Around the world this week

13.11.2015 - This week's #PhotoFriday highlights some of the important UN news around the world: 

Myanmar: People and leaders of Myanmar ‘have it within their power' to build better future

Welcoming this past weekend’s elections as “a significant achievement in Myanmar’s democratic transition,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today extended warm congratulations to the National League for Democracy (NLD) and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for their landmark performance at the polls and to the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) for its dignified acceptance of the verdict of the people. Read more.

World: Woman’s risk of dying from pregnancy-related causes nearly halved over 25 years

Maternal mortality has fallen by 44 per cent since 1990, United Nations agencies and the World Bank reported today, giving fresh impetus to efforts to reach by 2030 the virtual elimination of women’s chances of dying from pregnancy-related causes as part of the new UN Sustainable Development Goals. Read more.

Central America: 2.3 million Central Americans will need food aid due to El Niño

Some 2.3 million people in Central America will need food aid as the current El Niño weather pattern, one of the strongest on record, exacerbates a prolonged drought, the United Nations warned today in the latest alert on the impact of the phenomenon which causes floods in parts of the world and drought in others. Read more. 

Africa and Yemen: Recent cyclones and heavy rains could trigger locust plagues

As unusually heavy and widespread rains continue in northwest Africa, the Horn of Africa and Yemen, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned that the extreme weather conditions could favour Desert Locust breeding, and stressed the need closely monitor the situation over the next six months to prevent plagues. Read more.

Burundi: Security Council calls for political talks to resolve crisis peacefully

The United Nations Security Council called on all parties in Burundi to engage in peace talks, warning of further action against those who incite more violence in the Central African country, where a recent upsurge has threatened hard-won stability after decades of ethnic strife and could lead to “potentially devastating consequences” for the entire region if it persists. Read more.

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Photo Credits:

•   Stefan Munder

•   UN Photo/Hien Macline

•   Thomas Frost Jensen

•   Joe

•   UN Photo/Mario Rizzolio