In Ukraine, Guterres pledges to keep seeking ‘solutions and a just peace’

In Ukraine, Guterres pledges to keep seeking ‘solutions and a just peace’

António Guterres expressed “deep solidarity” with all of those who have become victims of the full-scale Russian invasion of February last year. Violation of the Charter “The position of the United Nations, which I have consistently expressed, is crystal clear: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a violation of the UN Charter and international law”, declared…

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Philippines urged to compensate women survivors of wartime rape by Japanese soldiers

Philippines urged to compensate women survivors of wartime rape by Japanese soldiers

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) called for the authorities to provide full reparation and an official apology to the survivors, who have suffered decades of physical, psychological and other consequences.  ‘Symbolic’ victory  “This is a symbolic moment of victory for these victims who were previously silenced, ignored, written off and…

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Syria-Türkiye: Three border crossings now operational for earthquake aid delivery

Compromise is crucial in search for peace for sake of all Syrians, urges UN negotiator

In an appeal for greater urgency to resolve the grinding war which erupted 12 years ago this month, which has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions, Mr. Pedersen insisted that he would not accept continued inaction on the UN-led push for the Syrian Government and Opposition to agree on a new Syrian Constitution. Engagement…

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LDC5 spotlights contributions of women and girls in tech, despite tough odds and nagging barriers

LDC5 spotlights contributions of women and girls in tech, despite tough odds and nagging barriers

At noon on Wednesday, LDC5 held a moment of celebration near Maman, the iconic bronze and stainless-steel sculpture by the artist Louise Bourgeois that towers over the main atrium at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Qatar, where the Conference has been under way since last Sunday. A celebration of motherhood, the giant statue, Ms….

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Afghanistan now ‘most repressive country’ for women, Security Council hears

Afghanistan now ‘most repressive country’ for women, Security Council hears

Roza Isakovna Otunbayeva, UN Special Representative and head of the UN’s Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, UNAMA, strongly condemned recent Taliban decrees that have further eroded the rights of Afghan women. However, she also urged the international community to preserve “whatever political space exists” for frank discussions with Afghanistan’s leaders, warning of rapidly deteriorating humanitarian and…

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LDC5: Proposed online university sparks hope of bridging education gap in least developed countries

LDC5: Proposed online university sparks hope of bridging education gap in least developed countries

Notwithstanding progress in increasing enrolment rates for primary education, 16.2 per cent of children of primary school age were out of school in least developed countries (LDCs) in 2019 and almost half of children out of school worldwide are in those same countries, with girls, children with disabilities and other children in vulnerable situations disproportionately…

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Impunity drives cycles of ‘horrific’ crimes in South Sudan, Human Rights Council hears

Impunity drives cycles of ‘horrific’ crimes in South Sudan, Human Rights Council hears

“It is hard to imagine peace while State actors continue to be involved in gross human rights violations,” said Commission member Barney Afako, presenting the latest report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva. “A true demonstration of the Government’s stated commitments to peace and human rights would involve dismissing the responsible officials and initiating…

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Tropical cyclone Freddy set to further weaken cholera-hit Malawi

Tropical cyclone Freddy set to further weaken cholera-hit Malawi

“Malawi is really experiencing the deadliest cholera outbreak in its recorded history – nothing less than that – and the country is also struggling to respond to an earlier outbreak and ongoing COVID-19 cases across the nation,” said Rudolf Schwenk, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Malawi Representative. In an update to journalists in Geneva, Mr. Schwenk…

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