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UN Calendar | |
United Nations Public Service Day
2010 UN World Drug Report is launched at the National Press Club in Washington at 10 a.m.
July 11
World Population Day | |
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UN Reports |
For a complete listing of new reports, visit: | |
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(File Photo) - Staffan de Mistura (left), new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, meets President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai at the "Afghanistan: The London Conference" in January 2010. To the right of Mr. Karzai is United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe |
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Afghanistan needs continued global support during critical transition period, says UN report
While the overall security situation has not improved in recent months, Afghanistan has witnessed a number of positive developments, according to a new United Nations report, which urges continued international support for what is a critical period for the country.
 Earlier this month, the government hosted the Consultative Peace Jirga outside Kabul, with the participation of 1,600 delegates, including 300 women, to discuss the way forward for the country's peace process.
"Despite rocket fire and thwarted suicide attacks during the opening session, the jirga proceeded undeterred," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon writes in his latest report to the Security Council.
The final communiqué issued by the jirga endorsed President Hamid Karzai's initiative to convene a national dialogue on ways to restore peace. It also requested the release of Afghans held in detention by the government and international forces, the de-listing of individuals from the so-called "Consolidated List" of those subject to UN sanctions in connection with Al-Qaida and the Taliban, and safety for those who join the peace process.
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Three peacekeepers serving with UN-African force killed in ambush in Darfur
The African Union-United Nations peacekeeping force in Darfur has vowed that it would not be intimidated from carrying out its work after three blue helmets were killed and a fourth was seriously wounded in an June 21 ambush in a remote part of the war-wracked Sudanese region.
 The mission, known as UNAMID, reported that more than 20 assailants opened fire without warning on the Rwandan soldiers as they provided security to civilian engineers working near the West Darfurvillage of Nertiti.
The attack occurred little more than a month after two peacekeepers were slain while conducting a routine patrol in South Darfur, and takes the number of UNAMID peacekeepers who have been murdered in Darfur since the mission began operations in January 2008 to 27.
Some 300,000 people are estimated to have been killed and another 2.7 million others displaced from their homes since fighting erupted in Darfur, an arid region on Sudan's western flank, in 2003. Government forces, allied Janjaweed militiamen and rebel groups have all been accused of grave human rights violations.
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Ban urges focus on development and green growth ahead of G20 summit
Noting the continued fragility of the global economic system, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged leaders of the biggest industrialized and developing nations to focus on development, green growth and the needs of the most vulnerable, in devising recovery strategies.
 "I encourage support for initiatives that will sustain recovery efforts while enhancing global economic stability, environmental sustainability and achievement of the MDGs," Mr. Ban wrote in a letter to leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) nations, referring to the Millennium Development Goals.
Leaders of the G20 nations will be meeting in Toronto, Canada, on June 26 and 27, with a second summit planned for November in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
The Toronto gathering will immediately follow the annual summit of the Group of Eight (G8) leading economic powers - Canada, France, United States, United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Japan, and Italy - hosted by Canada in Huntsville, Ontario, on June 25.
In his letter, the Secretary-General noted that high unemployment, rising food and commodity prices, and persistent inequalities have contributed to a substantial rise in hunger, poverty and associated social tensions.
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UN appoints American as new ethics director
An American with extensive experience in organizational ethics and compliance has been appointed Director of the United Nations Ethics Office.
Joan Elise Dubinsky was Chief Ethics Officer of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from October 2004 through June last year, and served more recently as the Director of Ethics for BAE Systems.
Within the private sector, Ms. Dubinsky has also led the Rosentreter Group, a management consultancy specializing in ethics, compliance and organizational development.
Ms. Dubinsky, whose career has also included stints in the non-profit sector, succeeds Robert Benson of Canada, who has served as UN Ethics Director since May 2007.
The UN Ethics Office administers financial disclosure and whistleblower policies mandated by the General Assembly during its 2005 World Summit. It also provides confidential advice to staff to help them avert conflict of interest problems.
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Week in Pictures
MINURSO Officer Meets Western Sahara Locals
June 17, 2010 - A member of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)'s Military Liaison Office chats with a group of local Western Saharans. UN Photo/Martine Perret
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Former Refugees Resume Village Life in Darfur
June 16, 2010 - Pictured are a woman and her son inside her husband's shop in Seraf Jedad, Sudan. On top of running this small business, the family relies on planting crops and collecting firewood to survive. In April 2009, a community of Sudanese refugees returned to their homes in the village of Seraf Jedad, West Darfur. With help from the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and the government of Sudan the former refugees rebuilt a school, reopened businesses, the local market and a clinic, albeit poorly equipped. UN Photo/Albert Gonzalez Farran
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