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Reports and Policy Documents

2024

  • 11 Jun 2024

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on Tuesday for the immediate release of all United Nations staff held in Yemen by the de facto Houthi authorities, following the arrest of 13 of the Organization’s personnel. 

  • 11 Jun 2024

    A comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza linked to the release of all remaining hostages cannot come too soon, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday, as he welcomed the Security Council resolution adopted a day earlier seeking an end to the war there.

  • 11 Jun 2024

    The UN Development Progamme (UNDP) is helping to tackle the mountain of rubble and waste in Ukraine - one of the fallouts from the full-scale Russian invasion of the country, now in its third year. 

  • 11 Jun 2024

    DUSHANBE, Tajikistan

    On 10-11 June, Kaha Imnadze, Special Representative of the...

  • 11 Jun 2024

    DUSHANBE, Tajikistan

    The International Glaciers Forum, organized by UNRCCA, UNESCO, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the World...

  • 10 Jun 2024

    The UN agency championing gender equality called on Monday for greater investment in Palestinian women-led organizations who are at the forefront of humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip. 

  • 10 Jun 2024

    The adoption of a new constitution in Chad alongside new inclusive dialogue in Gabon, standout as positive recent developments in Central Africa, the head of the UN office for the region said on Monday.

  • 10 Jun 2024

    The UN Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution aimed at reaching a comprehensive ceasefire deal in three phases to end the war in Gaza, with US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield telling members "today, we voted for peace."

  • 10 Jun 2024

    Further deadly violence in Sudan’s besieged Al Fasher city has forced a major hospital to shut over the weekend after soldiers stormed the facility, prompting alarm on Monday from the UN World Health Organization (WHO) about the serious impact on sick and injured patients.

  • 9 Jun 2024

    The scenes of devastation witnessed in the aftermath of Israel’s military operation to release hostages from the Nuseirat refugee camp proves that each day the war continues “it only grows more horrific” the UN’s top humanitarian official said on Sunday.

  • 8 Jun 2024

    Mogadishu – Seven-year-old boys can have a wide range of interests. For some, the mechanical world of cars and trains appeals. For others, it is the rugged world of adventure and swashbuckling derring-...

  • 7 Jun 2024
    A brief roundup of United Nations-related political and peacebuilding events and developments globally.

    Inaugural PBC meeting on Guatemala highlights UN engagement and government priorities

    On 4 June, the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) held its inaugural Ambassadorial-level meeting on Guatemala. The president of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, presented his administration's peacebuilding priorities and transformative reform agenda. Guatemala represents a success story as a post-conflict country that has transitioned to stabilization and democratic governance. This year, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support Elizabeth Spehar and Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenča made visits to the country. 

    UN investigative team hands over key ISIL crime data to Iraq

    On 5 June, Acting Special Adviser and Head of the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/ISIL (UNITAD) Ana Peyró Llopis updated Security Council members on the Team’s twelfth and final report. The Acting Special Adviser said that the team has initiated its liquidation for withdrawal from Iraq, adding that all the evidence and material the team collected has been consolidated into one, centralized digital archive and will remain beyond the closure of the Team. Member States, including Iraq, could consider them in the future to hold ISIL perpetrators accountable for crimes committed in Iraq, she said, lamenting ten years since Da’esh declared itself a caliphate in 2014, we are still calling for accountability to hold those responsible for the crimes they committed in Iraq.

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    2024 Peacebuilding Fund Thematic Review reveals best practices in ensuring synergies between human rights and peacebuilding

    The 2024 Thematic Review on Synergies between Human Rights and Peacebuilding in PBF-supported Programming was released this week. It outlines best practices and lessons learned from 92 projects spanning 45 countries and territories between 2017-2022, financed by the Secretary-General's Peacebuilding Fund. The review provides practical recommendations for future programming relevant to all peacebuilding and human rights practitioners. The report's launch event took place virtually on 4 June with a presentation on key findings, recommendations by the research team and a panel discussion with UN and civil society organization practitioners on best practices.

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    SRSG Onanga-Anyanga participates in virtual event for Africa Day 

    On 4 June, in commemoration of Africa Day 2024, a virtual event titled "Educating Africans for the 21st Century" was jointly organized by the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations in New York, the United Nations Anti-Racism Office, and the United Nations Senior Officials of African Descent Group. Participating in a panel, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Parfait Onanga-Anyanga stressed that education is a vehicle to build more inclusive societies and promote a culture of peace. “Education for all must be intentional, qualitative and provide equal opportunities to both the boy and the girl child,” he said, adding “We must embrace innovative methods that go beyond traditional classroom settings.”

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    UNOAU participates in 4th workshop on ASF-FPU pre-deployment 

    From 27 May to 3 June, the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) participated in the 4th Workshop on the Development of the African Standby Force (ASF) - Formed Police Unit (FPU) Pre-Deployment Training Package in Addis Ababa. The workshop focused on advancing the development of the Pre-deployment package, comprising three essential documents: the Reader, Facilitators’ Guide, and toolkit, along with the Participants’ Journal. Participants assessed progress, edited modules, and structured the Facilitators’ Guide framework. Tasks were assigned for finalization by August 2024, with the next workshop planned for September 2024. 

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    Newly appointed Special Coordinator for Lebanon holds first round of consultations in the country

    Newly appointed Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert held her first round of consultations with the country’s top political and security leaders, including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati (pictured) and caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib. Discussions focused on priorities under the Special Coordinator’s mandate, particularly concerning exchanges of fire across the Blue Line and the urgency for the cessation of hostilities, reaffirming commitment to the implementation of Resolution 1701. Discussions also addressed the prolonged presidential vacuum, the need for economic and financial reforms and the Syrian refugee crisis.

    SRSG Simão stresses importance of peaceful and inclusive presidential elections in Mauritania

    Leonardo Santos Simão, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), undertook a five-day visit to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. As part of the good office activities, he met with the Mauritanian authorities and other key players to further strengthen the partnership with the United Nations, ahead of the presidential election scheduled for June 29. 

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    UN Iraq convenes second Joint Steering Committee meeting with Iraqi Government

    The UN Country Team and the Government of Iraq convened on 6 June the annual meeting of the Joint Steering Committee of the UN Cooperation Framework (2020-2024) in Baghdad. The meeting was co-chaired by the UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq (DSRSG/RC/HC), Ghulam Mohammed Isaczai, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, Mohammed Tamim. The Joint Steering Committee provides strategic oversight and direction for the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).The RC/HC for Iraq highlighted the importance of partnerships with government institutions as well as international development partners which have generously funded implementation of the Cooperation Framework responding to national development priorities and achievement of the SDGs.  

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    DSRSG/RC/HC Isaczai: "Drought and desertification are major challenges buffeting Iraq today"

    The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) marked World Environment Day on 5 June. DSRSG/RC/HC for Iraq Ghulam Mohammed Isaczai emphasized the significant challenges of drought and desertification facing Iraq. “Drought and desertification are major challenges buffeting Iraq today. Only by determined planning and sustainable action we can combat this threat and restore green space,” he said, emphasizing the shared responsibility and the impact of every small step. He also reiterated the UN's commitment to supporting Iraqi efforts for a greener future.

    UNAMI Human Rights Office holds roundtable discussion on “Promoting Freedom of Expression in Iraq”

    On 5 June, the UNAMI Human Rights Office organized a roundtable discussion in Basra titled “Promoting Freedom of Expression in Iraq”. The event, the third in a series planned in different governorates, brought together 23 participants including journalists, writers, bloggers, social media users, defense lawyers, civil society representatives and human rights defenders. Participants discussed the obstacles to the full enjoyment of freedom of expression and freedom of the media in Iraq, both in the online and offline environment, and proposed solutions to address the concerns identified. Key findings and suggestions from these discussions will form the basis for a forthcoming direct dialogue between non-governmental stakeholders and relevant government, judicial and regulatory authorities planned for mid-June 2024 in Baghdad.

    Ulaanbaatar Dialogue discusses Youth, Peace and Security  

    The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs co-organized a session on Youth, Peace and Security at the 9th Ulaanbaatar Dialogue in Mongolia on 6 June, as part of the joint efforts to support regional youth engagement on security issues. This year, on the margins of the Dialogue, a group of young peacebuilders from Northeast Asia met to launch a new platform for youth to contribute to environmental policies in the region. “We must intensify our tireless efforts to promote stability and cultivate an environment conducive to dialogue,” Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo noted in her video message. 

    Former combatants market their products at local coffee fair

    In the south of Tolima, where the former FARC-EP guerrilla was born, today stands out for its coffee production, including several projects led by former combatants. On 1 June, five brands participated, among other community initiatives, in the local coffee fair – Planting Coffee, Harvesting Peace- organized by the mayor of Rioblanco. Former combatants and farmers shared their experiences and had the opportunity to market and network their products. Regional authorities, the National Reintegration Agency and other local actors participated, as well as the UN Verification Mission in Colombia.

    Next Week

    The Security Council will discuss the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) and Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) on 10 June, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on 12 June. A briefing on Yemen will take place on 13 June.

  • 7 Jun 2024

    Eight months to the day since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in Gaza, the UN labour agency, ILO, warned on Friday that families there now send their children to work just to survive, as unemployment nears a staggering 80 per cent.

  • 7 Jun 2024

    Rapidly evolving global political, social, environmental and security challenges risk undermining peace and economic development across West Africa, the UN deputy chief said on Friday, reiterating the importance of a multilateral and inclusive response.

  • 7 Jun 2024

    A recent escalation in fighting in Ukraine, particularly in the Kharkiv region, has left nearly 200 people dead, displaced thousands more and further crippled critical infrastructure, with implications for global food security, a senior UN humanitarian said on Friday. 

  • 7 Jun 2024

    Horrific violence and the risk of famine continue to stalk the people of Sudan, UN humanitarians warned on Friday, as they echoed condemnation by UN Secretary-General António Guterres of an attack on a village south of Khartoum two days ago that is now believed to have left more than 100 dead.

  • 7 Jun 2024

    UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed on Friday that Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen have detained 11 UN national staff working for the Organization there.

  • 6 Jun 2024

    New York - From 3 to 7 June, UNOAU participated in the Annual Common Connections Week on Security Sector Reform (SSR) in New York. The meeting aimed at a) reviewing...

  • 6 Jun 2024

    Immediately upon arrival in Beirut, newly appointed UN Special...

  • 6 Jun 2024

    Mogadishu – The United Nations in Somalia congratulates the Somali government and people on their country's election today to a seat on the UN Security Council for 2025-2026.

    “Somalia...

  • 6 Jun 2024

    Escalating hunger and violence in Sudan are reaching unprecedented levels as it teeters on the verge of becoming the world’s largest hunger crisis and faces increasingly violent attacks by paramilitary groups, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported on Thursday.

  • 6 Jun 2024

    Escalating hunger and violence in Sudan are reaching unprecedented levels as it teeters on the verge of becoming the world’s largest hunger crisis and faces increasingly violent attacks by paramilitary groups, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported on Thursday.

  • 6 Jun 2024

    The UN Secretary-General António Guterres is deeply concerned about escalating violence in Myanmar, he said in a statement released on Thursday.

  • 6 Jun 2024

    The UN General Assembly on Thursday elected by acclamation Philemon Yang, former Prime Minister of Cameroon, President for its seventy-ninth session which gets underway in September.

  • 6 Jun 2024

    Amid early reports that an Israeli strike on a UN-run school in Gaza overnight into Thursday left dozens dead, humanitarians warned that cholera and other potentially deadly diseases stalk people uprooted by the war, forced to live among “mountains of trash”.

  • 6 Jun 2024

    The UN General Assembly on Thursday elected Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia to serve as non-permanent members on the Security Council for two-year terms beginning on 1 January next year.

  • 5 Jun 2024

    UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

    As the exchanges of fire across the Blue Line continue, the Secretary-General renews his calls to the parties to...

  • 5 Jun 2024

    On 6 June, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the UN and President of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the month of June, Ambassador Joonkook Hwang, met with the Ambassador of Uganda to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU, who also serves as the AUPSC Chairperson for the month of June, Rebecca Amuge Otengo. The Ambassadors noted areas of common interest and concern, including cyber security and artificial intelligence as well...

  • 5 Jun 2024

    In a Bogotá used to the sound of buses, cars’ horns, and bicycle engines, a batucada full of Colombian flavour would be in charge of interrupting the...

  • 5 Jun 2024

    TRIPOLI – 5 June – Twenty-six young women from across Libya graduated from the UNSMIL-led training programme by presenting their final projects focus on educating school...

  • 5 Jun 2024

    As violence escalates and millions of people continue to be displaced in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), grave violations against children are reaching an all-time high, said UN Children’s Fund UNICEF on Wednesday.

  • 5 Jun 2024

    The number of people going hungry in Haiti has reached record levels amid ongoing gang violence, the head of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) there said on Wednesday in the capital, Port-au-Prince. 

  • 5 Jun 2024

    As the UN investigation team charged with investigating crimes committed by the Da’esh terrorist group in Iraq prepares to conclude its mandate in September, significant strides have been made in transferring crucial evidence to the authorities, its acting head said on Wednesday.

  • 4 Jun 2024

    On 5 June, SRSG Parfait Onanga-Anyanga met with the Ambassador of Poland to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU, Przemyslaw Bobak, as he nears the end of his four-year tour of duty.

    The Ambassador expressed appreciation for productive discussions over the years, and for the valuable expertise provided by UNOAU. SRSG Parfait Onanga-Anyanga congratulated Ambassador Bobak on...

  • 4 Jun 2024

    Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is inflicting immense physical, psychological, and emotional harm on children there, the Head of the UN Office in the country said on Tuesday. 

  • 4 Jun 2024

    The UN humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA) on Tuesday warned that lifesaving aid for hundreds of thousands in need across Gaza remains limited due to access constraints.

  • 4 Jun 2024

    The UN’s top aid official said on Tuesday he was leaving office at the end of the month with “some important pieces of wisdom” but also a feeling of frustration because many crises no longer make the headlines, while humanitarian operations face a dire lack of funding. 

  • 4 Jun 2024

    Violence in the occupied West Bank linked to the war in Gaza passed a deadly milestone with more than 500 Palestinians killed since 7 October, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights chief Volker Türk said on Tuesday.

  • 3 Jun 2024

    On 4 June, UNOAU participated in a panel discussion organized in the context of the Second Session of the Africa Dialogues on Counter Terrorism in the margins of the...

  • 3 Jun 2024

    On June 4th, to mark Africa Day 2024, a virtual event on "Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century," was jointly organized by the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations in New York, the United Nations Anti-Racism...

  • 3 Jun 2024

    A staggering one million people have now fled Rafah in southern Gaza, the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said on Monday, amid fresh reports of overnight attacks in southern, central and northern locations by Israeli forces.

  • 3 Jun 2024

    The narrowing space left for civilians in the Gaza Strip is becoming increasingly limited and crowded, while dire living conditions are eroding the social fabric there, a senior official with the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, said on Monday. 

  • 3 Jun 2024

    The narrowing space left for civilians in the Gaza Strip is becoming increasingly limited and crowded, while dire living conditions are eroding the social fabric there, a senior official with the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, said on Monday. 

  • 3 Jun 2024

    Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium continues to increase, the head of the UN atomic watchdog agency said on Monday, adding that it has been three years since the agency was able to access the country.

  • 3 Jun 2024

    A staggering one million people have now fled Rafah in southern Gaza, the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said on Monday, amid fresh reports of overnight attacks in southern, central and northern locations by Israeli forces.

  • 2 Jun 2024

    The theme of this year’s World Environment Day is “land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience.”

    Humanity depends on land. Yet, all over the world, a toxic cocktail of pollution, climate chaos,...

  • 2 Jun 2024

     

    Beirut, Lebanon

    3...

  • 2 Jun 2024

    From May 27 to June 3, UNOAU participated in the 4th Workshop...

  • 1 Jun 2024

    Dakar, 01 June 2024- The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West...

  • 31 May 2024

    Beirut, Lebanon

    1 June 2024

     

    Ms. Jeanine...