Chili peppers, fake medicine, fuel, gold, guns, humans, and more are being trafficked via millennia-old trade routes crisscrossing the Sahel, and the UN and partners are trying out new, collaborative ways to thwart those attempting the illegal practice, a growing problem in this fragile African region.
Beekeepers around the world earn their livelihoods from the golden honey their bees produce, but they also play a critical role in pollinating 87 of 115 leading food crops worldwide. World Bee Day, observed on Saturday, is abuzz with promoting their sustainable agricultural practices and respecting the role these pollinators play in nature.
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More than 60 per cent of Ukrainian refugee mothers in Poland are experiencing high or severe levels of distress, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday, Mental Health Action Day, highlighting the psychological impact of the war in their homeland.
The UN Human Rights Council-appointed panel of independent experts examining the Iranian Government’s response to protests that erupted there last November, has said that it’s “deeply alarmed” at continuing executions of demonstrators, ahead of pending reviews.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continues to warn of the potential nuclear threat in the Ukraine conflict amid rising tensions surrounding the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).
Nearly 15 months after Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, civilians are forced to live through an “unbearable routine”, amidst alarming levels of destruction and damage to their communities, said the deputy UN disarmament chief on Thursday.
Roughly 90 per cent of the population in Afghanistan is on the brink of poverty “and children bear the brunt of it,” the Representative of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the country, Fran Equiza, told journalists in New York on Thursday.
Iraq’s stability and hard-won gains require robust support amid concerns of shrinking civic space, postponed elections, and an unfolding climate emergency, the top UN official in the country told the Security Council on Thursday.
The UN Children’s Fund is calling for an urgent increase in funding to help tackle an escalating number of cases of sexual violence against children and women in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) North Kivu province, where armed groups proliferate amidst heavy fighting in recent months.
Warring parties continue to make progress in efforts towards ending the nearly decade-long conflict in Yemen, though outstanding issues remain, the UN Security Council heard on Wednesday.
The Myanmar military has imported at least $1 billion in arms and raw materials to manufacture weapons since generals staged their coup in February 2021, according to a new report released on Wednesday by the UN-appointed independent expert monitoring and investigating human rights abuses in the country.
New York, 17 May 2023
On this World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, we highlight the power of technology to advance sustainable development in Least Developed Countries.
The digital revolution is a defining force of our era.
The opportunities are tremendous: from...
ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL MARTHA AMA A. POBEE’S
REMARKS TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON
THE G5 SAHEL JOINT FORCE
New York, 16 May 2023
Madam President, distinguished Members of the Security Council,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to address the Council.
Since I last briefed the Security Council on the Group of Five for the Sahel, the security situation in the region has remained very worrying. Non-state armed groups continue to carry out large-scale attacks against civilian and military targets, and to engage in confrontations over access to resources, territorial control, and influence. Terrorism and violent extremist groups frequently target border areas, in particular the tri-border area of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger – the Liptako-Gourma. In this regard, earlier this year, we also observed an upsurge in clashes between the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and Jamāʿat Nuṣrat al-Islām wal-Muslimīn (JNIM).
The security crisis is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. In Burkina Faso, there are increasing humanitarian challenges as a result of the violence, with roughly 4.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance this year and more than 2 million people displaced internally. This compared to 3.5 million people who needed humanitarian assistance in 2022. In Mali, a staggering 8.8 million people will need humanitarian assistance this year, compared to 7.5 million people who required such assistance in 2022. Women and children still bear the brunt of violence and food insecurity.
Madam President, distinguished members of the Security Council,
The G5 Sahel Joint Force has made steady progress in its operationalization. Joint Force units have gained practical experience and developed enhanced efficiency in their operations, particularly in coordination and responsiveness. Against the background of the strategic and operational shifts in the Sahel, including the reconfiguration of European and French Forces, and in the context of Mali’s withdrawal from the G5 Sahel and the intensification of threats in the border area, the Joint Force is restructuring to reflect these new realities. Although the reconfiguration of the Joint Force has resulted in the cessation of major military operations since January, G5 Sahel member States seem determined to strengthen intra-regional cooperation, including by establishing bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms with the Malian Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism, as demonstrated by the recent strengthening of bilateral military cooperation between Mali and Burkina Faso, and Mali and Niger. However, despite these efforts, insecurity in the tri-border area continues to grow.
The Tripartite Agreement between the European Union, the G5 Sahel and the United Nations is expected to end in June. I wish to warmly thank the European Union for its invaluable support, under the Agreement, which provided funding for MINUSMA to deliver life support consumables to the Joint Force. With the expiration of the Tripartite Agreement, MINUSMA’s logistical and operational support to the Joint Force, as part of its mandate, would cease to be in effect.
MINUSMA has spared no effort in providing operational and logistic support to the Joint Force whenever it was requested, in accordance with its mandate to support the Joint Force. This included fuel, rations, medical evacuation and engineering support such as building camps. In total, MINUSMA has provided over 275,000 individual ration packs, over 83,000 litres of lubricants and 6 million litres of fuel. This support contributed to filling critical gaps that hindered the mobility and operational tempo of the Joint Force. Unfortunately, the international community’s efforts have fallen short of what is required to render the Joint Force fully operational and autonomous with the capacity to help stabilize the Sahel region. Lack of consensus among partners and donors on the most effective support mechanism for the Joint Force has proven to be a significant obstacle to its operationalization. Support provided by MINUSMA to the Joint Force, albeit limited, did not fundamentally change this situation. Be that as it may, the end of the tripartite agreement between the European Union, the G5 Sahel and the United Nations presents an opportunity to reflect on how the international community should renew its approaches to support for the regional security mechanisms. The upcoming Security Council deliberations on the report of the Secretary-General on the “Implementation of Security Council resolutions 2320 (2016) and 2378 (2017) and considerations related to the financing of African Union peace support operations mandated by the Security Council” later this month will no doubt offer a timely chance for the Council to consider the issue.
Madam President, distinguished Members of the Security Council,
Through the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations pursued its support to the Joint Force in operationalizing its international human rights and humanitarian law compliance framework. Important institutional, legal and behavioral progress and changes have been registered. Notably, the Joint Force now has an internal mechanism which allows it to attribute responsibility for incidents, analyze patterns, take necessary remedial action and adapt its operational conduct. Looking ahead, continued human rights work with regional and national security actors in the Sahel will remain critical in the context of the deteriorating security situation. Indeed, G5 Sahel countries must ensure that their military strategies to counter terrorism and violent extremism are fully anchored on human rights and place the protection of all the populations at their core. This is necessary to achieve the desired results.
Madam President, distinguished Members of the Security Council,
In this context, the political and operational support of partners remains essential for the stabilization of Mali and the Sahel. It is urgent to address the challenges faced by the Sahel in a sustainable and effective manner and to support national actors in their efforts to implement the initiatives that they have devised themselves. Multifaceted support will prevent the crisis in the Sahel from upsetting the fragile political balances in the region. Such support will also help prevent a further spillover of insecurity into the coastal countries. For its part, the United Nations stands ready to further support the efforts of the G5 Sahel, including through capacity-building support in areas such as prevention of violent extremism and radicalization, rule of law and border security management.
Notwithstanding the support extended to the G5 Sahel, stabilizing the region hinges on aligning our policies and approaches, and on putting the Sahelian people at the forefront of our efforts. The United Nations is committed to working with all partners to ensure that governance structures are more democratic and open, and that the people of the Sahel have more confidence in their institutions. To achieve durable peace, we must address the underlying governance, development, human rights and humanitarian challenges. It is in this spirit that the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, the G5 Sahel and the United Nations established the Independent High-Level Panel on Security and Development in the Sahel. Under the leadership of the former President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou, the Panel is actively working to help us reshape our approaches in the region and maximize our collective impact through innovative, coherent and coordinated action.
Resolute advances in the fight against terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime in the Sahel desperately need to be made. Without significant gains, it will become increasingly difficult to reverse the security trajectory in the Sahel, and the further expansion of insecurity towards coastal West African countries. Recent instability east of the Sahel, in the Sudan, is yet one additional cause for concern. The devastating effects of the continuing destabilization of the Sahel would be felt far beyond the region and the African continent.
I thank you for your attention.
Statement by Ms. Rosemary DiCarlo,
Under-Secretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
High-Level Special Meeting on the 75th Commemoration of the Nakba
New York, 15 May 2023
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Your Excellency, President Abbas, thank you for your presence here today, honouring this date important to Palestinians all around the world.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
On 30 November of last year, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution, calling for the commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Nakba. The legacy of that event lives on, spurring us to continue our unflagging efforts to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
These efforts have been central to the work of the United Nations since its earliest days. On this day of commemoration, I address you with deep concern, as we see the prospects for restarting a political process towards a two-State solution based on UN resolutions, international law, and previous agreements, continue to diminish.
Across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the rapid expansion of settlements – illegal under international law – is dramatically altering the land envisioned for a future Palestinian State.
Violence, including settler-related violence, remains pervasive; while evictions, demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned property continue unabated.
Such actions undermine the prospects for the establishment of a viable, contiguous Palestinian State.
According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, last year saw the highest number of Palestinians killed in the occupied West Bank since OCHA started recording data on casualties in 2005. Last year also saw the highest number of Israeli civilians killed since 2015. This year is on track to match, or even surpass, that sobering record.
Over the past weeks, incidents of violence taking place inside or near al-Aqsa Mosque were deeply concerning. We reiterate our calls for respect of the historic status quo at the Holy Sites in Jerusalem, in line with the special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
In Gaza, despite some steps to improve movement and access, debilitating closures and the militant build-up continue to exacerbate the humanitarian situation. Recurrent violent escalations between Israel and armed factions – including the launching of indiscriminate rockets towards Israel – continue to take a staggering toll on civilians.
Only last week, in yet another dangerous escalation in Gaza, Israeli airstrikes led to the loss of 33 Palestinian lives, including women and children. One Israeli civilian, a woman, was also killed by Palestinian rocket fire.
I echo the Secretary-General’s words in his 14 May statement, welcoming the ceasefire and calling on all sides to observe it.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has led to the world’s longest refugee crisis, prompting the creation of UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
UNRWA continues to deliver vital services to some six million Palestine refugees in the Middle East. UNRWA’s work is crucial to maintaining stability throughout the region. We appeal to Member States to ensure sufficient and predictable funding for the Agency as it struggles with an unprecedented financial crisis.
Excellencies,
The question of Palestine is intimately linked to the history and to the Charter of the United Nations. Respect for international law and human rights, self-determination and peaceful resolution of conflicts constitute the raison d’être of our Organization. Palestinians deserve a life of justice and dignity and the realization of their right to self-determination and independence.
The UN position is clear. The occupation must end. A two-State solution that will bring lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike must be achieved in line with international law, UN resolutions and previous agreements. We want to see an independent State of Palestine living side-by-side with Israel in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States.
On this occasion, we reaffirm the UN commitment to supporting the Palestinian people achieve their inalienable rights and self-determination, as well as to advancing a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region.
Thank you.
The UN and humanitarian partners continue to scale up the aid response for the millions in need across Sudan on Tuesday, as news reports described heavy fighting in the capital Khartoum and neighbouring areas between the national army and rival RSF militia
The security situation in the Sahel remains very worrying and the spiralling crisis in Sudan is an additional source of concern, a senior UN official warned the Security Council on Tuesday.
Civilians who are caught up in the crossfire in Ukraine need and deserve humanitarian relief, “wherever the are”, said the UN Humanitarian Affairs chief on Monday, briefing the Security Council, calling for aid workers to be allowed full access, in line with international law.
The world must make every effort to eliminate chemical weapons, the UN chief said on Monday, raising grave concerns about their continued use.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed last night’s ceasefire agreement in Israel and Gaza and reiterated that only a negotiated political solution will lead to lasting peace and end the devastating cycles of violence “once and for all.”
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A declaration by Sudan’s warring parties committing to protect civilians is an “important first step”, after more than three weeks of heavy fighting, the UN’s top official in the African nation said on Friday.
Grave funding shortages could cut assistance to more than 200,000 Palestinians, the UN food agency warned on Thursday.Grave funding shortages could cut assistance to more than 200,000 Palestinians, the UN food agency warned on Thursday.
Sudan’s descent into violent conflict and humanitarian catastrophe came under the scrutiny of the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday, as Member States called an emergency session of the body in Geneva. Member States adopted a resolution including a request for detailed monitoring and reporting of all alleged rights abuses, to be carried out by the designated expert for the country, including the current upsurge in violence.
New technology and strategies are helping to deliver justice to victims of grave violations of human rights in Libya, including fresh arrest warrants, but “we can do better”, the chief prosecutor of the UN-backed International Criminal Court (ICC) told the Security Council on Thursday.
The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday, called for an end to the violence that has continued across parts of Pakistan, following the arrest a day earlier of former Prime Minister, Imran Khan.
The grim prospect of record hunger levels in Sudan is becoming more likely by the day, as heavy fighting continues, UN humanitarians warned on Wednesday.
The UN Secretary-General said on Wednesday he was following the latest exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and militants in the Gaza Strip with “deep concern” over the escalating conflict, and “risk of further loss of life.”
