News by region: Middle East
Iraq: UNICEF launches back-to-school campaign to help millions missing out on education
30 September – Several weeks before of the start of the new school year, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), together with the Iraqi Ministry of Education, launched a nationwide ‘Back to School’ campaign in 10 governorates.
Fewer than 30 doctors left in war-torn Aleppo, UN health agency warns
30 September – There are now less than 30 doctors working in Aleppo city, down from 35 several days ago, a senior official of the United Nations health agency said today, highlighting the deteriorating healthcare capacity in the war-battered area.
Ban to set up probe into deadly attack on UN-Syrian Arab Red Crescent aid convoy in Western Aleppo
30 September – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will establish an internal United Nations Board of Inquiry to investigate the deadly 19 September incident involving a UN–Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) relief operation to Urum al-Kubra, a town in western Aleppo Governorate.
UNICEF completes mobile health campaign aimed at children and women in Yemen
30 September – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported that, along with its partners, the agency has completed a drive reaching more than 600,000 children under five years old and some 180,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women in conflict-torn Yemen with critical health and nutrition services.
Amid political jockeying and grandstanding, ‘Syria is bleeding,’ UN aid chief tells Security Council
29 September – In an impassioned appeal to the Security Council, the top United Nations relief official today called on the global body’s primary organ for maintenance of peace and security to act immediately to end the bloodshed in Syria so that humanitarian assistance is able to reach those who desperately need it.
‘No words left’ to describe suffering of children in Aleppo –UNICEF
28 September – Children in Aleppo are trapped in a “living nightmare,” a senior official of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said today, stressing yet again, the direness of the situation, particularly for the children, in Syria’s war-ravaged Aleppo.
UN food relief agency reaches town in northern Iraq for first time in two years
28 September – For the first time in more than two years, the United Nations food relief agency has distributed urgently-needed food for people in and around the northern Iraqi town of Shirqat, which was under siege and cut off from humanitarian access from 2014 until earlier this month.
UN pays tribute to Shimon Peres, 'tireless' worker for Middle East peace
28 September – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other senior UN officials have paid tribute to Shimon Peres, former Israeli President and the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize winner, who passed away early Wednesday at the age of 93.
UNESCO chief condemns murder of Jordanian writer
26 September – The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom today expressed indignation at the killing of Jordanian writer Nahed Hattar.
Syria: Joint UN-Red Crescent relief convoy reaches besieged cities for first time in five months
26 September – The United Nations and Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) have delivered life-saving food aid to 60,000 people under siege in four Syrian towns, their first supplies since April, but extreme concern persists for 250,000 people trapped in Aleppo, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported today.
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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