Amid new claims by Moscow of a covert biological weapons programme in Ukraine, the Director of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) affirmed on Friday that the UN is not aware of any such programme and has neither the mandate nor the technical operational capacity to investigate it - a message first delivered to the Security Council on 11 and 18 March, by High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu.
Mr. Chair,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to be here today on behalf of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres. And I thank the Polish Chairpersonship-in-Office for this invitation.
In line with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, regional organizations like the OSCE are crucial partners in preventing and resolving conflict and sustaining peace.
Our shared commitment to preventive diplomacy, mediation, peacebuilding and the women and peace and security agenda informs the longstanding partnership between our organizations.
Today, the war in Ukraine vividly illustrates the need for strong European and international peace and security mechanisms. Indeed, the role of the OSCE to promote dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding has never been more important.
The brutal conflict in Ukraine is now the largest in Europe since the end of the Second World War.
Two weeks ago, I accompanied the Secretary-General on his visit to Moscow and Kyiv. The Secretary-General’s message to the leaders of the two countries was clear: Russia’s invasion is a violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and of the Charter of the United Nations. It must end.
That is also the view of the UN General Assembly, which has unequivocally reaffirmed the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
The Assembly has demanded that the Russian Federation immediately end its invasion and unconditionally withdraw all its military forces.
During his visit, the Secretary-General focused on ways the UN could expand support for the people of Ukraine, save lives, reduce suffering and help find the path of peace. In Bucha, Irpin and Borodyanka, he saw first-hand the devastation and human cost of this senseless war.
As a result of his engagement, the United Nations, together with the International Committee of the Red Cross and with support from Ukrainian and Russian authorities, successfully evacuated more than 600 civilians from Mariupol and surrounding areas, including from the Azovstal plant, over the last 10 days.
But civilians in Ukraine continue to pay an unbearable price for this war.
As of 11 May, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has recorded 7,326 civilian casualties in the country: 3,541 killed and 3,785 injured. The actual figures are certainly considerably higher.
Most of the civilian casualties have been caused by explosive weapons with a wide impact area used in populated areas. According to information gathered by OHCHR, while such incidents can be attributed to both parties to the conflict, most of these casualties appear attributable to the Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) 6,029,705 refugees have fled Ukraine, while 8,029,000 have been internally displaced since 24 February. This amounts to nearly one third of the population (Total number of displaced people is 14,058,705 which is approximately 33.8% of the population of 41.4 million).
The United Nations and our humanitarian partners continue to expand relief operations and have now reached more than 5.4 million people across the country with assistance since the war started. More than 4.7 million people have received food aid, and nearly 1.5 million people have accessed critical health care.
Cash interventions – a priority in our response - have increased, covering 550,000 people since 24 February. More than 230,000 children have received support to continue their education, and 370,000 displaced people have received protection services, including assistance at border crossing points and psychological support.
In response to the UN’s humanitarian Flash Appeals, donors have made available $1 billion out of $2.25 billion requested through the end of August.
Excellencies,
OHCHR has received credible reports alleging violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. Some of these violations may amount to war crimes.
Further, OHCHR has documented mistreatment of prisoners of war by both Ukrainian and Russian forces.
There have been frequent attacks on civilian infrastructure, including schools, residential buildings and hospitals. As of 7 May, the World Health Organization verified at least 75 persons killed in more than 190 attacks on Ukrainian health care since 24 February.
The United Nations supports efforts to investigate alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
The OSCE responded quickly to these allegations, establishing a mission of experts through the Moscow Mechanism.
The Human Rights Council established on 4 May the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. It is mandated to investigate, collect and verify evidence, and to identify, where possible, those individuals and entities responsible for violations.
And the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, based in Ukraine, has been actively recording and reporting on these allegations.
We are also heartened to see that the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is undertaking efforts to effectively gather evidence on core international crimes committed in Ukraine and bring those responsible to justice.
Ensuring accountability for violations will be a long and arduous task. But it must be done.
Let me note that earlier this week, the Secretary-General visited Moldova on a mission of solidarity and gratitude. Moldova has opened its borders and homes to nearly half a million Ukrainian refugees.
Allow me to express the UN’s appreciation to the OSCE participating States who have welcomed all those fleeing the violence in Ukraine.
Excellencies,
The prevailing military logic has so far squeezed out genuine diplomacy. But the stakes are too high – in terms of human life and regional and global security – to abandon the search for a peaceful resolution.
We appreciate the role of Turkey and other OSCE members for their support for dialogue.
The UN Security Council recently declared its unanimous backing for the Secretary-General's efforts in the search for a peaceful solution. The United Nations stands ready to support all diplomatic initiatives to help bring an end to the crisis.
Excellencies,
The war in Ukraine has already had serious implications on the European security architecture. We are concerned by the potential impact on longstanding confidence-building measures, arms control treaties and other frameworks designed to sustain regional security.
Beyond Europe, the war has triggered global concern regarding a range of issues, from food and energy security to economic stability.
The food security crisis threatens to hit the most vulnerable countries the hardest. This dire prospect led the Secretary-General to establish the Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance. The Group is mobilizing UN agencies, multilateral development banks and other international institutions to help countries face these challenges. We hope to count on your full support in this important work.
Excellencies,
The United Nations has consistently supported the work of the OSCE in Ukraine, especially the Special Monitoring Mission and the Trilateral Contact Group. Similarly, we continue to back other OSCE-led mediation processes, such as the Minsk Group for a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the 5+2 Transnistrian Settlement process, as well as the Geneva International Discussions on Georgia.
These frameworks for dialogue and understanding contributed to general stability. This is thanks to the commitments of all relevant participants.
But we have also seen in the case of Nagorno-Karabakh how protracted conflicts have the potential to relapse into open hostilities despite such mechanisms.
We have a collective interest in ensuring that these critical mechanisms continue functioning to avoid new vacuums in areas prone to tensions.
It is also why the United Nations is fully supportive of the important work of the OSCE field offices, from the Western Balkans to Central Asia, where our cooperation serves to advance the Sustainable Development Goals in ways that strengthen national cohesion and resilience.
Excellencies,
The OSCE has historically played an instrumental role in promoting peace, stability and democracy in the region since its establishment. But, as we have seen, Europe is not immune to escalating tension and violence.
It is in our common interest to see an OSCE that is adequately equipped to continue meeting present and future challenges.
In that context, we take good note of the efforts by the Polish Chairpersonship-in-Office to initiate a Renewed European Security Dialogue.
We encourage all participating States to remain committed to the principles and frameworks of the OSCE as well as constructive dialogue on European security, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.
The United Nations supports all efforts to restore mutual trust and respect among regional stakeholders, which is essential to preserving the continent from new conflict and the world from further instability.
Thank you.
The top UN official in the Middle East has urged Israel to halt all settlement activity following the latest approval given to new construction in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, announced on Thursday.
The United Nations continues to explore all options to reach civilians affected by Russia’s brutal assault on Ukraine, deputy humanitarian affairs chief Joyce Msuya said in an update to the Security Council on Thursday.
“I condemn today's decision by Israeli authorities to advance plans for over 4000 housing units in settlements in the occupied West Bank. These include the retroactive approval of two illegal outposts and a park.
Continued settlement expansion further entrenches the occupation, encroaches upon Palestinian land and natural resources, and hampers the free movement of the Palestinian population.
...Amidst rising tensions, a months-long political stalemate and increasing speculation about yet another conflict in Europe, the international community must stand firm behind a peaceful, unified Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country’s UN envoy told the Security Council on Wednesday.
,Madam President, Members of the Security Council
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – DPRK – has intensified the pace of its launches using ballistic missile technology. Indeed, it has launched more missiles in the past five months than in the prior two years combined.
On 4 May, the DPRK launched a missile using ballistic missile technology which covered a range of 470 km and reached an apogee of 780 km. It was launched from the Sunan area near Pyongyang. The DPRK launched a ballistic missile of possible intercontinental range from the same location on 24 March. The DPRK launched another missile on 7 May, possibly from a submarine, which reportedly covered a range of 600 km and reached an apogee of 60 km. The DPRK did not issue public information on any launch, nor did it issue airspace or maritime safety notifications.
Madam President, the Secretary-General strongly condemns the DPRK’s continued development of missiles using ballistic missile technology. Such actions are clear violations of relevant Security Council resolutions and contribute to increasing tensions in the region and beyond.
It should be recalled that the Security Council, in resolution 2397 (2017), reaffirmed its decisions that the DPRK shall not conduct any further launches using ballistic missile technology.
Madam President, there have been other troubling developments since our last briefing on 25 March.
On 16 April, the DPRK carried out its first launch of a system it characterised as intended for use in quote “tactical nuclear operations”. The system in question covered a range of 110 km. Developing such systems was among the core defence development tasks for the 2021 to 2025 period set forth during the 8th Party Congress of the Korean Workers’ Party in January 2021.
The DPRK leader also made statements on 25 April and again on 30 April that Pyongyang could pre-emptively use its nuclear weapons. Statements of this nature are deeply concerning.
Finally, there are indications of resumed construction activities at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, which was declared shut down in 2018.
Madam President, these developments all relate to the DPRK’s continuing pursuit of its nuclear programme. While some States continue to rely on nuclear weapons in their security policies, nuclear weapons pose an existential threat to humanity. Their existence heightens the risk of unintended escalation or miscalculation. We must strengthen our efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons.
We have consistently conveyed our concerns to the DPRK. The DPRK, by continuing to pursue its nuclear weapons programme, including its development of missiles using ballistic missile technology, however, continues to defy the repeated demands of the Council to cease such activities.
Madam President, the Secretary-General reaffirms his commitment to working with all parties for sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
He urges the DPRK to comply with the decisions of the Council, reset the course to dialogue and build on previous diplomatic efforts.
Further, the United Nations welcomes and encourages the regular contact and cooperation among the key parties regarding the Korean Peninsula. We commend the parties for their willingness to engage in dialogue with the DPRK without preconditions.
Madam President, the Secretary-General reiterates the importance of addressing the critical humanitarian needs of people in the DPRK.
The United Nations remains engaged and stands ready, along with its humanitarian partners, to assist people in need in the DPRK, whose vulnerability has likely increased since the pandemic outbreak and border closures in 2020.
We reiterate our call for the entry of international staff, including the United Nations Resident Coordinator, and the unimpeded entry of humanitarian supplies, to allow for a timely and effective response.
We also acknowledge the work of Member States toward resolving the banking channel for humanitarian operations and emphasise the growing urgency for its conclusion.
Madam President, let me close by reiterating that the unity of the Security Council in this matter is essential to ease tensions, overcome the diplomatic impasse and avoid a negative action-reaction cycle.
Thank you.
The world is facing “multiple and interlinked global crises,” the UN chief told journalists in Austria on Wednesday during a joint press conference with Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.
The world is facing “multiple and interlinked global crises,” the UN chief told journalists in Austria on Wednesday during a joint press conference with Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.
The latest deadly prison violence in Ecuador has again highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive reform of the country’s criminal justice system, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said on Tuesday.
Responses to terrorism must be anchored in the rule of law, human rights, and gender equality to ensure their effectiveness, Secretary-General António Guterres told a UN-backed counter-terrorism meeting that opened in Málaga, Spain, on Tuesday.
As Syria begins 12 years of conflict amidst soaring humanitarian needs, UN agency heads launched during a European Union conference on Tuesday, a joint appeal for $10.5 billion.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to investigate deadly armed group attacks in Djugu Territory, Ituri Province, on Sunday.
Secretary-General António Guterres said on Sunday that he was appalled by an attack on a school in Bilohorivka, eastern Ukraine, where many people were sheltering from the ongoing fighting.
Chisinau in spring – the chestnut trees are in bloom, music pours from sidewalk cafés, and young people are everywhere. Although it seems peaceful in the capital of Moldova, if you listen, you can hear everyone speaking about the war, discussing the latest news from Ukraine and exchanging alarming prognoses.
Chisinau in spring – the chestnut trees are in bloom, music pours from sidewalk cafés, and young people are everywhere. Although it seems peaceful in the capital of Moldova, if you listen, you can hear everyone speaking about the war, discussing the latest news from Ukraine and exchanging alarming prognoses.
A newly published United Nations report highlights the urgency of adopting a more strategic approach to address the economic and fiscal crisis faced by the Palestinian Authority and Government. It urges a coordinated and integrated response to resolve this precarious situation.
The report, issued by the office of...
This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
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Excellencies,
It is a pleasure to join you today.
As the Secretary-General underscored in his briefing to the Peacebuilding Commission in March, peace is the most important task we have at the United Nations. And this is a task that is becoming greater and more complicated.
Today, we are facing a series of overlapping threats that have far-reaching implications for the global collective security architecture, and that affect the ability of the UN to carry out its work.
These threats are manifest at various levels and in different realms.
At the geopolitical level, conflicts have become more fragmented, regionalized and thus harder to resolve. They increasingly test the effectiveness of many of our traditional conflict management and resolution tools.
Climate change is exacerbating risks and creating additional sources of stress – particularly in the most fragile settings.
This is not a future challenge, but a present one. We are seeing, for example, the increasing frequency and intensity of violent conflicts between farmers and herders across many countries in Central and West Africa, which have significant consequences for stability.
Technological disruption is shaping conflict across the world. Conflict is increasingly hybrid, fought in the battlefield as well as online through cyber operations that create potential for miscalculation, and which often target infrastructure that is critical for civilians.
Increasing use of sophisticated new weapons challenge existing legal frameworks – and may create risks of unprecedented escalation.
Disinformation and hate speech are widespread, crossing from online realms to offline action, engendering polarization and violence.
A perceived failure of governance – of the ability of States to deliver essential services that respond to the aspirations of their people – is giving rise to tensions and social unrest in many regions.
Exclusion and inequalities of all kinds — economic, social and cultural — exact a devastating toll on security.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many of these risks, while at the same time putting significant pressure on the ability of States to deliver. The pandemic also showed the real limitations of global preparedness and solidarity – all of which are essential to our work in prevention.
These phenomena, on their own but particularly in combination, have dire consequences for the most vulnerable communities.
Women and girls, especially, have already been disproportionately affected by the deteriorating security and socio-economic environment – including with the unprecedented spike in domestic and gender-based violence during the pandemic.
The confluence of these factors also makes our work to prevent and resolve conflicts much more difficult, particularly at a time when there is growing skepticism about multilateralism. And just when there is more need for collective solutions.
This is why the Secretary-General has emphasized the importance of conflict prevention and peacebuilding in “Our Common Agenda”. We must get better at addressing these challenges before conflicts breakout.
Recent events only confirm the urgency of our collective task.
The war in Ukraine is having a global impact – what the Secretary-General refers to as a triple crisis, as food security, energy and finance are affected by the ongoing conflict.
In these times, the contributions the Peacebuilding Commission makes to advance our efforts to avert conflict and build lasting peace are invaluable. Even more important will be considering how the Commission can be even more effective, a question I know is of utmost importance for you, too.
A decade ago, I sat where you are as a member of the PBC. The Commission was still deciding its agenda and profile.
Since that time, the PBC has grown into a most valuable body for fostering consensus and action on key areas that are essential for sustaining peace.
The ambitious programme of work for 2022 you adopted in March highlights several priorities that, when implemented, will further reinforce the Commission’s central role.
We strongly support the Commission’s decision to expand its geographic and thematic scope as well as the continued emphasis on inclusive approaches in support of national peacebuilding initiatives. We cannot achieve lasting impact without engaging and empowering women and youth.
Helping countries build more inclusive societies, based on trust, social cohesion, and human rights, requires a coherent approach.
And the Commission’s convening role has been instrumental in bringing the UN system together.
Further the Commission’s efforts to build stronger partnerships with regional and sub-regional organizations, civil society organizations and the private sector have been vital.
I remember the first time the PBC briefed the Security Council. And I can tell you that not all Council members were enthusiastic about letting you into the club.
Since that time the Commission’s advisory role has expanded considerably and your contribution to Council deliberations has become essential.
Excellencies
Let me conclude by noting that at last week’s General Assembly High-level meeting on peacebuilding financing, we heard, loud and clear, that Member States are convinced of the need to invest more in peacebuilding and prevention work.
Member States agree that it is cost-effective but underfunded. We heard appreciation for the work of this Commission and testimonies regarding the critical role of the Peacebuilding Fund as a flexible and agile tool to support national peacebuilding priorities.
More needs to be done to secure increased resources for the Peacebuilding Fund, including through assessed contributions.
I really want to thank the Commission for its valuable input to the General Assembly in advance of the High-level meeting and for continuing to prioritize financing as a key requirement for effective peacebuilding initiatives.
I hope that this retreat has provided you with the space and opportunity to build on the excellent 2022 programme of work.
We are all invested in helping realize the full potential of the PBC as an indispensable tool of the UN peace and security architecture.
I congratulate you for what you have accomplished and look forward to your continued support and to backing your good work to build peace.
Thank you.
The UN chief welcomed on Friday afternoon, the unity of the Security Council in support of peace in Ukraine, while also assuring that he would continue to “spare no effort” in saving lives, reducing suffering and finding the path of peace.
Ports in the Odesa area of southern Ukraine must be re-opened urgently to prevent the global hunger crisis from spinning out of control, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday.
Already reeling from COVID-19, the fighting in Ukraine has introduced significant and worrying new risks likely to heavily impact Africa, UN development experts warned on Friday.
Ten weeks into the war in Ukraine, UN humanitarians on Friday said that they were urgently ramping up efforts to provide vulnerable children with specialist and psychosocial support, amid “tremendous” mental health needs and ongoing dangers linked to the Russian invasion and sexual and gender-based violence.
Briefing the Security Council on his shuttle diplomacy last week in Russia and Ukraine, Secretary-General António Guterres declared that he “did not mince words” during meetings with Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy, on the need to end the brutal conflict.
The UN’s leading expert on issues facing children caught up in war, on Thursday released a new analysis on the importance of considering how gender differences impact young people during armed conflicts.
The number of people facing acute food insecurity, requiring urgent life-saving food assistance and livelihood support, continues to grow at an alarming rate, according to a joint UN report released on Wednesday.
The “enormous challenges” faced by the northeastern Nigerian state of Borno, which include a continuing terrorist insurgency, need to be recognized by the international community to create what the UN Secretary-General has called a “state of hope and a state of reality”, in a region which he said did not live up to its reputation for “terrorism, violence, displacement or despair.”
Rows of temporary shelters covered in sheeting which has been blanched by the sun and sand blasted by winds blend into the grey, dusty and parched environment. It’s midday, and temperatures have reached a punishingly hot and dry 44 degrees Celsius (111 F).
Women’s rights do not end when wars begin, a senior UN official said in Ukraine on Tuesday, outlining measures towards ensuring justice and accountability for sexual violence committed during the conflict in the country.
Clashes in Haiti between rival gangs in the capital, Port-au-Prince, have forced hundreds of people to flee their homes, the UN Deputy Spokesperson said on Tuesday.
In Ukraine on Tuesday, UN humanitarians began to help the first evacuees arriving from Mariupol’s devastated Azovstal steel works, more than two months since Russia’s invasion began, and said that they would do everything possible to assist those still trapped.
New York, 3 May 2022
On World Press Freedom Day, we shine a spotlight on the essential work of journalists and other media workers who seek transparency and accountability from those in power, often at great personal risk.
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, many media workers have been on the...
The number of terrorist attacks in the Sahel region of Africa “continues to increase” according to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who arrived in the capital of Niger, Niamey, on Monday, the second of three countries he is visiting on a tour of West Africa to mark the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The war in Ukraine is aggravating a “triple food, energy and financial crisis,” across Africa, according to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
A United Nations and Red Cross (ICRC) operation to evacuate desperate civilians trapped in the Azovstal steel plant in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol is underway, the Spokesperson for the humanitarian affairs office in the country confirmed on Sunday.
