Asia

Elias and his family, Yazidis who were heavily persecuted under ISIL, sit on the floor of their home in Zakho, northern Iraq.
© UNICEF/Jennifer Sparks

Strengthening global cooperation on counter-terrorism must remain a priority during and after pandemic

24 August 2020
Peace and Security

With Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) and other terrorist groups attempting to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic for their own ends, the international community must respond with stronger collective action and cooperation,  the top UN counter-terrorism official said on Monday. 

Industrial seaport in China.
© World Bank/Curt Carnemark

‘Concerted efforts’ needed to meet 2030 Global Goals in Asia-Pacific region

25 March 2020
SDGs

Action to reverse the depletion and degradation of the environment across Asia and the Pacific is a top priority if the region is to stay on course to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a new United Nations report launched online, for the first time, on Tuesday.

A maize plant attacked by the fall armyworm.
FAO/Tamiru Legesse

Fears for food security and the future of farming families, as Fall Armyworm spreads to Asia

14 August 2018
Economic Development

An “invasive pest” that devours more than 80 different plant species, including many staple crops, could threaten the food security and livelihoods of millions of small-scale farmers in Asia, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned on Tuesday.

Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and First Lady Honeylet Avancena to the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit dinner on 12 November 2017.
UNIC/Maria Teresa Debuque

In Manila, UN chief tells South-east Asian summit cooperation is vital to address shared challenges

13 November 2017
Addressing the ninth Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)-United Nations Summit in Manila, the Philippines, Secretary-General António Guterres called for collective global and regional action to combat the challenges facing the world, in particular, those related to climate change.
Secretary-General António Guterres (left) meets with President Emomali Rahmon of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Nakib Murodov

National efforts vital to ensure effective implementation of Global Goals, UN chief says in Tajikistan

12 June 2017
Highlighting the integrated, indivisible and universal nature of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged all stakeholders around the world to work together to ensure the promises of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are brought to life.
View of downtown Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.
World Bank/Shynar Jetpissova

Inclusive development 'best form of preventing conflict,' UN chief tells Central Asia summit

9 June 2017
Secretary-General António Guterres today stressed the importance of partnership between the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in achieving global development goals and combating some of today's key threats to peace and security, such as terrorism.
Registan square in Samarqand, Uzbekistan.
World Bank/Matluba Mukhamedova

Uzbekistan: UN human rights office to work more closely with ‘country at a crossroads’

11 May 2017
The United Nations human rights chief today announced that the Central Asian branch of his Office will extend its coverage to Uzbekistan now that an agreement is in place, highlighting that the country is “at a crossroads.”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN Photo/Mark Garten (file)

In a condolence message, UN chief hopes Thailand will continue to honour its King's legacy

13 October 2016
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today offered his deep condolences to the Royal family, Government and people of Thailand on the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
A wide view of the opening session of the 11th East Asia Summit, taking place in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

At East Asia Summit, Ban expresses concern over tensions on Korean Peninsula and in South China Sea

8 September 2016
Wrapping up an 11-day trip to Asia, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today hailed the region’s economic growth and progress on development, but expressed concerns about some challenges facing the countries there, including the tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in the South China Sea.
Young volunteers clean garbage from the Yamuna River banks in India.
UNDP India/Sudhanshu Malhotra

Fastest population shift in history is ‘make or break’ opportunity for Asia-Pacific – UN agency

26 April 2016
If Asia-Pacific countries do not start planning for demographic changes, they will miss out on a unique opportunity to boost growth and investments for the future, risking a surge in youth frustration and exacerbating instability, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) underlined today in its latest Regional Human Development Report.