A brief roundup of United Nations-related political and peacebuilding events and developments globally.

Grundberg describes "deep frustration" of Yemeni people after decade of war

On 6 March, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen Hans Grundberg voiced his concern over recent reports of shelling, drone attacks, infiltration attempts and mobilization campaigns in Ma’rib, Al Jawf, Shabwa and Ta’iz. He also warned of a rise in rhetoric from the parties, who were pre-positioning themselves publicly for military confrontation. Words, intent and signals matter, and “escalatory discourse can have real consequences”, he added. “I see and hear the deep frustration of the Yemeni people who continue to bear the heavy burden of a decade of war," he said. Grundberg also highlighted the need for a political process that included “a broad spectrum of Yemenis that will allow this conflict to settle once and for all.”

Security Council extends Al-Shabaab sanctions regime, renews Panel of Experts

On 3 March, the Security Council adopted a resolution extending its authorization for Member States to intercept vessels transporting banned items to and from Somalia, including illegal arms imports and charcoal exports, until 13 December. It also renewed the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the Al-Shabaab sanctions regime until 13 January 2026. By the terms of the text, the Council decided that “all States shall, for the purposes of preventing Al-Shabaab and other actors intent on undermining peace and security in Somalia and the region from obtaining weapons and ammunition, take the necessary measures to prevent all deliveries of weapons, ammunition and military equipment to Somalia.” 

SRSG Al Hassan meets acting Kuwaiti Prime Minister

On 3 March, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Mohamed Al Hassan met with Acting Kuwaiti Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah. They discussed issues of mutual interest, with the Special Representative commending Kuwait and Iraq for their commitment to enhancing cooperation.

Isaczai meets Head of Iraq Supreme Judicial Council and Iraq Minister of Migration and Displaced

On 3 March, UN Resident Coordinator and Deputy SRSG for UNAMI Ghulam Isaczai and UNICEF Iraq Representative Sandra Lattouf met with Judge Faiq Zidan in Baghdad to discuss the Supreme Judicial Council's support in addressing challenges related to the return and reintegration of returnees from Al-Hol.  The DSRSG also met separately with Iraq’s Minister of Migration and Displaced Evan Faiq Jabro, to discuss challenges in returning Iraqi nationals from Northeast Syria.

On 6 March, Isaczai met with Iraq’s National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji at the UN Headquarters in Baghdad. The meeting, held on the sidelines of a session of the Steering Committee for the ONE UN Plan, focused on enhancing cooperation between the UN and Iraq. 

Café Patía: Building peace in the south of Cauca

On 3 March, in the village of El Bordo, in the municipality of Patía, the department of Cauca, peace signatories, and community members launched "Café Patía," a high-quality coffee initiative. The UN Verificiation Mission helped install a sales point in the municipality. Café Patia is a project of a group of peace signatories form the former TATR of La Variante in Nariño, who relocated to the south of Cauca to build new commercial alternatives that will also help build peace.

Next Week

On Monday 10 March, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan Roza Otunbayeva will brief the Council.