Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo visits Japan and Republic of Korea

From 30 October to 4 November, Under-Secretary-General (USG) Rosemary DiCarlo visited Japan. She expressed appreciation for Japan's cooperation with the UN and its strong support for the work of DPPA. The USG discussed the concerning developments on the Korean Peninsula, including the Democratic Republic of Korea's (DPRK) launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on 31 October, the reported involvement of DPRK troops alongside forces of the Russian Federation in the war with Ukraine and the abduction of Japanese nationals by the DPRK. 

From 4-6 November, the USG visited the Republic of Korea (ROK). DiCarlo expressed appreciation for the ROK’s strong support for the work of DPPA and exchanged views on the developments on the Korean Peninsula, including the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) ballistic missile launches on 31 October and 5 November.

War in Sudan "major source of destabilization" in region, says ASG Pobee

On 5 November, Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Africa Martha Pobee told the Security Council that the war in Sudan continued to have "a profound impact on the security, economic and humanitarian situations in both Sudan and South Sudan, including in the Abyei box." The ASG briefed the Council on the implementation of resolution 2046 (2012) and gave updates on developments in Abyei and the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). She went on to note that, as the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces entered its nineteenth month, it remained a major source of destabilization in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel regions, with dire security, humanitarian and economic consequences for Sudan’s neighbours.

DPRK's latest ICBM launch represents "grave threat to regional stability," says ASG Khiari

On 4 November, ASG for Middle East and Asia Pacific Khaled Khiari told the Council that on 31 October, the DPRK announced the launch of a "Hwasong‑19" intercontinental ballistic missile. This latest launch was “of serious concern and represents a grave threat to regional stability,” Khiari said, noting that it set new records in terms of flight duration and altitude and might be capable of carrying larger warheads than its predecessor.

Yemen Sanctions Committee Chair briefs Council

On 5 November, the Council received an update from the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014), which monitors the implementation of sanctions targeting individuals and entities involved in actions that threaten Yemen’s peace and stability. Joonkook Hwang (Republic of Korea), speaking in his capacity as Chair, reported that members had met four times in informal consultations since his last briefing to the Council on 8 November 2023. He said that on 23 February, the Committee heard a presentation by the Panel of Experts on its programme of work, following the extension of its mandate by Council resolution 2707 (2023). On 3 May, the Committee were briefed by Panel members on the midterm update. On 19 September, the panel briefed the Committee on its final report, which was transmitted to the Council on 11 October.

ASG Spehar co-chairs UN-World Bank Steering Committee

On 7 November, ASG for Peacebuilding Support Elizabeth Spehar co-chaired the United Nations-World Bank Steering Committee under the UN-World Bank Partnership in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations. ASG for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenča also attended the meeting. The Committee discussed leveraging the UN-World Bank partnership in Haiti to help the government address systemic drivers of fragility, support the most vulnerable, and lay the foundation for sustainable peace and development. ASG Spehar also met counterparts from the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank as well as the US State Department and USAID.

UNOWAS supports National Stakeholders’ Forums in Ghana

This week, the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), in collaboration with the National Peace Council of Ghana, supported the organization of National Stakeholders’ Forums in Tamale, Kumasi, Cape Coast, Ho and Accra. The focus of the Forums was trust-building to ensure holding of credible, inclusive, and peaceful general elections on 7 December. In his remarks, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Leonardo Santos Simão stressed the importance of peaceful elections, and urged leaders and citizens alike to foster trust and cooperation throughout the electoral period.

SRSG Imnadze participates in high-level border security conference

On 4-5 November in Kuwait City, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Kaha Imnadze participated in the Dushanbe Process High-Level Conference on “Strengthening International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation and Building Agile Border Security Mechanisms – The Kuwait Phase." The SRSG said that UNRCCA adopts a preventive diplomacy approach to address border security and management challenges related to extremism and terrorism. He noted that border security starts well before borders, and is closely linked to many other issues, such as political will, trust building and prevention of radicalization.   

SRSG Al Hassan meets with Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani in Najaf

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On his inaugural visit to Najaf Governorate on 4 November, SRSG and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Mohamed Al Hassan met with His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani. Addressing journalists afterwards, the SRSG expressed his gratitude to His Eminence for his continued support for the UN and its role in assisting Iraq, stressing that the UN will continue to support the country on its path towards stability, sustainable development and respect for human rights. He also said that he had agreed with His Eminence to work jointly towards building on Iraq's regional and international standing and a force for security, stability, and good neighborliness in the region. 

SRSG Al Hassan meets with Iraqi officials

On 5 November, SRSG Al Hassan met separately in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani (pictured), Head of the State of Law coalition Nouri al-Maliki and Head of the Al Nasr Coalition Haider al-Abadi. Discussions focused on the situation in Iraq and the region. On 6 November, the SRSG met with the Head of the Supreme Judicial Court, Judge Faiq Zaidan. They discussed avenues of cooperation between the United Nations and Iraq on judicial matters. On 7 November, Al Hassan met in Baghdad with the Head of the Al-Hikma National Movement, Ammar Al-Hakim. They discussed the situation in Iraq and the region.

UNAMI HRO roundtable discussion on the prevention of domestic violence

On 5 November, the UNAMI Human Rights Office held a roundtable discussion in Baghdad on the prevention of domestic violence. Participants included representatives from the National Directorate for Iraqi Women, the Ministry of Interior Family and Child Protection Directorate, community police, the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights (IHCHR), representatives of civil society organizations, human rights defenders, journalists and lawyers. The discussions were structured around the recommendations contained in the 2024 UNAMI/Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report “Accountability for Domestic Violence: Promoting Justice and Non-Discrimination."

The Scent of Peace: international coffee fair in Tolima, Colombia

On 1 November, Deputy Representative of the Secretary-General for Colombia Raúl Rosende, alongside a group of representatives from the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF), UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the embassies of Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Ireland, Mexico, Norway, and the United Kingdom, travelled to the municipality of Planadas, southern Tolima, in central Colombia, to participate in an international coffee fair. The delegation saw how the production of coffee not only provides economic opportunities but also forges peace and reconciliation, as former combatants, indigenous communities, peasants, victims and the private sector come together to strengthen local development in a region affected by conflict. The Governor of Tolima, Adriana Magali Matiz, joined the delegation in meetings with representatives from civil society and a group of signatories to the Peace Agreement.

"Seeds of Peace” exhibition shows commitment to peace 

Ahead of the eighth anniversary of the Colombian Peace Agreement later this month, the exhibit "Seeds of Peace" has gone on display at the Gabriel García Márquez Cultural Center in Bogotá until 23 November. The photographic exhibit is the result of the collective efforts of former combatants and family members, and shows the peacebuilding process across different territories through their eyes. The exhibit surveys the themes of nature, gender, absence and family, highlighting a commitment to a life in peace. "Seeds of Peace" received support from the European Union, the European Fund for Peace, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Colombian Ministry of Cultures.

Next Week

On 12 November, Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan Ramtane Lamamra will brief the Security Council. On 13 November, the Council will consider a resolution on the 2140 Sanctions Committee (Yemen).