Special Representative Salvador emphasizes importance of Multinational Security Support Mission for Haiti

On 18 January, the 4th meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Situation in Haiti of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) took place in Paris. In a tweet, the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) said that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of BINUH, María Isabel Salvador (pictured above, center), underlined at the meeting that the expected deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission, an autonomous and non-UN mission, would be essential for restoring security and fostering conditions conducive to the holding of credible, participatory and inclusive elections in Haiti.  

Peacebuilding Commission meets on peace consolidation in São Tomé and Príncipe

On 15 January, the Peacebuilding Commission discussed peace consolidation in São Tomé and Príncipe. Coordinated by the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), DPPA's Peace Building Support Office (PBSO), the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) and the Resident Coordinator for the country, the meeting raised awareness of the challenges the country faces in the security and justice sectors. Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada highlighted the case for prevention and called for international support. Member States welcomed the preventive approach taken by the Government, noting the need for coordinated collaboration between national authorities, the UN, and International Financial Institutions to support the country in achieving its reforms.

Security Council Affairs Division publishes 2023 highlights of practice

The Security Council Affairs Division (SCAD) of DPPA recently published its “Highlights of Security Council Practice 2023.” Produced every year since 2011, the Highlights paper provides an overview of significant procedural and constitutional matters relating to the activities of the Council and it subsidiary bodies over the past year. In 2023, the Security Council held 290 formal meetings and 124 consultations of the whole; it adopted 50 resolutions and six presidential statements; it considered 47 agenda items and invited a record number of participants — 479 — under rule 39 of its provisional rules of procedure. 

Special Coordinator meets with senior officials to discuss security and stability for Lebanon

This week, Special Coordinator of the Secretary-General for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka met with Lebanese political and security officials to discuss ways of promoting peace and stability. Wronecka met with Deputy Parliament Speaker Elias Bou Saad and highlighted Resolution 1701 as essential to restore security and stability along Lebanon’s southern border with Israel. She also spoke with the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, General Joseph Aoun (pictured above, right), about the crucial role of the Lebanese army in that regard. With the former Director of General Security Abbas Ibrahim, the Special Coordinator spoke about the need to consolidate elements of security and stability. In separate meetings with the Ambassadors of Qatar, China and Russia, Wronecka emphasized the importance of preserving Lebanon’s security and stability through institutional stability.

Deputy Special Representative Cordone meets with Iraqi and Iranian officials

On 18 January, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Iraq for Political Affairs and Electoral Assistance, Claudio Cordone, met in Baghdad with Iraq National Security Advisor Qasim Al-Araji (pictured above, right). DSRSG Cordone briefed on his recent visit to three camps for Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in the Kurdistan Region, which were coordinated with the Federal and Kurdistan Region authorities. DSRSG Cordone also met with Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Kazem Al Sadegh. They discussed security issues, including the implementation of the Iraq-Iran security agreement relating to Iranian Kurdish opposition groups.

Deputy Special Representative Isaczai highlights five-year UN Cooperation Framework for Iraq

On 15 January, the Deputy Special Representative, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC) for Iraq, Ghulam Isaczai, met separately in Baghdad with Iraq Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning Mohammed Ali Tamim and Iraq's Minister of Health Salih Al-Hasnawi (pictured above, right). In his meetings, Isaczai spoke about continued UN-Iraq collaboration in the context of the new five-year UN Cooperation Framework for Iraq (UNSDCF). On 16 January, DSRSG/RC/HC Isaczai met with Iraq Minister of Education Ibrahim Namis Al-Jubouri. Discussions focused on education, digitalization, increasing budget allocations, and supporting education for internally displaced persons, returnees, and refugees.

Special Representative Leonardo Santos Simão speaks with UN News about situation in Sahel

This week, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Leonardo Santos Simão spoke to UN News about the situation in the region.

Project for former combatants in Cauca, Colombia, yields export crop of avocados

On 16 January, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia visited a project for the cultivation and distribution of Hass avocado, in the municipality of Silvia, department of Cauca. The project is being carried out by former combatants and follows international commercial standards. This initiative expects to produce three tons of avocados for export and local trade during the current harvest cycle. The former combatants' cooperative is also developing a fish farming project in the village of Pueblo Nuevo. The Mission has supported the project since its inception, and both initiatives are supported by the Agency for Reintegration and Normalization (ARN) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

Next Week

On 22 January, the Security Council will discuss the situation in Ukraine. On 23 January, an open debate on the Middle East will take place. On 25 January, the Council will hold a briefing and consultations on Haiti.