Page 72 - United Nations

India to deploy single largest platoon of women peacekeepers in Abyei

This is India's largest single unit of women peacekeepers in a UN Mission since it deployed the first-ever all-women's contingent in Liberia in 2007

UN calls for de-escalation following Israeli minister's Al-Aqsa visit

A senior UN official called for de-escalation of tensions following Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem.

Humanitarian aid priority to ensure people's recovery in Ethiopia: FAO

UN's FAO said humanitarian access and the delivery of urgently needed assistance to conflict-affected parts of northern Ethiopia remain a key priority to ensure people's recovery from conflict

UN assures economic crisis-hit Sri Lanka with financial, technical support

The UN official made the remarks on Wednesday at a meeting between Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and a delegation he headed

Poland asks for UN intervention to secure WWII damages from Germany

On September 1, 2022, the Polish government presented a report detailing the material losses suffered by Poland during World War II, along with a pledge to demand money from Germany in reparations

Those enjoying permanent membership not in hurry to see UN reforms: EAM

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has slammed the slow pace of the UN reforms, saying those who are enjoying the benefits of permanent membership are not in a hurry to see reforms. India has been at the forefront of efforts at the UN to push for urgent long-pending reform of the Security Council, emphasising that it rightly deserves a place at the UN high table as a permanent member. "You will have a situation when the world's most populous country is not among the permanent members of the security council, what does it say about the state of the UN", Jaishankar said in an interview to Austria's national broadcaster ORF on Monday. When asked how long will it take until this reform of the UN Security Council, he said, "...those who are today enjoying the benefits of permanent membership clearly are not in a hurry to see reform. I think it's a very short-sighted viewBecause at the end of the day, the credibility of the UN and their own interests and effectiveness are at stake."

77-year-old organisation like the UN needs a 'refresh': EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said a 77-year-old organisation like the United Nations needs a "refresh", asserting that pushing for a major overhaul in the top global body is an important part of New Delhi's foreign policy. Jaishankar made these comments while addressing members of the Indian diaspora here in the Austrian capital on Sunday. When asked how Jaishankar was planning to undertake the reforms in the UN, and if India would take the leadership in bringing about this change, the minister said:"The UN system was invented in 1945. Now, I tell people to show me something which is 77 years old and you feel doesn't need a refresh. People refresh themselves, institutions need to be refreshed by other people. We need change. Large parts of the world do not believe anymore that the UN system speaks fairly for them." The United Nations (UN) officially came into existence in October 1945, after its Charter was ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the UK, the US an

UN chief Antonio Guterres welcomes cease-fire announcement in Colombia

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the announcement of a six-month cease-fire between the Colombian government and five armed groups

Palestinian authorities hail UN vote on Israeli occupation of territory

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman of the Palestinian presidency, on Saturday said, "the vote is evidence of the whole world standing by our people and their inalienable historical rights"

Yemen's warring sides gear up for conflict in 2023 amid stalled peace talks

During 2022, several rounds of negotiations between Yemen's government and the Houthis, which were held under the auspices of the UN, brought a fragile cease-fire for several months

World leaders need to act against Myanmar junta: UN Special Rapporteur

UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, said that the junta needed "more than words of condemnation" and urged the world leaders to take action

Latest LIVE: Core sector output rises by 5.4% in November vs 3.2% YoY

Live news updates: Noting that doubling of tracks and electrification is underway at a record speed, he said that the eastern and western freight corridors will bring revolutionary changes

UN committed to delivery of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, says envoy

UN and its humanitarian partners are committed to delivery of life-saving services to the people of Afghanistan despite the Taliban-run administration's decision to ban women from working in NGOs

20 mn people to face acute hunger by March 2023 in Afghanistan: Report

The report predicted that four million children and women will experience acute malnutrition, with malnutrition rates continuing to be exceedingly high

UN, int'l partners concerned about escalating violence in South Sudan

The partners said the escalating ongoing violence had resulted in the loss of lives amid reports of the alleged use of heavy weaponry

India at UNSC: Voice of Global South; emphasised on UN reforms, says Kamboj

Highlighting India's two-year tenure at the UNSC, which is coming to an end on December 31, Ruchira Kamboj said New Delhi was voice of entire Global South, and reinforced commitment to multilateralism

UNSC calls on Taliban to drop 'unfathomable' restrictions on women

The U.N. Security Council on Tuesday decried increasing restrictions on women's rights in Afghanistan, urging the country's Taliban rulers to reverse them immediately. The Security Council "reiterated its deep concern of the suspension of schools beyond the sixth grade, and its call for the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and girls in Afghanistan," it said in a press statement. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker pointed to "terrible consequences" of a decision to bar women from working for non-governmental organizations. Last week, Taliban authorities stopped university education for women, sparking international outrage and demonstrations in Afghan cities. On Saturday, they announced the exclusion of women from NGO work, a move that already has prompted four major international aid agencies to suspend operations in Afghanistan. "No country can develop indeed survive socially and economically with half its population excluded," U.N. High Commissione

UNHCR says 26 Rohingya died, 180 missing at sea making hazardous journey

At least 26 Rohingya Muslims had died in dire conditions during a month at open sea while making a dangerous voyage that brought scores of others to safety in Indonesia, a UN agency said Tuesday, adding there will likely be more. Exhausted women and children were among 185 people who disembarked from a rickety wooden boat on Monday in a coastal village in Aceh's Pidie district, authorities said. A distressing video circulated widely on social media showed the Rohingya worn out and emaciated, with many crying for help. They are very weak because of dehydration and exhaustion after weeks at sea, said local police chief Fauzi, who goes by a single name. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said that survivors told the agency that 26 people died during the long journey. One of the refugees, who identified himself as Rosyid, told The Associated Press that they left the refugee camp in Bangladesh at the end of November and drifted on the open sea. He said at least 20 of us died aboard

Samsung raises over $10 million to contribute to UNDP for Global Goals

Samsung Electronics announced that it has reached a significant milestone to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, or the Global Goals, with a contribution of more than $10 million to the UNDP

Amid Ukraine conflict, Covid-19, India emerges as voice of Global South

India emerged as a voice of the Global South during its two-year term in the powerful UN Security Council, which acrimoniously deliberated on Russia's invasion of Ukraine that led to unprecedented levels of global food and fuel insecurity as the world continued to grapple with inequalities amplified by the pandemic. Before relinquishing its non-permanent seat in the 15-member Council on December 31, 2022, India presided over the powerful UN body in December with the country's first woman Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj sitting in the President's seat at the horse-shoe table. Just about two months into India's second year of its 2021-2022 term on the Council as elected non-permanent member, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a 'special military operation' in eastern Ukraine on February 24. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a direct and strong appeal to Putin to stop your troops from attacking Ukraine and give peace a chance as the UN chief