The UN Security Council is meeting on Friday morning to discuss the situation in Ukraine amid mounting concerns over the intensifying hostilities and growing humanitarian needs. Senior UN political affairs and humanitarian officials are expected to brief the Council. Follow our live coverage from UN News, in coordination with UN Meetings Coverage, for updates from the chamber. UN News App users can follow here.
The world is facing a “moral crisis” marked by rising authoritarianism, deepening inequality and a dangerous indifference to human suffering, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warns in a powerful address on human rights.
Russian aerial attacks continue to intensify across Ukraine, exacting a rising toll on civilians and infrastructure, senior UN officials told the Security Council on Friday, warning of mounting humanitarian needs amid faltering donor support.
In the centre of war-torn Gaza, UN staff continue to work despite the “unprecedented” destruction and suffering around them, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Head of Office.
As deadly sectarian violence continues to displace hundreds of thousands of civilians in Syria’s Sweida Governorate, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on Friday that attacks on health facilities had killed two doctors.
The UN Secretary-General has urged “utmost restraint” amid intensifying border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia as the Security Council met behind closed doors on Friday to address the most serious escalation between the two Southeast Asian neighbours in more than a decade.
Mr. President,
Members of the Security Council,
I thank you for the opportunity to address the Council on the long-standing cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in maintaining international peace and security.
At a time of growing geopolitical complexity, cooperation with regional and sub-regional organizations such as the OIC remains indispensable. Guided by Chapter VIII of the Charter, such cooperation is a key priority of the Secretary-General and an important part of implementing the Pact for the Future.
The OIC brings together 57 Member States and represents a vital political, economic, cultural and religious constituency. Its voice carries considerable weight in some of the world’s conflict-affected situations. The United Nations values this partnership, not only as a matter of institutional cooperation, but as an essential component of our efforts to promote durable peace, inclusive governance and respect for international and human rights law.
The UN-OIC cooperation spans a broad range of country-specific and thematic areas. The biennial UN-OIC General Cooperation Meeting, mandated by the General Assembly, serves as a vital platform, bringing together senior representatives of our two Organizations to take stock of our cooperation and discuss ways to enhance it strategically. In the context of today’s complex geopolitical landscape and challenging financial environment, this meeting assumes increased relevance and urgency.
Mr. President,
In the Middle East, the United Nations and the OIC have long shared common objectives in seeking a lasting and comprehensive resolution to the question of Palestine.
Most recently, the United Nations and the OIC organized the annual joint Conference on the question of Jerusalem, held in Dakar on 9 July. The United Nations also appreciates the OIC and the League of Arab States for endorsing the Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza through their Joint Ministerial Committee. This Plan reinforces the collective push for a just and comprehensive solution rooted in relevant United Nations resolutions.
The upcoming Ministerial Meeting to support the two-State solution, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, is key to highlighting international consensus around these goals and reaffirming the principles sustaining the two-State solution.
In Lebanon, the United Nations maintains regular engagement with the OIC in support of the country’s stability. Amid recent regional tensions, the OIC’s consistent political backing for Lebanon has proven particularly valuable.
In Afghanistan, the OIC is a key partner in our efforts for a coherent and structured engagement with the de facto authorities in the framework of the UN-convened “Doha Process”. The OIC has also played an important role in supporting the human rights of Afghan women and girls through dialogue with the de facto authorities, drawing on its unique position as the collective and credible voice of the Muslim world.
The OIC is also a vital leading voice in support of the Rohingya, highlighting the need to address the root causes of their displacement and to create conditions for their safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return to Myanmar, including the right to citizenship. The United Nations welcomes the continued coordination between the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar and the OIC in pursuit of shared objectives.
In Sudan, after more than two years of relentless fighting, the warring parties continue to pursue military gains. The OIC’s support to international mediation efforts, including those of Personal Envoy Lamamra, remain highly valuable as efforts continue to find a resolution that will prevent further disaster and return Sudan to the path of peace.
The United Nations welcomes that the ceasefire between Israel and Iran continues to hold. All international actors should speak with one voice in impressing upon the two countries to adhere to the ceasefire. The OIC resolution on Iran, made at the 51st session of its Council of Ministers last month in Istanbul, to establish an open-ended Ministerial Contact Group on De-escalation to work towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict, is a valuable contribution to international and UN efforts in this regard.
Across contexts, such as the Sahel, Syria, and Yemen, OIC Member States have lent important support to UN efforts to advance peace and security.
Mr. President,
We appreciate the OIC’s cooperation in addressing global challenges that transcend borders.
As Islamophobia continues to affect far too many people around the world and demands attention, we appreciate the leading role the OIC plays in confronting the rise of Islamophobia and all forms of religious intolerance. The United Nations stands against all forms of hatred and discrimination, and firmly believes that diversity in all its forms only makes societies stronger. The Secretary-General’s recent appointment of Mr. Miguel Moratinos as Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia reflects the United Nations’ determination to intensify efforts on this important issue, in cooperation with the OIC and other partners.
The United Nations and the OIC also cooperate on electoral matters. Through their longstanding and active partnership in this area, we have jointly implemented several capacity development initiatives in recent years. These have included co-organizing trainings on election observation and promoting women’s participation in electoral and political processes for OIC Member States. Our partnership has also included staff exchange programmes aimed at strengthening cooperation and sharing of experiences and good practices on electoral matters.
Our joint efforts in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism continue to develop. Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in March 2024, the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism and the OIC have advanced rights-based approaches through technical assistance, parliamentary engagement, and strategic dialogue.
Mr. President,
In a world beset by interconnected challenges that continue to grow and multiply, we must pursue every advantage and leverage every instrument we have at our disposal to deliver meaningful and lasting impact, consistent with our shared commitment to peace and security.
By joining forces, the United Nations and the OIC are helping to reinvigorate multilateralism and restore trust in our institutions. As we move forward with the implementation of the Pact for the Future, the United Nations-OIC partnership will remain critical to defuse tensions, advance sustainable peace, reinforce multilateral norms and principles, and promote equitable and sustainable development.
Thank you.
In a dramatic escalation of a long-standing border dispute, a deadly exchange of fire between Thailand and Cambodia killed at least 11 civilians and a soldier on Thursday, according to news reports. Both states are claiming the other side fired first.
Two former leaders of the predominantly Christian Anti-Balaka militia in the Central African Republic have been convicted of multiple war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Amid growing geopolitical turbulence, the United Nations is deepening its collaboration with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to help address some of the world’s most complex and protracted conflicts, from Gaza and Sudan to Myanmar and Afghanistan.
“People in Gaza are neither dead nor alive, they are walking corpses.”
After nearly three decades on the frontlines of UN’s peace operations – from Timor-Leste’s turbulent independence referendum to Western Sahara’s protracted ceasefire and Cyprus’ frozen conflict – Colin Stewart is leaving the Organization with his faith in it intact.
Mr. President,
Members of the Security Council,
I brief you today as intensive talks continue over a potential Gaza ceasefire agreement and release of hostages. It is crucial that this leads to a permanent end to the war and the release of all hostages. It is long past time for the fighting to end, for hostages to return home, for adequate humanitarian aid to enter the Strip, and for recovery and reconstruction to begin in the context of a return to a political path towards a two-State solution.
While talks are ongoing, the horrific situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with Israeli military operations and hostilities expanding throughout the Strip and the human toll mounting by the hour. This nightmare of historic proportions must end immediately.
The intensive Israeli military operations in Deir al Balah that has resulted in still further Palestinian displacement and direct strikes on two UN guesthouses has further exacerbated the dire situation and impeded humanitarian operations.
At least 1,891 Palestinians were killed in Gaza since my last briefing on 30 June, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Some 294 were reportedly killed while attempting to collect aid, including in the vicinity of militarized aid distribution sites. Israeli forces continued to issue evacuation orders, causing the repeated displacement of the population. Food insecurity and the broader humanitarian situation continued to worsen, despite the limited increase in the approval of entry of humanitarian supplies.
According to Israeli sources, 50 hostages, including one woman, are still being held captive by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Gaza, including 28 that are believed to be dead. Since 30 June, 13 IDF soldiers were killed in hostilities in Gaza. Palestinian militants also continued to sporadically and indiscriminately launch rockets towards Israel.
The Secretary-General has repeatedly condemned the continued holding of hostages by Hamas and other armed groups. Hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally.
I echo the Secretary-General's call for the repeated displacement of the population in Gaza to cease. Any forced displacement of the population from any part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory would constitute a breach of international law obligations. International humanitarian law must be respected by all parties, at all times, and civilians must be protected.
On 17 July, the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City was hit by an Israeli strike, which killed three and injured several others. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemned what it said was a targeted strike on the church and said the extensive damage had forced the evacuation of some 600 Palestinians seeking shelter in the compound, including children and those with special needs. The Secretary-General condemned the strike, stressing that attacks on places of worship are unacceptable. The incident also prompted widespread condemnation and calls for accountability from Member States. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said that Israel “deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit” the church and noted that Israel is investigating the incident.
On 10 July, EU High Representative Kallas announced that the EU and Israel had agreed on "significant steps" to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Since then, Kallas has reiterated the need for implementing the agreement, and that far more assistance is needed.
Since 9 July, following 130 days of a full blockade on fuel, Israeli authorities allowed the entry of a small number of fuel trucks through the Kerem Shalom/Karim Abu Salem crossing for medical facilities and other essential services. This amount is a fraction of what is required to run essential life-saving services in Gaza, where nearly every aspect of life depends on fuel.
Mr. President,
The situation in the occupied West Bank also remains deeply concerning, with high levels of violence driven by ongoing Israeli military operations, many involving civilian casualties and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure, attacks by settlers against Palestinians, and attacks by Palestinians against Israelis.
On 1 July, Israeli Security Forces (ISF) shot and killed a 17-year-old Palestinian boy during an operation in Ramallah. He was reportedly shot from inside an armoured vehicle while walking with a relative.
On 10 July, two Palestinians shot and killed an Israeli man in the Gush Etzyon settlement. The Palestinian perpetrators were reportedly shot and killed by Israeli civilians at the scene.
On 11 July, Israeli settlers attacked and killed two Palestinians, one of them a visiting American citizen, near the village of Sinjil. One of them reportedly bled to death after being shot and the other was beaten with bats and sticks. On 16 July, US Ambassador to Israel Huckabee condemned the attack as a “terrorist act” and said Israel must ensure accountability.
Settlement advancement also continues, as numerous ministers and Members of Knesset intensified their calls on the Government to formally annex the West Bank or parts of it.
Further exacerbating the situation, the Palestinian Authority continues to face a dire fiscal crisis. The continued withholding of clearance revenues by Israel, amounting to 2.7 billion USD, has severely impacted the Palestinian Authority’s ability to meet its core obligations and sustain essential public services.
Since May, the Palestinian Authority has been unable to pay civil servant salaries, including those of the security forces, or provide social support. In an emergency session held on 17 July, the Palestinian Cabinet issued a stark warning that the Palestinian Authority may be forced to temporarily shut down vital sectors. Beyond the immediate risks to healthcare and basic service delivery, the Palestinian Authority also cautioned that similar disruptions across other institutions could erode social cohesion and undermine overall stability.
Unless urgently addressed, the deterioration of the Palestinian Authority’s fiscal and institutional situation could have catastrophic consequences, undermining the significant progress made over many years to build up Palestinian institutions. It is essential that the international community provide immediate support to address the Palestinian Authority’s fiscal challenges, strengthen its governance capacity and prepare it to reassume its responsibilities in Gaza.
Mr. President,
In the midst of these multiple crises, UNRWA continues to face immense operational, political, and financial pressures. UNRWA’s operations have been impeded in Gaza and the occupied West Bank; 330 Agency staff have been killed in the war in Gaza. I reiterate the Secretary-General’s message that UNRWA cannot be replaced. And I cannot overstate enough how serious the Agency’s financial crisis is. Based on current forecasts, there is not enough money to sustain all operations in all fields beyond August 2025.
Mr. President,
We remain concerned by the precarious situation in the region, marked by sporadic developments and recurrent volatility.
The situation along the Blue Line remains stable but fragile. The Israel Defense Forces maintain a presence north of the Blue Line, while unauthorized weapons belonging to non-state actors are still being uncovered in southern Lebanon by the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL. In this context, the Lebanese authorities have reiterated their commitment to bringing all arms under the exclusive control of the State. I urge both Lebanon and Israel to honor their obligations under the cessation of hostilities and to take concrete steps toward the full implementation of resolution 1701, restoring and sustaining stability in the area.
Syria is contending with another episode of violence that puts at risk its path to a peaceful, credible, orderly and inclusive political transition. Fighting in Suweida has resulted in hundreds of casualties, including Druze and Bedouin civilians. I reiterate the Secretary-General’s unequivocal condemnation of all violence against civilians, including all acts that fan the flames of sectarian tensions and rob the people of Syria of their opportunity for peace and reconciliation after fourteen years of brutal conflict.
Against this backdrop, citing the violations against the Druze community and pledging to protect them, between 12 and 16 July, Israel resumed and intensified its airstrikes on Syrian territory.
It is essential that both Israel and Syria uphold the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement to preserve the ceasefire between both parties, and refrain from any action that would further undermine it and the stability of the Golan region.
Mr. President,
Repeated and increasingly desperate appeals for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza have been made in this Council. Today, the situation inside the Strip – especially for women and children – is more dire than at any time in this crisis.
I implore the parties first and foremost to end this war, release all hostages and allow the Palestinian population in Gaza to receive the humanitarian assistance they so desperately need. I urge all Member States, including those in the Council, to take all possible steps to bring about this end.
Urgent steps are needed to reverse the deeply concerning trajectory we see across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. Addressing the high levels of violence, including stopping the escalating settler attacks, in the occupied West Bank, alongside fiscal relief for the Palestinian Authority are key priorities.
There will be no lasting solution to this crisis without a political horizon to resolve the conflict and an end to the occupation.
The upcoming ministerial meeting to support a two-State solution, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, is key to highlight international consensus around these goals, and reaffirm the principles sustaining the two-State solution. It is also a crucial moment to express support for the Palestinian Authority, identify ways to strengthen it, and encourage further reforms in line with its commitments. And to demonstrate, through tangible steps, our unwavering commitment to the two-State solution.
Our goal is clear: realizing the vision of two States – Israel and a viable and sovereign Palestinian State of which Gaza is an integral part – living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders, on the basis of the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States.
Thank you.
Pregnant women and newborns in Gaza face “catastrophic” conditions, including a dysfunctional healthcare system, psychological stress and food deprivation, the UN reproductive health agency UNFPA reported on Wednesday.
A senior UN official on Wednesday urged the Security Council to push for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages, warning that the war has become “a nightmare of historic proportions” and it is “long past time” for the fighting to end and for hostages to return home.
Escalating gang violence and displacement continue to drive humanitarian needs in Haiti, the UN said on Wednesday.
The Security Council meets today for its quarterly open debate on the situation in the Middle East, with a focus on the worsening crisis in Gaza. UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari is expected to brief on the situation in the war-ravaged enclave where food entry and distribution remain severely restricted, malnutrition is rising, and fuel and shelter supplies are critically scarce. UN News, in coordination with UN Meetings Coverage, brings you live updates from today’s discussions. UN News App users can follow here.
Worrying alerts from United Nations staff in the Gaza Strip who have been fainting from hunger and exhaustion over the past 48 hours have increased fears for people’s survival in the devastated enclave, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
The UN Security Council meets today for a high-level open debate on Promoting International Peace and Security through Multilateralism and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes, chaired by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar. UN Secretary-General António Guterres is expected to brief as over 80 Member States join discussions on strengthening diplomacy and mechanisms for conflict prevention. UN News, in coordination with UN Meetings Coverage, brings you live updates. UN News App users can follow here.
Warning that the world is failing to uphold international law as wars stretch from Gaza to Ukraine, UN Secretary‑General António Guterres urged all nations to choose diplomacy over division and recommit to settling disputes peacefully.
The Security Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution urging all Member States to “utilize effectively” the mechanisms for pacific settlement of disputes as outlined in the United Nations Charter, including “negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement” and other peaceful means of their choice.
"The Guarantor institutions commend the signatory countries for the progress so far achieved in the implementation of their commitments, and welcome the decision to revitalize the PSC Framework, as requested by the AU Peace and Security Council during the meeting at the level of Heads of State and Government on 17 February 2023 and approved by Heads of State of signatory countries during the 11th high-level meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism...
Communiqué of the 12th High-Level Meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region
Entebbe, 28 May 2025
After another deadly weekend in Gaza in which at least 67 Palestinians were reportedly killed seeking food, UN aid teams on Monday described “mayhem” and starvation in the enclave as the Israeli military pushed into Deir Al-Balah for the first time.
As tensions between Houthi rebels in Yemen and Israel escalate, the UN Secretary-General is “deeply concerned” about the renewed airstrikes on Hudaydah Port conducted by Israel this Monday, Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists in New York.
The hunger crisis in Gaza has reached new and astonishing levels of desperation, with a third of the population not eating for multiple days in a row, a senior official with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Monday.
An agreement signed by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) has been hailed by the UN peacekeeping mission in the country (MONUSCO) as “an important step towards sustainable peace.”
Gang violence in Haiti has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and many are finding shelter in former schools where belief in the power of education remains strong.
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Colombia has changed profoundly since the 2016 peace deal, but uneven state presence, lingering armed groups and mounting political tensions threaten to erode confidence unless implementation accelerates, the top UN envoy for the country said on Friday.
Mohammed Saad sits with others inside a homemade cart pulled by a car carrying several passengers, waiting to travel to Gaza City in one of the “uncomfortable and extremely expensive” means of transportation used to get around the Strip.
Major cuts to aid budgets have already left people fleeing wars in Sudan and beyond without the assistance and protection they need, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Friday.
The UN humanitarian affairs office OCHA is stressing the need to scale up support for displaced families in Haiti amid ongoing insecurity and violence.
Amid violent clashes in southern Syria’s Suweida governorate, a picture of grave human rights abuses and rising humanitarian needs is emerging by the hour, the UN said on Friday.
Mr. President,
Thank you for convening this timely meeting, as Syria contends with another episode of violence that puts at risk its path to a peaceful, credible, orderly and inclusive political transition. Before I brief you on the latest strikes on Syria’s territory, allow me to first address the volatile context.
On 12 July, a series of mutual kidnappings in the Druze-majority governorate of Suweida, southern Syria, escalated into armed clashes between Bedouin tribes and local Druze armed groups. On 14 July, the Syrian authorities started deploying security forces under the auspices of the Ministries of Defense and Interior, with the stated aim of “halting the clashes, restoring order, and pursuing those responsible for the events and bringing them before the competent judiciary.” The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed Special Envoy Pedersen and diplomatic missions that some of these security forces were attacked by Druze armed groups, ten were killed and others were abducted. There were also reports of the authorities’ security forces carrying out violations against civilians as they entered Suweida.
The ensuing fighting resulted in hundreds of casualties among the Damascus security forces and Druze fighters, and tragically among Druze and Bedouin civilians, including women, children and elderly. Hundreds were also injured. There were further alarming reports of civilians, religious figures and detainees being subjected to extrajudicial executions and humiliating and degrading treatment. Footage of desecration and mutilation of corpses, as well as incidents of sectarian incitement and looting of private property, was widely circulated on social and conventional media, causing further trauma and fueling intercommunal tensions and violence.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), civilians caught up in ongoing violence continued to face serious risks, with significant displacement and reports of damage to critical infrastructure, including water, electricity and telecommunications networks. Medical facilities in Suweida and Daraa are at or near capacity and further impacted by the cuts to electricity and water. Commercial supplies have been disrupted and access to the impacted areas remains severely constrained due to insecurity and road closures. The World Health Organization has dispatched emergency medical supplies to Daraa to support trauma care, but deliveries to Suweida remain pending due to security access. The UN and humanitarian partners are engaging with relevant authorities and are mobilizing to send teams to assess the needs and provide essential assistance as soon as the conditions allow.
Mr. President,
I reiterate the Secretary-General’s unequivocal condemnation of all violence against civilians, including all acts that fan the flames of sectarian tensions and rob the people of Syria of their opportunity for peace and reconciliation after fourteen (14) years of brutal conflict. Special Envoy Pedersen and his team on the ground are actively engaged with all parties to address the situation.
Against this backdrop, I take note of the statement by the Syrian Office of the Presidency condemning the violations and committing to investigate and hold to account those responsible for them. I appeal to the Syrian authorities to ensure this investigation is transparent and in line with international standards, and is also completed fast, not least to instill confidence among all Syrians that their State will guarantee protection and justice for all citizens without distinction. As this Council has underlined in its Presidential Statement of 14 March 2025 (S/PRST/2025/4), “inclusive and transparent justice and reconciliation processes” are both important and urgent for sustainable peace in Syria.
I further urge all parties to take constant care to protect civilians, including allowing them to move freely to seek safety and medical assistance. I call on all parties to safeguard infrastructure providing critical services like water and electricity; and to facilitate humanitarian access to people in need.
Mr. President,
Against this complicated and volatile backdrop, citing the violations against the Druze community and pledging to protect them, between 12 and 16 July, Israel resumed and intensified its airstrikes on Syrian territory. In this respect, I echo the Secretary-General's condemnation of Israel’s escalatory airstrikes, including on Suweida, Daraa, and in the center of the capital, Damascus. The strikes targeted the Damascus authorities’ forces and official buildings including the Ministry of Defense and the vicinity of the Presidential Palace, as well as the Mazzeh military airport. The Permanent Representative of Syria has informed the Secretary-General and the Security Council in his letter dated 16 July 2025 (S/2025/470) that these attacks have resulted in casualties among civilians and security forces. Israel also made statements regarding the redeployment of additional IDF troops on the Golan.
Mr. President, on 15 and 16 July, hundreds of members of the Druze community from the occupied Syrian Golan and Syria gathered on both sides of the ceasefire line, in the presence of the IDF, in solidarity with the Druze community in Suweida. Some from the occupied Syrian Golan crossed the ceasefire line and traveled to Hadar on the Bravo side before subsequently returning.
Mr. President,
In addition to violating Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Israel’s actions undermine efforts to build a new Syria at peace with itself and the region and further destabilize Syria at a sensitive time. It is essential that both Israel and Syria uphold the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement to preserve the ceasefire between both parties, and refrain from any action that would further undermine it and the stability on the Golan.
Mr. President,
I take note of ongoing efforts to establish a ceasefire, including as President al-Sharaa stated, through American, Arab and Turkish mediation. The situation on the ground is fluid, and as I speak, there are troubling reports of renewed violence in some areas that appears to be targeting Bedouin communities after the withdrawal of the Damascus security forces. I hope that the situation will solidify into genuine and lasting de-escalation on the ground that includes all sides and stakeholders. I take note of the arrangement announced by President al-Sharaa that security in the governorate will be maintained by “some local factions and spiritual leaders.” And I welcome his tribute to the Syrian people’s sacrifice over fourteen (14) years and their aspirations for freedom, dignity and equality, and that the Druze community is an integral part of the Syrian social fabric.
Security and stability in Suweida, and indeed in post-Assad Syria can only be achieved through genuine reconciliation and with the participation of all components of Syria’s diverse society. I urge all Syrian stakeholders to commit to dialogue and emphasize the United Nations’ readiness to work alongside the Syrian people to support an inclusive and credible political transition that ensures accountability, fosters national healing and lays the foundation for Syria’s long-term recovery and prosperity.
Allow me to conclude by reiterating this Council’s call, in the wake of another episode of sectarian violence and avoidable bloodshed in March 2025, for “the implementation of an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process, facilitated by the United Nations and based on the key principles listed in resolution 2254 (2015). This includes safeguarding the rights of all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity and religion. This political process should meet the legitimate aspirations of all Syrians, protect all of them and enable them to peacefully, independently and democratically determine their futures.” Only then, can Syria truly emerge from the legacy of conflict and embrace a peaceful future. The United Nations, with the guidance from this Council, stands ready to assist in this process.
Thank you, Mr. President.
