In historic move, UN creates new entity to promote women's empowerment
In a bid to accelerate the empowerment of women, the General Assembly voted unanimously to create a dynamic new entity merging four United Nations offices focusing on gender equality, a move hailed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other senior officials.
 "The newest member of the UN family has been born today," Mr. Ban told the Assembly after it passed the resolution on July 2 setting up the new UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, to be known as UN Women.
"This is truly a watershed day," he declared.
The new body will merge four of the world body's agencies and offices: UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues, and the UN International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (UN-INSTRAW).
"By bringing together four parts of the UN system dedicated to women's issues, member states have created a much stronger voice for women and for gender equality at the global level," said the Secretary-General.
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UN inaugurates new phase of DR Congo mission
Reflecting the strides made by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) over the past decade, the United Nations peacekeeping mission entered a new chapter on July 1, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paying tribute to the commitment demonstrated by blue helmets in bringing peace to the region.
 Last month, the Security Council passed a resolution authorizing the withdrawal of up to 2,000 UN military personnel - from an existing strength of 19,815 - from areas where security has improved enough to allow their removal.
The UN mission will be now known as the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) and will stay in the DRC only until June 30 next year.
"The emphasis is on stabilization and consolidating peace," Mr. Ban said at the unveiling of a plaque during the introduction of the mission's new phase in Kinshasa.
He vowed that the UN will continue working with the DRC "to guide the progressive withdrawal of military peacekeepers in a way that does not jeopardize the gains the country has made."
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Queen Elizabeth II hails UN's leadership in ever-changing world
Addressing the United Nations for the first time in more than 50 years, Queen Elizabeth II lauded the world body for its many achievements, while exhorting it to continue playing its lead role in the cause of peace and prosperity for all.
 "In my lifetime, the United Nations has moved from being a high-minded aspiration to being a real force for common good. That of itself has been a signal achievement," the British monarch told the General Assembly on July 6.
She noted that for over six decades, the UN has helped to shape the international response to global dangers. "The challenge now is to continue to show this clear and convening leadership while not losing sight of your ongoing work to secure the security, prosperity and dignity of our fellow human beings."
Queen Elizabeth is the head of state of 16 of the UN's 192 member states and head of the Commonwealth of 54 countries. She last addressed the General Assembly in 1957 at the age of 31, four years after she was crowned queen.
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Darfur ex-combatants opt for voluntary discharge backed by UN-African mission
More than 800 former combatants in the conflict in Sudan's western region of Darfur are expected to take part in a three-week voluntary discharge exercise that began July 4, with the support of the joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID).
 While the voluntary discharge of combatants from armed groups is part of the government of Sudan's disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) program, UNAMID is assisting by providing logistical support, including security, transport, HIV/AIDS counseling and health screening.
The program, established under the Darfur Peace Agreement, largely provides financial assistance and other incentives to former combatants who volunteer to be discharged. The government is providing an initial cash payment to each participant, which will be followed by other benefits.
It is the third exercise of its kind in the region. The first one was carried out in El Fasher, North Darfur, in November 2009 and resulted in more than 300 former combatants taking part, while a the second, held in Nyala, South Darfur, saw approximately 1,100 former fighters opt out of armed groups.
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Week in Pictures
Secretary-General Meets Queen Elizabeth II of United Kingdom
July 6, 2010 - Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at UN headquarters in New York where she addressed the General Assembly for the second time in her career. She first spoke at the Assembly in 1957, almost 53 years ago. UN Photo/Evan Schneider
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Actress Geena Davis Addresses ECOSOC 2010 High-Level Segment
 June 28, 2010 - Geena Davis, Academy Award-winning actress and founder of non-profit organization Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, addresses the opening of the 2010 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) High-Level Segment. The high-level event prioritized women's rights and empowerment, particularly in the context of the Millennium Development Goals. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
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