USG DiCarlo to travel to Cyprus, Greece and Türkiye

Under-Secretary-General (USG) Rosemary DiCarlo will travel to Cyprus over the weekend. On 10 February, she will meet with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, Nikos Christodoulides and Ersin Tatar, respectively, to discuss the way forward on the Cyprus issue, including in preparation of an informal meeting in a broader format. In addition, USG DiCarlo will be focusing on the work of the Secretary-General’s good offices mission and meeting with representatives of civil society, including youth and women’s groups. Following her visit to Cyprus, she will hold meetings in Athens, Greece on, 12 February and Ankara, Türkiye, on 13 February on the Cyprus issue, as well as other key regional and global developments.

International community must push for permanent ceasefire in Gaza, says Secretary-General

On 5 February, Secretary-General António Guterres attended the opening session of the 2025 Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. He said the international community should push for a permanent ceasefire and work towards the reconstruction of Gaza. "In the search for solutions, it is crucial to stay true to the bedrock of international law," he said, adding that a viable, sovereign Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel is “the only sustainable solution for Middle East stability”.

ECCAS holds Summit of Heads of State on humanitarian situation in Central Africa

On 7 February, an extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) on the humanitarian situation in Central Africa was held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The summit is being held at a time when several humanitarian crises are unfolding across the sub-region. Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the UN Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) Abdou Abarry delivered remarks at the opening ceremony. He called for an urgent and collective response to the multiple challenges facing the sub-region.

UNSMIL establishes Advisory Committee to advance Libya’s electoral process

On 4 February, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announced the establishment of an Advisory Committee as part of its multi-track political initiative. The role of the Advisory Committee will be to develop technically sound and politically viable proposals for resolving outstanding contentious issues to enable the holding of elections, building on existing Libyan framework and laws. The Advisory Committee is not a decision-making body or a dialogue forum. Its proposals will be submitted to UNSMIL for consideration in the next phase of its political process. 

SRSG Al Hassan meets with VP for Strategic Affairs of Iran

On 6 February, SRSG and Head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Mohamed Al Hassan met in Baghdad with the Vice President for Strategic Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif. They discussed regional developments as well as cooperation between the UN and Iran.

SRSG Al Hassan visits Kurdistan Region of Iraq

From 3-5 February, SRSG Al Hassan visited the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. He met with senior officials of the Kurdistan Regional Government and toured historical and cultural sites. In separate meetings in Erbil with the president, prime minister, deputy prime minister and minister of interior, the SRSG discussed the situation in the region and Iraq and matters of mutual interest. In Sulaymaniah, the SRSG met with the First Lady of the Republic of Iraq, Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmad. They discussed cooperation between Iraq and the United Nations regarding the protection and restoration of antiquities, as well as the preservation of national heritage, given the expertise of specialized UN agencies in this field. 

UNAMI delegation meets with Rudaw Media Network

On 4 February, SRSG Al Hassan visited the headquarters of Rudaw Media Network in Erbil. During his meeting with the network’s CEO Ako Mohammed, the SRSG stressed the importance of press freedom, as well as increased joint cooperation between the UN and the media in general, and Rudaw in particular, in a manner that contributes to further advancement in Iraq, including in the Kurdistan region. After the meeting, the Special Representative toured the network’s newsroom and studios, and praised the network’s high professionalism, wishing them further progress. 

Creating a peaceful future for children in El Estrecho

On 4 February, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia attended the launch ceremony of the Atrapasueños project in the Territorial Area for Training and Reintegration (TATR) of El Estrecho, Cauca. This initiative, promoted by the Colombian Institute of Family Care and the Ministry of Interior, aims to strengthen community living and foster the comprehensive development of children and adolescents. The project will provide safe spaces and learning opportunities for approximately 130 beneficiaries, including those from the TATR and nearby villages. With the support of state institutions and the backing of the international community, this project marks a significant step toward creating a future with increased opportunities, inclusion, and reconciliation for children and their families.

Next Week

On 10 February, the Security Council will hold an open briefing on threats to international peace and security by terrorist acts. On 12 February, it will be briefed by Special Envoy Geir Pedersen on Syria. On 13 February, it will be briefed by Special Envoy Hans Grundberg on Yemen.