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Reports and Policy Documents

2024

  • 29 Mar 2024

    The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, concluded a visit to Moscow today, where he engaged in discussions with senior Russian officials. During his visit, Grundberg met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Vershinin and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East, Mikhail Bogdanov.

    The Special Envoy briefed on recent efforts to support the parties in reaching an...

  • 28 Mar 2024

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

    and developments around the world. 

    Security Council demands "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza for month of Ramadan

    On 25 March, the Security Council demanded an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza for the month of Ramadan. In a resolution adopted by a vote of 14 in favour and zero against, with one abstention, the Council called for the ceasefire to be respected by all parties and "leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire." It also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs. By other terms of the resolution, the Council emphasized the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance and reinforce the protection of civilians in Gaza. It also demanded the lifting of all barriers to humanitarian assistance at scale, in line with international humanitarian law.

    Watch here

    As situation in Gaza worsens, settlement activities in the West Bank have intensified, Wennesland tells Council

    On 26 March, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland told the Council some 4,780 housing units were advanced or approved in settlements in Area C across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since the last time he had briefed on the matter. “Settlement activities have continued and intensified," he said, noting that Israeli authorities had demolished, seized, or forced people to demolish 300 structures, displacing 314 people, including 137 children. On Gaza, he said that “We need a ceasefire now, we need the release of all hostages now, the suffering must end,” and commended the Council's adoption on Monday of resolution 2728 (2024). 

    Read more

    UN and Lebanon welcome the achievements of the First National Action Plan on Resolution 1325

    This week, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka took part in a ceremony in Beirut commending the achievements of the first National Action Plan on women, peace and security and the beginning of work on the second National Action Plan, in line with Resolution 1325. Wronecka said that concerted efforts to promote the inclusion and participation of women was timely, particularly as Lebanon faces a series of challenges, not least at the security level. Speaking alongside Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati, the President of the National Commission for Lebanese Women Claudine Aoun and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Imran Riza, the Special Coordinator said more still needs to be done to enable all women in Lebanon to exercise their full rights and contribute to inclusive and sustainable reform.

    UNAMI director meets with KDP Politburo members

    On 28 March, Director of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq's (UNAMI) Political Affairs and Analysis Office Manoj Mathew met in Erbil with Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Politburo member, Hemn Hawrami. Matthew underlined the importance of holding Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections as scheduled. He also met with KDP Politburo member and former Iraqi Cabinet minister Hoshyar Zebari. They discussed the forthcoming Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections.

    United Nations Country Team in Iraq promotes cooperation on World Water Day

    On the occasion of World Water Day on 22 March, the United Nations Country Team in Iraq drew attention to pressing water issues facing the nation, and advocated for enhanced cooperation to address those challenges. This year's theme for World Water Day, "Water for Peace," is particularly relevant in Iraq, where water scarcity, pollution, and unequal access can create tensions and hinder social and economic development. In addition, Iraq's water resources are shared with neighbouring countries, and transboundary water management is critical for fostering cooperation and maintaining peace.

    (In this month's Politically Speaking, read about other efforts to boost water security.)

    Read more

    UNOAU participates in ministerial seminar of AU Peace and Security Council on women's leadership

    On 23 March, the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) convened a ministerial high-level seminar, entitled “Commemorating 20 Years of the PSC by Taking Stock of Women’s Participation and Leadership in Peace Processes in Africa.” Held in Swakopmund, Namibia, the event championed women’s meaningful participation and representation across all dimensions of peace-making, notably within formal peace processes in Africa. In his statement, Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union Parfait Onanga-Anyanga lauded African women’s tireless efforts in promoting peace and security.

    Read more

    Next Week

    Malta will assume the Presidency of the Security Council for the month of April.

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  • 28 Mar 2024

    Gaza’s health system is ‘barely surviving’ after more than five months of Israeli bombardment, the head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.

  • 28 Mar 2024

    Immediate and bold action is required to tackle the “cataclysmic” situation in Haiti, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said in a report issued on Thursday. 

  • 28 Mar 2024

    A United States resolution to extend the mandate of an expert panel which monitors sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) was vetoed by Russia in the Security Council on Thursday.

  • 28 Mar 2024

    Gaza’s health system is ‘barely surviving’ after more than five months of Israeli bombardment, the head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.

  • 27 Mar 2024

    The intense Israeli bombardment of Gaza in response to Hamas-led terror attacks in Israel has included “direct hits” on 212 schools in the enclave, UN-partnered analysis indicated on Wednesday.

  • 27 Mar 2024

    The UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine said on Wednesday that she was “shocked and appalled by the horrifying reports” of civilians, including small children, being killed and injured by Russian strikes.

  • 27 Mar 2024

    A former UN staff member who worked for a decade in Sudan’s Darfur region for the African Union-United Nations mission, UNAMID, has told UN News how she had to “avoid stepping on the bodies in the streets” as she fled for her life to neighbouring Chad.

  • 27 Mar 2024

    Insecurity in the volatile eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has worsened since the end of recent elections, UN Special Representative Bintou Keita told the Security Council on Wednesday. 

  • 26 Mar 2024

    ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan

    On 26 March, an online session dedicated to universality of human rights and its importance in preventive diplomacy...

  • 26 Mar 2024
  • 26 Mar 2024

    Intense hostilities in Gaza continued on Tuesday between Hamas fighters and Israeli forces with a “double-digit number of children killed overnight” and ongoing aid delivery obstacles that are responsible for near-famine conditions, UN humanitarians said.

  • 26 Mar 2024

    The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) issued a new report on Tuesday, revealing a surge in credible allegations of torture and executions of captured Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) at the hands of Russian forces.

  • 26 Mar 2024

    When a group linked to the ISIL terror organization claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on a Moscow concert hall on 22 March, one of the pretexts reportedly given for the killings was Russia’s engagement in the Syrian civil war, which has turned into a proxy war involving several foreign powers. 

  • 26 Mar 2024

    An alarming surge in armed violence in areas of Haiti is heightening the risk of a malnutrition crisis in the country, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Tuesday.

  • 26 Mar 2024

    The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process on Tuesday issued a fervent plea for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and release of all hostages, amid “cataclysmic” suffering in the Gaza Strip and continuing violence in the occupied West Bank.

  • 26 Mar 2024

    When a group linked to the ISIL terror organization claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on a Moscow concert hall on 22 March, one of the pretexts reportedly given for the killings was Russia’s engagement in the Syrian civil war, which has turned into a proxy war involving several foreign powers. 

  • 25 Mar 2024

    With “starvation bearing down” on Gaza, UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday repeated his call for a sustainable end to the conflict and the release of all remaining hostages amid “unprecedented and ongoing devastation” in the occupied enclave.

  • 25 Mar 2024

    The UN Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in war-ravaged Gaza during Ramadan and calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

  • 25 Mar 2024

    Conflict in Yemen entered its 10th year on Monday, as UN humanitarians issued a warning that over half the country’s populations are in desperate need of aid. 

  • 25 Mar 2024

    The UN Security Council on Monday passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and "the urgent need to expand the flow" of aid into Gaza. There were 14 votes in favour with the United States abstaining.

  • 25 Mar 2024

    With “starvation bearing down” on Gaza, UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday repeated his call for a sustainable end to the conflict and the release of all remaining hostages amid “unprecedented and ongoing devastation” in the occupied enclave.

  • 22 Mar 2024
    A brief roundup of United Nations-related political and peacebuilding events and developments around the world. 

    “I am alarmed at the trajectory of events, and the lack of progress in reversing them," Pedersen tells Security Council, as conflict in Syria enters 14th year

    On 21 March, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria Geir Pedersen told the Security Council that security, humanitarian, human rights, economic and political developments were headed in the wrong direction. “I am alarmed at the trajectory of events, and the lack of progress in reversing them," he said. On security, the conflict continued, with acute violence on many fronts and continued regional spillover, including further Israeli strikes, rocket fire from southern Syria into the occupied Syrian Golan; an uptick in violence in Idlib; further Turkish drone strikes in north-east Syria; and new attacks by Da’esh, which killed civilians. He voiced concern over the conflict in Gaza and its regional ramifications, calling for de-escalation and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The Special Envoy also called for an urgent de-escalation of the conflict in Syria, progressing towards a nationwide ceasefire.

    Read more

    Chair of Sudan sanctions committee warns Council that violence against civilians is increasing in the country

    On 19 March, speaking to Security Council members in closed consultations, the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) concerning the Sudan, Joonkook Hwang of the Republic of Korea, said that violence against civilians and violations of the arms embargo continued to increase, including widespread cases of sexual and gender-based violence across Darfur, particularly in West Darfur. He went on to note violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, ethnically-based recruitment by the warring parties, and increasing divisions within the Darfurian armed movements.

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    Peacebuilding Commission Ambassadorial-level meeting on national efforts for prevention and peacebuilding – lessons learned from Kenya, Norway and Timor-Leste

    On 22 March, the Peacebuilding Commission convened an Ambassadorial-level meeting on "national efforts for prevention and peacebuilding – lessons learnt from Kenya, Norway and Timor-Leste." The meeting included Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary, State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, Kenya, Shamsa Abubakar Fadhili, member, Independent Panel of Advisors, Kenya Peacebuilding Architecture Review, Elin Solberg, Policy Director, Department of National Security, Ministry of Justice of Norway, Dionisio Da Costa Babo Soares, Permanent Representative of Timor-Leste, Lesley Connolly, Life and Peace Institute, and Earle Courtenay Rattray, UN Chef de Cabinet. Member States commended the countries’ efforts to address drivers of violence, instability and conflict and acknowledged the universality of prevention. They emphasized the value of sharing good practices at the Commission.

    Peacebuilding Commission Ambassadorial-level meeting on Mauritania

    On 20 March, the Peacebuilding Commission held its first meeting on Mauritania, including the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Abdel Salam Mohamed Saleh, World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa Ousmane Diagana, three civil society representatives, the UN Resident Coordinator in Mauritania, Lila Pieters Yahia, and Assistant-Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support Elizabeth Spehar. Member States commended Mauritania’s efforts in addressing terrorism and violent extremism, advancing inclusive, sustainable development, enhancing social protection and basic service delivery, and promoting peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities. They expressed concern over the regional security situation and impact of climate change on peacebuilding, and called for coordinated international support to peacebuilding, encouraging Mauritania to continue engaging with the Commission.

    Peacebuilding Fund’s Group of Friends holds Ambassadorial-level meeting

    Sweden and the United Kingdom co-chaired the first quarterly meeting of 2024 of the Peacebuilding Fund's Group of Friends on 22 March. Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support Elizabeth Spehar briefed partners on the Fund’s investments in 2023 and the outlook for 2024. The Fund has reached the lowest liquidity levels in its history and cannot sufficiently meet demand, she said. Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Bintou Keita, joining virtually from Kinshasa, briefed on the Fund’s critical role in UN transition contexts. Mauritania’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Abdessalam Ould Mohamed Saleh, briefed on the Fund's support towards his country’s peacebuilding priorities, together with the UN Resident Coordinator in Mauritania, Lila Pieters.

    Latest Secretary-General report on Peacebuilding Fund is published

    In the Fund’s latest annual report, the Secretary-General said, “The wars grabbing the headlines today only underscore the need to invest now in sustainable peace for tomorrow.” Responding to national demand for peacebuilding support, the Fund approved $202 million in 2023 to support communities and institution-building in 36 countries and territories. This included more than $24 million for supporting cross-border and regional approaches, $38 million for facilitating UN transitions, and $57 million for women’s and youth empowerment. With increased demand from Member States combined with a decline in contributions, the Fund could not fully meet demand and has reached its lowest liquidity level since its inception. See the full report here and a map of PBF investments here.

    UNRCCA Preventive Diplomacy Academy discusses climate and water concerns

    On 19 March, the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) convened a hybrid session for Academy participants and students of the Training Center for Priority Areas of Diplomacy of Turkmenistan. UNRCCA staff gave a presentation on the relationship between water and climate in Central Asia, connecting the regional context with global developments and agendas and including a historical background. The event allowed youth participants to hold meaningful discussions on water and climate.

    Read more

    DSRSG Cordone visits Koya in Kurdistan Region

    On 18 March, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq for Political Affairs and Electoral Assistance Claudio Cordone met in the Kurdistan region with the Mayor of Koya, Tariq Haidary, to discuss the situation of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in the district. Cordone also visited the Azady camp for Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in Koya.Their representatives reiterated their commitment to civilian status.

    DSRSG Isaczai meets with Iraq Minister of Interior, Deputy Minister of Education

    On 18 March, DSRSG/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq Ghulam Isaczai met with Minister of Interior Abdul Amir Kamil Al-Shammari. Discussions centered around cooperation and coordination between the United Nations in Iraq and the Ministry on a number of relevant issues.

    On 19 March, DSRSG Isaczai met with Deputy Minister of Education Mahdi Saleh Al-Awadi and discussed the recent Ministry of Education decision regarding its offices in Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the continuation of education services to IDPs.

    Empowering women in economic recovery: insights from global initiatives

    On 21 March, DPPA’s Peacebuilding Support Office, in partnership with UN Women, Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict, Austria, Sierra Leone, and the Republic of South Korea, held the Commission on the Status of Women side event "Investing in Women’s Leadership: Women’s Participation in Recovery and Reconstruction Efforts.” A panel discussion presented research findings on women’s participation in economic recovery and reconstruction in conflict-affected and post-conflict countries. The study draws on case studies from Colombia, Iraq, Myanmar, and Nigeria and demonstrates the contributions of women peacebuilders globally. Roselyn Akombe, Chief of Peacebuilding Strategy and Partnerships, Peacebuilding Support Office, highlighted the importance of civil society's continued engagement with the UN system and intergovernmental platforms to advocate for the implementation of actions and to bolster women's role in economic and post-conflict recovery. Many participants affirmed the need to uphold high ambitions for peacebuilding and prevention funding and further broaden the donor base of the Fund.

     

    Building peace from equality in Nariño, Colombia

    On 21 March, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia accompanied the "Tulpas para construir paz desde la igualdad" ("Tulpas to build peace from equality") at the Artemio Mendoza School in Pasto. The Mission and participants created space for dialogue on women's transformative leadership building peace and memory in the territories of the department of Nariño, in the southwest of Colombia. Students and teachers discussed the importance and contribution of women leaders for the implementation of the Peace Agreement, reconciliation, and reconstruction in the region.

    Next Week

    On 25 March, the Security Council will hold a briefing on international threats to peace and security. On 26 March, it will hold a briefing on the Middle East peace process.

  • 22 Mar 2024

    On March 23rd 2024, recognizing the pivotal role women play in peace-making and peace-building endeavours, the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC)...

  • 22 Mar 2024

    "Strengthening cooperation between States and partners, including the United Nations, particularly UNHCR, is...

  • 22 Mar 2024

    Top UN officials and agencies on the ground in Ukraine on Friday condemned overnight large-scale coordinated Russian strikes on energy plants across the country that killed at least five people and left 1.5 million without electricity.

  • 22 Mar 2024

    Independent UN human rights experts on Friday expressed alarm over increased reports of sexual slavery and trafficking in Sudan, especially of women and girls.

  • 22 Mar 2024

    Haiti is in the grip of widespread gang violence, the country’s institutions are on the verge of collapse and its citizens are facing a daily fight for survival. Yet, in the midst of this catastrophic security and humanitarian crisis, the UN continues to provide critical assistance to the beleaguered population.

  • 22 Mar 2024

    Amid reports of ongoing bombardment across Gaza on Friday, UN humanitarians highlighted “shocking levels of disease and hunger” after visiting an overwhelmed hospital in the north of the enclave.

  • 22 Mar 2024

    A draft resolution tabled by the United States was vetoed in the UN Security Council on Friday by China and Russia.

  • 22 Mar 2024

    The UN chief condemned in the strongest possible terms Friday’s deadly terrorist attack at a concert hall outside Moscow.

  • 21 Mar 2024

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres doubled down on his call for a ceasefire in Gaza and peace in Ukraine on Thursday, taking aim at the “chaotic” global outlook and any country or armed group that thinks “it can do whatever it wants because there is no accountability”.

  • 21 Mar 2024

    Large parts of Burkina Faso are being terrorized by armed groups and the rampant insecurity is “beyond alarming”, said the UN human rights chief on Thursday following a brief visit to the country.

  • 20 Mar 2024

    Dakar, 20 March 2024 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations...

  • 20 Mar 2024

    Less than half of the UN aid convoys planned for Gaza’s hunger-ravaged north have made it so far this month, despite repeated appeals from the international community to ramp up relief to more than one million people on the brink of starvation, UN humanitarians said on Wednesday.

  • 20 Mar 2024

    Eleven months of brutal fighting is driving a hunger crisis in Sudan, with some areas likely to experience catastrophic levels of food insecurity by the lean season in May, the UN Security Council heard on Wednesday. 

  • 19 Mar 2024

    ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan

    On March 19, UNRCCA convened a hybrid session for PDA 2024 participants and students of...

  • 19 Mar 2024

    UN humanitarians reiterated their resolve on Tuesday to help the people of Gaza where increasing numbers of children are on “the brink of death” from acute hunger, caused by five months of intense Israeli bombardment and constant aid access denials.

  • 19 Mar 2024

    Humanitarians continue to deliver aid in Haiti, where the situation in the capital, Port-au-Prince, remains tense and volatile in the face of escalating gang violence and political instability. 

  • 18 Mar 2024

     

    Message From the UN Secretary-General on suspension of the cease-fire between the Government and EMC.

    The Secretary-General takes note of President...

  • 18 Mar 2024

    Aid workers continue to deliver assistance to people in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, amid ongoing tension and volatility, the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, said on Monday. 

  • 18 Mar 2024

    As the war in Sudan enters its second year next month, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on Monday warned of a staggering toll of the crisis on children, with an estimated 24 million teetering on the brink of a “generational catastrophe”.

  • 18 Mar 2024

    Almost 80 years after the incineration of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, nuclear weapons still represent a clear and present danger to global peace and security, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council on Monday. 

  • 18 Mar 2024

    Amid reports that the Israeli military stormed Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Monday in search of Hamas fighters, UN humanitarians warned that new food insecurity data indicates that famine could happen “anytime”.

  • 17 Mar 2024

    The UN chief on Saturday condemned an attack which saw eight peacekeepers from the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or DRC, wounded during clashes between the powerful M23 rebel movement and Government troops. 

  • 17 Mar 2024

    Kismayo - As Somalia rebuilds after decades of conflict and strife, many Somalis have stepped up to help their countrymen and women across various areas.

    One of these people is Fatuma Ali...

  • 17 Mar 2024

    NEW YORK - The Security Council on 15 March extended the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 March 2025, expressing its appreciation for the Organization’s long...

  • 17 Mar 2024

    NEW YORK - The Security Council on 15 March extended the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 March 2025, expressing its appreciation for the Organization’s...

  • 16 Mar 2024

    The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, held meetings with senior American officials in Washington DC today to discuss recent developments and explore ways to facilitate progress towards resuming an inclusive Yemeni-led political process under UN auspices and a lasting resolution of the conflict.

    Grundberg met with Richard R. Verma, the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Ambassador Michele J. Sison, Assistant Secretary...