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UN MISSION DEPLOYS TROOPS TO IVORIAN CHURCH TO PROTECT CIVILIANS SEEKING REFUGE

UN MISSION DEPLOYS TROOPS TO IVORIAN CHURCH TO PROTECT CIVILIANS SEEKING REFUGE
New York, Mar 31 2011 7:10PM
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Côte d'Ivoire has deployed troops to a key town in the country's west to protect an estimated 10,000 civilians seeking refuge at a church amid mounting international concern about the humanitarian situation in the West African nation.

The internally displaced persons (IDPs) sought shelter at a church in Duékoué earlier this week as the town became engulfed in fighting between forces backing Alassane Ouattara, who won the UN-certified and internationally recognized presidential run-off election last year, and the forces behind Laurent Gbagbo, who lost the poll but has since refused to step down from the presidency.

The UN mission, known as UNOCI, dispatched a team yesterday to both Duékoué and Yamoussoukro, the capital, to see how the UN can help IDPs and other civilians caught up in the increasingly heavy violence in those areas. Yamoussoukro has reportedly been captured by the pro-Ouattara Forces Républicaines this week.

"The humanitarian situation is dramatic and every day that passes the suffering of the population increases," said Hamadoun Touré, a spokesperson for UNOCI, in a briefing to journalists in Abidjan, the country's largest city.

Up to 1 million people have been displaced by the violence that has swept the divided country since the disputed election last November, and top UN officials have warned of a deepening humanitarian crisis in Côte d'Ivoire. Many people have fled to neighbouring Liberia, putting a severe strain on that country's resources.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) <"http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/JARR-8FGGEW?OpenDocument">reported today on a "mass exodus" of residents of Abidjan, with many telling agency staff they feared that major fighting would soon break out in the city.

About 50,000 people are estimated to have been displaced this week just in the area in and around Duékoué, according to the UN.

Mr. Touré said UNOCI's priorities are to prevent or deter atrocities from being committed against civilians, regardless of their political leanings, ethnicity, religion or region, and to alleviate the suffering of the IDPs.

Y.J. Choi, the mission's head and the Secretary-General's Special Representative, secured the release of a priest who had been detained by the so-called Invisible Commandos, a pro-Ouattara armed group based in Abidjan, from the Anyama neighbourhood and 150 priests from the parish of Abobo.

Mr. Choi is also in touch with all the parties to the fighting in a bid to find a resolution to the crisis, while UNOCI military forces are carrying out regular ground and air patrols in Abidjan and other at-risk areas in an attempt to prevent further attacks against civilians. Nearly 500 people are confirmed to have been killed so far in the post-election unrest.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced his concern about the rising violence, stressing it was essential for all sides to the fighting to meet their responsibility to avoid harming civilians.

"Those responsible for inciting, orchestrating or committing human rights violations will be held accountable under international law," he said in a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=5178">statement issued by his spokesperson, adding that all parties must allow aid workers immediate access to people in need.

"The Secretary-General urges all to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from exacting revenge and place the interests of the whole nation above all else. He calls on former President Laurent Gbagbo to immediately cede power to President Ouattara to enable the full transition of State institutions to the legitimate authorities."

Yesterday members of the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution urging Mr. Gbagbo to step aside and imposing targeted sanctions against him, his wife and key associates.

Mar 31 2011 7:10PM
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT STRESSES CENTRAL ROLE OF UN IN GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT STRESSES CENTRAL ROLE OF UN IN GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
New York, Mar 31 2011 7:10PM
The United Nations and its General Assembly have a central role to play in shaping a global governance structure that is efficient, open and representative, the President of the 192-member Assembly said today.

"The United Nations enjoys unique legitimacy," Joseph Deiss said in a lecture delivered in Geneva. "The UN is a Charter-based organization, with purposes and principles, membership and organs, and a budget that are clearly defined."

At the same time, Mr. Deiss, who made reaffirming the UN's central role in global governance the theme of last year's General Debate in New York, added that there are several aspects to consider for the UN to fulfil its central role in the global governance system and thus avoid being marginalized.

First, a strong UN requires a decisive effort to revitalize the General Assembly, to reform the Security Council and review the work of the Human Rights Council.

A second aspect is to strengthen the UN's economic bodies, particular the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Thirdly, it is necessary to find the appropriate means of communicating, consulting and cooperating with the new actors that have emerged from the private sector, civil society and academic bodies and think tanks, which are playing an increasing role in shaping today's global world.

Mr. Deiss announced that he will convene an informal debate of the Assembly in June to further reflect on the architecture and the functioning of the global governance system.

"My vision is of a strong United Nations with a strong General Assembly, which should be the main forum for global debate," said the President.

"With this condition fulfilled, Geneva – as a significant part of the United Nations system – will be in a position to serve as a platform to further shape and influence global governance in its areas of excellence, such as human rights, migration and trade."

Mar 31 2011 7:10PM
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ROBUST REGULATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CRUCIAL FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH – UN

ROBUST REGULATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CRUCIAL FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH – UN
New York, Mar 31 2011 6:10PM
Effective regulation of the information and telecommunications technologies (ICTs) is crucial for overall economic growth, the United Nations telecommunications agency says in a report released today, stressing that setting rules and standards creates an enabling digital environment.

In its 2010-2011 report on "Trends in Telecommunications Reform", the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) notes that a robust and complex regulatory landscape has emerged in response to the tremendous influence ICTs have on the shape and growth of other economic sectors.

At the beginning of this year, for example, more than 80 per cent of markets worldwide had separate ICT regulatory agencies, bringing the total to 158 ICT regulators worldwide, up from 106 just one decade ago, according to the report.

"Because ICTs touch all aspects of society, when setting sound policies and regulation, the link between ICTs and major social issues like climate change, economic growth and digital lifestyles has to be taken into account," <"http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2011/07.aspx">said Brahima Sanou, the Director of ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau.

"More than ever, it is vital to consider the appropriate scope of the ICT regulators' mandate in creating an enabling digital world, a world where no citizen should be left out of the digital society," Mr. Sanou says in a press release.

The reports points out that ICT markets around the world are becoming more competitive in every respect, from international gateway services to wireless local loop and 3G. In 2010, for example, more than 93 per cent of countries worldwide allowed competition in the provision of Internet services, and 90 per cent in the provision of mobile cellular services. A further 92 per cent have competitive 3G mobile broadband markets.

"ICTs are truly at the heart of everything we do," said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré. "Technology is reshaping the lives of everyone – even those who still lack direct access themselves."

Worldwide, mobile cellular subscriptions now total more than 5.3 billion, including 940 million subscriptions to mobile broadband services – a figure which is expected to reach one billion before mid-2011, according to the report. Access to mobile networks is now available to 90 per cent of the world's population. Eighty per cent of people in rural areas now have mobile cellular coverage.

In terms of applications, at the end of last year, Facebook alone had 600 million active users, representing more than a third of Internet users worldwide. Forty per cent of active Facebook users accessed the platform through their mobile devices. The micro-blogging site Twitter now has over 200 million registered users, and 37 per cent of active Twitter users use their mobile device to "tweet".

Data also shows that two billion videos are watched every day on YouTube, while five billion photos are now hosted on Flickr.

The report also stresses that broadband access is no longer a luxury, but a necessity that will be crucial to every country's economic, social, and political growth, and calls for proactive national broadband planning by every government.
Mar 31 2011 6:10PM
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UN-BACKED MEETING CONCLUDES WITH CALL FOR STRONGER MEASURES TO PROTECT GORILLAS

UN-BACKED MEETING CONCLUDES WITH CALL FOR STRONGER MEASURES TO PROTECT GORILLAS
New York, Mar 31 2011 6:10PM
A United Nations-backed meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, has concluded with a call for better enforcement of laws to protect endangered gorillas in 10 African countries.

The two-day meeting that ended yesterday, organized by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals under the UN Environment Programme (UNEP/CMS), was the first ever gathering of UN agencies, governments in the region, local wildlife authorities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and global experts to tackle wildlife crime that threatens gorillas.

Participants reviewed current conservation activities affecting the four sub-species of gorillas in East and Central Africa, and discussed solutions to address the major threat of commercial poaching for bushmeat and live trade in gorillas.

"Joint efforts to apply wildlife law are important because gorillas play a key role in the ecology of Africa's forests," said CMS Executive Secretary Elizabeth Maruma Mrema. "Their loss has an impact on the health of the whole ecosystem and, by extension, on everyone who lives in or benefits from these forests."

According to a news release issued by UNEP/CMS, local, national and international law enforcement efforts are essential to protect gorillas and their rainforest habitat.

The UN is already working closely with INTERPOL and national governments to curb the trade in live apes and bushmeat, as well as the illegal harvesting of timber. INTERPOL offered its global network of national offices to help combat wildlife crime relating to gorillas and other endangered species.

"A global response is required against environmental and wildlife crime," said Bernd Rossbach, the Director of INTERPOL's Specialized Crime Unit.

"In this endeavour, it is important for all countries to work through a multi-disciplinary approach that also uses INTERPOL's established National Central Bureau network and its Environmental Crime Programme to communicate intelligence and to provide support in capacity- building efforts," he added.

The meeting stressed the need to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies, collaboration between governments and coordination with UN missions, such as MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

MONUSCO assisted with transferring orphan gorillas to a sanctuary in July 2010 to combat the illegal cross-border trade in baby gorillas.

The CMS Agreement on the Conservation of Gorillas and their Habitats, which came into force in 2008, provides the framework for regional cooperation in the long-term protection of gorillas in the 10 countries of the Congo Basin, ranging from Nigeria in the west, to Angola in the south and Uganda in the east.

So far it has been signed by six States, namely the Central African Republic (CAR), the Republic of Congo, DRC, Gabon, Nigeria and Rwanda.

Collaboration among regional countries is already bearing fruit, according to UNEP/CMS, which noted that while gorilla populations across Africa are in decline, the numbers of two small populations of mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda are on the rise.

CMS continues to support regional efforts, which were initiated during the Year of the Gorilla in 2009 to fight the illegal trade in endangered species. Earlier this year, Gabon, assisted by the charity Conservation Justice and partially funded by CMS, achieved what might be the biggest arrest related to ape poaching yet in Africa.

Thirteen heads and 32 hands of gorillas and chimpanzees were confiscated from five wildlife smugglers, along with the remains of elephants, leopards, lions and other endangered species. The smugglers are all awaiting trial in Gabon.

Mar 31 2011 6:10PM
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UN OFFICIAL PROJECTS HEADQUARTERS RENOVATION WILL FINISH WITHIN BUDGET

UN OFFICIAL PROJECTS HEADQUARTERS RENOVATION WILL FINISH WITHIN BUDGET
New York, Mar 31 2011 4:10PM
Nearly three years into the major renovation of the United Nations Headquarters complex in New York, the project is on track to being completed within its almost $2 billion budget, the official overseeing the overhaul said today.

Michael Adlerstein, the Executive Director of the Capital Master Plan (<"http://www.un.org/cmp/uncmp/english/index.asp">CMP), told a news conference that there are now financial commitments for the CMP totalling approximately $1.5 billion, representing over 75 per cent of the project.

"The procurement of the project is progressing well," he stated, adding that the projected cost overrun of the CMP has been reduced from being 10 per cent over budget during the first year of the project to now less than 4 per cent over budget.

In 2007, the projected cost to complete the CMP was $219 million over the approved budget of $1.87 billion. Now, it is down to $80 million over budget, he said.

Mr. Adlerstein also told reporters that significant progress has been made during the project's second year of construction. This includes fitting out swing spaces in several leased buildings, completing the construction of the North Lawn Building and relocating several thousand staff to off-site and on-site swing spaces.

Consistent with original projections, he said it is expected that the reoccupation of the Secretariat Building will start with the return of staff in mid-2012, completing the return to the Secretariat within 2012.

When completed, the landmark 39-storey building towering over the East River and First Avenue in Manhattan will possess the 21st-century trappings of eco-friendly energy conservation, and its now dulled glass façade will be replaced with a new glass curtain resplendent with the same bluish-green tint as in its first incarnation in 1952.

"We project a 50 per cent reduction in energy consumption, as compared to pre-CMP conditions," said Mr. Adlerstein. "Our greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 45 per cent, and our water consumption will be reduced by 40 per cent."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pledged two years ago to make the UN complex "a model of environmental stewardship" by reducing electricity and water usage, and by removing harmful materials that were used in the original construction.

Speaking at the opening today of the new energy-efficient UN office complex in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, Mr. Ban said the world body is aiming to make its Headquarters complex in New York one of the cleanest, greenest buildings in the world.

He lauded the new complex in Nairobi – with its 6,000 square metres of solar panels and a host of other environmentally-friendly features – as a "model for green architecture in Africa and beyond" and said he hoped all UN offices will reach the very high bar set by those in Nairobi.
Mar 31 2011 4:10PM
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HIGH FOOD PRICES KEEP MILLIONS IN ASIA-PACIFIC REGION IN POVERTY – UN

HIGH FOOD PRICES KEEP MILLIONS IN ASIA-PACIFIC REGION IN POVERTY – UN
New York, Mar 31 2011 4:10PM
High food prices prevented more than 19 million people in the Asia-Pacific region from lifting themselves out of poverty last year, the United Nations said in a new study released today, warning that soaring food and fuel inflation will keep large sections of the region's population below the poverty threshold.

The assessment by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) says that rising food prices can delay the achievement of the global aim of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger – the first of the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) – by five years in countries such as Bangladesh, India, Laos and Nepal.

"Rising food prices are adding to inflationary pressures across the Asia-Pacific region. They are seen as a key downside risk to sustaining recovery in 2011. More startlingly high food prices in 2010 have kept 19.4 million people in poverty in the region, people who otherwise would have been out of poverty today," <"http://www.unescap.org/unis/press/2011/mar/g08.asp">says the study by ESCAP's Macroeconomic Policy and Development Division.

Bad weather in key food-producing countries, increasing use of crops as biofuels and speculation in commodity markets have added to a long-term decline in agriculture investment and affected global food supplies, according to the study, which examines the underlying causes of inflation in the region and its wider impact, and suggests short-, medium and long-term policy responses for governments and central banks.

The study analyses different scenarios for the year ahead for inflation presently forecast at 4.6 per cent for developing ESCAP economies. Under those scenarios, higher food and rising oil prices may slow down poverty reduction efforts even further, affecting from 10 to 42 million additional people.

Policy responses to high food prices over the short term include mild monetary tightening by the central bank. Other short-term measures include lower tax and tariff rates, freer imports and bigger food stocks to lessen the impact of temporary supply shocks.

"Strengthening social protection programmes including food safety nets and food vouchers or other such measures are critical to protect the poor and vulnerable people who are most severely affected from soaring food prices," said Noeleen Heyzer, the ESCAP Executive Secretary.

The study also underlines the importance of regional cooperation through pooling buffer stocks of food, adding that over the medium and longer terms, reversing the neglect of agriculture in public policy and overseas aid priorities is vital.

Given the role of speculative activity in exaggerating food and oil price shocks driven by massive liquidity injections in the developed countries, the ESCAP study recommends the regulation of such activity, including position limits, rather than an outright ban.

According to the assessment, the single most important policy initiative for developing countries in the region is to give priority to boosting the agriculture sector.

Mar 31 2011 4:10PM
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NEW ENERGY-EFFICIENT UN OFFICES IN KENYA SERVE AS MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE – BAN

NEW ENERGY-EFFICIENT UN OFFICES IN KENYA SERVE AS MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE – BAN
New York, Mar 31 2011 3:10PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today officially opened the new energy-efficient United Nations office complex in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, calling it a model for environmentally sustainable architecture in Africa and beyond.

"This building is beautiful, comfortable and efficient. But more than any of that, this building is a living model of our sustainable future," Mr. Ban said at the opening of the facility at Gigiri, which houses the new offices of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT).

According to UNEP, buildings are responsible for more than one third of global energy use and are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in most countries. The Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that emissions from buildings will rise to 11.1 billion tons by 2020.

The manufacture of building materials contributes a further 4 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, a figure that is increasing with the continuing rise in construction globally, most of it in developing countries.

"If our growing population is going to survive on this planet, we need smart designs that maximize resources, minimize waste and serve people and communities," said Mr. Ban. "This facility hits all of these targets."

>From the 6,000 square metres of shimmering solar panels to the environmentally-friendly paint on the walls, the new UN offices – which comprise four buildings that can accommodate 1,200 staff – boast myriad environmental features, while capitalizing on the natural benefits of Nairobi's climate.

The features of the energy-neutral complex include automated low-energy lighting for workspaces, energy-efficient computers and water-saving lavatories. Rainwater is collected from the roofs to feed the fountains and ponds at the four entrances, and sewage is treated in a state-of-the-art aeration system and recycled to irrigate the landscaped compound.

"This facility embodies the new, green economy I have championed for years now. An economy that can usher in a cleaner future, create jobs and spur economic growth," said Mr. Ban, who was joined at the inauguration ceremony by Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner and UN-HABITAT Executive Director Joan Clos, as well as other UN officials and dignitaries.

Calling the facility a "model for green architecture in Africa and beyond," Mr. Ban said he hoped all UN offices will reach the very high bar set by those in Nairobi.

He added that the Organization is aiming to make its Headquarters complex in New York, which is currently undergoing major renovations after 60 years of existence, one of the cleanest, greenest buildings in the world.

While in Nairobi, Mr. Ban also held separate meetings with Mr. Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. He also had a range of meetings with senior UN officials either based in Nairobi or visiting for the Chief Executives Board (CEB) gathering. That meeting, held twice a year, brings together the heads of the specialized agencies, funds and programmes in the UN system.

Also today, he launched his report on HIV/AIDS ahead of the high-level meeting on the topic at the General Assembly in June.
Mar 31 2011 3:10PM
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AS INFLUX FROM LIBYA TO TUNISIA CONTINUES, UNICEF SETS UP SANITATION FACILITIES

AS INFLUX FROM LIBYA TO TUNISIA CONTINUES, UNICEF SETS UP SANITATION FACILITIES
New York, Mar 31 2011 3:10PM
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is setting up sanitation facilities at two transit camps in southern Tunisia as the influx of people fleeing fighting and unrest in neighbouring Libya continues.

Hundreds of latrines, showers and water tanks have been installed in the Ataawan and Shousha camps, both close to the Tunisian-Libyan border, UNICEF <"http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/MUMA-8FG874?OpenDocument">reported yesterday. Hygiene kits are also being distributed within the camps and messages are being disseminated about the need for good practices such as regular hand-washing.

The agency said it was doing so to improve the living conditions inside the camps, which have sprung up as thousands of people have crossed over from Libya by car, bus or foot in recent weeks.

The fighting in Libya between Government forces and the opposition follows weeks of unrest in that country that are part of a wider wave of protests across North Africa and the Middle East that have led to the downfall of long-term regimes in Tunisia and Egypt.

The new arrivals in Tunisia are registered at Ataawan and then transferred to Shousha, which is now home to almost 7,800 people waiting to find a way back to their home countries.
Mar 31 2011 3:10PM
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UN RELEASES LATEST EDITION OF ITS ANNUAL YEARBOOK

UN RELEASES LATEST EDITION OF ITS ANNUAL YEARBOOK
New York, Mar 31 2011 1:10PM
The United Nations today released the latest edition of its annual Yearbook, which for the first time is also being made available in <"https://unp.un.org/MobileApps.aspx">digital format for users of e-book readers such as the Kindle, iPad and Nook.

The 61st volume of the Yearbook details all the activities of the UN for the year 2007, and includes the full texts of all major resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

It is divided into 33 chapters covering issues ranging from political and security questions to human rights and budgetary questions.

Writing in the foreword of the 1,634-page volume, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he hoped the book proved useful to scholars and anyone else with an interest in the work of the world body.

"This Yearbook offers a comprehensive account of the United Nations' efforts to end violence, safeguard human rights, ensure social justice and foster greater prosperity," he wrote.

Mr. Ban took office at the start of 2007 and the Yearbook reflects the many complex issues and decisions that the UN had to face that year, including the Security Council's authorization of a joint UN-African Union peacekeeping mission in the strife-torn Sudanese region of Darfur.
Mar 31 2011 1:10PM
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UN OFFICIAL INAUGURATES ANTI-PIRACY INFORMATION CENTRE IN KENYA

UN OFFICIAL INAUGURATES ANTI-PIRACY INFORMATION CENTRE IN KENYA
New York, Mar 31 2011 1:10PM
The head of the United Nations maritime agency today in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa <"http://www.imo.org/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/15-mombasa-isc.aspx">commissioned the first of three planned information-sharing centres designed to help fight the growing scourge of piracy in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.

The centre in Mombasa, which was opened by Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, the Secretary-General of the UN International Maritime Organization (<"http://www.imo.org/Pages/home.aspx">IMO), is co-housed with the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), which operates on a 24-hour basis and covers extensive areas of the western Indian Ocean.

The centres are being established under the Djibouti Code of Conduct on the Repression of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, the maritime regions most affected by pirates who set off from Somalia.

The code of conduct, which took effect in 2009, is designed to strengthen cooperation in the fight against piracy. It provides for the creation of the three information centres in Mombasa, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Sana'a in Yemen, as well as a training centre for anti-piracy units in Djibouti. It also calls for States in the region to make the necessary changes in their legislations to facilitate the arrest and prosecution of piracy suspects.

The information-sharing centres will ensure coordinated, timely, and effective flow of information, according to IMO. They will be capable of receiving and responding to alerts and requests for information or assistance at all times.

Countries reporting to the Mombasa centre include the Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius, Kenya and, at a later date, Somalia. The centre will exchange information on the movement of pirates with the centres to be established in Sana'a and Dar es Salaam, as well as with European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR), the United Kingdom's Maritime Trade Operations and the Maritime Liaison Office in Bahrain.

Speaking to staff at the Mombasa centre, Mr. Mitropoulos paid tribute to their services in the search and rescue efforts, and expressed hope that they will be equally successful in discharging their responsibilities under the piracy assignment to them.
Mar 31 2011 1:10PM
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ENHANCING RULE OF LAW VITAL FOR PEACE AND SECURITY IN HAITI, UN REPORT SAYS

ENHANCING RULE OF LAW VITAL FOR PEACE AND SECURITY IN HAITI, UN REPORT SAYS
New York, Mar 31 2011 1:10PM
Haitians must embrace the rule of law to advance peace and prosperity, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stresses in a new <"http://www.un.org/Docs/journal/asp/ws.asp?m=S/2011/183">report, adding that the country and its new leadership will require sustained international support to achieve this goal amid a set of daunting challenges.

"I call on all international partners to work with the Government and the United Nations in a concerted and cohesive effort to strengthen the rule of law in Haiti," Mr. Ban writes in his latest report on the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

He notes that the past year has been "deeply challenging" for Haiti, which has faced the difficult task of rebuilding and coping with the aftermath of the 12 January 2010 earthquake in which 230,000 people died and countless more were injured; an outbreak of cholera that to date has killed at least 4,600 people and infected more than 240,000; a close brush with Hurricane Tomas; and political instability and deadlock, and related electoral violence.

In addition, the ongoing displacement and continued precarious living conditions of more than 800,000 Haitians are a daily reminder of the need to accelerate the pace of reconstruction efforts.

"The incoming Government of Haiti will inherit a set of daunting challenges, compounded by the onset of another hurricane season, a severe lack of public sector expertise and a growing disenchantment among the general population with the existing political leadership and class and the long-standing socio-economic order," he states.

Preliminary results from the presidential run-off election held on 20 March between former first lady Mirlande Manigat and popular musician Michel Martelly are expected to be announced today, while the final results will be announced on 16 April.

"The next President of Haiti may well face a protracted period of difficult cohabitation with a divided and potentially fractious Parliament," says Mr. Ban. "The executive and legislative branches of Government will have to work together to meet the aspirations of the Haitian people and to deliver the reforms that they have been denied for far too long."

He states that strengthening the rule of law will require a genuine commitment to creating an independent and effective judiciary, a Parliament that is accountable to the people and not driven by special interests, and a Government that is transparent, responsive to the needs of the country and truly representative of the Haitian people.

"Haiti will require the sustained support of the international community to bring about systemic rule-of-law reform," the Secretary-General writes.

The return of former president Jean-Claude Duvalier has brought the country's turbulent history of State-sponsored violence to the fore, he adds. "It is of vital importance that the Haitian authorities pursue all legal and judicial avenues in this matter. The prosecution of those responsible for crimes against their own people will deliver a clear message to the people of Haiti that there can be no impunity."

The incoming administration should also build on the achievements of René Préval's presidency, which put an end to State-sponsored political violence and allowed Haitians to enjoy freedom of association and expression, Mr. Ban says.

The overall security situation in Haiti remained generally calm but prone to localized violent episodes of unrest, according to the report. There has been an increase in gang activities in impoverished areas of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Haitian criminals are active in the region's guns-for-drugs trade, which has been boosted by the presence of escaped prisoners seeking weapons.

A considerable proportion of the cocaine originating in South America and delivered to the United States and Europe passes relatively freely through Haiti, where drug traffickers are able to exploit the porous border and use illegal airstrips, boats and private submarines off the coast of the island.

The communities most at risk from insecurity remain those within the densely populated areas in the West Department, including the camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs). "Several of the camps are used as bases by escaped prisoners and gangs. Consequently, crime, including sexual and gender-based violence, appears to have increased in the camps," says the Secretary-General.

"Haiti has the chance to make a fresh start under a new administration," he states. "A new leadership must try to heal the wounds of a deeply polarized society and provide jobs, education and services to a population that is economically impoverished.

"The United Nations will work with the new Government and all sections of Haitian society to enhance the rule of law in Haiti, and to ensure that the population can fully enjoy its fundamental economic, social, civil and political rights."

For its part, UN peacekeeping mission continues its vital work in the country, including in delivering critical support for quake recovery efforts; assisting with reform of the national police force; protecting vulnerable groups, particularly those living in the camps; providing support to State institutions; and promoting human rights.
Mar 31 2011 1:10PM
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UN WARNS OF ‘POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC’ IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FOOD SECURITY

UN WARNS OF 'POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC' IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FOOD SECURITY
New York, Mar 31 2011 12:10PM
The effects of slow-onset climate change are expected to have "potentially catastrophic" impact on food production in developing countries in future, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned today, calling for action to mitigate the adverse consequences.

"Currently the world is focused on dealing with shorter-term climate impacts caused mainly by extreme weather events," <"http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/54337/icode/">said Alexander Müller, the FAO Assistant-Director General for Natural Resources, in a submission to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

"This is absolutely necessary, but 'slow-onset' impacts are expected to bring deeper changes that challenge the ecosystem services needed for agriculture, with potentially disastrous impacts on food security during the period from 2050 to 2100. Coping with long-term changes after the fact doesn't make much sense. We must already today support agriculture in the developing world to become more resilient," said Mr. Müller.

In its submission, FAO outlines steps that governments could consider in climate change negotiations to ensure that food security is not threatened. The agency recommends that food security be used as an indicator of vulnerability to climate change, saying that agriculture systems and the ecosystems it depends on are highly sensitive to climate variability and climate change.

Changes in temperature, precipitation and related outbreaks of pest and diseases can reduce production, with poor people in countries that depend on food imports particularly vulnerable, according to FAO. "If we're looking to assess vulnerability to climate change, it makes very good sense to look at food security as one important indicator," said Müller.

FAO suggests that global climate change adaptation mechanisms include greater attention to risks arising from slow-onset impacts of climate change, particularly the effect on food security.

A key measure highlighted in the FAO submission is the need to develop staple food varieties that are better adapted to future climatic conditions. Plant genetic material stored in gene banks should be screened with future requirements in mind, and additional plant genetic resources – including those from wild relatives of food crops – should be collected and studied because of the risk that they may disappear, FAO recommends.

Climate-adapted crops such varieties of major cereals that are resistant to heat, drought, submergence and salty water, the agency suggests, stressing this should be done in ways that respect breeders' and farmers' rights, in accordance with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources.

Mar 31 2011 12:10PM
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UNESCO CHIEF DEPLORES KILLING OF FILIPINO RADIO NEWS ANCHOR

UNESCO CHIEF DEPLORES KILLING OF FILIPINO RADIO NEWS ANCHOR
New York, Mar 31 2011 11:10AM
The head of the United Nations agency defending press freedom today <"http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/director_general_condemns_killing_of_philippines_journalist_marlina_len_flores_sumera/">condemned the recent murder of a radio news anchor in the Philippines and urged that her killer be brought to justice.

Marlina "Len" Flores-Sumera, 45, was killed by a lone gunman as she was leaving her home for work in Malabon City on 24 March. She was a news anchor for radio station dzME's Arangkada 1530.

"The killing of journalists is a severe attack on the basic human right of free expression and on society's freedom to engage in informed debate," said Irina Bokova, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), who learned of the murder during her recent visit to the Philippines.

"During my visit, I saw first hand the Government's firm commitment to a human rights-based approach to development. This is about fulfilling basic needs like health and education, but also about guaranteeing the right to freedom of expression.

"I trust the authorities, who made it very clear that there would be no impunity for such crimes, will spare no effort in bringing those responsible for the murder of Marlina Flores-Sumera to justice," she stated.

The Paris-based UNESCO has been a key partner in media development in the Philippines, where it pioneered the establishment and growth of community radio in the early 1990s.
Mar 31 2011 11:10AM
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UN INDEPENDENT EXPERT PRAISES TOLERANCE IN PARAGUAY, DEPLORES INEQUALITY

UN INDEPENDENT EXPERT PRAISES TOLERANCE IN PARAGUAY, DEPLORES INEQUALITY
New York, Mar 31 2011 11:10AM
The United Nations independent expert on religious freedom today <"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=10904&LangID=E">commended Paraguay for the openness and tolerance of both the Government and society, but pointed out there is "much room" for improvement in tackling the issue of inequality.

"There are enormous societal inequalities in terms of distribution of wealth, access to public or private education, political influence, ethnic and linguistic minority status, etc.," said Heiner Bielefeldt, the <"http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/religion/index.htm">UN Special Rapporteur on the freedom of religion or belief at the end of his eight-day visit to Paraguay.

He highlighted weakness in the implementation of non-discrimination mechanisms, especially in the Chaco region where many indigenous peoples live.

"The weak presence and capacity of State institutions renders certain sectors of the population structurally vulnerable to possible human rights abuses, including in the field of freedom of religion or belief."

The human rights expert drew special attention to the Paraguayan indigenous peoples' long history of discrimination, neglect, harassment and economic exploitation, while noting that their representatives mostly agreed that the general attitude towards their traditional beliefs and practices has been one of respect in recent years.

"The imposition of religious doctrines and practices, possibly against their will, is not a matter of the past only but persists to a certain degree until today," said Mr. Bielefeldt.

During his 23-30 March visit, the Special Rapporteur met with high-ranking officials and representatives from civil society, religious groups and indigenous peoples in Asunción, Ciudad del Este and Filadelfia.

Government officials and representatives of a variety of communities, ranging from the predominant Roman Catholic Church to minority religious communities and secular non-governmental organisations generally agreed that Paraguay is a pluralistic society, he said.

In spite of the traditional "hegemony of Catholicism," public manifestations of religious diversity largely take place in an open and tolerant environment, Mr. Bielefeldt said.

He said he had observed that that the issue of education triggered strong emotions in the South American country.

"I observed tensions between advocates of more traditional religious values and those promoting the right to have information about sexual [and] reproductive health and the inclusion of anti-discrimination principles in the school curriculum," said Mr. Bielefeldt. "These issues seem to have created tensions not only between religious and less religiously-oriented sectors of society but also within some religious communities," he added.

He encouraged the Government to continue supporting the Inter-religious Forum initiated two years ago and ensure the open and transparent participation of all interested groups.

"I very much appreciate the launch of the Government's National Action Plans on human rights and on human rights education," Mr. Bielefeldt underscored. "National Action Plans are excellent opportunities for bringing together all interested stakeholders and also for providing space to discuss issues related to freedom of religion or belief."

Mr. Bielefeldt will present a report on his visit to Paraguay to the 19th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Mar 31 2011 11:10AM
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Today's News from TheEagle.com

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• Hospital breaks ground in CS
• Brazos Valley museum celebrates 50 years
• Case highlights court delays
• A&amp;M adds Fox to list of speakers
• CS school district to outline budget
• CS school district to outline budget
• Working past retirement
• Working past retirement
• Police: Man kicked in woman's door
• Local student earns perfect score on ACT
• Bryan officer vying for chief position
• Senate passes bill to ban synthetic pot
• Libya rebels losing ground
• Losses couldn't shake Blair
• CS film festival to show Fishbone history
• Oil hikes helping Texas
• CS film festival to show Fishbone history
• U.S. lacks a border plan
• Developing world leads recovery
• U.S. doubts rebel success in Libya
• Fears of tainted seafood spread
• Medicare to cover pricey prostate drug
• Is streaming music the next big thing?
• Facebook team brings culture to Austin office
• Crooks taking schemes online

Hospital breaks ground in CS Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:13 PM PDT Scott & White Healthcare broke ground Wednesday on a 320,000-square-foot hospital that company leaders said will make Brazos County's people and economy healthier. The five-story, 143-bed hospital is expected to be completed by the summer of 2 ...

Brazos Valley museum celebrates 50 years Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:13 PM PDT The Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History is celebrating its past and future on Saturday with a 1950s-themed party. Organizers are inviting the public to join them from 7 to 11 p.m. in the Brazos Center Ballroom, 3232 Briarcrest Drive, in Bryan ...

Case highlights court delays Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:12 PM PDT Brazos County court officials agree that keeping someone jailed for two years so that a jury can find him not guilty of charges isn't acceptable, but they also acknowledge that finding a solution to moving cases forward faster and more efficiently ...

A&M adds Fox to list of speakers Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:12 PM PDT Mexico's former president is scheduled to be at Texas A&M next week to speak about economics and corruption in Central and South America, sandwiched between visits to Aggieland by two other big names. Vicente Fox, who led Mexico from 2000 to ...

CS school district to outline budget Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:12 PM PDT Bryan and College Station school-district administrators are struggling to deal with the expected consequences of state budget cuts to public education, without resorting to some of the drastic measures being taken by other Texas districts, such as ...

CS school district to outline budget Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:12 PM PDT Bryan and College Station school-district administrators are struggling to deal with the expected consequences of state budget cuts to public education, without resorting to some of the drastic measures being taken by other Texas districts, such as ...

Working past retirement Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:13 PM PDT Emilio and Gloria Lopez would be bored if they didn't work at their family laundry cleaning business in Bryan. Emilio Lopez Sr., 78, and his 80-year-old wife spend a few hours each day at West 25th Cleaners, which they opened at 502 W. William Joe ...

Working past retirement Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:13 PM PDT Emilio and Gloria Lopez would be bored if they didn't work at their family laundry cleaning business in Bryan. Emilio Lopez Sr., 78, and his 80-year-old wife spend a few hours each day at West 25th Cleaners, which they opened at 502 W. William Joe ...

Police: Man kicked in woman's door Posted: 30 Mar 2011 03:08 AM PDT A 27-year-old man faces a felony burglary charge after his girlfriend reported that he forced his way into her home. Bennie Ray Campbell of College Station was charged Tuesday with burglary of a habitation. An officer said he responded at 8:45 a.m. ...

Local student earns perfect score on ACT Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:13 PM PDT Eagle Staff ReportA College Station student recently achieved a perfect composite score on the ACT test.Junior Kyle Campbell, 17, scored a 36 on the test. School officials said this may be the first time someone in the district has scored this high o ...

Bryan officer vying for chief position Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:12 PM PDT Peter Scheets, an assistant chief of police in Bryan, is one of five finalists for the job of chief in Richland, Washington. If selected to be chief in Richland, Scheets would be moving about 2,000 miles away from Bryan, to a town with about 27,0 ...

Senate passes bill to ban synthetic pot Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:13 PM PDT Associated Press AUSTIN -- Several new forms of synthetic marijuana would be banned in Texas, with penalties for possessing, selling or making the drugs ranging from a misdemeanor to felony, under a bill passed Wednesday by the state Senate. The dr ...

Libya rebels losing ground Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:10 PM PDT AJDABIYA, Libya -- Moammar Gadhafi's ground forces recaptured a strategic oil town Wednesday and moved within striking distance of another major eastern city, nearly reversing the gains rebels made since international airstrikes began. Rebels plead ...

Losses couldn't shake Blair Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:13 PM PDT By ROBERT CESSNA robert.cessna@theeagle.com Teams that lose 12-point leads in conference championship games typically are devastated, especially when it's the eighth straight gut-wrenching loss to a rival and the third of the season. Yet when the ...

CS film festival to show Fishbone history Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:10 PM PDT This weekend, the Texas Film Festival returns to College Station -- bringing with it a strong sampling of independent films from across the country. Programmed by the Aggie SWAMP (Screenwriting, Acting and Movie Production) Club and sponsored by MSC ...

Oil hikes helping Texas Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:13 PM PDT AUSTIN -- Higher oil prices may make consumers miserable, but unrest in the Middle East could mean billions of dollars in tax revenue for Texas' tight budget. The money is coming from Texas oil producers who have increased their rig counts to take ad ...

CS film festival to show Fishbone history Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:10 PM PDT This weekend, the Texas Film Festival returns to College Station -- bringing with it a strong sampling of independent films from across the country. Programmed by the Aggie SWAMP (Screenwriting, Acting and Movie Production) Club and sponsored by MSC ...

U.S. lacks a border plan Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:10 PM PDT WASHINGTON -- The federal government hasn't come up with a comprehensive strategy to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, even as an all-out war between Mexico and its violent drug gangs has claimed 35,000 lives and pushed hundreds of thousands of immigr ...

Developing world leads recovery Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:10 PM PDT WASHINGTON -- The world's biggest economies are recovering from the Great Recession at troublesome speeds: too fast or too slow. China, India and other major developing countries quickly returned to breakneck rates of growth after escaping the wor ...

U.S. doubts rebel success in Libya Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:10 PM PDT WASHINGTON -- Fresh battlefield setbacks by rebels seeking to oust Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi are hardening a U.S. view that the poorly equipped opposition is probably incapable of prevailing without decisive Western intervention -- either an al ...

Fears of tainted seafood spread Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:10 PM PDT TOKYO -- Fears about contaminated seafood spread Wednesday despite reassurances that radiation in the waters off Japan's troubled atomic plant pose no health risk, as the country's respected emperor consoled evacuees from the tsunami and nuclear emer ...

Medicare to cover pricey prostate drug Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:10 PM PDT WASHINGTON -- Medicare officials said Wednesday that the program will pay the $93,000 cost of prostate cancer drug Provenge, an innovative therapy that typically gives men suffering from the disease an extra four months to live. The Centers for Me ...

Is streaming music the next big thing? Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:10 PM PDT AUSTIN -- The founders of Skype are betting that a musical era is ending -- that chapter where people stored their music in digital files on a computer, an era that began in 2001 with Apple's iTunes. Instead, they see a time where digital music stre ...

Facebook team brings culture to Austin office Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:10 PM PDT AUSTIN -- As Facebook evolves from insular Silicon Valley start-up to a global company with a necklace of offices around the planet, it is relying on a key tool to extend its unique culture -- the Landing Team. A year ago, Facebook had no one in Aus ...

Crooks taking schemes online Posted: 30 Mar 2011 05:09 PM PDT SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Among the growing ranks of consumers, business owners and others being lured by the convenience of online banking are legions of cybercrooks who have found the technology a convenient way to steal from unsuspecting victims. More ...

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