New York – South African judge Navanethem Pillay has been appointed as the new United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that he was “gratified” that his nomination of Ms Pillay had been endorsed by the UN General Assembly.

Mr Ban reiterated his commitment to ensuring that human rights remain high on the agenda of the organisation and therefore he expected that the new High Commissioner would preserve...

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The crisis in Zimbabwe, which has been beset by months of deadly violence and witnessed the recent holding of tarnished elections, not only represents a ‘moment of truth’ for democracy on the continent but also poses a ‘challenge to the world,’ Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro said today.

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By Michael Appel; tel: (012) 314-2419

Japan – The Group of Eight (G8) Declaration on Climate Change lacked substance and is a step back in the fight against the global challenge, says Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk.

“South Africa has noted the G8 statement on Climate Change …as it is expressed in the G8 statement, the long term goal is an empty slogan without substance,” the minister said on Tuesday.

“While...

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JOHANNESBURG, 4 July 2008 (IRIN) - Experts under the leadership of former UK prime minister Tony Blair have prepared a report described as a "useful balm applied at the right moment to tense muscles" in an attempt to crack a global deal on climate change in international talks ahead of the upcoming G8 summit in Japan, according to a global warming policy analyst.

"It is sending a soothing message: 'don't make target-setting a make-or-break issue in the talks, as action...

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Korea – The global food crisis and climate change will be among the top issues on the agenda of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as he attends the Group of Eight (G8) Summit in Japan this week.



“We must act, in Hokkaido...

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