News (Consolidated) - UNSOM

KABUL - Farmers in three of Afghanistan’s northern provinces are switching to regular crops such as wheat and onion as major alternatives to opium poppies, the cultivation of which rose to record levels this year, prompting concerns from United Nations officials.“Why should we plant poppies when we…

KABUL - Highlighting serious health consequences due to the lack of access to hygienic sanitation facilities for billions of people around the world, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for placing sanitation at the heart of the international community’s post-2015 development…

NANGARHAR - The newly appointed governor of eastern Nangarhar province, Mawlawi Attaullah Ludin, has formally assumed charge, pledging to eradicate administrative corruption.Mr. Ludin was introduced as the new governor through a presidential decree read out at a ceremony in Jalalabad, the provincial…

NANGARHAR - Gunmen stormed into the office of an FM radio station in the capital of eastern Nangarhar province, Jalalabad, early on Tuesday, severely beating employees and destroying equipment, staff and officials said.The Provincial Governor’s spokesman, Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, told Pajhwok Afghan News…

HERAT - Participants of a three-day conference on saffron cultivation, currently underway in the western Afghan province of Herat, have urged for expansion of the cash crop as an alternate to poppy cultivation in the country, and finding suitable regional markets for the saffron products.Jointly…

KABUL - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) welcomes the timely completion of the adjudication of complaints by the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC), and the announcement today of the final list of candidates for the country’s 2014 Presidential and…

KABUL - While the work of the United Nations in areas such as human rights and humanitarian affairs in Afghanistan is well-known, the activities of one of the world body’s agencies has drawn less attention but has made great inroads in helping the country’s development.“The work of UNOPS has made it…

NEW YORK - The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution pledging continued international support to Afghanistan as the country undergoes political, security and economic transitions.“ (The UN General Assembly) pledges its continued support to the Government and…

KABUL - “Progress in ending harmful practices, intimidation and violence against women and girls can enable them to fully and actively participate in the country's political and economic development. This contributes to improvements in the lives of all Afghans. Moreover, in recent months Afghanistan…

KABUL - In a series of United Nations-facilitated radio and television discussions – to be broadcast in Afghanistan’s provinces over the next 16 days as part of a global campaign against gender-based violence – a range of participants from Afghan society highlighted the negative consequences of…

KABUL - Hundreds of university students gathered in the Afghan capital of Kabul today for a colourful United Nations-backed event held to drive home to young people the importance of eliminating violence against women.“When we see the future, we see two important things: women and youth. They are…

KABUL - In a boost to Afghanistan’s economy, which slowed down considerably this year, the World Bank (WB) has approved $50 million in grants for a national project comprising a number of Afghan enterprises that seek to reduce poverty and stimulate job creation through 2018.“The new project aims to…