The United Nations continues to voice major concern over hostilities and Israeli settlement expansion in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), the Security Council heard on Wednesday.
The United Nations continues to voice major concern over hostilities and Israeli settlement expansion in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), the Security Council heard on Wednesday.
On Wednesday UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine Matthias Schmale briefed the press after visiting the war-ravaged eastern Donetsk region, sharing harrowing accounts of human resilience amid the chaos of Russia’s ongoing invasion.
The UN’s top political affairs official on Wednesday expressed grave concern over rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, urging the Security Council to uphold the objective of preventing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) – more commonly known as North Korea – from becoming a nuclear armed State.
Nearly one million Gazans risk spending winter without adequate shelter as UN agencies struggle to provide cold weather assistance, amid ongoing Israeli bombardment, repeated evacuation orders and restrictions on aid deliveries, they warned on Wednesday.
Thank you, Mister President, for the opportunity to brief the Council on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015).
With ten months remaining until Resolution 2231’s Termination Day, the impasse on restoring the JCPOA persists. Meanwhile, since I last briefed the Council on this issue, the regional context has deteriorated further. Against this backdrop, the need for a comprehensive, long-term-solution that would restore the objectives of the Plan has never been greater.
The United States has not returned to the Plan, nor has it lifted or waived the unilateral sanctions it reimposed after withdrawing from the JCPOA in May 2018. And, it has not extended waivers regarding the trade in oil with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Iran, for its part, has not reversed any of the steps it has taken since May 2019 to move away from its nuclear-related commitments.
In its most recent quarterly report, dated 19 November 2024, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) observed again that, its verification and monitoring activities related to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action have been, “seriously affected by the cessation of Iran’s implementation of its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA”. IAEA also noted that it has lost continuity of knowledge on many aspects of the nuclear programme of Iran. In plain words, the Agency is unable to assure the international community of the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.
Also, the IAEA remains unable to verify the stockpile of enriched uranium in the country, a situation that has persisted since February 2021. However, it estimated that Iran’s total enriched uranium stockpile is approximately thirty-two times the amount allowable under the JCPOA.
This includes increased quantities of uranium enriched to 20% and 60%. Such a stockpile of enriched uranium and level of enrichment remain very concerning.
The Agency has also issued two ad hoc reports that are not reflected in the Secretary-General’s report. These describe Iran’s intention to commence previously declared enrichment activities exceeding its JCPOA limits. They also contain information about Iran’s activities to increase production of uranium enriched to 60%.
Mister President,
During the reporting period, the Secretary-General received letters from some JCPOA participants. The Permanent Representatives of France, Germany and the United Kingdom exchanged differing views with the Permanent Representatives of Iran and the Russian Federation on the root causes of the current impasse regarding implementation of the Plan; their respective steps taken as a result; and their views on the path forward.
The Secretary-General is concerned about the ongoing and persistent disagreements among these Member States at such a critical juncture. Despite these differences, these Member States have expressed their commitments to making constructive efforts to resolve their differences. I urge all JCPOA participants and the United States to rise to this challenge.
Mister President,
I will now turn to the restrictive measures set out in annex B of resolution 2231 (2015). The only measures that remain in effect are contained in paragraph 2 of annex B and pertain to nuclear activities and transfers.
These measures will remain in place until 18 October 2025, unless otherwise decided by the Council.
No information regarding actions alleged to be inconsistent with this paragraph was brought to the attention of the Secretariat during the reporting period.
Meanwhile, there were, again, no new proposals submitted to the procurement channel in the last six months in this reporting cycle.
The Security Council, however, received four notifications regarding the nuclear-related restrictive measures for certain activities consistent with the Plan.
Mister President,
In closing, I would like to echo the Secretary-General’s call for participants in the Plan and the United States to prioritize multilateralism and diplomacy, principles that made agreement on the JCPOA in 2015 possible. The parties should summon the political will and urgently re-engage in negotiations. Time is of the essence. While the onus is on the JCPOA participants and the US, their success or failure matters to all of us. The region cannot afford further instability. There must be genuine commitment to dialogue and diplomacy. That is the way to restore confidence in the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme, realize the aspirations of the Iranian people, and contribute to stability in the region and beyond.
Finally, I thank Her Excellency Vanessa Frazier for her leadership as Facilitator for resolution 2231 over the past two years, as well as the Coordinator of the Procurement Working Group of the Joint Commission for our continued cooperation.
Thank you, Mister President.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has intensified its emergency response in Sudan, delivering food assistance to more than 800,000 people in famine-affected and at-risk areas, even as conflict continues to escalate across the country.
Senior UN officials have been meeting representatives of the new caretaker authorities in Damascus in the past few days, following the overthrow of the Assad regime. This morning in New York, the Security Council met to discuss the future of Syria, with briefings from the UN Special Envoy and the UN's emergency relief chief. UN News app users can follow our coverage here.
The historic shift of power in Syria and the possibility of finally accessing evidence of horrific human rights violations could bring accountability closer than ever – if only proof can be preserved - a top UN investigator said on Tuesday.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has intensified its emergency response in Sudan, delivering food assistance to more than 800,000 people in famine-affected and at-risk areas, even as conflict continues to escalate across the country.
The head of UN political affairs called on Tuesday for urgent re-engagement to restore an international agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme.
At a historic crossroads, just 11 days after the collapse of the Assad regime, Syria faces a fragile mix of hope and chaos, plagued by a volatile security situation and a worsening humanitarian crisis, top UN officials told the Security Council on Tuesday.
Senior UN officials have been meeting representatives of the new caretaker government in Damascus, following the overthrow of the Assad regime. Later today, the Security Council in New York will hear updates from the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, and the UN's emergency relief chief, Tom Fletcher. Meanwhile in Geneva, the head of a UN probe into the most serious crimes committed in Syria since March 2011 has provided updates on its work. UN News app users can follow our coverage here.
Authorities in Gaza reported on Monday that more than 45,000 people have been killed in the enclave in the last 14 months, as humanitarians condemned new deadly airstrikes across the war-torn Strip, including on a UN school-turned-shelter.
The UN’s top Syria envoy has held talks in Damascus with the head of the new administration as well as the prime minister of the caretaker Government, stressing the imperative for a “credible and inclusive Syrian owned and led political transition.”
A new UN plan for Libya aims to overcome political deadlock, put the country back on the path to long-awaited presidential elections and renew the legitimacy of its institutions, the Security Council heard on Monday.
Civilians near the frontlines of Ukraine’s war with Russia are living “on the edge”, a senior UN humanitarian official told the Security Council on Monday, calling for urgent international action to increase protection and sustain humanitarian aid.
UN humanitarians expressed alarm on Monday at the rising numbers of civilian casualties in and around the besieged Sudanese city of El Fasher, in northern Darfur.
Increased humanitarian aid is needed in Syria amid “immense” changes that offer hope to a nation emerging from a 13-year-long war, the top UN envoy for the country said after his arrival in the capital, Damascus, on Sunday.
This report covers the second year of the Department’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2026 and outlines how partner support in a difficult funding environment helped DPPA respond to crises around the globe and requests for its assistance and expertise. For 2025, we are calling for $43 million to fund our prevention, peacemaking and peacebuilding work. This funding would help address the current shortfall and to respond to future needs.
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The UN Special Envoy for Syria travelled to Jordan on Friday for discussions on the tumultuous events that have seen a new transitional authority take charge in Damascus in recent days, with more high-level meetings planned over the weekend.
Central African nations continue to grapple with multidimensional crises, including security threats, extreme weather events and geopolitical tensions, a senior UN official said on Friday, calling for renewed solidarity with nations in the region.
The Taliban’s continued imposition of strict interpretations of Islamic law and Afghan culture has resulted in unprecedented restrictions on women and girls, the UN envoy for the country warned on Thursday.
The UN Secretary-General has expressed concern over the hundreds of Israeli airstrikes against targets in Syria since the overthrow of the Assad regime, calling for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the demilitarized zone in the strategically important Golan.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an armed group designated as a terrorist organization by the UN Security Council, has emerged as the dominant force in Syria, following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime.
The international community owes it to the Syrian people “to listen, to act and to work tirelessly” so the crimes of the deposed Assad regime can never happen again, the top UN envoy for the country said on Thursday.
Describing the level of devastation across the Gaza Strip as “absolutely staggering”, the Head of Emergency Communications for the World Food Programme (WFP) has told UN News in an interview that civilians are desperate for lifesaving aid and there’s a growing risk of widespread famine.
The General Assembly adopted two key resolutions on Wednesday night, demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of all hostages. It also reaffirmed its full support for the embattled UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA).
The General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted two resolutions, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and calling on Israel to drop its ban on the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, following an emergency special session triggered by another use of a veto in the Security Council. Follow the latest from the ground and other key updates from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. App users can follow our live coverage here.
The General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted two resolutions, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and calling on Israel to drop its ban on the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, following an emergency special session triggered by another use of a veto in the Security Council. Follow the latest from the ground and other key updates from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. App users can follow our live coverage here.
Peace is possible in Yemen, and continued support from the international community is essential to achieve it, the UN Special Envoy for the country told the Security Council on Wednesday.
Secretary-General António Guterres said the UN is “totally committed” to supporting a smooth transition of power in Syria through an inclusive political process that guarantees full respect of minority rights.
UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, has issued an alert after a surge in the number of displaced people fleeing war-torn Sudan for neighbouring South Sudan.
Barely 48 hours since opposition forces including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) swept into Damascus and forced out President Bashar al-Assad, the top UN negotiator tasked with helping the Syrian people to create a peaceful and democratic future insisted that nothing could be taken for granted.
UN agencies continue their response to the humanitarian crises in Gaza and Lebanon, as access challenges, food shortages and reconstruction needs plague both regions.
Syria’s historic power reset coupled with the highly volatile situation there, has increased basic needs in a country where nearly 17 million people already depended on aid, UN aid teams insisted on Tuesday.
