Mr. President,
Members of the Security Council,
I have been requested to brief the Security Council today on non-proliferation/Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
This year marks the final year of the DPRK’s five-year military development plan (2021-2025). Throughout 2024 and early 2025, the DPRK has continued to conduct launches of ballistic missiles, including what it characterized as the “Hwasong-19” intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in October last year, and an intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile (IRBM) in January this year.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the DPRK has continued its open displays of undeclared uranium enrichment facilities located in Yongbyon and Kangson. These events have been accompanied by statements reiterating the DPRK’s intention to further develop nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, including tactical nuclear warheads, military reconnaissance satellites, and the construction of a “nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine”.
Mr. President,
The DPRK’s persistent pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, in violation of relevant Security Council resolutions, continues to undermine the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) that underpins it. At this critical juncture, it remains as important as ever to continue to highlight the urgent need to reduce nuclear risk, prevent any use of a nuclear weapon and bring about their total elimination. We continue our strong calls on the DPRK to fully comply with its international obligations, including the NPT and IAEA safeguards, and to sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
The Panel of Experts, established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1874 (2009), supported efforts to monitor the implementation of the resolutions established in response to the DPRK’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.
From 12 June 2009 until 30 April 2024, the Panel gathered and analyzed information from Member States, relevant United Nations bodies and other interested parties regarding the implementation and non-compliance of the relevant resolutions and made recommendations. The Panel of Experts issued two reports annually, and its last report was released on 20 March 2024, well over one year ago.
While the Security Council did not renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts beyond 30 April 2024, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) continues to oversee the sanctions regime. We recall the obligations for all Member States to implement the relevant sanctions measures. As the Secretary-General has stated, any relationship that a country has with the DPRK must entirely abide by the relevant Security Council sanctions.
Mr. President,
The broader security landscape on the Korean Peninsula remains tense, with heightened military activities, limited avenues for inter-Korean and regional dialogue, the presence of nuclear risks and growing concerns over the potential for miscalculation. The Secretary-General has consistently underscored that sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula must be anchored in dialogue and diplomacy. We welcome any efforts in this respect.
Mr. President,
Separately, the Council must also remain attentive to the humanitarian situation in the DPRK. We reiterate the call on the DPRK to facilitate the return of the UN Country Team to strengthen support for its people and advance the 2030 Agenda.
Thank you.
A top UN official has warned that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is ramping up its nuclear and missile programme in defiance of international law, as it moves into the final year of its military plan.
The UN has renewed its call to end the brutal conflict in Sudan after a surge in drone strikes, including in Port Sudan — the vital hub and lifeline for humanitarian aid.
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New York, 17 May 2025
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A recent rise in tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina has sparked an “extraordinary crisis” as the country continues to emerge from the shadows of the Balkan wars 30 years ago, the UN Security Council heard on Tuesday.
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Thousands of exhausted Sudanese refugees continue to flee fighting in search of safety in neighbouring Chad, aid teams said on Tuesday, as a third day of drone strikes ripped into the city of Port Sudan.
Aid teams in South Sudan warned on Tuesday that repeated attacks on healthcare including the bombing of a hospital in eastern Jonglei state at the weekend are just the latest of the “multiple vulnerabilities” the country’s people face.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday called for “maximum restraint” from India and Pakistan, warning that escalating tensions over a recent deadly terror attack in Kashmir risk spiralling into outright military confrontation.
The United Nations has condemned a deadly aerial bombardment on a hospital in South Sudan’s Jonglei state that killed multiple civilians and forced the suspension of vital medical services for over 100,000 people.
The UN Secretary-General is alarmed by reports of Israeli plans to expand ground operations and prolong its military presence in Gaza, a spokesperson for António Guterres said on Monday.
The UN is sounding the alarm over escalating violence in Sudan following drone strikes near Port Sudan airport reportedly carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
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@OSESGY
Waheeb Al Nassari: How would you characterize the current situation in Yemen in light of the recent...
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More than a month after two powerful earthquakes devastated Myanmar, the country is spiralling deeper into crisis as continued military attacks, obstructed aid access and widespread displacement leave nearly 6.3 million people in urgent need.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is following developments in Syria, where fresh fighting in the capital Damascus and elsewhere is threatening fragile efforts toward peace and political transition.
Two months into a devastating aid blockade of Gaza food has run out and people are fighting over water amid relentless bombing, the UN’s humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA) said on Friday.
More than 500 civilians have been killed in North Darfur state, Sudan, over the past three weeks, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Thursday.
The UN’s top humanitarian official on Thursday issued a stark warning over the continuing blockade of aid into Gaza, calling on Israel to lift restrictions that have left civilians without food, medical care, and hope.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon has called for greater support to people in the south of the country working to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of last year’s hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon has called for greater support to people in the south of the country working to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of last year’s hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, voiced deep concern on Wednesday over the recent surge in violence across Syria, particularly in the suburbs of Damascus and in Homs.
The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, voiced deep concern on Wednesday over the recent surge in violence across Syria, particularly in the suburbs of Damascus and in Homs.
The United Nations has warned that Sudan is sliding deeper into catastrophe, with growing famine and surging violence – particularly in North Darfur – driving mass displacement and an alarming rise in civilian deaths.
The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, voiced deep concern on Wednesday over the recent surge in violence across Syria, particularly in the suburbs of Damascus and in Homs.
Mr. President,
Today’s meeting is taking place at a potential inflection point in the three-year war in Ukraine.
In the past few weeks, we have seen intensified efforts to bring the parties to negotiations.
These initiatives offer a glimmer of hope for progress towards a ceasefire and an eventual peaceful settlement.
At the same time, we continue to witness relentless attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns.
These strikes have killed and injured many civilians and caused widespread destruction in residential areas and civilian infrastructure.
Last week, Russian forces launched one of their most devastating assaults to date.
On the night of 23-24 April, a massive, combined missile and drone attack targeted multiple regions of Ukraine, including Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, Odesa, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia.
In Kyiv alone, multiple residential buildings were hit.
At least 12 people were reported killed, and more than 70 others injured, including several children – making it the deadliest attack on the capital in nine months.
This attack followed other deadly strikes:
On Palm Sunday, a missile struck the historic center of Sumy, reportedly killing 35 people.
Earlier, a strike on Kryvyi Rih killed 18 people, including nine children at a playground. This attack stands as the deadliest single strike against children since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Other cities, including Dnipro, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia, have also been subjected to repeated attacks in recent weeks.
In front-line areas, civilian casualties are reported daily.
Shelling, the use of glide bombs and “first-person view” drone attacks in Kherson, Donetsk, Sumy and Kharkiv regions have resulted in increased civilian casualties.
On 23 April, a drone strike on a civilian shuttle bus in Dnipropetrovsk region reportedly killed at least nine people and dozens more were injured.
Most of them were women who worked at a nearby mining and processing plant.
Mr. President,
As of 24 April, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) had verified 151 civilians killed and 697 injured in April.
With verification ongoing, this figure is expected to surpass the March figures, which were already 50 percent higher than in February.
Since February 2022, OHCHR has verified 13,015 civilians, including 699 children, killed, and 31,628 more civilians, including 2,016 children, injured, in Ukraine.
We have also noted recent media reports quoting local Russian authorities that indicate civilian casualties in the Kursk, Bryansk and Belgorod regions of the Russian Federation.
These include alleged Ukrainian strikes on 23 and 24 April that reportedly killed three people in the Belgorod region.
We condemn all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, wherever they occur.
Directing attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure is prohibited under international humanitarian law and must cease immediately.
Mr. President,
The Secretary-General has repeatedly called for de-escalation and a durable ceasefire in Ukraine.
In this regard, we are encouraged by the diplomatic efforts underway.
We take note of yesterday's announcement by the Russian Federation of a 72-hour truce planned for the period from 8 to 10 May.
This follows a similar announcement by the Russian Federation on 19 April of a 30-hour Easter truce.
After that announcement, Ukrainian authorities reportedly agreed to mirror any such steps, reiterating their earlier support for a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States.
Regrettably, hostilities continued during Holy Week, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
A month earlier, on 19 March, the Secretary-General welcomed the separate announcements by the United States, the Russian Federation and Ukraine regarding a 30-day moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure and the resumption of negotiations on the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.
Despite these commitments, however, attacks against energy infrastructure persisted.
Nevertheless, diplomatic efforts continue. The UN remains engaged, particularly on the safety of navigation in the Black Sea to support global food security and maintain vital supply chains strained by the war.
The continued exchange of prisoners of war between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, including the largest to date on 20 April involving 500 prisoners, shows that with political will, diplomacy can yield tangible results even in the most difficult circumstances.
Mr. President,
As we approach the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we are reminded – with even greater urgency – of the centrality of the Charter of the United Nations and international law in safeguarding peace and security.
The Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine stands as an egregious challenge to these fundamental principles, jeopardizing stability in Europe and threatening the broader international order.
The war in Ukraine is a war of choice.
What is needed now is a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire as a critical first step towards ending the violence and creating the conditions for a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace.
A peace that fully respects Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders in accordance with the UN Charter, international law, and relevant UN resolutions.
The United Nations remains prepared to support all meaningful efforts towards this end.
Thank you.
After suffering almost 18 months of deadly bombardment, displacement and lack of access to basic services, the embattled people of Gaza face yet another challenge: the threat of insects and rodents.
The UN Secretary-General has warned that the two-State solution for Israel and Palestine is nearing collapse, urging world leaders to take bold, irreversible steps to preserve hopes for lasting peace.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed “deep concern” over rising tensions between India and Pakistan since the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir a week ago in which 26 tourists were killed.
The UN political affairs chief underscored the urgent need for a ceasefire in Ukraine in a briefing to the Security Council on Tuesday.
