UN ENVOY PRESSES FOR MORE PROGRESS ON REVAMPING LIBERIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

UN ENVOY PRESSES FOR MORE PROGRESS ON REVAMPING LIBERIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
New York, Feb 17 2012 7:10PM
A senior United Nations official today urged Liberians to redouble their efforts to revamp the West African country's criminal justice system, saying that while substantial progress has been made since the end of the civil war almost a decade ago, much more remains to be done.

"It is important to remember that Liberia still faces important challenges in re-establishing the rule of law," <"http://unmil.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3934&ctl=Details&mid=6897&ItemID=63164&language=en-US">said Louis Aucoin, the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative for the Rule of Law, at a ceremony in the town of Gbarnga in which Nigerian police serving with the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) received peacekeeping medals.

"There is the need to address the challenges identified within the criminal justice system that hinder the required progress in this sector."

UNMIL has worked with local authorities to try to reform the Liberian criminal justice system in the wake of the brutal civil war, which left the country with little functioning infrastructure and few trained staff to handle criminal justice cases.

The mission has been progressively handing over security responsibilities to Liberian authorities, and Mr. Aucoin stressed that "this is a systematic process that requires time and preparation."

In Gbarnga, a new $3.7 million justice and peace hub, paid for by the UN Peacebuilding Fund, contains courts, offices, barracks and training centres for security agencies, and serves much of central Liberia.
Feb 17 2012 7:10PM
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UN EXPERT CALLS ON URUGUAY TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO WATER TO POOR COMMUNITIES

UN EXPERT CALLS ON URUGUAY TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO WATER TO POOR COMMUNITIES
New York, Feb 17 2012 6:10PM
An independent United Nations human rights expert today called on Uruguayan authorities to implement measures to provide access to health and sanitation to its poorest and most marginalized communities.

"Uruguay has achieved significant progress in terms of access to water and sanitation, but it is now urgent to prioritize access for vulnerable and marginalized individuals," said Special Rapporteur on the right to water and sanitation Catarina de Albuquerque, who recently finished a visit to Uruguay.

"Every person without exception must have access to drinking water and sanitation in an affordable, acceptable, available and safe form," Ms. Albuquerque stressed during a press conference. "States must continually adopt measures to ensure that access to these fundamental rights is guaranteed," she added.

Ms. Albuquerque emphasized that the right to sanitation goes beyond sewerage and urged authorities to adopt a national plan that focuses on alternative sanitation options.

"The water and energy services regulatory unit must be given more capabilities and independence, as well as more financial and human resources so it can monitor these essential rights," she said.

"It is important that Uruguay knows how to maintain the progress it has achieved, which is why it is essential that the Government reinforce its monitoring and controlling capacities of big agro-industrial and mining projects," she noted.

During her visit this week, Ms. Albuquerque visited various neighbourhoods in Montevideo, the capital, and in other parts of the country. She also met with local authorities as well as with representatives of civil society.

Ms. Albuquerque will present her full report on the visit to the UN Human Rights Council in September this year.
Feb 17 2012 6:10PM
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UN OFFICIAL PARTIALLY CERTIFIES IVORIAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

UN OFFICIAL PARTIALLY CERTIFIES IVORIAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
New York, Feb 17 2012 6:10PM
The senior United Nations official in Côte d'Ivoire announced today the partial certification of legislative elections, saying the polls "constitute an important step in the entrenchment of democracy" in the West African country.

Bert Koenders, the Secretary-General's Special Representative and the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), issued a statement in Abidjan in which he said "that all the conditions necessary for the holding of open, free, fair, just and transparent elections were met" in 193 of the 204 parliamentary constituencies where polls were held.

The results of the other 11 constituencies were annulled by the Constitutional Council after complaints were lodged over irregularities, and by-elections will be held for those seats.

Mr. Koenders, who is tasked by the Security Council with the responsibility for certification, said the elections met five key criteria: the electoral process was largely peaceful; it was inclusive for both voters and candidates; State media, after a "timid" start, were impartial and gave equal access to all candidates and political parties; authorities confirmed the electoral list of voters that was widely agreed upon; and the results were "generally free, fair and transparent."

Mr. Koenders added that important institutions such as the Independent Electoral Commission and the Constitutional Council improved their functioning as well.

"I welcome the fact that, after last year's crisis, the Ivorian people, in their majority, were able to exercise their right to vote in calm and in a peaceful environment."

Months of deadly fighting ensued when the incumbent Laurent Gbagbo refused to step down after losing a run-off election to Alassane Ouattara in late 2010. Mr. Gbagbo was eventually captured last year and is now facing trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In his statement Mr. Koenders said that nevertheless "much remains to be done," adding that it was vital for political parties and candidates to behave responsibly during by-elections slated for 26 February and for the media to make extra efforts to avoid "any potential sources of dispute" from being fanned.

"In the next few days I shall contact the governmental authorities as well as the institutions concerned so as to draw the appropriate lessons from the just-ended exercise in order to better manage the upcoming by-elections."

Today, UNOCI said it had completed the transport of equipment such as voting booths and ballot boxes to those constituencies where the by-elections will be held later this month.
Feb 17 2012 6:10PM
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UN COMMUNICATIONS FORUM MAKES PROGRESS ON RADIO SERVICES AND APPLICATIONS

UN COMMUNICATIONS FORUM MAKES PROGRESS ON RADIO SERVICES AND APPLICATIONS
New York, Feb 17 2012 6:10PM
A United Nations forum focused on ensuring universal access to radio services worldwide concluded in Geneva today with one senior UN official celebrating the gathering for making the world "a better place to live in."

Organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the World Radiocommunication Conference 2012 (WRC-12) examined the technical, regulatory and operational aspects involved in the allocation and sharing of radio frequency in various services such as maritime and aeronautical transport and meteorology and disaster prediction.

"WRC-12 has helped define new and better ways to regulate radio services and applications, and represents a major contribution in making the world a better place for all," <"http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2012/10.aspx">said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré.

Mr. Touré commended the gathered delegates for their focus on Earth observation radiocommunication applications – technology which is crucial for monitoring and combating climate change and for disaster prediction.

Radio is the most prevalent mass medium with an ability to reach 95 per cent of the world's population at a low cost, including many remote communities and marginalized groups. It has also proven to be highly resilient as its scope and distribution platforms have grown with the development of new technologies.

With weather, climate and water-related calamities composing more than 90 per cent of the world's natural disasters, radio frequencies are also increasingly essential components of multi-hazard early warning systems.

"New applications for radio waves are being continuously developed, which means that more and more has to be squeezed into the available radio spectrum," said Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

"The WRC-12 decisions will help ensure that the signals we need to observe the Earth are not drowned by new signals," he added, noting that the outcome of the conference would provide new opportunities for observation systems needed to monitor, understand and predict the changing climate.

Over 3,000 participants from 165 countries attended the four-week conference in Geneva. In addition to the representatives of ITU member States, some 100 observers from among the agency's 700 private sector members along with international organizations were in attendance.
Feb 17 2012 6:10PM
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BAN TO VISIT UNITED KINGDOM, ZAMBIA AND ANGOLA NEXT WEEK

BAN TO VISIT UNITED KINGDOM, ZAMBIA AND ANGOLA NEXT WEEK
New York, Feb 17 2012 4:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will next week start a three-nation trip that will take him to the United Kingdom, where he will attend an international conference on the situation in Somalia, before proceeding to Zambia and Angola.

The first stop will be in London for the conference on Somalia, which is expected to bring together delegates from many countries with the aim of promoting stability and development in the war-scarred and deeply impoverished Horn of Africa nation.

In Zambia, Mr. Ban will meet with President Michael Sata and other senior officials and address a special session of the country's National Assembly, where he is also due to interact with the leaders of several parliamentary bodies.

He will also visit a United Nations-supported initiative that uses life skills and sports to reach out to and inspire vulnerable children, including those who live in the streets.

Accompanied by Jacques Rogge, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Secretary-General will visit the Olympic Youth Development Centre, a pilot project of the IOC 'Sports for Hope Programme.'

Mr. Ban will also have discussions with Zambian human rights clubs hosted by schools in the city of Livingstone, before participating in a 'tourism for development' event in Victoria Falls national park.

The last stop of the trip will be Angola, where he will meet with President José Eduardo dos Santos, the President of the National Assembly, Antonio Paulo Kassoma, and Foreign Minister Georges Rebelo Chikoti, among other top officials.

He will also attend the launch of a polio vaccination campaign and meet with young people at a project on water and sanitation.
Feb 17 2012 4:10PM
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EXPERTS DECIDE TO DELAY PUBLICATION OF FLU VIRUS RESEARCH AFTER UN-ORGANIZED TALKS

EXPERTS DECIDE TO DELAY PUBLICATION OF FLU VIRUS RESEARCH AFTER UN-ORGANIZED TALKS
New York, Feb 17 2012 4:10PM
A group of public health experts announced today that they have agreed to delay the publication of new research on the H5N1 influenza virus after a meeting convened by the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO).

"Given the high death rate associated with this virus – 60 per cent of all humans who have been infected have died – all participants at the meeting emphasized the high level of concern with this flu virus in the scientific community and the need to understand it better with additional research," said Keiji Fukuda, WHO's Assistant Director-General of Health Security and Environment.

WHO convened the meeting to facilitate the discussion of differing opinions that have arisen in recent months after two research groups, one in the Netherlands and the other based in the United States, have created versions of the H5N1 influenza virus which are more transmissible in mammals than the H5N1 virus that occurs naturally.

"The results of this new research have made it clear that H5N1 viruses have the potential to transmit more easily between people underscoring the critical importance for continued surveillance and research with this virus," Mr. Fukuda said.

During the talks, the group of experts came to a consensus that delaying publication of the entire manuscripts of research would have more public health benefit than urgently publishing it in part.

The experts also agreed that further research on the virus is necessary to protect public health and to review the biosafety and biosecurity implications of the laboratory-modified virus.

"There is a preference from a public health perspective for full disclosure of the information in these two studies. However, there are significant public concerns surrounding this research that should first be addressed," Mr. Fukuda said.

In a news release, WHO said that it will continue the discussion with relevant experts to move the issue forward.
Feb 17 2012 4:10PM
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UN ENVOY CALLS FOR CLOSER TIES WITH WEST AFRICAN REGIONAL BLOC

UN ENVOY CALLS FOR CLOSER TIES WITH WEST AFRICAN REGIONAL BLOC
New York, Feb 17 2012 3:10PM
A senior United Nations official today called for closer ties between the UN and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to deal with threats and challenges to the region after the 15-member body selected a new leadership team.

Said Djinnit, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for West Africa, issued a statement welcoming the appointment of Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara as President of the ECOWAS Authority and the former Burkinabé prime minister Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo as President of the ECOWAS Commission.

Mr. Ouattara and Mr. Ouédraogo were selected to the posts during a two-day ECOWAS summit in Abuja, Nigeria, that concluded today.

"The incoming leadership should be assured of the continued support of the United Nations to the Community, its Member States and the people of West Africa in their constant search for peace, democracy and development," said Mr. Djinnit, who also heads the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA).

He called for ties between the UN and ECOWAS to intensify, citing such threats to the region's stability as drug trafficking, organized crime, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and the insecurity across the Sahel following the fallout from the Libyan uprising.
Feb 17 2012 3:10PM
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MEASURES ADOPTED AT UN TRADE CONFERENCE TO BENEFIT ORGANIC FARMERS IN POOR COUNTRIES

MEASURES ADOPTED AT UN TRADE CONFERENCE TO BENEFIT ORGANIC FARMERS IN POOR COUNTRIES
New York, Feb 17 2012 3:10PM
Two agreements that will help farmers in poor countries participate more fully in the organic food sector were signed at a United Nations-backed conference on development and trade, the UN announced today.

The agreements, which were reached earlier this week during the two-day forum in Nuremberg, Germany, will help some two million certified organic farmers worldwide – most of whom are located in Africa, Asia and Latin America – participate more effectively in a market that rings up worldwide sales of $60 billion annually.

On Wednesday, the European Union (EU) and the United States signed an agreement that will ease the flow of organic products from developing countries between the two entities. Under the agreement, the produce sent by organic farmers in developing countries to be processed in the EU or the US will now automatically qualify for acceptance as an organic product in the partner market.

Under the new arrangement, for example, coffee from Ethiopia certified as organic under EU regulations could be sent to a trade partner in Europe and packaged for sale in both markets. The agreement however, covers only finished products exported from and certified in the EU or US.

In a news release, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) stressed that while an agreement providing finished products from developing countries direct access to both markets would be preferable, the new accord will still boost developing-country organic sales as a large part of exports consist of ingredients and bulk goods, and it will facilitate their entry into the two largest markets for certified organic sales.

The other agreement approved during the conference was the Asian Regional Organic Standard (AROS), which sets parameters for crop production, processing and labelling of organic products. AROS is equivalent to the Common Objectives and Requirements for Organic Standards, an international tool established to ease organic trade.

AROS was approved by the Global Organic Market Access (GOMA) Asian working group, which consists of representatives from Bhutan, Laos, Thailand, Viet Nam, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, China, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Japan, the Philippines, Cambodia, Nepal and Sri Lanka. According to UNCTAD, the group will now start working on getting AROS formally approved by governments and regional institutions.
Feb 17 2012 3:10PM
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SOUTH SUDAN: UN SUPPORTS PROJECTS TO BOOST PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD IN VOLATILE STATE

SOUTH SUDAN: UN SUPPORTS PROJECTS TO BOOST PEOPLE'S LIVELIHOOD IN VOLATILE STATE
New York, Feb 17 2012 3:10PM
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is supporting a series of short- and long-term projects to help the people of South Sudan's state of Jonglei, where ethnic rivalries often result in bloody conflict, to feed themselves and build reliable sources of livelihood, the agency said today.

Working with local communities, FAO is supporting the distribution of livestock vaccines, fishing gear, vegetable seeds and tools to boost development in the world's newest nation, which attained independence from Sudan in July last year after decades of fighting for self-determination.

FAO aims to deliver as much assistance as possible in the next two to three months before the onset of the rainy season when unpaved roads in much of the under-developed country become impassable. Future initiatives will also focus on rainwater harvesting and other measures to strengthen long-term resilience, the agency said in a <"http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/123027/icode/">press release.

In Jonglei and throughout South Sudan, poor harvests, increased demand, rapidly rising food prices, conflict, and displacements have been blamed for the prevailing food shortages.

Cereal production from the latest harvest is about 19 per cent below the preceding cropping season, and 25 per cent lower than average over the past five years. The cereal deficit for 2012 is estimated at more than 470,000 tons – almost half of the country's total consumption requirements for the year.

FAO will provide vaccines and antibiotics to prevent the spread of animal diseases and to treat up to 100,000 livestock over the course of about one month.

"These people are pastoralists, or herders," said Nimaya Mogga, a livestock officer with FAO. "These cattle are their livelihood. Without them, they have nothing. During lean periods, they're sold or exchanged for food. The sale of one cow alone can buy a family three months worth of grain," he said.

Many of those fleeing from the recent inter-ethnic conflict took refuge in the town of Boma where staples like sorghum and maize are now in short supply.

"River Chelimon is about two hours walk away from Boma," said Michael Oyat, FAO's Deputy Emergency Coordinator for South Sudan. "It is believed [that] the displaced people could access it to fish. They're hampered only by the lack of fishing gear."

FAO is providing 20,000 pieces of fishing gear to residents of Boma and two other towns affected by the outbreak of conflict in Pibor and Likuangole in December. FAO is also assisting local communities to plant vegetable gardens along river banks.

At the request of the Government, FAO is also preparing a cash-for-work programme through which families will earn money to buy food locally while helping to rehabilitate rural infrastructure.
Feb 17 2012 3:10PM
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UN AND PARTNERS HELP TO POWER EDUCATION WITH SOLAR PANEL DONATION

UN AND PARTNERS HELP TO POWER EDUCATION WITH SOLAR PANEL DONATION
New York, Feb 17 2012 3:10PM
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has partnered with religious institutions to provide solar panels that will power much-needed electricity to schools as well as promote the use of renewable energy.

The first solar panels were donated to the Ebrahim Hamim Madrasa and the Islamic Centre of Social Welfare outside of Jalalabad, in the eastern province of Nangarhar, last week.

The solar panels and related equipment will benefit around 570 students, including 350 girls, by powering lights in the school, stated the mission.

Speaking with students and school officials, the head of UNAMA's Eastern Regional Office, Nahid Abuakar, said the UN understands the significant role that preaching and religious education hold in promotion of peace and human rights among neighbourhoods.

"We enjoy excellent working relations with representatives of religious communities and we hope that this assistance will increase your working capacity in delivering significant services – especially for women – and promote human rights values," she said.

During the handover of the equipment, the principal of the school, Mawlawi Esrarullah Hamim, said that the support given to the ulamas, or religious scholars, through the donation could also help create a culture of peace.

"Supporting ulamas means supporting peace because our people respect mullahs and religious scholars. They could encourage people to support peace and reconciliation process," said Mr. Hamim.
Feb 17 2012 3:10PM
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