Impact of high debt levels on least developed countries ‘cannot be overstated’, says UN
The impact of high levels of debt on development efforts “cannot be overstated”, the head of the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) told a Ministerial Breakfast Meeting on least developed countries (LDCs) on Saturday. “While debt financing remains an important source for achieving positive development outcomes in LDCs, the recent trends are a cause for concern” UNDP […]
Greater transparency, fairer prices for medicines ‘a global human rights issue’, says UN health agency
While developing countries have long struggled with the price of medicines, today’s costs have rendered it a world-wide challenge, and the key topic of concern at a global medicines forum in South Africa, co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO). “This is a global human rights issue”, said WHO Assistant Director-General for Medicines and Health Products Mariângela Simão on Saturday […]
Women must be at ‘centre of peacekeeping decision-making’, UN chief tells Security Council
Women’s rights, voices and participation must be at “the centre of peacekeeping decision-making”, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council on Thursday, describing them as “central to sustainable solutions” to challenges facing the Organization worldwide. Through its landmark resolution 1325 on women and peace and security, the Council reaffirmed the participation and involvement of women, which the […]
Venezuela’s needs ‘significant and growing’ UN humanitarian chief warns Security Council, as ‘unparalleled’ exodus continues
Over a month after two competing resolutions on Venezuela failed to pass, the UN Security Council met on Wednesday to discuss the “very real humanitarian problem” facing the country, where close to seven million people are in dire need of aid, and some 5,000 people continue to flee across borders every day. Tensions in the country escalated in […]
‘Still time’ to stop a ‘bloody battle’ for Libya’s capital, insists Guterres
Speaking to reporters outside the Security Council in New York on Wednesday night, UN chief António Guterres said there was still time for a “bloody battle for Tripoli” to be avoided, despite the continuing fighting in and around the Libyan capital. The offensive directed towards the capital, and troops loyal to the internationally-recognized Government led […]
Thousands flee fighting in Libya as UN renews call for halt to military escalation
More than 3,400 people have fled fighting near the Libyan capital Tripoli in recent days, the UN warned on Monday, in a call to warring parties to halt military activities so that emergency services can rescue trapped civilians. The UN chief António Guterres, in a short statement issued to reporters at UN Headquarters in […]