Transparency in armaments builds confidence between countries, and can help determine whether excessive or destabilizing accumulations of arms take place. Being open about armaments may encourage restraint in the transfer or production of arms, and can contribute to preventive diplomacy. Since its inception in 1991, the United Nations Register of Continue reading
Monthly Archives: July 2013
“World Toilet Day” to be celebrated on 19 of November
The amusement and laughter likely to follow the designation of 19 November as “World Toilet Day” would all be worthwhile if people’s attention was drawn to the fact that 2.5 billion people lacked proper sanitation and 1.1 billion were forced to defecate in the open, the General Assembly heard today. Continue reading
IAEA Coordinates an International Project to Protect Glaciers
When glaciers shrink, a huge store of fresh water can be lost, which millions of people may depend upon for farming, fishing, and navigation; it supports vast ecosystems that will be endangered in drier conditions. Many scientists are concerned about this bleak prospect that threatens livelihoods and in some cases community survival. Continue reading
Tackling sexual violence in conflict against men and boys
Shame, stigma, devastating health repercussions, criminalization, decreased livelihood opportunities, and a lack of services are just some of the challenges in tackling conflict-related sexual violence against men and boys, participants at a United Nations meeting concluded. Continue reading
UN partners with Oz Harvest to promote the Think.Eat.Save campaign – feeding the 5000 in Martin Place Sydney
Celebrity chef Kylie Kwong. Photo credit Giles Park
On the 29 of July UNIC Canberra represented the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) at the OzHarvest and UNEP Feeding the 5000 event in Sydney, part of the broader global Think.Eat.Save campaign that UNEP, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation and partners are running to promote the issue of food waste and food loss. Continue reading
“Club des Chefs des Chefs” joins the Zero Hunger Challenge
Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, to the Club des Chefs des Chefs, in New York, 29 July, before a delegation of chefs which prepared dinner for 250 homeless people in Harlem, in New York City, as part of a campaign against hunger. Continue reading
How persons with disabilities cope during disasters
A United Nations online survey launched today seeks to provide insight into how to reduce risk and help persons with disabilities around the world cope with and prepare for disaster events. The first-ever survey of its kind, produced by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and partners, focuses on issues such as Continue reading
Middle East diplomatic Quartet welcomes renewed Israeli-Palestinian talks
The following statement was issued in New York on 30 July 2013 by the Middle East Quartet (United Nations, Russian Federation, United States and European Union): Continue reading
UNICEF launches the End Violence Against Children initiative
Only 1 in 5 countries fully implement WHO’s infant formula
Only 37 countries, or 19% of those reporting, have passed laws reflecting all the recommendations of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, according to a new WHO report published during World Breastfeeding Week. The Week is celebrated in more than 170 countries from 1 to 7 August. Continue reading