NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Cash crisis: UN cuts spending, freezes hiring, scales services

Cash crisis: UN cuts spending, freezes hiring, scales services

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By Tiamiyu Arobani

The UN says it has been forced to cut spending, freeze hiring and scale back some services as the global organisation faces a worsening cash crisis.

Member States on Monday urged members to pay up, warning that the deepening financial crisis threatened the world body’s ability to carry out vital work.

The General Assembly’s Fifth Committee met throughout Monday to discuss the multilateral organisation’s financial health.

With a growing shortfall in contributions, member states owed $2.4 billion in unpaid regular budget dues and $2.7 billion in peacekeeping.

Officials warned that the non-payment of contributions risked eroding the UN’s credibility and its capacity to fulfil mandates entrusted to it by member states.

Switzerland’s delegate, speaking also on behalf of Liechtenstein, said “Each delay in payment, each hiring freeze, each cancelled service chips away at trust in our ability to deliver”.

One proposed solution was to allow the UN to temporarily keep unspent funds at year’s end, instead of returning them to member states as credits.

Currently, this return is mandatory, even if the funds arrive late in the year, giving the UN little time to spend them.

The suggested change would be expected to act as a buffer to keep operations running, particularly in January when payments tend to lag.

Delegates also backed limited use of “special commitments”, which is emergency funding tools, early in the year to bridge gaps caused by delayed contributions.

While these fixes might help, several speakers, including delegates from Kazakhstan, Norway and the United Kingdom, emphasised that the root cause was the continued late or non-payment of dues.

Norway noted that such temporary measures would not solve the underlying problem and urged member states to support bold financial reforms.

The European Union stressed that the crisis was not abstract,  adding they were real operational risks and the burden could not fall solely on countries that paid on time.

Singapore, speaking for the Southeast Asian group of nations, ASEAN, echoed concerns that the UN’s liquidity problems had become routine.

It cited the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific’s (ESCAP) need to shut its offices for three months and suspend travel and hiring.

Particularly troubling to many delegates was the fact that one country, unnamed in the meeting but widely known to be the U.S. was responsible for over half of all unpaid dues.

The U.S. under President Donald Trump, is reportedly withholding the funds due to the UN for political reasons.

Russia called for more transparency in how the UN managed cash-saving measures, cautioning against actions taken without member states’ input.

Catherine Pollard, the UN’s top management official, noted that since May 9, a handful of countries had paid in full across several budget categories, while the number of nations who had paid in full for the regular budget stood at 106 for the year.

As of May 19, the UN records showed only 61 countries had met all their UN’s obligations in full.

The message from member states on Monday clearly states that without broad, timely financial support, the UN’s ability to serve the world, especially in times of crisis, is at serious risk. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

UN Week: FRSC  seeks greater safety for pedestrians, cyclists in Anambra 

UN Week: FRSC  seeks greater safety for pedestrians, cyclists in Anambra 

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By Chimezie Anaso

The Federal Road Safety of Commission (FRSC) has called for protection of pedestrians and cyclists on roads from accidents, injuries and deaths.

The Sector Commander of FRSC in Anambra, Joyce Alexander, made the call at the commencement of  2025 United Nations Road Safety Week in Awka on Thursday.

The global theme for  the 2025 UN Road Safety Week is “Rethink Mobility: Make Walking and Cycling Safe”.

Alexander called on the Anambra government to build road furniture including pedestrian bridges, lighting and markings to enhance the safety of those categories of road users.

She advised pedestrians to make use of bridges where they were available instead of dashing across the highway thereby exposing themselves to danger of accident and possible death.

The sector commander described walking and cycling as healthy and environment friendly modes of transportation.

She encouraged Anambra residents to adopt them because of their fitness, ecological and cost benefits.

“This event is part of the global awareness on road safety. We call on all stakeholders, traffic managers and motorists to contribute to making sure that pedestrians and cyclists are safe.

“We call on the state government to consider safety of road users and put in place furniture that can guarantee safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

”We encourage these set of road users to always use the bridges and walk against oncoming traffic,” she said.

Alexander said the UN Road Safety Week activities in Anambra would include road sensitisation rally, media tour, school visits.

She said it would also include Road Safety Officers Wives visit to fleet operators, Jumat prayer and Church thanksgiving on Sunday.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

UN Chief warns India, Pakistan against military confrontation

UN Chief warns India, Pakistan against military confrontation

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By Tiamiyu Arobani

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for “maximum restraint” from India and Pakistan.

While addressing newsmen at the Security Council in UN Headquarters in New York, he warned that escalating tensions over a recent deadly terror attack in Kashmir risk spiralling into military confrontation.

Guterres expressed deep concern over deteriorating relations between the two South Asian neighbours, saying they had reached “their highest in years”.

He reiterated his condemnation of the April 22 terror attack in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir, which killed no fewer than 26 civilians and injured many more.

“Targeting civilians is unacceptable and those responsible must be brought to justice through credible and lawful means.

“It is also essential, especially at this critical hour, to avoid a military confrontation that could easily spin out of control,” Guterres said.

India and Pakistan both administer parts of Kashmir but claim the territory in full.

The Security Council was due to meet behind closed doors later to discuss the rising tensions between the two nations.

The UN chief offered his good offices to both governments to help de-escalate tensions and promote diplomacy, stressing that “a military solution is no solution.”

“Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink,” he said.

Guterres also praised both countries for their long-standing contributions to UN peacekeeping operations and expressed hope that their shared history of cooperation could form the basis for renewed dialogue.

“The United Nations stands ready to support any initiative that promotes de-escalation, diplomacy, and a renewed commitment to peace,” he said.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Egypt expands cooperation with UN in agriculture

Egypt expands cooperation with UN in agriculture

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Egypt says it will to increase its cooperation with the United Nations to enhance its agricultural sector.

Alaa Farouk, Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, disclosed this during a meeting with Elena Panova, the UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt.

The Daily News Egypt, a partner of TV BRICS, reports that the meeting will discuss enhancing cooperation between the ministry and UN agencies working in the agricultural sector.

Farouk emphasised the importance of engaging both the Egyptian and African private sectors to boost trade, investment and food security on the continent.

For her part, Panova presented the UN cooperation framework with Egypt for 2023-2027, covering five key areas.

They include climate and resource sustainability, education, health, migration and others.

She expressed her commitment to strengthen cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture to promote sustainable agricultural development and food security in Egypt.

Following the meeting, the two sides agreed to plan ministerial discussions with African countries under the leadership of the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture.

These meetings will bring together relevant UN agencies and private sector representatives from selected African countries.

The aim is to establish new cooperation mechanisms and stimulate private sector investment, in line with Egypt’s broader efforts to strengthen ties with African countries.

Egypt also confirmed its readiness to share its experience in agricultural research with African countries with the support of UN agencies working in these regions.(NAN/TV BRICS)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

HIV: UN, ASWHAN unveil women empowerment project

HIV: UN, ASWHAN unveil women empowerment project

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By Justina Auta
 UNWomen and the Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (ASHWAN) have unveiled an empowerment initiative for women living with HIV.
The organisations extended the gesture to other vulnerable groups, empowering them with life skills and start-up packs to enhance their economic independence.
Mrs Helen Akpan, Assistant National Secretary, ASWHAN, said this during a two-day training on Friday in Abuja.
She said the exercise would alleviate the current hardship faced by members and provide them with source of livelihood.
“We are training women living with HIV and other vulnerable women with skills acquisition for sustainability and to alleviate poverty.
“This will help in sustaining household livelihood for these women and their children, especially amidst the dwindling economy, which has overwhelmed a lot of people’s financial capacity.
“There is a need for them to have skills and economic empowerment, which will take care of their nutrition, drugs and other hospital services required,” she said.
She said that 50 women in the FCT would be exposed to poultry farming, ice block business and other skills, adding that start-up packs and equipments would be given to them to facilitate the training they acquired.
According to her, the women will be grouped into clusters to form a cooperative, to enable them to access loans and other services to more financially independent.
 “This is going to be extended to other states because we want to change the narratives for our members regarding depending on others. It is one of the causes of Gender Based Violence (GBV),” she said.
Mr Martin-Mary Falana, a Consultant, said the participants would also be empowered on identifying profitable business opportunities, innovative ideas for marketing and selling
He said they would  be trained on how to form and manage a Village Savings and Loan (VSLA).
Falana said the women would be able to lay their hands on things that can improve their livelihood, especially as they will be given startup equipment to fend for themselves.
“It will also improve their socio economic development and ensure that they earn what they can use to fend for themselves and their younger ones, children and wards.
“They will also be grouped to form committee that will assist them with the VSLA, where they can make contributions and then gather it to help one another.
“This will go a long way to alleviate poverty, generate income and make them self reliant,” he said.
He encouraged other stakeholders to support vulnerable groups, while urging the participants to remain strong.
 ”Living with HIV is not the end of life. HIV does not have anything to do with their brain. They can still use their hand to do a lot of businesses.
“They need help from other financial institutions to bring down the cost of  interest in accessing loan so that they can do something with their lives,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Stella Ebeh-Obianuju stressed the need to empower women living with HIV, to make them less vulnerable and victims of GBV.
Ebeh-Obianuju, who is also the Coordinator, Hope Initiative (Mother’s to mother Support group), said that, “if we are empowered, we will be able to stand on our own, train our children, live a healthy and productive life.
“I believe that after this empowerment training, and with support, we will be able to stand on our own and be financial dependent, not relying on anyone,” she  said.
Amina Mohammed, another beneficiary, said the initiative would make her independent, and provide for her family, especially amidst the current economy challenges. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
Nigeria not snubbed in UN Human Rights Council election – Presidency

Nigeria not snubbed in UN Human Rights Council election – Presidency

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By Salif Atojoko

Nigeria was not snubbed in the 2024 UN Human Rights Council election, as some reports have claimed, says Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy.

Onanuga said this in a statement titled, “Setting the Record Straight,” on Sunday.

He said the country did not stand as a candidate for this cycle of elections, just like it did not stand for election in 2023 when a Nigerian medium reported that the country earned three votes.

“The same lie was rehashed in the erroneous report in circulation. Again, we restate that Nigeria was not on the ballot in the election held on Oct. 9.

“Whatever vote was recorded for our country must have been cast in error in the secret balloting by some countries which thought Nigeria was on the ballot,” said Onanuga.

According to him, for those conversant with elections into international organisations, especially to the Human Rights Council, countries vying for positions usually receive regional endorsements.

He said the regional bloc endorsed Benin and Gambia, both members of ECOWAS, for the 2025-2027 term.

Given Nigeria’s continued leadership in fostering African unity, he said the nation focused on supporting the endorsed candidates to promote collective African representation.

“This has been the hallmark of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership on the continent.

“This strategic approach aligns with Nigeria’s long-standing diplomatic efforts to ensure Africa speaks with a united voice on the global stage.

“The media should cross-check their information before rushing to press. There was no sign this was done with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or our country’s mission in New York.

“As Nigerians, we should not be quick to disparage or drag our country, especially on international matters,” said the presidential aide.

He stated that on Oct. 9, the UN General Assembly elected 18 members to the Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term.

The members elected to the Council are: Benin, Bolivia, Colombia, Cyprus, Czechia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Iceland, Kenya, Marshall Islands, Mexico, North Macedonia, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand.

Onanuga said the Council was an intergovernmental body within the UN system consisting of 47 States tasked with promoting and protecting human rights globally.

“The election, conducted via secret ballot, determined which nations would fill three-year terms beginning on Jan. 1, 2025, replacing members whose terms expire on Dec. 31, 2024.

“Among the outgoing members are: Argentina, Benin, Cameroon, Eritrea, Finland, Gambia, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Montenegro, Paraguay, Qatar, Somalia, United Arab Emirates and the United States,” he said.

He added that a report on the meeting published by the UN said Argentina, Cameroon, Eritrea, India and Somalia, which had served two consecutive terms, were ineligible for immediate re-election.

Also, Albania, Algeria, Brazil, China, Ghana, Japan, and South Africa will continue serving on the Council.

“In the African regional group, the endorsed candidates, Benin, Gambia, Kenya, DRC, and Ethiopia – successfully secured all the five available seats.

“There was no competition in the African regional group, as the continent fielded the same number of candidates as available seats,” Onanuga clarified. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

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