International

CHOLERA FIGHT IN DR CONGO RECEIVES $9 MILLION BOOST FROM UN FUND

2012-01-27T10:10:00.001-08:00

CHOLERA FIGHT IN DR CONGO RECEIVES $9 MILLION BOOST FROM UN FUND
New York, Jan 27 2012 1:10PM
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) received $9.1 million today from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to fight off cholera, which has affected more than 22,000 people and killed 500 over the past year in the central African country.

"Despite all our previous efforts, we have been one step behind the disease. This new funding will allow us to reinforce the entire response chain," <"http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/F_R_584.pdf">said UN Humanitarian Coordinator in DRC Fidele Sarassoro.

In a news release, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that there has been a spike in cases in recent weeks, with the majority of them occurring in eastern provinces where cholera is endemic.

OCHA underlined that in addition to the actual caseload, there are thousands of collateral victims as the disease is hampering agricultural and commercial activities, school attendance, family well-being and the livelihood of households that are already among the world's poorest.

The UN and other humanitarian agencies have been working with the Congolese Government for over a year to combat the disease, and the response has included establishing cholera treatment centres, providing water chlorination points and refurbishing water points, conducting awareness campaigns using the media, training of medical staff, and disinfecting boats.

However, OCHA stressed that in spite of this multi-pronged response strategy, efforts to curtail the disease have yet to be successful. "The UN and NGOs [non-governmental organizations] expect the CERF funding to boost the response to the disease that is compounding an already grave humanitarian situation for millions of Congolese," OCHA said.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) will receive $4.4 million and $4.7 million, respectively, and will work with a number of international and national NGOs as well as Congolese authorities to maximize the impact of their efforts.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the bacterium known as vibrio cholerae. The disease has a short incubation period and produces a toxin that causes continuous watery diarrhoea, a condition that can quickly lead to severe dehydration and death if treatment is not administered promptly. Vomiting also occurs in most patients.

CERF was created in 2005 to pre-position funding to respond in a timely fashion to humanitarian crises. Last year, it allocated $4 million to fight cholera in the provinces along the Congo River.
Jan 27 2012 1:10PM
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UN HONOURS MEMORY OF CHILDREN WHO PERISHED IN THE HOLOCAUST

2012-01-27T10:10:00.000-08:00

UN HONOURS MEMORY OF CHILDREN WHO PERISHED IN THE HOLOCAUST
New York, Jan 27 2012 1:10PM
The United Nations today honoured the memory of the more than 1.5 million boys and girls who perished in the Holocaust, with top officials stressing the need to speak out against intolerance and to protect the lives and human rights of children around the world.

"We will never know what these children might have contributed to our world. And among the survivors, many were too shattered to tell their stories. Today, we seek to give voice to those accounts," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a message for the seventh annual International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust.

"That is why the United Nations continues to teach the universal lessons of the Holocaust," he said. "It is why we strive to promote children's rights and aspirations – every day and everywhere…

"Today, as we remember all those lost during the Holocaust – young and old alike – I call on all nations to protect the most vulnerable, regardless of race, colour, gender or religious beliefs."

The UN held a ceremony at its New York Headquarters today to mark the International Day, which is observed annually on 27 January, the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp. The event marked the culmination of a series of events held this week, focusing on the theme "Children and the Holocaust," that included film screenings, exhibits and talks, sharing children's stories during that era and spreading awareness of their experiences.

"Without doubt, the best tribute to the memory of the children who perished in the Holocaust – and to those who survived – is to keep teaching its universal lessons," Kiyo Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, said at the ceremony.

This, he added, is the most important objective of the UN Department of Public Information's Holocaust and the UN Outreach Programme, which organized this week's events.

"Today, the United Nations remembers these children and pledges to continue to work to ensure the protection of the lives and human rights of children around the world," said Mr. Akasaka.

Noting the presence of survivors and their families at the ceremony, General Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser said "the presence of each of you here today tells us that every human being has a sacred duty to speak out in the face of injustice and intolerance, regardless of any colour, religion or ethnicity."

He called for honouring all the victims by taking preventive action so that hatred, injustice, discrimination, inhumanity, ethnic cleansing and mass killings have no chance to occur anywhere to anyone.

The Holocaust, said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, serves as a reminder of the perils of discrimination and intolerance, of how powerful the incitement to racial hatred can be, and of the importance of intervening early to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.

She also stressed the importance of 'learning from the past' so that young people today are aware of historical events and can understand the impact of their words and attitudes towards those who are different from them.

"Hateful words can translate into hateful actions and the consequences can be dire. Children and young people must be taught their history, including the terrible mistakes of the past, so that they can be vigilant against all manifestations of hatred from the outset," she said in a statement.
Jan 27 2012 1:10PM
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KENYA: UN SCALES UP REFUGEE TRAINING TO IMPROVE ASSISTANCE IN CAMPS

2012-01-27T09:10:00.001-08:00

KENYA: UN SCALES UP REFUGEE TRAINING TO IMPROVE ASSISTANCE IN CAMPS
New York, Jan 27 2012 12:10PM
The United Nations refugee agency today announced new strategies to ensure uninterrupted assistance and services in its largest complex in Kenya, including training and mentoring of refugees as well as involving them in the day-to-day running of the Dadaab camps.

"Refugees have always had a role in making camps work. However, at Dadaab that role is being expanded," said Andrej Mahecic, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), during a press briefing in Geneva. "Hospitals, for example, have remained open throughout this difficult period, staffed by refugees, nationals, and a limited number of international staff," he said.

Part of the new strategy includes reaching out to different groups within the refugee population such as elders, the business community and youth so they can contribute in distinct ways. Mr. Mahecic stressed that refugee leaders and refugees working for partner agencies are being trained to identify individuals who require urgent attention so they can get life-saving assistance immediately.

"In situations when international or national staff cannot get to camps the health posts are managed by refugee staff who have been trained over the years to provide basic medical services and refer more serious cases to the camp hospitals," Mr. Mahecic said. "Refugee staff are also getting refresher courses on management of sensitive cases of sexual or gender-based violence," he added.

<"http://www.unhcr.org/4f22a26c6.html">According to UNHCR, since the beginning of this year, over 150 vulnerable people and families have been identified by the agency and its partners, and brought to the agency's offices in Dadaab where they have received medical and psychological help.

Refugees are also helping to improve the camps' conditions by building new latrines on sandy and rocky ground, and by collecting and transporting solid waste by donkey carts to allocated waste disposal sites.

In addition, UNHCR is also engaging with young refugees to enhance their skills and work experience. "More than 30 camp schools remain open and are run by refugee teachers. Despite insecurity, the Kenyan National Exams took place in the camps at the end of last year and the results were an improvement in the average score in comparison to last year. The exams were made possible because the community patrolled the schools and guarded the gates," Mr. Mahecic said.

He stressed that UNHCR will continue to identify specific groups for outreach such as business and religious leaders, and would also strengthen awareness through radio and other means such as free mobile texting.

The Dadaab refugee complex shelters more than 460,000 refugees. A third of this refugee population arrived in 2011 alone, fleeing the conflict, drought, famine and human rights abuses in Somalia. The camps in Dadaab opened two decades ago and were originally designed to host some 90,000 refugees.
Jan 27 2012 12:10PM
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UNICEF APPEALS FOR NEARLY $1.3 BILLION TO ASSIST CHILDREN IN 2012

2012-01-27T09:10:00.000-08:00

UNICEF APPEALS FOR NEARLY $1.3 BILLION TO ASSIST CHILDREN IN 2012
New York, Jan 27 2012 12:10PM
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) appealed today for $1.28 billion to provide humanitarian assistance to children in over 25 countries this year, with nearly one-third of the total amount earmarked for the crisis in the Horn of Africa.

"We have achieved many positive results in emergency settings in 2011 but the urgent and long-term needs of millions of children and their families will continue in 2012," said Rima Salah, UNICEF's acting Deputy Executive Director.

The agency's 2012 Humanitarian Action for Children report, <"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_61445.html">launched today in Geneva, highlights the massive humanitarian operation in the Horn of Africa, where UNICEF activated its highest level of emergency response to run an operation to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and women on the brink of survival.

It also describes the nutrition crisis currently facing the Sahel region, as well as the emergencies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR), among others, that require funding if their most vulnerable people are to survive.

The needs of children and their families displaced by violence stemming from the November 2010 elections in Cote d'Ivoire and the independence of South Sudan from its northern neighbour, Sudan, are also featured.

The report also discusses the five million people affected by a second year of flooding in Pakistan and the operation to rebuild Haiti two years after an earthquake shattered the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

In addition, it cites the humanitarian needs arising from the wave of political turmoil and change in the Middle East and North Africa, especially in Yemen, which is already affected by a long-standing emergency crisis.

"This report presents some of the most extreme difficulties faced by children, but it also highlights the promise of a timely and effective response to their needs – malnourished children restored to health, children in conflict still able to learn, and all children, whatever their circumstances, better able to realize their rights to survive and thrive," UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake writes in the foreword to the report.

"In 2012, this is a promise we must keep. With your support, we will."
Jan 27 2012 12:10PM
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INDEPENDENT UN EXPERT CALLS ON BRAZIL TO SUSPEND SÃO PAULO EVICTIONS

2012-01-27T07:10:00.000-08:00

INDEPENDENT UN EXPERT CALLS ON BRAZIL TO SUSPEND SÃO PAULO EVICTIONS
New York, Jan 27 2012 10:10AM
An independent United Nations human rights expert today urged Brazilian authorities to suspend evictions from the Pinheirinho settlement in São Paulo and find durable solutions with residents.

Raquel Rolnik, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, called on the authorities to find a "peaceful and appropriate solution," including housing alternatives, for those evicted this week from the settlement, located in the capital's São Jose dos Campos city.

About 6,000 residents have been affected by the eviction order dictated by a judge in late December last year, according to a news release issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

"I'm appalled by the excessive use of force reportedly used during the evictions on 22 January," the Special Rapporteur said.

She cited information she has received suggesting that the military police of São Paulo used tear gas and rubber bullets against the residents, including children and the elderly. Twenty residents were reportedly injured, one severely, and 30 arrested.

"I'm told Pinheirinho is still under siege and that nobody is allowed to enter the area," Ms. Rolnik said. "The current situation of the evictees is extremely worrying; with no housing alternatives they are vulnerable to other human rights violations."

The expert, who reports in an independent and unpaid capacity to the UN Human Rights Council, appealed to the authorities of the State of São Paulo to suspend the eviction order and the police action in Pinheirinho, stating that this which would allow the authorities to resume negotiations with residents to find a peaceful solution.
Jan 27 2012 10:10AM
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UN OFFICIAL CALLS FOR MECHANISM TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS FACING AFRICA’S SAHEL REGION

2012-01-26T15:10:00.000-08:00

UN OFFICIAL CALLS FOR MECHANISM TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS FACING AFRICA'S SAHEL REGION
New York, Jan 26 2012 6:10PM
The United Nations political chief today called for the establishment of a mechanism to address the myriad challenges facing countries in West Africa's Sahel region, which, he said, include a humanitarian crisis, lack of socio-economic development, insecurity and the threat of terrorism.

"To be able to deal with the challenges in the Sahel region and to have a comprehensive, long- lasting impact, we need to put in place a mechanism that would bring together all the affected countries and major outside actors in a coordinated manner to discuss the issues and devise solutions," B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, told the Security Council.

Briefing the Council on the findings of the United Nations-led mission that visited Mali, Niger, Chad and Mauritania last month to look into the impact of last year's crisis in Libya on the Sahel region, Mr. Pascoe said that it was clear that most of the challenges pre-date the Libyan conflict.

"On the question of the returnees from Libya, the topmost priority for the countries visited was to feed and reintegrate the vulnerable returnees and to help the affected communities cope with the loss of remittances," he said.

"Compounding these immediate problems are underlying structural challenges and a looming food crisis in the area. There were strong appeals for the United Nations, working in tandem with the African Union and others, as well as with the new authorities in Libya, to find a mutually satisfactory framework for rebuilding relationships between the Sahel region and the countries of transit and destination," Mr. Pascoe told the Council.

Recent developments in the region reinforce the concerns consistently made to the mission by its interlocutors in the countries visited.

The security situation in Mali has significantly worsened following heavy fighting on 17 and 18 January between Government forces and ethnic Tuareg militias in the north, an area close to the borders with Niger and Algeria.

Mr. Pascoe told the Council that Tuareg fighters, who are members of the self-proclaimed 'Azawad National Liberation Movement,' have asserted that they are seeking to drive the Government out of several towns where Tuareg communities are dominant.

In neighbouring Niger, President Mahamadou Issoufou, voiced concern on Sunday over the danger of similar violence occurring in his country, and affirmed his Government's determination to avert the spread of Tuareg attacks.

"The security equilibrium in the northern regions of Niger and Mali is especially volatile due to the enhanced presence and heightened activity there of the Al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb group and other criminal networks who use these vast, poorly guarded and largely desert territories as safe havens and training ground for their illicit operations," said Mr. Pascoe.

He said that despite the structural challenges that international and regional efforts to address the Sahel problems would face, the readiness of all the countries inside and outside the region, as well as regional organisations and the UN system, to work together to develop a more comprehensive and coherent approach is encouraging.

"It is critical that the international community responds to the strong and consistent calls by the concerned countries to support ongoing initiatives.

"Some of the problems are directly related to the fall of the [Muammar] al-Qadhafi regime in Libya, but the mission's interlocutors emphasized that most of the problems are long-standing ones, and current drought conditions make it obvious that the overall situation could deteriorate quickly," said Mr. Pascoe.

He told the Council that a ministerial-level meeting is planned to review the situation in Sahel during the Africa Union Summit next weekend and develop approaches to deal with the problems. The report of the UN-led mission, which was headed by Sam Ibok, the Deputy Director of the UN Department of Political Affairs' Africa II Division, will be discussed at that meeting.
Jan 26 2012 6:10PM
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2012-01-26T14:10:00.000-08:00

WOMEN'S EDUCATION 'SMARTEST GLOBAL INVESTMENT,' BAN TELLS WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
New York, Jan 26 2012 5:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called today on business leaders attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to increase their investment in women's education and health to ensure their well-being and encourage their participation in the world economy.

"Investing in the health of women and girls is the right thing to do and the smart thing to do for national economies and global stability," Mr. Ban said at an event organized by the Every Woman Every Child initiative, a global effort launched in 2010 to mobilize and intensify global action to save the lives of 16 million women and children and improve the lives of millions more.

"The business community can help. Your partnership is crucial in preventing unnecessary suffering for women and girls everywhere," Mr. Ban said, adding that despite recent progress, much remains to be done.

Mr. Ban underscored the need to boost maternal health efforts so that women everywhere can give birth safely. "Last year, more than 300,000 women died giving birth. The vast majority of those deaths could have been prevented."

The Secretary-General also stressed the need to provide education for girls so they can lead productive lives, contribute to the economy and start families when they decide to do so. He emphasized the role that the business community can play to help them succeed.

"The private sector is uniquely positioned to deliver a better life for women and children around the world" he said. "Telecommunication companies are harnessing their networks to bring mobile health solutions to women living in the countryside. Corporations are using their technological strengths to develop affordable healthcare equipment for remote areas. Pharmaceutical companies are making essential drugs available to those most in need."

Mr. Ban also urged business leaders to continue to support the global fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

"For the first time, the number of people falling ill with tuberculosis each year is declining. And malaria has been cut by more than half in 43 countries," Mr. Ban said during a dinner marking the 10th anniversary of the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFTAM).

"The Global Fund has contributed to international efforts to scale up prevention. And it has helped create a world where nearly seven million people lived longer, healthier lives thanks to antiretroviral treatment for HIV," Mr. Ban said, adding that countries need to "raise the volume" of their efforts as there are still many countries that are threatened by these diseases.

While in Davos, Mr. Ban held several meetings on the margins of the Forum with officials including the President of the Swiss Confederation <"http://www.un.org/sg/offthecuff/index.asp?nid=2156&cuff=2">Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, the Prime Minister of Denmark <"http://www.un.org/sg/offthecuff/index.asp?nid=2158&cuff=2">Helle Thorning-Schmidt, and Brazil's Foreign Minister <"http://www.un.org/sg/offthecuff/index.asp?nid=2159&cuff=2">Antonio de Aguilar Patriota with whom he discussed the upcoming UN Sustainable Development Conference (Rio+20) among other topics.

Mr. Ban also met with the Kenyan Prime Minister, <"http://www.un.org/sg/offthecuff/index.asp?nid=2157&cuff=2">Raila Odinga, with whom he discussed the situation in Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, as well as the problem of maritime piracy off the coast of Somalia.
Jan 26 2012 5:10PM
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CÔTE D’IVOIRE: SECURITY IMPROVING BUT ROOT CAUSES OF UNREST REMAIN – UN ENVOY

2012-01-26T12:10:00.000-08:00

CÔTE D'IVOIRE: SECURITY IMPROVING BUT ROOT CAUSES OF UNREST REMAIN – UN ENVOY
New York, Jan 26 2012 3:10PM
The security situation in Côte d'Ivoire is stabilizing nine months after the end of the violence that shook the country following presidential elections in late 2010, but the underlining causes of instability and unrest have not been fully addressed, the United Nations top official in the West African country told the Security Council today.

"The security situation is stabilizing, those displaced have started to return, the economy is starting to show resilience and the legislative elections were held successfully," Bert Koenders, the Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), told the Council in a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sc10531.doc.htm">briefing.

The post-electoral crisis erupted in Côte d'Ivoire when former president Laurent Gbagbo refused to step down after he lost a UN-certified election to Alassane Ouattara, who was eventually sworn in after Mr. Gbagbo surrendered in April last year.

"The root causes of instability and potential triggers of violence have remained," said Mr. Koenders. "Important challenges and issues relating to security and national reconciliation should not be underestimated and require the political attention of the Council," he said.

Mr. Koenders underscored that the Ivorian Government still needed UNOCI's support, to restore stability, through the reform of institutions, facilitating disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, protection of civilians and aiding in the return of refugees and internally displaced persons.

Mr. Koenders told the Council that the holding of legislative elections last month in a relatively peaceful atmosphere was a significant achievement for Côte d'Ivoire, and marked a major step forward in the restoration of constitutional order and the introduction of more inclusive governance.

He is mandated by the Council to certify that all stages of the electoral process were held in accordance with international standards, and promised to do so after the national institutions have evaluated the process.

Overall, the security situation has remained relatively calm, but incidents of insecurity in the western areas of the country, including criminal activity and the threat of cross-border movement of armed groups has continued to pose a threat to Côte d'Ivoire's stability, Mr. Koenders added.
Jan 26 2012 3:10PM
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UN OFFICIAL CALLS ON MYANMAR TO FOSTER PRIVATE-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT REFORMS

2012-01-26T11:10:00.001-08:00

UN OFFICIAL CALLS ON MYANMAR TO FOSTER PRIVATE-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT REFORMS
New York, Jan 26 2012 2:10PM
A top United Nations official called today on the Government of Myanmar to boost partnerships between the private and public sectors to support the country's recent reforms as well as to help accelerate development and job creation in the country.

"Myanmar is experiencing a new beginning that is generating an unprecedented sense of hope for a future where opportunities are created for all, including the poorest and most marginalized segments of the population," said the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Noeleen Heyzer, during a meeting with Myanmar's President, Thein Sein.

Ms. Heyzer noted that investment can play a significant role in supporting the President's reform agenda and Myanmar's social and economic development goals, and added that for partnerships to be successful open dialogue must occur between all stakeholders.

Her remarks were made during a two-day forum organized by the Government and ESCAP in the city of Yangon to forge public-private partnerships.

"We hope that this workshop will help Myanmar's public and private sectors to respect and build on each others strengths, learn a common language of investment partnership, and create a new environment to achieve key development goals," Ms. Heyzer said.

The President stated that the country needs "private sector investment to contribute to national development and inclusive growth," and affirmed his hope that "ESCAP will continue to be a trusted partner and help develop a framework for public-private partnerships for development in Myanmar."

Representatives from Government ministries and more than 130 members of the private sector took part in the meeting, the first in a series that will focus on the infrastructure sector.

Speaking about possible future developments, Ms. Heyzer offered to convene a special session of ESCAP's Asia-Pacific Business Forum when the international community is ready to lift restrictions on investment in Myanmar.

Last year, Myanmar started a series of democratic reforms that are slowly opening the country.
Jan 26 2012 2:10PM
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BAN CONDEMNS KILLING OF SYRIAN ARAB RED CRESCENT CHIEF

2012-01-26T11:10:00.000-08:00

BAN CONDEMNS KILLING OF SYRIAN ARAB RED CRESCENT CHIEF
New York, Jan 26 2012 2:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon <"http://www.un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=5827">condemned today the killing of the head of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, Abd-al-Razzaq Jbeiro.

According to media reports, Mr. Jbeiro, the Secretary-General of the humanitarian organization, was shot dead in an attack that targeted a vehicle he was driving in that was clearly marked with the Red Crescent emblem.

Mr. Ban extended his condolences to Mr. Jbeiro's family and colleagues and called on the Syrian Government to investigate the crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban also reminded everyone of their obligation to "respect and protect humanitarian workers as they perform their duties and impartially serve all those who are in need."

Last week, Mr. Ban renewed his call on the Syrian authorities to end the ongoing bloodshed in the country, which has, since March, been in a maelstrom of an uprising which has led to the deaths of more than 5,000 people.
Jan 26 2012 2:10PM
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UN LAUNCHES ONLINE DATABASE TO HELP BUSINESSES ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE

2012-01-26T09:10:00.002-08:00

UN LAUNCHES ONLINE DATABASE TO HELP BUSINESSES ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE
New York, Jan 26 2012 12:10PM
A new online database launched today by the United Nations will showcase successful strategies that businesses and communities are using to adapt to climate change while simultaneously increasing their profits and using their resources more efficiently.

The database, which can be accessed through the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) website, features more than 100 examples from companies such as Coca-Cola, Levi's, Microsoft and Starbucks, which share the details of their business-friendly adaptation practices.

"By showcasing private sector adaptation success stories, we intend to help both communities and businesses become more climate-resilient and to put the benefits and business sense of adaptation firmly on the agenda of the private sector," <"https://unfccc.int/files/press/press_releases_advisories/application/pdf/pr20122601_apsidbase.pdf">said UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres, speaking from the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"Climate risks which affect communities around the world are always also business risks," she added.

Examples of best practices in the database include efforts to make drinking water clean and safe in developing countries and efforts to improve the yield of coffee beans in regions that are particularly vulnerable to climate change. They also cover activities such as the development of climate-friendly goods and services and climate proofing the supply chains of companies.

Ms. Figueres underscored the importance of businesses and governments implementing measures to prepare for natural disasters such as massive floods, as these have a big impact on the operation of local and global businesses.

"The initiatives detailed in the database both show how the private sector can secure early advantages by adapting without waiting for absolute policy certainty at the international level, and how governments and the private sector can work together to respond to climate change now. Public-private partnerships and cooperation with a wide range of stakeholders is becoming increasingly important to ensure successful implementation," Ms. Figueres said.

In addition to the new database, the UNFCCC secretariat's Momentum for Change Initiative provides a platform to showcase successful public-private partnerships at all levels that have led to positive changes for both people and the climate.

The database is part of a wider effort by UNFCCC following the UN Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa, to prioritize adaptation efforts as well as mitigation of natural disasters.
Jan 26 2012 12:10PM
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YEMEN: SECURITY COUNCIL URGES TIMELY, INCLUSIVE POLITICAL TRANSITION

2012-01-26T09:10:00.001-08:00

YEMEN: SECURITY COUNCIL URGES TIMELY, INCLUSIVE POLITICAL TRANSITION
New York, Jan 26 2012 12:10PM
Yemen's forthcoming presidential election will be an opportunity for the country to embark on a transitional process that strengthens national dialogue and leads to a political system that will be more inclusive and open to greater participation by all citizens, says the Security Council.

In a press statement issued last night after a briefing by Jamal Benomar, the Secretary-General's Special Adviser for Yemen, the Council welcomed the progress towards the implementation of the political transition, based on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative.

Warring factions in Yemen signed an agreement in November on a transitional settlement under which President Ali Abdullah Saleh agreed to hand over power to Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour al-Hadi. A new Government of National Unity was formed and presidential elections have been scheduled for 21 February.

The Council reiterated that the GCC initiative and its implementation mechanism must be fulfilled in a transparent and timely manner, and in a spirit of inclusion and reconciliation.

In his briefing yesterday, Mr. Benomar told the Council that for the transition to succeed, a concerted effort is required to ensure the participation of youth and other important constituencies, including the southern movements and the so-called Al-Houthi group in the north, in the political process.

"As an immediate step, all efforts should now be focused on ensuring the holding of peaceful elections," he added.

Voicing concern over deteriorating security and the increasing presence of Al-Qaida in Yemen, the Council reiterated its unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

"The members of the Security Council urged all the parties in Yemen to reject violence, refrain from provocations, and cooperate with the Military Affairs Committee to fully implement the [GCC] implementation mechanism and Security Council resolution," said the statement that was issued to the press by Ambassador Baso Sangqu of South Africa, which holds the Council's presidency this month.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated that all those responsible for human rights violations and abuses, including acts of violence, must be held accountable. They reaffirmed their commitment to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and unity of Yemen."

The Council also stated that it remains gravely concerned over the humanitarian situation in Yemen, including the severe food insecurity, alarming levels of malnutrition, and increasing numbers of internally displaced persons.

It urged donors to support the $447 million humanitarian appeal for Yemen this year, and called on the Government of National Unity to begin to address the humanitarian and economic challenges facing the country. The Council also welcomed the World Bank's efforts to resume its programmes in Yemen.
Jan 26 2012 12:10PM
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NEW UN REPORT SHOWS SHARP RISE IN PALESTINIANS UPROOTED BY ISRAELI DEMOLITIONS

2012-01-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

NEW UN REPORT SHOWS SHARP RISE IN PALESTINIANS UPROOTED BY ISRAELI DEMOLITIONS
New York, Jan 26 2012 12:10PM
Almost 1,100 Palestinians, over half of them children, were displaced due to home demolitions in the West Bank by Israeli forces in 2011 – over 80 per cent more than in the previous year – according to a United Nations report released today.

"Demolitions and Forced Displacement in the Occupied West Bank," prepared by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), adds that an additional 4,200 people were affected by the demolition of structures related to their livelihoods.

The report states that Israeli forces destroyed 622 structures owned by Palestinians including homes, animal shelters, classrooms and mosques – a 42 per cent increase compared to 2010.

In addition, over 60 per cent of the Palestinian-owned structures demolished in 2011 were located in areas allocated to Israeli settlements.

The report adds that that 90 per cent of the demolitions and 92 per cent of the displacement occurred in already vulnerable farming and herding communities in the territory known as "Area C" – which represents over 60 per cent of the West Bank where Israel retains control over security, planning and building.

Meanwhile, the report states that there was a "significant" decrease compared to previous years, with 42 structures demolished. However, at least 93,100 residents who live in structures built without a permit, remain at risk of displacement.

"The forced displacement of Palestinian families and the destruction of civilian homes and other property by Israeli forces in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have a serious humanitarian impact," the report points out, adding that the impact on families' psychosocial well-being can be "devastating."

It adds that Israel, as the occupying power in the West Bank, has the obligation to protect Palestinian civilians and to administer the territory for their benefit.

During a visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory last May, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and head of OCHA, Valerie Amos, urged Israel to end its evictions policy and to look carefully at the key humanitarian concerns of demolitions and displacement in the West Bank.
Jan 26 2012 12:10PM
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2012-01-26T08:10:00.002-08:00

RETURN OF UN POLITICAL PRESENCE TO MOGADISHU 'HISTORIC' STEP, SAYS ENVOY
New York, Jan 26 2012 11:10AM
The re-establishment of the United Nations political presence in Mogadishu will allow the world body to work more closely with Somalia during a crucial period in its peace process, the UN envoy to the country said today.

On Tuesday Augustine P. Mahiga, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, moved to the capital of the Horn of Africa nation from Nairobi along with a number of his core staff from the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS).

The move comes one and half months after Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced during his visit to Mogadishu that the UN office will relocate to the city to provide further assistance at what he called a "critical juncture" for the future of the Somali people.

"This is a historic step," Mr. Mahiga wrote in a letter to the Somali people today. "It is now up to us to make up for lost time."

The last Special Representative of the Secretary-General to be based in Mogadishu was James Victor Gbeho, who worked with the now defunct UN Operations in Somalia II (UNOSOM II), and left in early 1995. UNPOS was established shortly afterwards and has since been based in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

"Being on the ground will allow us to be closer to all the stakeholders – the Transitional Federal Institutions and other administrations, civil society, NGOs [non-governmental organizations], business people, journalists and ordinary Somalis," stated Mr. Mahiga.

"Daily interaction will help us understand each other and to work together in a more imaginative and constructive manner at this crucial period in the peace process."

He cited the need to move ahead with the roadmap that was agreed in September and which spells out priority measures to be implemented before the current transitional governing arrangements end next August, in the areas of security, the drafting of a new constitution and reconciliation.

"We also are faced with a parliamentary crisis and a continuing terrorist threat from insurgents," Mr. Mahiga noted. "There is a lot of ground to be covered in the next seven months."

He stressed that finalizing the draft constitution before the May deadline must be a top priority, and also underlined the need to resolve the ongoing impasse within the Parliament.
Jan 26 2012 11:10AM
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UN CHIEF OUTLINES FIVE-YEAR ACTION PLAN TO BUILD ‘THE FUTURE WE WANT’

2012-01-26T08:10:00.001-08:00

UN CHIEF OUTLINES FIVE-YEAR ACTION PLAN TO BUILD 'THE FUTURE WE WANT'
New York, Jan 26 2012 11:10AM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today outlined a series of actions he believes the global community must take over the next five years to build "the future we want."

In a speech to the General Assembly last September Mr. Ban presented five imperatives – or generational opportunities – that must be addressed to ensure a better future for the world's people.

These are sustainable development; preventing and mitigating conflicts, human rights abuses and the impacts of natural disasters; building a safer and more secure world; supporting countries in transition; and working to engage the talents of women and young people.

"Today I want to share with you an action agenda for the coming five years," he <"http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocus/sgspeeches/statments_full.asp?statID=1437">told the Assembly as he returned to the rostrum to brief Member States on his vision for his second term.

"A plan to make the most of the opportunities before us. A plan to help create a safer, more secure, more sustainable, more equitable future. A plan to build the future we want," he said.

The "action agenda" presented today describes specific measures regarding each of the five imperatives, including an unprecedented campaign to wipe out five of the world's major killers – malaria, polio, paediatric HIV infections, maternal and neonatal tetanus, and measles.

Mr. Ban also announced that the UN will work with Member States to make Antarctica a World Nature Preserve and that he will appoint a new special representative for youth.

Among his other proposals is the convening of a first-of-its-kind World Humanitarian Summit to help share knowledge and establish common best practices, and the creation of a New UN Partnerships Facility to harness the full power of transformative partnerships across the world body.

"Waves of change are surging around us," he told the Assembly. "If we navigate wisely, we can create a more secure and sustainable future for all. The United Nations is the ship to navigate these waters…

"We are the venue for partnerships and action. Now is our moment. Now is the time to create the future we want," he stated.

<"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/offthecuff.asp?nid=2155">Speaking later to reporters, Mr. Ban said that in addition to the core business of the UN, he wanted his team to look deeply at the world and the UN's work today.

"I wanted to identify areas where opportunity and need come together like never before," he said. "These are times of austerity. Yet… these are also times of promise. More people are becoming engaged; more people are empowered to make a real difference.

"If we dedicate our energies and mobilize the UN system, we can move the needle for generations to come."

General Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser commended the Secretary-General for his "bold, focused and forward-looking" action agenda, adding that the content, depth and breadth of his envisaged actions are truly relevant for the effectiveness, efficiency and smooth functioning of the UN.

"As this universal global body is experiencing the unfolding of a world with all its complexities and challenges, prospects and potentials, I believe the Secretary-General has courageously articulated a set of action points that addresses the way our Organization, and in particular this Assembly, needs to respond to an ever-evolving global scene," he told the 193-member body.

Also today, in keeping with the announcement last month that he intends to roll out changes to his senior team as he embarks on his second term, Mr. Ban said that Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro and Chef de Cabinet Vijay Nambiar will step down from their posts.

Ms. Migiro will stay in office until the end of June to ensure continuity in the preparations for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) that will take place in Brazil that month. Mr. Nambiar will serve as the Secretary-General's Special Advisor on Myanmar, following the transition in the Secretary-General's Executive Office.

In addition, the Under-Secretary-General for Management, Angela Kane; the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy; and the Special Adviser for Prevention of Genocide, Francis Deng, will all be relinquishing their duties during the course of this year.
Jan 26 2012 11:10AM
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PERPETRATORS OF ‘HEINOUS’ ATTACKS IN NIGERIA MUST BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE – SECURITY COUNCIL

2012-01-26T08:10:00.000-08:00

PERPETRATORS OF 'HEINOUS' ATTACKS IN NIGERIA MUST BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE – SECURITY COUNCIL
New York, Jan 26 2012 11:10AM
The Security Council has strongly condemned the multiple terrorist attacks that occurred in Kano, Nigeria, in recent days, causing numerous deaths and injuries, and underlined the need to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The 15-member body expressed its deep sympathy and condolences to the victims of these "heinous crimes" and their families, and to the people and Government of Nigeria, in a statement issued to the press last night.

Multiple attacks across Kano last week resulted in large-scale casualties and massive destruction to property, with media reports saying that some 150 people were killed during a series of explosions targeting police buildings and immigration centres around the northern city.

"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group," said the statement.

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Nigerian authorities in this regard."
Jan 26 2012 11:10AM
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UN AGENCY HONOURS ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS DESMOND TUTU AS CHAMPION AGAINST HUNGER

2012-01-26T07:10:00.000-08:00

UN AGENCY HONOURS ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS DESMOND TUTU AS CHAMPION AGAINST HUNGER
New York, Jan 26 2012 10:10AM
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today is honouring Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and activist Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu for his efforts in the battle against hunger and his advocacy on behalf of the world's most vulnerable people.

"I can think of no more worthy individual as a recipient of this honour, than a man who has confronted tyranny and defended the weak and the hungry, armed with nothing but the strength of his faith and the unwavering belief in upholding the rights of the oppressed," said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran.

WFP will present its Global Champion Against Hunger award to Archbishop Emeritus Tutu of South Africa during a dinner at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, later today.

The Archbishop Emeritus has been a "staunch advocate" for universal human rights, including the right to food, as well as the rights to clean water, shelter, hygiene, sanitation and health care, the agency noted in a <"http://www.wfp.org/news/news-release/wfp-honours-archbishop-emeritus-desmond-tutu-champion-against-hunger">news release.

"There are some problems so big and so entrenched it is easy to believe they will never be solved. Hunger is one of these problems," Archbishop Emeritus Tutu said last year. "Yet a lifetime of experience has taught me that there is no problem so great it cannot be solved, no injustice so deeply entrenched it cannot be overcome. And that includes hunger."

He is the fourth recipient of the Global Champion Against Hunger award, whose past recipients include former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, and Peter Bakker, former CEO of global logistics company TNT and WFP Ambassador Against Hunger.

During tonight's dinner, WFP will also launch its commemoration of 50 years as the UN's frontline agency in the fight against hunger.

In a related development, the UN expert on the right to food, Olivier De Schutter, today urged ministers gathered in Davos to acknowledge the relationship between globalization and human rights, saying that "globalization should serve human rights and sustainable development, rather than being a process blind to its impacts on the individuals affected."

Referring to the theme of this year's Forum, "The Great Transformation," the expert stated in a news release that the real great transformation must go beyond rectifying the imbalances in developed world debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratios.

"We must finally pay attention to the wider imbalances that are the symptoms of unfettered globalization. All around the world people have fallen foul of economic processes that consign whole regions to abandonment or degradation and trap whole population groups in perpetual poverty," said Mr. De Schutter, who reports to the UN Human Rights Council in an independent and unpaid capacity.
Jan 26 2012 10:10AM
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OUTGOING UN ENVOY STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF RECONCILIATION FOR LIBERIA

2012-01-25T16:10:00.000-08:00

OUTGOING UN ENVOY STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF RECONCILIATION FOR LIBERIA
New York, Jan 25 2012 7:10PM
The outgoing United Nations envoy in Liberia today stressed the need for reconciliation in the country, adding that this is an essential step to consolidate stability and to ensure that the progress achieved by the democratic elections held last year can continue.

"Last year, Liberia passed an historic milestone in conducting its second democratic elections since the end of the conflict. This was an important undertaking which, once again, demonstrates the will of the Liberian people," said Ellen Margrethe Løj, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

"However, peace cannot be complete without reconciliation. Experiences from around the world have shown us than an incomplete peace is often a prelude to renew conflict," she told reporters in Monrovia during her last press briefing as Special Representative.

Ms. Løj emphasized that a lot more needs to be done to ensure that Liberia's future is inclusive, and stressed the role of young people in reconciliation as well as the importance of Liberians initiating this process.

"I have said it many times that true reconciliation has to be home grown. It cannot be imposed from abroad. I cannot tell three or four of you Liberian how to reconcile...you will not even listen to me. You have to get together and talk and be willing on how to reconcile and deal with what has to be dealt with for that reconciliation to take place.

"Through dialogue and inclusion, I am highly confident that Liberia will continue its work towards lasting peace," she added, while reiterating that UNMIL would continue to provide support to the population, while simultaneously encouraging and providing advice for national initiatives.

"Liberians have demonstrated that they can be in the driver's seat and that they have chosen the path to sustainable development. And progress is reflected in the way UNMIL supports Liberia today. From being first in line with a robust military and police presence, the Mission is today standing second in line focusing on providing advisory support to security and rule of law institutions," Ms. Løj said.

She expressed her gratitude to the people of Liberia and appreciation for the warmth and generosity during the four years of her tenure.
Jan 25 2012 7:10PM
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RAISING AWARENESS OF HOLOCAUST ESSENTIAL TO PREVENT ACTS OF HATRED – UN OFFICIAL

2012-01-25T15:10:00.002-08:00

RAISING AWARENESS OF HOLOCAUST ESSENTIAL TO PREVENT ACTS OF HATRED – UN OFFICIAL
New York, Jan 25 2012 6:10PM
Widespread education through the media, special events and other initiatives that provide information on the history and lessons of the Holocaust is essential to help prevent future genocides and mass atrocities, a top United Nations official said today at an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy in Ukraine.

"Some one-and-a-half million Jews were killed by the Nazis and their collaborators in the Ukraine," said Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information Kiyo Akasaka. "They were just the first mass victims of the shocking and sustained murder that the world would come to know as the Holocaust."

Mr. Akasaka stressed the need to keep the memory of the victims alive, and highlighted the work of the UN in doing so. "The UN Department of Public Information actively engages Member States, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society – and our own network of UN information centres around the world – to raise awareness about the Holocaust and the dangers of hatred," he said.

Today's event was held as part of a series of events to mark the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, which is observed annually on 27 January, the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp.

This year's theme is "Children and the Holocaust" and film screenings, exhibits and talks sharing children's stories during that era are being shared to spread awareness of their experiences.

"It is only by understanding and learning from the past, that we can hope to create a better world for the children of today and tomorrow," said Mr. Akasaka, who also spoke at the opening of an exhibition of Jewish photographers in the Lodz Ghetto between 1940 and 1944.

The exhibition presents some 50 images – many of them available for the first time to the public – that document daily life in the Lodz Ghetto in Poland, which functioned as an industrial centre for Nazi Germany, exploiting a Jewish workforce.

"The images reflect the contradictions and complexities between the desperate situation in the ghetto and the efforts of its people to maintain their dignity and survive for as long as possible," said Mr. Akasaka.
Jan 25 2012 6:10PM
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TALKS OPEN ON DRAFT OUTCOME DOCUMENT FOR UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

2012-01-25T15:10:00.001-08:00

TALKS OPEN ON DRAFT OUTCOME DOCUMENT FOR UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
New York, Jan 25 2012 6:10PM
The first round of informal discussions on the proposed outcome document of the United Nations conference on sustainable development that will be held in Brazil in June got under way in New York today with a senior UN official calling for an ambitious and yet practical conclusion.

"When world leaders gather in Rio in five months, we need to present them with an ambitious and yet practical outcome that equals the magnitude of today's challenges," said Sha Zukang, the Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), which will be held in Rio de Janeiro beginning 20 June.

"We need a robust outcome from Rio+20, with reinvigorated political commitments by all countries. We need strong decisions…strong in commitments and strong in actions," he said.

The informal round of talks on the outcome document is the first in a series of negotiating sessions to be held in March, April, May and June in the run up to the conference.

Mr. Sha, who is the UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, urged governments and civil society to focus on possible sustainable development goals, and on whether these would take into account specific national circumstances.

He also urged them to consider the "complementarity" between the proposed Sustainable Development Council and the Economic and Social Council; and how Rio+20 would drive the dissemination and transfer of state-of-the-art technologies on mutually agreed terms from developed to developing countries.

Eradicating poverty and building socially just and inclusive societies, while protecting the planet's fragile eco-systems remain the defining challenges of the 21st century, Mr. Sha said.

The multiple crises of food, energy, climate, finance and employment shape the different facets of the challenges, he said, adding that they reminded humanity that problems are interconnected and must be tackled together.

The so-called "zero draft" of the outcome document was prepared from more than 6,000 pages of submissions from Member States, international organizations and civil society.
Jan 25 2012 6:10PM
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DR CONGO: UN PEACEKEEPING CHIEF STRESSES NEED FOR STABILITY AND RECONCILIATION

2012-01-25T15:10:00.000-08:00

DR CONGO: UN PEACEKEEPING CHIEF STRESSES NEED FOR STABILITY AND RECONCILIATION
New York, Jan 25 2012 6:10PM
The United Nations peacekeeping chief stressed today the need for stability and reconciliation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has experienced a tense political climate since its presidential elections in November.

Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous, who is currently on an official visit to the DRC, reaffirmed the UN's commitment to help the vast African nation through its mission (MONUSCO) to prevent conflict and ensure future elections occur under better conditions.

"There are indeed many lessons to be learned from the elections," Mr. Ladsous said in an interview with MONUSCO's radio station, Radio Okapi. "The UN and MONUSCO will work to ensure that this internal process that is determined by the people of Congo alone can occur under better circumstances each time….

"There are certainly measures we can take to ensure that this essential process allows for national reconciliation under the best of conditions, respecting the rule of law, and with the objective of finding lasting solutions for the country."

Mr. Ladsous said the main purpose of his visit, which began on Tuesday, is to experience firsthand the work of the mission as well as to assess what it can do to advance reconciliation. During his visit, the first to the DRC since his appointment in September, Mr. Ladsous will meet with several Government officials as well as politicians and UN representatives.

He will also travel to the eastern town of Goma – a region where armed groups such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) are constantly active – to meet with provincial and local authorities.

Mr. Ladsous stressed that to end the activity of such groups, the Government must reaffirm its authority over its entire territory and that MONUSCO will be working with the Government to strengthen the country's army as well as protect civilians.

"It's necessary that we continue to make progress in our work with national authorities to find solutions to consolidate the State, the rule of law and facilitate national reconciliation, something everybody wants to succeed," he said.
Jan 25 2012 6:10PM
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PEACE PROCESS CAN ONLY BE SUCCESSFUL IF IT IS LED BY AFGHANS, SAYS NEW UN ENVOY

2012-01-25T14:10:00.000-08:00

PEACE PROCESS CAN ONLY BE SUCCESSFUL IF IT IS LED BY AFGHANS, SAYS NEW UN ENVOY
New York, Jan 25 2012 5:10PM
Afghanistan's peace process can only be successful if it is Afghan-led and inclusive, the new United Nations envoy to the country stated today.

Ján Kubiš, who arrived in Kabul last week to take up his post as the Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), told his first <"http://unama.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1741&ctl=Details&mid=1882&ItemID=16188">press conference that the Afghan people are tired of war and want to move on.

"They would like to live normal lives as everywhere else," he said, adding that there is support for steps that would bring more stability and eventually establish overall peace in the country.

What is important, he stressed, is that the peace process be an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process.

"And it can be a successful Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process if it is based on wide participation, on representative participation, not only of political forces but eventually of civil society because it is for the people of the country," said Mr. Kubiš.

He added that, in carrying out his mandate, he intended to focus on how to help link security and development; to promote and assist an Afghan-led inclusive reconciliation process based on dialogue and consensus; and to promote the rule of law, good governance, strong institutions and human rights.

The UN is currently examining how it can best help Afghanistan as it proceeds with the transfer of security responsibilities and takes greater ownership of its development.
Jan 25 2012 5:10PM
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=?Windows-1252?Q?LIBYA=20FACING=20CHALLENGING=20TRANSITION, =20BUT=20AUTHORITIES=20STRIVING=20TO=20SUCCEED=20=96=20UN=20OFFICIAL?=

2012-01-25T12:10:00.000-08:00

LIBYA FACING CHALLENGING TRANSITION, BUT AUTHORITIES STRIVING TO SUCCEED – UN OFFICIAL
New York, Jan 25 2012 3:10PM
Libya is going through a difficult transition, having inherited weak state institutions and an absence of political parties, the top United Nations envoy in the country told the Security Council today, adding that the interim Government is committed to addressing the challenges.

"The former regime may have been toppled, but the harsh reality is that the Libyan people continue to have to live with its deep-rooted legacy; weak, at times absent, state institutions, coupled with the long absence of political parties and civil society organizations, which render the country's transition more difficult," said Ian Martin, the Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

"This is further complicated by what was a systematic distortion of the country's socio-political fabric," he said.

He reiterated that security remains a major concern, noting that events over the past month highlight the risks associated with both the continued abundance of weapons on the streets, and the diverse armed "brigades" in the country with unclear lines of command and control.

In the capital, Tripoli, clashes earlier this month between rival brigades from Misrata and Tripoli resulted in several fatalities and injuries, as well as confrontation between such groups in Gheryan and al-Asab'a, and fighting between the local population and the brigades in Bani Walid this week required high-level intervention to put an end to the violence.

"Although authorities have successfully contained these and other more minor incidents that continue to take place across the country on a regular basis, there is the ever-present possibility that similar outbreaks of violence could escalate and widen in scope," Mr. Martin told the Council.

He said the National Transitional Council (NTC) is laying the foundation for the establishment of democratic governance, but a combination of a tight timeline, inexperience in drafting electoral legislation, shortcomings in communication and the lack of proper mechanisms for consultation have set limitations to the process of drafting the electoral law.

"The NTC and most stakeholders have remained determined that the commitment in the Constitutional Declaration to elect a National Congress by late June must be respected. This has left little time for consultations on the legislative framework, which must embody some difficult and inevitably controversial political choices," said Mr. Martin.

The NTC's Electoral Committee made efforts to engage the public and published the draft law, with the engagement of UNSMIL's electoral team. "As a result, we believe that both the main electoral law and the parallel electoral administration law, which establishes a 17-member High National Electoral Commission, gained in clarity and focus," he added.

On human rights, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, informed the Council of her extreme concern over the conditions of detention and treatment of detainees held by the various revolutionary brigades, noting that the International Committee of the Red Cross had visited over 8,500 detainees in approximately 60 places between March and December last year.

The majority of the detainees are accused of being loyalists of the deposed leader, the late Muammar al-Qadhafi, and include a large number of citizens of sub-Saharan Africa.

"The lack of oversight by the central authorities creates an environment conducive to torture and ill-treatment," said Ms. Pillay, adding that her staff had received alarming reports on what was happening in places of detention.

"It is therefore urgent that all detention centres are brought under the control of the Ministry of Justice and the General Prosecutor's Office," she said. "Moreover, a structure and process for judicial screening of detainees should be in place immediately."

Other areas of concern include conditions for people subjected to internal forced and involuntary displacement, the status of women and past abuses.

Ms. Pillay also highlighted the outstanding questions regarding possible civilian deaths resulting from NATO operations, and voiced hope that the ongoing probe by the organization's commission of inquiry will shed light on the extent to which NATO forces took precautions to protect civilians.
Jan 25 2012 3:10PM
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BAN TO VISIT MIDDLE EAST TO ENCOURAGE ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS TO RE-ENGAGE

2012-01-25T10:10:00.002-08:00

BAN TO VISIT MIDDLE EAST TO ENCOURAGE ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS TO RE-ENGAGE
New York, Jan 25 2012 1:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today that he will travel to the Middle East next week to encourage the Israelis and the Palestinians to re-engage to move the peace process forward.

"My visit comes at an important moment," Mr. Ban told a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/offthecuff.asp?nid=2155">news conference at UN Headquarters, as he announced his travels to Jordan, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators began preparatory talks at the beginning of January in Amman under the facilitation of King Abdullah of Jordan and the country's Foreign Minister, Nasser Judeh.

"I will be there to encourage both sides to re-engage in earnest and create a positive atmosphere for moving forward," Mr. Ban stated.

Direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians stalled in September 2010 after Israel refused to extend its freeze on settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory.

That decision prompted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to withdraw from direct talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which had only resumed a few weeks earlier after a two-year hiatus.

The Secretary-General also noted that today marks the one-year anniversary of the uprising in Egypt that led to the removal of the regime of Hosni Mubarak.

"On this important day, I want to congratulate the people of Egypt on their peaceful transition to democracy and their determination to push for continuing change," he said.

Referring to yesterday's announcement of a partial lifting of the state of emergency in the country, Mr. Ban encouraged the transitional authorities to pursue the peaceful and early handover of power to civilian government, to uphold human rights, to release political detainees and accelerate the pace of reform.
Jan 25 2012 1:10PM
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=?Windows-1252?Q?GREEN=20INVESTMENT=20NEEDED=20IN=20MARINE=20SECTOR=20TO=20TRIGGER=20ECONOMIC, =20SOCIAL=20BENEFITS=20=96=20UN?=

2012-01-25T10:10:00.001-08:00

GREEN INVESTMENT NEEDED IN MARINE SECTOR TO TRIGGER ECONOMIC, SOCIAL BENEFITS – UN
New York, Jan 25 2012 1:10PM
The economic productivity of the marine sector can be significantly boosted by shifting to a more sustainable approach that focuses on green activities such as renewable energy, eco-tourism and sustainable transport, according to a United Nations report released today.

The report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), '<"http://www.unep.org/pdf/green_economy_blue.pdf">Green Economy in a Blue World,' looks at six different economic areas in the marine sector and provides recommendations on how to boost their potential by implementing green measures.

"Oceans are a key pillar for many countries in their development and fight to tackle poverty, but the wide range of ecosystem services, including food security and climate regulation, provided by marine and coastal environments are today under unprecedented pressure," said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.

"Stepping up green investments in marine and coastal resources and enhancing international cooperation in managing these transboundary ecosystems are essential if a transition to low-carbon, resource-efficient green economy is to be realized," he said.

The six economic areas examined by the report include fisheries and aquaculture, marine transport, ocean nutrient pollution, marine-based renewable energy, coastal tourism, and deep-sea minerals.

"This report provides concrete examples of how emerging ocean industries – including ocean energy and aquaculture industries – can become more profitable, more sustainable, and meet the needs of a growing population without sacrificing the health of our fragile ocean ecosystems," <"http://www.unep.org/newscentre/Default.aspx?DocumentID=2666&ArticleID=9009&l=en">said Linwood Pendleton, one of the contributors to the report and Director of Ocean and Coastal Policy at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions.

In addition, the report also examines how small island developing States (SIDS), such as those in the Asia-Pacific and Caribbean regions, can take advantage of green economy opportunities to reduce their vulnerability to climate change and promote sustainable growth.

The report seeks to stimulate countries to take action as they prepare for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Brazil in June, according to a news release issued by UNEP.

"In the run-up to Rio+20, this report shows that a shift to a green economy can, if comprehensively implemented, unlock the potential of marine ecosystems to fuel economic growth – particularly in small island developing States but in ways that ensure that future generations derive an equitable share of marine resources and services," said Mr. Steiner.

The report was produced by UNEP in collaboration with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the WorldFish Center and GRID-Arendal.
Jan 25 2012 1:10PM
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UNICEF WARNS ON HIGH RATES OF MALNUTRITION AMONG CHILDREN IN YEMEN

2012-01-25T10:10:00.000-08:00

UNICEF WARNS ON HIGH RATES OF MALNUTRITION AMONG CHILDREN IN YEMEN
New York, Jan 25 2012 1:10PM
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned that half a million children in Yemen could die or suffer physical and mental damage as a result of malnutrition, unless sufficient resources are made available to alleviate the effects of conflict, chronic poverty and drought.

"Malnutrition is preventable… therefore, inaction is unconscionable," Maria Calivis, UNICEF's Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in a <"http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/media_61408.html">statement yesterday after a two-day visit to Yemen.

"Conflict, poverty and drought, compounded by the unrest of the previous year, the high food and fuel prices, and the breakdown of social services, are putting children's health at great risks and threatening their very survival," she said.

With 58 per cent of children stunted, Yemen has the second highest rate of chronic malnutrition among children in the world after Afghanistan. Acute malnutrition affects as many as 30 per cent of children in some parts of the country, close to the levels observed in south Somalia, and twice as high as the internationally recognized emergency threshold.

Malnutrition, along with poor health services, is also to blame for most of the recent deaths of 74 children from measles, among 2,500 affected by an outbreak of the disease, according to Government figures. While most children recover from measles within two to three weeks, children with malnutrition can suffer serious complications which can lead to death.

UNICEF has appealed for nearly $50 million to fund programmes for children's urgent humanitarian needs in Yemen this year.

The country also has one of the highest rates of death among children under the age of five in the Middle East and North African region, at 77 per 1,000 live births, which means that some 69,000 children die every year before their fifth birthday.

"Now more than ever is the time for a renewed commitment to a better, peaceful future for Yemen's children. As the country prepares for the next phase, it is essential that children are given top priority in the political agenda. Their needs need to be met and their rights upheld," said Ms. Calivis.

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UN HUMANITARIAN ARM ALLOCATES $104 MILLION TO UNDERFUNDED CRISES

2012-01-25T09:10:00.001-08:00

UN HUMANITARIAN ARM ALLOCATES $104 MILLION TO UNDERFUNDED CRISES
New York, Jan 25 2012 12:10PM
The United Nations humanitarian office announced today the allocation of $104 million to support 13 neglected emergencies around the world.

"Millions of people need help around the world in places which have fallen out of the headlines. These funds will help to save lives. I hope that more funds will become available from governments and others to support a continued humanitarian response," said Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos.

The funds, which will be provided by the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), will be prioritized by humanitarian coordinators in each of the recipient countries to impact critical life-saving programmes. Specific projects will also be developed and proposed by humanitarian country teams in the next month.

Recipient countries were selected on the basis of severity of humanitarian need and analysis of funding levels.

South Sudan is the largest recipient, and will receive $20 million to support critical delivery of services for returnees from neighbouring Sudan. In the Horn of Africa, where millions of people have been affected by the drought, Djibouti and Eritrea will receive allocations of $4 million to support life-saving programmes.

In Pakistan, where funding for relief operations has considerably diminished, $15 million will be allocated for people in conflict-affected areas in the country, and in Haiti, $8 million will be provided for thousands of people that continue to live in camps two years since the devastating earthquake.

Other recipient countries include the Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Nepal, the Philippines, the Republic of Congo, and Syria.

According to a news released issued by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), a second round of allocations will follow in July. Last year, 20 underfunded emergencies received more than $143 million.

This year, donors have so far pledged more than $377 million in support of the Fund, which is financed by voluntary contributions from Member States, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local governments, the private sector and individual donors. The Fund commits a third of all contributions each year to redress imbalances in global aid distribution by supporting neglected crises.
Jan 25 2012 12:10PM
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CYPRUS: BAN CALLS FOR DECISIVE STEPS TOWARDS FINAL SETTLEMENT AFTER INTENSIVE TALKS

2012-01-25T09:10:00.000-08:00

CYPRUS: BAN CALLS FOR DECISIVE STEPS TOWARDS FINAL SETTLEMENT AFTER INTENSIVE TALKS
New York, Jan 25 2012 12:10PM
The latest round of United Nations-facilitated talks between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities aimed at the reunification of Cyprus have ended in New York after "robust and intensive" discussions, Secretary-Ban Ki-moon said today, calling for a decisive move to reach a final agreement.

Mr. Ban, who attended the talks between Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Dervis Eroglu, on Monday and Tuesday, said "limited progress" was achieved during the meeting.

He also reminded both parties that the process is Cypriot-owned and Cypriot-led.

"The UN is not here to impose solutions upon the sides," Mr. Ban <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=5824">told reporters at UN Headquarters, adding that the two sides had come to the meeting to make an effort to resolve the main challenges in the process – the issues of the election of the executive, property and citizenship.

"In terms of next steps, I have proposed that the sides complete the exchange of data on property within the next two weeks to which they agreed," said Mr. Ban, whose Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, will brief the Security Council later today on the talks.

"I will be providing a report to the Security Council on the status of the negotiations at the end of February [and] at the end of March I will seek a review of the process from my Special Adviser.

"If his report is positive, consistent with relevant Security Council resolutions and following consultations with the two sides, I intend to call a multilateral conference in late April or early May," said the Secretary-General.

He stressed that, at this stage of the talks, even maintaining the momentum and continuing negotiations in an intensive manner is not sufficient. "I have urged the leaders to make decisive steps to move to a final agreement," he added.

"The United Nations remains convinced that it is in the interest of all Cypriots to reach a durable settlement," he said.

In 2008, both sides agreed to work towards "a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as defined by relevant Security Council resolutions." The partnership will comprise a Federal Government with a single international personality, along with a Turkish Cypriot Constituent State and a Greek Cypriot Constituent State, which will be of equal status.
Jan 25 2012 12:10PM
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SUFFICIENT FUNDS CRUCIAL TO HELPING COUNTRIES ACHIEVE AIDS RESPONSE TARGETS – UN

2012-01-25T07:10:00.000-08:00

SUFFICIENT FUNDS CRUCIAL TO HELPING COUNTRIES ACHIEVE AIDS RESPONSE TARGETS – UN
New York, Jan 25 2012 10:10AM
The remarkable progress achieved in the AIDS response must be sustained, the United Nations has stressed, calling for innovative sources of financing and continued support for the Global Fund that helps countries achieve their targets in this field.

In a press statement issued yesterday, the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) hailed the achievements of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria since it was established 10 years ago.

"The organization has made a profound difference in saving millions of lives around the world. It has created momentum and helped countries achieve results," said the agency, noting that the Fund has approved more than $22.6 billion in grants to 150 countries over the past decade.

Grants provided by the Fund are helping countries provide 3.3 million people access to HIV treatment, and the facility has ensured that more than one million pregnant women living with HIV have had access to antiretroviral drugs to prevent the transmission of HIV to their children.

"UNAIDS is confident, that in the Global Fund's transition phase, its transformation plan will help deliver further results," the agency stated, pledging to continue to work in partnership with countries and with the Global Fund to reduce risks and ensure more high-impact programmes.

"The remarkable progress achieved in the AIDS response must be sustained and accelerated," it stressed. "UNAIDS urges the international community to urgently explore innovative sources of funding to bridge the gap in global resources for AIDS.

"It also calls on countries to revise and reprioritize AIDS investments as well as national AIDS strategies."

Also yesterday, Michel Kazatchkine, the Executive Director of the Global Fund, announced his decision to step down from his post by 16 March. "As the Global Fund faces a challenging year of transition, it is more important than ever that staff, partners, donors, implementers, friends and supporters of the Fund pull together to maintain the remarkable hope that the Fund has generated around the world, and to keep up the fight," he said in a statement.

Last month Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon led a chorus of UN officials in calling for the political will, investments and determination to end the AIDS epidemic, which has now entered its fourth decade. "Momentum is on our side. Let us use it to end AIDS – once and for all," Mr. Ban said in his message for World AIDS Day, observed on 1 December each year.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé had called on countries, donors and others to reach the global investment target of $22-24 billion for the AIDS response, stating that "only together can we secure the future and provide greater and long-term dividends."
Jan 25 2012 10:10AM
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UN OFFICIAL URGES ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS TO INTENSIFY EFFORTS TO RESOLVE CONFLICT

2012-01-24T16:10:00.000-08:00

UN OFFICIAL URGES ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS TO INTENSIFY EFFORTS TO RESOLVE CONFLICT
New York, Jan 24 2012 7:10PM
A senior United Nations political official today urged Israel and the Palestinians to redouble efforts to resolve all their permanent status issues, end the conflict and establish an independent and democratic Palestinian state that will exist peacefully alongside Israel.

"Leadership is needed to ensure that the process moves forward with the support of the regional and international partners," said Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, as he <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sc10527.doc.htm">briefed the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East.

He told the Council's open debate, which heard from over 40 speakers, that Israeli and Palestinian negotiators had started meeting on 3 January under the facilitation of King Abdullah of Jordan and the country's Foreign Affairs Minister, in the presence of envoys of the so-called Quartet – the diplomatic grouping bringing together the UN with the European Union, Russia and the United States. It was the first time both parties had held direct talks in 15 months.

"The parties began discussing important issues related to territory and security," said Mr. Fernandez-Taranco. "They are also discussing ways to build confidence and create a positive environment for these talks to succeed," he added.

"Neither the international community nor the parties can afford to let this opportunity pass by. The Secretary-General continues to call on the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to show vision, courage and determination to reach a historical peace agreement that would meet the legitimate aspirations of the people on both sides," said Mr. Fernandez-Taranco.

Actions on the ground, however, continue to contribute to tensions, he told the Council. Settlement activity, including in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, continued during the reporting period. Violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians also remain troubling.

On the continuing bloody unrest in Syria, Mr. Fernandez-Taranco told the Council that the bloodshed and human rights violations must stop for a credible, inclusive and Syrian-led political process to start in that country.

"We hope that the international community will act in a concerted and coherent manner in support of ongoing efforts for a peaceful resolution of the crisis," he said.

The UN also continues to monitor the influx of Syrian refugees into Lebanon, he said, adding that both the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Lebanese Government had registered 5,660 Syrian refugees. The significant increase in number is largely due to intensified refugee registration, he added.
Jan 24 2012 7:10PM
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COOPERATIVES CENTRAL TO FIGHTING HUNGER, STRESSES UN AGENCY

2012-01-24T15:10:00.001-08:00

COOPERATIVES CENTRAL TO FIGHTING HUNGER, STRESSES UN AGENCY
New York, Jan 24 2012 6:10PM
Cooperatives and producer organizations will be increasingly important in efforts to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty, the head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.

"FAO needs strong cooperatives and producer organizations as key partners in the effort to eliminate hunger for some 925 million people, and to respond to the many challenges that face our world today," <"http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/120774/icode/">said Director-General José Graziano da Silva.

He told participants at the 2012 Thematic Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil, that FAO would be stepping up its collaboration with producer organizations and rural, food and agricultural cooperatives that give organizational, economic, and social clout to small farmers, pastoralists and those who rely on fishing and forestry for their livelihoods.

"FAO is committed to seeking out and sharing evidence of the impact of cooperatives and producer organizations on food security at the global level, and to strengthening its ties with such groups," he said.

Ranging from small-scale to multi-million dollar businesses across the globe, cooperatives operate in all sectors of the economy, both urban and rural, FAO noted in a news release. In 2008 alone, the largest 300 cooperatives in the world had an aggregate turnover of $1.1 trillion, comparable to the gross domestic product (GDP) of many large countries.

FAO emphasized that previous experience has shown that, when empowered by membership in a larger group, smallholder farmers and other producers can negotiate better terms in contracts, and lower prices for agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilizer and fishing gear. They can also reduce risks and gain enough influence to secure land rights and better market opportunities.

Last year, more than 180 FAO programmes and projects helped to build and strengthen the capacities of producer organizations, cooperatives and local community groups to reach their organizational goals in countries like Honduras, Niger and Fiji.

In October, the UN declared 2012 the <"http://www.2012.coop/">International Year of Cooperatives, to highlight the role they play as catalysts of socially-inclusive development and their capacity to empower communities through jobs and income generation.
Jan 24 2012 6:10PM
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UN EXPERT CALLS FOR URGENT INTERNATIONAL FOOD ASSISTANCE TO SAHEL REGION

2012-01-24T15:10:00.000-08:00

UN EXPERT CALLS FOR URGENT INTERNATIONAL FOOD ASSISTANCE TO SAHEL REGION
New York, Jan 24 2012 6:10PM
An independent United Nations human rights expert today urged the global community to take quick action to prevent millions of people in Africa's Sahel region from slipping into a full-scale food emergency, warning that drought, poor harvests and rising food prices have left the region on the brink of a humanitarian crisis.

"We must not wait until people are starving in order to act," <"http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11773&LangID=E">said Olivier De Schutter, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food. "The world must respond immediately to avert a full-scale food and nutrition crisis," he added, noting that most of the local governments affected have responded by declaring a state of emergency and requesting international assistance.

The Sahel is an eco-climatic regional belt spanning the breadth of West and Central Africa and contains a number of countries which have been regularly afflicted by food insecurity. Last year, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that several areas of the Sahel had been affected by irregular rains during the 2011 cropping season and that an early end to the rains would lead to a significant drop in production and increased food insecurity.

As of today, Chad and Mauritania are experiencing a grain deficit of more than 50 per cent compared to last year. In Niger, the price of millet was 37 per cent higher in November 2011 than in the previous year and other key cereals are up to 40 per cent higher than the regional five-year average.

Mr. De Schutter noted that the food crisis was the result of both natural causes and the lack of prevention.

"This crisis may look like a natural calamity, but it is in fact a symptom of our failure to be better prepared and to react more swiftly to early warning signs," he stated. "The failure of the international community to act, now and in the future, would result in major violations of the right to food."

The area currently affected by the crisis covers a vast swath of territory, including Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger but concerns have also been extended to other countries in the region such as Burking Faso and Senegal. In Niger, Mali and Mauritania alone, almost 10 million people will be affected. Among those most in danger, children face the highest risk of mortality linked to malnutrition, followed by pregnant and lactating women and adolescent girls.

"The warning signs are all there. The lean season will come earlier and last longer than usual," Mr. De Schutter warned, adding that the region would be more reliant on food imports. "This could spell disaster for the millions of people whose food needs will rise as their purchasing power plummets," he noted.

Mr. De Schutter also underscored the need for widespread preventive measures, calling on the international community to ensure that emergency food reserves be pre-positioned in risk-prone regions and emphasizing the need for further local investment in climate-resilient agriculture such as diverse farming systems and agroforestry.

He nevertheless noted that the need for longer-term structural actions should not prevent swift and immediate action.

"We have the technology to predict food shortages accurately, and we have learned some lessons from previous crises. Now we need the international response," he said. "The world must not make the same mistakes it did in delaying its response to last year's crisis in the Horn of Africa. We have a chance, and a duty, to save lives."
Jan 24 2012 6:10PM
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2012-01-24T14:10:00.001-08:00

DESPITE GLOBAL ECONOMIC TURMOIL, FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT INCREASED IN 2011 – UN
New York, Jan 24 2012 5:10PM
In spite of the economic turmoil that shook countries last year, global foreign direct investment (FDI) rose by 17 per cent, according to a United Nations report released today, which predicts it will continue to increase this year but <"http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Page.asp?intItemID=6226&lang=1">warns of the risks posed by the frail economic climate.

The <"http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/webdiaeia2012d1_en.pdf">report, authored by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), highlights the increase in FDI in both developed and developing countries as well as transition economies.

"Developing and transition countries continued to account for half of global FDI in 2011 as their inflows reached a new record high, driven mainly by investments in Latin America (up 35 per cent) and in transition economies (up 31 per cent)," the report states.

After three years of consecutive decline, inflows to developed countries rose last year, reaching an estimate $753 billion, up 18 per cent from 2010, largely due to cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

However, FDI declined in Africa, the region with the highest number of least developed countries. The report shows that the share of inflows to Africa dropped by 0.6 per cent, to a total of 3.6 per cent of global FDI flows.

UNCTAD estimates that FDI flows will continue to climb moderately in 2012 to around $1.6 trillion, but will remain short of the all-time peak of $2 trillion reached in 2007. It also warned that economic uncertainty could negatively affect FDI growth.

"The fragile recovery of the world economy in 2011 – with growth tempered by the debt crisis in developed countries, the uncertainties surrounding the future of the euro, and rising financial market turbulence – will have an impact on FDI flows in 2012," the report says. "All these factors suggest that significant risks and uncertainties for further FDI growth in 2012 remain in place."

More comprehensive results and analysis of FDI for the year will be provided in the World Investment Report, which will be published in July.
Jan 24 2012 5:10PM
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UN LAUNCHES WEB PORTAL TO HELP YOUNG WOMEN PURSUE TECHNOLOGY CAREERS

2012-01-24T14:10:00.000-08:00

UN LAUNCHES WEB PORTAL TO HELP YOUNG WOMEN PURSUE TECHNOLOGY CAREERS
New York, Jan 24 2012 5:10PM
The United Nations <"http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2012/06.aspx">launched a new web portal today focusing on helping girls and women access job opportunities, training and career advice in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector.

The website – <"http://girlsinict.org/">girlsinict.org – was designed to inspire and help young women between the ages of 11 and 25 prepare for and pursue careers in technology by providing them with useful resources such as links to scholarships, internships, ICT contests and awards, tech camps and online networks where they can interact with other women working in an industry that is largely male-dominated.

"It's a little-known fact that women were the original programmers of ENIAC, the US Government's first ever computer. But while teenage girls now use computers and the Internet at rates similar to boys, they are five times less likely to consider a technology-related career," the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said in a news release.

"Research consistently shows that girls tend to choose careers where they feel they can 'make a difference' – healthcare, education, medicine. With this new portal, we're trying to show them that there's much more to ICTs than writing computer code," said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré.

"As we move towards an ICT-based knowledge society, the rise of apps and the explosion in telemedicine, remote learning systems and research and development make the ICT industry the most exciting choice any young person can make," Mr. Touré said.

"I hope our new portal will serve as a showcase to attract the many talented girls and young women in countries worldwide to this booming sector," he added.

ITU stressed the need for a change in attitudes towards ICT jobs, which according to experts, girls usually see as unfeminine, too challenging or just plain boring. However, the demand for these jobs worldwide is steadily increasing with not enough qualified individuals to fill the gap in the job market.

The European Union, for example, calculates that in 10 years there will be 700,000 more ICT jobs than there are professionals to fill them. Globally, that shortfall is estimated to be closer to two million.

The website seeks to inspire women to consider ICT as a career option by offering them information on the range of options available in the sector as well as provide them with real life examples of how women are already changing the industry.

"We hope our new Girls in ICT portal with its profiles and videos of women in ICTs will be a major catalyst in creating exciting and rewarding new choices for women worldwide," said Brahima Sanou, Director of ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau. "Encouraging girls into the technology industry will create a positive feedback loop, in turn creating inspiring role models for the next generation."
Jan 24 2012 5:10PM
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BAN SPENDS SECOND DAY AT UN-BACKED CYPRUS REUNIFICATION TALKS

2012-01-24T13:10:00.001-08:00

BAN SPENDS SECOND DAY AT UN-BACKED CYPRUS REUNIFICATION TALKS
New York, Jan 24 2012 4:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is meeting again today in New York with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in their latest round of talks aimed at reunifying the divided Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus.

The talks at the Greentree Estate on Long Island between the Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Dervis Eroglu, got off to an "intensive" start yesterday with Mr. Ban making it clear to both parties that he expects them to make progress during the current round of the process, which began in 2008.

"The Secretary-General made his expectations clear this morning that he is looking for the leaders to make decisive moves," his Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, told reporters last night.

"He also reminded the two leaders that they must keep the big vision of a united Cyprus in their sights," said Mr. Downer.

The focus of yesterday's deliberations was on three of the core issues in the negotiations – the executive, property and citizenship. "There is clearly still ground to cover in order to make for a successful outcome for this meeting," he said.

It is the fifth time that Mr. Ban is present at the UN-facilitated talks, which are aimed at eventually setting up a federal government with a single international personality in a bi-zonal, bi-communal country, with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot constituent states of equal status.
Jan 24 2012 4:10PM
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CÔTE D’IVOIRE: RELIEF SUPPORT KEY TO RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT – UN OFFICIAL

2012-01-24T13:10:00.000-08:00

CÔTE D'IVOIRE: RELIEF SUPPORT KEY TO RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT – UN OFFICIAL
New York, Jan 24 2012 4:10PM
A senior United Nations relief official stressed today that assisting the people of Côte d'Ivoire in overcoming their current humanitarian difficulties will lay the foundation for the country's transition to reconstruction and development after last year's bloody post-election violence.

"This is a historic opportunity for Côte d'Ivoire, and it is one that we cannot afford to miss," said Catherine Bragg, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affair, speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters following her three-day visit to the country last week.

UN agencies and their humanitarian partners are seeking $173 million this year to fund the country's relief priorities.

Requirements include enabling voluntary and durable return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees to their villages; protecting civilians; rebuilding 17,000 homes and rehabilitating more than 170 schools, as well as more than 100 health centres; providing basic services to vulnerable populations; and restoring sources of livelihood.

"The progress that has been made in terms of returns of close to a half million IDPs and refugees, while laudable, is not enough," said Ms. Bragg, who is also the UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator.

"Now is not the time for the international community or the Government to turn their attention away from the needs of a still sizeable population, who individually – each one of them – has endured hardship and insecurity for too long," she said.

"As a humanitarian community, if we continue to focus our efforts, work together more effectively, commit to more strategic priorities and receive the financial support we urgently need, we can address these challenges.

"We can support the most vulnerable across the country, including in Abidjan, and help them to reintegrate. We can help create the conditions for the 186,000 IDPs in Côte d'Ivoire, as well as the 161,000 Ivorian refugees in neighbouring countries, to return voluntarily and durably," said Ms. Bragg.
Jan 24 2012 4:10PM
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ICC PROSECUTOR HAILS RULING ON KENYA AS CRUCIAL STEP FOR COUNTRY’S FUTURE

2012-01-24T11:10:00.001-08:00

ICC PROSECUTOR HAILS RULING ON KENYA AS CRUCIAL STEP FOR COUNTRY'S FUTURE
New York, Jan 24 2012 2:10PM
The recent ruling by the International Criminal Court (ICC) requiring four prominent Kenyans to stand trial for crimes against humanity allegedly committed in late 2007 represents a significant step towards a peaceful future in the country, the Court's prosecutor said today.

"Yesterday's decision is establishing individual responsibility for the post-electoral violence but also for a peaceful Kenya," <"http://www.icc-cpi.int/NR/exeres/54E6388D-4DD0-4E85-8FA9-90DA95A2AFB3.htm">stressed Luis Moreno-Ocampo, adding that the ruling also holds international significance as it reiterates that no country has sovereignty to attack civilians.

Mr. Moreno-Ocampo said the Court was appreciative of the fact that Kenyan judges explained the decision in a public session and that there have been no reports of violence since the result.

"We also appreciate the fact that the accused appeared voluntarily before the court. This goes to show Kenya is managing its transition to a less violent future. President Kibaki yesterday committed to solve the problems of victims of violence still displaced. Victims do not have to wait for a conviction before they receive any help. The Government of Kenya has a responsibility to help its citizens," Mr. Moreno-Ocampo said.

The ICC confirmed charges against Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; William Samoei Ruto, former Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology; Francis Kirimi Muthaura, Head of the Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet; and Joshua arap Sang, Head of Operations for KASS FM radio station, who are accused of being responsible for the deaths of hundreds of civilians.

Mr. Moreno-Ocampo stressed the prosecution is already preparing for trial, but its start could be delayed if judges accept the appeal that has been put forward by some of the accused.

According to the ICC, more than 1,100 people were killed, 3,500 injured and up to 600,000 forcibly displaced in the violence that followed the December 2007 elections. There were also hundreds of rapes, possibly more, and at least 100,000 properties were destroyed.
Jan 24 2012 2:10PM
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SOMALIA: UN ENVOY RE-ESTABLISHES OFFICE IN MOGADISHU AFTER 17-YEAR HIATUS

2012-01-24T11:10:00.000-08:00

SOMALIA: UN ENVOY RE-ESTABLISHES OFFICE IN MOGADISHU AFTER 17-YEAR HIATUS
New York, Jan 24 2012 2:10PM
The United Nations envoy for Somalia, Augustine P. Mahiga, today formally moved his office back to the country's capital, Mogadishu, from neighbouring Kenya, where it has been based for 17 years.

Mr. Mahiga, who was received at the airport in Mogadishu by Somalia's Prime Minister, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, other officials and diplomats, said he was delighted that the UN Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) will now carry out its work from Mogadishu.

"I sincerely hope that the arrival of the UN Political Office will mark the start of renewed hope for the future of Somalia," <"http://unpos.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=9705&ctl=Details&mid=12667&ItemID=11574&language=en-US">said Mr. Mahiga.

"Being in Mogadishu will allow us to work far more closely with the Transitional Federal Institutions, the UN agencies and NGOs [non-governmental organizations] already based here, civil society and ordinary Somalis. We have much to do and we are eager to get straight to work," he said.

UNPOS was established shortly afterwards and has since been based in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. Six UN agencies have permanent staff in Mogadishu.

After a ceremony to raise the UN flag at the UNPOS office, Mr. Mahiga proceeded to Villa Somalia where he was welcomed by President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and presented his credentials.

He then went to the headquarters of the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) where he inspected a guard of honour and paid tribute to the remarkable sacrifice of peacekeepers and the Somali security forces in advancing the cause of peace.

"Without the incredible efforts and sacrifice of the troops from Somalia and other African countries, we would not be here today," said Mr. Mahiga.

He gave his pledge to the Somali people that the UNPOS relocation to Mogadishu would herald the beginning of a new era of cooperation and political engagement as the current political transitional period comes to an end later this year.
Jan 24 2012 2:10PM
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WORLD CHAMPION WATER POLO TEAM JOINS UN CONSERVATION EFFORT

2012-01-24T10:10:00.002-08:00

WORLD CHAMPION WATER POLO TEAM JOINS UN CONSERVATION EFFORT
New York, Jan 24 2012 1:10PM
The world champion Italian national water polo team has become the latest advocate recruited by the United Nations in its effort to raise international awareness about water conservation, the world body has announced.

The Italian squad, also known as the <i>azzurri</i> (blues), have become the most recent promoters of 'The Future We Want: Drop by Drop' – an information campaign spearheaded by the UN Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC) which invites Europeans to create a slogan inspiring others to preserve water.

"For the third year running we have reached out to creative Europeans to help us spread the message, this time with a view to the Rio+20 conference and on the crucial issue of water," <"http://www.dropbydrop.eu/en/world-champions-advocate-a-global-message_16092">said UNRIC Director Afsané Bassir-Pour.

The 'Drop by Drop' campaign is part of a larger effort at sensitizing the public to environmental issues ahead of Rio+20, the UN conference on sustainable development, which will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June.

Noting that people with easy access to water "tend to waste it," Ms. Bassir-Pour said that the campaign encouraged Europeans to design a newspaper ad for the UN emphasizing the importance of water as "the most precious of resources."

Lorenzo Ravina, head of the Italian delegation, also embraced the newfound cooperation between the Italian team and the UN.

"We are proud for having been chosen by the United Nations to represent this awareness campaign on water preservation," he said, adding that the Italian Swimming Federation has "always encouraged the culture of water and whatever, not only sport-wise, is linked to it."

Mr. Ravina said he was confident that through the Italian delegation's "humble contribution," the UN was "set to win its challenge" of spreading awareness about the value and importance of water throughout the world.
Jan 24 2012 1:10PM
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UN AGENCY CONDEMNS AIR RAIDS ON REFUGEE SITE IN SOUTH SUDAN

2012-01-24T10:10:00.001-08:00

UN AGENCY CONDEMNS AIR RAIDS ON REFUGEE SITE IN SOUTH SUDAN
New York, Jan 24 2012 1:10PM
The United Nations refugee agency today condemned two air raids near a refugee transit centre in South Sudan, saying that 14 people went missing during the attacks and that a teenage boy was injured.

"Bombing of civilian areas must be condemned in the strongest terms," Mireille Girard, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in South Sudan, <"http://www.unhcr.org/4f1ea9c49.html">said of the attacks on Elfoj in South Sudan's Upper Nile state yesterday.

More than 78,000 people have fled conflict in Sudan's South Kordofan and Blue Nile states since August. An estimated 54,000 have sought safety in South Sudan's Upper Nile state and in 24,000 in Unity state, according to UNHCR.

In the first air strike, several bombs fell at the refugee transit site, located less than 10 kilometres from the border with Sudan, UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming told reporters in Geneva. At the time of the raid about 5,000 refugees were at the transit site waiting to be moved to a new settlement.

Teams from UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) were supervising the relocation exercise when the first wave of bombings took place. Refugees jumped out of their trucks and fled.

The aid workers also ran for their own safety, but were later able to rapidly mobilize the refugees and the convoy of trucks left for a safer location, some 70 kilometres from the border between South Sudan and Sudan, with 1,140 individuals on board.

The trip brought to almost 11,500 the total number of refugees who have been moved from Elfoj since relocation started on 6 January. About 4,000 other refugees moved from Elfoj on their own.

There have been previous attacks on Sudanese refugees in border areas. New Gufa, an entry point for refugees in Maban County, Upper Nile state, was bombed for several days in November. Yida refugee settlement in Unity state was also hit.
Jan 24 2012 1:10PM
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=?Windows-1252?Q?AS=20UN=20FORUM=20OPENS, =20BAN=20URGES=20NATIONS=20TO=20=91SEIZE=20THE=20MOMENT=92=20TO=20ADVANCE=20DISARMAMENT?=

2012-01-24T10:10:00.000-08:00

AS UN FORUM OPENS, BAN URGES NATIONS TO 'SEIZE THE MOMENT' TO ADVANCE DISARMAMENT
New York, Jan 24 2012 1:10PM
Lamenting the lack of progress in recent years within the world's sole multilateral disarmament negotiating forum, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged its members to break the existing impasse and move the agenda forward.

"I urge you to seize this moment, when the world is focused intently on advancing disarmament goals," Mr. Ban said in a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=5821">message to the opening of the Conference on Disarmament, read out on his behalf by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG).

"I appeal to you to support the immediate commencement of negotiations in the Conference on agreed disarmament issues," he added. "Prior agreement on their scope or final outcomes should not be a precondition for the start of negotiations, or an excuse to avoid them.

"The tide of disarmament is rising, yet the Conference on Disarmament is in danger of sinking."

Established in 1979 as the single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum of the international community, the CD – as the Conference is known – primarily focuses on cessation of the nuclear arms race and nuclear disarmament, prevention of nuclear war, and prevention of an arms race in outer space, among other things.

It has been plagued in recent years by an inability to overcome differences among its members and start its substantive work towards advancing disarmament goals.

Mr. Ban reminded members that the CD and its predecessors have had some impressive accomplishments, including work on the Biological and Chemical Weapons Conventions, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

"Many of these were achieved during the Cold War, proving that it is possible to create global legal norms even in times of great political disagreements," he noted.

"Yet today, this distinguished body is no longer living up to expectations," Mr. Ban said, adding that the last occasion on which the Conference fulfilled the negotiating role given to it by the General Assembly was in 1996, when the CTBT emerged from an intensive three-year process.

"The future of the Conference is in the hands of its member States. But I can not stand by and watch it decline into irrelevancy, as States consider other negotiating arenas," said the Secretary-General.

"Let us restore the Conference to the central role it can and must play in strengthening the rule of law in the field of disarmament. It is our shared responsibility to make the Conference work, not only for us but for future generations."
Jan 24 2012 1:10PM
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UN REFUGEE AGENCY WARNS OF POTENTIAL POLIO CASES IN ETHIOPIAN CAMPS

2012-01-24T09:10:00.000-08:00

UN REFUGEE AGENCY WARNS OF POTENTIAL POLIO CASES IN ETHIOPIAN CAMPS
New York, Jan 24 2012 12:10PM
The United Nations refugee agency today voiced its concern over reports of two suspected polio cases this week among Somali refugees living in camps in Ethiopia and three cases in the surrounding community.

"The immediate priority is to confirm the outbreak, and samples have been collected and sent to Addis Ababa for laboratory confirmation," said spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Melissa Fleming at a press briefing in Geneva.

Ms. Fleming said UNHCR is working closely with the Ethiopian ministry of health, the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other health partners to coordinate the response in the five refugee camps in Dollo Ado, where the cases were reported.

"Once the strain of virus is identified, the appropriate vaccine will be dispatched to Dollo Ado for a mass vaccination campaign in the camps and surrounding communities," she <"http://www.unhcr.org/4f1ea7d99.html">said.

In addition, a nationwide anti-polio campaign is scheduled to start on 27 January and will be expanded to include all refugee camps.

A highly infectious disease caused by a virus, polio invades the nervous system and leads to irreversible paralysis in one out of 200 cases. Only three countries – Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan – remain polio-endemic today, and the number of cases has declined drastically in the past 25 years.

Ms. Fleming stressed that UNHCR and other agencies have strengthened its surveillance to identify other potential polio cases. "At community level, mobilization and sensitization efforts have been stepped up to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of polio and ways to prevent transmission.

"As the polio virus is transmitted through contaminated food and water, our partners providing water and sanitation are being engaged to ensure delivery of adequate services," she added.

According to UNHCR, some 143,000 Somalis are currently sheltered in five Ethiopian camps in Dollo Ado, which is now the second largest refugee settlement in the Horn of Africa. Almost one million Somalis live as refugees in the region while another 1.36 million are internally displaced.
Jan 24 2012 12:10PM
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IRAQ’S EXECUTION OF 34 PEOPLE IN ONE DAY ‘SHOCKING’ – UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF

2012-01-24T07:10:00.000-08:00

IRAQ'S EXECUTION OF 34 PEOPLE IN ONE DAY 'SHOCKING' – UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF
New York, Jan 24 2012 10:10AM
The United Nations human rights chief said today she was shocked at reports that 34 people were executed in Iraq in a single day last week and called on the country to institute an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

"Even if the most scrupulous fair trial standards were observed, this would be a terrifying number of executions to take place in a single day," High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay stated in a <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11774&LangID=E">news release.

"Given the lack of transparency in court proceedings, major concerns about due process and fairness of trials, and the very wide range of offences for which the death penalty can be imposed in Iraq, it is a truly shocking figure," she added.

The 34 individuals, including two women, were executed on 19 January following their conviction for various crimes, according to the UN human rights office (OHCHR).

The total number of individuals sentenced to death in Iraq since 2004 is believed to stand at more than 1,200. The total number actually executed since then is not known, although at least 63 individuals are thought to have been executed in the past two months alone.

The death penalty can be imposed in Iraq for around 48 crimes, including a number of non-fatal crimes such as – under certain circumstances – damage to public property.

"Most disturbingly," said Ms. Pillay, "we do not have a single report of anyone on death row being pardoned, despite the fact there are well documented cases of confessions being extracted under duress."

She called on the Government to implement an immediate moratorium on the institution of death penalty, noting that around 150 countries have now either abolished the death penalty in law or in practice, or introduced a moratorium.

The High Commissioner also urged the Government "to halt all executions and, as a matter of urgency, review the cases of those individuals currently on death row."
Jan 24 2012 10:10AM
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Sports Products Part 53

2012-01-24T00:24:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-24T00:21:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-24T00:20:00.004-08:00

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2012-01-24T00:20:00.003-08:00

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2012-01-24T00:19:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-24T00:17:00.002-08:00

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2012-01-24T00:17:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-24T00:16:00.004-08:00

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As children, we dream of someday exploring the great unknown

2012-01-24T00:16:00.003-08:00

As children, we dream of someday exploring the great unknown: the vast universe beyond our earth's atmosphere. Unless you are an astronaut of can shell out 100,000 dollars to catch a ride into space, chances are the closest you will ever get to the stars is your own back yard on a clear night.

Until now.

We are excited to introduce our first-of-its-kind space simulator, 3DAstronomer. Now you can explore the wonders of the universe- and you can do it safely in the comfort of your own home.

3DAstronomer is like Google Earth, but for the entire solar system and beyond. We have taken data gathered by the European Space Agency, including imagery, telemetry, and positional data for planet, asteroids and stars, and mapped it in 3D. The program is easy to use, with basic settings a child can manipulate. The program is suitable for educational purposes, for space enthusiasts, and professional astronomers or astrophysicists. Get up close and personal with the red sands of Mars, the moons of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, or the blazing surface of the sun. Visit the searing surface of Venus and view it in a panoramic 360° vista.

There has never been a space simulator program like 3DAstronomer. It can take you anywhere in space you want to go, and show you the wonder, beauty and the vastness of our galaxy… and beyond.

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3DAstronomer, our brand new and inimitable space simulation program

2012-01-24T00:16:00.001-08:00

3DAstronomer, our brand new and inimitable space simulation program, takes you into the vast expanse of outer space with the click of a mouse. With the default program, you can visit any of the program's catalogued objects and "fly" directly to it. You can soar to the edge of the dark side of the moon, take a close look at the eye of Jupiter, and examine the dusty rings of Saturn. With the basic program, you can visit all of the planets and their moons, the sun's fiery surface, and other celestial objects in our galaxy, and you can do it in three dimensions. The catalogue even includes objects, like stars, outside of our solar system.

The truly adventurous should know that 3DAstronomer is expandable. Space goes on and on and on and 3D Astronomer allows you to experience that. The program comes with a large catalog of stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and spacecraft to view in close proximity. And if that's not enough, you can download dozens of easy-to-install add-ons with even more objects.

You will find that 3DAstronomer grows with you as you learn more about the program, and more about the great expanse of outer space. Add-on packages keep a space-junkie in a perpetual state of amazement and wonder.

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3DAstronomer, the first of its kind space simulator

2012-01-24T00:15:00.001-08:00

3DAstronomer, the first of its kind space simulator, would be impressive if it was simply a static model of galactic information. However, 3DAstronomer goes beyond providing incredible images of stationary objects in space.

When launching the software, everything seems nice and calm. Actually, everything is moving. The activity is not visible because it is rendered in real-time. Depending upon the moment you launch the application, you will find that the Earth will be in a different position each time.

The objects in 3DAstronomer are constantly moving along their true paths, synchronized to your computer's time and date. 3DAstronomer also gives you the capability to manipulate time. Speed forward and watch shadows move around planetary bodies, moons fly through their orbit, or follow an asteroid on its journey through space.

3DAstronomer provides every realistic detail, so it feels like an actual journey into space. You will be able to see clouds drift by (where applicable) and shadows being cast on mountains and craters as the Sun sets low.

Navigation through time and space is easy with 3DAstronomer's manageable interface.

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3DAstronomer, the real-time space simulator

2012-01-24T00:14:00.001-08:00

3DAstronomer, the real-time space simulator, allows you to travel all throughout the solar system, to any of over 100,000 stars, or even beyond the galaxy. And you don't have to be an astrophysicist to manipulate the program. 3DAstronomer's straightforward interface makes roaming throughout the galaxy simple.

All movement in 3DAstronomer is seamless. A point-and-go-to interface makes it simple to navigate through the universe to the object you want to visit. The accessibility of the program makes exploring and learning about space fun, and never a chore. Remember, the expandable nature of the program makes it perfect for all ages. A 6-year-old can enjoy the basic program and 3DAstronomer will grow with him, so that in a few years, he can learn new applications and information hasn't even touched upon yet. 3DAstronomer emulates space; just when you think you've reached the end, it goes on and on.

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3DAstronomer is going to change the way we look at space

2012-01-24T00:13:00.001-08:00

3DAstronomer is going to change the way we look at space. Its easy interface allows students young and old to explore the universe in real-time, or in fast-time, roaring through the stars in hyper-speed.

How easy is it to manipulate time? Very easy! In the left upper corner of the screen, there is information about the selected object. Located in the lower left hand corner is the speed of your travel. If the line is at zero, you are moving in real-time and nothing will appear to be changing. Remember, the rotation of the earth and revolution around the sun cannot be sensed as we are standing on the earth: the same is true in this real-time simulation program.

Simply adjust the speed of your travel and learn the unbelievable size and magnitude of our universe firsthand! Learn how long it would take a shuttle to get to the far expanses of the galaxy. The program even allows you to chronicle each journey you make from the surface of the earth to any object in space.

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3DAstronomer is a tribute to both space exploration’s past and future

2012-01-24T00:12:00.002-08:00

3DAstronomer is a tribute to both space exploration's past and future. This program could never have been made without the courageous efforts those who dared to ask what was in the great unknown. Space exploration changed the way we look at the stars in the sky, and it also changed our visual perception of planet Earth. Consider the amazing feats of space exploration within the past 60 years:

In the 1950s, satellites revolutionized weather forecasting when they began beaming home television images of cloud patterns.

In the 19700s, astronaut photography showed the space images of the earth for the first time in true color- the so-called "Blue Marble" representation of our planet.

Since 1972, satellite sensors have been acquiring atmosphere, land, ice, and ocean data with increasing spectral, spatial, and temporal resolution. These satellite remote sensing systems, like NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) help us to understand and monior Earth's physical, chemical, and biological processes.

With 3DAstronomer, you will have the chance to look upon the earth as if you were hovering above the atmosphere. See for yourself the images that have helped us better understand our planet.

Sources:

Wielicki et al., 1995

Kaufman et al., 1998

Running et al., 1999

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The creative minds behind 3DAstronomer

2012-01-24T00:12:00.001-08:00

The creative minds behind 3DAstronomer are well-aware that technology is constantly evolving and that new discoveries in space are being made all the time. That's why 3DAstronomer is a program that is undergoing a rapid evolution in computer graphics. The basic 3DAstronomer, which is already expandable, has the capacity to continue to grow.

Add-on features will include entirely new solar systems with dozens of planets and moons drawn in vivid detail, sound effect, gaseous nebula clouds, new galaxies, stars, globular clusters, and spacecraft both real and imaginary.

The world of astronomy is constantly changing, and 3DAstronomer plan to keep up. There is no better way to continue to learn about the mysteries of the cosmos than with this incredible astronomical visualization tool.

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Navigating through space is effortless with 3DAstronomer

2012-01-24T00:11:00.003-08:00

Navigating through space is effortless with 3DAstronomer. Zooming from earth to Neptune is as simple as striking a few keys on the keyboard. Best of all, there is no intense training, no worries about shuttle malfunction, and no dry space-food. 3DAstronomer is truly the safest and simplest way to explore the universe!

Navigation throughout the galaxy is entirely controlled by your mouse and keyboard. Plotting a course between the moon and Mars is easy with the point-and-go-to interface. The entire navigation between stars and planets is controlled by you, quickly and easily with your mouse and keyboard, from changing the point of view to shifting course to a particular star or planet.

Best of all, you can get to the far reaches of the galaxy and beyond in minutes time. Remember, the Voyager Satellite just passed Pluto about a year ago, and it launched from earth in 1977…

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3DAstronomer is an incredibly accurate real-time 3D

2012-01-24T00:11:00.001-08:00

3DAstronomer is an incredibly accurate real-time 3D visualization tool optimized for astronomical applications. All data for the program was gathered by the European Space Agency, including telemetry, imagery, and positional data for planets, asteroids, and stars.

The program contains the Hipparcos database of stars with accurately measured distances. The European Agency gathered data during a four-year satellite mission, including precise solar system astrometric and photometric measurements. Thanks to this database, astronomers have been able to more accurately plottthe stars in the sky, and these exact measurements are represented on the 3DAstronomer program.

Stars not measured for the Hipparcos database include dim or variable stars, including close doubles.

3DAstronomer allows you to journey to the closest stars, including Alpha Centauri and Proxima Centauri. Make sure you visit the brightest star in the sky, Sirius, a mere 51 trillion miles from earth!

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With its point-and-go-to interface

2012-01-24T00:08:00.001-08:00

With its point-and-go-to interface, 3DAstronomer makes it easy to voyage into space, to get as close a look as possible planet surfaces, to move quickly beyond the moon, and to keep documentation of your journey.

With 3DAstronomer, you can do even more than travel through the universe in real-time or at hyper-speed! All movement in 3DAstronomer is seamless; the exponential zoom feature lets you explore space across a huge range of scales, from galaxy clusters to spacecraft only a few meters across.

3DAstronomer allows you to bring your camera with you, so you can capture images and even videos of your space travels. The file menu allows you to capture the displayed images and videos for future viewing. Space is huge and you may only visit some places once, so why not keep a record?

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Perhaps the most amazing aspect of the brand new

2012-01-24T00:07:00.001-08:00

Perhaps the most amazing aspect of the brand new, unique space simulation program, 3DAstronomer, is its uncanny ability to capture the imagination and excitement of its users. People who have dreamed about visiting distant planets since the time they were children are astounded by the capabilities and incredible imagery 3DAstronomer provides.

With 3DAstronomer, you can take a journey and see the surface of the blazing hot sun. Be stunned as you approach this radiating star with a golden luminous sphere around it. Watch the animated solar flares erupt from its surface. Position yourself above Jupiter and watch as its large moons drift across the face of the planet, casting multiple eclipse shadows on its banded clouds and Great Red Spot. Move beyond our galaxy and look back at the spectacle that is the Milky Way. Embrace the spirit of past space explorers:

As I stand out here in the wonders of the unknown at Hadley, I sort of realize there's a fundamental truth to our nature, Man must explore . . . and this is exploration at its greatest.

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Who exactly was 3DAstronomer made for

2012-01-24T00:06:00.002-08:00

Who exactly was 3DAstronomer made for? The answer is, simply, everyone. The program holds limitless possibilities. Children can quickly decipher the straightforward interface and can easily manipulate the basic program. Amateur astronomers and hobbyists will stand amazed as they continue to learn what the program is capable of.

But 3DAstronomer is not only for the amateur astronomers, but professionals and educators, as well. 3dAstronomer is a superb tool for educational purposes and enthusiastic astronomers as it contains additional data available in overlays and labels, such as planet names and constellations. The highly configurable display features let you add or remove detail at will. Moving around through the solar system and beyond to other galaxies can be achieved using a combination of keyboard shortcuts, or with a click of the mouse. 3DAstronomer is a 3D space simulator as well as a 3D astronomical database. Astronomers and astrophysicists will marvel at the quick retrieval of information via 3DAstronomer.

3DAstronomer can provide both purely recreational voyages and serious voyages into the outer space. It is the most versatile space simulation program ever created.

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What makes 3DAstronomer different from most planetarium software

2012-01-24T00:06:00.001-08:00

What makes 3DAstronomer different from most planetarium software? What makes 3DAstronomer so extraordinary?

First of all, unlike most planetarium software, 3DAstronomer doesn't confine you to the surface of the earth. You can travel throughout the solar system, to any of over 100,000 stars, or even beyond the galaxy.

Second, 3DAstronomer is the most realistic program out there! Its realistically plotted celestial objects orbit the sun in real-time. Every conceivable object floating in space has been added to the 3dAstronomer program, including all of the planets and their moons. The program even contains the catalog of 3,840 near-earth asteroids (NEAs) to observe as they blaze through space. Witness all of these objects in three dimensions, from various points of view, while traveling through space in real-time or at hyper-speed.

Finally, 3DAstronomer is committed to staying ahead of the game, bringing its users cutting-edge astronomical discoveries. 3DAstronomer was designed to grow as our knowledge of the universe grows; there is no end to what we can discover.

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3DAstronomer is the first-of-its-kind space simulator

2012-01-24T00:05:00.001-08:00

3DAstronomer is the first-of-its-kind space simulator that is going to revolutionize the way we look at space. The program allows us to explore out galaxy and beyond, in 3-D, right on our computer. This phenomenal open-source project takes data gathered by the European Space Agency and maps it in 3-D. Exact telemetry, positional data of celestial objects, and real images make this program a true journey into outer space.

How does the program work? The default installation enables you to select any of the catalogued objects (including the moon, the planets, the sun) and "fly" directly to it. You can then use the keyboard and mouse to move around in three dimensions, magnifying planets, orbiting them or selecting other objects (such as moons and asteroids) in the immediate area. You can even select stars outside our solar system and "visit" those!

It would take years to explore vast expanses brought into your home via the 3D Astronomer default program. But with an additional large catalog of 3D Astronomer add-ons, there's even more to see; there are places in the universe you never even knew existed, distant worlds you can visit with the click of your mouse.

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WORLD NEEDS 600 MILLION JOBS FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH OVER THE NEXT DECADE – UN REPORT

2012-01-23T16:10:00.000-08:00

WORLD NEEDS 600 MILLION JOBS FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH OVER THE NEXT DECADE – UN REPORT
New York, Jan 23 2012 7:10PM
The world needs to create 600 million new jobs over the next decade to sustain economic growth and maintain social stability, the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) said in its annual report on global employment unveiled today.

According to the report entitled 'Global Employment Trends 2012: Preventing a deeper jobs crisis,' the world faces the additional challenge of creating decent jobs for the estimated 900 million workers who subsist on less than $2 a day, most of them in developing countries.

"After three years of continuous crisis conditions in global labour markets and against the prospect of a further deterioration of economic activity, there is a backlog of global unemployment of 200 million," according to the report. More than 400 million new jobs will be needed over the next 10 years to absorb a labour force expansion of an estimated 40 million people.

"Despite strenuous government efforts, the jobs crisis continues unabated, with one in three workers worldwide – or an estimated 1.1 billion people – either unemployed or living in poverty," <"http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/press-and-media-centre/news/WCMS_171700/lang--en/index.htm">said Juan Somavia, the ILO Director-General. "What is needed is that job creation in the real economy must become our number one priority," he said.

The economic recovery that started in 2009 was short-lived, according to the report, which notes that there are still 27 million more unemployed workers than at the start of the crisis.

The fact that economies are not generating enough employment is reflected in the employment-to-population ratio (the proportion of the working-age population in employment), which suffered the largest decline on record between 2007, when it was 61.2 per cent, and 2010, when it fell to 60.2 per cent, according to the report.

There are nearly 29 million fewer people in the labour force now than would be expected based on pre-crisis trends. If these "discouraged workers" were counted as unemployed, then global unemployment would swell from the current 197 million to 225 million, and the unemployment rate would rise from 6 per cent to 6.9 per cent.

The report presents three scenarios on the employment situation in the future.

The baseline projection shows an additional 3 million unemployed for 2012, rising to 206 million by 2016. In the second scenario, if global economic growth rates fall below 2 per cent, then unemployment would rise to 204 million in 2012.

The better scenario assumes that there will be a quick resolution of the euro zone debt crisis, which would lead to global unemployment dropping by one million this year.

Some 74.8 million young people between the ages of 15 and 24 were unemployed last year, an increase of more than 4 million since 2007, according to the report. Young people are nearly three times as likely as adults to be unemployed. The global youth unemployment rate, at 12.7 per cent, remains a full percentage point above the pre-crisis level.
Jan 23 2012 7:10PM
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AT COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE, UN SEEKS TO ENSURE UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO RADIO SERVICES

2012-01-23T15:10:00.004-08:00

AT COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE, UN SEEKS TO ENSURE UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO RADIO SERVICES
New York, Jan 23 2012 6:10PM
Over 3,000 participants from 150 countries have gathered in Geneva today for a United Nations conference to review and revise the international treaty governing the use of radio-frequency and satellite orbits and which will focus on ensuring universal access to radio services worldwide.

The four-week conference, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), will examine the technical, regulatory and operational aspects involved in the allocation and sharing of radio frequency in various services such as maritime and aeronautical transport, as well as for environmental purposes such as meteorology and disaster prediction, mitigation and relief.

"The World Radiocommunication Conference will review and modify global spectrum regulations to ensure that this most precious resource is used effectively to benefit all players," <"http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2012/05.aspx">said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré.

"The aim is to ensure reliable radio services are available everywhere and at any time enabling people to live and travel safely while enjoying high performance radiocommunications."

In a news release issued by ITU, the agency stressed the importance of making the most of resources available at a time of rapid technological developments in information and communication technologies (ICTs).

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 are attending the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12).

"The decisions taken by the ITU membership during WRC-12 will play a vital role in contributing towards improved access and development of ICT wireless infrastructure, in particular in meeting the challenges of mobile broadband and ensuring that ICTs work for the benefit of all the world's people," said François Rancy, Director of ITU's Radiocommunication Bureau

He added that the main objective will be to "enable the introduction of the latest technological developments, while protecting investments and favouring economies of scale."

WRC-12 will also seek to advance the introduction of mobile broadband and other technologies such as the development of Ultra High Definition Television (UHDTV), as well as consider the potential for radiocommunications to act as a catalyst to reduce the impact of human activity on the environment.
Jan 23 2012 6:10PM
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UNESCO URGES MARITIME RESTRICTIONS FOR WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN ITALY

2012-01-23T15:10:00.003-08:00

UNESCO URGES MARITIME RESTRICTIONS FOR WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN ITALY
New York, Jan 23 2012 6:10PM
The United Nations agency tasked with safeguarding the world's cultural heritage <"http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/unesco_calls_for_restrictions_on_cruise_line_traffic_in_venice_following_costa_concordia_disaster/">called on Italy today to restrict maritime access to its most culturally and ecologically sensitive areas, including the lagoon city of Venice.

In the wake of the recent Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) urged the Italian Government to quickly develop alternative plans for seafaring traffic around the World Heritage site of Venice.

The Northern Italian city is a renowned tourist destination and is visited by almost 300 large cruise ships each year.

On 13 January, the hull of the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia was torn open after it ran aground off the coast of Tuscany's Giglio Island. According to media reports, 15 people died and at least 18 are still missing. The ship was also carrying a reported 2,400 tonnes of fuel, prompting widespread concerns about a potential environmental disaster.

"The tragic accident reinforces longstanding concern over the risk that large cruise liners pose to sites inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, particularly the Venice Lagoon and the Basin of San Marco," wrote Francesco Bandarin, UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Culture, in a letter to the Italian Ministry of the Environment.

Mr. Bandarin, who was writing on behalf of UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, also expressed the agency's condolences for "the tragic loss of life" caused by the accident and praised the efforts of rescue teams and the local population in dealing with the disaster's aftermath.

The regular cruise liner traffic in Venice has contributed to damaging the fragile structure of the city, according to the agency. The massive ships cause water tides that erode the foundations of buildings and contribute to polluting the natural environment of the surrounding lagoon.
Jan 23 2012 6:10PM
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT AND SOMALI MINISTER DISCUSS SECURITY IN MOGADISHU

2012-01-23T15:10:00.002-08:00

GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT AND SOMALI MINISTER DISCUSS SECURITY IN MOGADISHU
New York, Jan 23 2012 6:10PM
The President of the General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, held talks today with the Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia, in which he discussed the developments in the security situation in the country.

Hussein Arab Isse, who is also Minister of Defense, told Mr. Al-Nasser that the security situation had significantly improved in Mogadishu, the capital, since last July.

During the meeting, Mr. Al-Nasser stressed the necessity of carrying through the implementation of the Somali Roadmap adopted last September to ensure meeting the August 2012 deadline for the end of the transition process, and reaffirmed the Assembly's readiness to offer assistance to the Somali people.

The Roadmap spells out priority measures to be implemented before the current transitional governing arrangements end next August in the areas of security, writing a constitution, reconciliation and good governance.

It also calls on the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to lead the implementation, working with the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP), regional entities, and all sectors of society, including women, the business community, religious leaders, elders and youth.

The two men also discussed the agenda for the upcoming London Meeting on Somalia, which will be held on 23 February with the aim of addressing the issue of development and humanitarian aid to the country.
Jan 23 2012 6:10PM
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DARFUR: SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS ATTACK ON UN-AFRICAN UNION PEACEKEEPERS

2012-01-23T15:10:00.001-08:00

DARFUR: SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS ATTACK ON UN-AFRICAN UNION PEACEKEEPERS
New York, Jan 23 2012 6:10PM
The Security Council today strongly condemned this weekend's attack on a United Nations-African Union patrol in Darfur, which resulted in one death, and called on the Sudanese Government to bring the perpetrators to justice.

One Nigerian peacekeeper serving with the mission, known as UNAMID, was killed in Saturday's attack and three others were wounded, one of them seriously.

"The members of the Security Council expressed their condolences to the family of the peacekeeper killed in the attack, as well as to the Government of Nigeria," Ambassador Baso Sangqu of South Africa, which holds the 15-member body's presidency for this month, said in a statement read out to the press.

"They called on the Government of Sudan to bring the perpetrators to justice, and stressed that there must be an end to impunity for those who attack peacekeepers," he added.

Council members also reiterated their full support for UNAMID and called on all parties in Darfur to cooperate with the mission.

Fighting and large-scale displacement has convulsed Darfur since 2003, when rebels took up arms against the Government, whose military forces responded with the support of allied militiamen.

Deployed at the start of 2008, UNAMID is tasked with protecting civilians, promoting an inclusive peace process and help ensuring the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance across Darfur, an arid region on Sudan's western flank.
Jan 23 2012 6:10PM
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COMMODITY-PRODUCING COUNTRIES NEED TO BENEFIT FROM VALUE-ADDED EXPORTS, SAYS UN

2012-01-23T15:10:00.000-08:00

COMMODITY-PRODUCING COUNTRIES NEED TO BENEFIT FROM VALUE-ADDED EXPORTS, SAYS UN
New York, Jan 23 2012 6:10PM
Low-income countries need help to enable them to benefit from the added value derived from the agricultural produce and natural resources that are the mainstays of many of their economies, experts attending a United Nations-backed <"http://www.unctad.info/en/Global-Commodities-Forum-2012/?id=74189">forum said today.

Speakers at the third Global Commodities Forum, hosted by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), said that despite a decade's worth of rising commodity prices, the so-called commodity dependent developing countries (CDDCs) have been unable to benefit from the higher prices, diversify their economies and raise living standards.

The theme of the two-day forum in Geneva is 'harnessing development gains from commodities production and trade.'

"There has been ongoing debate on diversification for CDDCs. From 2002 to 2010, the number of CDDCs increased from 85 to 91," said Supachai Panitchpakdi, the UNCTAD Secretary-General, in his address to the forum.

"While we have been trying to find ways to advise countries to be less commodity-dependent, CDDCs have actually become more heavily dependent on commodities exports, and the number of countries that are dependent has increased," he said.

There is need to use the benefits that come from higher prices for "long-term development purposes," he said. Royalties and wages earned by developing countries from commodities frequently are only a small portion of the final sales prices of the finished goods made from them. The bulk of the profits accrue overseas, he added.

Mr. Supachai said the mining of natural resources in developing countries, for example, often results in "enclave economies" that do not generate broad economic "spill over" benefits for the producer nations.

Ways should be found "to spawn wider economic activities" coming from mining, he said, so that more of the upgrading of these natural resources occurs domestically, creating jobs with higher wages.

Ibrahim Al-Adoofi, Vice President of the UNCTAD Trade and Development Board, told the meeting that the forum is part of broad efforts to prepare the way for the UNCTAD XIII quadrennial conference to be held in Doha from 21 to 26 April.

"New developments in the global economy have exposed the limitations in our current development model," said Mr. Al-Adoofi. "It is necessary to steer commodities development efforts in new directions."
Jan 23 2012 6:10PM
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UN-FACILITATED TALKS BETWEEN CYPRIOT LEADERS BEGIN IN NEW YORK

2012-01-23T14:10:00.001-08:00

UN-FACILITATED TALKS BETWEEN CYPRIOT LEADERS BEGIN IN NEW YORK
New York, Jan 23 2012 5:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met today with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities as they began two days of United Nations-facilitated talks on reunifying the divided Mediterranean island nation.

This is the fifth time that the Secretary-General is present at talks between Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Dervis Eroglu, as they continue the negotiations begun in 2008.

Ahead of the talks, Mr. Ban said he looked forward to "a productive meeting and concrete progress" during the two-day session being held at the Greentree Estate on Long Island.

The UN-facilitated talks are aimed eventually setting up a federal government with a single international personality in a bi-zonal, bi-communal country, with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot constituent states of equal status.
Jan 23 2012 5:10PM
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SENIOR UN OFFICIAL ENCOURAGES STRONG HUMANITARIAN PARTNERSHIP WITH OMAN

2012-01-23T14:10:00.000-08:00

SENIOR UN OFFICIAL ENCOURAGES STRONG HUMANITARIAN PARTNERSHIP WITH OMAN
New York, Jan 23 2012 5:10PM
A senior United Nations official today hailed Oman's growing role in responding to disasters and in search and rescue operations, while calling for strengthening of the world body's partnership with the country on humanitarian issues.

"The relationship between Oman and OCHA has developed substantially in recent years, and OCHA attaches great importance to the increasing role of the Sultanate in regional and international humanitarian affairs," said Valerie Amos, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Ms. Amos, who is also Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, met with a number of senior officials during her one-day visit, which followed a visit yesterday to neighbouring Qatar.

"Oman has built a strong national capacity to respond to natural disasters and shown its commitment to disaster preparedness through a comprehensive reorganization of its disaster management and emergency response systems," she stated.

"Oman has a wealth of experience to share with the entire international humanitarian community, and OCHA stands ready to support and facilitate any such exchange of information and knowledge."

Examples of collaboration include a workshop in the capital, Muscat, in January 2010 that established the Regional Humanitarian Information Network for the Middle East, and Oman's hosting of a course in 2009 on training disaster responders from the region in humanitarian coordination and assessment.

The country is also an active participant in the global International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) network of countries and organizations dedicated to urban search and rescue and operational field coordination.
Jan 23 2012 5:10PM
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SOUTH SUDAN: UN ENVOY URGES SENDING MORE GOVERNMENT FORCES TO TROUBLED STATE

2012-01-23T13:10:00.002-08:00

SOUTH SUDAN: UN ENVOY URGES SENDING MORE GOVERNMENT FORCES TO TROUBLED STATE
New York, Jan 23 2012 4:10PM
The top United Nations envoy in South Sudan stressed today that the best way to protect civilians in the strife-torn state of Jonglei is through military deterrence and urged the Government to deploy more troops and police in the area to patrol buffer zones between rival communities and defuse tensions.

Hilde Johnson, the Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), told reporters in New York via a video-link that the UN had stepped up operations in Jonglei and is now flying daily reconnaissance missions and deploying troops into areas where civilians are most at risk of attacks.

She voiced deep concern over hate speech emanating from individuals and groups inside and outside Jonglei, and warned those responsible that inciting ethnic violence is a violation of international law and a crime under South Sudan's domestic laws.

"The United Nations condemns this in the strongest terms," said Ms. Johnson. "I have called the leadership at all levels in Jonglei state and nationally to demand a halt to this invective. The same message of condemnation came from the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, in his address to the national legislative assembly today," she said.

She also urged the Government to bring the full force of the law to bear on those responsible for instigating ethnic animosity through hate speech.

Deadly clashes between the Lou Nuer and Murle communities in recent weeks have displaced tens of thousands of civilians and prompted UN agencies to launch a major humanitarian operation to assist those in need.

UNMISS took decisive measures last month when a column of an estimated 8,000 armed Lou Nuer youth was detected advancing on the town of Pibor, which is inhabited by the Murle ethnic group.

"We moved our forces to where civilians were under greatest threat and committed about half of our combat-ready personnel to heavily populated areas like Pibor County. Eight of our 15 companies were mobilized for this operation," said Ms. Johnson.

"Our deterrent measures and early warning alerts enabled a large number of civilians in Jonglei state to move out of harm's way ahead of time, thereby saving thousands of lives," she said, adding that the number of casualties would have been much higher had UNMISS not acted.

She praised the Government's decision to conduct an investigation into the violence and to bring those responsible to justice. "The instigators of these terrible attacks and counter-attacks must be held to account." The Government's decision to create a peace team to lead reconciliation efforts in Jonglei is also commendable, Ms. Johnson added.

Meanwhile, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said that humanitarian interventions in areas such as South Sudan would greatly benefit from improved telecommunications given the level of the need for relief services and the remoteness of some of the areas where aid is required.

"There is currently no public telecommunications infrastructure in South Sudan," said Arthur Sawmadal, the WFP Head of Information Technology in South Sudan.

"We rely on the mobile network and this is limited to the capital cities and a few locations in the field. Satellite services by commercial providers have overstretched capacity so what connectivity we do have is not only expensive, but unreliable."

As the global leader of the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster, WFP is collaborating with the Directorate for Development Cooperation of the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs and telecommunications company Ericsson to develop a cutting-edge solution to assist the entire humanitarian community operating in disaster situations.

'emergency.lu' is a comprehensive solution to address the challenge of rapid response capacity by filling the communications gap that often occurs at the onset of large-scale disasters, especially in remote locations. The solution consists of satellite infrastructure and capacity; communication and coordination services; satellite ground terminals for long-term and rapid deployment; and transportation of equipment to the disaster area.
Jan 23 2012 4:10PM
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BAN APPOINTS NEW FORCE COMMANDER FOR UN OPERATION IN LEBANON

2012-01-23T13:10:00.001-08:00

BAN APPOINTS NEW FORCE COMMANDER FOR UN OPERATION IN LEBANON
New York, Jan 23 2012 4:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2012/sga1321.doc.htm">appointed Major General Paolo Serra of Italy as the new head of the United Nations mission responsible for helping foster stability in southern Lebanon.

As Force Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Major General Serra will be at the helm of what is considered to be one of the most dangerous peacekeeping operations in the world.

He succeeds Major General Alberto Asarta Cuevas of Spain, whose tour of duty is slated to end on 28 January, after three years of service. The Secretary-General expressed his gratitude to Major General Asarta Cuevas for his "excellent service and leadership."

During his visit to the mission's headquarters in Naqoura over a week ago, Mr. Ban emphasized the unique risk faced by UNIFIL, saying that while peacekeeping was always dangerous, it was "especially deadly in Lebanon."

The mission has lost 293 personnel since it began in 1978. And just last month, five French peacekeepers were wounded in a roadside bomb near the port city of Tyre – the third such attack in 2011.

Major General Serra brings with him wide-ranging experience in commanding troops in multinational peace operations, including in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Mozambique.

UNIFIL currently has around 12,100 military personnel from 35 countries and about 1,000 national and international civilian staff members.
Jan 23 2012 4:10PM
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HAITI: UN OPENS PROBE INTO CASES OF ALLEGED CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

2012-01-23T13:10:00.000-08:00

HAITI: UN OPENS PROBE INTO CASES OF ALLEGED CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
New York, Jan 23 2012 4:10PM
The United Nations announced today that it is investigating two cases of sexual exploitation of children allegedly committed by its police personnel in Haiti.

The first case involves UN Police (UNPOL) officers based in the capital, Port-au-Prince, while the second case involves one or more members of the Formed Police Unit (FPU) in Gonaives, UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky told reporters in New York.

"The United Nations is outraged by these allegations and takes its responsibility to deal with them extremely seriously," stated Mr. Nesirky.

He added that the police contributing countries concerned have been informed. However, unlike cases involving UN military personnel, investigations into allegations involving UN police personnel fall under the responsibility of the UN. For this reason, a UN team was dispatched to Haiti on Saturday to investigate the allegations.

The UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) stated in a news release that an investigation was immediately opened after the allegations were made.

In addition, the UN Police Commissioner relieved the two suspects of their duties as a precaution to prevent them from having any contact with the population and to prevent any attempts to interfere with the investigation.

"I want to reiterate my commitment to uphold the policy of zero tolerance of abuse by the staff of the Mission" said Mariano Fernández, the Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of MINUSTAH. "Each member of the UN personnel, whether he or she is a civilian, member of the military or police, must observe a standard of exemplary conduct.

"This is a commitment that is required when joining the United Nations, anywhere in the world. We will continue to take the strictest measures to ensure, where appropriate, that the perpetrators of such acts are punished with the utmost severity," he added.

The UN has a strategy in place to assist victims of exploitation and sexual abuse. In Haiti, MINUSTAH implements it in coordination with other UN agencies and national stakeholders. This mechanism is meant to guarantee that the victims receive medical and psychological support as fast as possible.
Jan 23 2012 4:10PM
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NEW ONLINE TOOL FEATURING VIDEO TESTIMONIES OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS DEBUTS AT UN

2012-01-23T11:10:00.000-08:00

NEW ONLINE TOOL FEATURING VIDEO TESTIMONIES OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS DEBUTS AT UN
New York, Jan 23 2012 2:10PM
Students everywhere will have the opportunity to learn more about the Holocaust thanks to a new online educational resource that debuted at United Nations Headquarters today and showcases video testimonies of survivors of one of the world's greatest tragedies.

IWitness – produced by the Shoah Foundation Institute at the University of Southern California – provides teachers and students access to the video testimonies of more than 1,000 Holocaust eyewitnesses from the Institute's archive of nearly 52,000 testimonies.

"As students learn more about the Holocaust and the significance of this history today, they will soon discover its connection to their own lives and communities," said Kiyo Akasaka, UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information.

The UN partnered with the Shoah Foundation Institute in bringing more than 350 high school students to the world body's Headquarters to discuss their experiences with IWitness and to interview Holocaust survivor Roman Kent, whose testimony they have studied as part of IWitness.

"Our collaboration with the Shoah Foundation Institute is another wonderful example of how the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme works with organizations around the world to help young people – like yourselves – understand the history and horrors of one of the world's greatest tragedies that occurred many, many years ago before you were born," Mr. Akasaka told participants at the event.

"With the IWitness online application, students everywhere can search, watch and learn about the real life stories of more than 1,000 Holocaust survivors," he said. "You will also learn about the dangers of hatred and prejudice in our world today."

The Shoah Foundation Institute was established by United States filmmaker Steven Spielberg in 1994 to collect and preserve the testimonies of the survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust. It maintains one of the largest video digital libraries in the world – nearly 52,000 video testimonies in 32 languages and from 56 countries.

"Through IWitness, survivors will continue to teach students about the Holocaust, inspire them to oppose intolerance, and empower them to develop the literacies needed for the 21st century," said Stephen D. Smith, the Institute's Executive Director. "We are grateful to the nearly 52,000 witnesses who have entrusted their memories to the Institute as a guiding light for all humanity."

Today's programme was held as part of a series of events to mark the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, which is observed annually on 27 January. This year's theme is "Children and the Holocaust."

In a related development, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced that Samuel Pisar, a Polish-born Holocaust survivor and acclaimed international lawyer, author and human rights activist, will be designated as an Honorary Ambassador and Special Envoy for Holocaust Education.

Mr. Pisar will receive the designation at a ceremony on Friday at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris.
Jan 23 2012 2:10PM
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ONLINE FEATURES ESSENTIAL FOR FUTURE OF POSTAL SERVICES – UN REPORT

2012-01-23T10:10:00.002-08:00

ONLINE FEATURES ESSENTIAL FOR FUTURE OF POSTAL SERVICES – UN REPORT
New York, Jan 23 2012 1:10PM
Online services that allow users to track and trace packages, find post office locations, transfer money and pay bills electronically, among other activities, are becoming increasingly important for the postal industry, according to a study released today by the United Nations global post agency.

The study points to a rapid growth in postal e-services in recent years with 85 services of this kind having been introduced in 2010 alone, compared to 33 in 2007.

"What this study shows is that, as physical mail volumes decline, posts are not standing on the sidelines," <"http://news.upu.int/news/news-details/article/new-study-posts-consider-postal-e-services-strategically-important-for-future///cfe4e014a578ecdba305949083a9a2fe/">said Edouard Dayan, Director General of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). "They are being innovative and making strategic use of new technologies to diversify their products and services to meet customers' increasingly changing needs."

The report provides an index ranking electronic postal services worldwide and places Switzerland, Belarus, Italy, Germany and Qatar at the top of the list of countries with the best overall development of postal e-services, followed by Tunisia, France, the Republic of Korea (ROK), the United States and Canada.

The report stresses that even though industrialized countries provide on average twice the number of e-services than their counterparts in developing countries, several of the latter are providing innovative solutions.

"Innovation capacity is totally independent of wealth, which is why several posts from developing countries are considered leaders in some areas," Mr. Dayan said.

The study divides 55 electronic services into four categories which include e-post, e-finance, e-commerce and e-government. E-post services are the most developed, followed by e-finance and e-commerce. E-government is still relatively new, with the number of countries providing such services insufficient to allow for the development of an index for this category.

In addition, the report also identified services which are considered strategically important but are currently underdeveloped. These include providing electronic signatures, notifying customers of deliveries via mobile text messages or e-mail, online changes of addresses, the provision of electronic postal certification marks, postal registered electronic mail, and electronic customs documents and digital identities.

Even though postal e-services are considered increasingly important, the study also reveals that some posts are still not giving them enough attention in terms of financing, market development and organizational management.

The study further suggests that such services currently contribute modestly to the bottom line – an average 1.5 per cent of a post's global revenues.

"A few posts are reporting confidentially that e-services are generating upwards of 30 per cent of their revenues," said Farah Abdallah, UPU e-services expert, who co-authored the study. "This shows that if posts develop a comprehensive digital strategy, there is potential for sustainable growth," she added.
Jan 23 2012 1:10PM
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ICC SENDS PROMINENT KENYANS TO TRIAL FOR CRIMES RELATED TO POST-ELECTION VIOLENCE

2012-01-23T10:10:00.001-08:00

ICC SENDS PROMINENT KENYANS TO TRIAL FOR CRIMES RELATED TO POST-ELECTION VIOLENCE
New York, Jan 23 2012 1:10PM
The International Criminal Court (ICC) today ruled that four prominent Kenyans, including the deputy prime minister, are to stand trial for crimes against humanity and other offences allegedly committed following general elections in late 2007.

The ICC pre-trial chamber <"http://www.icc-cpi.int/NR/exeres/7036023F-C83C-484E-9FDD-0DD37E568E84.htm">confirmed charges against Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; William Samoei Ruto, former Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology; Francis Kirimi Muthaura, Head of the Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet; and Joshua arap Sang, Head of Operations for KASS FM radio station.

With respect to Mr. Ruto and Mr. Sang, who are charged with crimes against humanity, deportation or forcible transfer and persecution, the pre-trial judges found that "on the basis of the evidence presented, that they are responsible for the charges levied against them," according to a summary of the pre-trial chamber's decision.

"These crimes resulted in the death of hundreds, and the displacement of thousands of civilians from Turbo town, the greater Eldoret area, Kapsabet town and Nandi Hills. The Chamber also found that these crimes were committed as part of an attack directed against particular groups, namely, Kikuyu, Kamba and Kisii, due to their perceived political affiliation to the Party of National Unity."

As regards Mr. Kenyatta and Mr. Muthaura, the court found that the prosecution had established substantial grounds to believe that the crimes of murder, deportation or forcible transfer, rape, other inhumane acts and persecution were committed in an attack on the civilian residents of Nakuru and Naivasha towns between 24 and 28 January 2008.

"With respect to the criminal responsibility of Mr. Muthaura and Mr. Kenyatta, the chamber was satisfied that the evidence also established substantial grounds to believe that they are criminally responsible for the alleged crimes, as indirect co-perpetrators."

"As a result of the decisions issued today, Mr. Ruto, Mr. Sang, Mr. Muthaura and Mr. Kenyatta are committed to trial. They will be tried before a different chamber for the charges confirmed. To this end, one or more trial chambers will be established by the Presidency of the ICC," the pre-trial chamber stated in its ruling.

The pre-trial chamber declined to confirm charges against two other suspects – Henry Kiprono Kosgey, former Minister of Industrialization, and Mohamed Hussein Ali, the Police Commissioner at the time of the violence, saying that the prosecution had not produced sufficient evidence to link them to the charges against them.

"It is our utmost desire that the decisions issued by this chamber today bring peace to the people of the Republic of Kenya and prevent any sort of hostility," pre-trial judges Ekaterina Trendafilova, the presiding judge, and her colleagues, Hans-Peter Kaul and Cuno Tarfusser, said in their decisions.

"The decisions are the result of intensive and committed judicial work of the chamber, conducted impartially, independently and conscientiously in the interests and in the service of justice," they added.

More than 1,100 people were killed, 3,500 injured and up to 600,000 forcibly displaced in the violence that followed the December 2007 elections. There were also hundreds of rapes, possibly more, and at least 100,000 properties were destroyed, according to ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo.
Jan 23 2012 1:10PM
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IN BANGKOK, UN OFFICIAL STRESSES DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT FOLLOWING DEADLY FLOODS

2012-01-23T10:10:00.000-08:00

IN BANGKOK, UN OFFICIAL STRESSES DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT FOLLOWING DEADLY FLOODS
New York, Jan 23 2012 1:10PM
The head of the United Nations agency dealing with disaster risk reduction <"http://www.unisdr.org/archive/24766">met today with officials in Thailand to discuss new proposals on risk management and to urge government support for business continuity plans following the costliest disaster in the country's history.

The cost of the severe floods which hit the Thai capital, Bangkok, in October – the worst in five decades – is estimated at $40 billion. More than 1,000 factories were shut down and 700,000 people were out of work. Over 800 people died in the disaster.

"In each of the last two years 15 per cent to 16 per cent of Thailand's population has been affected by disasters, mainly floods," noted Margareta Wahlström, the head of the secretariat of the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR)

"I welcome the details of the government's plan to mitigate future flooding, including a re-forestation programme and improved procedures around the release of water from hydro-electric dams," she said.

"What we have clearly seen now is that disaster risk is following economic development pathways in Thailand as it is in many other parts of the world," added Ms. Wahlström, who is the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction.

"I appreciate from my meetings with the government, private business people and the Chamber of Commerce that the sheer scale of the economic losses provides an opportunity for a major re-think about the role of risk management and disaster risk reduction in preventing a recurrence of this type of disaster."

Ms. Wahlström met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Kittiratt Na-Ranong, visited the ancient site of Ayutthaya and met with representatives of the Fine Arts Department, who explained that flood defences were insufficient to protect the heritage site.

"It is important for future generations that the protection of heritage is included in the overall national water and flood management plan," she stated. "Climate change and increased weather variability means that we can expect more floods and we need to be prepared."

According to figures released last week by UNISDR, floods claimed over 5,000 lives in 2011 while storms claimed over 3,000.

In addition, more than 45 per cent of the disasters that occurred in 2011 took place in Asia. Over 85 per cent of those killed and those affected globally and 75 per cent of economic damages were also in Asia.
Jan 23 2012 1:10PM
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EXPERTS FROM UN NUCLEAR WATCHDOG AGENCY TO VISIT IRAN NEXT WEEK

2012-01-23T09:10:00.000-08:00

EXPERTS FROM UN NUCLEAR WATCHDOG AGENCY TO VISIT IRAN NEXT WEEK
New York, Jan 23 2012 12:10PM
Experts from the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will visit Iran next week in an effort to resolve outstanding issues related to the country's nuclear programme, it was announced today.

Last November the head of the IAEA said there is "credible" information that Iran is developing a nuclear weapon and had called on the country to agree to a visit by a high-level team to clarify the nature of its nuclear programme.

In a statement issued today in Vienna, where the Agency is based, Director General Yukiya Amano announced the upcoming visit, which will take place from 29 to 31 January.

"The overall objective of the IAEA is to resolve all outstanding substantive issues," said the statement.

The team will be led by the Deputy Director General for Safeguards, Herman Nackaerts, and will include the Assistant Director General for Policy, Rafael Grossi.

"The Agency team is going to Iran in a constructive spirit, and we trust that Iran will work with us in that same spirit," said Mr. Amano.

Iran has repeatedly stated that its nuclear programme is for the peaceful purpose of providing energy, but many countries contend it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

The Security Council has imposed four rounds of sanctions against Iran, citing the proliferation risks of its nuclear programme and its continued failure to cooperate with the IAEA.
Jan 23 2012 12:10PM
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UN TRIBUNAL WELCOMES ARREST OF FORMER MEMBER OF SERB PARAMILITARY FORCES

2012-01-23T08:10:00.000-08:00

UN TRIBUNAL WELCOMES ARREST OF FORMER MEMBER OF SERB PARAMILITARY FORCES
New York, Jan 23 2012 11:10AM
The United Nations war crimes tribunal for the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s welcomed the arrest of Radovan Stankovic, a former member of a Serb paramilitary unit who faces multiple charges for crimes against humanity.

Mr. Stankovic was arrested over the weekend in Bosnia and Herzegovina, more than four years after he escaped from prison in May 2007.

"Today's apprehension of Stankovic is significant for the victims of the grave crimes he has been convicted for," <"http://www.icty.org/sid/10892">said Serge Brammertz, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

"I hope that this arrest reflects an increased commitment of the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to support the process of bringing to justice those responsible for the grave crimes committed on their territory in the early 1990s."

Mr. Stankovic was first indicted by the ICTY, which is based in The Hague, in 1992. He was then transferred by the Tribunal to Bosnia and Herzegovina in September 2005, where he was convicted to 20 years in prison by the State Court for war crimes, including the rape and enslavement of Muslim women and girls. However, he escaped from prison in Foca two years after his sentencing.

Since then, the ICTY had repeatedly called for his arrest and emphasized the importance of apprehending him to make progress in bringing those responsible for war crimes in the region to justice.
Jan 23 2012 11:10AM
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UN RIGHTS CHIEF SPEAKS OUT AGAINST US FAILURE TO CLOSE GUANTANAMO DETENTION FACILITY

2012-01-23T07:10:00.000-08:00

UN RIGHTS CHIEF SPEAKS OUT AGAINST US FAILURE TO CLOSE GUANTANAMO DETENTION FACILITY
New York, Jan 23 2012 10:10AM
The United Nations human rights chief today spoke out against the failure by the United States to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and to ensure accountability for serious violations – including torture – that took place there.

"It is 10 years since the US Government opened the prison at Guantanamo, and now three years since 22 January 2009, when the President ordered its closure within 12 months," High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay stated in a <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=11772&LangID=E">news release.

"Yet the facility continues to exist and individuals remain arbitrarily detained – indefinitely – in clear breach of international law," she added.

Ms. Pillay voiced disappointment that instead of closing the facility, the US Government has "entrenched" a system of arbitrary detention, with the new National Defense Authorization Act. Signed into law last month, the Act now effectively codifies such indefinite military detention without charge or trial.

"This piece of legislation contravenes some of the most fundamental tenets of justice and human rights, namely the right to a fair trial and the right not to be arbitrarily detained. Nobody should ever be held for years on end without being tried and convicted, or released," she stated.

While fully recognizing the right and duty of States to protect their people and territory from terrorist acts, she reminded the US Government of its obligation under international human rights law to ensure that individuals deprived of their liberty can have the lawfulness of their detention reviewed before a court.

"Where credible evidence exists against Guantanamo detainees, they should be charged and prosecuted. Otherwise, they must be released."

Ms. Pillay also stressed that individuals found to have perpetrated, ordered, tolerated or condoned torture and ill-treatment should be brought to justice, and urged the Government, so long as Guantanamo remains open, to ensure that conditions of detention comply fully with human rights standards under international law.

She said she was disturbed by the Government's failure to allow independent human rights monitoring of the detention conditions at Guantanamo.
Jan 23 2012 10:10AM
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BAN CONDEMNS DEADLY ATTACKS IN NIGERIAN CITY OF KANO

2012-01-21T19:10:00.000-08:00

BAN CONDEMNS DEADLY ATTACKS IN NIGERIAN CITY OF KANO
New York, Jan 21 2012 10:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned today the multiple attacks across the northern Nigerian city of Kano, which resulted in large-scale casualties and massive destruction to property.

According to media reports, an estimated 150 people were killed on Friday during a series of explosions targeting police buildings and immigration centres around the city.

In a message issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban said he was "appalled at the frequency and intensity of recent attacks in Nigeria, which demonstrate a wanton and unacceptable disregard for human life."

Mr. Ban voiced his solidarity with the Government and people of Nigeria, and expressed his hope for swift and transparent investigations into the attacks to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

Mr. Ban also extended his sincere condolences to the people of Nigeria and to the bereaved families.
Jan 21 2012 10:10PM
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AT HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY, UN URGES PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM WAR

2012-01-21T18:10:00.000-08:00

AT HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY, UN URGES PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM WAR
New York, Jan 21 2012 9:10PM
The United Nations held today a remembrance service to honour the memory of the estimated six million Jews and countless others killed in the Nazi death camps during the Second World War, highlighting the need to protect children from the scourges of war.

"One and a half million Jewish children perished," said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during the Holocaust Remembrance Service at the Park East Synagogue in New York. "Tens of thousands of others were murdered, including people with disabilities, as well as Roma and Sinti.

"Many died of starvation or disease. Many others were orphaned by the war, or ripped away from their families. We will never know what these boys and girls might have contributed to our world. And many survivors were too shattered to tell their stories. Today, we seek to give voice to those accounts," Mr. Ban said.

"Children are uniquely vulnerable to the w
orst of humankind. We must show them the best this world has to offer," he added.

President of the General Assembly Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser echoed Mr. Ban's remarks and urged countries to protect the rights of those most vulnerable regardless of race, colour, sex or religious beliefs.

Mr. Al-Nasser stressed that the International Day in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, observed each year on 27 January, ensures that "the Holocaust will forever remain, in our time and for future generations, a warning to all people about the dangers of hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice."

Mr. Al-Nasser also underscored the critical need to establish dialogue among various faiths to ensure widespread peace and stability.

"As part of our efforts to build peace, we focus on what brings us together: our shared humanity," he said. "Initiatives that enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation -- that turn words into action -- are the way forward."

Next week, the UN will remember
the children who perished during the Holocaust with a week of events culminating in a memorial ceremony to be held in the General Assembly Hall in New York on Friday.

The events include film screenings, exhibits and talks, as well as the launch of a website offering videos and testimonials from over a thousand Holocaust survivors, as well as educational tools and resources for students and teachers.
Jan 21 2012 9:10PM
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CÔTE D'IVOIRE: UN CONDEMNS VIOLENCE DURING MEETING OF FORMER RULING PARTY

2012-01-21T17:10:00.000-08:00

CÔTE D'IVOIRE: UN CONDEMNS VIOLENCE DURING MEETING OF FORMER RULING PARTY
New York, Jan 21 2012 8:10PM
The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) strongly condemned today the incidents that left many people injured during a meeting of the former ruling party, the Ivorian Popular Front, which took place in the city of Abidjan.

UNOCI launched an appeal for calm and urged the parties involved to avoid any action that may increase the tension and cause the situation to deteriorate.

In a news release issued by the Mission, UNOCI reiterated its "attachment to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, which are indispensable to democratic life," and encouraged the Government to take appropriate measures to determine the circumstances surrounding the incidents, as well as identify and arrest those responsible.

The Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of UNOCI Bert Koenders, also reaffirmed the Mission's readiness to assist the Government in the conduct of t
he investigation to avoid similar incidents from occurring.

Jan 21 2012 8:10PM
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BAN DEPLORES ATTACK ON UN-AFRICAN UNION PEACEKEEPERS IN DARFUR

2012-01-21T16:10:00.000-08:00

BAN DEPLORES ATTACK ON UN-AFRICAN UNION PEACEKEEPERS IN DARFUR
New York, Jan 21 2012 7:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned today the ambush by an unidentified group on a United Nations-African Union patrol in Sudan's Darfur region that led to the death of a Nigerian peacekeeper and the wounding of three others.

The attack on the joint UN-AU peacekeeping force (UNAMID) took place near Saleah, Eastern State of Darfur.

In a message issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban urged the Government of Sudan to carry out a speedy investigation and to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The Secretary-General also expressed his condolences to the Government of Nigeria and to the family of the fallen peacekeeper.

The head of UNAMID, Ibrahim Gambari, also condemned the attack and stressed that it constitutes a war crime.

Mr. Gambari, in a message issued by his spokesperson, committed the Mission to work closely with Sudanese authorities in order to apprehend the perpetrators
as fast as possible.

Since the initial deployment of UNAMID on 31 December 2007, 35 peacekeepers have been killed as a result of hostile action.

Jan 21 2012 7:10PM
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Sports Products Part 44

2012-01-21T00:27:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-21T00:26:00.001-08:00

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Sports Products Part 39

2012-01-21T00:25:00.002-08:00

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Sports Products Part 37

2012-01-21T00:25:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-21T00:24:00.003-08:00

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2012-01-21T00:24:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-21T00:23:00.003-08:00

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2012-01-21T00:23:00.001-08:00

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Sports Products Part 30

2012-01-21T00:22:00.001-08:00

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