The UN relief chief on Wednesday urged Israel and Hamas to honour their agreement to return deceased hostages and allow aid at scale into Gaza, warning that it should not be used as “a bargaining chip” amid reports of new civilian killings and extrajudicial executions.
Around $70 billion will be needed to reconstruct Gaza and make it safe after two years of war, UN development experts said on Tuesday, while aid agencies reported that far too little aid is getting in to meet the needs of desperate Palestinians.
The UN’s top envoy for Libya warned on Tuesday that the country’s long-delayed political transition will stay on hold unless rival institutions swiftly resolve differences over election laws and key appointments.
Russian drones hit a “clearly marked” UN convoy on Tuesday which was bringing desperately needed aid to a war-torn frontline town in southern Ukraine.
Israel announced late on Tuesday that it will limit the flow of aid to Gaza, accusing Hamas of breaching the ceasefire agreement by returning only four of the bodies of deceased hostages so far.
As the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate in Haiti, the World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Monday that women, children and displaced families are disproportionately affected as malnutrition and hunger rise.
Ramallah, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory of the West Bank, is a bustling urban centre, but it is ringed by barriers and checkpoints which dominate every aspect of life. Speaking at the UN Forum of Mayors in Geneva, Issa Kassis, the mayor of Ramallah, says that the challenges faced by city leaders are amplified by conflict and occupation.
As the UN Secretary-General on Monday welcomed the release of all living hostages from Gaza, aid agencies said that lifesaving relief supplies are now flowing at scale into the shattered enclave.
The UN is stepping up its emergency response in Gaza, releasing $11 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to meet urgent needs before winter – a move that underscores both the expanding humanitarian effort and the funding shortfall threatening to stall it.
There is now “real hope” for a ceasefire which would pave the way for a lasting and definitive settlement of the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa, Huang Xia, told the Security Council on Monday.
At least 17 children, including an infant just seven days old, have reportedly been killed in an attack on the Dar al-Arqam Displacement Centre in El Fasher, North Darfur, early on Saturday morning.
Thank you, Mr. President, Excellencies,
In mid-August, an increased United States military presence was reported in the Southern Caribbean, off the coast of Venezuela. According to United States authorities, these deployments are part of their efforts “to stop drugs from flooding into the United States and to bring those responsible to justice”.
This military presence has heightened ongoing tensions between the two countries.
On 29 August, the Permanent Representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela met with the Secretary-General to share his Government’s concerns over the deployment, which were later echoed by the Foreign Minister in a September meeting.
Tensions further increased when, on 2 September, the United States government announced that its military had struck a vessel suspected of carrying illegal drugs in international waters in the Southern Caribbean Sea. According to United States authorities, eleven individuals were reportedly killed in this attack.
Based on information released by United States authorities, additional air strikes on vessels allegedly carrying drugs were conducted on 15, 16, and 19 September, and again on 3 October.
In total, these operations reportedly resulted in 21 fatalities. The exact locations of these incidents have not been disclosed.
The United Nations is not in a position to verify these reports.
Mr. President,
On 2 October a White House spokesperson said that "the President acted in line with the law of armed conflict", seeking to protect the US "from those trying to bring deadly poison" to its shores, in line with the President's "promise to take on the cartels and eliminate these national security threats from murdering more Americans."
Mr. President,
Venezuelan authorities have announced that they remain on high alert since the United States military deployments were first reported in August. They have also publicly stated that Venezuela does not wish to engage in warfare but continues to prepare to defend its sovereignty.
On 18 August, President Nicolas Maduro announced the mobilization of 4.5 million members of the Bolivarian Militia—a civilian force with military training—to support the armed forces.
Venezuelan authorities have also announced military exercises along the country’s coasts, including the mobilization of warships, aircrafts and drones “to strengthen defense and sovereignty”.
On 4 September, according to the U.S. Government, two Venezuelan military aircrafts flew over a U.S. Navy vessel in international waters—a move the United States described as “highly provocative.”
On 13 September, Venezuelan authorities also denounced that a United States vessel detained a fishing boat sailing in Venezuelan waters for eight hours.
On 29 September, President Maduro signed a State of Emergency decree, granting the presidency expanded security powers in case of external aggression. The details of the decree remain undisclosed.
Venezuelan authorities stated on 2 October that they had identified five U.S. fighter jets flying 75 kilometers away from their shores, denouncing the flights as a "provocation," a "threat to national security”, and “a threat to the safety of civil aviation”.
Venezuelan authorities have strongly condemned the strikes, which President Maduro described as a “violation of international law”, and have called for international investigations. The Permanent Representative of Venezuela, in a letter to the Security Council dated 9 October further stated that the “ulterior purpose” of the US actions continues to be to “advance its policies of regime change”.
Mr. President,
Since 21 August, the Secretary-General, through his Spokesperson, has urged both parties to de-escalate tensions, exercise restraint, and solve their differences through peaceful means.
The Secretary-General has emphasized that it is imperative for Member States to ensure that their actions to combat drug trafficking are carried out in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter.
The Secretary-General has also acknowledged the challenges posed by transnational organized crime to Member States. He has called for close cooperation and constructive dialogue to ensure that efforts to address these threats uphold the rule of law and respect human rights.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, through his Spokesperson, has also stressed that “The use of force in countering illicit trafficking is, in principle, a law enforcement matter and any such use of force must respect human rights law and standards, including the Basic Principles on the use of force by law enforcement officials”.
Mr. President,
The United Nations recognizes the devastating impact of violence driven by transnational organized crime, which affects production, transit, and destination countries alike, tearing at the fabric of communities and undermining development and stability across the region.
We continue to emphasize the need for all efforts to counter transnational organized crime to be conducted in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter.
Finally, we reiterate the call for de-escalation and continue to urge the parties to avoid any actions that may threaten international peace and security in the region. We call for a constructive dialogue and a peaceful resolution of differences.
The United Nations remains available to support any efforts in this regard.
I thank you, Mr. President.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you for the opportunity to brief the Security Council on the cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations. Special Representative Parfait Onanga-Anyanga has provided you with an update on the main developments related to this strategic partnership. Commissioner Bankole / Permanent Observer Mohamed Edrees will brief you on the African Union’s perspective on the matter. I will provide this Council with a brief progress update on the implementation of resolution 2719 (2023).
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. African membership has grown from just four member states in 1945 to some 54 today, constituting more than a quarter of the membership. The significance of this is also reflected in the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union, which has never been stronger. We welcome, in this regard, the adoption of resolution 79/329 by the General Assembly on cooperation between the two organizations.
As this Council is aware, armed conflicts have been resurgent globally, including in Africa. Conflicts have also grown in complexity. Resolution 2719 was, therefore, conceived as a means to address a longstanding gap in the African Union’s peace and security architecture to better to respond to armed conflicts on the African continent, with the support of the broader international community, and this Council in particular. In this regard, we are encouraged that since its adoption in 2023, the Council has repeatedly reiterated its support for the implementation of the resolution on a case by case basis, including in the letter from the President of the Security Council to the Secretary-General dated 3 May 2025 (S/2025/322)
Mr. President,
Resolution 2719 sets out clear directives across four priority workstreams, as reflected in the Joint Roadmap for the operationalization of resolution 2719, which was endorsed by the Secretary-General and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission in October 2024. Since then, we — the African Union Commission and the United Nations Secretariat — have made progress, drawing on lessons from previous African Union–led and United Nations operations, and our ongoing collaboration. Let me outline the areas of progress on these four priority workstreams:
Joint planning, reporting, decision making: We have developed joint planning modalities for establishing new African Union–led peace support operations under the framework of resolution 2719. These planning modalities were approved at the Twenty-Fifth Consultative Meeting of the United Nations–African Union Joint Task Force on Peace and Security on 27 September. The modalities provide for a predictable, coherent and shared planning and decision-making architecture, serving as a common reference for possible future cases.
Mission support. Effective operational support will equally be critical for translating political mandates by the Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council into operational reality, and for sustaining efficiency in the field. Accordingly, we have developed joint support planning modalities too. They foster synergies and complementarity in the delivery of operational support to African Union-led operations. This guidance document, also approved by the Joint Task Force on Peace and Security on 27 September, will be validated through a joint exercise.
Financing and budgeting. In May, the Secretary-General submitted a report detailing how the United Nations Financial Rules and Regulations would apply should the Security Council decide to authorize an African Union-led peace support operation under the framework of resolution 2719, using the support office model. The report sets out standards for oversight, accountability and budgetary processes, and provides a framework for the preparation and implementation of financial arrangements. Its application will be tailored to the specific African Union–led peace support operation authorized by the Council. The Secretary-General’s report is currently under review by the relevant United Nations legislative bodies.
Compliance and protection of civilians. A robust Human Rights Due Diligence Policy mechanism, and a strengthened African Union Compliance and Accountability Framework are essential for the full implementation of resolution 2719. The implementation of the AU Compliance and Accountability Framework is advancing through the development of processes, policies and structures for African Union-led operations. For instance, the adoption of a draft African Union policy on gender integration in peace support operations is pending, alongside the development of a gender-responsive monitoring and evaluation curriculum, amongst others.
The modalities developed across the four workstreams represent a concrete step in the operationalization of resolution 2719. They seek to ensure that our collaboration is grounded both in strategic vision and in operational practicality.
A report on the overall implementation of resolution 2719 will be submitted at the end of the year, providing a detailed account of the work done.
Mr. President,
As we reflect on the future of peace operations and seek efficiencies, it becomes even more evident that resolution 2719 meets the moment. The resolution contributes to making peace operations relevant to contemporary challenges. It seeks to ensure that we leverage our respective advantages in keeping with the Pact of the Future, the New Agenda for Peace, and Silencing the Guns initiative. The synergy it offers can also help generate cost-efficiencies.
While significant progress is being made, there are still challenges ahead. Indeed, amongst others, the United Nations and the African Union must keep working on fostering a shared understanding of and expectations on the resolution, including with the African Regional Economic Communities, Regional Mechanisms and other key stakeholders. Shared understanding and realistic expectations are key to successful partnerships, given the variety of the mandates and memberships of the various multilateral organizations involved. In this regard, The Secretariat will continue work on socializing resolution 2719 and its provisions.
Mr. President,
In closing, I would like to reiterate the Secretary-General’s unwavering commitment to work towards the implementation of resolution 2719, to ensure that the African Union, with support from the United Nations, is in the best position to rise to the peace and security challenges of our times.
I thank you, Mr. President.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Friday condemned in the strongest terms the continued killing and injuring of civilians in the besieged Sudanese city of El Fasher.
Millions of Haitians are facing food insecurity as armed groups continue to expand their territorial control around the country, the latest internationally-recognised IPC hunger report found.
The UN on Friday warned of mounting risks to regional peace after a series of US military strikes on boats it accused of drug trafficking left at least 21 dead in the southern Caribbean, prompting Venezuela to declare a state of emergency and denounce the attacks as a breach of international law.
As displaced Gazans jammed the main route leading north on Friday after the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas reportedly came into effect, UN aid teams repeated their call to open all crossings into the devastated enclave to prevent famine spreading.
The UN Security Council went into emergency session on Friday, following a request from Venezuela. The United States military has carried out four deadly air strikes in Caribbean waters over the past few weeks against what Washington alleges are Caracas-backed drug traffickers. The Venezuelan Government denies the charge, accusing the administration of being a threat to the peace and security of the whole region. Follow live coverage below and UN News app users can go here.
Nearly four million people across Africa’s vast semi-arid Sahel region have been uprooted by a volatile mix of conflict, hunger and climate change, the UN warned on Friday, describing an unfolding protection and survival crisis that is pushing families to flee repeatedly.
At least 214 civilians were killed and almost 1,000 injured in Ukraine last month, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission for the country (HRMMU) said on Friday.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged Israel and Hamas to “fully abide” by the ceasefire and hostage release deal, calling it a “desperately needed breakthrough” that must mark “the beginning of the end of this devastating war.”
As Gazans and Israelis celebrated the news that a potential ceasefire deal had been reached between the Hamas political leadership and Israel, UN aid agencies on Thursday underscored their readiness to inundate the famine-hit enclave with relief supplies, while urging the immediate release of all hostages.
More civilians have been killed and injured in Ukraine over the past three days with most casualties recorded in the Kherson, Sumy, Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists in New York on Thursday.
As people celebrated across Gaza and Israel at the news of an agreement that could hasten the end of the two-year war, UN aid teams on Thursday insisted that they were ready to deliver humanitarian relief supplies to the people of the shattered enclave. We'll be covering these developments and more across the UN system today, thanks for joining us. UN News app users can follow our live coverage here.
At least 20 civilians were reportedly killed this week in attacks targeting a mosque and a hospital in El Fasher, the besieged capital of North Darfur state in Sudan.
Tens of thousands of people went missing in Syria over the past 50 years under the Assad dictatorship, including during 14 years of civil war which began in 2011.
The United Nations has condemned a Myanmar airstrike that killed dozens of civilians, including children, calling it part of a “disturbing pattern” of indiscriminate attacks by the country’s military.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has stressed the need for dialogue in Madagascar as anti-government demonstrations enter a third week.
The number of children displaced by violence in Haiti has almost doubled in the past year, with 680,000 now uprooted from their homes, a new UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Child Alert report found.
The UN Secretary-General has welcomed the announcement from US President Donald Trump that Israel and Hamas have “signed off” on the first phase of his 20-point peace plan, following days of intensive indirect negotiations in Egypt.
As indirect talks in Egypt seeking to end Gaza’s two-year war continue, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) says rebuilding the devastated health system is critical to securing lasting peace and stability.
The offer sounded almost unreal. The UN was fishing around for someone with a knack for building prisons – preferably a woman – to join its mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Would she go?
As the Gaza-Israel war enters its third year, sparked by Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel, the UN is appealing for the release of all hostages, an immediate ceasefire and an aid surge to alleviate Palestinians’ suffering – all as talks on a US-driven peace plan continue in Egypt.
Nearly 22,000 people fled their homes in northern Mozambique in a single week last month due to a resurgence in fighting across Cabo Delgado, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) warned on Tuesday.
Two years after his son was taken hostage during the Hamas-led terror attacks, Yehuda Cohen continues to fight night and day for his son’s release, and for a lasting political solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Conflicts in Africa cannot be solved through military solutions and peace and security on the continent “demands a proactive preventative” approach, according to the UN’s Special Representative to the African Union.
More women must have a role in shaping peace agreements, security reforms and post-conflict recovery plans, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council on Monday.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres marked two years since the Hamas-led terror attacks on southern Israel by reiterating his long-standing call for the unconditional and immediate release of the hostages still being held there.
