Iran and Syria Denounced in United Nation's Nuclear Talks Opener

Iran, Syria Denounced in UN Nuclear Talks Opener
VOA - Monday, June 6th, 2011

The head of the United Nation's nuclear watchdog says Iran may have carried out nuclear work with possible military purposes.

Speaking at the start of a week-long board meeting on nuclear developments in Vienna, International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano criticized Iran Monday for not cooperating with international nuclear experts.

UN Security Council - Tears Flow Over Bloodshed in Libya

Tears Flow at UN Security Council Over Bloodshed in Libya

Margaret Besheer | United Nations February 25, 2011- VOA

 

The Libyan ambassador to the United Nations made an impassioned appeal Friday to the U.N. Security Council, calling on the U.N.’s most powerful body to adopt a strong resolution and "save Libya." His speech ended with him embracing his deputy, who had defected from Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's camp earlier this week, and both men sobbing as the U.N. Secretary-General and other ambassadors came over to embrace them and shake their hands.

It was not immediately clear that Ambassador Abd al-rahman Shalgham was going to change his position and take the side of the Libyan people, but as his emotional speech to the council took shape, it became clear he no longer supported Gadhafi, a man he has called a friend since childhood.

Shalgham refuted Gadhafi’s claims that anti-government protesters are taking to the streets because they are on drugs, saying "a mountain" of pills would not have been enough for all the people who have taken to the streets of Benghazi. Through an interpreter, he addressed the council about Gadhafi.

"Today I listen to him telling his people either I rule over you or I kill you, I destroy you. Don’t be afraid, Libya is united, Libya will remain united. Libya will be a progressive state. But I tell my brother Gadhafi, leave the Libyans alone," said Shalgham.

He went on to recall his time as a non-permanent member of the Security Council representing Libya during 2008 and 2009. He said at that time he had condemned Israel's killing of children in the Gaza Strip, and now he regretted having to condemn the killing of children in his own country.

"Please United Nations save Libya! No to bloodshed! No to killing of innocents! We want a decisive, a rapid and a courageous resolution from you."

After his remarks, Shalgham and his deputy, Ibrahim Dabbashi, who broke ranks with the regime on Monday, embraced and both men began to cry. Other ambassadors came over and hugged them, and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who was in the chamber to brief the council, also vigorously shook Ambassador Shalgham’s hand.

Speaking to reporters afterward, the Secretary-General summed up the feeling inside the chamber. "We have witnessed an extraordinary scene in the U.N. Security Council; a truly historic moment. The Libyan ambassador delivered an impassioned plea for our help."

During his briefing, Ban again condemned the violence and told the council that now is the time for decisive action. He urged the council to consider all measures available and recounted some that are being considered in a draft Security Council resolution circulated to members on Friday.

Those measures include a travel ban and asset freeze targeting Gadhafi, his sons and daughter, and 13 senior government officials, as well as a comprehensive arms embargo and a referral of the Libyan situation to the International Criminal Court at The Hague. The council plans to meet in a special session Saturday to discuss the sanctions and possibly vote on the resolution.

The Secretary-General also welcomed the adoption of a resolution in the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva earlier in the day, which condemned the violence and called for the establishment of an independent, international investigation into possible crimes against humanity during the crackdown. The Human Rights Council also recommended that Libya be suspended from that body.

Ban said the president of the U.N. General Assembly said it would take up the issue of Libya’s suspension early next week. Two-thirds of the General Assembly would have to vote to suspend Libya from the council for it to take effect.

The Secretary-General also said he would be traveling to Washington on Monday to discuss the Libyan situation with President Barack Obama.

 

 

Tears Flow at UN Security Council Over Bloodshed in Libya

Article from VOA

International Year of Forests Declared for 2011 by United Nations

International Year of Forests

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests to bolster efforts to promote sustainable management, conservation and development of forests worldwide. In 2011, the U.S. Forest Service – in partnership with other organizations -- will host/coordinate many activities to celebrate the International Year of Forests.

The International Year of the Forest provides an excellent platform to increase awareness of the connections between healthy forests, ecosytems, people and economies, said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. It also is an opportunity to celebrate our accomplishments, reach out to new audiences, and work with partners across all landscapes, he said. Chief Tidwell goes on to say that the Forest Service will incorporate the International Year of the Forest theme "into plans for annual public events such as Earth Day, Arbor Day, National Get Outdoors Day, National Public Lands Day, Weeks Act Commemorations or other appropriate community gatherings."

Commemorative Activities Planned for International Year of Forests

A series of events for 2011 are being planned in the Forest Service across the nation. Forest Service units participating in the IYOF are asked to add to the events list by by sending the following information to Thiery Curtis or Helene Cleveland: date of event/activity; event name and location (full address); contact (name/phone/email); and any comments about the event.

Use of the UN IYOF LOGO

The Forest Service has obtained approval to use the International Year of Forests logo. For reporting purposes, the UN will be informed of Forest Service events and informational materials for which the logo is used. The International Year of Forests logo is primarily intended for three kinds of promotional use: information, fundraising and use by a commercial entity. Parties outside the UN system(e.g. partners and stakeholders) may use the logo after obtaining approval from the UN Forum on Forests Secretariat in accordance with the requirements outlined in the UN Logo Use Guidelines.

UN Calendar of Events for IYOF

The Forests 2011 website www.un.org/forests will host a searchable calendar of events. All organizations are encouraged to organize activities to be showcased on this website. For more information, email forests@un.org

Information Links

Related Information

Weeks Act

Products You Can Use

Briefing Paper

Key Messages

Questions and Answers

Credit - US Forest Service

U.N. Women - Women’s Rights Organization

UN Launches Women’s Rights Organization
Larry Freund | New York January 25, 2011 - VOA


The head of a new United Nations organization promoting women’s rights said Tuesday that a major goal of the agency is to empower women throughout the world.


The new organization likes to call itself U.N. Women, shorthand for United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. U.N. Women was established by the U.N. General Assembly last year, combining four U.N. agencies and offices.


At the first meeting of the agency’s executive board, the executive director of U.N. Women, Michelle Bachelet, outlined the organization's basic themes. They include giving women a high profile public forum as well as ending violence against women and enhancing economic empowerment for women.


At that same meeting, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, welcomed the new organization.


"With the creation of U.N. Women, for the first time in the U.N.’s 65-year history, member states voted to put women’s challenges and opportunities at their rightful place at the forefront of the U.N.’s mission. This commitment is not simply about equality and fairness. Empowering women is a precondition for development, prosperity and security," she said.


Bachelet, the former president of Chile, said at the same meeting that the strength, industry and wisdom of women are humankind’s greatest untapped resources.


Later, at a news conference, she avoided answering a reporter’s question about the possibility of a woman becoming U.N. secretary-general. But she said she is going to work very hard at building the case that there should be more women in leadership roles in organizations throughout the world.


"We have some progress in some areas like in Latin America, now we have the first woman president of Brazil and that’s very important. Brazil is a very powerful country. We have also [a woman president] in Argentina and in Costa Rica and the prime minister in Trinidad and Tobago. So I would say from a political point of view, women are getting into higher positions, but still very few, 19 in 192 countries as head of governments and head of states," she said.


Bachelet said that greater empowerment of women would lead to increased gender equality.



UN Launches Women’s Rights Organization - article came from VOA