The Prime Minister of the Central African Republic made an impassioned plea today for the international community to help his Government successfully launch and maintain a new institutional framework for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, saying it was crucial to the country?s efforts to reform the security sector and jump-start development. ?Everything […]
Two Working Groups Formed to Address: Nuclear Disarmament, Non-proliferation; Confidence-building Measures in Conventional Weapons The United Nations Disarmament Commission reached an agreement on a provisional agenda for the work of its 2012 substantive session today, ending a three-day-long stalemate that some feared would jeopardize the body’s ability to continue its work. The agenda, which […]
Members Call on Authorities to Fulfil Pledge on Withdrawal from Population Centres The Security Council today called on the Syrian Government to follow through on its pledge to pull back its military from population centres by 10 April, and on all parties subsequently to cease armed violence, while signalling its readiness to authorize a monitoring […]
Twenty-nine non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were approved for association with the United Nations Department of Public Information at the first meeting of the Department?s NGO Committee held in New York on 4 April 2012. This brings the number of NGOs associated with the Department in the area of communications and information outreach to 1,322. In describing partnerships […]
Despite the inability of the Disarmament Commission by the close of day three of its session today to adopt a substantive agenda, it continued its general debate along with informal rounds of talks aimed at framing its item on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation in language satisfactory to all. Intent on reviving the long-hobbled institution and […]
Strongly condemning assaults by rebels in northern Mali and the seizure of power in the capital by elements of the armed forces, the Security Council called today for the immediate restoration of constitutional rule, demanding the safe release of all detainees, as well as an end to all hostilities in the north and a […]
Following is a statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger, host of the 2012 Global Colloquium of University Presidents, issued on 3 April: We are deeply saddened by the sudden death of our colleague Richard Descoings, the Director of Sciences Po, one of the world?s top universities. He was a […]
Long after wars and other hostilities end, landmines and other unexploded ordnance ? including bombs, mortars, grenades and missiles ? still inflict pain and suffering on millions of people, often women and children in the world?s poorest areas. This year?s commemoration of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, on […]
Top United Nations officials are calling for solidarity with landmine survivors and raising awareness for mine action work in the global ?Lend Your Leg? campaign, as the recent use of landmines in Libya and Syria places worldwide efforts to remove landmines and other explosive remnants of war high on the international agenda. ?On this […]
Today?s suicide bombing in Mogadishu, which killed six people, injured scores of others and seemed to be an attempt on the life of Somalia?s Prime Minister, showed that the Horn of Africa country still faced serious threats despite recent progress, the Chargé d?affaires at its Permanent Mission to the United Nations said this afternoon. ?This […]
