UN Calendar |
March 19
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is in Paris for a meeting with French President Sarkozy and other European, Arab and African leaders. They will be discussing developments in the Middle East and North Africa, including Libya.
March 21
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
World Poetry Day
International Day of Nowruz
March 22
Staffan De Mistura, UN special representative for Afghanistan, speaks at a Middle East Institute event titled, Inside the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, in Washington beginning at Noon. RSVP here.
World Water Day
The Security Council adopts a resolution on the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). It will also be briefed and hold consultations on the Middle East.
A panel discussion on "Water challenges and problems for cities" is held in the Economic and Social Council Chamber at UN headquarters.
March 23
World Meteorological Day
The Security Council briefs on post-conflict peacebuilding.
March 24
Ed Luck, Responsibility to Protect advisor, speaks at a Stanly Foundation event titled, Preventing Mass Atrocities and Armed Conflict: Links, Distinctions, and Policy Implications, in Washington. RSVP here.
World Tuberculosis Day
International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
The Security Council is briefed and holds consultations on the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL).
March 25
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staffing Members
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Security Council's March Calendar
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New UN Reports |
For a complete listing of reports, please visit:
UN Reports
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March 12, 2011 - Thousands of refugees are distributed food rations in the border town of Sallum, Egypt, after fleeing the ongoing crisis in neighboring Libya. UN Photo/OCHA/David Ohana
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Security Council authorizes 'all necessary measures' to protect civilians in Libya
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the Security Council's "historic" decision to authorize the use "all necessary measures" to protect civilians in Libya, saying the move was an affirmation of the international community's determination to fulfill its responsibility to protect people from violence perpetrated by their own government.
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March 17, 2011 - A wide view of the Security Council as 5 members-China, Brazil, Germany, India and the Russian Federation-indicate their abstentions on resolution 1973 (2011) which authorizes the use of military force, including a no-fly zone, in Libya. UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras
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The Security Council yesterday passed a resolution permitting the use of all necessary measures, including the imposition of a no-fly zone, to prevent further attacks and the loss of innocent lives in Libya, where the regime of Muammar al-Qadhafi has conducted a military offensive against citizens seeking his removal from power.
Following the adoption of the resolution, media reports stated that Libyan authorities had declared a ceasefire. Libyan Foreign Minister Musa Kusa was quoted as saying that the truce was intended to "to protect civilians."
Acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which provides for the use of force if needed, the Council adopted the resolution by 10 votes to zero, with five abstentions, authorizing member states "to take all necessary measures... to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamhariya, including Benghazi, while excluding an occupation force."
The abstentions included China and Russia, which have the power of veto, as well as Brazil, Germany and India.
Read more
Related Headlines
From the Field: Impressions from the Tunisian-Libyan border
Assault on Benghazi would endanger masses of Libyan civilians, Ban warns
UNESCO deplores murder of Al Jazeera cameraman in Libya
Libya: UN refugee agency calls for safe passage for civilians fleeing violence
Video
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VIDEO: Security Council meeting on Libya
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UN in Washington
Francis Deng, special advisor to the secretary-general for the prevention of genocide, was in Washington this week to meet with administration officials, members of Congress, US Holocaust Memorial Museum officials, and to deliver the 29th Trainor Lecture to Georgetown's School of Foreign Service. Mr. Deng spoke about the UN's work to help countries understand ways to better deal with diversity among their populations, and resolve differences in non-violent ways so as to empower UN member states to address tensions that could result in violence.
Chris Williams, director of UN-Habitat, spoke about the focus on urban planning and the importance of empowering women at an Asia Society program on women and sustainable development in Asia on March 14. Moderating the event was UNIC Washington Deputy Director Marie Okabe.
Kostas Stamoulis and Marcela Villarreal, of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN,addressed a National Press Club gathering on women's role in agriculture, and efforts to close the gender gap in rural development, on March 14.
NEXT WEEK
Staffan De Mistura, UN special representative for Afghanistan, speaks at a Middle East Institute event titled, Inside the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, next Tuesday, March 22 beginning at Noon in Washington. RSVP here.
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From blankets to satellite phones, UN rushes help to quake, tsunami-stricken Japan
From blankets to emergency communications equipment to technological expertise, United Nations agencies are rushing assistance to Japan to help cope with the multi-front disaster caused by last week's devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant breakdown.
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Video: UN nuclear chief to visit Japan
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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano has arrived in Japan today to assess the situation, where a loss of power to the cooling systems has led to explosions, the release of radiation and the threat of further contamination.
The UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has activated its Environmental Emergency Response mechanism and is monitoring the direction of winds and any potential path.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has already started assisting in the transport of 60,000 blankets to affected areas, where some 23,000 people are estimated to still remain isolated.
The UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has already sent emergency equipment to areas severely affected by the tsunami.
Read more
Latest IAEA updates on the Japan earthquake
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UN ideally placed to help Afghanistan in transition to full sovereignty, says top envoy
With its 30 agencies, funds and programs providing aid in every one of Afghanistan's 34 provinces, the United Nations stands ready to support the country's assumption of the lead role in all aspects of governance, development, and efforts to achieve peace, a senior UN envoy said.
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March 17, 2011 - Staffan de Mistura (right), Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), briefs the Council on the situation in that country, presenting the Secretary-General's latest report, "The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security". UN Photo/Evan Schneider
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"Our strength and comparative advantage lies in the fact that we are diversified," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative to Afghanistan Staffan de Mistura told the Security Council on March 17, citing what he said were the government's increasing and legitimate demands to assume this sovereign role.
"The UN attaches great importance to its partnership with the government of Afghanistan, and its institutions, to manage a successful transition process. We believe that our long experience in the country positions us to serve as a partner to the government and the international community to support transition."
Mr. de Mistura noted that the primary focus for the coming months will be on the gradual transition of lead responsibility for security to Afghan forces from international troops, who have been in charge since the United States-led invasion drove out the former Taliban government in 2001 after the terrorist attacks against New York and Washington.
Read more
Watch video of the Security Council meeting on Afghanistan
Related Headline: Ban stresses UN support for transition to greater Afghan responsibility
Read more about UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)
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Week in Review
Medal Parade for UNAMID's South African Contingent
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Secretary-General Meets Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchú in Guatemala City
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March 16, 2011 - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) meets with Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchú in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Ms. Menchú is known for her activism on the rights of Guatemala's indigenous peoples. Mr. Ban was in the country for a three-day visit that focused on peacebuilding issues and the Central American country's efforts to combat impunity.UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
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Week in Numbers
$10 Million
 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has announced a $10 million contribution from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund to support efforts to entrench the respect of human rights and strengthen the security and justice systems in Guatemala. The Fund was set up in 2006 to support efforts to augment peace and stability in countries emerging from conflict.
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About the United Nations in Washington
As the United Nations office in Washington, D.C, the UN Information Center serves as the focal point for UN news and information to advance understanding of the UN and its work, and to serve as a resource for United States government officials, NGOs, civil-society organizations and the American people.
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