USG DiCarlo urges unified messaging and strong action by the Security Council on Sudan

On 19 February, Under-Secretary-General (USG) Rosemary DiCarlo briefed the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Sudan. She warned that fighting continues to expand across North Darfur, the Kordofans, and Blue Nile state, with the use of long-range drones and aerial strikes severely impacting civilians, leaving no part of Sudan safe. USG DiCarlo said the horrific events in El Fasher in October 2025 were preventable, but that the warnings, including by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, were not heeded. “The time to act to prevent a repeat of atrocities elsewhere in the country is now,” she said. “Pressure must be brought on the parties and those who back them to end the war now,” she added, stressing that progress on a political vision for Sudan’s future is of utmost urgency.

USG DiCarlo stresses seizing the opportunity to restore a credible political horizon in the Middle East

Briefing the Security Council on 18 February, USG DiCarlo characterized the current situation in the Middle East as a “pivotal moment”. She called for collective efforts to consolidate the Gaza ceasefire, implement Phase II of the US-led Comprehensive Plan, and advance a credible political path toward a two-State solution. The USG underscored the need for increased entry of assistance and expressed grave concern over deteriorating conditions in the occupied West Bank. “[W]e must seize this opportunity to restore a credible political horizon - one that leads to a lasting peace in Gaza, brings an end to the occupation and realizes a two-State solution in line with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions," she said.

SRSG Tetteh briefs the Security Council on Libya 

Hanna Tetteh, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), briefed the Security Council on 18 February on the work of the UN Support Mission for Libya (UNSMIL). She welcomed the completion of municipal elections in three western municipalities on 7 February. She regretted, however, that there has been no meaningful progress in the dialogue between the House of Representatives (HoR) and the High Council of State (HCS) in completing the first two steps of the political roadmap. She said that despite the sustained engagement by UNSMIL with the two institutions, their inability to use their agreed mechanism and follow-on unilateral actions has further eroded their credibility. The SRSG warned that the situation in Libya is deteriorating on many fronts, including the country’s divided judicial system and economic trajectory in a downturn. She emphasized that a political solution is the only way forward and added that, “[a]s we seek to engage all relevant actors to advance the roadmap, the support of this Council remains a prerequisite for success.”

UN supports regional initiative to combat arms trafficking in Great Lakes region

On 18 February, the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region met to discuss a regional initiative to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the 5 Contact and Coordination Group (CCG) member states (Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda) under the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework. Funded by the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund, aims to strengthen national and regional capacities to manage SALW and reduce the human cost of conflicts. “Addressing these flows means tackling the mechanisms that fuel and perpetuate the action of these groups, whose activism fosters a climate of mistrust in the region,” said Huang Xia, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General (SESG) for the Great Lakes Region. Key entities supporting the implementation of the project include the Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office (PBPSO), ODA, and RECSA, focusing on normative and legal frameworks, cross-border and regional cooperation, capacity strengthening, technical assistance, and equipment provision. It will support the development of national action plans, regional standard operating procedures, and training programs for national authorities.

SRSG Imnadze participates in a High-Level Dialogue on Global Health Diplomacy

On 16 February, SRSG and Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Kaha Imnadze participated in the High-Level Dialogue on Global Health Diplomacy in Ashgabat. Organized by the Government of Turkmenistan and the WHO Regional Office for Europe, in partnership with UNRCCA and UNDP, the event coincided with the Day of Diplomatic Workers of Turkmenistan. In his address, SRSG Imnadze underlined the importance of health diplomacy in addressing the climate-health nexus and its implications for regional development and security. He stressed the synergy between the Roadmap for Health and Well-being in Central Asia and preventive diplomacy efforts. UNRCCA and WHO also conducted a joint session on “Environmental Security and Health Diplomacy.”

UNRCCA co-organizes thematic session on climate security and health diplomacy

On 18 February in Ashgabat, UNRCCA and WHO convened a thematic session on “Climate Security and Health and Environmental Diplomacy” within the High-level Dialogue on Global Health Diplomacy. UNRCCA Water Resources Specialist Heinz Habegger provided expert insights on the health impacts of climate change. Moderated by Deputy Head Philipp Saprykin, the discussion brought together senior officials from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Deliberations underscored the importance of strengthened regional cooperation, trust-building, and preventive health diplomacy. 

SRSG Onanga-Anyanga addresses AUPSC on climate change and security

On 16 February, SRSG and Head of the UN Office to the African Union (UNAOU) Parfait Onanga-Anyanga participated in the African Union Peace and Security Council’s 1331st Open Session on Climate Change, Peace and Security. In his remarks, he warned that climate change is already reshaping peace and security dynamics across Africa, stressing that climate shocks are undermining livelihoods, intensifying competition over land and water, and displacing communities. The SRSG underscored that Africa requires scaled up, conflict sensitive adaptation finance and stronger climate security coordination. As Ethiopia prepares to host COP32, he called for Africa’s leadership to shape global outcomes. He urged COP32 to deliver peace dividends through integrated risk analysis, resilience building, and strengthened cross border governance to address the climate chaos impacting the continent.

SRSG Jenča visits Meta, the department with the highest number of peace signatories in Colombia

Between 14 and 16 February, SRSG and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC) Miroslav Jenča visited Meta, a department in central Colombia, to review progress and persistent challenges in the implementation of the Final Peace Agreement, nine years after its signing. In San Juan de Arama, Mesetas, and Villavicencio, he met with women leaders, peace signatories, and authorities, emphasizing that access to land and housing, as well as sustained institutional support, are essential for sustainable reintegration. In Mesetas and along the Güejar and Guape rivers, hee highlighted advances in community tourism and the role of Peace Radio Stations in promoting stability. Concluding in Villavicencio, he acknowledged security concerns and reaffirmed the United Nations' commitment to strengthening security guarantees through coordinated and integrated action.

Special Coordinator Hennis-Plasschaert advocates for enhanced representation of women in Lebanon’s parliament

Following the decision by Lebanon’s Interior Ministry to call for legislative elections on 10 May 2025, Special Coordinator of the Secretary-General for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert participated in a conference convened on 19 February by the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW). The event, held in partnership with the United Nations in Lebanon, aimed to finalize a draft law enhancing women's participation in parliament. Hennis-Plasschaert stated that now is the time to turn promises into action, noting the proposed legislation is a real opportunity to strengthen the role of women in shaping Lebanon's future. The NCLW draft proposes allocating 40 per cent of electoral lists and 33 per cent of seats for women candidates in the 128-member Parliament for women candidates. 

PBF allocates $7 million for peacebuilding initiatives in Togo and the Trifinio region

This week, the Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) has allocated a total of $7 million for two new initiatives. In Togo’s northern Savanes region, $2.5 million will support peaceful relations and help prevent the spread of violence from the Sahel. Implemented by FAO, IOM, and UNDP, this 24-month project will bring communities together for dialogue, help prevent disputes over land, water, and other resources, and support inclusive ways to manage natural resources. The initiative also aims to increase the socio-economic resilience of vulnerable groups, including women and youth. Additionally, $4.5 million was allocated for a trinational initiative in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras aimed at strengthening peace mechanisms related to the use and access to water resources in the Trifinio region, a tri-border area. This project, implemented by UNDP and FAO in collaboration with the Plan Trifinio Trinational Commission, will support strengthening preventive capacities and establishing inclusive dialogue to manage water-related tensions in the tri-border area.

Netherlands contributes to DPPA’s Multi-Year Appeal

This week, DPPA thanks the Government of the Netherlands for its contribution of $270,000 to the Department’s Multi-Year Appeal (MYA). The MYA is DPPA’s voluntary funding mechanism, enabling flexible, rapid support for preventive diplomacy, mediation and other core priorities. 

Next Week

The Security Council will hear a briefing on the Ukraine by the Secretary-General on 24 February.