Iraq requests UN set up independent commission to probe deadly terror attacks

Iraq’s President today called on the United Nations to establish an independent international commission to probe a series of deadly bombings and other terrorist attacks in the country since the start of last year that he said can only have been carried out with the help of external forces.

UN mission in Chad and Central African Republic needs funds - Ban

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is appealing to donor nations and institutions to be generous when they meet next week in Brussels to raise much-needed funds for the UN Mission in Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR).

Revolution is sweeping Latin America and the Caribbean, Venezuela tells UN

The countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are undergoing a revolution that is “comprehensive and necessary” after years of accumulated suffering by millions of people across the region, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez told the General Assembly today as he urged other States around the world to follow the path of socialism.

UN and partners call on Israel, Palestinians to renew talks as matter of urgency

The United Nations and its diplomatic partners in the search for Middle East peace today urged Israel and the Palestinians to resume their negotiations as a matter of urgency in pursuit of a two-State solution to their conflict.

African leaders unite to meet UN malaria eradication targets

African leaders are at the forefront of a landmark initiative to protect all those at risk from malaria with life-saving interventions by the end of 2010, the United Nations Envoy for efforts to defeat the deadly disease says.

Global help needed to curb youth unemployment in Africa, Tanzania says at UN

Tanzania’s President called for global assistance in the “gigantic task” of generating employment for African youth at the General Assembly today, warning that the problem can serve to perpetuate conflict on the conflict.

Reunification must be achieved by Cypriots themselves, President tells UN debate

The unification of Cyprus must be brought about by Cypriots themselves, President Demetris Christofias told the General Assembly today, adding the despite progress in negotiations, serious obstacles remain towards finding a final solution for the Mediterranean island.

Israel presses UN to rise to challenge of containing Iranian nuclear threat

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel today exhorted the United Nations to ensure that Iran, whose leader he described as a “Holocaust denier,” never acquires nuclear weapons.

Financial crisis eroding development gains, African leaders warn at UN

The current worldwide recession is jeopardizing strides made toward reaching development targets, African leaders told the General Assembly today, calling for imbalances in the global trade system to be rectified to ensure that developing nations can grow their economies.

Swiss leader stresses importance of UN amid rising influence of G-20

Switzerland today called for the United Nations to play a greater role in discussing the biggest global issues such as the recent financial crisis, warning that the bloc of major economies known as the Group of Twenty (G-20) lacked legitimacy as a forum and did not consult enough with non-members.