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On 20 March, Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) Khaled Khiari told the Council that the ceasefire that had gone into effect in Gaza on 19 January had “offered a glimmer of hope” by reuniting 25 Israeli hostages with their loved ones and returning the remains of eight deceased hostages. “The testimonies of those released provide terrifying accounts of their captivity, including physical and psychological torture, sexual violence and deprivation,” he said. ASG Khiari went on to note that the significant Israeli air strikes in Gaza in recent days had also been devastating. Hundreds of Palestinians were killed, including women and children, as well as a staff member from the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and another five UNRWA staff. “With every passing day, we move further away from the objective of returning the remaining hostages safely to their homes,” he said, noting that "a renewed ceasefire is the best way of protecting civilians."
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Security Council extends UNAMA mandate
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On 20 March, On 19 March, the Security Council voted to extend the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 March 2026. In its unanimous adoption of resolution 2777 (2025), the Council stressed the importance of the Mission’s continued presence. It also called on relevant stakeholders to work with the Mission to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of UN and associated personnel throughout the country.
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Peacebuilding Commission convenes an expert-level meeting with women civil society groups
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On 18 March, the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) convened an expert-level meeting with women civil society groups on the margins of CSW69. The meeting featured briefings from Paivi Kannisto, the Chief of the Peace, Security, Humanitarian and DRR Section of UN Women, Olivia Baro, representing the Pacific Conference of Churches, Jasmin Nario-Galace, representing the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP), France Bognon, representing the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN), and Jackline Nasiwa, the Executive Director of the Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice (CIGPJ) based in South Sudan. Member States welcomed the opportunity to engage with women peacebuilders and echoed their calls for developing innovative sources of financing to support women-led peacebuilding initiatives and empowering women to participate meaningfully in peace processes. During the exchange, they also posed various questions to the civil society representatives on such topics as ways of maximizing localized peacebuilding initiatives, how best to showcase the impact of civil society’s work in various contexts, and their experiences engaging with host governments and the UN system. The exchange will inform the Commission’s ongoing discussions on issues related to Women, Peace, and Security in a year marked by the anniversaries of the Beijing Conference and SCR 1325 and by the 2025 Review of the UN’s Peacebuilding Architecture.
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Peacebuilding partners visit the Central African Republic
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From 16 to 21 March, Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) Elizabeth Spehar led a high-level delegation to the Central African Republic, with Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) partners from Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Japan, and Norway, representatives from the PBF Advisory Group and the Peacebuilding Commission. The delegation met with the President, the Prime Minister, and other key government officials, as well as with International Financial Institutions, and civil society, including human rights defenders and women and youth organizations. The delegation recognized the strategic support provided by the PBF to the Central African Republic and gained valuable insights into the country’s peacebuilding context and the contribution of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and the UN system. Project visits in Bangui and Bambari highlighted the essential role of women and youth in peacebuilding efforts as well as the reintegration of former combatants.
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UNOCA holds workshop on press freedom
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On 20-21 March, the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), in collaboration with the High Authority for Communication (HAC) of Gabon, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), organized a training workshop in Lambaréné, western Gabon, ahead of the presidential election on 12 April. The workshop trained 34 participants (including 15 women) on strengthening collaboration between journalists, security forces and electoral institutions to guarantee press freedom, protect journalists and combat misinformation.
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