News & Statements
The 2019 UNDP Human Development Report focuses on inequalities. Speaking at the launch of the Report, UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Hanaa Singer highlighted the ‘Human rights and sustainable human development are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. Inequalities weaken this interdependency’.
FAO marks 40 years of representation in Sri Lanka
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reinforced its commitment to partner with the Government of Sri Lanka and stakeholders towards realizing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Marking 40 years of its Representation in Sri Lanka, FAO underscored how food and agriculture lies at the very heart of sustainable development, from nourishing people to responding to climate change and managing natural resources.
Apocalyptic climate events: is this the future we are promising the next generation?
Climate change is progressing exponentially faster than our efforts to address it. It is a challenge that no country can opt out of addressing. If we don’t act now, when we ask the next generation to dream – it is going to be with a fine print that reads of limited possibilities in a world of crisis. That would be our collective legacy.
As a result of the training, prison officers will have the necessary skillset to disrupt organised crime networks operating from inside the prisons and effectively prevent and manage high-risk prisoners. The training will facilitate the early detection and disruption of radicalisation, as well as provide a secure and safe environment where rehabilitation programmes and disengagement interventions can be delivered. Specific attention will be paid to ensure prison management is in conformity with international minimum standards and human rights.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Sri Lanka marked International Day of Peace with the launch of the key findings of a study on ‘The Potential Role of Young Leaders and Volunteers in Preventing Violent Extremism in Sri Lanka’ and the launch of the ‘Youth Peace Panel’ – delivered in partnership with United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Sri Lanka and Chrysalis, and supported by United Nations Peacebuilding.
Message on the International Day of Democracy
There is no single model of democracy exemplified by a given country or region; rather, democracy is a universal value based on the freely-expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems.
UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Hanaa Singer was a Speaker at the AISEC YouthSpeak Forum “Transforming Youth, Transforming Sri Lanka” on September 11, 2019. The Resident Coordinator spoke to university undergraduates and recent graduates on making positive social change in the areas of climate action and responsible consumption and production.
Statement on the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances
Today we stand up for the rights of the victims of enforced disappearances and their relatives.
In 2010 the UN General Assembly declared that the date of 30 August would be observed as International Day of Enforced Disappearances.
End of Mission Statement – United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief
Simmering ethno-religious tensions in Sri Lanka require urgent action by the authorities to strengthen respect for freedom of religion or belief in Sri Lanka, says UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Ahmed Shaheed.