As the latest escalation in Syria “has raised the spectre of chemical warfare,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged members of the Security Council to explore all diplomatic options to bring all Syrian parties to the negotiating table, stressing there is no military solution to the crisis. “We must pursue all avenues to get the parties to the negotiating table Continue reading
Monthly Archives: August 2013
Security Council considers protection of civilians in armed conflict and stronger peacekeeping mandates
Despite recent strides in strengthening the ability of the United Nations to protect civilians, conflicts around the world were still characterized by a “prevailing disrespect” for the core principles of international humanitarian law, top officials warned the Security Council today. Briefing the Council ahead of a Continue reading
Syrian Crisis: United Nations Response – Update No.6
As the rumble for military action against Syria for allegedly using chemical weapons against civilians in a suburb of Damascus increased, on 28 August, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged that the UN investigation team on the ground be given time to establish the facts. The alleged use of chemical weapons on 21 August Continue reading
Pacific Island Countries benefit from ILO Maritime Labour Convention
The International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) came into force on 20 August. The Convention is a worker and employer led initiative, specifically developed to achieve the twin goals of ensuring a ‘level playing field’ for ship owners and secure decent work for more than 1.2 million seafarers across the world. Continue reading
Latest on the work of the Chemical Weapons Team in Syria
Further to the visit by the Chemical Weapons Team led by Professor Sellstrom to investigate alleged chemical weapons use in the area near Damascus, the Team was to continue their investigation in a different site today. Continue reading
Island states plot safe course to Samoa
Small Island Developing States will this week seek to plot a course to a safer and more resilient future as part of their preparations for a major conference next year. The Inter-regional preparatory meeting for the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which opened in Bridgetown, Barbados, brings together nations Continue reading
Asia-Pacific countries look beyond the MDGs
Heads of State, Ministers and high-level representatives from Asia and the Pacific gather in Bangkok this week to collectively explore and identify the key challenges in the region that should be addressed in the elaboration of the United Nations Development Agenda beyond 2015 based on the lessons learned from the MDGs framework. Continue reading
High speed broadband goes live in Tonga
The World Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Tonga Cable Corporation (TCC), media and others joined the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga at a ceremony at the Tonga Cable Limited building to celebrate the arrival of high speed internet in Tonga. At the ceremony, from the station’s control room, Continue reading
Small Island States Look to 2014 Conference to Promote Partnerships that Advance Sustainable Development
Practical actions that advance the economic, social, and environmental well-being will be at the heart of discussions among government and civil society representatives from island states in Barbados from 28-30 August as they prepare for Continue reading
UN inquiry on human rights in North Korea set to begin hearings in Japan
A United Nations commission of inquiry examining the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea moves this week to Japan, where it will hold two days of public hearings that will include testimony on the abductions of Japanese nationals to the DPRK. Continue reading