Great Lakes region: UN Envoy urges renewed coordination and ceasefire in eastern DRC

On 13 October, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General (SESG) for the Great Lakes region Huang Xia briefed the Security Council on recent diplomatic progress in the region, including the Washington Peace Agreement and the Doha Declaration. He welcomed African Union-led efforts to unify regional peace initiatives but warned that the ceasefire in eastern DRC remains unimplemented. SESG Xia called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, stronger support for peace agreements, and renewed coordination among regional and international actors. He emphasized the need to address the root causes of the conflict and reaffirmed the Addis Ababa Framework as a key instrument for achieving sustainable peace.

Libya: Special Representative briefs Security Council on political roadmap

Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the United Nations Support Mission for Libya (UNSMIL) Hanna S. Tetteh briefed the Security Council on 14 October on progress toward implementing the UNSMIL-facilitated political roadmap aimed at unifying institutions and preparing for national elections. She noted that despite initial meetings between the House of Representatives and the High Council of State, key milestones—such as reconstituting the High National Elections Commission and agreeing on an electoral framework—remain incomplete. Tetteh urged Libyan leaders to act swiftly, warning that UNSMIL will explore alternative approaches if consensus is not reached. She also highlighted plans for a Structured Dialogue in November to engage a broad cross-section of Libyan society on governance, security, and reconciliation.

UNOWAS Special Representative discusses regional cooperation with Togolese President

On the margins of the second Lomé Peace and Security Forum, SRSG and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Leonardo Santos Simão met on 12 October in Lomé with Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers, a new post which is the highest office in the government’s executive branch. Discussions focused on peace efforts, regional cooperation, and development challenges in West Africa and the Sahel. SRSG Simão commended Togolese authorities for the successful organization of the second Lomé Peace and Security Forum, highlighting it as a valuable contribution to stability across Africa. He encouraged sustained dialogue among political, economic, and social actors, and called for strengthened regional partnerships to address insecurity, climate change, migration, and governance.

Empowering young women’s leadership in West Africa and the Sahel

UNOWAS, in partnership with ECOWAS, UN Women, and GIZ, co-organized a regional seminar from 13 to 15 October in Abuja to strengthen the political leadership of young women. The training covered electoral frameworks, communication strategies, and digital advocacy. UNOWAS emphasized intergenerational mentorship by connecting members of the Network of Young Women in West Africa and the Sahel (ROAJELF) with ECOWAS female parliamentarians. The initiative aims to amplify young women’s voices within political parties and parliaments. UNOWAS reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive governance and women’s participation as essential pillars for peace, democracy, and sustainable development across the region.

Central Asia: UNRCCA participates in first Fergana Peace Forum

SRSG for Central Asia and Head of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Kaha Imnadze took part in the first Fergana Peace Forum, held on 15–16 October in Fergana, Uzbekistan. Organized by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan, the Forum brought together more than 300 participants from Central Asia and beyond to promote cross-border cooperation, dialogue, and sustainable development in the Fergana Valley. In his remarks, SRSG Imnadze welcomed the convening of the Forum as a timely and significant initiative, reinforcing recent progress in regional diplomacy and cooperation.

On the margins of the Forum, SRSG Imnadze participated in a Troika meeting with EU Special Representative for Central Asia Eduards Stiprais and OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre Director Kate Fearon. The partners discussed key regional developments, including Afghanistan, water management, border security, and connectivity, as well as ways to strengthen cooperation on inclusive governance, gender equality, and youth empowerment. SRSG Imnadze reaffirmed UNRCCA’s commitment to close coordination with the OSCE and the EU in advancing stability, dialogue, and sustainable cooperation across Central Asia.

Preventive Diplomacy Academy hosts OSCE Ambassador for session on regional security

UNRCCA hosted Ambassador William R. Leaf, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, for a session of its Preventive Diplomacy Academy (PDA) in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The event brought together around 60 participants from Central Asia and Afghanistan. Ambassador Leaf delivered a keynote presentation titled “The OSCE: Confidence Building, Trust, and Peace,” highlighting the Organization’s evolution, mandate, and comprehensive approach to security. He also underscored the OSCE’s engagement in Central Asia and its contribution to fostering dialogue and trust. UNRCCA reaffirmed its commitment to continued cooperation with the OSCE in promoting stability, preventive diplomacy, and regional connectivity.

UNRCCA co-organizes fifth regional conference on counter-terrorism early warning

From 13 to 16 October, UNRCCA and the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), with support from China through the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund, held the fifth regional conference on the Counter-Terrorism Early Warning Network for Central Asia. The event aimed to strengthen information exchange and coordination among national and regional entities addressing violent extremism and terrorism, including issues linked to Afghanistan. Representatives from all five Central Asian states, UN agencies, and regional organizations discussed counter-terrorism trends, the regional impact of developments in Afghanistan, and the use of AI-based early warning tools. A dedicated training session covered open-source intelligence, cybersecurity, and data management to bolster regional cooperation and early warning capacities.

Iraq launches National Housing Policy 2025–2030

Iraq has launched its National Housing Policy 2025–2030, marking a major step toward strengthening the housing sector and promoting equitable development. Developed with technical support from UN-Habitat, the policy introduces national building codes to improve fire safety, structural integrity, and climate resilience. Speaking at the launch, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) and Resident Coordinator for Iraq Ghulam Isaczai emphasized that “housing is not merely about buildings — it’s about equity, dignity, and social justice.” The initiative aims to enhance access to affordable, safe, and sustainable housing while supporting Iraq’s broader development goals.

UNAMI promotes human rights in elections and anti-corruption efforts

UNAMI’s Human Rights Office organized several capacity-building activities across Iraq to strengthen the integration of human rights principles in governance. In Basra, a training on 15 October brought together 25 young human rights defenders and NGO representatives to enhance their ability to monitor and respond to election-related violations through practical exercises and peer learning.

In cooperation with OHCHR and the Federal Commission of Integrity, UNAMI also held workshops in Karbala and Najaf on 15–16 October on applying a human rights-based approach to anti-corruption. The sessions engaged 81 participants from civil society, media, and local authorities, emphasizing public engagement, accountability, and protection for whistleblowers.

Rural women of Tumaco celebrated as guardians of peace

On 16 October, in observance of the International Day of Rural Women, the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC) joined the municipal authorities of Tumaco, UN Women Colombia, and networks of Afro-descendant, Indigenous, and rural women leaders and human rights defenders to celebrate their resilience and transformative role along Colombia’s Pacific coast. The event highlighted the cultural richness, ancestral knowledge and traditional products that women in the region cultivate to safeguard life, identity and food sovereignty within their communities. These expressions of heritage and strength stand as powerful symbols of peacebuilding and reconciliation across Colombia’s territories. 

Strengthening Indigenous participation in peace implementation in Caquetá

In Caquetá, the UNVMC, together with the Territorial Renewal Agency (ART), held a pedagogical session on 10 October in the Nasa El Portal Indigenous Reserve to promote awareness of the Peace Agreement. The activity strengthened the State’s engagement with Indigenous communities and underscored their vital role in advancing implementation of the Agreement. Participants also took part in “Saberes y Sabores” (“Knowledge and Flavors”), an intercultural exchange where traditional authorities and members of the Nasa community reflected on the Ethnic Chapter and the importance of Indigenous participation in building a reconciled and peaceful society.

"Reporting without Stigma": Journalists reflect on reintegration and reconciliation

In Bucaramanga, journalists from regional and national media outlets participated in the workshop “Narrar sin estigmas” (“Reporting without Stigma”), organized on 11 October by the UNVMC and the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization (ARN). The session, part of the Mirémonos de Cerca campaign, provided practical tools to promote informed and respectful media coverage of reintegration processes. Participants reflected on the media’s vital role in shaping narratives that foster peace and reconciliation while avoiding the stigmatization of former combatants. “It is painful to be labelled without recognizing the choice for peace that former combatants made. Our journalism must be based on respect,” one participant noted, emphasizing communication that builds empathy and understanding.

Peacebuilding Fund donors visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo to assess progress and partnerships

DPPA’s Peacebuilding Support Office and leading contributors to the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF)—including Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom—visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 6 to 10 October to learn how PBF support and UN partnerships with international financial institutions are strengthening national peacebuilding and conflict prevention priorities. The delegation met with national and provincial authorities, PBF project partners, and representatives from the World Bank, the United Nations, academia, and civil society. In Tanganyika, they observed how PBF investments in police training and accountability, local security committees, and community early warning systems have helped reduce crime and improve trust in authorities. With the support of the UN–IFI Partnership Facility, the UN is working with the World Bank and the African Development Bank to scale up PBF impact and align efforts with Government priorities to address the root causes of conflict and lay the foundations for sustainable development.

United Nations launches youth campaign for peace

On the International Day of Peace (21 September), the United Nations launched the Hear Us, Act Now for a Peaceful World campaign to harness the power and agency of young people in building peace. The campaign’s monthly newsletters feature blogs and stories from young people with lived experiences in conflict-affected settings and from global youth networks. The October edition spotlights youth leaders in Ukraine, the Global Refugee Youth Network, and the Young Women Peacebuilders Initiative as well as data and stories on the protection of war reporters, the women, peace and security agenda and poverty eradication ahead of respective international days. The initiative stems from the 2024 Pact for the Future and will contribute to the Secretary-General’s independent study on youth and peace, due in 2026. 

PBSO newsletter highlights peacebuilding priorities and global impact

The latest newsletter from DPPA’s Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) reflects on the urgent need to invest in prevention amid rising global conflicts and declining resources. It features insights on the Peacebuilding Fund’s new prioritization strategy—focusing on fewer countries for greater catalytic impact—and underscores strengthened partnerships with Member States and international financial institutions. The issue also showcases local peacebuilding success stories from Sierra Leone, Niger, South Sudan, and Guinea, demonstrating how community-led initiatives can foster inclusion, reduce violence, and advance sustainable peace.

Luxembourg contributes to DPPA’s Multi-Year Appeal 

This week, we thank Luxembourg for its contribution of $113,960 to DPPA's Multi-Year Appeal. These funds will support our work to strengthen peace and security in the Middle East.

Learn more about our Multi-Year Appeal

Next Week

On 22 October, Security Council members will discuss the situation in Syria and hear a briefing from SRSG Carlos Ruiz Massieu, head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). On 23 October, the Council will consider the situation in the Middle East. On 24 October, in commemoration of United Nations Day, the Council will convene a high-level debate on the maintenance of international peace and security, under the theme “The United Nations Organization: Looking into the Future.”