Youth, Peace and Security
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ASG Khaled Khiari called on the Security Council to fund and institutionalize the YPS Agenda
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On 28 August, the Permanent Mission of Ghana hosted an Arria formula meeting of the Security Council on “Reinforcing the implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda for a peaceful and stable Africa”. The meeting highlighted the increasing efforts to institutionalize the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda at the national and regional levels and paid tribute to the African Union for its leadership on inclusion of youth. Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari, representing DPPA, called for better financial and political support to the YPS agenda. The meeting also heard from a young woman peacebuilder from the Central African Republic, Chido Mpemba (African Union Youth Envoy) and Farhad Peikar (Special Representative from the World Bank). Several Member States stressed the importance of holding regular Security Council debates on YPS and stepping up the implementation of YPS mandates in UN missions. The importance of ensuring a strong collaboration on YPS with regional organizations, such as the African Union, was also highlighted as a priority.
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Assistant Secretary-General Jenča meets with Cyprus leaders to advance peace efforts
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Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations Miroslav Jenča visited Cyprus from 27 to 29 August. The visit was part of the UN’s continued engagement with the parties to explore common ground on the way forward on the Cyprus issue. He met separately with the Greek Cypriot leader, Nikos Christodoulides, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, among others. Recent developments on the ground and operational issues related to the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus were also discussed. He also met with UN peacekeepers and expressed his appreciation for their professionalism and dedicated service.
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Deputy Special Representative Isaczai visits Jedda 1 Rehabilitation Center in Ninewa
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The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC) for Iraq, Ghulam Isaczai, visited the Jedda 1 Rehabilitation Center in Ninewa on 29 August. The DSRSG/RC/HC engaged in focused group discussions with residents who have returned from the al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, service providers and center management operating under the Ministry of Migration and the Displaced (MoMD) to better understand the challenges faced by the returnees and the effectiveness of the rehabilitation efforts conducted by UN entities and partners. On 27 August 2023, DSRSG/RC/HC for Iraq Ghulam Isaczai visited Harsham IDP camp in Erbil and interacted with IDP families and camp management. After 9 years in the camp, challenges such as security, housing, livelihood opportunities, and compensation continue to hamper the return of more than 1200 IDPs to their areas of origin. #DurableSolutions is the only solution.
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UNAMI Principal Electoral Adviser attended an IHEC-CSO information sharing session in Duhok
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The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Principal Electoral Adviser and several UN electoral advisers attended a workshop on 27 August in Duhok with representatives of more than 40 civil society organizations. The independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) organized the event and provided updates on the ongoing voter registration, the distribution of voter cards and explained the next stages of the electoral process.
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UNAMI Human Rights Office hosts workshop on diversity and human rights
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On 29 August, the UNAMI Human Rights Office organized an event on diversity as a tool for the promotion and protection of human rights, with a particular focus on minority rights. The workshop was held in Baghdad and brought together 26 representatives from diverse ethno-religious components, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on component Affairs, representatives from the Religious Endowments and civil society organizations. The workshop is the last in a series of three, and forms part of the Human Rights 75 Initiative celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Learn more here
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UNAMI and Iraqi Women Journalists Forum hold training workshop
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On 25 and 26 August, the UNAMI Human Rights Office and the Iraqi Women Journalists Forum trained 20 journalists on the inclusion of human rights principles and norms in journalistic reporting at a workshop held in Baghdad.
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UNAMI’s Herald e-newsletter spotlights UN activities and projects
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The latest edition of the UNAMI Herald e-newsletter is out this week. It covers UN activities and projects from July to August 2023 and is available here in English.
Subscribe to 'This Week in DPPA' here
Contact DPPA at dppa@un.org
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Special Envoy Grundberg engages in diplomatic talks to advance peace efforts in Yemen
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On 29 August, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General Hans Grundberg was in Cairo. He met with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry and other senior Egyptian officials, as well as Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States (LAS) Hossam Zaki. The Special Envoy briefed on the ongoing mediation efforts to resume an inclusive Yemeni-owned political process under UN auspices to reach a sustainable political settlement.
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In Aden, Special Envoy Grundberg met President of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Rashad Al Alimi, Vice Presidents Aidrous Al Zubaidi and Abdullah Al Alimi, Prime Minister Maen Abdul Malik, and other senior officials. The discussions tackled preparatory steps to engage in a comprehensive political process and to maintain a conducive environment for constructive dialogue. The Special Envoy also visited Ma’rib and met Vice President Sultan Al Arada, as well as local political and military representatives.
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Peace stories through the eyes of students in Meta
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The UN Verification Mission in Colombia is conducting a process of training in communication for peace at the La Julia Educational Institution, located in the municipality of Uribe, in the department of Meta. Some 30 young people who elaborate the student newspaper "INEDJU al día" participated on 26 August in a first workshop that provided them with the tools to conduct interviews on peace stories. The students practised their communication skills through an exercise that allowed them to play a journalistic role and learn about the chocolate project "Manigua de Paz", promoted by former combatants in Uribe, Meta and Tumaco, Nariño. This training aims to involve young people in the territory in the peace process at the local level.
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Special Representative Imnadze meets with the president and other high-level officials of the Kyrgyz Republic
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On 26-29 August, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Kaha Imnadze visited Bishkek and held talks with President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov, Minister of Foreign Affairs Zheenbek Kulubaev, Vice-Speaker of the Parliament, Jamilya Isayeva and Director of the National Institute of Strategic Studies Aziz Kanatbek. The Special Representative shared reflections on proceedings of his first briefing at the UN Security Council and underscored the Council’s support to UNRCCA activities pursued in partnership with countries in the region.
Read more here
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Youth activists highlight impact of climate change on human rights
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The UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) organized a three-day training from 29 – 31 August in Mogadishu on human rights and climate change. The participants included university students, academics and civil society representatives studying or working on climate change issues. The training highlighted the severe impact of climate change on Somalia and called for more effective action to combat the negative impacts of climate change on vulnerable groups across the country.
Read more here
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West Africa and the Sahel
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Special Representative Simão reaffirms United Nations commitment to support The Gambia on democratic reform agenda
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Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), concluded a visit to The Gambia on 1 September. The visit was part of his regional familiarization tour. He met with President Adama Barrow and discussed a range of regional and national issues, including security challenges facing the Sahel and progress made on the Gambia's transitional justice process.
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Albania will assume the presidency of the Security Council for of September.
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