Libya
Guterres: Ceasefire agreement “a fundamental step toward peace and stability in Libya”
The two Libyan delegations to the 5+5 Joint Military Commission talks facilitated by the United Nations signed on 23 October a “complete, countrywide, and permanent ceasefire agreement with immediate effect”. “I congratulate the parties for putting the interest of their nation ahead of their differences”, Secretary-General António Guterres said. “What you have accomplished here takes a great deal of courage”, Stephanie Williams, Acting Special Representative and Head of UNSMIL, said at the signing ceremony in Geneva. “You have come together for the sake of Libya, for the sake of your people, to take tangible steps and end their suffering”.
Read the Secretary-Generals remarks here
Read the Special Representatives remarks here
Watch the signing ceremony here
Read more in UN News
Ghana
Pre-electoral visit to Ghana
Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative and Head of UNOWAS, is currently conducting a pre-electoral visit to Ghana. From 21 to 29 October, the Special Representative will engage and consult with relevant stakeholders to promote peaceful, transparent, credible and inclusive general elections scheduled for 7 December 2020. He will also participate in a number of events organized by the UN and partners to promote peaceful elections, celebrate the UN 75th anniversary and commemorate the 20th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.
Colombia
Women in Colombia promote reconciliation and peacebuilding
In Chocó and Antioquia departments, nearly 180 women social leaders, former FARC-EP combatants, students, and demobilized women from other groups, participated in the virtual event entitled, “Encounters for Peace and Reconciliation” on 22 October. They learned about leadership, political power, conflict transformation, and culture for peace. The participants plan to replicate the knowledge and create a platform to keep in touch. The meeting, organized by the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, had the support of the Agency for Reintegration and Normalization (ARN), Popular Cultural Action, and other social organizations.
Central Asia
Regional training course on cyber security
The online regional training course “From Cyber-Enabled Crime to Terrorism: Efficient Online Investigations and the Role of Digital Forensics” organized by UNRCCA, the UN Counter-Terrorism Center within the UN Office of Counter Terrorism (UNCCT- UNOCT) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) was held between 21 and 23 October. The training course focused on digital forensics, use of open source intelligence for counter-terrorism investigations, identification and handling of digital evidence and requesting digital evidence across borders as well as investigation of terrorism related crimes facilitated by the use of the Darkweb and virtual currencies.
Read more here
Iraq
“Iraqi Youth: Pioneers for Dialogue and Stability” virtual workshop held in Misan
Under the theme “Iraqi Youth: Pioneers for Dialogue and Stability”, thirty young women and men from across Misan Governorate participated in a three-day workshop to discuss their role in addressing challenges facing their communities. The sixteenth such workshop, and the second to be held online due to the ongoing health crisis, was organized by UNAMI in cooperation with the Committee for Coexistence and Societal Peace in the Prime Minister’s Office and the Iraqi Al-Amal Association. During the training sessions, the group used interactive tools to discuss a number of issues they identified as important. These included: fostering young people’s political empowerment and enhancing their role in decision-making, in particular ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections; overcoming tribal conflicts; improving employment and investment opportunities, including in the tourism and alternative energy sectors; asserting state control over weapons; protecting women from domestic violence; preventing the spread of drugs among youth; and providing better public services.
Read more here
Kyrgyzstan
Meeting with the Prime Minister and acting President
Natalia Gherman, Special Representative and Head of UNRCCA, on 20 October met with Sadyr Japarov, Prime Minister and acting President of the Kyrgyz Republic, to discuss the situation in the country. The Prime Minister outlined his intention to pursue political and socio-economic reforms. He also briefed about the plans to hold new parliamentary elections on the basis of improved electoral legislation. The Special Representative highlighted that the current situation is exacerbated by the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore the UN would continue its humanitarian assistance, including through the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. She underlined the paramount importance of rule of law, an uncompromised fight against corruption and organized crime, and called upon the current leadership to ensure an inclusive and transparent decision-making process in line with the Constitution and national legislation, as a basis for UN cooperation.
Read more here
The Special Representative on 23 October met with Kanat Isaev, Speaker of the Parliament, and Aida Ismailova, Vice-prime-minister. Ms. Gehrman expressed readiness of the UN to support the electoral process, and underlined that the next elections have to be free and fair, ensuring meaningful participation of women and youth, and with strong oversight of the electoral process.
Read more here
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Women, Peace and Security
High-level event on women, peace and security in Colombia
Civil society participation, expertise, partnerships and financing are key to support gender-sensitive verification and implementation of peace agreements, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo said at the event ‘From words to actions: The experience of the UN Special Political Missions in Colombia on women, peace and security (2016-2020).’ The event, held at 20 October, marked the launch of a lessons learned study, was moderated by Teresa Whitfield, Director of DPPA’s Policy and Mediation Division, and gathered representatives from civil society, the Colombian Government, the UN, and FARC. “We are convinced that societies that give women the space to fully participate are among the most resilient and most peaceful. So, today, we recommit to these women, to continue implementing resolution 1325, reducing the gap between their aspirations and the opportunities for them to be protagonists in peacebuilding in Colombia,” Special Representative Carlos Ruiz Massieu said in his closing remarks.
Read DiCarlo’s remarks here
Read Ruiz Massieu’s remarks here
More about the study here
Watch the event here
Upcoming event
As part of the 20th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325, the event ‘Beyond the Pandemic: Opening the Doors to Women's Meaningful Participation’ will be held on Wednesday 28 October between 10:00 – 11:30 am NY Time.
Follow us on Twitter for more information on how to sign up for the event, or read more here.
Decolonization
Launch of animation video
The Decolonization Unit of DPPA on 21 October announced the launch of the animation video “United Nations and Decolonization: Past to Present”. As the UN marks its 75th UN anniversary and the end of the Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2011-2020), the video highlights the Organization's support to decolonization efforts across the globe since 1945. Decolonization is one of the most important achievements of the Organization. Since 1945, more than 80 former colonies have gained their independence. Today, the United Nations assists 17 remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories. The Decolonization Unit continues to support the work of the General Assembly, particularly its Special Committee on Decolonization.
Watch the video here
Security Council
Special Envoy commends the continued strengthening of the relationship between Sudan and South Sudan
Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, on 22 October briefed the Security Council on Resolution 2046. “I am happy to report that the relationship between Sudan and South Sudan continues to strengthen,” the Special Envoy said. He noted that the two countries still grapple with internal challenges, which have always constrained their bilateral relations. ”In South Sudan, the implementation of the peace agreement remains deadlocked on several substantive issues on which the parties may need some support to move forward. For its part, Sudan has embarked on the right path and demonstrated the political will to resolve its multiple conflicts. Now, more than ever before, it also needs our collective support to overcome some of the obstacles that are likely to hinder a smooth transition and the implementation of the peace process. It is in this context Madame President that we welcome the announcement by the United States government on 20 October to initiate the removal of Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list," Mr. Onanga-Anyanga said.
Read his remarks here
Peacebuilding
Interview on the impact of COVID-19 in Burundi
In “Building Peace during the Pandemic” this week, Garry Conille who, until August this year, was the UN Resident Coordinator in Burundi and is currently the RC in Jamaica, spoke with Marc-André Franche, Chief, Financing for Peacebuilding, Peacebuilding Support Office, about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the efforts of the Government and its international partners on building peace in Burundi. Mr. Conille cited in particular the challenge of mobilizing new resources for essential peacebuilding initiatives at community-level when Governments and donors were prioritizing immediate response to the health crisis. He explained how the UN Country Team had adapted its approach by ensuring that peacebuilding was central to the overall framework of the Secretary-General’s socio-economic response to the pandemic. Mr. Conille also underscored how the UN was able to demonstrate that, despite the risks posed by the pandemic, it is still an imperative to deliver essential services and support to the most vulnerable and at-risk populations.
Watch the video here
The Work of Peace
Virtual exhibit
Remember to check out our virtual exhibit – The Work of Peace, highlighting UN in preventive diplomacy, good offices, mediation and elections over the past 75 years, and looking ahead at what the future may hold for this work.
Enter here
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