Regional spillover into Syria is "alarming," says Special Envoy Pedersen

On 23 October, Special Envoy to the Secretary-General for Syria Geir Pedersen warned the Security Council of the deteriorating situation in the country. “I want to issue a clear warning: regional spillover into Syria is alarming and could get much worse, with serious implications for Syria and international peace and security,” he said, highlighting that "the past month has seen the fastest paced and broadest ranging campaign of Israeli air strikes in the last thirteen years." He went on to note that hundreds of thousands of Syrians and Lebanese had fled into Syria. He called for an urgent de-escalation of regional tensions, which threaten to unravel ceasefire agreements that had prevailed for four years. All actors, Syrian and international – including Israel – must comply with international humanitarian law, he said. “Syrians need today the urgent protection provided by de-escalation and the support needed to face crises upon crisis,” he said.

Haiti security situation remains "extremely fragile," SRSG Salvador tells Council

On 22 October, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) María Isabel Salvador told the Council that “the security situation remains extremely fragile, with renewed peaks of acute violence,” noting that Haitians continued to suffer across the country as criminal gang activities escalated and expanded beyond Port-au-Prince. Turning to the work of the Multinational Security Support Mission, she said that 430 personnel were deployed, “yet it is far from enough." The Mission remained critically under-resourced, she continued, which could impact deployment and impede it from adequately supporting the Haitian National Police, calling for support for the Haitian security apparatus and funding of the Support Mission.

War in Ukraine "continues to cause deep human suffering," says ASG Jenča

On 21 October, Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča told the Council that more than two and a half years into the war on Ukraine, the Russian Federation’s unrelenting attacks continued to cause death and destruction. “Next month will mark 1,000 days of this devastating war," he said, "A war that continues to cause deep human suffering, threatens regional stability, and worsens global divisions." The ASG went on to note that the regions of Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv and Sumy bore the brunt of the Russian Federation’s attacks. While the worst impact of the war continued to be at the front-line communities of eastern and southern Ukraine, death was also a daily occurrence in areas away from active fighting, he said, including the targeting of residential areas in Kyiv.

Deputy Secretary-General launches "Common Pledge on Women's Participation in Peace Processes"

On 24 October, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed launched the Secretary-General’s "Common Pledge on Women's Participation in Peace Processes," a new initiative to strengthen the role of women in making and building peace worldwide. Speaking during the Security Council’s annual debate on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), the Deputy Secretary-General said, “Progress [on women’s participation] remains dishearteningly slow.” The Common Pledge asks all mediating entities leading or co-leading peace processes, from Member States to regional organizations and other mediation actors, to commit to concrete steps to ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of women.

UN Special Coordinator Hennis-Plasschaert continues to advocate for urgent ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hizbullah

This week, amid mounting devastation and humanitarian needs arising from the conflict between Hizbullah and Israel, UN Special Coordinator of the Secretary-General for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert held meetings with local and international actors as part of her diplomatic efforts for a political solution. 

Eighth annual UN–AU Conference held in Addis Ababa

 On 21 October 2024, African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres convened the Eighth African Union-United Nations Annual Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They reviewed progress in the implementation of the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, the AU-UN Framework for the Implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the AU-UN Joint Framework on Human Rights, and welcomed the progress made in the implementation of the three joint frameworks. Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo accompanied the Secretary-General during his visit to Addis Ababa.

Peacebuilding partners visit Chad

From 21-25 October, Assistant Secretary-General Elizabeth Spehar led a high-level delegation to Chad, with Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) partners from Denmark, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The delegation met the President, Prime Minister, other government officials, international financial institutions and other partners, including women and youth organizations, the National Human Rights Commission, and National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission. The delegation witnessed PBF support to Chad at a critical juncture, and gained insights into the country’s peacebuilding needs. With the Mediator of the Republic, they discussed opportunities arising from development of a National Strategy for Social Cohesion. Meetings in N’Djamena and visits to Abéché (East) and Bol (Lac) highlighted the essential peacebuilding role of women and youth, and the compounding challenges posed by forced displacement and accelerated climate change. In Abéché, ASG Spehar launched a PBF initiative to support social cohesion and foster dialogue between host communities, returnees, and refugees fleeing the war in Sudan, commending the people of Chad for their solidarity and hospitality amidst growing pressures.

Advancing national prevention strategies through the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda

On Wednesday, 23 October, the Peacebuilding Support Office, together with the Permanent Missions of Sweden, Liberia, and Colombia, and UN Women, organized a joint event on National Prevention Strategies and the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda. Attendees exchanged experiences and lessons learned on implementing prevention strategies and WPS National Action Plans, exploring synergies between the two. Participants emphasized the inherently preventive nature of the WPS agenda and its potential as a framework to inform broader strategies. In her opening remarks, Awa Dabo, Deputy Head of the Peacebuilding Support Office, highlighted the role of the Peacebuilding Commission as a platform for sharing best practices across both agendas and for promoting inclusive development and implementation of prevention strategies. Recommendations from the event will be included in submissions for the Peacebuilding Architecture Review.

SRSG Abarry discusses transition process with former PM of Gabon

On 22 October, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa Abdou Abarry met with former Gabonese Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, at the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) headquarters in Libreville. They discussed the ongoing transition process, underlining the need to maintain stability in the country. They also noted. the need for a peaceful climate before, during and after the constitutional referendum, which is scheduled for 16 November.

SRSG Al Hassan meets with senior Iraqi officials

On 23 October, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq Mohamed Al Hassan met with President of Iraq Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid (pictured right). They discussed the general situation in Iraq and the progress achieved in recent years, as well as the role of the United Nations and future partnership with the country. On 22 October, Al Hassan met with the Foreign Ministry’s Undersecretary for Bilateral Affairs, Mohamed Hussain Bahr Al-Uloom. They discussed ways to advance cooperation between Iraq and the UN. On 23 October, the SRSG met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning Muhammad Ali Tamim. They discussed the close cooperation between the United Nations and the Government of Iraq on development and humanitarian issues. On 24 October, the SRSG met with National Security Adviser Qassim al-Araji. They discussed a number of topics including the repatriation of Iraqi nationals from the Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria. On 22 October, Al Hassan visited the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) in Baghdad, where he met with the Chairman and the Board of Commissioners to congratulate the IHEC on the technically smooth and successful organization of the 20 October parliamentary election in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

UNAMI electoral team provides technical support and advice to IHEC

On 23 and 24 October, the UN Assistant Mission for Iraq's (UNAMI) electoral team was present at the audit centers in Duhok, Sulaymaniyah and Erbil, where a recount at a number of polling stations was being conducted. UNAMI provided technical support and advice to Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission throughout the electoral process of the Kurdistan Region's parliamentary elections, which were held on 20 October.

DSRSG Isaczai visits refugee camp

On 21 October, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq Ghulam M. Isaczai visited the Domiz 1 Refugee Camp in Duhok Governorate, which is home to nearly 30,000 refugees. He met with residents and listened to them speak about their challenges and aspirations. Isaczai also met with representatives of UN agencies, NGOs, and partners to discuss ongoing collaboration and strengthen joint efforts to support displaced communities. 

"Community agendas" help reconciliation efforts in Colombia

This week, the Agency for Reintegration and Normalization (ARN) attended an event on "community agendas" in Roncesvalles, Tolima. The community agendas aid reconciliation between ex-FARC-EP members, communities and victims. The head of ARN, along with individuals from local and regional groups and the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, were present at the event. The ARN distributed bicycles to the local cycling club, built a playground in Santa Elena, and provided equipment for the women's center that included a loom and embroidery machines. The joint work of victims, former fighters, and officials is a testament to the progress being made in bringing communities together.

Next Week

On 28 October, Personal Envoy to the Secretary-General for Sudan Ramtane Lamamra will brief the Security Council. On 29 October, there will be an open debate on the Middle East. On 30 October, the Council will table a resolution on the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), the mandate of which is set to expire on 31 October.