News by region: Asia Pacific
India ratifies Paris climate pact at UN, brings it ever closer to taking effect
2 October – Bringing the Paris Agreement on climate change ever closer to its entry into force, India today joined the new global accord at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and became the 62nd country to deposit its legal instrument of ratification.
Afghanistan: UN condemns killings of 19 civilians by explosive devices planted on roads
2 October – The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has condemned two improvised explosive devices (IED) detonations on civilian vehicles that killed 19 people in Helmand and Badghis provinces in recent days.
UN adviser on preventing genocide alarmed over ‘disrespectful’ comments by Philippines President
30 September – The United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, expressed alarm today at public comments by President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, in which he reinforced a campaign to kill millions of drug addicts in the Philippines and compared it to the massacre of millions of Jews by Hitler during the Holocaust in Nazi Germany during the Second World War.
UN health agency calls for stronger measures against Zika as Thailand confirms disease-related cases
30 September – The United Nations health agency today urged countries across the South-East Asia region to continue to take decisive action to prevent, detect and respond to Zika virus, following news that Thailand has confirmed two cases of Zika-related microcephaly.
Ban urges 'dialogue and diplomacy' by both India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions
30 September – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is deeply concerned over the significant increase in tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of recent developments, particularly the reported ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) following an attack on an Indian army base in Uri on 18 September.
Afghanistan: UN mission condemns killing of at least 15 civilians in airstrike
29 September – The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has condemned the killing of at least 15 civilian men and the injuring of at least 13 others, including at least one boy, in an airstrike targeting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) conducted yesterday in the country’s eastern district of Achin.
UN relief wing appeals for urgent funding in DPRK following typhoon
29 September – The United Nations humanitarian wing has said that more than $28 million in funding is urgently needed to provide immediate assistance to the 600,000 people in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea affected by Typhoon Lionrock.
Republic of Korea: UN rights expert calls for probe in death of 69-year old protester
28 September – Expressing dismay over the death of a protestor who was injured by the police use of a water cannon on a peaceful rally last year in the country, a United Nations human rights expert has called for a full investigation into the incident and to ensure that such a “tragedy” is never repeated.
UN rights experts urge Pakistan authorities to halt execution of man with disability
27 September – Four United Nations human rights experts today urged authorities in Pakistan to halt the execution of Imdad Ali, a man with a psychosocial disability, and to re-try him in compliance with international standards.
Palau has already made the choice for a better future, Permanent Representative tells UN debate
26 September – Addressing the General Assembly, Palau’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations underlined today the urgency of addressing challenges such as threats from climate change, global conflict, issues of migrants and refugees, violent extremism, antimicrobial resistance and nuclear weapons.
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Headlines at a glance
2 October
India ratifies Paris climate pact at UN, brings it ever closer to taking effect
On Non-Violence Day, Ban highlights link between peace and nature
Afghanistan: UN condemns killings of 19 civilians by explosive devices planted on roads
1 October
'Take a stand against ageism,' says UN on International Day of Older Persons
30 September
UN adviser on preventing genocide alarmed over ‘disrespectful’ comments by Philippines President
Iraq: UNICEF launches back-to-school campaign to help millions missing out on education
UN refugee agency, African host countries agree on final steps on Rwandan refugees
Fewer than 30 doctors left in war-torn Aleppo, UN health agency warns
Colombia: UN mission begins working to verify compliance with historic peace deal
UN health agency calls for stronger measures against Zika as Thailand confirms disease-related cases
Ban to set up probe into deadly attack on UN-Syrian Arab Red Crescent aid convoy in Western Aleppo
UNICEF completes mobile health campaign aimed at children and women in Yemen
UN refugee agency urges better measures for people crossing contact line in eastern Ukraine
As carbon dioxide levels hit 15 million year high, UN urges action to curb greenhouse gas emissions
South Sudan: 100,000 people trapped in Yei, UN refugee agency warns
Ban urges 'dialogue and diplomacy' by both India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions
Rural Latin American and Caribbean areas need targeted agricultural policies, investments – UN
29 September
UN-backed committee launches guides to assist aid workers in curbing sexual exploitation
Colombia: UN human rights chief reaffirms ongoing collaboration in wake of peace accord
UN officials optimistic of Paris climate accord’s entry into force by year’s end
Amid political jockeying and grandstanding, ‘Syria is bleeding,’ UN aid chief tells Security Council
Afghanistan: UN mission condemns killing of at least 15 civilians in airstrike
Modernizing sub-Saharan Africa’s farming systems can boost livelihoods, help feed the world – UN
UNICEF more than doubles funding appeal for children in north-east Nigeria
Security Council calls on Somali parties to address political challenges amid latest election delay
UN relief wing appeals for urgent funding in DPRK following typhoon
On World Day, UN spotlights role of maritime transport as backbone of global economy
28 September
‘No words left’ to describe suffering of children in Aleppo –UNICEF
Republic of Korea: UN rights expert calls for probe in death of 69-year old protester
UN health agency declares elimination of measles in the Americas
Ban calls on UN Security Council for decisive steps to end attacks on hospitals, medical staff
Improved UN database spotlights huge global disparities in access to cancer care
UN food relief agency reaches town in northern Iraq for first time in two years
On World Day, UN urges rabies control beyond human and animal health services
UN pays tribute to Shimon Peres, 'tireless' worker for Middle East peace
27 September
UN Human Rights Council discusses situations in DR Congo, Libya, Ukraine and Burundi
Accessible tourism will benefit everyone, say senior UN officials on World Day
UN rights experts urge Pakistan authorities to halt execution of man with disability
Repealing anti-abortion laws would save the lives of nearly 50,000 women a year – UN experts
Latest Somali election delay raises risks of manipulation, more delays – senior UN official
Mali: UN food relief agency warns funding gap may jeopardize school meals programme
Vast majority of world – 6.76 billion people – living with excessive air pollution – UN report
ICC finds Malian extremist guilty of war crime in destroying historic sites in Timbuktu
UN humanitarian wing condemns attacks on relief workers in Central African Republic
UNESCO chief condemns killing of Mexican community radio host
26 September
UN highlights agriculture's potential to help address climate change and antimicrobial resistance
UNESCO chief condemns murder of Jordanian writer
UNESCO unveils video on comprehensive sexuality education for young people
World leaders spotlight 2030 Agenda, climate action at UN General Assembly’s annual debate
Togo, at UN, calls for enhancing efforts of small countries to combat spread of terrorism
Syria: Joint UN-Red Crescent relief convoy reaches besieged cities for first time in five months
Achieving 2030 Agenda will require overcoming rising ‘feeling of chaos,’ Belarus tells UN Assembly
As Colombians bid farewell to ‘decades of flames,’ Ban pledges UN support to historic peace deal
In General Assembly, Denmark calls for greater UN efficiency and transparency
Onus is on 'us' to ensure implementation of 2030 Agenda, Tanzanian Minister tells UN
Palau has already made the choice for a better future, Permanent Representative tells UN debate
Caribbean leaders, at UN Assembly, decry new financial rules; stress UN role in development
At UN, Indian Minister urges leaders to turn ‘shadow of turmoil’ into a golden age for civilization
UN-backed programme found to improve working conditions in global garment factories
On International Day, UN renews call for global elimination of nuclear weapons
At UN, Gulf State Ministers stress importance of ‘good neighbourliness’ in Middle East
Routinely ‘written off,’ Eritrea is rebounding and keen to achieve Global Goals, Minister tells UN
UN vital for survival of small States in volatile world, Singapore tells General Assembly
25 September
UN chief commends Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders on 'remarkable progress'
24 September
Sudan is committed to dialogue and will ‘knock on every door in pursuit of peace,’ Minister tells UN
At UN, Kyrgyz Minister cites ‘tangible blows’ to country’s economy due to climate change
Philippines’ anti-drug fight ‘grabs headlines for wrong reasons,’ Foreign Secretary tells UN
United Arab Emirates, in UN debate, says Iran’s actions destabilized region
At UN leader’s debate, Somalia calls for unity to address global challenges
Addressing UN, Republic of Congo says newly-adopted Constitution will improve governance
At UN, Tonga shares experiences on preserving marine diversity, tackling non-communicable diseases
Nepal, at UN, stresses national ownership and international partnership for success of Global Goals
Ireland’s migrant past ‘tragic present for so many,’ Foreign Minister tells UN
UN is key to achieving development goals and tackling terrorism, Tajikistan tells Assembly
2030 Agenda should be on ‘the walls of every planning ministry,’ Iceland tells world leaders at UN
In UN Assembly, Liechtenstein denounces Security Council’s ‘shameful indifference’ on Syria
At UN, South-east Asian ministers highlight region’s efforts on Global Goals
Least developed countries will miss 2021 targets without world support – deputy UN chief
Global integration key to attaining development and climate goals, African leaders tell UN Assembly
Timor-Leste knows ‘all too well’ price of war, Prime Minister says at UN
Caribbean leaders at UN warn of region’s ‘economic collapse’ under US, EU decision on banking
Ban laments 'dark day' for civilian protection as bombing of Aleppo intensifies
23 September
At UN Assembly, Uzbekistan cites links between 2030 Agenda, climate action
Azerbaijan, at UN Assembly, calls for worldwide mutual respect to achieve development goals
At UN, southern African leaders urge climate action, Security Council reform
In UN debate, Caribbean nations spotlight negative impacts of indebtedness, ‘de-risking’
Senior UN officials seek accountability for human trafficking crimes in forced migration
Southeast Asian leaders at General Assembly call for a strengthened more democratic UN
Leaders must decide whether to ‘go it alone,’ or work together for better world, Germany tells UN
At UN Assembly, South Sudan calls for more talks on additional peacekeepers