News (Consolidated) - UNSOM

KABUL - After six years in Afghanistan the United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Chris Alexander, is leaving the country. Mr Alexander has worked in Kabul since 2003, first as Canadian ambassador, and then as one of two deputies at the United Nations Assistance…

KABUL - Chris Alexander, the United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, has left after six years in the country. Mr Alexander worked in Kabul from 2003, first as Canadian ambassador, and then as one of two deputies at UNAMA with responsibility for…

KABUL - The top United Nations envoy in Afghanistan has said there are “positive trends” in the country which need to be reinforced. Speaking in Oslo, Norway, at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly session which gathered parliamentarians from NATO, partner and other countries, the UN’s Kai Eide said:…

27 May 2009 - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Robert Watkins of Canada as deputy United Nations envoy for Afghanistan, with responsibility for development and humanitarian affairs. In addition to being Mr. Ban’s Deputy Special Representative, Mr. Watkins will also serve as the UN…

KABUL - After almost three decades of war in Afghanistan one of the key priorities for reconstruction has been improving the road network in the country. The years of conflict left Afghanistan with almost no infrastructure, no industry, hospitals were barely functioning and roads were in a desperate…

KABUL - In its ongoing effort to close the digital divide in Afghanistan, the United Nations will be holding an information and communications technology (ICT) “training the trainers” programme in Kabul to educate the country’s decision-makers on using the latest innovations to promote development…

KABUL - The United Nations Security Council is expected to consider the UN’s latest report on Afghanistan in June. In the past the UN Secretary-General normally reported on the situation in Afghanistan every six months. Security Council Resolution 1868, adopted on 23 March 2009, requested reports…

31 May 2009 - Sudden whoops, claps and cheers in downtown Kabul in the middle of a sunny afternoon is anything but usual. No sooner had a group of young children started to enjoy the day’s skateboarding thrill amidst the hustle and bustle of the city – cheered on by their peers, mentors and passers…

31 May 2009 - A major programme is underway in Afghanistan to train 35,000 police officers in time for the 20 August presidential and provincial council elections. Officers are being readied to tackle security threats and to provide the necessary cover to enable voters to come out confidently and…

KABUL - In less than three months, people from across Afghanistan go to the ballot box to elect the next president of their country. Scheduled on 20 August, the presidential and provincial council elections are the second elections to be held in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.…

KABUL - The new Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Afghanistan, Peter Galbraith arrived in the country today with a pledge to listen closely to the concerns of ordinary Afghans. Mr Galbraith said: “I come to Afghanistan with the utmost respect and admiration…