Asia

UN Asia-Pacific forum focuses on technology for people with disabilities

The United Nations today kicked off an initiative to improve access to information and communication technology (ICT) for persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific, including using a computer keyboard or being able to see information on the Internet – things most people take for granted.

Head of UN preventive diplomacy centre in Central Asia begins work

The senior United Nations official tasked with the world body’s preventive diplomacy efforts in Central Asia took up his duties today in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan.

Aral Sea problems will only be fixed by regional cooperation, UN stresses

Resolving the problems caused by the drying out of the Aral Sea, which has shrunk drastically in size in recent decades because of the inefficient use of water resources and climate change, will only happen when the countries of Central Asia work together, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says.

Slovak diplomat set to head UN preventive diplomacy centre in Central Asia

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has informed the Security Council of his plan to appoint an experienced Slovak diplomat as the head of the new United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA).

UN aids flood victims in Kazakhstan as heavy snows melt

United Nations units are coming to aid of flood victims in southern Kazakhstan, where heavy rains and rapidly melting snow have displaced more than 13,000 people following Central Asia’s harshest winter in decades.

Harsh Central Asian winter shows need to boost disaster planning – UN agency

The United Nations agency tasked with minimizing the threat posed by natural disasters today called on governments across Central Asia, which is facing its harshest winter in three decades, to swiftly implement measures so that they are better prepared to deal with the expected floods in the spring.

Asian economies will be able to weather 2008 uncertainties, UN predicts

The Asia-Pacific region is likely to continue to see strong economic growth this year, despite uncertainties posed by a slowing United States economy, according to a new United Nations report.

UN-backed meeting on climate change's impact on agriculture wraps up

With climate change threatening agriculture in Asia, 10 nations met in a three-day United Nations-sponsored meeting in Hanoi, Viet Nam, to discuss sustainable farming practices to feed growing populations.

Preventive diplomacy essential, Ban Ki-moon tells launch of UN regional centre

Preventive diplomacy is not an option but a necessity, given the gravity of so many situations worldwide, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, launching the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia.

UN regional centre for preventive diplomacy in Central Asia set to open

The United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia will be inaugurated on Monday in an initiative by the world body to help the region’s countries respond more proactively to cross-border challenges and threats before they can become costlier and more difficult to control.