A brief roundup of United Nations-related political and peacebuilding events and developments globally.

ASG Khiari highlights importance of partnership between UN and League of Arab States

On 23 January, Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Khaled Khiari welcomed the ceasefire in Gaza and release of Israeli hostages, noting the deal brokered by two Arab League members — Egypt and Qatar — as well as the United States. “This critical and long-awaited agreement offers a ray of hope, a long-overdue moment that provides much-needed relief for Palestinians in Gaza and for the hostages reunited with their loved ones,” he told the Security Council. He also commended the Arab League for its vocal support of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in carrying out its mandate. He went on to highlight the League’s role in contributing to the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel. The League is also an important partner for the United Nations in facilitating a comprehensive and inclusive political settlement of the conflict in Yemen and Libya, he added. “We commit to continue our partnership with the League of Arab States to augment our joint efforts to improve the lives of people across the Arab region and beyond,” he said.

SRSG Salvador points to "signs of progress" on political front in Haiti

On 22 January, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Haiti and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) María Isabel Salvador told the Council that she was "hopeful for the signs of progress in the political front, despite serious setbacks in the security one." On security matters, she noted the targeting of commercial aircraft near the Port-au-Prince international airport by armed gangs, as well as subsequent coordinated gang attacks across the capital. She went on to describe additional deployments of personnel to Haiti from Kenya, Guatemala and El Salvador, as well as positive developments on the political front, including the appointment of a Prime Minister on 11 November.

SRSG Ruiz Massieu calls Colombians to continue working together to advance peace

On 22 January, SRSG Carlos Ruiz Massieu briefed the Council about the developments of the implementation of the Peace Agreement in Colombia, in which he expressed his sadness at the actions that have bloodied the remote Catatumbo, claiming dozens of civilian lives, including former combatants signatories of the Peace Agreement, as well as local leaders and members of communities. SRSG Ruiz Massieu called again for armed groups to cease all actions that place at risk the civilian population and reiterated the centrality of the 2016 Final Peace Agreement as the core instrument for consolidating peace across the country. He also highlighted that 2025 is an essential window for Colombians to continue to work together to advance peace as a strategic national objective.

PBC Ambassadorial-level meeting on the Inter-American Development Bank Framework for Supporting Populations in Situations of Fragility, Conflict, and Criminal Violence

On 17 January, the Peacebuilding Commission convened a meeting to discuss the Inter-American Development Bank's (IDB) Framework for Supporting Populations in Situations of Fragility, Conflict, and Criminal Violence. The framework covers crisis-affected contexts as well as "pockets of fragility" in middle- income countries. The session highlighted the IDB’s commitment to addressing challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasizing the role of multilateral development banks as "agents for peace." Representatives from Ecuador, Guatemala, and Honduras shared insights on their peacebuilding progress and challenges. Discussions underscored the importance of collaboration between regional banks like the IDB and the UN peacebuilding architecture to address root causes and foster sustainable development. Member States explored complementarity opportunities, reinforcing shared goals of promoting stability and resilience in the region.

PBC Ambassadorial-level meeting of the Country-Specific Configuration on Guinea-Bissau

On 22 January, the Peacebuilding Commission held an Ambassadorial-level meeting of its Guinea-Bissau Configuration to discuss the country's peacebuilding priorities. The session included briefings from Carlos Pinto Pereira, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Barrie Freeman, the Deputy SRSG of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahe, Geneviève Boutin, the Resident Coordinator in Bissau, and Denise Indeque, a civil society representative, all emphasizing the need for coordinated support to address structural limitations. Outlining his government's peacebuilding goals, the Minister highlighted the organization of general elections in 2025 as an immediate priority for the country, recognizing sustainable development as a long-term goal. Member States praised the country’s macroeconomic reforms under the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Extended Credit Facility and called for support to strengthen national capacity and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Discussions highlighted the Peacebuilding Fund’s critical contributions, through projects that address political inclusivity, human rights, and youth and women empowerment.

SRSG Al Hassan visits southern Iraq

On 18-19 January, the SRSG and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Mohamed Al Hassan, visited southern Iraq and met with government officials and tribal leaders. The SRSG visited historical sites and the ancient city and Ziggurat of Ur, where he highlighted the role of the Ur in influencing the human civilization over the ages. The SRSG also toured the Ahwar of Southern Iraq which is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Biodiversity Refuge and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities. "The marshlands are not only magnificent landscapes, they are also essential for Iraq’s biodiversity," noted the SRSG.

SRSG Al Hassan visits Iraqi Media Network

On 20 January, SRSG Al Hassan visited the Iraqi Media Network. He met with its Chairman, Kareem Hamadi, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Thaer Al-Ghanimi, in the presence of directors of the network’s channels and media institutions. The Special Representative was briefed on the work of the network and its various institutions and highlighted the pivotal role of Iraqi media in promoting stability and progress in Iraq.

DSRSG Isacazai chairs ONE UN Plan Steering Committee

On 19 January, the Deputy SRSG for Iraq, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, Ghulam Isaczai, chaired the ONE UN Plan Steering Committee to discuss support for Iraqi efforts to repatriate citizens from Syria. The United Nations in Iraq reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Government of Iraq leadership in voluntary returns and delivering equitable, needs-based services for all.

Department of Chocó is a pioneer in the Strategy to accelerate the implementation of the Ethnic Chapter of the Final Peace Agreement

On 24 January, the international and national authorities, authorities from the Department of Chocó, ethnic-territorial communities and the UN Verification Mission in Colombia held a closing event to wrap up the first phase of the Strategy to promote the implementation of the Ethnic Chapter. In 2024 in five sub-regions of the Department of Chocó, work began on the Strategy, with the main objective of bringing the national authorities responsible for implementing the Ethnic Chapter closer to the communities and local authorities, in order to prioritize certain areas and make concrete commitments for its fulfillment. The Ethnic Chapter of the Peace Agreement represents a historic recognition of the rights of Colombia's indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples.

Next Week

On 27 January, Special Envoy Geir Pedersen will brief the Security Council on Syria.

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