January 28, 2010 – The UNICEF appeal to assist Haiti’s earthquake victims has evoked response from the Russian people. Over the last two weeks, more than 500,000 rubles have been raised. The donations are used to procure and deliver shelter materials, drinking water, food, sanitation and health supplies for children and their families affected by the terrible tragedy in Haiti.

UNEMPLOYMENT REACHED HIGHEST LEVEL ON RECORD IN 2009

SOMAVIA CALLS FOR THE SAME POLICY DECISIVENESS THAT SAVED BANKS TO SAVE AND CREATE JOBS

GENEVA, 27 January 2010 (ILO News) – The number of jobless worldwide reached nearly 212 million in 2009 following an unprecedented increase of 34 million compared to 2007, on the eve of the global crisis, the International Labour Office (ILO) said in its annual Global Employment Trends report. */

GENEVA- 18 December 2009 – Greater efforts are needed beyond Copenhagen to tackle the complex issue of environmental and climate-induced m

igration, says the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as it marks International Migrants Day today.

This year, Human Rights Day on 10 December focused on ending discrimination. “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. These first few famous words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights established 60 years ago the basic premise of international human rights law. Yet today, the fight against discrimination remains a daily struggle for millions around the globe.

The concept of non-discrimination lies at the heart of human rights.

For this reason, it has been designated the official theme of this Human Rights Day, which occurs every year on the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. And for this and many other reasons it should be an unofficial theme every day, every year, for everyone.

New York, 10 December 2009 - No country is free of discrimination. We see it everywhere, in many forms: old and new, covert and blatant, public and private. It may appear as institutionalized racism, as ethnic strife, as episodes of intolerance and rejection, or as an official national version of history that denies the identity of others.

Discrimination targets individuals and groups that are vulnerable to attack: the disabled, women and girls, the poor, migrants, minorities, and all those who are perceived as different.

New York, 9 December 2009 - The theme of this year’s observance of the International Anti-Corruption Day -- “don’t let corruption kill development” – highlights one of the biggest impediments to the world’s efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals.

New York, 5 December 2009 - This month in Copenhagen world leaders have an unprecedented opportunity to reach an ambitious and equitable agreement on climate change. On International Volunteer Day 2009, I would like to highlight the important role volunteers all over the world play in protecting our planet and advancing the important causes for which the United Nations works.

In preparation to the UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen, UNDP, in cooperation with the Russian Regional Ecological Centre NGO, initiated a trip of a group of Russian journalists to Finland. The purpose of the trip, sponsored by the Finnish government, was to acquaint them with the country’s experience in developing climate change mitigation and adaptation policies and measures, including the promotion of sustainable energy and advancement of low-carbon approaches.

New York, 3 December 2009 - The theme of this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities is “making the Millennium Development Goals disability-inclusive.” As we prepare for next September’s MDG summit, we must ensure that our efforts are all-inclusive and improve living standards and quality of life for everyone.