USG DiCarlo joins celebration of eighth Peace Agreement anniversary in Bogotá

On 21 November, Under-Secretary-General (USG) Rosemary DiCarlo took part in the commemoration of the eighth anniversary of the 2016 Final Peace Agreement in an event supported by the UN Verification Mission in Colombia. In remarks delivered in Bogotá’s Plaza de Bolívar, DiCarlo said that Colombia’s peace process inspires the world. Acknowledging that challenges persist, she said, "comprehensive and lasting peace remains within your reach.” The USG renewed the UN’s support to Colombia’s peacebuilding process. She acknowledged the commitment of former combatants to a life of peace and stressed the need for justice for the victims of the conflict. Earlier in the day, the USG and Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the UN Verificiation Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu received, on behalf of the Mission, the award “Orden Jose Acevedo” from the Council of Bogotá, in recognition of the Mission’s work (photo).

USG DiCarlo briefs Council as war in Ukraine passes 1,000 day mark

On 18 November, USG DiCarlo, briefing on behalf of Secretary-General António Guterres, told the Security Council that “one thousand days have passed since the Russian Federation launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in brazen violation of the UN Charter and international law." She went on to note that the Russian Federation had recently launched one of its largest combined strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and there had been recent reports that Ukrainian forces would be authorized to use long-range weapons supplied by partners for strikes within the Russian Federation. She also noted that the recent reported deployment of thousands of troops from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the conflict zone was alarming. “This would add fuel to the fire, further escalating and internationalizing this explosive conflict,” she said.

Situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, ASG Jenča tells Council

On 20 November, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenča told the Council that Haiti was at a “dire crossroads.” He expressed concern over slow progress on Haiti’s road map for restoring democratic institutions. The security crisis continued to intensify, he said, citing a series of incidents taking place on the day of new Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé’ s installation, with four commercial aircraft struck by gang-related gunfire, resulting in the closing of Port-au-Prince’s international airport. On the Multinational Security Support mission, he said it was unable to demonstrate its full potential, with just over 400 of the initially planned 2,500 personnel currently deployed. While the UN Trust Fund for the Multinational Security Support mission has a pledged amount of $96.8 million, he stressed: “Much more is needed; and it is needed now.”

Syria remains in "profound and active state of war and division," says Deputy Special Envoy Rochdi

On 21 November, Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria Najat Rochdi briefed the Council on behalf of Special Envoy Geir Pedersen. She stressed that “Syria remains in a profound and active state of war and division" and noted that Pedersen was in Syria and would meet with the Government in the coming days. She noted that Pedersen was in Kazakhstan last week for Astana format meetings with interlocutors, and had since been in the region for a wide range of high-level contacts. The immediate priority for Syria is de-escalation, she stressed, noting that 2024 is “well on track to be the most violent since 2020."

After a year of war, the Middle East is "at a grim crossroads," says Special Coordinator Wennesland

On 18 November, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland told the Council that “The current conditions are among the worst we’ve seen during the entire war and are not set to improve." Outlining the escalating situation in the Middle East, he said that “after over a year of horrific war and bloodshed, the region is at a grim crossroads," going on to describe daily rocket fire from Lebanon towards northern and central Israel, as well as massive Israeli air strikes across Lebanon and an Israeli ground operation in southern Lebanon, exchanges of missiles and strikes between Israel and Yemen, Iraq and Syria, and direct military confrontations between Iran and Israel. The “immeasurable” trauma and grief unleashed since Hamas’s terrorist attacks inside Israel on 7 October 2023 “will reverberate for generations and shape the region in ways we cannot yet fully comprehend”, he stressed, reiterating his concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, particularly in the north.

Chair of Peacebuilding Commission Configuration on Liberia undertakes official visit to Monrovia

On 21 November, the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission’s (PBC) Configuration on Liberia, Nicola Clase, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations, commenced her first official visit to Monrovia. She was accompanied by Awa Dabo, Director and Deputy Head of the Peacebuilding Support Office in DPPA and Nathalie Ndongo-Seh, Director of the Western Africa Division, DPPA-Department of Peace Operations (DPO). During her visit, Ambassador Clase engaged with national authorities and the UN Country Team for a broad overview of Liberia’s key achievements and challenges in peacebuilding efforts. The delegation also engaged with donors and the diplomatic corps to address their support to the country’s peacebuilding trajectory and held a dynamic exchange with civil society representatives, including women and youth. They also engaged in a roundtable with the Working Group on Transitional Justice to discuss critical steps in advancing key transitional justice processes. The delegation will undertake a field visit over the weekend to see Peacebuilding Fund investments in support of women and youth in peacebuilding.

ASG Spehar visits Ottawa, meets with government officials

On 21 and 22 November, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support Elizabeth Spehar visited Ottawa, Canada. She held discussions with Leslie Norton, Assistant Deputy Minister for the International Assistance Partnerships and Programming Branch and Richard Arbeiter, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister for the International Security and Political Affairs Branch. She also engaged with other government counterparts, focusing on Canada’s leadership on peacebuilding, strengthening the Peacebuilding Commission in the context of the Peacebuilding Architecture Review, and support for the Peacebuilding Fund, the UN-International Financial Institutions Partnership Facility, and the Peacebuilding Impact Hub. An emphasis was put on support for women’s empowerment and gender equality in peacebuilding, as well as discussions concerning Haiti and the Sahel. 

SRSG Al Hassan visits rehabilitation centre

On 17 November, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Mohamed Al Hassan visited Jedaa1 Rehabilitation Centre. He commended Iraq’s efforts in repatriating its citizens from Al-Hol camp. He reiterated UN support and called for increased international support to ensure sustainable rehabilitation and reintegration for returnees. The SRSG met with returnees and service providers at the Jedaa 1 Rehabilitation Centre in Ninewa. He heard about the progress made and the current challenges. He reaffirmed UN commitment to support Iraq in its rehabilitation and reintegration efforts. 

SRSG Al Hassan visits IDP camp for the Yazidi community

This week, SRSG Al Hassan visited the Khanky Camp for Internally Displaced Persons from the Yazidi community in Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. He toured the facility, met with residents and with camp management to hear their concerns and needs, and to view the IDPs’ living conditions. Yazidis have endured difficult living conditions in Khanky since they were forced to flee their homes in Sinjar, Ninewa Governorate, during the Da’esh/ISIL onslaught in 2014. He called for urgent and swift action, stressing "These conditions should not continue. What is at stake is human lives. Such a situation should not continue.” 

SRSG Al Hassan meets Iranian Ambassador to Iraq

On 16 November, SRSG Al Hassan met with Mohammad Kazem Al-Sadik, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Iraq. They discussed the gains achieved in Iraq, as well as ways to enhance those gains in the interest of the Iraqi people. They also spoke on the need to shield Iraq from any regional tensions that might affect its security and stability.

SRSG Al Hassan meets with Iraqi officials

On 18 November, SRSG Al Hassan met with the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Mr. Masrour Barzani (pictured). They discussed the general situation in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region. On 19 November,the SRSG met separately in Baghdad with Iraqi Minister of Interior, Abdul-Amir Al-Shammari, and the National Security Adviser, Qasim Al-Araji. They discussed the situation in Iraq and the region, as well as the repatriation of Iraqis from the Al-Hol camp. On 21 November, Al Hassan met in Baghdad with the Head of the Iraqi National Security Service, Abdul-Karim Al-Basri. They discussed the general situation in Iraq and issues of mutual interest including the return of Iraqis from the al-Hol camp. 

Next Week

The United Kingdom will wrap up its Presidency of the Security Council for November.