New York
Security Council Discusses Lebanese Sovereignty, Militia Activity
On 14 May, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary A. DiCarlo briefed the UN Security Council, in closed consultation, on the latest report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559. The report concludes that only limited progress has been achieved since the adoption of the resolution inn 2004. Disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias, a key provision of the resolution, has yet to be implemented, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon is still being violated. Read the report here
The Under-Secretary-General also briefed, at the Council’s request, on the situation in Venezuela.
Council Reviews Progress, Setbacks in Yemen
On 15 May, Martin Griffiths, Special Envoy for Yemen, briefed the Security Council on the situation in the country. The Special Envoy was pleased to report on progress in the implementation of the Hudaydah agreement. Read his full statement here.
Council Briefed on Increased Hostilities in Idlib, Syria
On 17 May, the Council heard from Under-Secretary-General Rosemary A. DiCarlo on the increasing hostilities seen in recent days in northwest Syria. She called for unity of the Council to support an immediate de-escalation of the violence in greater Idlib and work towards a political solution that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.
Meeting with Representatives of Regional and Other Organizations
On 17 May, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo chaired a meeting with regional organizations to discuss intensified cooperation across prevention and preventive diplomacy.
African Union
Consultations in Nairobi on Climate-Related Security Risks
This week, Hanna Tetteh, Special Representative to the African Union and Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU), joined UN Resident Coordinators and senior officials of peace operations in Nairobi, Kenya, for high-level consultations on climate-related security risks and the role of mediation and preventive diplomacy in natural resource conflicts, adaptation strategies and other thematic areas.
West Africa and the Sahel
Chambas Visits Mauritania to Discuss Upcoming Presidential Elections
Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), visited Mauritania from 13 – 15 May to discuss with key stakeholders the presidential elections scheduled for 22 June. The SRSG stressed the importance of the upcoming polls in the consolidation of peace and democracy in the country. He called on all stakeholders to work to enable peaceful and credible elections. Read the full story.
Central Africa
New Issue of UNOCA Magazine
This week, the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) issued its latest “UNOCA Magazine”, which reviews the main events of 2018. Read the magazine here (French).
Great Lakes Region
Regional Conference in Nairobi
On 15 May, Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General from the Great Lakes Region met in Nairobi, Kenya to review progress and challenges concerning the fight against impunity and the administration of justice in the region. The conference themed “Combating impunity and upholding human rights as key contributions to peace and security” was organized. The meeting was organized by the Office of the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region under the auspices of the Government of Kenya.
Libya
UN Libya Envoy in in Brussels
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNSMIL, Ghassan Salamé, was in Brussels on 13 and 14 May to brief the European Union Foreign Affairs Council on the situation in Libya. He also met the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, and the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Heiko Maas. The SRSG stressed that more than a month after the outbreak of the most recent fighting, it is becoming clear to everyone that a military solution cannot replace a political solution in Libya, and that it is high time now to return to the negotiating table.
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Afghanistan
Preserving hard-fought women’s rights a must, say Bamyan civic leaders
The gains made in advancing and protecting the rights of women in Afghanistan must be preserved at all costs, said panellists during a UNAMA-backed forum in the central province of Bamyan on 16 May 2019. More than 40 representatives from civil society, women’s rights groups and the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission came together to take stock of achievements made by Afghan women and to emphasize the crucial need to protect those gains. Panellists stressed the critical importance of women directly participating in Afghanistan’s social and economic development agenda, and in any peace talks. Read the full story on UNAMA’s website
Middle East
Mladenov Visits Gaza for Launch of Solar Project On 13 May 2019, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, participated in the activation of a solar plant for Nasser hospital in Gaza. The project, developed by WHO with financial support from Japan, is critical to ensure that the people of Gaza have access to healthcare. He also visited a school in Gaza benefitting from a Qatari-funded cash-for-work programme implemented by UNDP/PAPP. Not only does the programme provide dignified jobs for the people of Gaza but will train and educate people with critical skills. The United Nations is working with all concerned parties to avoid escalation, relieve the suffering of people in Gaza, lift the closures, and support intra-Palestinian reconciliation.
Iraq
SRSG Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert visits Kurdistan Region, Iraq
The Special Representative for Iraq of the United Nations Secretary-General, Ms. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, met separately on 13 May 2019, with the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Mr. Nechirvan Barzani, the Chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council, Mr. Masrour Barzani, and the President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Mr. Masoud Barzani. In her meetings, SRSG Hennis-Plasschaert discussed the political, economic and security situation in Iraq and the region, as well as the recent efforts for the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
UN-facilitated “Iraqi Youth: Pioneers for Dialogue and Stability” workshops kick off in Iraq
In line with UNAMI’s mandate to support youth and their valuable contributions to the country, a series of workshops under the theme “Iraqi Youth: Pioneers for Dialogue and Stability” are taking place in locations across in Iraq throughout 2019. Deputy Special Representative for Iraq of the United Nations Secretary-General Alice Walpole underlined that, "The fora are a real opportunity for Iraqi youth to get together and talk through the issues that matter to them". She added that "the discussions are really interesting and the ideas that are put forward by the younger members of the community are ones that the politicians will take up". Watch UNAMI video: https://bit.ly/2H9diHf
Colombia
Former FARC combatants represent Colombia at international rafting championships in Tully, Australia
"Rafting for Peace" is an initiative that emerged as a productive project to support the socioeconomic reintegration of ex-combatants in the Territorial Area for Training and Reintegration in Miravalle, a region at the heart of the history of the Colombian armed conflict. Five former FARC-EP combatants and three members of the community of Miravalle in San Vicente del Caguán, have worked together to get certified as rafting guides. In recognition of their inspirational story, the International Rafting Federation invited the team to participate under the Peace Flag in the World Rafting Championships in Tully, Australia from 13- 20 May. The project has been supported by the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, the Reintegration and Normalization Agency and Coldeportes.
UN Verification Mission in Colombia Supports Reincorporation of Former Combatants
In Huila department in Colombia, 19 former combatants of the FARC-EP have established a poultry project with funding support from DPPA. On 13 May, representatives of the UN Verification Mission visited the project which is producing eggs daily for the consumption of the former combatants and their families and for sale. The Mission also participated in the inauguration of a Regional Reintegration Board composed of regional and local authorities, former combatants, civil society organizations and academic partners to push forward reintegration efforts across the department and integrate them more closely with regional development efforts.
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