“No one is safe in El Fasher”: ASG Pobee urges collective international efforts to end war in Sudan

At the Security Council on 30 October, Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Africa Martha Ama A. Pobee warned that Sudan’s conflict has “deteriorated even further,” with the fall of El Fasher to the Rapid Support Forces marking “a significant shift in the security dynamics.” She described “widespread and serious human rights violations,” including mass killings and summary executions, stressing that “no one is safe in El Fasher.” ASG Pobee reiterated the Secretary-General’s call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged all those with influence “to act now to prevent further atrocities.” She also highlighted efforts by Personal Envoy Ramtane Lamamra to advance de-escalation talks and underscored that coordinated international action remains vital to support a sustainable, Sudanese-owned peace process.

Adopters of the Secretary-General’s Common Pledge move from commitment to action

On 28 October, DPPA, together with the Office of the Deputy Secretary-General and UN Women, convened a high-level meeting on the Secretary-General’s Common Pledge for Women’s Participation in Peace Processes, bringing together a full room of participants at the ECOSOC Chamber at UN Headquarters. Moderated by ASG Pobee, the meeting featured 24 adopters sharing concrete steps to implement the Pledge’s four commitments: appointing women mediators, setting participation targets, consulting women-led civil society, and embedding gender expertise. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed emphasized that “these commitments are practical steps that can be taken today.” ASG Pobee urged action “to move from rhetoric to reality,” while UN Women Deputy Executive Director Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda highlighted that “the WPS agenda is not just about participation, but about power—to decide, contribute, rebuild and sustain peace.”

Peacebuilding Commission marks 25 years of Women, Peace and Security agenda

On 27 October, the Peacebuilding Commission held an Ambassadorial-level meeting on Women, Peace and Security, marking the 25th anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000). Briefers included Minister of Gender and Child Welfare of Namibia Emma Kantema; the AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security Liberata Mulamula; Executive Director of UN Women Sima Bahous; AU Youth Ambassador Mpule Kgetsi; and civil society leaders Luz Piedad Caicedo (Colombia), Sofia Dianne Garcia (Philippines), and Nia Abadžić (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Awa Dabo, Director and Deputy Head of the Peacebuilding Support Office, also delivered remarks. Member States reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, emphasizing that sustainable peace depends on the full, equal, safe, and meaningful participation of women in all peace processes.

Special Coordinator for Lebanon visits Israel

The Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, visited Israel this week as part of her regular consultations with stakeholders key to the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 (2006). She met Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar and other senior political and security officials for discussions on the implementation of resolution 1701 and the November 2024 Cessation of Hostilities arrangement. 

Prior to her visit to Israel, the Special Coordinator was in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, where she met local and parliamentary officials and visited the municipality, a university and a hospital. The visit provided an opportunity to better understand the challenges facing Lebanon’s second-largest city and the ongoing efforts to promote its development and stability.

Iraqi President and UNAMI Chief discuss election preparations

On 26 October, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Mohamed Al Hassan met President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid to discuss preparations for Iraq’s parliamentary elections on 11 November. The SRSG commended progress made toward ensuring transparency, integrity, and inclusivity in the process, emphasizing broad participation by women, youth, and underrepresented groups. President Rashid reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to holding safe, credible, and timely elections as a key step in the country’s democratic path.

UNAMI hosts Skills Fair to support staff career transitions

Ahead of the end of UNAMI mandate in December, the Mission’s Training Unit organized on 27 October the UN in Iraq Skills Fair 2025 to support staff transition and career development. SRSG Mohamed Al Hassan underscored that the initiative was “about empowerment and transitioning with dignity,” highlighting collaboration with government, private sector, and UN partners to help staff transfer their expertise into Iraq’s long-term growth. 

UNAMI promotes freedom of expression in Kurdistan Region

On 26 October, UNAMI’s Human Rights Office organized a dialogue on “Promoting Freedom of Expression and the Protection of Journalists in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.” The event gathered journalists, media organizations, and the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate to discuss challenges to press freedom and collective strategies to safeguard journalists and strengthen respect for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Iraqi officials strengthen capacity for human rights training

From 26 to 30 October, the UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre, in partnership with UNAMI, OHCHR, the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights and the Ministry of Oil, organized a Training of Trainers workshop in Doha, Qatar, on “Designing, Managing and Delivering Human Rights Training.” Eighteen officials from the Ministry’s human rights units participated, learning to apply OHCHR’s From Planning to Impact methodology. The training introduced techniques for facilitation, participatory presentation, training needs assessment, adult learning and evaluation. It aimed to strengthen participants’ ability to design and deliver effective, inclusive human rights training within their institutions, contributing to a stronger culture of human rights education across Iraq.

Iraqi youth lead green innovation for a sustainable future

The UN in Iraq, together with the UN Youth Advisory Council and the American University of Iraq–Baghdad, held on 30 October the Green Iraqi Innovators Conference and Competition. Over 60 young leaders, academics, and private sector innovators presented solutions to advance climate action and sustainable development, showcasing the creativity and leadership of Iraq’s youth in building a greener future.

Location Secured for Joint Border Security Centre in Benghazi

In a key step towards unifying Libya’s security institutions, representatives from military and security bodies across the country agreed on 29 October a location for a Joint Border Security Communication and Information Exchange Centre in Benghazi, set to become operational in the coming weeks. Facilitated by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), the initiative follows the launch of a similar centre in Tripoli earlier this year and aims to enable real-time information sharing and coordinated responses to border challenges. “The establishment of the joint centre in Benghazi comes at a crucial moment to support military unification and build mutual trust,” said Ali Kilkal, UNSMIL’s Senior Border Advisor. The Joint Technical Coordination Team, which includes representatives from both the Government of National Unity and the Libyan National Army, is overseeing the effort.

UNSMIL supports mine action in Misratah

On 22 October, UNSMIL’s Mine Action Programme (UNMAS) and the Libyan Mine Action Centre (LibMAC) carried out quality assurance procedures on the safe demolition of two tonnes of explosive remnants of war in Misratah’s Kararim area. “Clearance and the safe disposal of explosive remnants of war help reduce risks and support communities to live more safely,” said Fatma Zourrig, Head of UNSMIL’s Mine Action Programme. The teams also visited the site of the 31 August ammunition storage explosion, where clearance operations are ongoing under an Italy-funded project to protect civilians and strengthen national mine action capacities. 

Communities and former combatants unite for environmental restoration

On 25 October in San Juan del Cesar, La Guajira in the northeastern corner of Colombia, the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia participated in a reforestation activity at the Cañaverales spring, together with former combatants from the Pondores and Tierra Grata ETCRs and members of the Cañaverales Afro-descendant Community Council. The initiative aimed to protect local water sources while promoting collective action for peace and environmental recovery. By bringing together communities, former combatants, and institutions, the activity strengthened environmental sustainability and advanced reconciliation, reparation, and guarantees of non-repetition—key pillars for consolidating lasting peace in Colombia’s territories.

Integrating mental health into peacebuilding for lasting social cohesion

On 30 October, DPPA’s Peacebuilding Support Office and the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations co-hosted an event on Advancing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for Social Cohesion and Sustaining Peace. With contributions from the Peacebuilding Fund, UNDP, WHO, UNICEF and PeaceDirect, Member States, UN entities and civil society partners exchanged good practices for integrating MHPSS into peacebuilding efforts. Participants called for increased financing, stronger policy integration, and inclusion of MHPSS in the ongoing Peacebuilding Architecture Review. The event drew lessons from Peacebuilding Fund-supported initiatives in Burkina Faso, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Haiti and The Gambia, underscoring that mental health is both a moral imperative and a practical foundation for peace.

Photo Exhibit: The UN and Afghanistan — A Partnership for the Future

To mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, a new online photo exhibit highlights the UN’s long-standing partnership with Afghanistan, which joined the Organization in 1946. Featuring images from UN archives, the United Nations Assistant Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), and UN agencies, funds and programmes, the exhibit traces decades of collaboration — from the UN’s first rural development project in 1954 to today’s integrated efforts across health, education, and sustainable development. There are currently 24 UN entities and a special political mission, UNAMA, active in the country, the exhibit celebrates the UN’s enduring support for the Afghan people on their path toward recovery and a more resilient future.

Next Week

Sierra Leone assumes the presidency of the Security Council for November.