The Israeli Government needs to take more steps to lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip, particularly to allow the free import of construction materials into the area, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today.

The United Nations committee tasked with ensuring compliance with the global treaty to end discrimination against women today noted that there has been progress towards improving the lot of women in some countries, but discriminatory practices continued to limit their human rights.

At least 10 pro-government tribesmen and a Yemeni officer have been killed after Yemeni warplanes “mistakenly” targeted their convoy in southern Yemen, says a Yemeni security official.

ILNA: The United Nations has warned Bahrain that its violent crackdown on anti-government protesters might be breaking international law.

Resume’ Writing Guidelines Workshop was held on 17 May 2009 with the attendance Azad University Students.

Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Education Course was held on 9-10 May with the attendance of MS students in environmental management and environmental engineering.

UN System and its activities in Iran Education Course for Law and Political Science Students was held on 13-14 and 20-21 May 2009.

On 19 August 2008, with the cooperation of UNIC, UNA-IRAN held a one day education course entitled MDG Education Course for 35 teachers and school heads of the Education Department. This course was held with the aim of promoting UN culture. Experts from various UN agencies explained each of the eight MDG, and the access process of these Goals in Iran.

According to the UN Refugee Agency and the International Organization for Migration in 2007, almost 5 million Iraqis had been displaced by violence in their country, the vast majority of which had fled since 2003. Over 2.8 million vacated their homes for safer areas within Iraq, while 2 million were living in Syria, Jordan, Iran, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey and Persian Gulf States.

According to figures, since 1970 the earth has got between 0.8 to 1 degree Celsius warmer. This has resulted in severe droughts on one hand and floods and strong storms and hurricanes to occur on the other hand. Over the last decade, we have witnessed at least eight years of drought in Iran and neighbouring countries. The drought has severe implications, particularly in grains and cereals production. One problem that people shall be faced with will be the price of cereals. Strong storms and hurricanes, and floods, and also the rising sea levels in coastal areas are other serious problems.

The notion of the elimination of WMD from the world is nothing new. It’s origin came about as a result of developments that shaped during and following the Cold War, and its most important element was the monitoring bodies, agencies and organizations on arms control and proliferation of WMD lost control.

Far too many families endure chronic, punishing hardship. Lacking jobs and the means to make ends meet, adults are unable to provide adequate nutrition for children, leaving them with lifelong physical and cognitive scars. Other family members can suffer neglect and deprivation. Poverty continues to claim the lives of hundreds of thousands of women each year in childbirth.

This year at the United Nations can be described as a one of cautious progress in several significant issue areas, despite some major challenges faced by the international community.

The sixth terrorist attack in Sistan and Baluchistan province took place as our fellow country folk were celebrating religious festivities.

From the United Nations Association of Iran, the Organization for Defending Victims of Violence (ODVV) and the United Nations Association of Edinburgh as well as 15 other Iranian NGOs.