Author Archives: UN Insider 
UN marks International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) marked the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition by reflecting on slavery’s “tragic past” while noting that its modern forms still cause worldwide suffering.
Matsuura said it “serves to pay tribute to all those who worked collectively and individually to trigger the irreversible process of the abolition of the slave trade and slavery throughout the world.”
UNESCO joins efforts to aid Peruvian earthquake victims
UNESCO is joining the United Nations in their effort to aid those affected by the August 15 earthquake in Peru which left some 500 people dead.
UNESCO will provide assistance to Peru’s Ministry of Education to assess the situation of schools in communities stricken by the earthquake, also working with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
UN Liberia envoy hails Indian female police unit
The first all-female peacekeeping unit in Liberia was lauded by the top UN envoy to the country.
Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Alan Doss, congratulated the women for their work, noting “Though a new beginning for gender equality in peacekeeping, this deployment is a continuation of India’s consistent commitment to peacekeeping operations…This ceremony is not only about gender equality. It is about performance. You have all performed your duties well and met our high expectations.”
UN grants more than $8 million for Sudanese flood relief effort
The United Nations has granted $8.7 million to help the ongoing humanitarian relief efforts in Sudan in the wake of devastating floods.
“Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes announced that he had approved the grant, which will be allocated among 11 relief projects across Sudan, where torrential rainfall has destroyed or seriously damaged more than 30,000 homes and inundated towns, villages and farmlands.”
Approximately 150,000 people are homeless from the floods.
UNESCO chief speaks out on death of journalist in Iraq
Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), issued a statement on the murder of journalist Adnane al-Safi.
“The murder of Adnane al-Safi strikes yet another blow against peace and democracy in Iraq…His killers stand condemned in the eyes of the world, and I call upon the authorities in Iraq to do their utmost to bring those responsible to justice.”
Some 40 media professionals have been killed this year alone in Iraq.
UN-HABITAT launches alliance of public water operators
The UN Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), which promotes socially and environmentally sustainable housing, has launched a new worldwide alliance with water operators to improve to clean water and basic sanitation.
The new Global Water Operators Partnership Alliance is designed to strengthen the capacities of the public water operators that provide more than 90 per cent of water and sanitation services in developing nations.
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The SC; HRC; DPRK; South Sudan
The SC: The Security Council today held its last consultations under the Council Presidency of ROK. Tomorrow, Russia will take over the rotating Presidency of the Security Council for March under Ambassador Vitaly Churkin.
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The SG; Mali; Middle East; Palestine
The SG: At the Fifth Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations in Vienna, Austria today, the SG emphasized the role of youth in ensuring a “prosperous, equitable and peaceful future.”
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The SG; DRC; HRC; Palestinian Prisoner
The SG: In Ethiopia over the weekend, the SG is now in the United Arab Emirates. Today he met with Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, where the two discussed developments in the region, including Syria, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan, and in the Middle East Peace Process.
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