2007 United Nations News
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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
December
- General Assembly seeks to minimize threat posed by nuclear weapons UN News Centre 06 Dec 2007 -- To address the dangers posed by thousands of nuclear weapons that still remain on high alert years after the end of the Cold War, the General Assembly has called for further practical steps to decrease the operational readiness of nuclear weapons systems, acting on the recommendation of its committee devoted to disarmament and global security matters.
November
- Progress made on path to Security Council reform, says Assembly President UN News Centre 14 Nov 2007 -- United Nations Member States have paved the way to identifying the contentious elements that will form the basis of negotiations on reforming the Security Council, the General Assembly President said today after the 192-member forum wrapped up a three-day debate on the issue.
- General Assembly president urges framework to address Security Council reform UN News Centre 12 Nov 2007 -- As the General Assembly today embarked on a wide-ranging debate on Security Council reform, the 192-member body’s president said he looked forward to hearing the proposals of Member States and urged them to adopt a framework that would foster concrete results.
- Ban Ki-moon urges States to eliminate chemical and unexploded weaponry UN News Centre 05 Nov 2007 -- Underscoring the horrific impacts of both chemical and unexploded weaponry on civilians and future generations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged States to ratify and adhere to global treaties banning these arms.
October
September
- Nuclear test ban pact’s anniversary should spark push for ratification – Ban Ki-moon UN News Centre 17 Sep 2007 -- As the eleventh anniversary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) approaches, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on participants at a meeting in Vienna designed to foster its entry into force to intensify efforts toward this goal.
- More action needed to curb threat of nuclear terrorism, UN watchdog warns UN News Centre 17 Sep 2007 -- Stepping up his fight to reinforce nuclear security and prevent nuclear terrorism, the head of the United Nations atomic watchdog agency today called on all countries to ratify an international agreement strengthening the protection of nuclear materials.
- Illicit trafficking, theft of nuclear materials ‘a persistent problem,’ UN agency reports UN News Centre 12 Sep 2007 -- Illicit trafficking, theft and loss of nuclear and other radioactive materials remain “a persistent problem,” according to the United Nations agency entrusted with pre-empting nuclear and radiological terrorism and preventing proliferation.
- UN atomic watchdog helps protect against nuclear terrorism at Beijing Olympics UN News Centre 10 Sep 2007 -- The United Nations atomic watchdog agency is providing expertise to support the security of major public events against the threat of nuclear terrorism, including ongoing preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
August
- New UN group launched to curb biological weapons threat IRNA 21 Aug 2007 -- The United Nations inaugurated a new unit on Monday to further bolster its efforts to reduce the threat to the international community posed by weapons of mass destruction.
- New UN group launched to curb biological weapons threat UN News Centre 20 Aug 2007 -- The United Nations inaugurated a new unit today to further bolster its efforts to reduce the threat to the international community posed by weapons of mass destruction
- Marking Hiroshima anniversary, Ban Ki-moon calls for elimination of nuclear weapons UN News Centre 06 Aug 2007 -- On the 62nd anniversary of the world’s first-ever atomic bomb attack, which devastated the Japanese city of Hiroshima, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the occasion serves as a “powerful reminder” of the efforts necessary to halt nuclear proliferation.
July
- UN nuclear agency marks 50th birthday, moving on multiple fronts UN News Centre 27 Jul 2007 -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations body whose tasks range from seeking to curb nuclear proliferation and keeping weapons of mass destruction out of terrorists’ hands to advancing cancer treatments and searching for underground water, turns 50 this weekend, continually adding to its many exploits.
- IAEA welcomes European contribution for African nuclear security UN News Centre 20 Jul 2007 -- Africa’s nuclear and radiological safety will be reinforced thanks to a €7 million contribution form the European Union (EU) to the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Vienna-based body said today.
June
- Nuclear Weapons Nonproliferation Regime Challenges Experts Washington File 29 Jun 2007 -- International experts gathered here for a two-day conference and brainstorming session on how to strengthen the nuclear weapons nonproliferation regime as officials outside Washington grappled with what to do about nonconformists like Iran and North Korea.
- IAEA helps Central Asian countries deal with old uranium sites UN News Centre 29 Jun 2007 -- The United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is helping Central Asian countries to take steps toward securing millions of tonnes of uranium tailings – a potential source of radioactive and heavy metal pollution – in abandoned sites.
- IAEA to help China and Qatar on nuclear security UN News Centre 28 Jun 2007 -- The United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has made plans with China and Qatar to help the two countries in developing their nuclear security regimes.
- UN official urges all States to sign on to treaty against nuclear terrorism UN News Centre 18 Jun 2007 -- Urging all Member States to become a party to a new international treaty which aims to prevent acts of nuclear terrorism, bring perpetrators to justice and promote cooperation among countries, a senior United Nations official today called for more vigilance and greater cooperation in the fight against the scourge.
- World: Nuclear-Power Push Eroding Nonproliferation Efforts, Expert Says RFE/RL 18 Jun 2007 -- North Korea and Iran continue to grab the headlines over their nuclear programs, keeping the world focused on the broader issue of nuclear proliferation
- Ban Ki-moon welcomes new agreement to defeat nuclear terrorism UN News Centre 13 Jun 2007 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the start of a new international treaty which aims to prevent acts of nuclear terrorism, bring perpetrators to justice and promote cooperation among countries.
- IAEA, Italian Officials Call for Strengthened Non-Proliferation Treaty VOA 07 Jun 2007 -- The chief of the U.N. nuclear agency, Mohamed ElBaradei, and the Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema are stressing the need for the international community to strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation treaty to avoid nuclear stand-offs such as the one with Iran
May
- UN General Assembly Elects Macedonian as President VOA 24 May 2007 -- The United Nations General Assembly has elected former Macedonian foreign minister Srgjan Kerim as its president
- Top UN official outlines steps towards global elimination of nuclear weapons UN News Centre 24 May 2007 -- The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency today called for the development of a new global security system in which nuclear weapons are obsolete.
- Assembly President names two diplomats to guide Security Council reform talks UN News Centre 23 May 2007 -- General Assembly President Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa has appointed the ambassadors of Chile and Liechtenstein to conduct consultations with United Nations Member States on how to move forward on reform of the 15-member Security Council.
- France to back U.S. complaint against IAEA chief RIA Novosti 23 May 2007 -- France's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that Paris will support Washington's formal complaint against the head of the UN nuclear watchdog for his recent statement easing the pressure on Iran over its controversial nuclear program.
- Nuclear Conference Ends After Last-Minute Snag on Iran VOA 11 May 2007 -- A meeting of 130 nations on the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has ended in Vienna after a last-minute dispute over Iran's nuclear program.
- Envoy urges nuclear states to fulfill disarmament commitments IRNA 09 May 2007 -- An Iranian envoy has urged countries possessing nuclear weapons to fulfill their commitments concerning full disarmament.
- Secretary-General calls chemical weapons memorial ‘a symbol of suffering and hope’ UN News Centre 09 May 2007 -- Marking the unveiling of a permanent memorial in The Hague to victims of chemical weapons, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today pledged to redouble the efforts of the world body to achieve universal membership of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
- Soltanieh: Iran's agenda text acceptance, a big success IRNA 08 May 2007 -- Iran's IAEA Ambassador Ali-Asghar Soltanieh aid on Tuesday that acceptance of the NPT agenda is a big success for Iran.
- Iran Accepts Compromise on Agenda of Nuclear Conference VOA 08 May 2007 -- Iran has accepted a compromise on the agenda of a 130-nation nuclear conference meeting in Vienna, averting the collapse of the talks.
- Iran Accepts Compromise Agenda At Nuclear Conference RFE/RL 08 May 2007 -- Iran has agreed to a modified agenda at a UN nonproliferation conference, saving the meeting from collapse.
- UN Nuclear Treaty Conference Stalled by Iran's Objections VOA 03 May 2007 -- A U.N. conference aimed at improving the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has been stalled again by Iranian objections to the agenda.
- NPT crucial to countering proliferation risks - Russian FM IRNA 02 May 2007 -- However complicated the current situation may prove, 'responses to the new challenges and threats to the nuclear non-proliferation regime must be looked for on the basis of the nuclear arms non-proliferation treaty', the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday in connection with the first session of the preparatory committee of the 2010 conference on NPT observance.
- Soltanieh criticizes possessors of nuclear weapons IRNA 02 May 2007 -- Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali-Asghar Soltaniyeh here Tuesday criticized the countries possessing nuclear weapons for violating NPT Article 6.
- Soltanieh rejects agenda proposed for 2010 NPT revision confab IRNA 02 May 2007 -- Iran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali-Asghar Soltaniyeh said on Wednesday that the proposed agenda for the preliminary NPT meeting is unacceptable.
April
- Ban Ki-moon urges NPT review meeting to address crisis on nuclear arms front UN News Centre 30 Apr 2007 -- Spotlighting the current “crisis” in international efforts to address the world's nuclear arsenal, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on delegates attending a review conference in Vienna on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to demonstrate that progress is possible.
- On anniversary of chemical weapons pact, Ban Ki-moon urges destruction of stockpiles UN News Centre 29 Apr 2007 -- Marking the tenth anniversary of the Chemical Weapons Convention, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on countries that still possess these arms to abolish them.
- Security Council reform deadlock means transition stage may be needed – report UN News Centre 20 Apr 2007 -- The world’s countries remain so divided on the details of Security Council reform – from the question of expansion to the use of the veto to the categories of membership – that a transitional stage of reform may be necessary to break the deadlock, according to a new report canvassing the different positions of United Nations Member States on the issue.
- Limited progress made in disarmament is ‘unacceptable,’ Ban Ki-moon says UN News Centre 09 Apr 2007 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed disappointment in the minimal progress made in curbing the threats posed by accumulation of weapons of mass destruction and conventional weapons, calling for increased global cooperation to address disarmament issues.
March
- UN pushes ahead with multinational enrichment plan to prevent nuclear proliferation UN News Centre 23 Mar 2007 -- Pushing ahead with efforts to set up a multinational framework for uranium enrichment to prevent nuclear weapons proliferation and the possibility of their falling into the hands of terrorists, the United Nations atomic watchdog agency is exploring with Russia the possible establishment of an international enrichment centre in Siberia.
- UN: New Secretary-General Pushes Ahead With Reforms RFE/RL 19 Mar 2007 -- The United Nations General Assembly has endorsed major reform proposals that were put forward by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as he took office earlier this year.
- General Assembly supports Ban Ki-moon’s reform proposals for stronger UN UN News Centre 15 Mar 2007 -- The United Nations General Assembly today endorsed the major reform proposals put forward by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon upon taking office earlier this year, including the designation of a High Representative for Disarmament Affairs and the restructuring of peacekeeping functions to provide better planning, faster deployment and a more responsive process.
- U.N. Reform “Imperative,” Ambassador Khalilzad Says Washington File 15 Mar 2007 -- U.N. Reform “Imperative,” Ambassador Khalilzad Says
February
- Ban Ki-moon hails 40th anniversary of Latin American nuclear weapon-free zone UN News Centre 14 Feb 2007 -- The historic pact of Latin America and the Caribbean States to maintain a nuclear-weapon-free zone, the first-ever of its kind, has withstood the test of time and should spur greater efforts to rid the world of these arms, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in honouring the 40th anniversary of the landmark agreement.
- World: Countries Discuss Nuclear-Terrorism Measures RFE/RL 13 Feb 2007 -- Turkey is playing host to an international gathering that brings together nuclear and non-nuclear countries in an effort to prevent fissile material falling into the hands of terrorists.
- U.S. Urges Negotiations To Ban Material for Nuclear Bombs Washington File 08 Feb 2007 -- The United States urges prompt negotiations leading to a treaty to ban the production of the fissile material needed for nuclear weapons.
- Assembly president names five diplomats to lead Security Council reform talks UN News Centre 08 Feb 2007 -- As part of United Nations efforts to reform the 15-member Security Council, General Assembly President Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa today appointed five ambassadors, representing different regions, to move the process forward.
- Ban's UN Reorganization Plan Hits Snag VOA 06 Feb 2007 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's opening attempt to reorganize the U.N. bureaucracy is running into stiff resistance from developing countries.
- UN atomic watchdog agency reports cases of illegal trafficking in nuclear materials UN News Centre 01 Feb 2007 -- The United Nations atomic watchdog agency, whose tasks include pre-empting nuclear and radiological terrorism and preventing proliferation, today reported 149 confirmed incidents of illicit trafficking and other unauthorized activities involving nuclear and radioactive materials in 2006.
January
- Russia favors international nuclear centers under IAEA control RIA Novosti 23 Jan 2007 -- Russia supports the establishment of international nuclear fuel enrichment centers under the control of international organizations, President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.
- Ban Ki-moon’s system-wide probe of UN field activities to start with DPR Korea UN News Centre 22 Jan 2007 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon moved quickly today on his promise of an external, system-wide probe of United Nations activities in the field, announcing that it would target as a first priority countries where hard currency transactions, independence of staff hiring and access to review local projects are an issue, beginning with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
- Secretary-General Ban urges all States not to expand nuclear arsenals, reduce stockpiles UN News Centre 22 Jan 2007 -- Preventing further expansion of nuclear arsenals and reducing weapon stockpiles should be the key aims of this year’s Conference on Disarmament, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today in his message to the meeting’s first session in Geneva, where he also noted that military spending worldwide has risen to over $1.2 trillion.
- Ban Ki-moon and US President stress joint partnership during talks UN News Centre 16 Jan 2007 -- In his first meeting with United States President George W. Bush since assuming office as Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon said the two leaders mutually pledged to work together to try to achieve the goals of peace and increased global prosperity.
- United States Sees Key Role for United Nations in 2007 Washington File 09 Jan 2007 -- In 2007, the U.N. Security Council must be ready to deal with terrorism, cross-border violence, widespread and systematic human rights violations, refugee flows and political instability before these issues escalate into wars, the United States says.
- New Secretary-General Pledges Stronger UN Role in Stopping Wars, Keeping Peace VOA 08 Jan 2007 -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has pledged to strengthen the world body's role in stopping wars and keeping peace
- New UN Leader Appoints Deputy, Asks Senior Officials to Resign VOA 05 Jan 2007 -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has named Tanzania's Foreign Minister Asha-Rose Migiro as his deputy
- Analysis: Rising Moon atop the UN cfr.org 05 Jan 2007 -- New UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was known as “slippery eel” by journalists in his native South Korea for avoiding direct answers to difficult questions
- Backgrounder: The Role of the UN Secretary-General cfr.org 05 Jan 2007
- Ban Ki-moon takes over as UN Secretary-General, calls for common action to face crises UN News Centre 02 Jan 2007 -- Passing an honour guard and welcomed with applause from staff, former Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon took over formally as United Nations Secretary-General today with a call for collective action to address a host of international crises from Sudan’s Darfur conflict to the nuclear programmes of Iran and North Korea.
- New UN Secretary-General Counts Sudan, North Korea Among Priorities VOA 02 Jan 2007 -- Ban Ki-Moon, in his first day on the job as U.N. secretary-general, has named Darfur, North Korea and the Middle East among his top priorities
- UN-New Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon takes helm of the United Nations IRNA 01 Dec 2007 -- The first Asian diplomat Ban Ki-moon took helm of the United Nations in 35 years since Burma's U Tant who served for 10 years from 1961 to 1971.
