|
A brief roundup of United Nations-related political and peacebuilding events and developments globally.
|
|
Middle East on "brink of catastrophe," USG DiCarlo tells Security Council
|
|
|
On 10 October, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo told the Security Council that in the eight days since the Secretary-General briefed on Lebanon and the Middle East, the situation in Lebanon had become "even more alarming." The exchanges of fire between Hizbullah and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had intensified dramatically, she said. In addition, Hizbullah had stepped up its attacks on Israel, firing rockets, missiles and drones further south. Israel then responded with attacks striking hundreds of Hizbullah targets. The ongoing exchanges of fire had created a humanitarian emergency. "We need to invest every effort to reverse this cycle of violence and bring Lebanon and Israel - and the region - back from the brink of catastrophe," she stressed.
|
|
"Status quo in Libya has persisted for too long," says DSRSG Koury
|
|
|
On 9 October, Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Stephanie Koury described recent developments, including the appointment of a new Central Bank of Libya Governor and Deputy Governor and the full resumption of oil operations and exports. “Regrettably, other actions continue to fuel divisions,” she noted, including the dispute over the authority to adjudicate on constitutional matters. She emphasized that “the status quo in Libya has persisted for too long and is unsustainable,” and urged the Council to support in advancing an inclusive political process and move towards national elections.
|
|
Special Coordinator Hennis-Plasschaert visits shelters in Beirut
|
|
This week, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, visited shelters housing people displaced from southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut following the sharp escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hizbullah. During the site visits - organized in cooperation with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Food Programme (WFP), among others - the displaced expressed the hope to return home and resume their normal lives.
Special Coordinator for Lebanon visits Disaster Risk Management Committee
|
|
This week, Hennis-Plasschaert also visited a Disaster Risk Management Committee comprised of local officials, security services and humanitarians. The Committee works with UN support to meet soaring humanitarian needs, despite significant resource challenges. Throughout these engagements, the Special Coordinator voiced concern regarding the impact of the conflict on children, with thousands set to miss out on their education as schools become shelters. Meanwhile, the Special Coordinator continued to meet with a wide array of Lebanese political and security actors, while engaging with regional and international partners, as part of her efforts to reinvigorate momentum on a ceasefire and to advocate for progress in the long-stalled presidential election process.
Peacebuilding partners visit Papua New Guinea
|
|
 |
|
This week, the Peacebuilding Support Office organized a partner visit to Papua New Guinea with representatives from Australia, Norway, United Kingdom and United States, and a member of the Peacebuilding Fund’s (PBF) Advisory Group. Hosted by the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, in partnership with the Department of the Prime Minister and the National Executive Council, the visitors learned about results of PBF support to the Bougainville peace process and for peacebuilding and local development in the Highlands. Site visits in the Southern Highlands Province showcased how the UN Highlands Joint Programme facilitated community-led approaches in remote areas, mediated local peace agreements and jumpstarted rehabilitation of infrastructure and basic services as tangible peace dividends. The delegation met representatives of government, the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the UN Country Team, bilateral and multilateral partners, including international financial institutions.
|
|
New SRSG and UNAMI Head Mohamed Al Hassan arrives in Iraq
|
|
|
On 10 October, Mohamed Al Hassan of Oman arrived in Baghdad to assume his responsibilities after his appointment by the United Nations Secretary-General as his Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).
Read more
|
|
UNAMI discusses preparations for Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections
|
|
|
On 7 October, the UNAMI Office of Electoral Assistance and the Director of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) in the Sulaymaniyah Governorate Electoral Office met to discuss the preparations for the 20 October Kurdistan Region Parliamentary elections. The Office of Electoral Assistance participated in an IHEC training of polling staff.
|
|
UNOCA holds annual retreat
|
|
UNOCA staff held their annual retreat from 8-9 October in Akanda, north of Libreville. Staff discussed the implementation of the Office's mandate, which the Security Council renewed for three years on 30 August. Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Central Africa and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa Abdou Abarry comprehensibly outlined his vision and priorities.
UNRCCA Preventive Diplomacy Academy holds training for future leaders
|
|
|
On October 1 and 9, the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Preventive Diplomacy Academy held training sessions on emotional intelligence and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). The sessions formed part of the leadership skills curriculum for students from Central Asia and Afghanistan. NLP methods can be used in negotiations, conflict resolution, and planning
|
|
Colombia Mission supports peace fair in Villavicencio
|
|
|
This week, together with the Governor's Office of Meta, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia provided support to the Peace Entrepreneurs Fair in Villavicencio. The Fair showcases the work of people in the process of reincorporation, victims of armed conflict and human rights leaders. They had the opportunity to showcase their businesses, highlighting the commitment of peace signatories, communities and local institutions in the construction of territorial peace. Coffee, textiles, jewelry, natural products, handicrafts and more were the main products of the fair. The Verification Mission accompanied the event, providing information on the Peace Agreement and the Mission's mandate.
|
|
|
On 15 October, SRSG Hans Grundberg will brief the Security Council on the situation in Yemen. Also on 15 October, SRSG Carlos Ruiz Massieu will brief the Council on Colombia. On 18 October, the Council will meet on to vote on a resolution on Haiti sanctions.
|
|
