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Reports and Policy Documents

2024

  • 7 Mar 2024

    The plan by Israel’s Government to build more than 3,400 housing units in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank was condemned on Thursday by the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.

  • 7 Mar 2024

    The UN Secretary-General on Thursday called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan and unhindered humanitarian access as the country teeters on the brink of further disintegration.

  • 7 Mar 2024

    Days from the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan and with no ceasefire agreement in sight for Gaza, UN humanitarians reiterated deep concerns on Thursday that a growing number of children are dying of starvation. 

  • 7 Mar 2024

    New York, 8 March 2024

    The fight for women’s rights over the past fifty years is a story of progress.

    Women and girls have demolished barriers, dismantled stereotypes and driven progress towards a more just and equal world. Women’s rights were finally recognised as fundamental and universal human rights. Hundreds of millions more girls are in classrooms around the...

  • 7 Mar 2024

    Dakar, 07 March 2024 - In his capacity as Chairman of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission (CNMC), the Special...

  • 7 Mar 2024

    Dear friends, colleagues and partners,

    Let me heartily congratulate you on the forthcoming International Women's Day.

    On this date, the 8th of March, we particularly mark women’s achievements in almost all spheres of our societies – political, economic, social and cultural. It is also a day that serves as a call to action...

  • 7 Mar 2024

    ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan

    On March 5, the first session was held for students of the UNRCCA Preventive Diplomacy Academy from...

  • 6 Mar 2024

    Amid a mass prison breakout, expanding gang violence and rising hunger, the UN human rights chief on Wednesday urged the international community to act “swiftly and decisively to prevent the Caribbean country’s further descent into chaos”.

  • 6 Mar 2024

    The UN envoy for Afghanistan on Wednesday repeated her call for the Taliban to reverse its numerous restrictions on the lives of women and girls in violation of their human rights, warning that the longer they remain in place, the more damage will be done.

  • 6 Mar 2024

    Much more lifesaving humanitarian aid must be allowed into Gaza where one in six children is dangerously malnourished in the north of the war-torn enclave, UN health agency chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday.

  • 6 Mar 2024

    Nearly 11 months since rival generals declared war in Sudan, UN humanitarians warned on Wednesday that the conflict risks triggering “the world’s worst hunger crisis”.

  • 5 Mar 2024

    Special Coordinator Wronecka at Azm University in Tripoli

    Ahead of International...

  • 5 Mar 2024

    With only nine months remaining before the polls in December, South Sudan is not ready to hold elections and a lot more needs to be done, the head of UN peace operations said on Tuesday.

  • 5 Mar 2024

    The UN Secretary-General reiterated his deep concern on Tuesday over the “rapidly deteriorating” security situation in Haiti as violent gangs tighten their grip on the country in the wake of a jailbreak at the weekend which saw nearly 4,000 criminals return to the streets.

  • 5 Mar 2024

    A rare opportunity to deliver desperately needed supplies to hospitals in northern Gaza for the first time in months has been welcomed by UN humanitarians who on Tuesday issued a fresh alert about “appalling” conditions in medical facilities where more children risk are battling life-threatening malnutrition.

  • 5 Mar 2024

    Efforts by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to deliver desperately needed food supplies to northern Gaza resumed on Tuesday but were largely unsuccessful, the agency reported.

  • 5 Mar 2024

    An independent UN housing rights expert condemned on Tuesday the arbitrary destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure during conflicts, comparing the ongoing bombardment of Gaza with strikes against Dresden during the Second World War.

  • 4 Mar 2024

    Photo by OSESGY/Alaa Malhas

    Doha Al Zohairy: Let’s start from the latest developments, especially what is happening in maritime navigation. ...

  • 4 Mar 2024

    Dozens of elections taking place this year around the world will likely be “free from hatred” and respect the will of the people, but there are warning signs that several polls may not - from Bangladesh to Chad, Hungary, Russia and Senegal, UN rights chief Volker Türk warned on Monday.

  • 4 Mar 2024

    The General Assembly met this morning to examine the US veto of the latest Security Council draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in war-torn Gaza, where a grim, forewarned landscape of famine has seen babies and children die of starvation in recent days. The President of the General Assembly described the situation as catastrophic and shameful as dozens of ambassadors also denounced humanitarian conditions there. We'll be back with more from the General Assembly at 3:00PM New York time, when the UN Palestine relief agency chief will brief Member States. Follow our live coverage here and at @UN_News_Centre.

  • 4 Mar 2024

    Negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza continued in Egypt for a second day on Monday as the UN’s top rights official warned that the war there risked morphing into a much “wider conflagration” enveloping every country in the Middle East and beyond. 

  • 4 Mar 2024

    The Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Ghada Waly has highlighted the threats of transnational organized crime, terrorism and corruption that is plaguing Somalia.

  • 4 Mar 2024

    Following a 17-day visit to Israel, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict reported on Monday that she and a team of experts had found “clear and convincing information” of rape and sexualized torture being committed against hostages seized during the 7 October terror attacks.

  • 4 Mar 2024

    Ambassadors in the UN General Assembly again discussed on Monday the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the critical work of the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, which is facing an existential threat, hearing a briefing by its Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, and holding a heated debate on the US veto of the latest Security Council draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in the war-torn enclave.

  • 3 Mar 2024

    TRIPOLI - 03 March – Today, The Embassy of the Netherlands in Libya and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with...

  • 2 Mar 2024

    Dakar, 2 March 2024 – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West...

  • 2 Mar 2024

    Dakar, 2 March 2024 – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West...

  • 2 Mar 2024

    The UN Security Council has underscored the need to protect civilians in Gaza after more than 100 Palestinians were killed on Thursday, and several hundred others injured, while waiting for food at an aid convoy.

  • 2 Mar 2024

    The Gaza conflict “is also a war on women”, who continue to suffer its devastating impacts, the UN agency championing gender equality has said.

  • 1 Mar 2024
    A brief roundup of United Nations-related political and peacebuilding events and developments around the world. 

    "Tensions in the region need to be urgently de-escalated," Special Envoy Pedersen tells Council in briefing on Syria

    On 27 February, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria Geir O. Pedersen told Security Council members that February had seen further spillover effects from regional conflict, with multiple air strikes attributed to Israel reportedly resulting in both civilian and military casualties. He noted that Israel confirmed it had carried out strikes in response to rocket attacks from southern Syria towards the Occupied Syrian Golan, while the United States carried out retaliatory strikes for a drone attack on a post in Jordan. The entire north of the country, containing millions of civilians, has seen multiple front-line skirmishes in February, including pro-Government, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and Turkish drone strikes. Da’esh attacks continue to rise in the central and north-eastern regions, while southern Syria remains violent and unstable. “Plainly, the tensions in the region need to be urgently de-escalated, starting with the immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza,” he stressed.

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    UNITAMS completes its withdrawal from Sudan

    On 29 February, the United Nations Integrated Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) completed its withdrawal from the country. In a statement, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated his deep appreciation to all international and national UNITAMS personnel for their dedication and service to the people of Sudan throughout the Mission’s mandate. He noted that a small team would remain in Port Sudan to oversee the Mission's liquidation process, beginning on 1 March. Guterres said that the conflict in Sudan was jeopardizing the entire country and region. He also stressed that “the United Nations is not leaving Sudan. It remains strongly committed to providing lifesaving humanitarian assistance and supporting the Sudanese people in their aspirations for a peaceful and secure future.” The Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, has commenced his work in support of mediation efforts, in coordination and close partnership with African and other international partners.  

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    Special Coordinator for Lebanon meets with senior political officials in Beirut

    This week, during meetings with Lebanese stakeholders in Beirut, Special Coordinator of the Secretary-General for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka advocated for safeguarding Lebanon’s security and stability. With caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati (pictured above right), she discussed internal and regional dynamics, with an emphasis on the imperative of de-escalation efforts along the Blue Line. The Special Coordinator also met several parliamentarians, including Free Patriotic Movement leader Gebran Bassil, Kataeb leader Sami Gemayel and MP Inaya Ezzedine. She underlined the importance of the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701. She also discussed the security situation in Lebanon and along its borders with the Acting head of General Security Elias Bayssari.

    Special Coordinator Wronecka takes part in launch of Action Plan of the National Strategy for Women in Lebanon

    Special Coordinator Wronecka took part in the launching of the “Action Plan of the National Strategy for Women in Lebanon 2024-2026” by the National Commission for Lebanese Women. The Special Coordinator said the Action Plan offered opportunities to empower women at the personal, educational, economic and social levels. These efforts are even more remarkable and timely given the current political, socio-economic and security context Lebanon, she said. 

    UNAMI meets with Kurdistan Regional Government on election issues

    On 29 February, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, met in Erbil with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Qubad Talabani (pictured above right). They discussed the current situation in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region. 

    Special Representative for Iraq attends Sixth Baghdad International Dialogue

    On 24 February, Special Representative Hennis-Plasschaert spoke at the Sixth Baghdad International Dialogue. She noted that “the steps taken since the Government’s formation in October 2022 signal positive momentum, highlighting Iraq’s enormous potential to act as a force for good – both within and outside the region." She went on to say that an enabling environment would be essential, and that would require the buy-in of all relevant actors, whether in- or outside Iraq. "It is quite simple: no government can go it alone. Hence, everyone is expected to support this objective, rather than to thwart it," she stressed.

    Read more

    DSRSG Isaczai and Basra governor launch Joint Coordination Forum

    On 29 February, the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (DSRSG)/Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, Ghulam Isaczai, visited Basra Governorate where he met with Governor Asaad AlEidani. Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation to address climate change impact in southern Iraq and emphasized collaboration for a sustainable future. The DSRSG/RC/HC and the Governor also launched the Joint Coordination Forum (JCF). The Forum aims to streamline governorate-level coordination by bringing together development actors to share information. On 27 February, Isaczai and officials of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Iraq, visited Anbar Governorate, where they met with the Governor, Mohammed Noori. Discussions focused on durable solutions for returnees from Al-Hol Camp and internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing in Anbar. The UN Iraq delegation also met with a group of returnees from Al-Hol Camp in Syria, as well as with IDPs at the Bzebiz informal site in Anbar.

    Read more

    SRSG Imnadze visits Tashkent, discusses regional challenges with senior officials

    From 28 February to 1 March, SRSG Kaha Imnadze visited Tashkent and met with Speaker of the Senate Tanzila Narbaeva, Deputy Foreign Minister Muzaffarbek Madrakhimov, Special Representative for Afghanistan Ismatulla Irgashev, Director of. theInstitute for Strategic and Regional Studies Eldor Aripov, Director of the International Institute of Central Asia Javlon Vakhabov, SRSG Imnadze underlined the Security Council’s support to the initiatives of Central Asian states to build trust in the region, and highlighted the preventive diplomacy projects implemented by the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA). Discussions also focused on transboundary water management and the prevention of terrorism, as well as the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for security in Central Asia.

    SRSG Simão discusses peace and security with Ghana President

    From 25-28 February, SRSG Leonardo Simão visited Ghana to meet with President Nana Akufo-Addo. They discussed various issues pertaining to peace and security in West Africa, including the threat of terrorism and maritime security. Simão also participated in the third Kofi Annan Peace and Security Forum.

    UNOWAS and Mano River Union sign Framework of Cooperation

    On 1 March, DSRSG Khassim Diagne and the Secretary-General of the Mano River Union Maria Harisson signed a Framework of Cooperation Agreement for 2024-2026. The Agreement outlines the main areas for joint activities to promote peace, security and stability between the member states of the Union, namely Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. “The signing of the Framework of Cooperation Agreement demonstrates our unwavering joint commitment to work together to serve the people of the sub-region and to reinforce peace and democracy,” said DSRSG Diagne.

    Former combatant projects showcased at tourism fair in Colombia

    On 28 February, former combatants participated in the Tourism Fair of the Colombian Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (ANATO), in Corferias in Bogotá. The projects by former combatants included Tierra Grata Ecoturs SAS, from Manaure, Cesar; Caguán Expeditions, from Caquetá, the Cooperativa Multiactiva Nueva Marquetalia, the company Turismo Integral por la Paz from the former Territorial Area for Training and Reintegration (TATR) of Agua Bonita, in La Montañita (Caquetá), and La "Ruta Marquetalia", part of the tourism project of the Cooperativa Multiactiva Marquetalia por un Futuro Mejor, from the former TATR el Oso, in Planadas Tolima. These projects were supported by the UN Verification Mission in Colombia. Also participating were several former combatants from Meta, Caquetá and Guaviare, as part of the Peace with Nature project, which focuses on the empowerment and training of peace signatories and communities on biodiversity issues, with the aim of bolstering socio-economic development through tourism.

    ASG Spehar attends World Bank Fragility Forum in Washington, D.C.

    This Week, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support Elizabeth Spehar participated in the World Bank Group Fragility Forum in Washington, D.C. Among a wide range of panels engaging policymakers, civil society organizations and academics, ASG Spehar led a session exploring the risks and opportunities for programmatic engagement in the wake of political crises in the Sahel, Sudan, and Afghanistan. ASG Spehar also joined a panel with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and discussed the interaction of macroeconomic and political risks. She also conducted a range of bilateral discussions with Member States and International Financial Institutions counterparts.

    UNHCR and DPPA hold event on forced displacement and conflict at World Bank Fragility Forum - Partnerships Day

    On 1 March, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and DPPA held an event at the World Bank Fragility Forum Partnerships Day, titled "Forced Displacement in the Cycle of Fragility, Conflict and Violence: Protection, Solutions and People-Centered Peace." Discussions focused on forced displacement and peacebuilding. In a roundtable jointly organized by DPPA and independent think tank Adelphi, Peacebuilding Fund members highlighted findings from the Peacebuilding Support OfficeThematic review, as well as opportunities to strengthen interactions between climate finance and green vertical funds.

    Next Week

    Japan assumes the Presidency of the Security Council for the month of March.

  • 1 Mar 2024

    Dakar, 01 March 2024 - The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and the Mano River Union (MRU)...

  • 1 Mar 2024

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres appealed on Friday for greater support for an international mission to help Haiti combat rampant gang violence in remarks to regional leaders meeting in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. 

  • 1 Mar 2024

    The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has voiced deep concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis in the restive Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique following a recent surge in violence and attacks by armed groups. 

  • 1 Mar 2024

    February saw more extreme heat and unusually high temperatures in both hemispheres, the UN weather agency (WMO) said on Friday.

  • 1 Mar 2024

    The crisis in Myanmar is a “never-ending nightmare” for the country’s people happening far away from the international spotlight, UN rights chief Volker Türk told the Human Rights Council on Friday. 

  • 1 Mar 2024

    Repeated warnings from humanitarians over desperate food insecurity and imminent famine in Gaza came into focus on Friday amid reports from the enclave’s authorities that a tenth child had died from malnutrition and dehydration.

  • 1 Mar 2024

    TASHKENT, Uzbekistan

    From 28 February to 1 March, SRSG Kaha Imnadze visited Tashkent and met with H.E. Tanzila...

  • 1 Mar 2024
     

    Women | UNDP-backed Bilan Media pilots...

  • 29 Feb 2024

    Nairobi - Climate change has become such a major factor of global instability that even the UN Security...

  • 29 Feb 2024

    Dakar, 29 February 2024 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West...

  • 29 Feb 2024

    The UN Secretary-General said on Thursday he was “appalled by the tragic human toll of the conflict in Gaza” where more than 30,000 people have now reportedly been killed and over 70,000 injured.

  • 29 Feb 2024

    António Guterres expressed his strong commitment to the people of Sudan on Thursday as the UN assistance mission based there comes to an end, in line with a Security Council resolution ending its mandate.

  • 29 Feb 2024

    The “carnage” in Gaza has left more than 30,000 dead and must end immediately, UN rights chief Volker Türk told the Human Rights Council on Thursday, after almost five months of constant Israeli bombardment and mass displacement in the enclave, prompted by Hamas-led attacks. 

  • 28 Feb 2024

    The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Africa and Head of UNOCA, Abdou Abarry, is following with great concern the events taking place in N'Djamena...

  • 28 Feb 2024

    All parties to the Gaza conflict have been responsible for “clear violations of international humanitarian law including possible war crimes”, according to the UN’s top human rights official, Volker Türk.

  • 28 Feb 2024

    Humanitarians are hoping that donors will robustly support a $674 million appeal for Haiti, where armed gangs continue to terrorize the population, a senior UN official said on Wednesday during a briefing to journalists in New York. 

  • 27 Feb 2024

    The United Nations announced today the launch of its social media campaign in Lebanon­ - ­­­­­­­­­#All4Lebanon - aimed at informing the public about the support the UN and its partners are extending to the people of Lebanon across different sectors.

    As the country continues to navigate serious challenges, the #All4Lebanon campaign underscores the United Nations' steadfast...

  • 27 Feb 2024

    TASHKENT, Uzbekistan

    On 27 February, 2024 UNRCCA took part in the Regional Meeting on...

  • 27 Feb 2024

    The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Ms. Joanna Wronecka is deeply concerned by the gradual expansion in the exchange of fire across the Blue Line in scope, scale and intensity, which increases the risks of a broader conflagration and undermines Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006).  She urges an immediate halt to this dangerous cycle of violence and return to a cessation of hostilities.

    Regretting the impact...

  • 27 Feb 2024

    DUSHANBE, Tajikistan

    On 26-27 February, as part of his regional tour, Kaha Imnadze, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia...