Security Council
Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo hails strong UN cooperation with League of Arab States
Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo on 18 January briefed the Security Council on cooperation between the UN and the League of Arab States. “The close cooperation between the United Nations, including our Special Envoys and Representatives, and the League has been crucial in augmenting our efforts to address various situations in the Arab world,” Ms. DiCarlo said, referring to situations like Yemen, Libya, Syria and the Middle East peace process.
Read her full remarks here
Pedersen: “We must ensure that addressing the conflict in Syria is high among our shared priorities”
Special Envoy Geir O. Pedersen on 20 January updated the Council on the ongoing political process in Syria.
“We must ensure that addressing the conflict in Syria is high among our shared priorities. Syria has a great and proud history. But it is enduring the most profound tragedy. We need to begin to unlock progress, step by step, in a reciprocal and mutually reinforcing manner, along the path of resolution 2254,” Mr. Pedersen said. “If we do not, the dangers to Syria’s civilians, to Syria as a state, to its society, and to the region, will only grow," he concluded.
Read his full remarks here
Read more in UN News
Ruiz Massieu: 2021 must be remembered as a year of bold steps to fulfil promise of sustainable peace
Special Representative Carlos Ruiz Massieu on 21 January briefed on the latest report on the work of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia. Reviewing the achievements of the four years since the signing of the Peace Agreement, he said: “Colombians in rural areas, who suffered the brunt of the conflict, are beginning to see increased investments and State presence in their communities; Colombian society is coming to terms with its past through a transitional justice system centered on victims; and thousands of men and women who were in arms five years ago are now building better lives for themselves and their families, alongside local communities.” But Ruiz Massieu also emphasized that violence against former combatants, social leaders, human rights defenders and communities remains the most serious threat to peacebuilding in Colombia. “It is incumbent to ensure 2021 is remembered as the year in which bold steps were taken to bring to fruition the full promise of sustainable peace enshrined in the Agreement,” he concluded.
Read his full remarks here
Read more in UN News
Central Asia
New publication highlights young voices
A new UNRCCA publication comprising the entire essays of the contest winners from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan was launched this week. The Youth Ambassadors for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia and Afghanistan presented their ideas, concerns and vision for the future at the second Government-Youth Dialogue for Central Asia and Afghanistan in December 2020, and their thoughts can be found in the publication 'Youth Voices from Central Asia and Afghanistan: UN75 and Regional Peace and Security'.
Read more here
Iraq
We need to unite in our response while staying apart
The historic Erbil Citadel is the stunning backdrop for “Final Advice”, the latest music video by Anbar rappers Mr Legendary and IQ Kid. The video, commissioned by UNAMI’s Human Rights Office, is about curbing the spread of COVID-19. Whilst the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to decrease in Iraq, many countries have seen a resurgence of the virus to record levels, highlighting the need for us all to continue following COVID prevention measures.
Read more and watch the video here
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Libya
Digital dialogue with 1,000 Libyans
Following a four-day meeting of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum’s Advisory Committee in Geneva this week, Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Stephanie Williams logged in to an AI-powered chat to engage in a digital dialogue with 1,000 Libyans, the majority of whom hailed from all regions of the country, with the remaining participating from abroad. Ms. Williams welcomed the high level of engagement and interaction by participants as they answered questions on the political, security, and economic situation in the country.
Read more here
New Special Envoy
Secretary-General António Guterres on 18 January announced the appointment of Ján Kubiš of Slovakia as his Special Envoy on Libya and Head of UNSMIL. The Secretary-General is grateful for the commitment and outstanding leadership of Acting Special Representative Stephanie T. Williams in moving the political process forward in Libya. Mr. Kubiš, who has served as Special Coordinator for Lebanon since 2019, brings with him many years of experience in diplomacy, foreign security policy, and international economic relations, both internationally and in his own country.
Read more here
Mediation
UN support to local mediation processes
The Permanent Mission of Finland, the International Peace Institute (IPI), and the Mediation Support Unit (MSU) within DPPA's Policy and Mediation Division (PMD) on 20 January hosted an online policy forum on UN support to local mediation processes. The forum was set against the backdrop of the publication of two parallel reports issued by IPI and DPPA/PMD/MSU, and the growing recognition of the significance of local mediation tracks for holistic and sustainable peacemaking. Panelists included representatives from IPI, MSU Chief Asif Khan, as well as Guang Cong, Deputy Head of UNMISS, and Gabriela Iribarne from UNAMA, who spoke about UN engagement with local mediation in their respective mission areas. Discussions revolved around the spectrum of local mediation processes and actors; the roles played by the UN in local mediation settings; as well as the requisites, principles and objectives underpinning such engagement – including, for instance, the need for integrated mediation strategies, a clear-eyed assessment of the UN’s comparative advantage as well as a strategic prioritization of local-level initiatives based on their political significance and potential to help national peace processes thrive.
The DPPA report can be accessed at the UN peacemaker website; a recording of the policy forum can be accessed here.
Next Week
Security Council
Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo on 25 January will brief the Security Council on the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. On 26 January, Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland will update the Council on the Middle East peace process. Acting Special Representative Stephanie T. Williams will brief on the situation in Libya on 28 January.
Replenishment Conference for the Peacebuilding Fund
The Secretary-General has convened a high-level Replenishment Conference for the Peacebuilding Fund to be held virtually on 26 January to mobilize critical support from for conflict prevention and peacebuilding and meet the Fund’s $1.5 billion requirements for 2020-2024. The Secretary-General will be joined by the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio; the Prime Minister of Sudan, Abdullah Adam Hamdok; the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, Heiko Mass and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, Marc Garneau.
The event can be watched live on UN Web TV
The Work of Peace
Virtual exhibit
Remember to check out our virtual exhibit: The Work of Peace. It highlights the UN’s key role in preventive diplomacy, good offices, mediation and elections over the past 75 years, and looks ahead at what the future may hold for this work.
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