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This Week in DPPA: 2 - 8 September 2023

This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world. 

Security Council

Russian Federation's so-called elections in the occupied areas of Ukraine have no legal grounds, ASG Jenča tells Security Council

On 8 September, Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Europe, Central Asia and Americas in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations Miroslav Jenča briefed the Security Council on Ukraine. He said Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine – launched in violation of the UN Charter and of international law – continues to inflict large scale suffering on the people of Ukraine as they face daily, intensifying attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. He reiterated that the UN remains fully committed to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters. The ASG also stressed that “the latest illegal attempts to organize new so-called electoral processes in the occupied areas of Ukraine further undermine the prospects for peace.”

Read his full remarks here

Lebanon

Special Coordinator Wronecka meets political and religious leaders to discuss political impasse

This week, Special Coordinator of the Secretary-General Joanna Wronecka held a round of meetings with Lebanese political and religious leaders to discuss ways out of the country’s political impasse. In all her meetings, she underlined the urgency of ending an over ten-month political vacuum in Lebanon as an essential confidence-building measure and a necessary step to revitalizing Lebanon’s state institutions. The Special Coordinator discussed the need to make way for the implementation of urgent reforms with the caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bouhabib, as well as with Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Gebran Bassil, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and MP Fuad Makhzoumi. She also discussed the crucial role of religious leaders in appeasing tensions and building bridges with Jaafari Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Kabalan, Sheikh Druze Aql Sami Abil Mona and Sunni Grand Mufti Abdel-Latif Derian.

Roundtable discussions on rebuilding trust and economic recovery

Special Coordinator Wronecka held two roundtable meetings this week with Lebanese stakeholders on the obstacles and opportunities for rebuilding trust in Lebanon and on the prospects for the country’s economic recovery. Academics, activists and media professionals shared their views on some of the obstacles impeding the rebuilding of trust, including the lack of good governance and accountability, the lack of reforms, and foreign interference.  In a second roundtable, financial experts shared their views on the importance of implementing reforms that can pull Lebanon out of its unprecedented economic crisis and steer the country towards a path of recovery. 

Iraq

UN opens Nahr Dijla Eco Park next to Baghdad compound

The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in Baghdad, once confined within concrete walls due to security concerns following a terrorist attack in 2003, has undergone significant changes. In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the tragedy, UNAMI has transformed a neglected riverside area into the Nahr Dijla Eco Park, adjacent to its compound. This ecological oasis now thrives with biodiversity, and features stone pathways, gazebos, and peaceful sitting areas, allowing personnel to connect with nature, meditate, read, and enjoy the river's tranquility, marking a significant shift in the UN's presence in Baghdad.

Watch the video here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Contact DPPA at dppa@un.org

Yemen

Special Envoy Grundberg concludes a visit to United Arab Emirates

On 6 September, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen Hans Grundberg concluded a visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where he met with senior Emirati officials and Yemeni stakeholders. During his visit, Special Envoy Grundberg met with the Emirati Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khalifa Shaheen, and Diplomatic Adviser to the President of the United Arab Emirates, Anwar Gargash. The Special Envoy underlined the value of peace and stability in Yemen for the security and stability of the entire region.

Gabon

At ECCAS Summit on Gabon, SRSG Abarry addresses “resurgence of unconstitutional changes” 

On 4 September, Special Representative and Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) Abdou Abarry participated in the 4th Extraordinary Summit of the Economic Community of Central Africa States (ECCAS) devoted to the situation in Gabon. He pleaded for the establishment of rules and strong institutions that will consolidate the democratic foundations of the country. He also expressed the hope that ECCAS and Central Africa would equip themselves with “adequate instruments to deal with the resurgence of unconstitutional changes.”

Read more here

Guinea-Bissau

Special Representative Leonardo Santos Simão reaffirms commitment to peace, democracy and development in Guinea-Bissau

Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Leonardo Santos Simão concluded on 6 September a two-day visit to Guinea-Bissau. The objective of the visit was to convey the strengthened commitment of UNOWAS to better support Guinea-Bissau in its efforts to consolidate peace, democracy and development. The SRSG met with President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and Prime Minister Geraldo Martins, among others.

Read more here

Central Asia

UNRCCA Preventive Diplomacy Academy discusses climate change issues

On 5 September, the Preventive Diplomacy Academy of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), in cooperation with the British Embassy in Turkmenistan, organized a training session for graduates from the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan on the topic of climate change. The training raised awareness about the impact of climate change on stability and security. Participants also shared their vision of how Central Asian youth can collaborate locally, regionally and globally to contribute to climate change negotiations.

Read more here

Next Week

The Security Council will discuss threats to international peace and security on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Council will discuss the situation in Sudan. 

Join the Diplomatic Pulse 2.0 launch event 

DPPA and the Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI) are launching “Diplomatic Pulse 2.0” - The Search Engine for Diplomats, on 12 September. This digital tool allows users to rapidly retrieve official press releases with the ability to filter by Member State, theme or date of issuance. Easy to access and use, Diplomatic Pulse can provide a sense of trending themes in a matter of minutes. This updated version is equipped with new analytical and visualization features, among other innovations.

Click here to register for the upcoming virtual event