In progress at UNHQ

Press Release

25 March 2013

OBV/1204

International Day to Remember Victims of Slavery Honours Their Liberation under Theme: ‘Forever Free: Celebrating Emancipation’

Today, 25 March, is the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. For over 400 years, more than 15 million men, women and children were the victims of the tragic transatlantic slave trade, one of the darkest chapters in human history.

25 March 2013

SC/10959

Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Deletes Four Individuals from Its Sanctions List

On 23 March 2013, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) approved the deletion (de-listing) of the entries specified below from the Al-Qaida Sanctions List. The assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 2083 (2012) therefore no longer apply to the following entries:

22 March 2013

SG/SM/14895-GA/11348-OBV/1198

For the Billions without Toilets or Protection from Untreated Waste, Cost Counted in Lives — 4,500 Children a Day — Economic Productivity, Says Secretary-General

Following are Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Remarks at the High-level Interactive Dialogue on Water Cooperation, in New York, today, 22 March:

22 March 2013

SG/SM/14899-OBV/1202

Emergence of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis, Inadequate Funding Impeding Further Progress to Reduce Infections, Secretary-General Says in Message

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for World Tuberculosis Day, 24 March:

22 March 2013

SG/SM/14903-OBV/1203

‘The United Nations Has a Short History but a Long Memory,’ Says Secretary-General at Concert Commemorating the More Than 15 Million Victims of the Slave Trade

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the concert in the General Assembly Hall on the occasion of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, 22 March:

22 March 2013

ENV/DEV/1343-EN/275

Using Less Energy, More Renewable Sources, United Nations Prepares for Lights Out during Earth Hour, to Be Marked Worldwide on 23 March

The United Nations will participate in Earth Hour 2013 by turning off the lights at its offices around the world for one hour on Saturday, 23 March, in a symbolic gesture to support action on climate change and demonstrate its commitment to reducing its own carbon footprint.

22 March 2013

SG/SM/14897

Condemning Terrorist Attack on Syrian Mosque, Secretary-General Says ‘A Political Solution Is the Only Way Out of this Conflict’

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

22 March 2013

SG/SM/14901-AFR/2584

Secretary-General, Deeply Concerned by Reports of Renewed Fighting in Central African Republic, Urges Séléka Movement to Halt Military Offensive

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

22 March 2013

OBV/1199-ORG/1564

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members to Be Observed on 25 March

On 25 March 1985, Alec Collett was abducted by armed men while on assignment in Lebanon for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). For more than 24 years, his wife and family hung onto hope and prayer until his body was finally found and identified in 2009. Alec Collett’s fate symbolizes the fate of too many staff members who have “disappeared” or have been detained for long periods while serving the United Nations.