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USG DiCarlo warns of weakened international collective security system in wake of Ukraine war
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Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo briefed the Security Council on 23 June on the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine. She said the Russian invasion and war had created a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe and weakened the international collective security system that we have all pledged to uphold. She added that an end to the war founded on international law and the Charter is the surest way to ensure that the tremendous suffering ceases.
Read full remarks here
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UNSMIL Special Representative briefs Council on political process in Libya
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On 19 June, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Abdoulaye Bathily provided the Council with updates on the current situation. The 6+6 Committee of the House of Representatives and High Council of State, which is dedicated to finalizing electoral laws, has seen “a flurry of mixed reactions” among stakeholders, he said, which noted both progress and shortcomings. While there has also been renewed commitment to advance human rights in Libya, there had also been an increase in restrictions on fundamental rights such as freedom of assembly and freedom of movement. New restrictions for civil society and on women’s freedom of movement are alarming in a country that is working to hold fair, credible elections. “The political process in Libya has once again reached a critical stage,” he underlined.
Read full remarks here
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UNAMA head briefs Council on Afghanistan, notes restrictions placed on women by Taliban
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On 21 June, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Roza Otunbayeva, briefing the Security Council and noted that the situation in the country remains complicated. The 5 April restrictions against Afghan women working for the United Nations place a question mark over activities across the country. As UNAMA will not place its national female staff in danger, she said, they have been asked not to report to the office, while male national staff performing non-essential tasks have been asked to stay home to respect the principle of non-discrimination. She also underscored that while the Taliban ask to be recognized by the United Nations, it acts against the key values expressed in the Charter. It prevents girls from attending non-religious secondary and tertiary education institutions and from visiting public parks, baths and gyms. She called on the de facto authorities to rescind the bans.
Read full remarks here
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Special Representative Laing briefs Council on political and security situation in Somalia
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On 22 June, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) Catriona Laing briefed the Council for the first time. She spoke about her first two weeks in Somalia, and went on to provide political, security and humanitarian updates. She noted that Somalia has made significant progress in advancing key national priorities, including the appointment of the Independent Constitutional Review and Implementation Commission; the passage of 11 pieces of legislation, of which six have already been signed into law; and successful one-person-one-vote district council elections in Puntland state. She also expressed her concern over the ongoing conflict in Laascaanood, which had so far resulted in 308 civilian casualties, with 36 people killed and 272 individuals injured. She noted that UNSOM good offices were at the disposal of all parties to help agree on a peaceful way forward.
Read full remarks here
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Ambassadorial-level meeting on indigenous peoples, peace and reconciliation in Canada, Colombia and Norway
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On 19 June, the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) convened a meeting on Indigenous Peoples, Peace and Reconciliation in Canada, Colombia and Norway. Briefers from the three countries noted the particular discrimination and marginalization faced by Indigenous communities, and also spoke about what has been done to reduce violence and ensure inclusive peacebuilding in consideration of Indigenous rights. Participants underscored the importance of establishing truth and remembering the past through transitional justice processes and as part of successful reconciliation.
Watch the meeting here
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Ambassadorial-level meeting on the Sahel
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On 23 June, PBC convened an Ambassadorial-level meeting on the Sahel, focusing on peacebuilding efforts in the context of transnational organized crime, conflict and terrorism and violent extremism, as well as on the efforts necessary to address the root causes of the drivers of insecurity and instability in the region. The Commission underscored the need for comprehensive, integrated, and localized approaches to address the deteriorating security situation in the region. The Commission also called for urgent peacebuilding, development, and humanitarian support to the region for sustainable and inclusive peace and development.
Watch the meeting here
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Academic Council on the UN System
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We need urgent, united action to face global crises, says USG DiCarlo at meeting of Academic Council on the UN System
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On 21 June in Washington D.C., Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo gave the keynote address at the Annual Meeting of the Academic Council on the UN System. She underlined that “the post-Cold War period is clearly over, but the contours of what is to follow it are still unclear.” International cooperation, she said, was becoming harder to achieve, and increasing competition between major powers was taking its place.
Read full remarks here
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UN Special Coordinator calls for constructive efforts to end Lebanon’s political impasse
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This week, Special Coordinator Joanna Wronecka held a round of meetings to follow up on political developments in the country. In consultations with caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, Wronecka discussed the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 and followed up on the Minister’s participation in the Brussels Conference. With Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun, the Special Coordinator emphasized the importance of continued work in favor of the security and stability of the country. During the week, she also met with a number of ambassadors and parliamentarians, encouraging all actors to play a constructive role to accompany ongoing efforts to end Lebanon’s political impasse.
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Special Coordinator visits UNDP Projects for Economic Empowerment
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On 23 June, the Special Coordinator visited UNDP projects supporting job creation, economic empowerment and social cohesion in south Lebanon. Accompanied by UNDP Resident Representative, Melanie Hauenstein, Wronecka met with fishermen in Saida who are impacted by the socio-economic crisis in Lebanon. They described how they are benefiting from UNDP projects on rebuilding and developing their fish market. The Special Coordinator also visited a medical solid waste management facility, as well as green houses in Abbasieh. Underlining the need to support the agricultural sector, the Special Coordinator also discussed stabilization efforts with members of Municipalities in Saida and Jezzine.
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Special Representative Hennis-Plasschaert meets with Iraqi officials
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On 19 June, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, met in Baghdad with the Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. They discussed the political situation in the country, including preparations for the upcoming provincial elections. The SRSG expressed her appreciation for the Government’s determination to prioritize the needs of the Iraqi people.
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On 21 June, the Special Representative was received in Erbil by the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani. They discussed the situation in the region, stressing the importance of holding timely Kurdistan Region elections without further delay. The SRSG expressed UNAMI's readiness to provide technical assistance towards this aim.
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UNAMI Human Rights Office commemorates International Day for Countering Hate Speech
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To commemorate the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, the UNAMI Human Rights Office organized a dialogue on the role of the media in countering hate speech in Iraq. The event was attended by representatives from government ministries and departments, the Communication and Media Commission, the High Judicial Council, traditional media experts and social media influencers, the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights, religious and ethnic groups, journalists, activists and representatives of civil society. In her opening remarks SRSG Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert highlighted the negative effects of hate speech in Iraq, particularly for those who are already marginalized and disempowered. She encouraged the Government, the media and civil society to work together to counter hate speech while ensuring that freedom of expression is protected.
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UNAMI Human Rights Office marks International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
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On 19 June, the Human Rights Office of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) jointly with the British Consulate General Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, held an event to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. The event was attended by representatives from civil society organizations, together with representatives from the KRG High Council of Women and Development, the Directorate for Survivors Affairs, members of the diplomatic community in Erbil, UNFPA and UNITAD. The event contributed to broadening awareness of the challenges faced by victims of conflict-related sexual violence by Da’esh/ISIS, by giving space to activists from the Turkmen, Shabak and Christian communities in Iraq to speak about the situation of survivors from their respective communities.
Full story here
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UNAMI Gender Unit holds round table on women’s political participation in Iraq
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On 19 June, the UNAMI Regional Office in Basra and the Gender Unit in collaboration with the Women Empowerment Directorate held a roundtable discussion on women’s participation in political processes. The event was attended by civil society activists, members of political parties and women groups. The discussions were held in support of the implementation of the National Action Plan on UN Security Council resolution 1325 and the National Strategy for Iraqi Women (2023–2030).
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UNAMI Office of Electoral Affairs hold workshops on results, polling and audits
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From 18-22 June, the UNAMI Office of Electoral Assistance conducted a 5-day workshop in Erbil from 18-22 June on Result Management Systems (RMS) development attended by 15 staff from the Independent High Electoral Commission. The workshop reviewed the previous RMS systems and provided recommendations for further improvements.
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From 19-22 June, in support of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission's preparation for the 2023 Provincial Elections, the UNAMI Office of Electoral Assistance held a 4-day workshop in Erbil. The subject of the training was the development of user-friendly procedural documents, as well as current polling and audit centre procedures.
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ASG Jenca delivers video address at Central Asia Women Leaders’ Caucus
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On 19 June, in Astana, Kazakhstan, the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) participated in the opening event of the Central Asia Women Leaders’ Caucus (CAWLC). The event gathered representatives from all Central Asian States, female political leaders as well as prominent female tech entrepreneurs and civil society. In his video address, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations and the UNRCCA Officer-in-Charge, Miroslav Jenča, called on the Caucus to further step up its effort to promote participation of women in peacebuilding processes. He also encouraged the platform to explore avenues for engaging with women of Afghanistan. Noting the Caucus’s contribution to positive political dynamics in the region, he stressed the key role of the platform in promoting implementation of the Global Women, Peace and Security Agenda across Central Asia.
Read more here
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Mozambique marks end of disarmament and demobilization process
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On 23 June, Mozambique officially commemorated the end of the disarmament and demobilization phase of its DDR process. Witnessed by neighbouring Presidents and foreign dignitaries, the event marked a historic milestone for the country’s peace process. In a process overseen by the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mirko Manzoni, 5,221 former combatants re-joined civil life. “The world needs leaders from the African continent to demonstrate how peace can be forged and how peace can be promoted, Mozambique has proven to be one of those leaders and I am confident the country will continue to do so, inspiring others to do the same,” Manzoni said.
Read more here
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UNOAU calls for nominations to recognize African women advancing the WPS agenda in next edition of its book, She Stands for Peace
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In February 2020, the UN Office to the African Union (UNOAU) and the African Union Commission (AUC) jointly published She Stands for Peace, a book commemorating the 20th anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325; its second edition was published in September 2022. For the third edition, the AUC and UNOAU are amplifying the voices of women who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of peace and security in Africa. UNOAU is now accepting nominations to be included in the latest edition. Criteria for nomination include those women who have actively participated in peace processes, or who have made significant contributions towards the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence.
Read more here
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ASG Spehar highlights need to address root causes of conflict
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On 23 June, DPPA marked Peacebuilding Day, the 17th anniversary of the first meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission. In her video message, the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, Elizabeth Spehar, said it was critical to increase efforts to address root causes of conflict and invest in peacebuilding. Since 2006, the UN Peacebuilding Commission has provided political accompaniment and support for a growing number of countries and regions in their peacebuilding efforts. The Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund remains the leading instrument for investing in peacebuilding. In 2022, the Fund responded to demand for support in conflict prevention by approving 231 million dollars for efforts in thirty-seven countries.
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