Asia

A woman outside her small home in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh,
World Bank/Graham Crouch

Asia-Pacific productivity "under threat and needs reform”

28 April 2016
General News

The Asia-Pacific region is an economic powerhouse but urgently needs to rethink its economic strategy if it’s to stay that way, UN experts said Thursday.

Audio -
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.
Inauguration of the 7th Global Forum of UNAOC in Baku under the theme of: “Living together in inclusive societies, a challenge and a goal”.
UN Radio

Extremism flourishes when human rights are violated: UN official

26 April 2016
General News

The risk of violent extremism and terrorism can be reduced by guaranteeing social and human rights as well as access to opportunities and employment.

Audio -
Ahmad Alhendawi, the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, addresses the International Youth Day event. UN File Photo/Evan Schneider

Young people want to craft new “narrative” for society

25 April 2016
General News

The Somali terrorist group Al-Shabaab takes its name from the Arabic word for “youth,” but young people there have been urged to reclaim the word by a UN official who also happens to be one of their peers.

Audio -
The 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
UN Photo/May Yaccoub.

“Inclusive” aspect of “living together” stressed at UN conference

24 April 2016
General News

The importance of diverse communities living together in harmony is expected to be underlined at a UN conference getting underway in Azerbaijan on Monday.

Audio -
Ahead of the UN Sustainable Development Summit from 25-27 September, and to mark the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, a 10-minute film introducing the Sustainable Development Goals is projected onto UN Headquarters.
UN Photo/Cia Pak

Participation on a regional level will be vital for funding SDGs

20 April 2016
General News

Nations themselves and regional commissions must lead the way in setting the course for sustainable development.

Audio -
Professor Michel Kazatchkine, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

Drug policy needs to focus on “regulation, not prohibition”

16 April 2016
General News

Governments need to start focusing on control and regulation of drug markets, rather than the traditional policy of prohibition.

That’s according to the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on HIV and AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Michel Kazatchkine.

Audio -
Viet Nam. File
UNDP

Population growth in Asia-Pacific presents “huge opportunity”: UN

14 April 2016
General News

The Asia-Pacific region must create more and better jobs to turn its population challenges into an opportunity, a new

Audio -
De-mining expert detects anti-personnel land mine for clearance.
UN Photo/Jawad Jalali

Afghanistan striving to be mine-free by 2023

4 April 2016
General News

Although Afghanistan has been cleared of nearly 80 per cent of the landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW) buried during conflicts, these weapons still pose serious threats to the lives of thousands of citizens.

Audio -