The United Nations Secretary-General has strongly condemned Saturday’s attack by unidentified gunmen on two villages in western Niger, which reportedly left about one hundred people dead, while hundreds of survivors fled the scene on foot.
The UN mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) condemned, in the strongest terms, succeeding assaults launched by armed groups in Damara on Saturday and Bangassou on Sunday.
On the last day of a year that has continued to brutalize the war-torn people of Yemen, UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths condemned a “despicable attack” on the country’s newly formed government as they arrived at Aden airport on Wednesday.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to the people of Guinea-Bissau on Thursday, the final day of operations for the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the West African country (UNIOGBIS).
In 2020, DPPA had a total income of $81 million, including some $36 million in voluntary funding, more than we have ever mobilized before. Voluntary contributions allowed us to seize opportunities, respond to urgent requests from Member States, kickstart projects and innovate in ways that would not otherwise be possible.
In the beginning of 2020, DPPA launched the MYA to put its new three-year Strategic Plan for 2020–2022 into action. But with the onset of COVID-19, the Department had to quickly shift gears. Unearmarked MYA funding, and the rapid response window, enabled it to adapt to the new reality, seize opportunities and innovate.
The United Nations Secretary-General and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission have reiterated their commitment to continue to support Sudan consolidate peace as the AU-UN hybrid peacekeeping mission in the country’s Darfur region ends its operations on Thursday.
The Secretary-General condemns the deplorable attack on Aden airport shortly after the arrival of the newly formed Yemeni cabinet, which killed and wounded dozens of people. He extends his profound condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the people and Government of Yemen. He wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. The Secretary-General reaffirms the steadfast commitment of the United Nations to support efforts to resume a Yemeni-led and Yemeni-...
1. What is the SAFER oil tanker?
SAFER is a Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) oil vessel moored off Yemen’s west coast, approximately 8 kilometers (4.8 nautical miles) South West of the Ras Isa peninsula on the West coast of Yemen, permanently anchored at the same location for more than 30 years without any dry-docking or shipyard repairs.
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, and the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, have strongly condemned Wednesday’s deadly attack on Aden airport, which is reported to have resulted in the deaths of at least 26 people, and injured more than 50.
The joint United Nations-African Union mission in the Darfur region of Sudan (UNAMID) will officially end operations on Thursday, when the Government of Sudan will take over responsibility for the protection of civilians in the area.
The people of the restive region of Darfur in Sudan have seen the joint United Nations and African Union peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) as a "saviour" according to a writer for UN News who grew up in Darfur.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Lynn Hastings of Canada as Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, where she will also serve as the United Nations Resident Coordinator and...
A group of independent UN human rights experts called on Ugandan authorities to end the arrest, detention and judicial harassment of political opponents, civil society leaders and human rights defenders.
Dear Friends,
2020 has been a year of trials, tragedies and tears.
COVID-19 upended our lives and plunged the world into suffering and grief.
So many loved ones have been lost — and the pandemic rages on, creating new waves of sickness and death.
Poverty, inequality and hunger are rising. Jobs are disappearing and debts are...
As the world enters 2021, after a “year of trials, tragedies and tears”, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has delivered a message of hope for the new year.
As the world enters 2021, after a “year of trials, tragedies and tears”, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has delivered a message of hope for the new year.
Some 25,000 Eritrean refugees, sheltering in two camps in the unsettled Tigray region of Ethiopia, have received desperately needed food aid for the first time since mid-October.
The Secretary-General takes note of the verdict of 22 December by Lebanon’s Permanent Military Court convicting Mr. Mahmoud Bazzi and sentencing him to 15 years for the kidnapping and killing of two United Nations peacekeepers and causing serious injury to a third peacekeeper in April 1980.
The Secretary-General welcomes the determination of the authorities of Lebanon to bring to justice those responsible for serious crimes, including attacks against United Nations...
The United Nations Secretary-General has called on the security forces in Niger to “make every effort” to protect civilians as they take part in Sunday’s elections.
New York, 27 December 2020
This first observance of the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness falls at the end of a year in which a scenario many had feared came tragically true.
With COVID-19 having now killed more than 1.7 million people, devastated economies, upended societies and exposed the world’s vulnerabilities in the starkest ways, the value of health...
On the eve of general elections in the Central African Republic (CAR), the United Nations Secretary-General has called on all stakeholders to ensure that the polls are held in a peaceful, inclusive and credible manner.
The United Nations Secretary-General has strongly condemned Friday’s attacks that killed three Burundian peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR) and left another two wounded.
Days before Sunday’s election, armed clashes in the Central African Republic (CAR) have prompted the “serious concern” of the UN aid coordinator in the country.
Just days before elections in the Central African Republic (CAR), an uptick in armed violence is threatening the safety of civilians and their right to vote, according to the UN human rights office.
Although the landmark Iran nuclear deal could improve regional stability if fully implemented, increased tensions have highlighted the risks posed by escalation, the UN’s Political and Peacebuilding Affairs chief told the Security Council on Tuesday.
Thank you, Mr. President, for convening today’s meeting on non-proliferation.
United Nations’ non-proliferation efforts seek to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technology, to promote co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament.
These efforts can have a bearing on the prevention and peaceful resolution of conflict at both regional and international levels. Full implementation of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and resolution 2231 (2015) can contribute to regional stability.
Regrettably, however, regional tensions have increased. In the last several years, we witnessed attacks on critical infrastructure, heated rhetoric and the heightened risk of miscalculation.
Such actions deepen the differences related to the Plan, and render efforts to address other regional conflicts more difficult. We call on all concerned to avoid any actions that may result in further escalation of tensions.
The Secretary-General has consistently underscored the importance of the JCPOA and has encouraged all States to support it.
He also believes that Iran should address concerns raised about its activities in relation to the restrictive measures in Annex B. As we have stated before, issues not directly related to the Plan should be addressed without prejudice to preserving the agreement and its accomplishments.
Mr. President,
In the preparation of our latest report, we have taken careful note of the developments in the Security Council following the receipt of letters from the United States on 20 August and 23 September respectively.
We note the view of the United States that, as of 20 September, all provisions of prior resolutions that had been terminated by resolution 2231 apply in the same manner. The United States is also of the view that the measures contained in paragraphs 7, 8 and 16 to 20 of resolution 2231 (2015) were also terminated.
The majority of Security Council members and Iran have written to the Security Council stating that, among other things, the 20 August letter from the United States did not initiate the process set forth in paragraph 11 of resolution 2231. These States also expressed their strong support for the Plan and the continued implementation of the resolution.
Similarly, the President of the Security Council for the month of August (Indonesia), and the President of the Security Council for the month of September (Niger), indicated that they were not in a position to take any action with regard to the letter from the United States dated 20 August. The President of the Council in October (Russia) also took note of these developments.
Mr. President,
We regret the steps taken by the United States (since May 2018) when it withdrew from the Plan, as well as the steps taken by Iran (since July 2019) to reduce some of its nuclear-related commitments under the Plan.
The reimposition by the United States of all its national sanctions that had been lifted or waived pursuant to the Plan are contrary to the goals set out in the Plan and in resolution 2231 (2015). Further, steps taken by the United States not to extend waivers for the trade in oil with Iran and certain non-proliferation projects may have impeded the ability of Iran and other Member States to implement certain provisions.
Mr. President
In the reporting period, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) informed the Security Council that Iran had decreased its stockpile of heavy water. Iran has also stayed within the JCPOA’s limits of no more than 5,060 IR-1 centrifuges installed in 30 cascades at the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant.
However, the Agency verified that Iran had installed a cascade of IR-2M centrifuges at Natanz and begun feeding uranium hexafluoride (UF6) into them. Iran had also enriched uranium up to 4.5 percent U-235 and its total enriched uranium stockpile was 2,442.9 kg – surpassing JCPOA stipulated limits in both areas. We also note the 4 December report of the IAEA regarding Iranian intentions to install additional cascades of IR-2M centrifuge machines at Natanz.
Iran has stated its intention to remain in the Plan, and that the steps that they have taken are reversible. It is essential that Iran refrains from further steps to reduce its commitments and returns to full implementation of the Plan.
The Secretary-General calls on all participants to work constructively to address their differences within the dispute resolution mechanism outlined in the Plan.
He also underscores the importance of all initiatives in support of trade and economic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially during the current economic and health challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. President,
I will now turn to the measures set out in annex B to the resolution, as outlined in the Secretary-General’s tenth report on the implementation of resolution 2231 (S/2020/1177).
First, on the nuclear-related provisions, we have not received any reports on the supply, sale or transfer to Iran of nuclear and nuclear-related dual-use items contrary to paragraph 2 of annex B.
The Security Council continued its consideration of requests for the supply, sale or transfer of nuclear and nuclear-related dual-use items to Iran through the procurement channel. Four new proposals were submitted through the channel during the reporting period, bringing the total to 52 proposals received since 16 January 2016.
The Council has received five notifications, submitted pursuant to paragraph 2 of annex B, for certain nuclear-related activities consistent with the Plan.
We also note that the 90-day extension of the United States waiver -- covering activities related to the existing unit at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant -- expired at the end of August 2020. The United States did not announce any further extension of this waiver.
Second, the Secretariat did not receive any official information alleging action inconsistent with the ballistic missile-related provisions of the resolution.
Third, on arms transfers, Israel provided information to the Secretary-General and the Security Council regarding the continued proliferation of advanced weaponry by Iran contrary to resolution 2231. Iran categorically rejected such claims in its own letter addressed to the Secretary-General.
Further, the Secretariat provided updates on two arms-related cases from our last report. Regarding Israeli information concerning four alleged Dehlavieh anti-tank guided missiles in Libya, the Secretariat was able to ascertain that one of the four missiles has characteristics consistent with the Iranian-produced Dehlavieh. Nevertheless, we were not able to determine if this missile was transferred to Libya and/or whether its transfer was inconsistent with the resolution (i.e. whether it was transferred from Iran after the 16 January 2016).
Regarding the Australian June 2019 weapons seizure off the Gulf of Oman, we are of the view that the seized ammunitions were not of Iranian manufacture. During this reporting period, Australian authorities also provided the Secretariat with photos of documents collected from the crew in the course of this arms seizure. The Secretariat has shared relevant details with Iran and the other concerned Member State to verify the authenticity of the issued documents.
Fourth, regarding the asset freeze provisions, the Secretariat continued its review of a case involving an academic institution which signed memoranda of understanding with an entity on the 2231 list. We were informed that such MOUs are not legally-binding and do not involve any financial commitment or activities.
In addition, the Secretariat received information from a Member State that an entity on the 2231 list had transferred some of its assets to another entity not subject to the asset freeze provision of the resolution. We are still analysing available information and will report back, as appropriate.
Mr. President,
In this reporting period, the Secretariat also received information pertaining to individuals and entities on the 2231 List. Iran notified the Secretary-General and the Security Council that Mr. Moshen Fakhrizadeh had been “assassinated in a terrorist attack” on 27 November in Tehran province. Council members will recall that Mr. Fakhrizadeh is an individual on the 2231 list.
Also, the Secretariat received information from a Member State that a listed entity shipped “valves, electronics, and measuring equipment suitable for use in ground testing of liquid propellant ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles” to Iran. The Secretariat is seeking further clarification from the Member State and will report back accordingly.
Mr. President,
The Iranian nuclear issue is an important non-proliferation subject, with consequences for regional and global peace and security. In achieving the JCPOA, the concerned countries had shown that their dialogue and diplomacy, supported by a united Security Council, could forge a path to resolving this issue. We hope that these countries and the Council can do so again.
Let me conclude by acknowledging the leadership of His Excellency Mr. Philippe Kridelka, and his predecessor His Excellency Mr. Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve, in their role as Facilitator for the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015). As Belgium leaves the Security Council at the end of the year, we look forward to providing our full support to the next Facilitator.
I would also like to thank the Coordinator of the Procurement Working Group of the Joint Commission for our continued cooperation.
Thank you, Mr. President
Reports of artillery strikes on civilians and mass killings of non-combatants in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, must be investigated and full access granted to independent investigators, UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Tuesday.
Addressing the UN Security Council on Monday, the UN envoy for the Middle East Peace Process urged Israelis, Palestinians, regional States and the broader international community to “take practical steps to enable the parties to re-engage” in the peace process.
Secretary-General appoints Tor Wennesland of Norway as United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO)
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Tor Wennesland of Norway as his new Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative to the Palestine Liberation...
With a week to go until elections are scheduled to take place in the Central African Republic (CAR), the UN is concerned about an escalation of armed attacks, amid reports that armed groups have taken control of towns near the capital, Bangui.
