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The UN Secretary-General is “appalled” by the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as civilians face yet another wave of mass displacement with few safe places to go.
Mr President, allow me to extend my congratulations to Pakistan on assuming the Presidency of the Security Council for the month of July.
Distinguished members of this Council, I thank you for the opportunity to provide this briefing on Haiti.
I would like to begin by expressing our gratitude to Maria Isabel Salvador, whose term as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) concluded this week.
Since my last visit to Haiti in January to engage in consultations with authorities on the Secretary-General’s recommendations, we have continued to witness a sharp erosion of state authority and the rule of law. Brutal gang violence affects every aspect of public and private life. During my visit, I was struck by the profound transformation of Port-au-Prince. The capital city was for all intents and purposes paralyzed by gangs and isolated as a result of the ongoing suspension of international commercial flights into the Toussaint Louverture international airport. Since then, gangs have only strengthened their foothold, which now affects all communes of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area and beyond, pushing the situation closer to the brink. Without increased action by the international community, the total collapse of state presence in the capital could become a very real scenario.
Haitian-led efforts to advance the political process have made progress. The Provisional Electoral Council, with support from BINUH and other UN partners, has continued preparations to complete the constitutional review and hold elections within the timeline set by the April 2024 agreement. The recent adoption of the decree regulating the constitutional referendum as well as the adoption of the new Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, are welcome developments. However, clear divergences among stakeholders are apparent regarding the feasibility of holding a constitutional referendum and elections by February 2026–particularly concerning the need to establish a climate of security and trust for those elections to take place. Any delays or efforts to undermine the political transition reaching the 7 February 2026 deadline for the installation of a newly elected executive and parliament would be worrisome. Haiti cannot afford a drift in the political transition.
In supporting the political process, BINUH promoted broader and more inclusive participation in the political transition, including of women and youth, through supporting civil society dialogue on transition priorities, including security, economic recovery, reforms and elections.
We welcome the support and momentum generated by the regional member states and organizations for decisive action to advance the current political transition and prevent the spread of insecurity and criminality. Last week, Haiti was a key topic of discussion at the General Assembly of the Organization of American States in Antigua and Barbuda. The adoption of the OAS resolution on Haiti is encouraging and reflects the region’s commitment to supporting international efforts and strengthening existing entities and platforms already in place, namely the MSS. We look forward to stronger collaboration with the OAS and to the action plan on Haiti to be submitted by its Secretary General.
In addition, the Caribbean Community’s ongoing efforts, notably through the Eminent Persons Group, to foster dialogue and collaboration among Haitian stakeholders have proven instrumental in advancing the country’s transition towards the restoration of the rule of law and of democratic institutions.
Mr. President, Excellencies,
It remains clear that sustained political progress will only be achieved through concerted efforts to address and significantly improve the security environment. While Port-au-Prince remains the epicentre of gang violence, major attacks in Artibonite and Center departments, particularly in Mirebalais, demonstrate the growing capacity and intent of gangs to expand their reach into northern departments. The commune of La Chapelle in lower Artibonite department is the latest to fall under gang control following an assault by gang members on 22 June, which displaced at least 8,890 residents. The ransacking of the local police substation illustrates the intent to systematically undermine state authority and prevent any efforts to re-establish law and order.
The brutality and scale of the violence that continues to be committed against communities by armed gangs is plunging the country into even deeper suffering and trauma. This year alone BINUH recorded 4,026 victims of intentional homicide, including 376 women, 21 girls, and 68 boys. This represents a 24 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the number of people internally displaced by gang violence has now reached 1.3 million, another tragic record number. Widespread impunity for atrocities continues. In April, a gang attack in Petite-Rivière resulted in 57 people killed, four abducted, over 16,000 people displaced, and approximately 80 homes set on fire.
Amidst increasing public frustration with the limited protection capacity of the state, "vigilante" or self-defence groups are gaining in popular appeal. Although these groups often serve as the last remaining security mechanisms in many areas, they violate fundamental human rights, including the right to life and right to a fair trial, and simultaneously fuel further violence in the form of retaliatory attacks by gangs. Over the last three months, these groups reportedly killed at least 100 men, and one woman suspected of gang association or collaboration.
Communities remain extremely vulnerable to gang violence, which continues to have disproportionate impact on women and girls. The past three months marked an increase in sexual violence committed by gangs, used deliberately to instil fear and assert control over communities. Despite persistent under-reporting of sexual violence due to fear of reprisals, social stigma and lack of trust in institutions, from March to April BINUH documented 364 incidents involving 378 survivors. BINUH continues to support the Haitian National Police in strengthening capacities to investigate sexual violence and provide integrated support to survivors. It is critical that authorities take concrete action against the current state of impunity of these heinous crimes.
Distinguished delegates,
On 26 June, the Multinational Security Support mission led by Kenya marked one year since its first contingents arrived in Haiti. We extend our gratitude to Kenya for its continued commitment to leading the MSS and we offer our deepest sympathy for the loss of two MSS police officers in the line of duty. Despite their best efforts, the MSS and Haitian National Police have been unable to make headway in restoring state authority and, without additional security support from the international community, the outlook is bleak. Additional voluntary contributions to the MSS Trust Fund are needed to sustain the mission and ensure the achievement of its objectives. The Secretary-General’s recommendations within his letter of 24 February proposing to establish a UN support office to provide logistic and operational support for the MSS are a realistic and practical proposal to address Haiti’s immediate security needs. International action cannot come soon enough to ensure the gains made so far are not squandered. In this respect, I welcomed the Council’s discussion earlier this week and wish to recall that the Secretary-General’s recommendations offer an immediate solution—one that does not exclude medium- and long-term options. But it needs to be the starting point. Once a strengthened MSS has provided sufficient support to the Haitian security institutions, a stabilization phase can follow.
When BINUH, was established in 2019, it was not designed to operate in the kind of hostile environment we are facing today. Yet it has remained on the ground without interruption—despite a temporary reduction in international staff. That reduction reflects the limited options for evacuation, with just a single UNHAS helicopter currently available, due to the suspension of commercial flights and the ongoing gang encirclement of Port-au-Prince. Consequently, and as outlined in the Secretary-General’s letter to the Council yesterday, the Secretariat, in coordination with BINUH, has undertaken a review of BINUH’s Mission Concept with the objective to have a reconfigured BINUH— more focused, smaller, yet more impactful— that can sustain its international staff and personnel working from Port-au-Prince amid the security crisis. The additional resources needed for enhanced security and evacuation capabilities, to be included in the budget for 2026, would be offset by savings from a reduced footprint. We remain committed to aligning BINUH’s overall budget with UN80 Revised Estimates.
Excellencies,
We must not fail Haiti at this critical moment. Let us act now. The options we have on the table now will be considerably less costly and complex than if there is a total collapse of state presence. There is not a moment to lose. The United Nations continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Haiti who deserve to live in dignity and free from the threat of violence.
I thank you.
The UN’s top human rights official on Wednesday expressed grave alarm that six European countries are either in the process of or are considering withdrawing from the international treaty prohibiting anti-personnel mines.
More than 1.3 million people have been displaced in Haiti as surging gang violence, lawlessness, and impunity expose the population – especially women and girls – to heightened risks of exploitation and sexual violence.
A key water reservoir serving Khan Younis in southern Gaza has become inaccessible following new Israeli displacement orders, sparking fears of a collapse in the city’s water distribution network and worsening already dire humanitarian conditions, the United Nations warned on Wednesday.
Conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa in the last two years reportedly killed, maimed, or displaced over 12 million children across the region, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
UN humanitarians on Tuesday sounded the alarm over worsening humanitarian conditions in Sudan, as escalating violence continues to displace civilians and the rising risk of severe flooding during the current rainy season.
The United Nations on Tuesday reported that humanitarian operations in Gaza are facing escalating strain, as ongoing fuel shortages, access restrictions and military activity continue to undermine aid delivery and essential services.
In January 2020, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs launched the Innovation Cell, an interdisciplinary team dedicated to helping the Department and its field presences to understand and explore, pilot, and scale new technologies, tools, and practices in conflict prevention, mediation and peacebuilding. Responding to the Secretary-General’s call on the UN system to accelerate its uptake of innovative methods, the Innovation Cell catalyses innovation in peace and security, while providing a forum for colleagues at UNHQ and in the field to engage collaboratively in human-centred design and problem-solving.
The Cell is part of the UN’s Innovation Network (UNIN) and works to galvanize an ecosystem of technology, civil society, and academic partners outside the UN system on peace and security use cases, thereby leveraging innovation for the shared goal of peace.
Reach out to us at DPPA-Innovation@un.org for questions, comments and ideas.
Visit us at https://www.futuringpeace.org to learn more about the Innovation-related think pieces and approaches.
Follow us at https://medium.com/futuring-peace and https://dppa.medium.com/ for innovation-related think pieces and approaches.
Follow @UN_Innovation to learn what UN entities are doing in the space of innovation.
Madam President,
Members of the Security Council,
Today’s briefing is devoted to the Secretary-General’s quarterly report on the implementation of resolution 2334. Since the 17 June cutoff date for the written report hostilities continued between Israel and Hamas, including Israel Defense Forces (IDF) airstrikes, artillery shelling, and ground operations across Gaza. The devastating human toll is mounting.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, the total number of Palestinian fatalities since 7 October 2023 reached over 56,500, with 1,068 fatalities since 17 June, an average of 82 per day. On 19 June, Israeli forces reportedly struck three houses in Jabalia, killing at least 14 people from the same family, including two children and one woman. On 20 June, 12 people, including four women, were reportedly killed when the IDF struck a residential building in Deir al Balah. Amidst renewed evacuation orders and intensified airstrikes in Gaza City and Jabalia, another larger-scale military operation is expected in the area.
According to the Israeli sources, since 17 June, 9 members of the IDF were killed in hostilities in Gaza, including 7 soldiers killed when Hamas targeted their armoured vehicle with an explosive device. Israeli sources reported that more than 1,748 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed in attacks in or originating from Gaza since 7 October 2023. Fifty hostages, including one woman, are still being held captive by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Gaza.
Attacks on Palestinians seeking aid continued, including frequent casualty incidents in the vicinity of militarized food distribution points and aid convoys. Since 17 June, at least 580 Palestinians have been killed either trying to reach Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution points or waiting for other aid convoys, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. On 17 June, at least 50 people were killed and 200 were wounded in Khan Younis when an IDF tank opened fire on a crowd of people waiting for WFP food trucks. On 24 June, IDF troops reportedly opened fire near GHF sites north of Al Bureij Camp and northwest Rafah, killing 49 Palestinians and injuring 197 others. In the occupied West Bank, Israeli security forces continued operations in the northern part of the occupied West Bank. On 25 June, a 15-year-old Palestinian was killed during an Israeli operation in Al Yamun, west of Jenin. On the same day, an elderly woman was reported shot and killed by Israeli security forces in the Shu’fat refugee camp in East Jerusalem.
Attacks by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank have intensified in recent days. On 19 June, armed Israeli settlers, in the presence of Israeli forces, reportedly opened fire on Palestinians in the town of Surif, northwest of Hebron, killing one and injuring seven others. On 25 June, three Palestinians were killed during an assault on Kafr Malik, including arson, by Israeli settlers in the presence of ISF. The following day, Israeli Security Forces dismantled the nearby Ba'al Hatzor settlement outpost leading to repeated clashes with settlers over several days. According to ISF, settlers threw stones at and assaulted Israeli soldiers, and on 27 June, ISF said settlers attempted to ram a military vehicle and threw stones, with ISF using live ammunition in response and possibly leading to the injury of a 14-year-old Israeli boy.
Madam President,
Allow me to highlight some of the Secretary-General’s observations regarding the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016) during the reporting period.
The Secretary-General once again strongly condemns the horrific attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Israel on 7 October 2023 and their continued holding of hostages in horrific conditions. Nothing can justify these acts of terror. We remain appalled that hostages may be subjected to ongoing ill-treatment and that the bodies of hostages continue to be withheld.
The Secretary-General also unequivocally condemns the widespread killing and injury of civilians in Gaza, including children and women, and the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and mosques. The level of suffering and brutality in Gaza is unbearable. The continued collective punishment of the Palestinian people is unjustifiable.
We remain deeply concerned by Israeli military operations in Gaza that render large areas of Gaza uninhabitable. We reject the forced displacement of the Palestinian population from any part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which would constitute a breach of international law obligations. We mourn the United Nations personnel killed in Gaza and strongly condemns the killing of all health and humanitarian personnel and journalists. Following almost 80 days of Israel’s denial of entry of all humanitarian and commercial supplies into Gaza, supplies have started to enter Gaza at wholly inadequate levels which do not meet the massive needs of the population. We call upon Israel to fulfil its obligations under international law, and allow the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need. We strongly condemn the loss of lives and injuries of Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza and we call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable
The United Nations will not participate in any aid delivery modality that does not comply with the fundamental humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality.
I echo once again the Secretary-General's call for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages in Gaza.
Madam President,
We remain deeply alarmed by the relentless Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The ever-growing settlement footprint contributes to settler-related violence, further entrenches the Israeli occupation, hampers the free movement of the population, and undermines the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
We are deeply concerned by the Israeli Government’s decision to resume formal land registration in Area C and the serious risk that this will facilitate further settlement expansion and entrenchment.
The demolition and seizure of Palestinian-owned structures, including internationally funded humanitarian projects, entail numerous violations of international law and raise concerns about the risk of forcible transfer.
The escalating violence in the occupied West Bank is alarming. Military operations by Israeli security forces in the northern West Bank have resulted in high levels of fatalities, including women and children, significant population displacement, and destruction of homes and infrastructure, particularly in refugee camps.
We are concerned that the Palestinian Authority continues to face a deepening fiscal crisis, that threatens to further undermine Palestinian institutions and basic service delivery. Increased Israeli clearance revenue deductions and measures that introduce instability to the Palestinian financial sector should be urgently resolved.
The international community must provide immediate support to the Palestinian Government to strengthen its governance capacity, address its fiscal challenges, and prepare it to reassume its responsibilities in Gaza. This will require the establishment of political and security frameworks that can relieve the humanitarian catastrophe, start early recovery and reconstruction, address Israel’s legitimate security concerns, and lay the groundwork for a political process to end the occupation and establish a viable two-State solution.
We welcome reform steps undertaken by the Palestinian Authority, including the appointment of a Vice President of Palestine. and encourage continued reforms, urging international partners to support these efforts.
We regret the need to suspend the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution and welcome the continued commitment of the co-chairs France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to convene the conference as soon as possible.
Madam President,
Allow me also a brief comment regarding the recent military escalation between Iran and Israel, which the Council has discussed in the past days.
I reiterate the Secretary-General’s, condemnation of the tragic and unnecessary loss of lives and injuries to civilians and damage to homes and critical civilian infrastructure. The Middle East region has been devastated by conflict and cannot withstand yet another major escalation. We welcome the 24 June ceasefire agreement announced by President Trump and commend the efforts of the United States, in coordination with Qatar, to end the hostilities.
We hope that this ceasefire can be replicated in the other conflicts in the region – nowhere is this more needed than in Gaza.
Thank you.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is deepening at an alarming rate, a senior United Nations official warned on Monday, as Israeli military operations and attacks on civilians seeking aid continue to exact a devastating toll on lives and infrastructure.
The crisis in Gaza is worsening, UN humanitarians warned on Monday, as ongoing hostilities and access restrictions drive displaced communities deeper into despair.
Civilian casualties and violations in Ukraine have significantly escalated in recent months, including a sharp rise in often deadly drone attacks, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said in a report published on Monday.
Critical shortfalls in global humanitarian funding now threaten millions of Sudanese refugees fleeing war to seek refuge in neighbouring countries, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Monday.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda signed on Friday in the United States capital, Washington, DC.
In accordance with the six-point agreement of 12 August 2008 and implementing measures of 8 September 2008, the 64th round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) took place on 25-26 June 2025 in the Palais des Nations.
The Co-Chairs – UN Representative to the Geneva International Discussions Cihan Sultanoğlu, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus Christoph Späti and EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia Magdalena Grono – welcomed the participants’ continued commitment to this important process. Against the background of increased tensions in the wider region, they emphasized the need for the GID to make progress and deliver on its core agenda items for the benefit of all conflict-affected people.
On 25 June, as previously agreed with all participants, the Co-Chairs hosted an information session on the topic of “freedom of movement and external mobility” with presentations by two external experts.
On 26 June, in Working Group I, the participants reviewed the security developments on the ground since the 63rd round in March 2025. They continued their discussions, with a particular focus on non-use of force and international security arrangements. In this context, the Co-Chairs emphasized the importance of commitment to the principle of non-use of force and acknowledged the substantive exchanges of views on this agenda item.
In Working Group II, the participants discussed humanitarian issues, including crossings, documentation, livelihoods, missing persons, cultural heritage and education. Building on the information session held the day before, the participants also had additional exchanges on issues relating to freedom of movement and external mobility. Due to a walkout by some participants, the agenda item “internally displaced persons and refugees” could not be discussed.
The participants commended outgoing Cihan Sultanoğlu for her personal commitment and substantive contribution over the past seven years as UN Representative to the Geneva International Discussions and wished her success in her future endeavors.
The participants agreed to hold the next round in November 2025 in Geneva.
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Madam President,
For too long, the conflict in Sudan has gravely imperiled lives of Sudanese civilians.
Security conditions remain dire, marked by shifting frontlines, increased and often indiscriminate aerial assaults by both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, and continuous attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals.
The warring parties appear unrelenting in their resolve to pursue military objectives. The fighting shows no signs of abating.
In recent weeks, the focus of the conflict has shifted once more to the Darfur and Kordofan regions. The Kordofans are increasingly emerging as an epicenter of fighting. The warring parties have reportedly exchanged heavy drone strikes and artillery fire on multiple fronts. El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan and one of the largest cities in the region, is likely to remain a key flashpoint in the coming weeks.
De-escalation is urgently needed.
Madam President,
We are particularly worried about the growing use of advanced weaponry, including long-range drones. This has expanded hostilities into previously stable areas of the country.
Aerial attacks in populated areas have already caused significant civilian casualties and mass displacement. This trend is likely to intensify through the rainy season, as movement on the ground becomes more difficult.
Madam President,
The conflict in Sudan is having far-reaching consequences that extend well beyond its borders.
Recent reports of violent clashes at the tri-border zone of Sudan, Libya and Egypt, involving the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Rapid Support Forces and forces affiliated with the Libyan National Army, are deeply concerning and mark a serious escalation.
Abyei has also seen an increased presence of armed Rapid Support Forces personnel, exacerbating the already fragile security situation in the Abyei area.
The Rapid Support Forces are also present in Northeastern Central African Republic, where they are recruiting. Just days ago, this Council condemned a recent attack on MINUSCA peacekeepers by “suspected Sudanese armed elements”. One peacekeeper was killed, and another one was seriously injured.
We cannot afford further regional instability and spill-over conflict.
Madam President,
As the situation on the ground in the Sudan further deteriorates, grave violations of international humanitarian and human rights law continue.
We are horrified by widespread sexual violence, including against children, and attacks on humanitarian workers.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has documented a tripling of arbitrary killings of civilians between February and April.
This increase was largely due to numerous incidents of summary executions in Khartoum, reportedly carried out by the Sudanese Armed Forces and its allies on people suspected of being collaborators with the Rapid Support Forces, including on the basis of ethnic identity.
Meanwhile, we remain deeply concerned about the situation in El Fasher, which continues to be sieged by the Rapid Support Forces. On 15 June, the Rapid Support Forces launched yet another attack on the city, following months of increased mobilization of fighters, including the recruitment of children, across Darfur.
Entrenched impunity is fueling these and other gross human rights violations and abuses. All parties to the conflict must be held accountable for their actions.
Moreover, the commitments the warring parties have made to protect civilians, including in the Jeddah Declaration of May 2023, must be translated into concrete action.
Last week, the Security Council heard from our humanitarian colleagues about the dire situation. We are pursuing a predictable and time-bound humanitarian pause to facilitate safe humanitarian movements into and out of areas affected by ongoing fighting, beginning with El Fasher, and allow civilians to leave voluntarily and securely.
We will continue to urge the parties to make progress on measures that strengthen the protection of civilians, without preconditions.
Madam President,
Following his swearing-in on 31 May, Prime Minister Idris set about to form a new government, dismissing the previous Cabinet on 1 June. On 19 June, he outlined in a national address the structure of the new government he is seeking to form, labelling it the “Government of Hope.” He announced that it would consist of 22 ministries comprising technocrats selected based on competence and professional expertise, with no political affiliations.
Meanwhile, divisions persist within the “Tassis alliance” led by the Rapid Support Forces over the composition of the planned ‘parallel government’ in areas under its control.
We encourage all parties to preserve Sudan’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity as a critical element for a sustainable solution to this crisis.
In this regard, it is essential to have civilian leadership for the shaping of a political consensus and formulating an inclusive vision for the restoration of a peaceful, civilian-led transition.
Madam President,
Since my last briefing, the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, has further intensified his engagements with regional and international actors to help chart a path toward ending the conflict.
The Personal Envoy remains in close contact with the warring parties, including in efforts to convene discussions in proximity format on strengthening the protection of civilians.
Following his visit to Port Sudan in April, a team led by the Personal Envoy’s office is poised to travel to Port Sudan to prepare the next steps. The Personal Envoy stands ready to engage the Rapid Support Forces in a similar format in due course.
Personal Envoy Lamamra has also spoken to Prime Minister Idris following his appointment. He emphasized the importance of advancing efforts towards an inclusive political resolution and offered to explore issues of mutual concern and cooperation.
The Personal Envoy also remains in direct and regular contact with a broad array of civilian groups in recognition of the indispensable role they play in finding a way out of the current crisis and, most importantly, in shaping Sudan’s future transition processes.
It is clear that Member States’ support and leverage are indispensable to spur meaningful progress on the ground. I urge this Council – once again – to unite in lending full support to Personal Envoy Lamamra’s efforts, and to use its influence with the parties and their external backers to press for a genuine commitment to dialogue and de-escalation.
Madam President,
The United Nations is deeply committed to harnessing the collective strength of multilateral organizations in the coordination of mediation efforts.
The high-level meeting between the United Nations, the African Union and the League of Arab States in Baghdad on 16 May marked the starting point of closer cooperation between key multilateral players on Sudan, which will also, moving forward, include the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Yesterday, the Fourth Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts for Sudan was hosted by the European Union in Brussels. This marked another important meeting in support of enhanced coordination and strengthened political support.
This mechanism brings together multilateral organizations and key Member States working on mediation in Sudan. We are in a process of finalizing consultations for its fifth edition to be co-organized jointly by the African Union and United Nations in Addis Ababa.
Madam President,
As conflict deepens and spreads around the world, it is time to take concrete steps to end the senseless suffering of the Sudanese people.
Too many lives have been lost, too much trauma has been inflicted, and the risk of regional conflagration is too great, to allow this conflict to fester any longer.
I call on the wider international community to work together, for our multilateral partners to join hands, and for the Council to lead the way in resolving the conflict in Sudan.
I thank you.
The head of UN Peacekeeping affirmed the critical role played by the “blue helmets” in Lebanon and Syria during a press conference at Headquarters in New York.
Attacks with short-range drones killed at least 395 civilians and injured 2,635 between February 2022 – the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine – and April 2025, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission (HRMMU) reported on Thursday.
Myanmar is spiralling deeper into humanitarian catastrophe, the UN’s top human rights official warned on Friday, as escalating military attacks, crippling aid restrictions and collapsing international support push millions toward starvation and despair.
As the Foreign Ministers of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) signed a draft peace agreement in Washington this Friday, tensions and violence continue to grip eastern DRC.
The first delivery earlier this week of urgently needed medical goods to enter Gaza in months will provide scant relief to the enclave’s people, who continue to be shot and killed in their search for food, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, warning that the humanitarian crisis has reached “horrific proportions” and that the world must not let the suffering of Palestinians be overshadowed by other regional conflicts.
Three years into the conflict in Sudan, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) continue to pursue a military solution, violating international law and the rights of civilians in the process.
Deadly hostilities continued along the front-line regions of Ukraine on Wednesday, displacing civilians and damaging civilian infrastructure, the UN has reported.
The conflict-impacted people of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) urgently need much more international assistance than they are getting today, the UN’s top aid official said on Thursday.
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are increasingly being subjected to forced displacement and land seizures, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, reported on Thursday.
As the Central African Republic (CAR) prepares for upcoming elections, the country continues to grapple with a fragile security and humanitarian context, the UN Security Council heard on Thursday.
It wasn’t an average Thursday morning in Manhattan. In the early hours, UN diplomats (and UN News) hit the streets in their sneakers – from Times Square to East River – following a route that traced the shape of “UN@80”.
The UN is monitoring the situation in Kenya in the wake of deadly antigovernment protests on Wednesday.
The UN Secretary-General has warned that the world today is failing to protect civilians from mass atrocity crimes, calling for a renewed global commitment to the Responsibility to Protect – a principle adopted two decades ago that remains, in his words, “a moral imperative” and “an unfulfilled promise.”
When Sila, a young woman from Idlib in Syria, was three-years-old, she woke up to missiles falling around her, forcing her and her family to flee their home.
Dozens of civilians – including children and school staff – were killed or wounded in Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities this week, in what UN human rights monitors described as a “foreseeable” tragedy caused by strikes on populated areas.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Wednesday that his “number one priority” is for its inspectors to return to Iran’s nuclear sites to evaluate damage caused by recent bombing and to verify stockpiles of highly enriched uranium.
The United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) and the Climate Security...
Madame President,
Thank you for the opportunity to brief the Council on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015).
As the Secretary-General noted in his latest report, with less than four months left until the termination of its provisions, the objectives of resolution 2231 (2015), and those of the JCPOA, have yet to be fully realized. This is regrettable.
The JCPOA was adopted in 2015 to ensure that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear program would be exclusively peaceful. It included sanctions relief, nuclear program restrictions and monitoring and verification.
The JCPOA has faced many challenges since its inception, including the withdrawal of the United States from the agreement in 2018 and Iran’s withdrawal from some of its commitments as outlined in the Plan.
Still, over the last few months, JCPOA participants increased their efforts to identify a way forward for full implementation of the plan. In addition, Iran and the United States engaged in five rounds of bilateral talks, facilitated by Oman.
Regrettably, neither of these initiatives produced a way forward to ensuring the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.
The military escalation between Israel and Iran since 13 June and United States air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities on 21 June complicated prospects for achieving full implementation of Resolution 2231 (2015).
Iran’s strikes yesterday on a base in Qatar, an action which the Secretary-General condemned, further exacerbated insecurity in an already tense region.
Madame President,
Earlier today the Secretary-General welcomed the announcement by the United States, in coordination with Qatar, of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran and urged them to respect it fully.
This is a significant achievement that potentially pulls Iran, Israel and the region back from the brink.
The people of Iran and Israel have already suffered too much.
According to the Iranian Ministry of Health, since the start of the conflict at least 606 people have been killed, with 107 killed in the past 24 hours, and 5,332 injured. According to Israeli authorities, 28 people were killed and 1,472 were injured during the conflict.
Madam President,
In its quarterly report of 31 May 2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) observed that the significantly increased production and accumulation of highly enriched uranium by the Islamic Republic of Iran was of serious concern.
The IAEA reiterated that its verification and monitoring activities related to the JCPOA have been “seriously affected by the cessation of implementation by Iran of its nuclear-related commitments” under the Plan.
The Agency also again noted that it had lost its continuity of knowledge on many aspects of Iran’s nuclear programme, as it had not been able to perform verification and monitoring activities in the Islamic Republic of Iran for more than four years.
In addition, the IAEA noted it was unable to verify the total stockpile of enriched uranium in the country and had not done so since February 2021.
During the reporting period, the Secretary-General received several communications from JCPOA participants.
On 17 March, the Permanent Representatives of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation shared a joint statement adopted at their meeting of 14 March in Beijing in which they stressed the importance of resolution 2231 (2015), including its timeframes.
In a separate letter received the same day, the Permanent Representative of China shared a proposal for the settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue, highlighting the JCPOA as the basis for a new consensus and cooperation through dialogue and a step-by-step and reciprocal approach.
In letters received on 9, 11 and 12 June, the Permanent Representatives of France, Germany, the United Kingdom the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation shared their different views regarding the causes of the impasse in the implementation of Resolution 2231 (2015).
Despite their diverging outlooks, all five Member States reiterated the importance of negotiations and reaffirmed their commitment to finding a diplomatic solution.
Madame President,
I will now turn to the restrictive measures set out in annex B to resolution 2231 (2015). The only measures that remain in effect pertain to nuclear activities and transfers. Those measures will remain in place until 18 October 2025, unless decided otherwise by the Council.
The Secretariat received no allegations of violations of these provisions during the reporting period.
Moreover, no new proposals have been submitted in the procurement channel in the last six months of the reporting cycle.
The Security Council, however, received eight notifications regarding the nuclear-related restrictive measures for certain activities consistent with the JCPOA.
Madam President.
At the heart of this conflict is the nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.
Following the deadly clashes of the past 12 days, the ceasefire agreement is an opportunity to avoid a catastrophic escalation and achieve a peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue.
Diplomacy, dialogue and verification remain the best option to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme and to bring about concrete economic benefits to the people of Iran.
As the Secretary-General said earlier today, the United Nations stands ready to support all efforts that advance peace, dialogue and stability in the region.
Finally, Madam President
The Secretariat will continue to support the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015) until the termination date of 18 October.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank His Excellency Samuel Žbogar of Slovenia for his leadership as Security Council Facilitator for the implementation of the resolution.
I also thank the Coordinator of the Procurement Working Group of the Joint Commissioner for our continued cooperation.
Thank you, Madame President.
