Timor-Leste has made significant progress towards peace and stability - UN envoy

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Timor-Leste has made significant progress in strengthening national peace and stability, the United Nations envoy for the country told the Security Council today, noting that preparations for presidential elections next month and legislative polls later in the year are going smoothly.

Mexico: UN human rights office voices alarm after killing of dozens of prison inmates

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The United Nations human rights office has called on Mexican authorities to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the killing over the weekend of 44 inmates at a prison in the country’s north, apparently by members of an organized criminal group.

UN agency urges vaccinations for all Afghan children after measles outbreak

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The United Nations health agency is calling on all Afghans to vaccinate their children after a recent measles outbreak that has been made worse by severe weather that hampers access to immediate treatment as well as low immunization coverage.

UN nuclear agency laments lack of progress during Iran visit

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The United Nations atomic energy watchdog has voiced disappointment at the lack of progress made during a two-day visit to Iran aimed at clarifying possible military dimensions to the country’s nuclear programme.

UN deplores Israeli approval of more settlements in West Bank

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The top United Nations envoy for the Middle East peace process today described as "deplorable" Israel’s announcement that is has given approval to a large number of new settlement units deep inside the occupied Palestinian territory.

Security Council welcomes peaceful staging of presidential poll in Yemen

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Security Council today welcomed the holding of presidential elections in Yemen and encouraged the country’s leaders to move on to the next stage of transition process as set out in the implementation mechanism of last year’s agreement designed to end civil strife.

Security Council calls for large increase to African peace force in Somalia

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Security Council today called on the African Union (AU) to increase the size of its peacekeeping force in Somalia (AMISOM) by almost 50 per cent to deal with continued insecurity in the impoverished country.

Ban extends mandate of UN-backed tribunal in Lebanon

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has extended the mandate by another three years of the United Nations-backed independent tribunal set up to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri.

Ban asks top UN official to visit Syria to assess humanitarian situation

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has asked the United Nations relief chief to visit Syria to assess the humanitarian situation in the Middle Eastern country, where a deadly Government crackdown continues against a pro-democracy uprising.

New senior appointments announced for UN population and development agencies

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed several senior officials to the United Nations agencies spearheading efforts on the development and population fronts.

Brazil to host UN World Environment Day this year

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Brazil will be the host of World Environment Day (WED) in June, which aims to emphasize how individual actions can have an exponential impact on the planet and help reduce pollution, the United Nations announced today.

UN official urges focus on rural development to lift millions out of poverty

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

A top United Nations official today committed to pull up to 90 million people out of poverty by 2015 and help small farmers and all those in rural areas to realize their potential in eliminating hunger and promoting development.