Asia

Secretary-General praises Asian regional body's efforts against crime, conflict

16 August 2007
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has emerged as a key regional forum for tackling the threats posed by terrorism, drug trafficking and conflict, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the seventh summit of heads of State of the six-member grouping today.

UN political chief heads to Asia next week for three-nation tour

10 August 2007
The top United Nations political official will travel next week to Asia on a visit that will take him to China, Kyrgyzstan and Nepal, a spokesman for the world body said today.
John Holmes

UN humanitarian chief kicks off first-ever visit to Asia

11 June 2007
United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes today embarked on his first mission to Asia since taking office in March.
UNHCR-built school in Turkmenistan

UN refugee agency-backed workshop tackles issue of statelessness in Central Asia

26 April 2007
The United Nations refugee agency has completed a two-day workshop on curbing statelessness in Central Asia, where the disbanding of the Soviet Union and civil wars have resulted in thousands of people not having a fixed nationality.

Asia’s declining fertility patterns under spotlight at UN conference

19 December 2006
Demographers and population specialists from 14 Asian nations have gathered in Bangkok for a three-day conference organized by the United Nations to discuss the latest challenges and issues posed by the region’s declining fertility rates.
Land-based activities affect marine environment

UN’s environmental agency warns of rising marine pollution threat from land-sources

16 October 2006
With close to 90 per cent of Asia’s sewage discharged without treatment the region’s marine environment is increasingly stressed, threatening economically vital coastal areas, including fishery industries, the United Nations’ environmental agency warned today.

Annan hails Asia cooperation conference for advancing action on key challenges

17 June 2006
The Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building in Asia (CICA), which brings together a diverse range of countries from across the region, has a key role to play in advancing responses to major global challenges, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today in a message to leaders gathered in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan

In message to Asian media summit, Annan urges respect for press freedom

30 May 2006
In a message to participants at an Asian media summit in Malaysia, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has urged governments to reaffirm their commitment to press freedom while calling on media professionals to exercise their rights responsibly.

Infrastructure development threatens water supplies to billions in Asia – UN report

6 September 2005
Overgrazing, deforestation and the building of roads and settlements on the mountains of Asia are increasing the risk of flooding in some areas and drying up rivers in others, affecting billions of people and endangering the region’s rich wildlife, according to a new report from the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).
ESCAP headquarters Bangkok, Thailand

First UN information technology centre approved for Asia-Pacific region

18 May 2005
The United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) wrapped up its annual session today by approving a landmark decision to establish in the UN’s first information and communications technology training centre for the region.