USG DiCarlo meets with Crown Prince of Kuwait

On 19 May, Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo met with the Crown Prince of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, to discuss cooperation between the United Nations and Kuwait, including on regional issues. The meeting, held at Bayan Palace, was attended by Mazen Al-Issa, Diwan Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs; Abdulaziz Saud Al-Jarallah, Assistant Foreign Minister for International Organizations; and Claudio Cordone, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq.

Syria faces "significant structural challenges", Pedersen tells Security Council

On 21 May, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria Geir Pedersen told the Security Council that he welcomed recent announcements by the United States and the European Union to lift sanctions on Damascus and commended support from regional countries, notably Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Qatar. However, he said, Syria faced "significant structural challenges, with an economy ravaged by over a decade of war and conflict, and a host of other destabilizing factors." He went on to welcome the announcement by interim authorities to establish the National Commission for Transitional Justice and the National Commission for Missing Persons. “The creation of a dedicated commission for missing persons attests to the centrality of this issue in the Syrian national experience, which has impacted almost every Syrian household,” he said. Moreover, the creation of a transitional justice commission is another “essential stepping-stone” in Syria’s recovery from conflict and restoration of Syrians’ right to truth and justice.

Peacebuilding Fund’s Group of Friends highlights support to Guatemala

The Peacebuilding Fund’s Group of Friends held its second quarterly meeting of 2025 on 21 May, convening at the ambassadorial level, co-chaired by Sweden and the United Kingdom. A highlight of the meeting was a presentation on the PBF’s support to Guatemala, showcasing a concrete example of peacebuilding in practice. Joining virtually from Guatemala City, Mónica Mazariegos Rodas, Deputy Chief of Staff and Under-Secretary for Political Dialogue and Governance of the Presidency of Guatemala, and Miguel Barreto, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Guatemala, shared insights on the PBF’s role in advancing political dialogue and governance in the country. Elizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, briefed on the global Peacebuilding Fund, highlighting increased prioritization in the coming months with fewer countries in order to focus efforts, build further on innovative financing and supporting National Prevention Strategies. 

Secretary-General meets with UN staff in Iraq as UNAMI drawdown nears

During a townhall meeting in Baghdad on 18 May, Secretary-General António Guterres met with UN personnel serving in Iraq. As the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) prepares to conclude its mandate this year, the Secretary-General acknowledged the emotional moment and expressed deep pride in the staff’s dedication and achievements over the years. “I share your emotions—and I am very proud of all the work you have done,” he told colleagues.

USG DiCarlo meets with Iraqi officials and civil society

On 18 May, USG DiCarlo met in Baghdad with government and civil society representatives, including the Prime Minister’s adviser on women’s issues, Shahbaa Ahmed Hussein Al-Azawi. Discussions focused on Iraq’s efforts to advance the women’s affairs file and ongoing collaboration with the United Nations to promote women’s participation in the upcoming parliamentary elections. USG DiCarlo commended the positive steps taken and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to advancing the role of Iraqi women across all areas of public life.

UN and ASEAN advance partnership in Jakarta meetings

On 19 and 20 May, Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Khaled Khiari led a United Nations delegation—comprising representatives from DPPA-DPO, ESCAP, UNDP, and OCHA—for discussions with ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. The meetings served as an opportunity to take stock of the ASEAN-UN partnership and review progress on the implementation of the ASEAN-UN Plan of Action, including political and security priorities. ASEAN stakeholders reaffirmed the value of deepening cooperation with the United Nations. In Jakarta, ASG Khiari also held bilateral meetings with Armanatha Kristiawan Nasir, Vice Foreign Minister of Indonesia, and Sidharto R. Suryodipuro, Director General for ASEAN Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He further discussed progress on the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda in ASEAN with Ambassador I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, Executive Director of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation, and met with the UN Country Team in Indonesia.

SRSG Kaha Imnadze visits Kyrgyzstan

On 20 May in Bishkek, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Kaha Imnadze met with Kyrgyzstan’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Asein Isaev. They discussed cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and UNRCCA, including counter-terrorism, drug trafficking, climate issues, and the Centre’s plans for 2025. SRSG Imnadze commended Kyrgyzstan’s active engagement in the United Nations, its leadership on the mountain agenda, and its advocacy for landlocked developing countries. Both sides affirmed the effectiveness of their collaboration and expressed readiness to further strengthen their partnership.

SRSG Imnadze participates in inaugural "Termez Dialogue" on Central and South Asia connectivity

This week, SRSG Imnadze participated in the inaugural session of the Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia: Building a Common Space of Peace, Friendship and Prosperity, held from 19 to 21 May in Termez, Uzbekistan. He praised the initiative as a vital platform to boost peace, security, and shared prosperity for nearly two billion people in the region.

SRSG Imnadze meets with Speaker of the Senate of Uzbekistan

On 19 May, SRSG Kaha Imnadze met in Tashkent with Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. They discussed the role of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus (CAWLC) in promoting preventive diplomacy and regional cooperation in Central Asia. They also spoke about the importance of continued institutional progress on advancing peace and security, sustainable development, and the promotion of human rights in the region.

ASG for Youth Affairs engages with UNRCCA’s Preventive Diplomacy Academy

During a visit to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs Felipe Paullier met with UNRCCA leadership and the Preventive Diplomacy Academy (PDA) team on 22 May to discuss peace and security priorities in Central Asia, including counter-terrorism, water and climate issues, and the Women, Peace and Security agenda. He also held a hybrid session with the 2025 Cohort and Alumni Network, highlighting the vital role of youth in conflict prevention. “We are nurturing the next generation to drive peace, human rights, and development in Central Asia and beyond,” he said.

UNSMIL shares Advisory Committee recommendations, prepares for public consultation

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) released on 20 May a report outlining options developed by its Advisory Committee to help resolve key political issues obstructing progress toward national elections. The report, grounded in inputs from Libyans, aims to guide the next phase of the UNSMIL-facilitated political process to unify state institutions and end the country’s prolonged transitional phase. Four potential roadmaps are proposed, including simultaneous presidential and legislative elections or establishing a political dialogue committee. Public consultations will follow in the coming weeks, involving political parties, youth, women, civil society, and other stakeholders.

Youth and Educators Co-Create Peace Education Roadmap in Sarajevo

With support from the Peacebuilding Fund, over 250 youth and educators from Bosnia and Herzegovina and across the region came together in Sarajevo from 19 to 21 May for the Regional Conference on Peace and Education: Vision 2030. The event culminated in the co-creation of a Regional Roadmap for Peace Education—a strategic tool aimed at advancing inclusive and transformative education systems that foster non-violence, inclusion and social justice. The conference was part of the regional Initiative for Youth 4 Inclusion, Equality & Trust, supported by the Secretary-General's Peacebuilding Fund and the Embassy of Italy through the “Moving Us Closer” project

Exhibition "Seeds of Peace"

On 20 May, the Bogotá Regional Office of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia opened the first local "Seeds of Peace" (Semillas De Paz) picture exhibition in Ibagué, Tolima. It features 70 photographs taken by signatories to the Peace Agreement and communities organized by the Colectivo Miradas, with sponsorship from the UN Mission, UNDP, and the Ministry of Culture, among others. The exhibition is open to all at the city's major museum, Museo Panóptico through mid June.

Peacebuilding Fund launches Thematic Review on Youth, Peace and Security

On 22 May, the launch event of the Peacebuilding Fund’s Thematic Review on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) brought together a dynamic panel of youth peacebuilders: Abdullah Bility (Liberia), Ndegen Jobe (The Gambia), Khalid Mishain (Sudan), and Sarra Messaoudi (Tunisia). The panelists shared experiences from their respective countries: developing a YPS National Action Plan in Liberia, increasing young women's participation in national decision-making in The Gambia, and monitoring conflict in Sudan. They emphasized the importance of mobilizing youth into regional and global coalitions to advocate for the full implementation of the YPS agenda.

DPPA releases 2024 Annual Report

The 2024 Annual Report of DPPA’s Multi-Year Appeal (MYA) is now online, showcasing how voluntary contributions enabled the Department to prevent conflict, support inclusive political processes, and respond swiftly to crises around the world. Covering the second year of the Department’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2026, the report underscores how partner support—amid a challenging funding landscape— allowed the Department to meet rising demand for its assistance and expertise. For 2025, we are seeking for $43 million to sustain its prevention, peacemaking and peacebuilding work. This funding is essential to bridging the current shortfall and to respond to future needs.

Read the report

Norway contributes to DPPA’s Multi-Year Appeal

This week, we thank Norway for its generous contribution of $2,900,000 under the 2024–2026 Multi-Year Agreement. Part of Norway's 2024-2026 Multi-Year Agreement of support to DPPA, the funds will go towards our conflict prevention, mediation and peacemaking work. Learn more about our Multi-Year Appeal

Next Week

On 28 May, the Security Council will be briefed on the situation in the Middle East. Guyana will assume the presidency of the Council in June.