USG DiCarlo: "The risk to security and stability, not only in Lebanon but also in the region, could not be clearer or graver"

On 20 September, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo briefed the Security Council on the situation in Lebanon. Speaking days after communications devices reportedly used primarily by members of Hizbullah had exploded across Lebanon, she said exchanges of fire across the Blue Line continued, and showed worrying signs of escalation. "The risk to security and stability, not only in Lebanon but also in the region, could not be clearer or graver," she stressed.

Special Coordinator underscores concern over expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank

On 19 September, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland told the Council that “Israeli policies and practices are systematically altering the land in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, creating dangerous dynamics and an existential threat to the two-state solution." “I reiterate that the establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation of international law,” he said. Israeli operations continued throughout Gaza, he said, displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. The Special Coordinator further noted that "89 percent of Gaza has been placed under evacuation orders at one point or another since 7 October." In addition, new evacuation orders have reduced the size of the Israeli-designated “humanitarian zone” in Al Mawasi to just 11 percent of the size Gaza Strip.

"The utmost need of the hour is for de-escalation," Special Envoy Pedersen tells Council

On 20 September, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria Geir Pedersen noted that he shared the Secretary General’s deep alarm at the reports of a large number of communication devices exploding across Lebanon, as well as in Syria on 17 and 18 September, which resulted in casualties including children, and subsequent Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon and Hezbollah rocket fire into Israel. "The utmost need of the hour is for de-escalation, now, across the region," he said.

Afghanistan faces "serious humanitarian and development crisis," Special Representative tells Security Council

On 18 September, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Roza Otunbayeva told the Security Council that the Afghan population "faces a serious humanitarian and development crisis" as international funding dropped, underlining that "the de facto authorities are exacerbating this crisis by policies that focus insufficiently on the real needs of its people." She went on to note that at the recent meeting in Doha, Member States and international organizations engaged directly with the de facto authorities on various concerns, including human rights. “The delegation from Kabul heard loud and clear the international community’s concerns and were given a chance to respond,” she said. 

ASG Pobee highlights "dangerous ethnic dimension" of fighting in Sudan

On 18 September, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee told the Council the current fighting in El Fasher between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces marked the latest chapter of violence in the city. She went on to highlight the risk that the escalating violence could fuel a “dangerous ethnic dimension of this conflict” and destabilize the entire region. Underlining the need for warring parties to respect their international-law obligations and for all Member States to observe the arms embargo on Darfur, she also urged members of the Council to "employ their collective leverage to help protect the population caught in the crossfire.”

Peacebuilding Commission holds meeting on Peacebuilding Fund

On 19 September, the Peacebuilding Commission held an Ambassadorial-level meeting on the activities of the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF). Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Peacebuilding Support, Elizabeth Spehar, briefed Member States on programming progress in 2024, planning for the use of assessed contributions in 2025, and the revision of the PBF’s Terms of Reference. Additionally, representatives from PBF partner countries shared insights on how the PBF is assisting their peacebuilding priorities.

ASG Spehar participates in event on "Local Action, Global Accountability"

On September 20 ASG Spehar participated in a high-level side event entitled Local Action, Global Accountability. The event, held at the Ford Foundation Centre for Social Justice, and organized by the World Alliance For Citizen Participation, the Movement for Community-led development (MCLD), the Network for Empowered Aid Response (NEAR) Peace Direct (international NGO) and the global network of philanthropy support and development organisations (WINGS), aimed to promote dialogue and transparency between international funders, UN agencies, and civil society from the Global South. The event addressed key challenges, power dynamics, and mutual accountability in advancing a locally led agenda.

Special Coordinator for Lebanon intensifies diplomatic efforts following communication device explosions

This week, United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert intensified her diplomatic engagements as tensions escalated in response to the explosions of communication devices on 17 and 18 September. The Special Coordinator consulted with Lebanese and Israeli actors, as well as other regional stakeholders, urging all to refrain from any further actions or rhetoric that could trigger a wider conflagration. She also met with Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib (pictured). Both stressed that diplomatic channels offer the only route to the restoration of calm and stability.

UNAMI holds workshop on international human rights law

From 16 to 18 September, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Human Rights Office, in coordination with the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights and the Human Rights Directorate at the Popular Mobilization Commission (PMC), organized a human rights workshop for the PMC Operations Directorate. Held in Baghdad, the workshop provided an introduction to international human rights law. It also covered topics including the national and international human rights protection mechanisms as well as human rights in counter-terrorism.

UNAMI meets with Governor of Kirkuk

On 16 September, UNAMI head of the Kirkuk Office Beppe Lovoi, was received by the new Governor of Kirkuk, Rebwar Taha. Lovoi stressed UNAMI’s continued cooperation with Iraqi authorities at the local and national levels during the mission's transition phase.

Tuluá, Valle del Cauca holds "Coffee smells of peace" event

On 17 September, the Cooaranpaz cooperative of peace signatories and victims of the armed conflict, with the support of the Secretary for Peace of the Government of Valle del Cauca, the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalisation and the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, held a talk entitled "Coffee smells of peace" at the farmers' market in the municipality of Tuluá. The members of this cooperative have become allies and partners in the production, marketing and preparation of good Colombian coffee.

Meta celebrates "Colours of Peace and Reconcilliation" festival

On 18 September, the people of Meta celebrated the 5th Georgina Ortiz "Colours of Peace and Reconciliation" festival. The event promoted integration between peace signatories and the community of the municipality of San Juan de Arama in the department of Meta through graffiti-muralism and tourism-promotion activities. The UN Verification Mission in Colombia accompanied the mural artists, the peace signatories and the community in the day's activities.

Next Week

On 21-22 September, the Summit of the Future Action Days will take place at UN Headquarters. DPPA is organizing sessions on intergenerational dialogue and dismantling patriarchal power structures on 21 September. On 24 September, the General Assembly's General Debate (high-level segment) will begin. On 24 September, there will be a high-level briefing on Ukraine in the Security Council.