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PRESS RELEASE – UNIC Pretoria marks International Day of Peace with students in Pretoria
“The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace”
PRETORIA – 21 September 2016 – This year, to commemorate the International Day of Peace, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) partnered with UN Volunteers and the African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) to educate learners on peace and its link to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Continue reading
The Secretary – General – Message on the International Day of Peace – 21 September 2016
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon rings the Peace Bell at the annual ceremony held at UN headquarters in observance of the International Day of Peace (21 September).
Every year on the International Day of Peace, the United Nations calls on warring parties to lay down their arms and observe a 24-hour global ceasefire. The symbolism of a day without fighting is a crucial reminder that conflict can and must come to an end.
UNIC Windhoek in Namibia commemorates International Day of Peace
Photos by UNIC Windhoek – Grade 7 learners at Ruimte Primary School in Rehoboth, Namibia
Press Release on New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants adopted by all Member States at historic UN Summit
UNITED NATIONS, New York – Monday, 19 September 2016 – World leaders came together at the United Nations General Assembly today to adopt the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants which expresses the political will of world leaders to protect the rights of refugees and migrants, to save lives and share responsibility for large movements on a global scale.
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University of Limpopo visits UNIC-Pretoria Library
University of Limpopo, Library and Information Science students at UNIC Pretoria Library and UNIC staff
Students from the Department of Library and information Studies from the University of Limpopo, in South Africa, visited the UNIC Pretoria Library last month to gain a better understanding of the UN in South Africa and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Accompanied by their lecturers, the visit was part of an educational tour of special interest and academic libraries. The tour of UNIC Pretoria Library included informative discussions on work of the UN as well as libraries as resource centres. Continue reading
UN marks Women’s month with a friendly soccer match against Vhakhegula Vakhegula soccer team from Limpopo
UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UN Women, Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka,UN Resident Coordinator, Gana Fofang
The United Nations in South Africa all-female soccer team won 1-0 in a friendly match against the Vakhegula Vakhegula soccer team on Friday, 12 August 2016 at the CSIR soccer pitch in Pretoria. The match, in celebration of Women’s Month in South Africa, was aimed at bringing together women from various backgrounds who play a pivotal role in advancing the cause of disadvantaged and impoverished communities in their respective areas across the country. Continue reading
South Africa’s Health Minister urges employers to support Breastfeeding mothers in the workplace
Photo credit: www.returnofkings.com
The Minister of Health Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi says the low rate of exclusive breastfeeding in South Africa and many parts of the world is concerning as breastfeeding contributes to child survival.
“It is of great concern that exclusive breastfeeding rates globally and in our country are extremely low. Globally it is estimated that only 36% of moms breastfeed their infants for at least 6 months. In South Africa we estimate that only 39% of mothers breastfeed exclusively for 14 weeks after the baby is born and the figure is much lower at 6 months at only 8%. Our exclusive breastfeeding rates are amongst the lowest in the world. We must all work harder to ensure that we support mothers to exclusively breastfeed for at least six months and rapidly reach a target of at least 50% Continue reading
UN Chief plants a special a tree in honour of Mandela Day
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon plants a special a tree in honour of Mandela Day in Durban
UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon recently attended the official opening of the International AIDS Conference 2016 in Durban. During his visit, Mr Ban met with Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and other senior government officials as well as civil society leaders. The UN Chief addressed media on the Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on access to Medicines. Continue reading
UN marks Madiba Day with school children from Atteridgeville
Sefako Makgatho pupils with guests and speakers
The UN Information Centre Library in Pretoria was a hive of activity this morning where dozens of school children from Sefako Makgatho Primary School in Attridgeville diplomats, UN partners and members of the public gathered to mark International Nelson Mandela Day.
UN commends South Africa for its leading role in tackling HIV and AIDS
UN Secretaty-General Ban Ki-Monn and South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa
Durban, 18 July 2016 – The Secretary-General today met with Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, on the opening day of the AIDS2016 conference in Durban.
The Secretary-General commended South Africa for its progress in the fight against AIDS, particularly in giving access to treatment to people affected by HIV, recalling that the Durban Conference in 2000 had set very good guidelines to achieve such progress. However, he stressed that much remained to be done at the global level to ensure the ending of the epidemic by 2030.
Mr Ramaphosa expressed appreciation for the support lent by the United Nations, through leadership of the SG and UNAIDS in the fight against HIV and AIDS in South Africa and Globally. He expressed his best wishes to the UNSG for the remainder of his term of office. Continue reading