13 May, 2014

Indigenous Peoples must help define global development agenda, UN Forum hears

United Nations, (UN News Centre), 12 May 2014 – Indigenous peoples must be a part of the ongoing process to define a global development agenda beyond 2015, United Nations officials said today, calling for explicit assertion of their collective rights as well as the promotion of traditional knowledge to tackle issues such as climate change, […]

25 Mar, 2014

On World Meteorological Day, UN Rallies Youth To Take On Climate Change

United Nations, (UN News Centre) Mar 23 2014 – Seeking to increase awareness among young people about climate change and mobilize them as champions for action, the United Nations is marking this year’s World Meteorological Day with a call for more young people — especially women — to become meteorologists, a profession which makes a […]

20 Mar, 2014

Growing problem of untreated wastewater focus of World Water Day March 22

Bangkok (ESCAP News) March 19, 2014  — Even as global population grows steadily, an estimated 768 million people in the world do not have access to improved water sources, 2.5 billion people have no improved sanitation and 1.3 billion people cannot access electricity. The United Nations predicts that by 2030, we will need 35% more […]

7 Mar, 2014

FAO Food Price Index sees sharpest rise in months

6 March 2014, Rome (FAO media release) – Weather-related events and increased demand came into play as the FAO Food Price Index registered its sharpest increase since mid-2012, averaging 208.1 points in February 2014. The new level is 5.2 points, or 2.6 percent, above a slightly revised index for January, but is still 2.1 percent […]

4 Mar, 2014

UN Marks First World Wildlife Day with Call to End Poaching, Environmental Crime

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) Mar 3 2014 — Senior United Nations officials are sounding the alarm that nature is under threat, marking today’s first ever World Wildlife Day with calls to protect biological diversity and halt environmental crimes. “Wildlife remains integral to our future through its essential role in science, technology and recreation, as […]

19 Dec, 2013

Respect Workers’ Dignity: Global Unions Statement on International Migrants’ Day

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18 December 2013 – The UN established International Migrants’ Day for December 18th to mark the anniversary of the adoption by the General Assembly in 1990 of the international convention on the protection of the rights of migrant workers and members of their families. Global Unions issued a statement calling for respect for migrants, including […]

15 Dec, 2013

Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan: Psychosocial activities for children relieve anxiety, aid recovery

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December 2013, World Health Organization – In many places affected by Typhoon Haiyan, children are returning to their schools to seek normalcy and comfort. Eleven-year-old Marie Catherina Al Gado Jangson walks out of her school in the town of Guiuan, holding tight to the books she managed to retrieve from her wrecked classroom: “I found […]

12 Dec, 2013

FAO calls for increased mountain family farming to alleviate malnutrition

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11 December 2013, Rome (FAO media release) – Securing land tenure, providing access to resources for mountain family farms, and improving basic infrastructure in mountain regions are among the key solutions to improving the livelihoods and food security of mountain and lowland communities, FAO said today. Around 40 percent of mountain populations in developing and […]

12 Dec, 2013

One in three children under-five do not officially exist – UNICEF

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NEW YORK, 11 December 2013 (UNICEF media release) – On UNICEF’s 67th birthday today, the organization released a new report showing that the births of nearly 230 million children under-five have never been registered; approximately one in three of all children under-five around the world. “Birth registration is more than just a right. It’s how […]

6 Dec, 2013

8,500 Students to Benefit from “Connect a School” project launch in Sri Lanka

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Geneva, 5 December 2013 – The International Telecommunications Union has selected Sri Lanka as one of five countries for the ‘Connect a School, Connect a Community’ project. Following the completion of a ‘Connect a school, Connect a Community’ project in Akuressa, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) initiated this project with ITU to extend […]

24 Nov, 2013

UN Launches International Year of Family Farming 2014

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22 November 2013, New York (FAO press release) – The United Nations has launched the 2014 International Year of Family Farming to stress the vast potential family farmers have to eradicate hunger and preserve natural resources. In both developed and developing countries, over 500 million family farms, defined as farms that rely primarily on family […]

19 Oct, 2013

UN issues report on role of women in conflict prevention, building peace & security

United Nations, (UN News Centre) – Oct 18 2013 – The United Nations Security Council and senior UN officials today issued a strong call on the international community to strengthen its commitment to ensuring that women play a more prominent role in conflict prevention, resolution and in post-war peacebuilding. Unanimously adopting a new resolution this […]

14 Jun, 2013

U.N. Issues Call To Youth To Support Action Against Climate Change

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) – Jun 13 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today issued a call to action for the world’s youth to tackle climate threats, stressing that young people are “agents of change” that bring fresh and innovative ideas to address “this most pressing issue.” “I am glad to have this chance to […]

5 Jun, 2013

New OECD report offers tips on how households can green their behaviour

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OECD – Paris, 5 June 2013 – People care for the environment, and a large majority state that they are willing to make compromises to green their lifestyle according to a new OECD survey of 12,000 households. However, the economic crisis has taken its toll, and the survey shows that the environment is slipping down […]

19 May, 2013

UNESCO Releases Hangzhou Declaration on Culture

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HANGZHOU, May 17 (Xinhua) — UNESCO concluded the International Congress of Hangzhou on Friday by issuing a declaration recognizing the power of culture for sustainable development. Alissandra Cummins, chairwoman of the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said the declaration was a positive outcome of the congress and it […]

14 May, 2013

FREE Download: U.N. Report Says Poor Sanitation, Open Defecation Killing Hundreds Daily

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13 May 2013 | GENEVA/NEW YORK – Some 2.4 billion people – one-third of the world’s population – will remain without access to improved sanitation in 2015, according to a joint WHO/UNICEF report issued today. The report, entitled Progress on sanitation and drinking-water 2013 update, warns that, at the current rate of progress, the 2015 […]

7 May, 2013

UNESCO, China Highlight Role Of Culture In Post-2015 Development Agenda

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United Nations, May 3, 2013 (UN News Centre) – The United Nations Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and China announced today an international congress on the role that culture plays in achieving sustainable development. The congress, entitled ‘Culture: Key to Sustainable Development’ will take place in Hangzhou, China from 15-17 May, and seeks to […]

4 May, 2013

India must tackle root causes of violence against women – UN rights expert

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NEW DELHI / GENEVA (3 May 2013) – New laws against rape passed in India in the wake of the fatal gang rape of a female student in Delhi last December do not go far enough, the United Nations expert on violence against women has said. UN Special Rapporteur Rashida Manjoo* said that while the […]

13 Apr, 2013

No “green economy” without “blue economy,” says FAO

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12 April 2013, Apia, Samoa/Rome (FAO Media release) – Efforts to end hunger and fight the effects of climate change in the Pacific Islands will hinge on the success of sustainable development, including wise use of oceans and fisheries, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva told ministers from the region today. “There can be no […]

26 Mar, 2013

Honouring Over 15 Million Victims Of Slave Trade, UN Calls For End To Remnants Of Slavery

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United Nations, Mar 25 2013 – The United Nations today honoured the memory of an estimated 15 million innocent victims who suffered over four centuries as a result of the transatlantic slave trade, while highlighting the plight of millions more who still endure the brutality of modern slavery. Speaking at the commemoration of the International […]

5 Mar, 2013

Wild and Precious’ Plants and Animals in Focus at CITES Photo Exhibition in Bangkok

UN Environment Program Press Release

Bangkok, 03 March 2013 – Vibrantly-coloured snakes, predatory sharks, and delicate orchids are among the flora and fauna featured in a new international photography exhibition and publication launched today to mark the 40th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the 16th Meeting of the […]

23 Jan, 2013

India Marks Jan 24 as Girl Child Day To Reverse Declining Child Sex Ratio

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22-January, 2013, Press Information Bureau – The Ministry of Women and Child Development will celebrate the National Girl Child Day on the 24th January, 2013 at A.P. Shinde Symposium Hall, National Agricultural Science Centre (NASC) Complex, ICAR, New Delhi. Mrs Krishna Tirath, Minister of Women and Child Development will preside over the function and Dr […]

10 Jan, 2013

From Cosmetics to Dental Fillings, UNEP Report Highlights Global Dangers of Mercury

UNEP Media Release

Nairobi/Geneva, 10 January 2013 – Communities in developing countries are facing increasing health and environmental risks linked to exposure to mercury, according to new studies by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Parts of Africa, Asia and South America could see increasing emissions of mercury into the environment, due mainly to the use of the […]

8 Dec, 2012

Archbishop Tutu Awarded 2012 UNESCO/Bilbao Prize for Promoting Human Rights

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PARIS, (UnescoPress) 28.11.2012 – UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, has designated Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu from South Africa as laureate of the 2012 UNESCO/Bilbao Prize for the Promotion of a Culture of Human Rights. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was selected by an International Jury in recognition of his exceptional contribution to building a universal culture of human […]

8 Dec, 2012

Shashi Tharoor: “Most Important Way To Improve the World – Educate Girls”

Shashi Tharoor

Speech Delivered by Dr Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for Human Resource Development, India, on “Educating Women—The Quest for Equality” at the 18th Justice Sunanda Bhandare Memorial Lecture on 5 December 2012 It is a matter of great privilege for me to have been invited to deliver the 18th Justice Sunanda Bhandare Memorial Lecture. I […]

29 Nov, 2012

WMO Report: Record Arctic Sea Ice Melt, Multiple Extremes and High Temperatures in 2012

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GENEVA/DOHA, 28 November 2012 (WMO)  –  The years 2001–2011 were all among the  warmest on record, and, according to the World Meteorological Organization, the first ten months indicate that 2012 will most likely be no exception despite the cooling influence of La Niña early in the year. WMO’s provisional annual statement on the state of […]

29 Nov, 2012

World AIDS Day Message: Business Leaders Seek End To HIV Travel Curbs

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United Nations, Nov 28 2012 (UN News) – In a move jointly sponsored by the United Nations agency dealing with the global HIV/AIDS response, more than 40 top business leaders today called for the repeal of laws and policies restricting freedom of movement of people living with HIV. “Every individual should have equal access to […]

29 Nov, 2012

States Have Obligation To Eliminate Violence Against Women – UN

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United Nations, Nov 28 2012 (UN News) — Countries have a responsibility to implement national policies to end violence against women, United Nations officials stressed today, adding that urgent action is needed to stop one of the most pervasive human rights violations worldwide. “Each and every State has an obligation to develop or improve the […]

29 Nov, 2012

Soccer Stars Help Launch UN-Inter Milan Partnership To Help Young People

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United Nations, Nov 28 2012 – Soccer stars Luis Figo and Francesco Toldo were at the United Nations today for the launch of a new partnership between the world body and the charitable organization Inter Campus, which the Italian soccer team Internazionale Milano (Inter Milan) runs to help disadvantaged youth. The retired players spoke of […]

4 Nov, 2012

Agricultural Cooperatives Can Help End Global Hunger, Says UN Food Agency

31 October 2012, Rome (FAO Press release) – One of the only chances small-scale food producers have to gain competitive access to local and global markets is by banding together in cooperatives, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva told a meeting of the World Cooperatives Congress in Manchester today. The International Year of Cooperatives is […]

31 Jul, 2012

First Gender Violence-Free Zones Launched in South Africa

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Wentworth, South Africa (PRWEB) July 30, 2012 – Over a thousand community members and stakeholders from across the eThekwini Municipality gathered on July 8 to commemorate the first community-initiated Violence Free Zone. Launching in the suburb of Wentworth, the zone represents community-driven action to prevent gender-based violence, and has inspired the set-up of further Violence […]

29 Jun, 2012

UN Enlists Fashion Industry to Help Fight Poverty

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United Nations, (UN News Centre) – 28 June 2012 – The United Nations today announced its partnership with the fashion industry to fight poverty and provide assistance to millions of women and children worldwide through the Fashion for Development (F4D) initiative. “The fashion industry in the past several years has redefined how to market, how […]

5 Jun, 2012

UN Environment Programme Names Its ‘2012 Champions Of The Earth’

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New York, 4 Jun 2012: A country president, a banker, an aeronaut, a scientist, a renewable energy businessman and a conservationist were today named as the six winners of the United Nations Champions of the Earth 2012 award, given to those whose actions and leadership have had a positive impact on the environment. “As the world […]

5 Jun, 2012

Jobs for Youth Top Priority In Post-Conflict Nations: UN Peacebuilding Chief

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United Nations,  4 Jun 2012 (UN News Centre) — United Nations officials today stressed the need for partnerships across governments, the private sector and civil society to urgently tackle the challenge of job creation in post-conflict countries, especially for young people, who make up the bulk of these populations. “Job creation, especially for young people, […]

25 May, 2012

New UN Website Fosters Sharing Of Sustainable Development Projects

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United Nations, May 23 2012 (UN News Centre) – The United Nations today launched a new online database to strengthen partnerships between sustainable development projects in developing countries and enable communities to better manage their natural resources and local environment. The first online portal of its kind, the South-South Cooperation Exchange Mechanism will feature a […]

16 May, 2012

Work-Family Balance Benefits Families And Society At Large: UN Chief

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United Nations, May 15 2012 (UN News Centre) – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has highlighted the need for work-family balance for the benefit of families and society at large, adding that while flexible working arrangements are becoming more widely available, there is much room for improvement. “We need to respond to the ever-changing complexities of work […]

13 Apr, 2012

Countries Not Investing Enough in Water, Sanitation Projects – Report

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Geneva – 12 April 2012 – While access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) has considerably improved globally, services coverage could slip behind if adequate resources are not secured to sustain routine operations, warns the 2012 UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water – or “GLAAS” – released today by WHO and UN-Water. […]

12 Apr, 2012

UN Highlights Role Of Business Sector In Achieving Sustainable Development

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Apr 11 2012, UN News Centre: The business and industry sectors play a key role in leading countries towards sustainable development, a top United Nations official said, adding that their collaboration and partnerships with governments are essential to accelerate progress around the world. “Business leaders have the power to make decisions today that can affect […]

12 Apr, 2012

Dementia Cases Set To Triple By 2050 But Still Largely Ignored

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Geneva, (World Health Organization News Release) 11 April 2012 – Worldwide, nearly 35.6 million people live with dementia. This number is expected to double by 2030 (65.7 million) and more than triple by 2050 (115.4 million). Dementia affects people in all countries, with more than half (58%) living in low- and middle-income countries. By 2050, […]

12 Apr, 2012

Myanmar Plans To Seek World Heritage Status for Pyu Ancient Cities

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10 Apr 2012, (UNESCO News Release): Myanmar authorities are advancing in their preparations towards nominating the Pyu Ancient Cities to the World Heritage List. International and national experts attended a seminar convened by UNESCO and the Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library of the Myanmar Ministry of Information and Culture from 4-6 April 2012 […]

9 Apr, 2012

China’s Over-65 Population Hits 123 Million

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BEIJING, April 7 (Xinhua) — A total of 123 million Chinese were aged over 65 by the end of 2011, about 9.1 percent of the total population, the Health Aging Symposium announced Saturday. Chinese seniors aged 80 or above are expected to take up 30 percent of the population aged 65 or above in 2050, […]

3 Apr, 2012

Ageing Societies to be Theme of World Health Day, April 7

Source: World Health Organization

Ageing and health – to which each and every one of us can relate – is the theme of this year’s World Health Day to be marked on April 7. Using the slogan “Good health adds life to years”, campaign activities and materials will focus on how good health throughout life can help older men […]

8 Mar, 2012

Women are the Fabric, Quilts Reflect their Strength

UN Fund for Population Activities

Everywhere in the world, women weave and mend the social fabric of family and community, as well as clothing and textiles. Quilts, a traditionally female art form, often also serve as tangible expressions of women’s creativity, frugality, love, solidarity or sociability. A new exhibition of quilts in the lobby of the United Nations headquarters in […]

8 Mar, 2012

Rural Women Miss Out on Education and Decent Jobs

Pauline Rose, Director, Education for All Global Monitoring Report

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day on March 8, “Empower Rural Women,” sheds light on the struggle that many poor, rural women face in completing even the most basic education — a finding that is backed up by new data analysis by the Education for All Global Monitoring Report team. This is true […]

8 Mar, 2012

Gender Pay Gap “Frozen in Time”, Asia Faring Worst – Global Trade Union Report

International Trade Union Confederation

7 March 2012 – A new report from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) reveals that worldwide, women are paid 18% on average less than their male counterparts at work. The report, “Frozen in Time: Gender Pay Gap Unchanged for 10 Years” released on the eve of International Women’s Day, looks at women’s wages in […]

8 Mar, 2012

Economic Crises Have Biggest Impact on Rural Women – ILO

Juan Somavia, Director-General, International Labour Organization

08 March 2012 (Statement issued by Juan Somavia, Director-General, International Labour Organization) — Today we celebrate International Women’s Day by recognizing the important contribution of rural women across the world to the well-being of their families and communities and in sustaining societies and economies. We call for action to ensure that all rural women can […]

8 Mar, 2012

Guidebook Launched to Promote Women’s Participation in Politics

01 March 2012 (UN Development Programme) — With women under-represented in high level politics and decision-making the world over, a new Guidebook produced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) is showing political parties how they can begin to redress this imbalance by supporting women’s participation in the electoral […]

8 Mar, 2012

Rural Women Play Critical Role in Fighting Hunger Worldwide

Helen Clark, Administrator, UNDP

05 Mar 2012 (UN Development Programme) — A few weeks ago I spoke with women farmers in Niger who are growing vegetables in some of the harshest climatic conditions on earth.  With severe drought a recurring problem in their country and across the Sahel, access to water for irrigation and to appropriate seeds, fertilisers, advisory […]

8 Mar, 2012

Rural Women Can Be More Productive Than Men in Central America

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Mexico City – According to a new UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) study entitled Agricultural productivity of rural women in Central America and Mexico, rural women can be more productive than men in Mexico and Central America. However, they require the appropriate tools, such as productive inputs, microcredits, technical assistance […]

8 Mar, 2012

World Bank Video on Women At Work Worldwide

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On November 11th, 2011 (11.11.11), across the planet, the World Bank recorded the human experience for One Day on Earth http://www.onedayonearth.org. Women from around the world show and tell us what their work means to them. It’s time to think EQUAL. http://thinkequal.worldbank.org Click here to watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTRq0bMa2dg

8 Mar, 2012

New UN Atlas Shows Access To Secondary Education Still A Challenge For Girls

Mar  5 2012, (UN News Centre) – Access to secondary education is still a challenge for girls, especially in parts of Africa and Asia, according to a United Nations atlas published today that highlights the differences in education between girls and boys in terms of access, participation and progression. The atlas, which was produced by […]

8 Mar, 2012

Partnership of Equals Can Help Solve Global Problems

Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director, UN Women

Statement by Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director, UN Women, to mark International Women’s Day 2012

8 Mar, 2012

Equality Begins at Home for Rural Girls and Women

International Fund for Agricultural Development

ROME, Italy, 5 March 2012 – As the world marks International Women’s Day this week, IFAD and its partners are pursuing new ways to advance the fundamental rights of poor rural girls and women at the household level. In the past, rural development organizations and programmes have generally promoted change – including women’s empowerment – […]

7 Mar, 2012

UN Kicks Off Talks On New Blueprint For Disaster Risk Reduction

Mar  5 2012 (UN News Centre) — The United Nations disaster risk reduction office today announced the start of consultations on a new international blueprint for reducing disaster losses ahead of a conference on the issue that Japan has offered to host in 2015. Margareta Wahlström, the head of the secretariat of the UN International […]

2 Mar, 2012

Remember to Mark Int’l Women’s Day on March 8, 2012

UN News Centre

International Women’s Day will be marked on March 8, 2012. The global travel & tourism industry, one of the world’s largest employers of women, can be at the forefront of events commemorating this day. Here’s some food for thought.

29 Feb, 2012

UN Kicks Off I.T. ‘Hackathon’ To Promote Global Sustainability

Feb 28 2012 (UN News Centre) – A United Nations-backed competition with the goal of uncovering sustainable approaches to information and communication technology (ICT) kicked off today, bringing developers from around the world together in a ‘frenetic’ race of programming. Organized by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the two-day Green ICT Hackathon opened today in […]

29 Feb, 2012

As Global Cities Grow, Living Conditions for Children Worsen, UNICEF Report Reveals

UNICEF correspondent Chris Niles

27 February 2012 – With the world undergoing the largest wave of urban growth in history, UNICEF’s annual flagship publication The State of the World’s Children 2012 (SOWC) says that almost half the world’s children now live in urban areas, and it’s calling for greater emphasis on identifying and meeting their needs. “We’re approaching some […]

22 Feb, 2012

Half of Global Languages Face Extinction – Int’l Mother Language Day Message

UNESCO

21 Feb 2012 – Have you ever heard of kalkoti? An endangered language identified in 2011 by the UNESCO Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger, it is spoken by only around 4000 people in a village on the north-western border of Pakistan. It is estimated that nearly half of the approximately 6,000 languages spoken […]

22 Feb, 2012

Global Small Farmers Forum: Climate Change Damage Will Hit Food Supplies

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ROME, 21 Feb 2012 (IFAD) – Representatives of the millions of smallholders, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers around the world have agreed at a United Nations forum in Rome on the need to jointly address the global challenges of food insecurity and climate change. “As we have seen from the droughts in the Horn of […]

21 Feb, 2012

UN Says Social Justice, Economic Progress Must Advance in Tandem

Feb 20 2012 (UN News Centre) – Calling on people to tap into the spirit of recent public protests worldwide against inequality, corruption, repression and a lack of decent jobs, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed the need for economic development to ensure greater social justice for everyone. Mr. Ban, in a message marking World Day […]

17 Feb, 2012

UN Chief Calls on Countries to Heed Voices of Women and Young People

Feb 16 2012 (UN News Centre) – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed today the need to empower women and youth, who have been at the centre of recent social protest movements worldwide, and warned countries against ignoring their voices as they are critical to countries’ development. “Tahrir Square [in Cairo] and the fight for democracy throughout […]

16 Feb, 2012

UN Chief Urges More Companies To Embrace Business Sustainability Ideals

Feb 14 2012 (UN News Centre) – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today encouraged more businesses to embrace the principle of sustainability in their strategies, noting that with the most of the world’s ecosystems in decline, widening social inequality and climate change, global prosperity, productivity and stability was at stake. “We need corporate sustainability to be […]

16 Feb, 2012

Bid to Open Markets for Organic Products From Developing World

Feb 13 2012 (UN News Centre) – A United Nations-backed conference addressing the future of access to markets for organic products began today with delegates and experts gathered to examine the impact that trade standards are having on organic farmers in the developing world. The two-day forum, held in the German city of Nuremberg, will […]

16 Feb, 2012

“Blue Economy” Needed To Protect Mediterranean Sea And World’s Oceans

Feb 10 2012 (UN News Centre) – The Mediterranean Sea is a “key pillar” for the development of the countries in the region, a senior United Nations official said today, warning that continued degradation of the aquatic environment could put its entire ecology at risk. The call came as delegates from 22 Mediterranean and European […]

16 Feb, 2012

Call for Universal Ratification Of Treaty To End Use Of Children In Conflict

Feb 13 2012 (UN News Centre) – The United Nations envoy for children and armed conflict today called for universal ratification of a treaty protocol that outlaws the use of minors to fight wars and encourages States to set 18 years as the minimum age for recruitment. “So far, almost three fourths of the world […]

16 Feb, 2012

Emerging Economies Need To Play Greater Role In Global Governance

Feb 13 2012 (UN News Centre) – Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro today called for the wider inclusion of emerging economies in global governance mechanisms, noting that powerful decision-making bodies do not sufficiently reflect the growing impact of developing and new markets on the world economy. “We need to ensure both greater synergies among, as well […]

16 Feb, 2012

Women Must Be Empowered To “Create The Future We Want”

Feb 14 2012 (UN News Centre) – United Nations Member States must boost economic empowerment for women to help them realize the global community’s common goals, Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro urged today, warning that gender discrimination around the world was still too widespread. “Too many countries still have discriminatory laws on the books. Laws that […]

16 Feb, 2012

WHO Expands European Centre to Monitor Health Impact of Environment; Poor Worst Hit

Copenhagen and Bonn, 14 February 2012 (World Health Organisation) — One citizen out of five dies from environment-associated diseases in the WHO European Region. The environmental burden of ill health varies significantly across the Region, however, ranging from 14% to 54%. Within countries, the poor can be exposed to environmental risks five times more often […]

16 Feb, 2012

UN Postal Union Acquires World’s First Postage Stamp Issued In 1840

Feb 15 2012 (UN News Centre) – The United Nations postal union reported today that it has acquired what is probably the world’s best-known stamp – the Penny Black – which was issued 172 years ago and shows a profile image of United Kingdom’s Queen Victoria on a black background. The Universal Postal Union (UPU) […]

16 Feb, 2012

Finland Has Largest Share Of Economy Based On Information Technology

Feb 15 2012 (UN News Centre) – Finland has the world’s largest portion of domestic economic activities related to information and communication technology, with almost a tenth of the European country’s non-agricultural business workforce employed in the ICT sector, according to United Nations data released today. The data, released by the UN Conference on Trade […]

13 Feb, 2012

FAO Food Price Index Rebounds in January

9 February 2012, Rome (Food & Agriculture Organisation) – The FAO Food Price Index rose by nearly two percent or four points from December to January – its first increase since July 2011. Prices of all the commodity groups in the index registered gains last month with oils increasing the most, followed closely by cereals, […]

12 Feb, 2012

World Bank Launches “Women of the World” App

Washington DC, February 8, 2012 – The World Bank and Fotopedia, the publisher of popular iOS apps and winner of the Best Tablet App of the Year Crunchies Award, today announced their collaboration on a new free app titled “Women of the World” for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. “Women of the World” takes users on an […]

12 Feb, 2012

World Bank Hails Role of Diaspora as a Resource for Development

Buenos Aires, February 2, 2012 (World Bank News Update) – Some years ago, the immigration from China, India, Taiwan, and Israel to Silicon Valley contributed to transforming sectors in these countries, through activities such as consultancy, policy recommendations, the establishment of new government departments, and participation in advisory committees and discussion groups. Could other diasporas […]

12 Feb, 2012

UN Wraps Up Year Of Forests By Highlighting Their Social, Economic Value

Feb 9 2012 (UN News Centre) – The United Nations will wrap up today its year-long campaign to raise awareness on the importance of forests and the people who depend on them with a series of events that spotlight their role and impact in socio-economic activities. “Each of us, all seven billion people on Earth, […]

12 Feb, 2012

Report Warns Of Dangers Of Increasing Electronic Waste In West Africa

Feb 10 2012 (UN News Centre) – West Africa is facing a significant increase in waste generated by electronic equipment which poses mounting health and environmental risks, according to a United Nations report released today. About 85 per cent of the waste produced in the region comes from domestic consumption, the report reveals. However, the […]

12 Feb, 2012

UN Invites Countries To Tune In For First World Radio Day On Feb 13

Feb 10 2012 (UN News Centre) – The role of radio as a facilitator of education, freedom of expression and public debate will be celebrated as World Radio Day is observed for the first time on Monday by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). “In a world changing quickly, we must make […]

8 Feb, 2012

UN Marks Interfaith Harmony Week: “Common Ground for a Common Good”

Feb  7 2012 (UN News Centre) — The President of the General Assembly Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser today stressed the potential of all of the world’s religions to promote global peace and stability, saying that faiths have common principles that can be used to bring about grater unity and harmony among people. “We recognize and celebrate […]

7 Feb, 2012

2,000 More African Communities End Female Genital Mutilation in 2011

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UNITED NATIONS, 6 Feb 2011, (UNFPA Press release) — Almost 2,000 communities across Africa have abandoned female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in 2011. This brought the total numberof communities renouncing the practice to 8,000 over the last few years, according to new findings by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s […]

7 Feb, 2012

Connection Technologies “Critical To Building the Future We Want”

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Feb 6 2012 (UN News Centre)–The upcoming United Nations summit on sustainable development is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to set the world on a durable track that guarantees a decent standard of living for everyone today without compromising the needs of future generations, a top UN official says. Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, […]

7 Feb, 2012

Thieves Worsen Global Warming With Attack on Iconic Glacier

By Denis McClean

GENEVA, 2 February 2012 (UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction)  – Climate change was a key driver in 2005 when 168 UN member states agreed on an international blueprint for disaster risk reduction but there is no reference in the Hyogo Framework for Action* to the environmental threat posed to the world’s retreating glaciers by […]

7 Feb, 2012

British Singer-Actress Becomes UNESCO Artist For Peace

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Feb 6 2012 (UN News Centre) – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced today that the renowned British singer and actress Sarah Brightman will join its roster of Artists for Peace who use their prestige and charisma to promote the agency’s programmes and messages. Sarah Brightman Ms. Brightman will be formally […]

7 Feb, 2012

Nominations Open for Global Business Awards That Follow Rio+20 Principles

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02 February 2012 – The World Business and Development Awards today launched a call for nominations for successful business initiatives that are in line with the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development. All organisations, regardless of size or location, engaged in innovative business models that are delivering both commercial success and helping improve social, economic […]

7 Feb, 2012

World Freerice Week Launched To Fight Hunger Through Social Media Power

ROME, 01 February 2012, (World Food Program) – The theory of “Six Degrees of Separation” says that every person in the world is connected to every other person in the world through, at most, six other people. Through its online hunger-fighting game Freerice.com, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) is encouraging Freerice players to use […]

2 Feb, 2012

New UN Initiative Taps Power Of Social Media To Fight Global Hunger

Feb 1 2012 (UN News Centre) – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is launching a week-long campaign in which users of the popular online trivia game Freerice can recruit their friends to help bring food to the world’s most vulnerable populations. World Freerice Week, from 6 to 11 February, will have as its […]

23 Jan, 2012

Demographic Trends: Sex Selection Scourge Still Shows Preference for Boys

UNFPA Press release, 16 January 2012 – The sex-ratio imbalance that has plagued certain Asian countries has been increasing in the last few years with one exception, the Republic of Korea, while a few  European countries, including Albania, Armenia and Montenegro, are showing rises too. Moreover, some regions of China, India and Viet Nam — […]

23 Jan, 2012

Logo Design Competition for Future Int’l Center for Women Artists in Amman

UNESCO Press Release – The Foundation of the International Center for Women Artists (ICWA) is inviting graphic designers from all over the world to take part in a design competition for its logo. A jury will award the overall winner a prize of US$2,000 while the two runner-ups are to receive US$500 each. The deadline […]

23 Jan, 2012

Asia Needs New “Energy Plus” Systems: UNDP

Bangkok, 19 January 2012, UNDP Press release — New analysis from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), based on case studies from across Asia and the Pacific, calls for a set of “energy plus” services – one that combines access to modern energy for heating, cooking and electricity, with measures that generate cash, supplement incomes […]

21 Jan, 2012

UN Leadership Camp Helps Youth Use Sport To Tackle Social Issues

Doha/Geneva (UNOSDP) 20 January 2012– The inaugural ‘UNOSDP Youth Leadership Camp’ concluded yesterday in Doha after eleven days of intense learning. Twenty-nine young people from nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the Palestinian Territory enhanced their leadership skills on how to use sport to address pressing social issues affecting their underprivileged communities. At the end […]

13 Jan, 2012

Group Of 77 (G77) Nations Urged To Champion Development Agenda

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New York, Jan 11 2012 (UN News Centre) — United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the President of the General Assembly Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser today urged the bloc of developing countries known as the Group of 77 and China to ensure that concrete and actionable measures are adopted at the forthcoming United Nations conference on […]

13 Jan, 2012

Global Food Price Index Ends 2011 With Sharp Decline

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Rome, 12 January 2012, (FAO) – Food prices fell in December 2011 with the FAO Food Price Index dropping 2.4 percent, or five points from November, the Food & Agriculture Organisation said today. At its new level of 211 points, the Index was 11.3 percent (27 points) below its peak in February 2011. The decline […]

13 Jan, 2012

India Records One Year Without Polio Cases

12 January 2012 | Atlanta/Evanston/Geneva/New York/Seattle (World Health Organization) – India appears to have interrupted wild poliovirus transmission, completing one year without polio since its last case, in a 2-year-old girl in the state of West Bengal, on 13 January 2011. India was once recognized as the world’s epicentre of polio. If all pending laboratory […]

11 Jan, 2012

UN Leadership Camp Aims To Empower Youth Through Sport

Doha, 9 January 2012 (UN News)  – Thirty young people from nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the occupied Palestinian territory will participate in a United Nations leadership camp which kicks off today in Doha, Qatar, and aims to empower underprivileged youth through sports-based activities. The camp consists of 10 days of experiential learning activities […]

29 Dec, 2011

WTO Policies Harming Small-Scale Farmers In Poor Countries – UN Expert

Dec 16 2011 (UN News) — The current international trade regime backed by the World Trade Organization (WTO) is harming small-scale farmers in the least developing countries (LDCs), significantly increasing their risk of food insecurity and reliance on large-scale producers, an independent United Nations human rights expert warned today. “Globalization creates big winners and big […]

29 Dec, 2011

Migration Policies Should Protect Rather Than Infringe Human Rights

Dec 16 2011 (UN News) — Migrants are a strong force of progress in their host countries and policies should protect, not infringe their human rights, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says, calling for States to ensure their inalienable rights are not violated. “Migrants make vast contributions to host countries.  As workers, they bring skills.  As entrepreneurs, […]

29 Dec, 2011

Fiscal Austerity Measures Driving Global Economy Towards Recession

Dec 19 2011 (UN News) — Fiscal austerity policies being implemented by countries are driving the global economy towards a recession, the United Nations trade and development body warned today, stressing that greater attention should be paid to high unemployment, which it called a more pressing problem than budgetary deficits. “The vicious circle induced by […]

29 Dec, 2011

UN Reports Improved Access To Safe Drinking Water, But Poorest Still Lagging

Dec 20 2011 (UN News) — The internationally stated goal of improving access to safe drinking water across the globe is likely to be achieved well ahead of the 2015 deadline, but large numbers of people in the world’s least developed regions will still not benefit, according to a United Nations report released today. Reducing […]

29 Dec, 2011

Senior UN Official Laments Lack Of Progress In Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process

Dec 20 2011  (UN News) — The realization of a two-State solution for Israelis and Palestinians has not advanced, with violent incidents erupting at a worrying rate over the past month, a senior United Nations official warned today. “As the year draws to a close, the situation on the ground is deteriorating and the path […]

29 Dec, 2011

Corruption Leading To Unequal Access, Use And Distribution Of Land – UN Report

Dec 12 2011 (UN News) — Corruption caused by weak governance is leading to unequal land distribution and poor resource management, according to a United Nations report released today, which argues that this lack of transparency is undermining social stability, investment and growth in developing countries. Weak land governance occurs as a result of low […]

29 Dec, 2011

Ban Urges Alliance Of Civilizations To Fight Extremism, Promote Tolerance

Dec 11 2011 (UN News) – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged members of the Alliance of Civilizations today to combat extremism and promote tolerance at a time when universal values are being tested in many parts of the world, particularly in countries undergoing political transitions. “Again and again, we are reminded that our differences are nothing […]

29 Dec, 2011

UN Unveils Education Initiative Connecting Mobile Phones To The Classroom

Dec 12 2011 (UN News) — With mobile telephone access reaching over five billion of the world’s population, the United Nations educational agency today announced the launch of an initiative to harness the technology and bring mobile phone use into the classroom. In a statement issued in Paris, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization […]