A brief roundup of United Nations political and peacebuilding events and developments globally.
Alakbarov warns settlement expansion threatens prospects for a two-State solution
On 28 September, Acting UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz Alakbarov briefed the Security Council and presented the Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 2334 (2016), warning that continued Israeli settlement expansion and rising settler violence in the occupied West Bank are undermining prospects for a two-State solution. He called for an end to settlement activity and violence against civilians, while highlighting the fragile ceasefire and dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. The Acting Special Coordinator also urged the full implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, including urgent recovery and reconstruction efforts, and renewed international commitment to a negotiated two-State solution.
Grundberg engages regional partners on efforts to end Yemen conflict
On Thursday, 1 October, Hans Grundberg, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General (SESG) for Yemen said he is alarmed by developments in Taiz governorate, where fighting has significantly intensified. Read the full statement.
Earlier in the week, on 30 September, Mr. Grundberg concluded a visit to Cairo, where he met with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and League of Arab States Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy. Discussions focused on the recent escalation in Yemen and its regional repercussions, including in the Red Sea, as well as UN efforts to achieve a sustainable end to the conflict. Grundberg expressed appreciation for the continued support of Egypt and the League of Arab States for UN mediation efforts.
Arnault highlights resilience and recovery during visit to southern Lebanon
On 2 October, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) [and Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on the Middle East conflict and its consequences] Jean Arnault visited Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, where he met with local communities affected by widespread destruction. Residents expressed their desire to live in peace and security under a State responsive to their needs. Arnault commended the resilience and determination of the people of Nabatieh to rebuild their lives, homes and city despite the challenges they continue to face.
UNSMIL invites communities to help advance Structured Dialogue recommendations
On 29 September, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) invited civil society organizations and community leaders across Libya to organize public consultations on implementing the recommendations of the Structured Dialogue. Developed through six months of deliberations involving some 120 Libyans, the recommendations address governance, security, the economy, national reconciliation and human rights. The Mission also launched a toolkit to facilitate discussions and gather community feedback on implementation priorities. DSRSG Stephanie Koury stressed the importance of ensuring that Libyans’ voices guide the next steps in translating the recommendations into concrete action.
UN-supported mine action clears more than 14,000 explosive ordnance items in Libya
On 28 September, UNSMIL reported that implementing partners, with support from its Mine Action Programme, had cleared 14,066 items of explosive ordnance from Al-Sweihli Farm in Misratah between January and September 2026. During a field visit, the UNSMIL Mine Action team met with local authorities and partners to review clearance efforts and discuss remaining threats to civilian safety. The Mission also highlighted the importance of strengthening national capacities in weapons and ammunition management, raising awareness of explosive hazards and preventing unplanned explosions near populated areas.
BINUH supports dialogue with first-time voters in Haiti
On 30 September, in Jacmel, southeastern Haiti, around 60 young women and men participated in a dialogue on the electoral process, organized through a partnership between the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), Haitian institutions and civil society organizations. Discussions focused on strengthening voter registration, addressing logistical and security challenges to holding elections, and encouraging young people’s participation in public life. The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to engage first-time voters and promote informed civic participation in Haiti.
UN and African Union strengthen cooperation on peace and security in Africa
On 26 September, the UN–AU Joint Task Force on Peace and Security held its 27th consultative meeting in New York, bringing together senior officials, including USG Rosemary DiCarlo, to review their partnership and discuss developments across Africa. Discussions focused on the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Horn of Africa, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan, with an emphasis on de-escalation, inclusive political processes and coordinated mediation efforts. The meeting also highlighted progress in implementing Security Council resolution 2719 (2023) on financing AU-led peace support operations and reaffirmed the importance of strengthening cooperation on conflict prevention, peacebuilding and operational support.
UNRCCA highlights progress in Tajik–Kyrgyz border cooperation
On 30 September, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA)Kaha Imnadze visited Tajikistan’s Sughd region to assess progress in implementing the bilateral border agreement between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and its impact on local communities. During visits to border areas, he learned about strengthened cross-border communication, the gradual restoration of trade and ongoing border demarcation efforts. Imnadze also visited a UNEP-supported initiative addressing climate and environmental risks. Welcoming the progress achieved, he underscored the importance of sustained dialogue, confidence-building and practical cooperation in promoting regional stability and good-neighbourly relations.
UNRCCA brings young peacebuilders together for first Peace Circle
On 30 September, UNRCCA’s Preventive Diplomacy Academy convened its first Peace Circle, bringing together young participants from Central Asia and Afghanistan to exchange perspectives on shared challenges and opportunities for cooperation. Discussions focused on gender equality, climate, peace and security, and economic opportunities, highlighting the connections between these issues and their impact on young people’s lives. The initiative provided a platform for youth to explore practical solutions and contribute their perspectives to peacebuilding efforts in the region.
UNOWAS strengthens regional cooperation during Côte d’Ivoire visit
During a visit to Côte d’Ivoire this week, SRSG and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Leonardo Santos Simão engaged Ivorian authorities on regional peace, security and stability. On 28 September, he participated in a high-level regional event on women, youth, peace, security and economic resilience. The event focused on strengthening economic opportunities for women and young people as a means of advancing conflict prevention, peacebuilding and resilience across West Africa and the Sahel. At the opening ceremony, SRSG and Head of UNOWAS Leonardo Santos Simão stressed that sustainable peace requires inclusion, economic opportunities and the full participation of women and youth, describing investment in their empowerment as a strategic investment in regional peace and stability.
The following day, Mr. Simão met with Interior and Security Minister Vagondo Diomandé and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Conseil de l’Entente to strengthen cooperation on peace and security in West Africa and the Sahel. His visit also includes engagements on cross-border security and the protection of displaced populations.
UNOWAS advances climate, peace and security cooperation in West Africa
From 21 to 25 September, UNOWAS engaged regional partners in Accra and Abidjan to strengthen cooperation on climate, peace and security. At an ECOWAS Parliament seminar in Accra, UNOWAS highlighted the links between climate shocks, displacement and insecurity, and the role of parliamentarians in translating policy commitments into action. At the ECOWAS Regional Water Forum in Abidjan, discussions focused on transboundary water cooperation and shared natural resource management as tools for dialogue, trust-building and conflict prevention. UNOWAS also engaged Ivorian authorities on integrating peace and security considerations into national climate strategies.
New podcast explores climate, peace and security challenges in Afghanistan
A new podcast episode explores how climate change is affecting peace and security in Afghanistan, where recurring droughts, water scarcity and extreme weather are placing growing pressure on communities and livelihoods. Featuring the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Climate, Peace and Security Advisor Charity Watson and Marwa Alam Safa, Founder and CEO of the Climate and Environment Youth Initiative, the discussion examines the links between climate pressures, displacement and stability, as well as practical approaches to strengthening resilience. The episode also highlights the importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared climate-related security challenges across Afghanistan and Central Asia.
New community space promotes memory and reconciliation in Colombia
On 1 October, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia joined victims, Peace Agreement signatories, women’s groups and young people in Baraya, Huila, for the inauguration of the House for Integration, Memory and Peace, an initiative of Colombia’s Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization (ARN). The new community space aims to foster dialogue, coexistence and local integration, bringing together diverse voices to strengthen social ties and advance reconciliation and peacebuilding.
UNVMC brings stories of peace to life through virtual reality in Bogotá
On 26 September, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia brought its Pathways Colombia virtual reality experience to Reading Under the Trees, an outdoor literary festival in Bogotá. Through immersive storytelling, participants explored stories of peace and Peace Agreement implementation, reflecting on the experiences of those involved in the peace process. The initiative encouraged dialogue and understanding, with participants sharing reflections and messages of support for peace and Peace Agreement signatories.
Next Week
On Tuesday, the Security Council will hold a meeting on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, focusing on the African Union. On Friday, the Council will meet to discuss the situation in Yemen.
