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Paying tribute again to the upcoming political transition in Burundi, the United Nations Security Council today underscored the importance of President Pierre Buyoya's commitment to handover office by 1 May, and recommended that all the country's political leaders continue working in the spirit of consensus.

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has voiced his concern that recent statements directed at Syria should not contribute to a wider destabilization in a region already affected heavily by the war in Iraq.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reiterated its call today for the urgent protection of Iraq’s cultural heritage following widespread looting of museums and libraries, and it prepared to send a mission of experts for an on-site evaluation of the most pressing needs.

The United Nations refugee agency today said it is conducting a campaign to encourage Sierra Leoneans to go back home in an effort to step up the pace of repatriations from Guinea.

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights has adopted four resolutions under its agenda on self-determination and racism and racial discrimination – reaffirming the Palestinians’ right to a state, supporting a referendum in Western Sahara, condemning the use of mercenaries and deploring the stereotyping of religions.

In support of international efforts to break the link between the illegal trade of rough diamonds and its fuelling of armed conflict, the United Nations General Assembly today welcomed the decision to implement a global certification scheme for the valuable gems.

Noting that the world is continually being distracted from investing in Africa, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan warned in a message today that there could be no "credible vision of a humane and peaceful world order" that did not also include a positive future for that continent.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today named an Italian woman who has spent more than three decades helping displaced Somalis recipient of its annual humanitarian award.

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in Athens today to attend the European Conference and hold high-level talks on the latest developments in Iraq.

Shocked by the "catastrophic losses" caused by the looting of Iraq's museums, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today urged the coalition to stop further pillaging, the population to return the loot, and neighbouring countries and international bodies to prevent trafficking in the stolen objects.