|
USG Rosemary DiCarlo briefs the Security Council on the situation in Ukraine
|
|
On 29 July, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo briefed the Security Council on the situation in Ukraine, underscoring that the grain agreement signed on 22 July in Istanbul was a sign that dialogue between the parties is possible. The UN is now making every effort to support the parties in operationalizing the initiative, she said, stressing that avoiding incidents such as the recent strikes on Odesa will be essential for the initiative to succeed. She noted that, as the conflict enters a more protracted phase, attention is increasingly turning to its longer-term humanitarian, recovery, reconstruction, and socio-economic impact. Regrettably, she added, political dialogue has virtually ground to a halt, she said.
Read full remarks here
UN News on the briefing here
|
|
SRSG Hennis-Plasschaert calls Iraq shelling “horrific attack” as she briefed the Security Council
|
|
On 26 July, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the UN Assistant Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), briefed the Security Council on the situation in that country. Mentioning the artillery shelling in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, she said that the “horrific attack on a well-known and clearly identifiable tourist site demonstrates a shocking disregard for civilian life.”
Read full remarks here
UN News on the briefing here
|
|
Growing sense of hopelessness among Palestinians on prospect for statehood
|
|
On 26 July, Lynn Hastings, the Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefed the Security Council on the Israeli-Palestinian situation and said that we continue to witness concerning levels of violence against civilians, which exacerbates mistrust and undermines a peaceful resolution to the conflict. She underlined tensions have been mounting, amidst continued settlement activity and settler-related violence. She also stressed that there was no substitute for a legitimate political process to resolve the core issues driving the conflict.
Read full remarks here
UN News on the briefing here
|
|
ASG Pobee notes that constitutional and political stalemate in Libya continues, despite progress made
|
|
Martha Pobee, the Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Africa, briefed on 25 July the Security Council on Libya, calling the situation there “highly volatile” and citing the increased number of clashes in Tripoli. In addition, the dire economic situation has been exacerbated by the politicization of the National Oil Corporation. “The message from the young Libyans to their leadership was that they need to do more to improve their living conditions and that they want elections to be held as soon as possible in order to choose their legitimate representatives,” ASG Pobee said.
Read full remarks here
UN News on the briefing here
|
|
Special Envoy meets with Malaysian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
|
|
In Malaysia, Special Envoy of Secretary-General Noeleen Heyzer met on 26 July with Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to discuss the situation in Myanmar, including the need for innovative solutions for the Rohingya both in and outside that country. The Special Envoy underscored Malaysia’s role in mobilizing a regional and international response.
|
|
Special Coordinator hosts dialogue with Lebanese editors to discuss constitutional timeline
|
|
Special Coordinator of the Secretary-General Joanna Wronecka hosted a group of senior Lebanese editors at UNSCOL to discuss their views on the challenges facing Lebanon and the constitutional timeline. The meeting was the second in a series of dialogues that the Special Coordinator is holding with the media on priorities for Lebanon. The discussions covered the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701, the current political and socio-economic crisis and the role that the media can play in pushing forward the process of reforms in the country.
|
|
|
UNAMI Human Rights Office holds workshop on accountability for gender-related killings
|
|
On 26 July, the Human Rights Office of UNAMI held a workshop in Erbil, Kurdistan Region-Iraq, with NGOs, women’s organizations and civil society to discuss accountability for gender related killings. Participants proposed strategies on how to engage with government authorities, courts and other relevant actors, to ensure that perpetrators of gender related killings are held accountable, as well as to systematically monitor cases and raise awareness at the community level.
|
|
UNAMI Office of Electoral Affairs holds session for Independent High Electoral Commission reporting team
|
|
On 25 July, UNAMI Office of Electoral Affairs (OEA) reporting advisers held a session for the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) reporting team to support the Commission enhance its reporting electoral activities and processes. During the first session, OEA provided a presentation on samples, considerations, and steps in preparing regular internal narrative reports. Follow up and on the job learning sessions will continue as part of this initiative for enhancing IHEC’s electoral reporting process.
|
|
Secretary-General appoints new Special Representative and Head of UNOCA
|
|
On 28 July, the Secretary-General appointed Abdou Abarry of Niger as his Special Representative for Central Africa and Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA). Abarry brings extensive experience in the areas of politics and diplomacy.
Read more here
|
|
UNITAMS meets with women’s rights advocates
|
|
The UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), UN Women and UNDP Sudan held a three-day meeting this week with women's rights advocates from Blue Nile, Darfur and Central regions. They exchanged views about building alliances among women's groups and enhancing women’s rights. On 27 July, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General Khardiata Lô Ndiaye also met with the groups to discuss the recent violence in the Blue Nile and its ongoing impact on civilians, underscoring the UN’s commitment to supporting the women of the Blue Nile, not just as beneficiaries but as actors of change.
|
|
Training for the Permanent Ceasefire Committee of the Juba Peace Agreement
|
|
A two-day training for the Permanent Ceasefire Committee of the Juba Peace Agreement was organized by UNITAMS and the NGO Promediation in Elfasher, North Darfur. It focused on conflict management and resolution, as well as mediation and negotiation, to support the peace process in Darfur. The Committee also held a technical consultative meeting on 26 July with over 110 representatives of civil society in to discuss priorities and concerns regarding the work of the Commission, as well as broader efforts to advance Sudan's political transition.
|
|
Fashion Fair features clothing made by former combatants
|
|
On 26 July, the Colombia Fashion Fair in Medellin showed 31 projects of clothing and textiles made by former combatants of the National Network of Clothing for Peace RENA-C. The UN Verification Mission in Colombia accompanied former combatants from Tolima, Cundinamarca, Antioquia, La Guajira, Arauca, Cesar, Valle del Cauca, Nariño, Putumayo, Caquetá, Meta, Guaviare and Cauca, who told their stories of hope and reconciliation. Designer Beatriz Camacho and the Avon Colombia Foundation also accessorized outfits from their collection with handmade bags made by former FARC combatants from the "Tejiendo Paz" cooperative.
|
|
New documentary on future-leaning approach in Guinea
|
|
DPPA’s Innovation Cell (IC) launched a documentary this week, “Foresighting Guinea”, produced by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Guinea, with support from IC and the University of Stellenbosch. This follows IC’s efforts in piloting the approach in country programming, especially in fragile contexts.
Watch the documentary here
|
|
