The UN Regional Office for Central Africa is hiring a Consultant for political economy analysis on either A) illicit financial flow and/or B) other illicit activities at sea...
The UN Regional Office for Central Africa is hiring a Consultant for political economy analysis on either A) illicit financial flow and/or B) other illicit activities at sea...
For the past 75 years, special political missions have been instrumental in advancing preventive diplomacy, conflict resolution and sustaining peace. The activities and achievements of special political missions demonstrate the vital contribution they make, even as they face a more volatile operating environment.
The humanitarian response to the Karabakh crisis continued apace on Tuesday as UN agencies and partners warned of urgent health needs among the more than 100,000 refugees who have entered Armenia.
A hunger emergency is looming for scores of South Sudanese families fleeing the war in Sudan, the World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday.
UN engagement with Haiti will continue ahead of the deployment of an international support mission backing beleaguered police who are fighting rampant gang violence, the UN chief’s Spokesperson told journalists on Tuesday.
The Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, visited Qatar and met the Minister of State for International Cooperation, Lolwah Al Khater, and other Qatari officials to discuss the importance of further consolidating regional and international support to UN mediation efforts in Yemen. They discussed the progress to support the parties to agree on measures to improve living conditions in Yemen, commit and implement a nationwide ceasefire, and resume an...
Criminal gangs have displaced thousands of Haitians, wreaking havoc across the Caribbean nation, and prompting calls for urgent help from President Ariel Henry.
In what is being hailed as an historic first, the UN Security Council on Monday authorized the deployment of an international security force to help Haiti’s national police quell surging gang violence and restore security across the strife-torn Caribbean nation.
Facing down a tidal wave of disinformation ahead of Kenya’s presidential elections in 2022, the Government and the UN collaborated on a national anti-hate speech plan and an innovative consortium of influencers to calm the waters before voters cast their ballots.
Commemorating Monday’s International Day of Non-Violence, Secretary-General António Guterres urged all nations to “unite around our common humanity” to achieve a more peaceful future.
Read here the latest UNSOM Quarterly Newsletter.
At least 57 people were killed, including children in suicide bombings that targeted two religious ceremonies in Pakistan, as people gathered to celebrate Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. Secretary-General António Guterres described the attacks as “particularly abhorrent” and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
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Over 88,000 refugees from the Karabakh region have fled to Armenia in less than a week and humanitarian needs are surging, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Friday.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is scaling up support in Sudan, where authorities have declared a cholera outbreak in Gedaref state amid the ongoing brutal conflict between opposing militaries.
The establishment of a multinational security support mission for Haiti is being discussed this week by the UN Security Council as the Caribbean nation continues to face a crisis of violence and insecurity caused by entrenched criminal gang activity
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, on Thursday called for a multinational security support mission to assist the Haitian National Police (HNP) and combat the alarming escalation of violence and insecurity there.
The establishment of a multinational security support mission for Haiti is being discussed this week by the UN Security Council as the Caribbean nation continues to face a crisis of violence and insecurity caused by entrenched criminal gang activity
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains mired in insecurity, characterized by volatility and tensions that show no signs of abating, the head of the UN’s peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) there, said on Thursday.
A comprehensive solution to the Syrian conflict remains elusive, the UN Special Envoy for the country said on Wednesday, calling for “concrete moves” and confidence-building measures to break the impasse.
The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the relentless expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
The international community must continue to engage with Taliban leaders in Afghanistan despite deep disagreement with their approach to women’s rights and inclusive governance, the UN Special Representative for the country told the Security Council on Tuesday.
The Algerian Government must pay urgent attention to the pattern of legal restrictions and prosecutions of individuals and associations in the North African country, a UN-appointed independent expert said on Tuesday.
“We are not going anywhere” is the message coming from UN nuclear safety watchdog IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, about the agency’s commitment to continued monitoring of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants during Russia’s ongoing invasion.
When “geopolitical mistrust and competition” has pushed the nuclear risk to Cold War levels, total elimination of such weapons is the only route to a peaceful future, the UN chief has said.
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Joint Communiqué: United Nations-African Union Joint Task Force on Peace and Security Holds its Twenty Second Consultative Meeting
New York, 18 September— The United Nations-African Union Joint Task Force on Peace and Security held its twenty second consultative meeting on 18 September 2023 in New York.
The meeting reviewed the status of the partnership between the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) with an update on the implementation of the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security. In this context, the meeting discussed peace and security developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Somalia, the Sudan and Central African Republic and Gabon, as well as discussions on unconstitutional changes of Governments in the Sahel region.
The AU Commission and the UN Secretariat were represented respectively by Commissioner Bankole Adeoye (Political Affairs, Peace and Security); and the Under-Secretaries-General Rosemary DiCarlo (Political and Peacebuilding Affairs), Jean-Pierre Lacroix (Peace Operations), Atul Khare (Operational Support), Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union and Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee (Africa). The meeting was also attended by other senior officials from the two Organizations.
The Joint Task Force took note of the considerable progress achieved in the UN-AU partnership including with Regional Economic Communities and Mechanisms in Africa, together with international partners. These include sustained collaboration on support to AU peace support operations, early warning, prevention initiatives and coordinated support to national authorities for the conduct of timely, peaceful, and inclusive elections, as well as for the promotion and protection of human rights. The meeting discussed the need for sustainable financing of Security Council-mandated AU-led peace support operations.
The meeting expressed concerns on the resurgence of Coup d’Etats and military takeovers on the Continent. The Joint Task Force welcomed efforts to deepen collaboration on operational support matters, including through the exchange of knowledge and expertise, and acknowledged the positive impact on mandate implementation in various operational contexts. Both Organizations emphasized the need to strength collaboration in mediation support and focusing more on their joint initiatives on the women, peace and security, and youth for peace and security agendas.
On Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali, the Joint Task Force reiterated the African Union and United Nations’ commitment to support transitional authorities towards the return to constitutional order, in coordination with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The Joint Task Force strongly encouraged the transitional authorities and national stakeholders to pursue efforts towards peaceful and inclusive transitions respectful of human rights. The meeting also reiterated support for the efforts of ECOWAS to ensure restoration of constitutional order and a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Niger.
With regard to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Joint Task Force expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in Ituri and North Kivu, which continues to affect the lives of thousands of civilians, mostly women and children, and worsen the already dire humanitarian situation.
The meeting urged all armed groups to disarm unconditionally and join the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community recovery and Stabilization Programme (PDDRCS) or return to their countries of origin, as appropriate. The meeting reaffirmed the continued support of the United Nations and the African Union to regional peace initiatives for the DRC, namely the Nairobi and Luanda processes.
The African Union reaffirmed its commitment to lead efforts of the Multilevel Coordination Working Group on coordination and harmonization of regional peace initiatives, established during the 27 June 2023 Quadripartite Summit, with the support of the UN and other key stakeholders. The meeting reiterated the importance of revitalizing the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the region.
Regarding Somalia, the Joint Task Force highlighted the strong partnership between the AU and UN in Somalia and the need for continued close cooperation to ensure support for Somalia in advancing state building priorities and in the security transition.
On Sudan, the Joint Task Force expressed grave concern about the escalation of violence in the Sudan, including the increasing intercommunal tensions and ethnicization of the fighting in Darfur. The JTF called on the warring parties and non-state armed actors to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law to refrain from attacks against civilians and civilian objects, and to respect the right to life. The meeting stressed the importance of reaching swiftly a permanent ceasefire, to be followed by an inclusive, peaceful and lasting solution to the crisis. Noting that the unity and preservation of the Sudanese state and the stability of the region are at stake, the Joint Task Force welcomed the efforts of the AU and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to ensure a strong and well-coordinated international support for a sustainable resolution of the conflict and for the transition to a fully civilian, credible, democratic government.
The next statutory meeting of the Joint Task Force will be hosted by the African Union Commission at a date to be convened by both Organizations.
USG Rosemary DiCarlo's Remarks at the
Peacebuilding Commission Ministerial-Level Meeting on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace
New York, 22 September 2023
Mr. Chairperson,
Excellencies,
It is a great honor to be among you to speak on the Secretary-General’s policy brief, “A New Agenda for Peace” and the role of the Peacebuilding Commission.
I would like to thank you for this opportunity and commend the Chair of the Commission, Croatia, for initiating this meeting. This high-level gathering could not be more opportune.
In his opening address to the General Assembly on Tuesday, the Secretary-General’s message was clear: the multilateral peace and security architecture is under unprecedented strain, and we need a new and innovative approach, based on current political realities.
Indeed, we are witnessing the highest level of tensions and major power competition in decades, coupled with a persistent and growing loss of trust between the global North and global South. Meanwhile, a series of massive threats – from the climate emergency to the weaponization of new technologies and rising inequalities – demand urgent and united action.
A New Agenda for Peace is the fruit of a deep and broad reflection on how Member States can arrest deepening divisions and find avenues for cooperation and collective action. Our goal is to present a unifying vision for peace and security – one that is clear-eyed about the magnitude of today’s challenges, and which addresses the concerns and priorities of different constituencies.
For these reasons, A New Agenda for Peace offers an extensive narrative of the current global moment, the transition towards a more multipolar global order, and what it means for multilateral action for peace.
The Secretary-General’s vision for a more effective collective security system is grounded in a recommitment to multilateralism, based on the UN Charter and international law, and in line with the principles of trust, solidarity, and universality.
At the center of this vision is a call on Member States to re-engage in diplomacy and to prioritize conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Comprehensive approaches, political courage, effective partnerships, sustainable resources, and national leadership are required.
Above all, greater trust – among Member States, among people and in the institution of the United Nations itself – is essential.
A New Agenda for Peace makes the case for a new approach to conflict prevention and peacebuilding consisting of three parts:
First, it recognizes that the scourge of violence affects lives and livelihoods not only within but also outside of armed conflict settings. Drawing on SDG 16.1, A New Agenda for Peace calls on Member States to reduce all forms of violence in their societies.
Second, the Agenda approaches prevention as a universal goal in which all Member States should engage. Every country – not just conflict-affected or “fragile” States – faces its own risks of violence and conflict. The Agenda calls on all Member States to develop national prevention strategies and invest in national peace infrastructures.
Third, the Agenda underlines that prevention can only be effective if it is nationally led and owned. Yet prevention is often conflated with intervention and undercut by a lack of trust. A renewed commitment to prevention must address that lack of trust, respond to national priorities, and reflect the concerns and aspirations of all sections of society, with the support of the international community, when requested.
Excellencies,
A New Agenda for Peace recognizes that the current structures of global governance have become anachronistic and must be updated to reflect 21st century political realities.
It proposes a series of reforms to United Nations intergovernmental bodies, including the Security Council and the General Assembly. As part of this vision for a more effective collective security machinery, it also calls for a stronger role for the Peacebuilding Commission.
Allow me to recall the key elements of the Secretary-General’s proposal regarding the Peacebuilding Commission:
I look forward to a successful conclusion of the Fifth Committee deliberations on assessed contributions for the Peacebuilding Fund in its next session.
The 2025 review of the peacebuilding architecture will be a vital opportunity to act on the recommendations contained in A New Agenda for Peace, and the outcome of the Summit of the Future.
Excellencies,
Your participation in today’s proceedings – as Commission members and countries on the Commission’s agenda - is further demonstration of your strong commitment to investing more in prevention and peacebuilding, as called for in A New Agenda for Peace.
You have a unique opportunity to discuss proposals for strengthening the Commission as a critical convener for effective and sustainable peacebuilding action.
I wish you successful deliberations. I pledge the support of my department (DPPA) and the United Nations Secretariat to help you realize your ambitions.
Thank you.
Following the UN chief’s appeal this week for a fresh approach to global peace and security, UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) countries convened on Friday to discuss the best way forward.
The UN and Ghana jointly announced on Friday that December’s UN Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting will be hosted in Accra, at a time when some African nations are questioning the value of having ‘blue helmets’ on their soil.
In eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), increasing armed violence, forced displacement and devastating floods have fuelled deadly disease outbreaks and jeopardized healthcare, the UN health agency (WHO) said on Friday.
ASG Miroslav Jenča’s Remarks at the Security Council
“Letter dated 13 September 2022 from the Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2022/688)”
New York, 21 September 2023
Mr. President, Esteemed members of the Council, Excellencies,
On 19 September, Azerbaijan announced that it had launched “local counter-terrorism activities in the Karabakh economic region” in response to the tragic deaths of two civilians and four police officers in incidents involving landmines, allegedly placed by Armenian armed forces.
According to official statements, Azerbaijan had informed the Russian peacekeeping force and the Joint Russian-Turkish Monitoring Center of its activities as intended to prevent large-scale provocations by the Armenian armed forces, neutralize their military infrastructure, and ensure their withdrawal and the restoration of the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Developments indicated a serious escalation in military operations with reports of Azerbaijani forces breaking through the Line of Contact. There were casualties reported, including among the civilian population as well as evacuations of some thousands of people within the region. The Russian peacekeeping force, which itself suffered casualties, documented numerous ceasefire violations.
The United Nations, which is neither present along the Line of Contact, nor in other areas under the mandate of the Russian peacekeepers, is not in a position to verify or confirm these various claims and allegations.
Allow me nonetheless to recall the Secretary-General’s extreme concern over the recent resumption of hostilities that resulted in the tragic loss of civilian lives, including children.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also expressed concerns about the impact of the renewed use of armed force on civilians. He noted that it is critical to return to the peace process and work on an agreement grounded in the respect for human rights.
The Secretary-General urges all concerned to strictly observe the 2020 ceasefire in accordance with the 9 November joint statement, and to continue implementing their obligations, notably as they relate to international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
Mr. President,
The escalations occurred following the much-needed delivery, on the previous day, the 18th of September, of shipments of wheat flour and essential medical items simultaneously through both the Lachin corridor and the Aghdam road.
Members of the Council will recall that, over the past months, the issues of freedom of movement of civilians and humanitarian access have been major sources of tension and sharp exchanges between Baku and Yerevan.
The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the impact of the escalation on the fragile humanitarian situation and calls on all parties to urgently facilitate unimpeded access of humanitarian relief to civilians in need.
We also note the International Committee of the Red Cross’ concerns about the humanitarian impact of the latest events on the already vulnerable population in the region. Recalling the extremely limited access to basic commodities and healthcare over the past few months, the ICRC assesses that the situation was likely to deepen their suffering.
Mr. President,
The developments of the past few days should be seen in the context of the broader pattern of regular ceasefire violations which have continued to persist.
We note yesterday’s announcement of a cessation of hostilities, with the situation on the ground remaining fluid. We also understand that, in a positive step, representatives of the local population and the Government of Azerbaijan met earlier today for an initial exchange.
In conclusion, we call for a credible and durable cessation of all hostilities. Any renewed escalation would lead to further loss of life and human suffering and further set back internationally supported peace efforts.
The protection and essential needs of the civilian population, including their human rights, must be the overriding priority. A genuine dialogue between the Government of Azerbaijan and representatives of the region, together with full engagement in the normalization process by Armenia and Azerbaijan, are the only sustainable way forward.
The Secretariat will remain in close contact with all relevant actors and the concerned parties and stands ready to support ongoing peace efforts, as needed. The Secretariat is also ready and prepared to conduct humanitarian needs assessments, if given access, and provide assistance as needed.
Thank you for your attention.
USG DiCarlo’s Remarks at the Ministerial Breakfast of the United Nations
Group of Friends of Mediation
“Inclusion and Ownership of Peace Processes”
New York, 21 September 2023
Minister Valtonen (Finland),
Minister Fidan (Türkiye),
Excellencies,
I would like to extend my gratitude to the co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Mediation, Finland and Türkiye, for convening today’s Ministerial meeting. We greatly appreciate your commitment to supporting UN prevention and peacemaking efforts.
Full inclusion and ownership of peace processes has never been more vital. As the Secretary-General underscores in his A New Agenda for Peace policy brief, we are living in a moment of geopolitical transition marked by increased competition and fragmentation.
Conflicts are ever more complex and intractable.
This inflection point requires a re-assessment of our traditional mediation practices. Today, effective mediation and conflict prevention requires comprehensive approaches, political courage, genuine regional and international partnerships, and national ownership. Above all, it requires greater trust – among Member States, and with the United Nations.
Excellencies,
The Secretary-General’s A New Agenda for Peace puts the concept of national ownership and national action at its centre. Member States have the primary responsibility to prevent and resolve conflict and steward the implementation of resulting peace agreements.
This does not mean that State actors can implement these initiatives alone – inclusion and all of society approaches are necessary for the success of mediation and prevention initiatives. For this, there must be sufficient civic space to enable the meaningful participation of all societal groups, including women, in peace and political processes.
In A New Agenda for Peace, the Secretary-General committed to deploy his good offices to support prevention of conflict and to undertake diplomatic efforts for inclusive peace.
[Role of Women in Peace Processes]
Excellencies,
More than 20 years since the adoption of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security, women’s direct participation in peace processes remains one of the least implemented goals of the WPS agenda.
The full, equal, and meaningful participation of women is imperative. Women bring unique perspectives, experiences, and skills to the table that might be otherwise overlooked. They can ensure that the impact of conflict on women as well as men is taken into account.
As A New Agenda for Peace affirms, transforming gendered power dynamics, and to quote the Secretary-General “dismantling the patriarchy”, is essential to prevent and resolve conflict.
This requires the political will to ensure women are well-represented in negotiating delegations. There must be serious and substantial representation of women’s civil society, including by the creation of advisory boards and consultative bodies. Mediation teams must include gender experts and appoint women as lead mediators. Only then can mediation processes be truly inclusive and effective.
[Role of Youth in Peace Processes]
Excellencies,
As noted in A New Agenda for Peace, young people, are essential to identifying the political solutions that our world urgently needs, particularly in how challenges such as the risks posed by the malicious use of digital technologies on social media and in cyberspace. An inter-generational perspective is critical to the legitimacy and durability of political solutions and peace agreements.
The powerful impact that young people have on peace processes go well beyond the negotiating table. Youth activists are leading public movements and using digital tools to change national political dynamics.
Excellencies,
Allow me to share with you some recent UN experiences and approaches with inclusive peace processes, as well as some of the challenges we have faced.
First, the power inequalities and the under-representation of women are particularly stark in negotiations on ceasefires, where militaries remain male-dominated.
In 2021, my department launched the annual Women in Ceasefire Negotiations Course. Through this initiative, we are building a cadre of women negotiators and local mediators from dozens of conflict-affected countries that possess specialised skills to participate in complex ceasefire negotiations. Some graduates of this Course are already involved in inclusive ceasefire design and advocacy in their home countries, including Sudan and Yemen.
A New Agenda for Peace warns of a global backlash against women’s meaningful participation in political life. We have witnessed this in our mediation work. Notably, even when women have had a key place and role in peace negotiations, new challenges have arisen to sustaining their participation.
For example, in Colombia, the participation of women was critical for the 2016 Peace Agreement between the Government and the FARC movement. However, some seven years on, the implementation of the agreed gender provisions remains slow, and the protection of women leaders is a serious concern.
With new ceasefire talks underway between the Government of Colombia and the ELN armed group, we must ensure that women have leading roles in the monitoring and implementation of the new bilateral ceasefire agreement.
In Sudan, the reversals are even more stark. Women were prominent signatories to the December 2022 Framework Agreement facilitated by the AU, IGAD and UN. They managed to secure important gender provisions in the agreement. But following the outbreak of conflict last April, diplomatic efforts have reverted to being dominated by men and belligerent parties.
Promoting youth participation in peace processes raises distinct challenges. UN Special Political Missions in Iraq and Sudan have grappled with the challenge of including popular protest movements led by a diverse set of young leaders into formal constitutional review and political transition negotiations. UN Resident Coordinators in Bolivia and Ecuador have been asked by national authorities to help promote dialogue with mass movements at moments of crisis when many thousands - and especially young people - had taken to the streets.
These experiences have shown us that being serious about promoting youth participation requires new approaches. For governments and other traditional elites to engage with “leaderless” youth-led protests and online movements, new national peace infrastructures and the patience to develop structured plans that go beyond crisis diplomacy are needed. At the United Nations, we have developed and deployed tools to help national actors meet this challenge, including using artificial intelligence to hold inclusive digital consultations among governments, wider groups in society, and youth in countries such as Bolivia, Libya, Tunisia, and Yemen.
Excellencies,
Inclusive mediation approaches are needed to tackle complex root causes of contemporary conflict. Sustainable mediation and prevention outcomes require leadership and ownership by national actors.
Thank you once again to the co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Mediation, Finland and Türkiye, for your leadership in advancing this crucial agenda.
