With the United States snapping finances to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation following a vote on Palestinian membership, United Nations chief Ban Ki Moon has said member states will have to look for "practical solutions" to preserve the Paris-based agency's financial resources as the vote could have implications. "This step could have potential implications for funding provided by some member states. This is a decision by the member states."
The cold-blooded murder of American journalist James Foley has sent shockwaves around the world.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon met with Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Myanmar's National League for Democracy, for the first time at her lakeside residence in Yangon on Tuesday, the last day of Ban's three-day official visit to the country. Ban hailed Suu Kyi's efforts to advance democracy in Myanmar, congratulating her for being elected as a parliamentarian and admiring her decision to prepare for the parliament debut.
India will convey its views on major regional and global issues apart from strongly pitching for an expansion of the Security Council with its inclusion as a permanent member during the four-day visit of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who arrived in New Delhi on Thursday.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned a controversial film deemed offensive to Islam that has sparked anti-American protests across the Middle East, saying the "hateful" film appears to be a deliberate attempt to cause bloodshed.
United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon on Thursday asked Iran to build "international confidence" in its nuclear programme by fully complying with the global obligations under NPT and cooperating with IAEA, shortly after Tehran slammed the UNSC for being "unjust and completely undemocratic".
As the world readies to welcome its seventh billion inhabitant on Monday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for "unity of purpose" among people across nations to address problems of climate change, economic crisis and inequality.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday welcomed US President Barack Obama's new Af-Pak strategy, in particular the initiative to boost 'civilian efforts' to make Afghan institutions stronger and entrust more responsibilities to domestic authorities.
Voicing alarm over the high level of violence and bombings in Syria, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has said that "established terrorist groups" are suspected in many deadly attacks in the country, where the overall situation remains "extremely serious". Ban briefed the 15-nation UN Security Council about the over year-long crisis in Syria in his periodic report as mandated by a UNSC resolution.
"The Secretary-General regrets the latest loss of life. He (Ban) calls for an immediate end to violence and urges calm and restraint by all concerned," Martin Nesirky told media persons on Wednesday, adding that Ban was "closely following events".
India has given over four million dollars to the United Nations Democracy Fund, bringing to nearly 30 million dollars its total contribution to the entity launched in 2005 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the then United States President George W Bush for promotion of democratic values. India's Permanent Representative to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri handed over a cheque for $ 4.17 million on Friday to UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.
"Ban's spokesperson issued the e-mail on his own, misquoting the secretary general. And some of the separatist leaders tried to exploit it by claiming that the SG is calling for dialogue between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue," the sources said. "The issue has been settled despite what some news media is claiming."
Pakistani rights activist Malala Yousufzai has expressed hope about becoming a leader to serve the world, during a video conversation with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, who described the 14-year old as a "symbol of hope".
The Mumbai attacks came up for discussion when UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday, with the Indian side apprising him about Pakistani linkages to the terror strikes and urging him to press Islamabad to cooperate.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon expects India and Italy to resolve their standoff over the marine issues constructively and in compliance with their international obligations."The Secretary-General hopes and expects Italy and India to resolve this matter constructively, and in compliance with their international obligations," Eduardo del Buey, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN chief, told reporters.
Concerned over the plight of civilians caught up in the ongoing fighting in Sri Lanka, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has dispatched his Chef de Cabinet Vijay Nambiar, a former Indian diplomat, to the island nation to underscore his message for protection of civilians and resolution of the humanitarian situation there. Members of the UN Security Council on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the worsening crisis in northern Sri Lanka.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon has urged India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and resolve issues peacefully after a Pakistani soldier who intruded into the Indian territory was killed by the Indian Army along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
As India and Pakistan clashed in the Security Council over relevance of the United Nations observer group at the Line of Control, a spokesperson for UN chief Ban Ki-moon said the force can be terminated only by a decision of the 15-nation body.
In a departure from diplomatic norms, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has issued a statement voicing concern over the security situation in Kashmir over the past one month.
As India executed 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has called on nations who still use the death penalty to abolish the practice.
Demanding that those involved in the alleged Iranian attempt to assassinate its ambassador to the United States should be brought to justice, Saudi Arabia has asked the United Nations chief to bring the "heinous plot" before the Security Council.
United Nations chief Ban Ki-Moon on Monday said the presence of one billion hungry people in the world was unacceptable and noted that farmers are the 'heart and soul' of food security and poverty reduction.Speaking at the World Food Summit that kicked off today at Rome, Ban said, "They (farmers) need seeds and extension services. They need secure water supplies, they need better market access and fairer trade. We must resist protectionism."
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will travel to Myanmar later this week where he will meet pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Ahead of a visit to India, United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday expressed hope that the Security Council's reform process will be accelerated to meet expectations of countries like India which are keen to play a bigger role as permanent members of the powerful UN body.
Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi is 'happy; that the United States is lifting sanctions on her country as she feels her countrymen should now take responsibility for its democratisation, a process she sees as a 'common goal' with President Thein Sein.
The United Nations and United States announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a "unconditional humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza for a period of 72 hours starting Friday, allowing both sides to negotiate on a "durable" armistice.
Underlining that the UN will lead the climate change negotiations, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has rejected the possibility of a "double track" approach being adopted on Climate Change where simultaneous talks between the big economies run in parallel with the United Nations negotiations.
With countries across the world, including India, staking claim to being home to the seven billionth baby, United Nations Chief Ban Ki Moon said his office would not be able to pin-point who the world's seven billionth inhabitant is and where the baby was born.
India on Thursday urged United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to ask member nations not to cut down financial and technical aid for public health initiatives across the globe.
Terming as "very positive" and "encouraging" the recent efforts by India and Pakistan to normalise their relations, United Nations chief Ban Ki Moon on Tuesday expressed hope that the two neighbours will continue the dialogue process and play a greater role for peace, security and harmony in the region.
India is expected to share details of the Mumbai terror attacks with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on Thursday when he meets External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and urge him to press Pakistan to cooperate.
At the Human Rights Councils special session on Sri Lanka last week, High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said that investigating abuses allegedly committed against civilians by both the Government and LTTE will help the country transition into a new future. "There are strong reasons to believe that both sides have grossly disregarded the fundamental principle of the inviolability of civilians," Pillay had stated.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday said the UN would play a role in resolving the situation in Kashmir when India and Pakistan wanted the world body to step in.
United Nations members and officials came out in strong condemnation of Israel's attack on a humanitarian flotilla headed to the Gaza strip, with its chief Ban Ki Moon seeking a 'full explanation' from the country
The death of Libya's former strongman Muammar Gaddafi marks an "historic transition" for the North African country, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday, as he urged Libyans to lay down their arms and unite in this "time of rebuilding."
Myanmar has agreed to allow all aid workers to participate in relief efforts for cyclone survivors, United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon said after meeting leader Than Shwe in Naypyidaw on Friday.
World leaders on Wednesday hailed President Barack Obama's decisive win for a second term, hoping to deepen cooperation with the United States in tackling pressing global issues such as economic downturn and climate change apart from ensuring international peace and security.
The UN AIDS agency (UNAIDS) also commended the decision by the Chinese government.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed concern over the escalating violence between government forces and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam rebels in northern Sri Lanka and reminded the two parties of their obligation to ensure the safety of civilians.Ban's statement comes in the wake of Sri Lankan government's request that United Nations relief workers relocate from conflict affected areas.
The Federation of Indian American Christian Organisations of North America on Friday staged a protest outside the United Nations headquarters and urged Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to look into the 'naked violation' of human rights of Christians in Orissa.Holding placards with slogans that read 'Ban VHP,' 'Stop Burning Christians alive in Orissa,' and 'Deploy Army to Orissa to Christians,' the FIACONA activists staged a three-hour protest outside the UN.
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