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, 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).
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.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is extremely concerned over the violent attacks targeting foreign nationals, including refugees and asylum-seekers in the Durban area in KwaZulu-Natal Province.
UNIC/PR/2019/03/19
Pretoria, South Africa – The United Nations in South Africa will join South Africans in commemorating Human Rights Day on Thursday, 21 March 2019 in Sharpeville and participate in the Human Rights Festival at the Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. The day is of special importance to the UN and the global community as it also marks the International Day for the Elimination for Racial Discrimination, which was adopted in honour of the victims who lost their lives in the Sharpeville massacre in 1960. Continue reading
ADDIS ABABA, 12 February 2019: The African Union (AU), at a top level summit meeting in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa this week, formally launched 2019 as the “Year of Refugees, Returnees and IDPs: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa.”
Mary Oloiparuni was 13 when she was mutilated. Restrained in a doorway early one morning in her home, she was cut, bled profusely and experienced agonizing pain. The scarring she endured then continues to cause her pain today, 19 years later. It has made giving birth to each of her five children an excruciating and harrowing experience.
Pretoria, South Africa – The Zimbabwean team won this year’s United Nations All Africa Games which ended over the weekend at Ingwenyama Conference and Sports Resort in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.
Zimbabwe, which was led by the UN Resident Coordinator in Zimbabwe, Bishow Parajuli, was the overall winner of the tournament, having won several in competitions including athletics and soccer. This is the country’s third consecutive year as winners. The host country, South Africa—which was led by the UN Resident Coordinator in South Africa, Nardos Bekele-Thomas—was the runner-up in the contest and Kenya finished third.
Pretoria, South Africa – The 11th United Nations All Africa Games kick off on Friday, 31 August 2018 at Ingwenyama Conference and Sports Resort in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The tournament is being hosted by the United Nations in South Africa.
The purpose of the UN Games is to promote a culture of peace and tolerance, mutual respect among staff and to emphasize the importance of UN’s ‘Delivering as One approach’. The UN recognizes the value of sports towards public health and as a tool for raising awareness on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
New York, 20 June – A fast-changing climate, conflict, inequality, persistent pockets of poverty and hunger and rapid urbanization are challenging countries’ efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a UN report launched in New York today.