Meetings Coverage and Press Releases

In progress at UNHQ

Suffering Will Continue in Least Developed Countries Unless They Unleash Women’s Power to Impact Development, Thematic Debate Hears in Istanbul

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Suffering Will Continue in Least Developed Countries Unless They Unleash Women’s Power to Impact Development, Thematic Debate Hears in Istanbul

ISTANBUL, 12 May — As central managers of families and communities, women held the key to unlocking human development potential, but unless they were equally empowered to access financial, social and health services, and engaged — from the start — in decisions that affected their lives, least developed countries would remain powerless to unleash it, said participants in the last of six high-level thematic debates held during the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries.

Report on Post-Conflict Civilian Capacity Stresses Stronger National Ownership of Peace Processes, Need to Broaden Experts’ Pool in Security Council Debate

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Report on Post-Conflict Civilian Capacity Stresses Stronger National Ownership of Peace Processes, Need to Broaden Experts’ Pool in Security Council Debate

The next generation of United Nations peacebuilding must strengthen national ownership of peace processes, broaden the pool of international expertise and make United Nations support more appropriate, timely and effective, the Security Council heard today as it held a debate on post-conflict civilian capacity.

Kosovo Seems Headed for Period of Greater Political Stability, Secretary-General’s Special Representative Says in Briefing to Security Council

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Kosovo Seems Headed for Period of Greater Political Stability, Secretary-General’s Special Representative Says in Briefing to Security Council

Welcoming the recent start of a much-awaited dialogue between officials in Pristina and Belgrade, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General told the Security Council today that Kosovo had emerged from a constitutional crisis and appeared to be headed towards a period of increased political stability.

Under-Secretary-General for Management Briefs Budget Committee; Says Overall United Nations Financial Situation Improved

GA/AB/3989

Under-Secretary-General for Management Briefs Budget Committee; Says Overall United Nations Financial Situation Improved

The United Nations top management official told the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today that the Organization’s overall financial situation had improved, as the number of Member States that had paid in full as of 10 May 2011 was above the level of a year ago across all funds except for one, the Capital Master Plan.

Disability Convention Receives 100th Ratification

HR/5049-L/T/4423

Disability Convention Receives 100th Ratification

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is the first international human rights treaty of the twenty-first century. On 10 May, Colombia became the 100th country to ratify this Convention. In doing so, it joins the ranks of those countries that now support greater access, backed by their legal systems, for citizens with disabilities to fully participate in the lives of their communities, including the political process and health and education services.

‘Here in Istanbul, as Chapter Closes on Brussels, We Have Opportunity to Rewrite Fate of Least Developed Countries,’ Conference Hears

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‘Here in Istanbul, as Chapter Closes on Brussels, We Have Opportunity to Rewrite Fate of Least Developed Countries,’ Conference Hears

ISTANBUL, 12 May — With negotiators edging towards consensus on the outcome of the United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, speakers today used the gathering’s penultimate plenary session to press for a 10-year action plan grounded in sound policies that ensured delivery on past pledges for development assistance and brought down the barriers blocking their paths to economic growth.

‘Don’t Be a Crybaby,’ Urges ‘Graduate’ of Least Developed Country Category at Istanbul Conference; ‘We have to Fend for Ourselves’

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‘Don’t Be a Crybaby,’ Urges ‘Graduate’ of Least Developed Country Category at Istanbul Conference; ‘We have to Fend for Ourselves’

ISTANBUL, 11 May — Broad agreement emerged today during the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries concerning the responsibility of the world’s poorest countries for their own development and the need for those recipient Governments to optimize international assistance, as the meeting continued into its third day.

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