Category: Pacific

Mr. Guterres appealed for the Council to stand as one, and ensure that human rights are upheld, humanitarian aid continues, and that the country does not again become a platform for terrorism.  We cannot & must not abandon the people of Afghanistan. It’s time for the international community to stand, work & act together: We must speak with one voice… Read More

The study found that 5,770 Afghan youngsters were killed or maimed between January 2019 and December 2020, the reporting period.   Meanwhile, child casualties hit their highest levels ever during the first half of this year.  Stop all abuses  Virginia Gamba, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, said Afghanistan continues to be one of the most… Read More

A note issued to the UN press corps said that Mr. Guterres is following with deep concern the rapidly evolving situation in Afghanistan, as the conflict is forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. There continue to be reports of serious human rights abuses and violations in the communities most affected by the fighting, added the note. Protect rights… Read More

The waste in Ha Long Bay, an area which is known as the Dragon’s Jewels, is generated mainly by the local tourism and fishing industries. So far, 1000 tonnes of plastic waste have been properly separated, and 150 tonnes collected by freelance waste workers as part of a Global Environment Fund project, which is implemented by the UN Development Programme… Read More

It is increasingly recognized that the finance and banking sectors can have a huge influence on the economy, through the way that they decide to invest in, and fund, businesses, and in Thailand, the UN is helping the government to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable finance. Ahead of a UN-backed event aimed at encouraging Thai finance leaders to… Read More

António Guterres told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York that humanitarian needs were “growing by the hour” and the country largely spinning out of control. Chaos and despair “Even for a country that has tragically known generations of conflict, Afghanistan is in the throes of yet another chaotic and desperate chapter – an incredible tragedy for its long-suffering people”,… Read More

As widespread fighting intensifies, UNHCR said that it was particularly concerned about the impact of the conflict on women and girls as “80 per cent of nearly 250,0000 Afghans forced to flee since the end of May are women and children”, said spokesperson Shabia Mantoo. “This is a staggering statistic,” Ms. Mantoo told journalists based at the UN in Geneva.… Read More

“We are particularly concerned about the shift of fighting to urban areas, where the potential for civilian harm is even greater”, Stéphane Dujarric told correspondents at UN Headquarters in New York. The militant group ruled Afghanistan from 1996, up until the invasion of the country in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. It struck a deal with the United States… Read More

The agency welcomed the start of the vaccination drive, in line with national authorities’ broader public health efforts, which began on Tuesday.    “The first step in fully protecting communities…is through the rollout of vaccination”, said Johannes Van Der Klaauw, UNHCR’s Representative in Bangladesh.  Fair distribution  UNHCR stressed that when allocating the vaccines, the equitable inclusion of Rohingya refugees is critical to curbing the spread of the deadly disease.  The drive is being led by the Bangladesh authorities with… Read More

The High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement that there was “fear and dread” across Afghanistan, which had driven people to flee their homes. Women have been flogged and killed in areas overrun by the extremists, while journalists and human rights defenders had also been attacked and killed, Ms. Bachelet said. War crimes Reports of violations that “could amount to… Read More