighting in Mali is increasing, amidst reports of growing food shortages.
Stressing that now is not the time for business as usual, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for innovative action to tackle the numerous challenges facing the world and to meet shared goals such as sustainable development, disarmament and conflict resolution.
As the 2013 session of the world’s sole multilateral forum for disarmament negotiations opened in Geneva today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the body, which has failed to agree on its work programme for the past several years, to revive substantive talks without delay.
The United Nations refugee agency said today it is expanding humanitarian efforts to keep apace with the growing numbers of civilians fleeing the Syrian conflict and crossing into neighbouring countries, while warning that a lack of funding risked jeopardizing future assistance.
The United Nations human rights office today strongly condemned the execution of Ali Naderi, a 21-year-old who was sentenced to death for a crime he allegedly committed when he was 17 even though Iran is party to agreements that ban the death sentence against persons less than 18 years of age.
The United Nations General Assembly today established a working group that will focus on the design of a set of sustainable development goals (SDGs) to promote global prosperity, reduce poverty and advance social equity and environmental protection.
Reiterating its condemnation of a December 2012 missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United Nations Security Council today more sharply targeted sanctions on that country, while again demanding an end to its nuclear and ballistic tests.
Success in tackling the ongoing crisis in Mali requires strong military action along with intense focus on the political challenges, while also addressing the dire humanitarian situation in the country, top United Nations officials stressed today.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged Arab nations to deepen and broaden the reforms under way in order to improve lives, enhance opportunities and advance equality in the region.
International cooperation on health is delivering positive results at a time when the world is dealing with multiple challenges such as difficult weather conditions, conflict and economic austerity, a senior United Nations official said today, calling on countries to continue their efforts to improve public health.