The UN chief expressed grave concern on Friday over an outbreak of violence in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.
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Large allocations of vaccines to cover priority groups are expected in the Occupied Palestinian Territory in the next two months
A newly published United Nations report describes 2020 as a year of setbacks for the Palestinians, their institutions, and their economy owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and an unprecedented fiscal crisis. The report highlights that during the first COVID-19 lockdown last spring, around 150,000 Palestinians lost their...
The UN human rights office, OHCHR, appealed on Friday for a de-escalation in hostilities in Marib Governorate in northern Yemen as Houthi forces, also known as Ansar Allah, attempt to seize the area from Government control.
Extreme violence and attacks involving thousands of fighters at a time have engulfed more than three-quarters of South Sudan, UN human Rights Council-appointed investigators said on Friday, warning that the bloodshed faced by civilians are “the worst recorded” since the country’s civil war began in December 2013.
Malnutrition rates in Yemen are at “record highs” as the country is “speeding towards the worst famine the world has seen in decades”, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator told the Security Council on Thursday, citing newly released data.
Along with an end to the “instrumentalization” of humanitarian aid, victims of Syria’s decade-long civil war and their families need justice to help rebuild their lives, Human Rights Council-appointed investigators said on Thursday.
The United Nations Secretary-General has strongly condemned Wednesday’s attack on a boarding school in north-central Nigeria, in which one student was killed and several students, as well as relatives and staff, abducted.
The number of Syrians who lack access to sufficient food has reached a record 12.4 million, or nearly 60 per cent of the population, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported on Wednesday, citing “alarming” new national data.
International partners working to achieve equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines appealed on Wednesday for the UN Security Council to ensure people caught in conflict have access to these lifesaving treatments.
The United Nations Secretary-General and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission called on Somali leaders, on Tuesday, to resume dialogue to resolve outstanding differences concerning elections in the country.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar has warned of the potential for a sharp uptick in violence on Wednesday, as protests continue against the 1 February military takeover of the government.
A deadly rocket attack on Monday night in Erbil drew condemnation from the UN envoy in Iraq, who told the Security Council on Tuesday that “such reckless attempts to inflame tensions pose grave threats” to the country’s security.
The UN Secretary-General has underlined his concern for Africa’s Sahel region, where deteriorating security and violence are aggravating an already difficult humanitarian situation that is unfolding amid the COVID-19 pandemic and climate emergency.
The UN Special Envoy on Myanmar has called on the country’s military leadership to refrain from violence and fully respect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, amid ongoing protests against the military takeover.
Sixty-five journalists, media professionals and human rights defenders were killed in Afghanistan between 1 January 2018 and 31 January 2021, with 11 losing their lives since the start of peace negotiations last September, the UN Mission in the country said on Monday.
An increased use of force and the reported deployment of armoured vehicles to major cities throughout Myanmar have sparked the deep concern of UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Saeeda: I would like first of all to welcome Mister Martin Griffiths welcome to you. But before we start with the interview, I would like to express our thanks in my name and behalf also on the side, this is the first meeting for the media with you and this is one of the few meetings that you are with because you do not talk too much to the immediate soul we are very thankful for all of you for all the efforts, thank you.
...Transcript of the Interview carried out by Al Saeeda TV with Martin Griffiths, and broadcast on 8 February 2021
Saeeda: I would like first of all to welcome Mister Martin Griffiths welcome to you. But before we start with the interview, I would like to express our thanks in my name and behalf also on the side, this is the first meeting for the media with you and this is one of the few meetings that you are with...
Secretary-General António Guterres condemned on Saturday, a “complex attack” against the UN mission in the West African country of Mali
Six months after a massive explosion destroyed much of the centre of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, a mother has been talking about the “indescribable” grief she has experienced at losing her two-year-old son to injuries sustained in the blast.
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Since the escalation of conflict in 2015, severe acute malnutrition is among its highest levels in Yemen, threating the lives of half of the country’s children under the age of five, four UN agencies warned on Friday.
Humanitarians are learning more about the dire situation of children in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, where fighting continues between Government troops and regional forces of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The UN deputy human rights chief and the independent expert on Myanmar have called for targeted sanctions against the leaders of what they both described as the coup that took place in the country last week, as the Human Rights Council met in special session on Friday to discuss the ongoing crisis.
“I welcome the recent meeting of the Palestinian national factions under the auspices of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The meeting marks an important advancement towards the holding of elections and Palestinian national unity. I acknowledge the leadership demonstrated by Egypt in helping to advance this step forward.
I also take note of the statement issued by the League of Arab States in support of the two-State...
More children could be pushed into the joining armed forces and armed groups due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, senior United Nations and European Union (EU) officials said on International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, observed on Thursday.
New York, 12 February 2021
Chun Jie Kuai Le! [春节快乐！Happy Lunar New Year!]
I send my best wishes to everyone celebrating the Lunar New Year.
This year is the Year of the Ox – the same sign as the year of my birth.
The ox symbolizes energy, strength, and courage.
These qualities are what the world...
Although a ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine has led to a significant decrease in civilian casualties, the overall situation remains fragile unless progress is made on the security and political fronts, the UN’s political affairs chief told the Security Council on Thursday.
Thank you, Madam President,
I last briefed this Council on the situation in Ukraine nearly one year ago, on 18 February 2020.
At that time, I and many in this Council expressed cautious optimism about the renewed peace efforts in Eastern Ukraine following the 9 December 2019 Normandy Format Summit.
The conclusions the leaders of France, Germany, the Russian Federation and Ukraine endorsed in Paris outlined a series of steps to stabilize the situation on the ground, including through confidence-building measures and a sustained ceasefire.
The leaders also agreed to support efforts, both in the Normandy Four and the Trilateral Contact Group, to make progress on the key security and political provisions of the Minsk agreements.
The Trilateral Contact Group agreed to an indefinite ceasefire that came into force on 27 July 2020. The Secretary-General welcomed this development, which was consistent with his earlier appeal for a global ceasefire.
Since then, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has reported a significant decrease in civilian casualties from exchange of fire.
Another encouraging development is the release and exchange of conflict-related detainees.
These are welcome developments. But as we have seen in recent weeks, without progress on the related security and political tracks, the overall situation remains fragile.
Indeed, despite numerous pledges, the sides have made little significant progress on implementing the other agreed political and security provisions.
And, while there is relative calm, the humanitarian situation has not improved.
On the contrary, the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the difficult socio-economic conditions of civilians in conflict-affected areas, including through the further tightening of already severe restrictions on freedom of movement across the contact line.
It has also worsened access-related issues for the UN, as well as shortages of medicine, equipment and medical personnel, particularly in non-government-controlled areas.
Over 3.4 million people are still in need of sustained humanitarian assistance. More than half of those in need are women, and 40 per cent are elderly.
The United Nations and our partners are particularly concerned about vulnerable groups living along the contact line.
Almost ten months after the contact line was closed to contain the spread of COVID-19, the conflict-affected population continues to pay a heavy price. Pensioners residing in areas beyond Government control and registered as internally displaced persons face worsened economic conditions and added health risks. Since March 2020, they have been unable to retrieve their government pensions.
Before the onset of COVID-19, people crossed the contact line an average of 1.2 million times each month, for social, health and other services and to maintain family ties.
Currently, only two of the five entry/exit crossing points have been partially reopened. As a result, the average monthly crossings have dropped to only 36,000.
In a positive development, two centers providing a wide range of services opened on the government-controlled side of the contact line, with more expected to open at all crossing points this year.
Madam President,
Despite the ceasefire, periodic shelling and small-arms fire continue to damage or destroy homes, hospitals, schools, roads, and water systems. In 2020, around 60 incidents affected the supply of clean water and sanitation in eastern Ukraine. Mines and unexploded ordinances continue to claim lives.
Humanitarian access remains a significant challenge for the UN and other international humanitarian actors operating across the contact line.
On the government-controlled side, reinstating expedited procedures for clearance of imported COVID-19 related humanitarian supplies is critical.
In non-government-controlled areas, humanitarian access has been limited since 2015 and has been severely restricted since the advent of COVID-19.
The UN Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator and the team on the ground are working to resolve these issues to enable effective delivery of humanitarian assistance to the those in need.
We urge all actors with influence to help lift undue restrictions on freedom of movement across the contact line and secure the opening of additional exit and entry crossing points.
More than 120 humanitarian partners aim to assist 1.9 million people under the new Humanitarian Response Plan, which prioritizes life-saving assistance, basic services and protection needs.
The United Nations seeks US$168 million to provide help to all areas in need.
Madam President,
The UN is actively engaged in a range of other critical areas through the work of the UN Country Team on the ground.
This includes providing medicine, personal protective equipment (PPE), and sharing expertise with medical professionals dealing with the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. Later this month Ukraine should receive the first delivery of vaccines from the COVAX facility.
Further, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine continues its critical protection, monitoring, reporting and advocacy work on both sides of the contact line.
The UN is also working with women and youth civil society leaders engaged in local peace and dialogue initiatives to promote national unity.
Critical work with more than a million people internally displaced as a result of the conflict also continues. This is particularly important in light of the increased socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on the most vulnerable.
Guided by the Ukraine-UN Partnership Framework for 2018-2022 and the sustainable peace and development agenda, the UN in Ukraine will continue to support efforts to strengthen social cohesion and recovery with focus on Eastern Ukraine.
Madam President,
Until a sustainable political solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine is found, the situation on the ground will remain fragile.
The fact that the ceasefire has largely held up and that discussions continue in the established formats is no reason for complacency. Nor is it a substitute for meaningful progress. The risk of backsliding is real if negotiations become deadlocked.
We, therefore, are deeply concerned by the increase in security incidents in several hotspots along the contact line in recent months. This dangerous trend needs to be quickly reversed.
Madam President,
On 17 February 2015, this Council endorsed, in resolution 2202, the “Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements”.
As we have said before, the “Package of Measures”, together with the “Minsk Protocol” and the “Minsk Memorandum”, remain the only agreed framework for a negotiated, peaceful settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
The Secretary-General has consistently expressed the strong backing of the United Nations for the lead role of the Normandy Four and the OSCE-facilitated Trilateral Contact Group in finding a peaceful settlement of the conflict. Today, I reiterate our support for these mechanisms.
The Council will hear shortly from the Special Representative of the OSCE’s Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine, Ambassador Heidi Grau, on the latest discussions in the Trilateral Contact Group, as well as from the Chief Monitor of the OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission, Ambassador Halit Cevik, on the overall security situation on the ground. It is essential that we support their crtitical efforts.
Importantly, the OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission should have safe and secure access throughout Ukraine in order to fully implement its mandate.
Madam President,
Ukraine will mark this year the 30th anniversary of its independence. We reiterate our full support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
As the Secretary-General has consistently affirmed, the United Nations stands with the people of Ukraine in their search for sustainable peace.
Thank you, Madam President.
New York, 11 February 2021
Advancing gender equality in science and technology is essential for building a better future.
We have seen this yet again in the fight against COVID-19.
Women, who represent 70 per cent of all healthcare workers, have been among those most affected by the pandemic and among those leading the response to it.
...The threat to international peace and security posed by ISIL terrorist fighters is “on the rise again”, the UN counter-terrorism chief told the Security Council on Wednesday.
Some 20 UN peacekeepers serving with the UN Stabilization Mission in Mali, MINUSMA, were injured on Wednesday, after their temporary base came under attack in the restive central region of the country.
