development

UN Development Programme names new officials to head 3 regional bureaus

29 December 2005
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has named three new senior officials to head, respectively, its bureaus for Arab States, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Africa.

On South-South Day, Annan urges developing nations to fully use their creativity

19 December 2005
Marking United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called on developing countries to use every resource at their disposal and to encourage their global diasporas to offer their knowledge and skills to the development of their countries of origin.

Growing wealth disparities in China attracting government attention – UN report

16 December 2005
China’s wealth gap between urban and rural communities is among the highest in the world, but a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report released today finds the Government is coming to grips with the widening disparities that threaten the country’s stability.
Medical costs push millions of people into poverty

UN health agency says medical insurance schemes would reduce poverty

5 December 2005
With medical costs pushing 100 million people into poverty across the globe each year, minimal health insurance plans should be instituted in developing countries in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of reducing poverty and increasing access to health care, the United Nations health agency said today.

Forty-six countries will miss school gender-equity goal at end of year, UN says

25 November 2005
At midnight on New Year’s eve, 46 countries will fall short of their goal of getting as many girls as boys into school by 2005, missing a crucial milestone in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), according to a new report launched today by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

UN calls for entries by mid-December for its second documentary film festival

21 November 2005
Documentary film-makers who have recorded how the United Nations agencies are helping countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially eliminating extreme poverty and hunger, are being invited to submit entries for the second annual United Nations festival in New York next April.

New UN agricultural census will help attain Millennium Development Goals

8 November 2005
More than 100 countries are taking part in United Nations agricultural censuses over the next 10 years as part of the overall effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that seek to slash a host of ills, ranging from extreme poverty and hunger to lack of education and health care, all by 2015.

UN Assembly President cites African gains and urges further work to reach goals

13 October 2005
United Nations General Assembly President Jan Eliasson today commended African countries for achieving progress in ending conflicts, fighting disease and tackling debt while urging further efforts to prompt other nations to lend support to their efforts.

UN-sponsored youth conference kicks off in Bangalore, India

12 October 2005
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has brought together young people representing countries around the world at a meeting today in Bangalore, India, to discuss the eradication of poverty, gender equality and environmental sustainability.

UN report says donors should focus on quality of aid to foster development

11 October 2005
Despite increases in official direct assistance (ODA) to developing countries, much of the funds have been used to pay off debt, rebuild after conflicts and natural disasters, and assist people affected by humanitarian crises, according to a new United Nations report which calls on international donors to pay closer attention to the composition and quality of aid in order to correct the problem.