Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
License needed for work use Register

World Video | Defence | Foreign Affairs | Natural Events | Trade | NZ in World News | NZ National News Video | NZ Regional News | Search

 

UN Congratulates Afghan President On Inauguration

UN Chief Congratulates Afghan President On Inauguration

New York, Nov 19 2009 3:10PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to support Afghanistan’s progress towards peace, stability and development, as he congratulated Hamid Karzai on his inauguration as President for a second term.

“He welcomes the commitment of President Karzai to serve all Afghans, to fight corruption and to bring increased good governance, security and services to the country,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement.

“In pursuance of realizing these goals concretely, the United Nations looks forward to working with President Karzai and his Government, the people of Afghanistan, and Afghanistan’s international partners,” the statement added.

Mr. Ban sent his best wishes to the President and to the people of Afghanistan at this “critical juncture in their history” and reaffirmed the UN’s determination to support the country’s peace and development efforts.

Mr. Karzai was re-elected after his opponent, Abdullah Abdullah, withdrew from the presidential run-off that had been planned for 7 November.

On a visit to Afghanistan earlier this month, Mr. Ban urged Mr. Karzai to ensure good governance, “including the eradication of corruptive practices prevalent in Afghanistan, controlling drug trafficking and forming a unity government with experienced ministers and government officials.”

In addition, he has pledged that last month’s attack on a guest house in the capital, Kabul, which killed five UN staff and injured nine others, will not deter the world body from its mission to help the Afghan people build a better future.

The Secretary-General was represented at today’s inauguration ceremony by his Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA), Kai Eide.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
World Headlines

 
UN News: Aid Access Is Key Priority

Among the key issues facing diplomats is securing the release of a reported 199 Israeli hostages, seized during the Hamas raid. “History is watching,” says Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. “This war was started by taking those hostages. Of course, there's a history between Palestinian people and the Israeli people, and I'm not denying any of that. But that act alone lit a fire, which can only be put out with the release of those hostages.” More


Save The Children: Four Earthquakes In a Week Leave Thousands Homeless

Families in western Afghanistan are reeling after a fourth earthquake hit Herat Province, crumbling buildings and forcing people to flee once again, with thousands now living in tents exposed to fierce winds and dust storms. The latest 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit 30 km outside of Herat on Sunday, shattering communities still reeling from strong and shallow aftershocks. More

UN News: Nowhere To Go In Gaza

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said some 1.1M people would be expected to leave northern Gaza and that such a movement would be “impossible” without devastating humanitarian consequences and appeals for the order to be rescinded. The WHO joined the call for Israel to rescind the relocation order, which amounted to a “death sentence” for many. More


Access Now: Telecom Blackout In Gaza An Attack On Human Rights

By October 10, reports indicated that fixed-line internet, mobile data, SMS, telephone, and TV networks are all seriously compromised. With significant and increasing damage to the electrical grid, orders by the Israeli Ministry of Energy to stop supplying electricity and the last remaining power station now out of fuel, many are no longer able to charge devices that are essential to communicate and access information. More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.