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21 March 2013
The UN Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for another year, until 19 March 2014. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged for continued UN support to the Afghan government up to and beyond the 2014 deadline for the assumption of full responsibility of governance, security and development in most areas.
In the resolution, the Council “stresses the critical importance of a continued presence of UNAMA and other United Nations agencies, funds and programmes in the provinces, consistent with the transition process, in support of and in cooperation with the Afghan Government.”
The withdrawal of most of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and United States troops from Afghanistan is planned to be completed by the end of 2014. A transition of responsibility for security in the state from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to Afghan forces is underway.
Source: UN News Centre | Afghanistan: Security Council extends mission amid calls for continued UN support
Source: UN Secretary-General | Latest Statements | New York, 19 March 2013 - Secretary-General's remarks to the Security Council Debate on Afghanistan
19 March 2013
Over 150 states have started negotiations on a draft Arms Trade Treaty, that amongst others seeks to restrict export of arms that would be used to violate international human rights or humanitarian law by other states.
At the opening the Conference, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said that ‘We owe this landmark UN treaty to those who have fallen victim to armed conflict and violence, to all the children deprived of a better future, and to all those risking their lives to build peace and make this a better world.’ The UN General Assembly has set 28 March as a deadline for reaching agreement on the treaty.
Source: UN News Centre | UN chief urges consensus on robust arms trade treaty as conference begins
Source: Al Jazeera | UN chief urges approval of arms trade treaty
18 March 2013
According to Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Edmond Mulet, the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) could be transferred to a UN stabilization mission by July 2013. The mission will be approved by the Security Council and by the Malian government.
Source: UN News Centre | Mali: UN force possible in July, senior peacekeeping official says
16 March 2013
North Korea has accused the United States (US) and its allies of carrying out ‘intensive and persistent’ cyber attacks on its official websites. These accusations come at a time of increased tensions between North Korea on the one hand and South Korea and the US on the other, and only a few days after the start of the annual joint military drills by the US and South Korea.
Source: BBC | North Korea says US 'behind hack attack'
Source: Reuters | RPT-North Korea accuses U.S. of cyber attack "sabotage"
14 March 2013
The 16th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) held in Bangkok closed on 14 March, after reaching agreement to add a number of plants and animals to the list of species over which international trade is regulated or banned. New species added to the list include tropical timber, sharks and manta rays.
The Press Release asserted that ‘international cooperation to combat serious wildlife crime have seen past differences set aside to stop the poaching of elephants and the rhinoceroses for their ivory and horn’ and that the ‘international community has today decided to make best use of this pragmatic and effective agreement to help it along the path to sustainability in our oceans and forests’.
Source: BBC | Landmark shark ban upheld at conservation meeting
Source: Press release | CITES conference takes decisive action to halt decline of tropical timber, sharks, manta rays and a wide range of other plants and animals
