USG DiCarlo holds talks in Iraq, will visit Kuwait 

Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo will undertake her first official visit to the State of Kuwait on 19 May. She is expected to meet with senior government officials to discuss regional developments and cooperation between Kuwait and the United Nations. Prior to the visit, USG DiCarlo joined the Secretary-General’s visit to Iraq to address the Arab League Summit. While in Baghdad, she held a bilateral meeting on 16 May with Iraq’s Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq, Muhammad Hussein Mohammed Bahr al-Uloom, to discuss political and peacebuilding priorities in Iraq and the wider region. 

ASG Khiari calls for full implementation of resolution 2474 (2019) on missing persons in armed conflict

On 15 May at the Security Council, Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Khaled Khiari called for urgent action to implement resolution 2474 (2019), underscoring the obligation to protect the rights of missing persons in armed conflict and their families. He stressed the need for parties to uphold international humanitarian law and ensure accountability. 

ASG Khiari warns of worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza

ASG Khiari, speaking on 15 May at a commemorative event on the Nakba organized by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, said the Israeli Palestinian conflict has led to the world’s longest refugee crisis. It is a crisis that remains unresolved, shaping identity, lives, and the enduring pursuit of justice and self-determination for the Palestinian people. “This event demonstrates the importance the international community attaches to the ongoing plight of Palestine refugees,” he said. The ASG added that, “since the atrocious terror attacks by Hamas on 7 October 2023 and continued holding of hostages, over 1.9 million Palestinians – more than 85 per cent of Gaza’s population and almost 80 per cent of them Palestine refugees from 1948 – have been forcibly displaced, many repeatedly, some 10 times or more.” “Peace will require tangible, irreversible and permanent progress toward the two-State solution, an end to the occupation, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with Gaza as an integral part,” the ASG said.

Special Envoy Grundberg warns Yemen remains vulnerable to regional tensions

On 14 May, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General (SESG) Hans Grundberg briefed the Security Council on Yemen. He welcomed the 6 May announcement of a cessation of hostilities between the United States and Ansar Allah as a key step toward de-escalation. However, he warned that Yemen continues to be affected by broader regional tensions. Grundberg called for renewed international support for a sustainable political settlement and emphasized the need to advance inclusive, Yemeni-led peace efforts. 

Launch of Pedieos/Kanlı Dere River Project brings new connectivity to Nicosia

On 16 May, Colin Stewart, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Cyprus, attended the official launch of the long-awaited Pedieos/Kanlı Dere River Project in Nicosia. The initiative will extend the city’s existing linear park along the island’s longest river, connecting the southern and northern parts of the capital through the Ledra Palace crossing point. Funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP in coordination with the UN Good Offices mission in Cyprus, the project will feature wooden bridges, cycling paths, and green corridors. Scheduled for completion in 2027, it aims to enhance mobility, environmental preservation, and people-to-people contact across the divide.

Ukrainian women and youth discuss meaningful participation in making and building peace

On 14 May, DPPA organized a discussion in Kyiv focused on the inclusion of women and youth in peacebuilding and political processes in Ukraine. Supported by the UN Country Team and funded through DPPA’s Multi-Year Appeal, the event brought together around 80 participants from across the country, including senior Ukrainian officials Participants explored ways to contribute to sustainable peace in Ukraine, advancing the implementation of the UN agendas on women, youth, peace, and security, as well as the newly adopted Pact for the Future.  

UNSCOL, UNDP and Lebanon’s Ministry of Defense signs MoU to coordinate international support for Lebanese Army

On 14 May, the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), UNDP, and Lebanon’s Ministry of National Defense signed a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate international support for the Lebanese Armed Forces. Aligned with the UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, the agreement aims to improve the livelihoods of military personnel and support state stability under Security Council resolution 1701 (2006). The initiative was made possible with funding from Denmark, the EU, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Spain.

UN joins campaign to combat stigmatization in Colombia 

The UN Verification Mission in Colombia joined the national awareness campaign Miremonos de cerca (“Let’s Take a Closer Look at Each Other”), aimed at reducing stigmatization against peace signatories and their families. Speaking at the launch event, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu emphasized that most peace signatories are actively committed to reintegration alongside their communities. “Stigmatization generates exclusion, prevents reintegration, slows reconciliation, and fuels violence. Stigmatization distances peace,” he said in remarks to the media.

Special Representative Imnadze stresses preventive diplomacy in Central Asia

Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Kaha Imnadze took part in a regional training for young diplomats from Central Asia, held in Ashgabat and co-organized by the UN Country Team in Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He highlighted UNRCCA’s preventive diplomacy efforts, underscoring the importance of early warning, confidence-building, and regional cooperation. The SRSG Imnadze also shared insights on the Secretary-General's A New Agenda for Peace and stressed the need for multilateral engagement to address regional and global challenges.

Preventive Diplomacy Academy trains youth from Central Asia and Afghanistan

UNRCCA’s Preventive Diplomacy Academy wrapped up its May sessions in Ashgabat, training 48 young participants from Central Asia and Afghanistan in conflict prevention and mediation. With support from DPPA’s Mediation Support Unit, the programme blended theory and practice, emphasizing early warning, dialogue, and the role of women in peace processes under Security Council resolution 1325. Sessions also explored innovative UN approaches to AI and climate-related peace efforts, reinforcing the Organization’s commitment to inclusive, youth-driven peacebuilding.

Special Representative Al Hassan meets Iraqi Prime Minister ahead of Arab League Summit

On 14 May, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) Mohamed Al Hassan met in Baghdad with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. They discussed developments in Iraq and the region, including Iraq’s preparations to host the upcoming Arab League Summit. The SRSG highlighted the strong UN participation, led by Secretary-General António Guterres, and extended his best wishes for a successful summit. The meeting also covered ongoing UN-Iraq cooperation and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to deepening its partnership.

SRSG Al Hassan engages with advocates for women’s empowerment and disability rights

On 12 May in Baghdad, SRSG Mohamed Al Hassan met with members of the “It’s Time for Iraqi Women” Initiative, which champions greater participation of Iraqi women in political, social, and economic life. The group shared their perspectives on the current status of women in Iraq. SRSG Al Hassan emphasized the essential role of women in national development and reiterated the UN’s longstanding commitment to promoting gender equality. The same day, the SRSG also met with Marwa Shihab Al-Din Ahmed, Director of the Hayat Foundation for the Rights of the Deaf, member of the Assembly of the Arab Organization for Persons with Disabilities, and a participant in the “It’s Time for Iraqi Women” Initiative. He reaffirmed the United Nations’ support for persons with disabilities in Iraq and underlined the importance of inclusive engagement in advancing the country’s development and human rights agenda.

Australia contributes to DPPA’s Multi-Year Appeal

This week, we thank Australia for its generous $900,000 contribution under the 2024–2026 Multi-Year Agreement, supporting DPPA’s work in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

Call for Applications: Women in Ceasefire Negotiations Course

DPPA invites women mediators, negotiators, and peacemakers to apply for the Women in Ceasefire Negotiations Course (2 Sep – 12 Nov 2025). Applications are open until 11 July.

Next Week

The Security Council will hold an open debate on Tuesday, 20 May at 10 a.m. on "Strengthening maritime security through international cooperation for global stability” (S/2025/300). On Wednesday, the Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, will brief the Council.