“The raging fires in the Middle East are fast becoming an inferno,” Secretary-General warns Security Council

On 2 October, Secretary-General António Guterres, in an emergency Security Council meeting, reiterated his appeal for a ceasefire in Gaza and a cessation of hostilities in Lebanon. “The raging fires in the Middle East are fast becoming an inferno,” he cautioned, noting that tensions were escalating along the Blue Line with “almost daily exchanges of fire by Hizbullah and other non-State armed groups in Lebanon and the Israel Defense Forces." Pointing to the temporary ceasefire proposed by the United States and France to allow for the restart of negotiations, he said, “Israel refused that proposal and stepped up its strikes, including bombing the Hizbullah headquarters where its leader was killed” and conducting a “limited incursion” into southern Lebanon, while “Hizbullah has continued rocket and missile attacks on Israel”.

Security Council renews authorization for Haiti Security Support Mission

On 30 September, the Security Council renewed its authorization for the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti for another 12 months. By the text, the Council also encouraged the Mission to accelerate its deployment, while also encouraging additional voluntary contributions and support.

SRSG Onanga-Anyanga underscores importance of UN and AU coordination

On 2 October, the Security Council met to discuss the partnership between the United Nations and African Union. Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union and Head of the UN Office to the African Union (UNOAU), said that "several African countries and sub-regions continue to face significant challenges to achieving lasting peace, security and sustainable development." He went on to note that the Secretary-General’s latest report underscored the need for the two organizations to coordinate efforts in order to address complex political transitions.

With mission mandate set to expire, SRSG Swan highlights Somali political progress

On 3 October, James Swan, Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), briefed the Security Council alongside Mohammed El-Amine Souef, Head of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The mandate for UNSOM is set to expire at the end of the month, and Somalia had proposed a two-year process to transfer tasks to national authorities and the UN Country Team while the drawdown of ATMIS forces continued, he said. He highlighted recent progress made on the political front, including on defining a plan for one-person-one-vote elections.

UNAMI discusses preparations for Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections

On 2 October, UN Principal Electoral Advisor Aamir Arain and the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Electoral Assistance team met in Erbil with Judge Omar Ahmed Mohamed, Chairman of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), and the Central Committee. They discussed preparations for the upcoming Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections. On 1 October, Arain met with Senior Advisor to the President of the Kurdistan Region Dilshad Shahab (pictured). They discussed ongoing preparations for the upcoming Kurdistan parliamentary elections. Separately, Arain met with Rizgar Haji Hama of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, to discuss peaceful electoral campaigns.

UNAMI delegation meets with officials to discuss protection of women political candidates

On 1 October, a UNAMI delegation met with the Secretary General of Kurdistan’s High Council for Women and Development, Khanzad Ahmad (pictured). UNAMI representatives expressed support for the High Committee on Protection of Women Candidates, which has put in place measures to enhance protection of women candidates and receive complaints, including through dedicated hotlines. Separately, the delegation met with the Directorate for Combating Violence Against Women and Family Director General Fenik Shafiq Hamadamin. They discussed the use of a 24/7 hotline for receiving complaints from women candidates in the Kurdistan parliamentary elections during the ongoing campaign period.

Head of UNAMI in Kurdistan Region meets senior officials to discuss political situation

On 1 October, the Head of UNAMI Office in the Kurdistan Region, Francesc Revuelto-Lanao, met with the New Generation Movement (NGM) Head of Sulaymaniyah’s electoral office Rebwar Abderrahman. They discussed the political situation in the Region, including preparations for the forthcoming elections.

UNOCA holds workshop on climate, peace and security

On 2-4 October, the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), DPPA, the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and the UN System Staff College (UNSSC), organized a capacity-building workshop on climate, peace and security in Ntoum, Gabon. In opening remarks, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Central Africa and Head of UNOCA Abdou Abarry noted that "each of us has a role to play in protecting our environment while promoting lasting peace for future generations."

UNRCCA co-organizes regional conference on women, peace and security

On 3-4 October, Special Representative to the Secretary-General for Central Asia and Head of the UN Centre for Regional Diplomacy in Central Asia (UNRCCA) Kaha Imnadze participated in a regional conference on the Women, Peace, and Security agenda in Central Asia and Afghanistan. The event was organized by the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic with support from UNRCCA, UN Women and UNDP, and held under the Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus (WLC). The conference marked the first regional event within the WLC framework to feature in-person participation of Afghan women from Afghanistan. Discussions emphasized the importance of fostering cooperation to support Afghan women and girls.

Photography exhibition "Seeds of Peace" opens with UN mission support

On 26 September, the "Seeds of Peace: Territories that Flourish, Views that Transforms" exhibition opened on 26 September at the Centro Nacional de las Artes Delia Zapata Olivella in Bogotá. "Seeds of Peace" received support from the European Union, the European Fund for Peace, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Colombian Ministry of Cultures. The exhibition was a call for action to promote peacebuilding processes in relation to the 2016 Peace Agreement.

Model UN Junior held in Popayán, Cauca

On 26 September, a "Model UN Junior" event took place at the Don Bosco College in Popayán, Cauca, with the support of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia. More than 100 boys and girls aged 10 to 12 from public institutions participated in this project, which promotes a culture of dialogue for problem-solving and youth empowerment, in line with the UN mandate on Youth, Peace and Security.

Colombia mission holds annual peace fair

On 2 and 3 October, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia held its annual peace fair, selling products from 10 projects of victims and signatories of the Peace Agreement, from the departments of Tolima, Boyacá, Huila and Bogotá. The signatories received support from the Colombia government to help them rejoin civilian life. The Colombian Foreign Minister and other high-level level officials in Colombia, including representatives from the European Union and Norway, visited the fair to meet with producers.

Next Week

On 8 October, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General Huang Xia will brief the Security Council on the Great Lakes region. On 9 October, the Council will be briefed on the UN Support Mission in Libya by Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General Stephanie Koury.