Global leaders are being urged to stop dividing the world into "us" and "them." That is the message from outgoing UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson who says farewell to the organization at the end of this year. Mr Eliasson has held the UN's second highest post for nearly five years and his accomplishments include contributing [...]

The number of women representing Colombia's judiciary remains low and this, in turn, exacerbates gender inequality problems in the country. That view is expressed by Belen Sanz, Country Representative of UN Women in Colombia. She says gender stereotypes make it "extremely difficult" for women to run for office in Colombia. Andita Listyarini has been speaking [...]

Listen to a bulletin of news and features from United Nations, with Jocelyne Sambira and Dianne Penn. In today’s programme Concerns over the electoral process in Somalia… And, how terrorist groups are exploiting social media and other communication technologies to fund their activities. Duration: 10:00

Terrorist groups are exploiting all the new social media platforms and communication technologies to expand and fund their activities, according to a representative from the UN's Counter Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). Delphine Schantz, one of CTED's legal officers stated that internet sites and "crowdfunding" platforms are being misused to buy weapons online and raise funds for [...]

    US $3.5 million grant awarded to restore Haiti schools Over US $3.5 million in grants has been awarded by the UN to rapidly restore schools that were heavily damaged by Hurricane Matthew. The funds are also earmarked to assist an estimated 30,000 returnees as well as people evicted from public schools where they [...]

Listen to a special features programme today, looking back at some of the highlights of 2016 for the United Nations and the world. It's been a year of momentous events from Aleppo, to the refugee crisis, to brutal conflict in South Sudan and Yemen, and peace after decades of fighting in Colombia. Matthew Wells looks [...]

Listen to a bulletin of news and features from the United Nations, with Jocelyne Sambira and Dianne Penn. In today’s programme: Members of the Security Council fail to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan; And, there are fears that DR Congo violence is spreading.

  Aleppo evacuations nearing end stage The evacuation of civilians from the Syrian city of Aleppo is believed to be in its final stages, according to the UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA). More than 34,000 people have been evacuated from besieged neighbourhoods in eastern Aleppo since 15 December, according to estimates from the International Committee [...]

  Aleppo evacuation ends but scores of Syrians still in besieged areas The operation to evacuate civilians from the Syrian city of Aleppo has drawn to a close, but the situation in the country remains "catastrophic" with more than 13 million people in dire need of humanitarian assistance. That message was delivered to the Security [...]

A vote to impose an arms embargo and targeted sanctions against South Sudan has failed to garner enough support among the 15 members of the UN Security Council. The draft resolution tabled by the United States on Friday received 7 votes in favour and 8 abstentions; each member of the Council has one vote. Tens [...]