"Yemeni citizens continue to shoulder the impacts of an economy in freefall," Grundberg tells Security Council

On 12 June, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General (SESG) for Yemen Hans Grundberg told the Security Council that it had been one year since the arbitrary detention by Ansar Allah of dozens of personnel from the United Nations, national and international NGOs, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions. "Their continued imprisonment is shameful," he said, reiterating his call for their immediate and unconditional release. He went on to note that "Yemeni citizens continue to shoulder the impacts of an economy in freefall," and underscored that more should be done to alleviate the humanitarian and economic hardships they faced, including by allowing the Government of Yemen to export oil and gas, as well as by facilitating unobstructed flow of goods across the country. For Yemen to extricate itself from its current economic hardship, the parties needed to move away from a zero-sum mindset, towards pragmatism and compromise, he said.

SRSG Abarry updates Security Council on political progress, security threats in Central Africa

On 9 June, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) Abdou Abarry briefed the Security Council on the latest developments in Central Africa. The SRSG noted the conclusion of Chad’s political transition and Gabon’s “irrevocable progress towards the full restoration of Constitutional order”, which enabled that country to rejoin the bodies of the African Union. “Nevertheless, we must not turn our attention away” from these countries, he said, calling on Chad to implement both decentralization and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration processes. Elsewhere in the region, Burundi held legislative and communal elections on 5 June, and he reported that other elections will be held in Burundi, Cameroon, Gabon and the Central African Republic by the end of 2025. He also highlighted two hotbeds of regional instability: the Lake Chad Basin and the Great Lakes region. In the former, Boko Haram affiliates and dissidents had recently demonstrated their ability to adapt to coordinated regional operations, he said, citing a 24 March attack involving drones laden with explosives that killed 19 Cameroonian soldiers.

SRSG Al Hassan updates Council on progress towards Parliamentary elections in Iraq

On 10 June, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Mohamed Al Hassan told the Council that parliamentary elections in Iraq were scheduled for 11 November and the drawdown of the the Mission would take place in December. He noted the progress made in Iraq, while calling for efforts to resolve issues involving Baghdad’s relationship with the Kurdistan region and Kuwait. “Voter registration is set to conclude in the coming days, and nearly three quarters of total voters have completed biometric registration,” he said. However, with the formation of a government in Iraq’s Kurdistan region still pending, he noted that the Baghdad-Erbil partnership necessitated ongoing dialogue and collaboration to effectively address and resolve any outstanding issues between the two sides.

Peacebuilding Commission and ECOSOC hold joint annual meeting

On 11 June, the ECOSOC and PBC held their joint annual meeting, focused on building and sustaining peace in Haiti. Briefers included a Municipal Commissioner of the Haitian National Police, on behalf of the Government, a civil society representative, the Country Director for Haiti at the Inter-American Development Bank, and the SRSG and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti. Member States deplored the severity of the crisis, underscored the need for comprehensive approaches rooted in the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, stressed the importance of inclusive community violence reduction measures, called for the reinforcement of the Multinational Security Support Mission, urged enforcement of the sanctions regime and arms embargo, and encouraged the ECOSOC and the PBC to remain seized of the situation in Haiti.

Head of Peacebuilding Support Office visits Bosnia and Herzegovina

On 13 June, Director and Deputy Head of the UN Peacebuilding Support Office Awa Dabo concluded a three-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. She participated in the international conference “From Gender Justice to Sustainable Peace,” organized by the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees along with the United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including UN Women, International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), with financial support from the Peacebuilding Fund. At the Conference, marking 25 years of UNSCR 1325 with over 100 participants from 20+ countries, Dabo highlighted the vital role that Women’s organizations played in rebuilding trust, strengthening social fabric and healing trauma during post conflict, noting their valuable lessons for advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda globally. During the visit, Dabo also met with government officials, civil society, youth, and PBF beneficiaries to discuss healing, trust-building and peace education—commending their role in sustaining peace through dialogue. Her visit included a stop at the War Childhood Museum, also supported by the Peacebuilding Fund, which offers powerful testimony to the impact of conflict on children. To date, nearly USD 23 million has been invested in supporting local efforts to rebuild trust, strengthen social cohesion and lay the foundations for lasting peace.

SRSG Imnadze convenes briefing on International Year of Peace and Trust

On 11 June, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Kaha Imnadze convened a briefing in Ashgabat on the Centre's activities in the context of the International Year of Peace and Trust. The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, as well as Ambassadors and representatives of Central Asian states and Permanent Members of the UN Security Council based in Ashgabat. In his remarks, SRSG Imnadze reaffirmed the importance of the UN Charter in advancing peace, security, sustainable development, and human rights.

UNRCCA hosts session for youth on international humanitarian law

On 12 June, UNRCCA hosted a session for Preventive Diplomacy Academy students on “Humanitarian Action and International Humanitarian Law (IHL),” featuring representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The session aimed to raise awareness about IHL principles and their relevance in modern conflicts. Presentations by ICRC experts focused on the legal foundations of IHL, challenges in contemporary warfare, and the application of IHL in Central Asia and Afghanistan.

Special Representative Simão meets with AU Commission Chairperson

On 11 June, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Leonardo Santos Simão met with African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. They discussed the evolving political and security landscape and exchanged views on the Sahel crisis. They affirmed AU-UN cooperation to advance peace, stability and democracy across the West Africa and the Sahel region.

UNOWAS renews its commitment to supporting a peaceful and inclusive transition in Guinea

This week, SRSG Simão undertook a three-day visit to Conakry, Guinea, to continue discussions with the transitional authorities to provide effective support for their efforts toward a return to constitutional order. Simão held a series of meetings with key transitional leaders. He encouraged all Guinean stakeholders to strengthen the spirit of dialogue, justice, and social cohesion.

Rural youth lead efforts for biodiversity and peace in Caquetá

This week, in rural Caquetá, young farmers from the Pato-Balsillas region and the Amcop Association participated in Global Big Day 2025, a worldwide birdwatching initiative that promotes environmental awareness through the observation of local biodiversity. The UN Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC) joined the initiative, which helped to strengthen the connection between rural youth and their territories, highlighting the potential of these communities to lead conservation and peacebuilding processes from a participatory and sustainable approach.

Infrastructure for reconciliation in Santander

On 6 June, in Puerto Parra, Santander, signatories to the Peace Agreement, local authorities and the community, with the support of the UNVMC, came together to build 400 metres of road surface, a project that not only improves rural mobility but also symbolises the shared path towards reconciliation. This day of collective work reflected the participants' commitment to sustainable development, reintegration, and positive transformation of the environment.

Peace and memory tourism in San Carlos, Antioquia

In San Carlos, Antioquia, the community and peace signatories joined efforts to restore the territory and transform it into a tourism and development area. On 6 June, the UNVMC accompanied a tour along one of the tourism and memory routes to showcase the territories that were previously affected by the conflict.

Switzerland contributes to DPPA’s Multi-Year Appeal

This week, we thank Switzerland for its generous $499,975 contribution under the 2024–2026 Multi-Year Agreement, supporting DPPA’s work in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

“Through Her Lens” Opens at Photoville, Spotlighting Women Peacebuilders Worldwide

On 8 June, the UN photo exhibition Through Her Lens: Women Rising for Peace officially opened at Brooklyn Bridge Park as part of the 2025 Photoville Festival. The exhibit captures the powerful stories of women working at the front lines of peace—from Cambodian deminers in Lebanon to civil society leaders in Sudan and youth activists in Cyprus—through the lenses of women photographers from their own communities. On view through 22 June, the exhibition will also travel to UN Headquarters and featured regions.

Secretary-General appoints Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process

Secretary-General António Guterres announced on 13 June the appointment of Ramiz Alakbarov of Azerbaijan as his new Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator, Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO). The Secretary-General has asked Mr. Alakbarov to also serve as Humanitarian Coordinator.

Next Week

On 17 June, Special Envoy Geir Pedersen will brief the Security Council on the situation in Syria.

Training: Navigating the UN Peace and Security Data Hub

DPPA-DPO’s Information Management Unit invites UN staff and others interested to an in-person training on effectively using the UN Peace and Security Data Hub, taking place on 19 June from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Room L-333 of the UN Library Building. The session will introduce the platform’s features, demonstrate how to access and analyze data, and share real-world examples of its use in peace and security work.