UN Direct
Syria; DR Congo; Switzerland/Freedom of Expression; Japan
The United Nations relief chief today urged Syrian authorities to allow unrestricted access to humanitarian organizations to deliver aid to people affected by the ongoing violence, saying she was “horrified” by the destruction she had seen in some of the areas she visited during her two-day visit to the country.
Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, met with Syrian Foreign Minister, Walid al-Moallem, and other Government ministers, who agreed to a joint preliminary assessment mission to areas where people urgently need assistance.
MDGs progress; Global Conference on Women; UN Senior appointments; and more
With the deadline for achieving the MDGs fast approaching, Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon today announced five major achievements toward realizing those goals, while underscoring the vital role partnerships for development play in tackling the remaining challenges.
International Women’s Day; Human Rights Council; WFP-Groupon; Syria
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today joined other senior United Nations officials on the eve of International Women’s Day in highlighting the potential of rural women to improve the well-being of entire societies if given equal access to resources and set free from the discrimination and exploitation that hold them back.He acknowledged that women are increasingly exercising greater influence in business, government, politics, public administration and other professions.
Access to Drinking Water; Clean energy; Sudan/South Sudan; Women in Business; and more
The goal of reducing by half the number of people without access to safe drinking water has been achieved, well ahead of the 2015 deadline for reaching the globally agreed Millennium Development Goals, the UN said today. Between 1990 and 2010, over two billion people gained access to improved drinking water sources, such as piped supplies and protected wells, according to a joint report by UNICEF and the WHO.
Syria; Iran; Disaster risk reduction; Press Freedom; and more
The United Nations relief chief Valerie Amos announced today that she will visit the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Wednesdayto urge all parties to the conflict to allow unhindered access for aid workers to evacuate the wounded and deliver essential humanitarian supplies. She will arrive in Damascus on Wednesday 7 March and leave on Friday 9 March, after being delayed entry by Syrian authorities last week.
Secretary-General appointments; Human Rights Council; Libya; Women in Politics 2012 report; and more
SG appointments: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Jan Eliasson of Sweden, a veteran in the fields of …
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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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