January 1, 2020 saw the launch of the UN75 initiative – the largest, most inclusive conversation on the role of global cooperation in building a better future for all. The initiative will see the UN spark dialogues throughout 2020 in diverse settings across the world.
Pretoria – The United Nations in South Africa today contributed relief supplies to residents of the City of Tshwane who were affected by recent floods. The supplies were presented by the head of the UN in South Africa, Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, and received by the city’s Acting Executive Mayor, Cllr. Abel Tau, on behalf of the flood victims.
OpEd by IOM Director General António Vitorino: Too often, when we speak of migrants, we find ourselves having to speak about moments of extreme hardship, caught up in a narrative of crisis. Those who find themselves in detention in Libya, trafficked in the back of trucks, having sought new lives away from failing states, conflict and disaster.
Pretoria, 10 December 2019 – The United Nations in South Africa today presented the UN in SA Partnership Award to a South African activist, Edward K. Ndopu “in recognition of his outstanding contribution to human rights advocacy”. The award ceremony, which took place at a seminar held in Pretoria on the importance of multilaterism, was jointly organized by the UN and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
As delivered by Ms. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in South Africa, on 09 November 2019: Programme Director, Prof. Fikeni, Minister for Public Service and Administration Honourable Senzo Mchunu, Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Africa Professor Makhanya, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission Advocate Richard Sizani, National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi, Lieutenant General Lebeya, from the Hawks, Former Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela,
NAIROBI/GENEVA, 26 November 2019—A new report by UNAIDS, Power to the people, released ahead of World AIDS Day, shows that where people and communities living with and affected by HIV are engaged in decision-making and HIV service delivery, new infections decline and more people living with HIV gain access to treatment.
Game-changing approaches, such as medicine to prevent HIV (PrEP), integration of contraceptive services with HIV testing, viral load suppression (U = U), harm reduction, and comprehensive sexuality education, give people the power to protect themselves from HIV and, for people living with HIV, the power to thrive
29 November 2019: Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains one of the most intractable challenges facing the international community. Regrettably, over the past year, there have been no positive developments, and the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate.
Pretoria, 25 November 2019 – The United Nations in South Africa will join government, civil society and the private sector in marking 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence starting on 25 November on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This year, the UN’s commemoration of 16 Days will focus on galvanising support for the President’s Emergency Plan of Action on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide with an aim to see a drastic reduction in such cases within the next six months.
Some 150 foreign nationals, involved in a protest since 8 October outside UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s office in Pretoria, South Africa, have forced their way into the compound this morning. The group may include refugees and asylum-seekers. The majority of our staff were safely evacuated out of the building.
14 November 2019: More than 420 million people suffer from diabetes, a treatable and often preventable disease largely driven by unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and poor access to health services and medicines. Most of those affected live in low- and middle-income countries.