Latest news on the Asia-Pacific region from the United Nations
- In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Li Keqiang, Premier to the State Council of China, said the 2030 Agenda, the new vision for global development adopted last year, faces an ‘uphill battle’ and its full implementation will require the international community to acknowledge a shared, interconnected future and to take concretes steps to tackle challenges.
- Pointing out that the that the crisis in Syria has shown the shortcomings of the work of the United Nations Security Council where in it has not been able to provide a unified response, the Prime Minister of New Zealand highlighted the urgency of reforms at the organization’s primary body responsible for maintenance of international peace and security.
- Achieving sustainable development is essential “because no one in the world should be left behind and deprived of the right to development,” the President of Mongolia told the United Nations General Assembly today, urging the international community to work together towards a world where everyone could have a dignified life, free from poverty, violence and depression.
- In his address to the General Assembly’s annual general debate, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, the Prime Minister of Fiji, underscored that “first and foremost, we have placed sustainable development at the core of our national agenda.”
- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned today's militant attack in Uri, India-administered Jammu and Kashmir, and expressed deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives and to the Government of India.
- Responding to urgent humanitarian needs triggered by flash floods and landslides in the northern provinces of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United Nations health agency is providing emergency health kits and supplies that will benefit some 260,000 persons for about three months.
- Highlighting the challenges facing Afghanistan due to decades-long violence and instability, the United Nations envoy to the country stressed today that avenues for peace there must be explored with utmost urgency and seriousness.
- The United Nations food relief agency has delivered food assistance to more than 140,000 people in the north of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), where they have been affected by some of the worst floods in recent history – and expressed concern about their continued vulnerability as an extremely cold winter is approaching and major food losses are expected.
- Strongly condemning another underground nuclear test by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon reiterated his call on the leadership of the country to reverse its course and commit to a path of denuclearization.
- Countries in the south-east Asian sub-region have agreed to establish a dedicated funding stream to build preparedness for health emergencies in the region, which is also one of the most disaster-prone in the world, the United Nations health agency has said.
- Concluding a ten-day mission to China, a United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expert team has found that the country’s nuclear and radiation safety frameworks are effective, but will require further development due to rapid nuclear energy growth.
- Noting greater vulnerability of the health of migrant populations, including heightened risks of infectious diseases, malnutrition, substance abuse and maternal and neonatal mortality, the United Nations health agency has urged a regional meeting of health officials in south-east Asia for an increased focus on their health needs.
- Wrapping up an 11-day trip to Asia, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today hailed the region’s economic growth and progress on development, but expressed concerns about some challenges facing the countries there, including the tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in the South China Sea.