The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982 is considered the basis for national, regional and global cooperation in the marine sector, says Vietnamese Ambassador Bui The Giang. UN reform should benefit all member nations: Vietnamese ambassador Ambassador Giang, who is Charge d'Affaires of Vietnam's permanent mission to the United Nations, made the statement at the 66 th General Assembly session's debate on "Oceans and the Law of the Sea" in New York on December 6. "In many ways, the Convention constitutes an immense positive contribution to the promotion of international peace and security. It provides universally recognized legal framework for coastal states to establish and exercise rights and obligations in the maritime areas under national jurisdiction," he said. The Ambassador emphasized that the Convention advances the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes and provides for a mandatory system to be applied by States Parties to settle any dispute … [Read more...] about UN creates basis for marine cooperation, says Vietnamese diplomat
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Iran moved nuclear material to bunker: UN watchdog
Iran has started moving nuclear material to an underground facility for the pursuit of sensitive atomic activities, a UN nuclear agency report showed, a development likely to add to Western suspicions Tehran is trying to build a weapon. The International Atomic Energy Agency document also said Iran had continued to stockpile low-enriched uranium (LEU) and one prominent US think-tank said it had enough of the material for four nuclear weapons if it refines it further. The information that Iran last month moved a "large cylinder" with LEU to the Fordow subterranean site was included in the UN body's most comprehensive report yet pointing to military aspects of Tehran's nuclear program. The main finding in the IAEA report, which was leaked on Tuesday, was that Iran appeared to have worked on designing a nuclear warhead and that secret weapons-relevant research may continue. It may pave the way for further Western sanctions on the major oil producer. France warned on Wednesday that … [Read more...] about Iran moved nuclear material to bunker: UN watchdog
Palestinians prepare to gain full membership in other UN organizations
Following the overwhelming success of gaining full membership of the state of Palestine in the United Nations' cultural agency UNESCO on Monday, officials said Tuesday that the Palestinians are preparing to gain full membership in other organizations of the United Nations. A majority of 107 UNESCO members voted in favor of Palestine membership on Monday, while 14 members voted against and 52 abstained. Local newspapers in the Palestinian territories said " It is a great political and diplomatic victory." Palestinians gained for the first time ever a full membership in the UN organization since Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had submitted in Sept. 23 an official request to the UN Security Council for a full membership of the state of Palestine in the global organization. "Winning a full membership in the UNESCO is not against anyone, it is to support justice and freedom," said Abbas in a first comment after the vote. Meanwhile, Reyad al-Malki, the Palestinian minister of foreign … [Read more...] about Palestinians prepare to gain full membership in other UN organizations
UN urges end to Syria killings after another 50 die
UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Saturday urged Syria "immediately" to end attacks on civilians, a day after dozens of people were killed in a fierce crackdown on dissent and 17 troops died in clashes with suspected army deserters. UN chief Ban Ki-moon has urged Syria "immediately" to end attacks on civilians, a day after dozens of people were killed in a fierce crackdown on dissent and 17 troops died in clashes with suspected army deserters.Photo: AFP Ban's appeal follows condemnation by the Arab League of the deaths of 36 people on Friday activists said were killed by security forces during mass protests calling for the imposition of a Libya-style no-fly zone on Syria. A rights watchdog meanwhile said another four civilians were killed on Saturday and that fighting flared again between troops and suspected defectors after clashes overnight killed 17 soldiers. Ban "appeals for military operations against civilians to stop … [Read more...] about UN urges end to Syria killings after another 50 die
World population to hit 10 bln, but 15 bln possible: UN
The world's population of seven billion is set to rise to at least 10 billion by 2100, but could top 15 billion if birth rates are just slightly higher than expected, the United Nations said on Wednesday. Photo: AFP In a report ahead of ceremonies on October 31 to mark the seven billionth human alive today, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) warned demographic pressure posed mighty challenges for easing poverty and conserving the environment. "This is a challenge and a call to action. The issue of population is a critical one for all humanity and for planet Earth," Babatunde Osotimehin, the UNFPA's executive director, said at the launch of the report in London. But he said that the world should focus on how to make the world a better place to live instead of worrying only about numbers. "This is not a matter of space, it's a matter of equity, opportunity and social justice," he told journalists. He called for a focus on the rights of women and young people to help keep the … [Read more...] about World population to hit 10 bln, but 15 bln possible: UN