Category: Pacific

In a statement on Thursday, Tom Andrews warned that the “pace and scope” of the international response to the military coup in the southeast Asian nation “is falling short of what is required to head off a deepening crisis”.  “Conditions in Myanmar are deteriorating … but they will likely get much worse without an immediate robust, international response in support… Read More

Addressing the eighth Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development, convened by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Amina Mohammed, highlighted the importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  “ show the way to inclusive, resilient and sustainable economies and societies that respect people and planet”, she said.  Ms.… Read More

More than six months after formal Afghan peace negotiations between the Government and Taliban representatives were launched in September, Deborah Lyons, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), said via video conference that now was “a timely moment to take stock” and assess what must be done to support the path towards peace.  She told ambassadors that… Read More

The 47-member council on Tuesday adopted a resolution on Tuesday, brought by Britain on behalf of a group of countries, boosting UN rights chief, Michelle Bachelet’s staff and powers, with a view to future prosecutions. 22 countries voted in favour of the text, 11 opposed and 14 abstained, including Sri Lanka’s neighbours, India and Nepal and most Muslim majority countries, except… Read More

Though exact numbers are yet to be confirmed, initial estimates indicate that more than 87,000 refugees could have been affected in the fire, which started around 3pm on Monday (local time) in Camp 8W of the Kutupalong mega camp.  It is not currently clear exactly how the fire started.  The blaze then rapidly spread to Camps 8E, 9 and 10. In… Read More

Arriving in Guangzhou as a first-time visitor to China, I could not help but think of former U.S Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s description of what he saw as an underdeveloped provincial city in the 1980s. As I gazed at the city’s architecture and infrastructure from the airport and hotel during my 21-day quarantine period, I felt amazed as if my… Read More

“During my pregnancy, my family planned to help me deliver my baby at home, following in the footsteps of my ancestors”, says tea worker Ruma Munda. “I was never aware that there were alternative, safe methods of childbirth delivery, in health care facilities with clinical specialists. “My husband, Sunil, is also a tea garden worker, and we were never introduced… Read More

“The killing of peaceful demonstrators and arbitrary arrests, including of journalists, is utterly unacceptable”, reiterated UN chief António Guterres, in a statement issued by his Spokesperson.   ‘Firm unified response, is urgently needed’ “The military continues to defy calls, including by the Security Council, to end violations of fundamental human rights and return to the path of democracy. A firm, unified international… Read More

Christine Schraner Burgener is seeking to visit Myanmar as part of her efforts to calm the situation and set the stage for dialogue and a return to democracy, said UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric, briefing journalists in New York.  Visit not yet possible   “A visit to the country under the current circumstances is not yet possible, as highlighted during the… Read More

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres, said that Mr. Arnault “will work closely with SRSG Deborah Lyons and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), whose long standing work in support of the peace process as well as regional cooperation will continue, as mandated.”  Welcome back, Jean Arnault, just named as the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Afghanistan! Jean will… Read More