In focus

07 Jul 2014 Mixed results on Millennium Development Goals in Caucasus and Central Asia: UN report

Mixed results on Millennium Development Goals in Caucasus and Central Asia: UN report

Mostly preventable problems hold back meeting targets on child and maternal mortality; concerns rise on water scarcity and biodiversity loss

Having already met some targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), countries
in the Caucasus and Central Asia appear close to meeting others on education and gender equality by 2015, but the region’s
environmental targets will be missed without greater efforts, according to a new UN report.
The Millennium Development Goals Report 2014, launched today by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York, shows
many positive results for the Caucasus and Central Asia region, which includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
 

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27 Jun 2014 The Secretary-General's message on the international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking

The Secretary-General's message on the international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking

New York, 26 June 2014 - Drug abuse and illicit trafficking have calamitous consequences for the world’s efforts to deliver greater prosperity and equality for all.  There are up to 200,000 preventable deaths each year from overdoses.  Illicit drugs spawn criminal violence and weaken a state’s essential institutions.

Countries emerging from conflict or escaping economic decline can be overwhelmed when illicit drugs pour across their borders.  The United Nations, working across peacekeeping, law enforcement, health, human rights and other related areas, is strongly committed to helping them repel illicit drugs and prevent spill-over from becoming takeover.

 

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09 Jun 2014 Roraima: Dreaming In Green

Roraima: Dreaming In Green

United Nations - In 2006, Marcos Pontes was the first Brazilian astronaut to go to outer space. Orbiting over Brazil, Marcos was especially touched by the fragility of the Amazon. Now Goodwill Ambassador of UNIDO, the UN Industrial Development Organization, he is committed to promote sustainable development and made a bold proposal to create the world's first eco-state in Roraima, Brazil.

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02 Apr 2014 UN Secretary-General Message, World Autism Awareness Day, 2014

UN Secretary-General Message, World Autism Awareness Day, 2014

This year’s World Autism Awareness Day is a chance to celebrate the creative minds of people with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and to renew our pledge to help them realize their great potential.

I treasure my meetings with individuals affected by autism – parents, children, teachers and friends. Their strength is inspiring. They deserve all possible opportunities for education, employment and integration.

To measure the success of our societies, we should examine how well those with different abilities, including persons with autism, are integrated as full and valued members.

Education and employment are key. Schools connect children to their communities. Jobs connect adults to their societies. Persons with autism deserve to walk the same path.  By including children with different learning abilities in mainstream and specialized schools, we can change attitudes and promote respect.  By creating suitable jobs for adults with autism, we integrate them into society.

 

 

 

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17 Mar 2014 Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Ukraine

Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Ukraine

The Secretary-General continues to closely follow the situation in Ukraine.  Since the beginning of this crisis, the Secretary-General has urged all parties to avoid hasty steps in this already complex and tense situation.

The Secretary-General is deeply disappointed and concerned that the Crimea referendum will only exacerbate this situation.

He encourages all parties to work for a solution that is guided by the principles of the United Nations Charter, including respecting Ukraine's unity and sovereignty.  

He condemns the violence which occurred over the weekend in Eastern Ukraine and which resulted in injuries and loss of life on all sides. The Secretary-General once again urges all parties to refrain from violence and to commit themselves to de-escalation and inclusive national dialogue in the pursuit of a political and diplomatic solution.  A deterioration of the situation will have serious repercussions for the people of Ukraine, the region and beyond.  

He urges all parties in Ukraine and those with influence to avoid any steps that could further increase tensions.

 

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01 Mar 2014 UN Secretary-General urges dialogue to resolve Ukraine crisis

UN Secretary-General urges dialogue to resolve Ukraine crisis

1 March 2014 –Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is “gravely concerned” about the deterioration of the situation, spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin today.

“It is crucial to restore calm and proceed to an immediate de-escalation of the situation. Cool heads must prevail and dialogue must be the only tool in ending this crisis,” Mr. Ban said afterwards, adding that he appealed to Mr. Putin to urgently engage in direct dialogue with the authorities in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev.

In a statement issued earlier in the day by his spokesperson, the Secretary-General reiterated his call for the full respect for and preservation of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

During the Security Council's discussions, members expressed grave concern about the rapidly deteriorating situation in Ukraine, Ambassador Sylvie Lucas of Luxembourg, which holds the Council presidency for March, told reporters after closed-door talks.

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