A brief roundup of United Nations-related political and peacebuilding events and developments globally.

USG DiCarlo tells Security Council that Israeli strike on Doha risks a perilous new chapter in Middle East conflict, urges restraint and recommitment to diplomacy

On 10 September, Under-Secretary-General (USG) Rosemary DiCarlo briefed the Security Council following Israel’s 9 September airstrikes in Doha, Qatar. She warned that the attack risked “a perilous new chapter” in the Middle East conflict and underscored the Secretary-General’s condemnation of the strike as a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. USG DiCarlo stressed that Qatar has been playing a key role, alongside Egypt and the United States, in efforts to broker a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages in Gaza. She urged all stakeholders to exercise restraint, preserve mediation channels, and recommit to diplomacy, reiterating that “durable and just solutions to the crises in the Middle East will not come out of more violence.”

USG DiCarlo: Review of peace operations must prioritize politics, flexibility and stronger UN coordination

On 9 September, USG DiCarlo, briefing the Security Council alongside USG for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, stressed that the future of peace operations must put politics at the center. She underscored the need to avoid one-size-fits-all mandates, strengthen coordination with UN country teams, and refocus on the political drivers of conflict. Warning that weak mandate implementation is often tied to insufficient political support, she urged Member States to recommit to multilateral solutions. 

DPPA briefs partners on urgent need to fund its Multi-Year Appeal

On 10 September, around 40 DPPA member State partners gathered at the Permanent Mission of Norway to the UN to hear firsthand about the Department’s work in Sudan and the Middle East, and why funding under the Multi-Year Appeal (MYA) is vital to sustaining operations on the ground. DPPA raised the alarm: with only $12.7 million received against the $43 million required for 2025, the Department has already been forced to scale back support to envoys in the two regions. Cuts have also affected staff funded under the MYA, travel, and operational capacity more broadly — limiting DPPA’s ability to respond to an escalating number of crises. DPPA urged partners to step up urgently to keep its prevention and crisis-management tools strong and ensure it can continue to deliver where peace and stability are most at risk.

ASG Spehar and PBC Chair brief World Bank Board on UN–Bank partnership for peacebuilding

On 5 September, Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Peacebuilding Support Elizabeth Spehar joined the new Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, Ambassador Ricklef Beutin, in Washington, D.C., to brief the World Bank Executive Board on the UN–Bank partnership in support of peace and development. They highlighted recent collaboration on national prevention and peacebuilding strategies, including in Papua New Guinea, where the UN and Bank are aligning support for the Government’s National Prevention Strategy. Chad was cited as another example where the World Bank, Peacebuilding Fund and Peacebuilding Commission play complementary roles, jointly advancing priorities for social cohesion. ASG Spehar and her World Bank counterpart, Shubham Chaudhuri, emphasized the need for more systematic country-level cooperation so that good practices can become standard. They noted that the renewal of the Bank’s Fragility, Conflict and Violence (FCV) strategy and the ongoing Peacebuilding Architecture Review offer key opportunities for further alignment.

Regional conference on information integrity in West Africa and the Sahel

On 5 September in Praia, Cape Verde, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Leonardo Santos Simão joined the closing of the Regional Conference on Information Integrity in West Africa and the Sahel held from 3 to 5 September with the participation of Cape Verde’s Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva and regional information ministers. Congratulating participants for their recommendations, SRSG Simão underscored the need for collective mobilization to strengthen ethical, reliable and transparent information spaces. He stressed that combating disinformation and information manipulation is vital to protecting democratic governance, reducing tensions, and safeguarding peace and social cohesion across the region.

Special Coordinator Hennis-Plasschaert meets Lebanese Officials following Cabinet session on Non-State Arms

The Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert met with Lebanon's top leaders in Beirut this week, following the 5 September decision of the Lebanese cabinet to welcome a plan for the realization of a State monopoly on weapons. In a meeting with President Joseph Aoun, Special Coordinator Hennis-Plasschaert raised progress and challenges in the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 (2006), as well as the role of the United Nations in supporting Lebanon during this critical period. The Special Coordinator also met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Rodolph Haykal, with discussions focusing on ongoing and future efforts towards the extension of State authority and the full realization of resolution 1701.

SRSG Al Hassan meets Iraqi electoral and judicial leaders ahead of November elections

This week in Baghdad, SRSG and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Mohamed Al Hassan visited the headquarters of Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission, where he met with Chairperson Judge Omar Ahmed Mohammed and Commission members. He praised preparations for the 11 November parliamentary elections, underscoring the need for the polls to be free and conducted in line with international standards. He also urged political forces to ensure equal participation for all components of Iraqi society and to use electoral resources transparently and fairly.

The SRSG also met with the President of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Faiq Zidan, where both emphasized the importance of the upcoming elections and reaffirmed confidence in the Iraqi judiciary’s role in safeguarding the democratic process. 

DSRSG Cordone discusses women’s participation in upcoming elections with Iraqi leaders

On 7 September, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Political Affairs and Electoral Assistance, Claudio Cordone, met with the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Women’s Affairs, Shahbaa Al Azzawi, to explore ways to enhance women’s participation in Iraq’s 11 November parliamentary elections, both as candidates and as voters. The meeting, which also included IHEC Commissioner Ahlam Al Jabiri and representatives from UNAMI, UNFPA, UNDP and UN Women, focused on strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and Iraqi authorities to ensure women’s full, equal and meaningful engagement in the electoral process.

UN in Iraq advances priorities on repatriation, health, and youth leadership

From 6–8 September, the UN in Iraq joined national partners in advancing key priorities for peace, development, and resilience. On 6 September, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and UNICEF partnered with the UN to mark International Youth Day in Baghdad. DSRSG and Resident Coordinator (RC) in Iraq Ghulam Isaczai praised Iraqi youth for their leadership in climate action, education, and innovation, underscoring their vital role in building a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable Iraq.

On 7 September, the Ministry of Health, WHO, and UNODC launched Iraq’s Substance Use Report and Guidelines at the Al-Qanaa Rehabilitation Centre. With WHO Regional Director Hanan Balkhy in attendance, DSRSG/RC Isaczai stressed that youth must be at the heart of prevention and treatment efforts and reaffirmed the UN’s support to strengthen national responses.

On 8 September, the Steering Committee on the ONE UN Plan for the return of Iraqi citizens from Al-Hol camp convened at UNAMI Headquarters. Chaired by DSRSG/RC Isaczai, with DSRSG Claudio Cordone and international partners participating, the Committee reviewed UN support for repatriation efforts and discussed preparations for the upcoming High-Level Al-Hol Conference to be held in New York alongside the General Assembly.

SRSG Imnadze discusses cooperation with Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister

On 10 September in Ashgabat, SRSG and Head of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Kaha Imnadze met with Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between UNRCCA and Turkmenistan in the context of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, with an emphasis on Turkmenistan’s priority proposals aligned with the Regional Centre’s mandate. SRSG Imnadze praised Turkmenistan’s leadership in fostering multilateral dialogue and reaffirmed UNRCCA’s readiness to support regional peace and stability through preventive diplomacy.

SRSG Imnadze meets Russian MFA official on regional cooperation

On 8 September in Ashgabat, SRSG Imnadze met with Kirill Logvinov, Director of the Department of International Organizations of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They exchanged views on developments in Central Asia and broader regional dynamics, including Afghanistan. SRSG Imnadze also briefed on UNRCCA’s ongoing and planned activities. Both sides agreed to maintain regular working-level contacts.

Preventive Diplomacy Academy session focuses on combating human trafficking

On 9 September, UNRCCA’s Preventive Diplomacy Academy held an online session marking the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. Participants from Central Asia and Afghanistan studied trafficking dynamics, international frameworks, and the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its protocols. Led by Dr. Reda Sirgediene, UNODC Regional Adviser for Central Asia, the session combined theory and practice, examined regional trends and risks, and strengthened young leaders’ capacity to address transnational threats through preventive diplomacy.

Secretary-General appoints Miroslav Jenča as Special Representative for Colombia

On 8 September, the Secretary-General appointed Miroslav Jenča of Slovakia as his new Special Representative for Colombia and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia. He succeeds Carlos Ruiz Massieu of Mexico. 

Luxembourg contributes to DPPA’s Multi-Year Appeal

This week, we thank the Luxembourg for its generous contribution of EUR 100,000 to DPPA's Multi-Year Appeal. The funds will support our conflict prevention and mediation work. 

Learn more about our Multi-Year Appeal

Next Week

The Security Council will discuss the situation in Yemen on 15 September, followed by a meeting on the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on 17 September. The Council will hear the latest updates on the political and humanitarian situation on Syria on the 18 September.