KABUL  - Afghan civil society organizations have started preparations to develop strong messages through an inclusive and participatory mechanism for the International Conference on Afghanistan to be held in Tokyo on 8 July 2012.

CHICAGO - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon assured Afghan President Hamid Karzai yesterday that the United Nations stands ready to support to the Afghan authorities to produce “credible and democratic elections”.

KABUL - The number of women dying of pregnancy and childbirth related complications has almost halved in 20 years, according to new estimates released today by the United Nations, which stressed that greater progress is still needed in significantly reducing maternal deaths.