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This Week in DPPA: 2 - 8 October 2021

This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world. 

Security Council

La Lime: "We must ensure that Haiti does not become a forgotten crisis" 

Helen La Lime, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) said on 4 October that the country is undergoing one of the most fraught periods in its recent history. For most observers, she added, it is difficult to envision an end to the country’s seemingly never‑ending crises. In a positive step, she said actors from across the political spectrum and civil society organizations have adhered to an agreement, which includes the formation of a new Provisional Electoral Council, the inclusion of the diaspora, as well as the holding of elections no later than the second half of 2022. 

Full briefing to the Security Council here

 
"All efforts should be squarely focused on saving lives and avoiding a massive human tragedy in Ethiopia" 

Secretary-General António Guterres, briefing the Security Council on 6 October on the situation in Ethiopia, reported that all humanitarian aid in Ethiopia is still not reaching anywhere close to the levels needed in Tigray, Amhara and Afar, and across the country. On the recent expulsion of seven UN officials, he expressed deep concern and further called on Ethiopian authorities to allow the UN to continue its work without any hindrance. In his remarks at the stakeout after the briefing, he stressed that the only agenda the UN has on Ethiopia is to support its people, do everything to stop the conflict and ensure humanitarian aid is distributed everywhere to everybody.

Full briefing to the Security Council

Watch the stakeout

 
Fifth edition of the UN Security Council in Review out now 

The Security Council Affairs Division of the Department has released its fifth edition of the "United Nations Security Council in Review." The monthly newsletter offers an overview of the activity of the Security Council for the previous month. It is an addition to the existing research tools and information products available here.

Read the latest September newsletter here

Libya

Joint Military Commission signs a comprehensive action plan 

The Joint Military Commission (JMC, 5+5) concluded on 8 October in Geneva a three-day meeting in Geneva, where they agreed on and signed a comprehensive action plan for the withdrawal of mercenaries, foreign fighters, and foreign forces from Libya. Commending the continuous efforts of the JMC, Ján Kubiš, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), welcomed the signing and the positive momentum it brings towards supporting the Libyans in regaining their sovereignty. “Agreeing on an action plan sends a signal of hope to the people of Libya that things can be moving, including towards elections,” the Special Envoy said.

Read more here

Somalia

Special Representative travels to Kismayo to discuss upcoming elections 

James Swan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), visited Kismayo, Jubaland on 3 October with the aim of reaffirming the international community’s collective support for the country’s elections and to discuss the next steps in the process. Speaking on behalf of the visiting international partners that accompanied him after the meeting with President Ahmed Mohamed Islam ‘Madobe’ and his team, Special Representative Swan said he commended Jubaland for being the first Federal Member State to start holding Upper House elections. He also emphasized the need for the election of the remaining Upper House seats to be completed in time.

Read more here

Lake Chad

Special Representatives participate in the Third Lake Chad Basin Governors Forum 

François Louncény Fall, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa and Head of the United Nations Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) participated from 4 to 5 October in the third Forum of Governors of the Lake Chad Basin, held in Yaoundé, Cameroon. He reaffirmed the engagement of the UN in Central Africa to support countries affected by Boko Haram and Islamic State to restore basic social services and authorities of riparian states. Also participating in the Forum, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Mahamat Saleh Annadif stressed the importance of developing and coordinating responses to face the challenges that threaten the different sub-regions.

Read more here 

Yemen

Special Envoy visits Saudi Arabia and Yemen 

During his three-day visit to Riyadh that ended on 5 October, Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy for Yemen, met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohamed Al Jaber among others. He said that ending the conflict and reaching a comprehensive and inclusive political solution that meets the aspirations of Yemenis should be the primary and urgent objective of all relevant actors. In Aden on 6 October, he met with the Yemeni Prime Minister, Maeen Abdulmalik, where they discussed the political developments and the full implementation of the Riyadh Agreement to support stability and functional State institutions.

Read more here on his latest visit to Aden

Iraq

UNAMI is in full force ahead of the elections this weekend 

Ahead of the elections scheduled for this Sunday, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) is implementing two electoral projects to assist in the organization of elections and to deploy UN experts to monitor election day in as wide a geographic area as possible. Nearly 900 individuals – international and national, experts as well as support staff – continue contributing to nationwide electoral efforts this week, carrying out a UN strategic messaging campaign to educate, inform and update Iraqi voters on election preparations. On 5 October in Baghdad, Special Representative of the Secretary-General Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert at a press conference emphasized the importance of ensuring accountability, exercising one’s electoral rights and helping to shape the country’s future.

Colombia

Monuments to honor victims of the conflict in Tolima

The Verification Mission accompanied on 3 October the inauguration of several monuments in tribute to the victims of the conflict in the village of Gaitania, municipality of Planadas, in the southern part of Tolima. Planadas was the birthplace of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP) in 1964.  The event – an initiative of the Commission for the Clarification of Truth, Coexistence, and Non-Repetition – was attended by members of the community and the Nasa indigenous reservation, teachers, former combatants, the international community and public officials from the region. After the signing of the 2016 Peace Agreement between the government and the FARC-EP, the region became known for the high-quality coffee produced by the community and former combatants living in one of the Reintegration Areas.

Innovation

Workshop on applying futures thinking for peace and security

DPPA’s Innovation Cell took part in a three-day intensive workshop in Kyrgyzstan, co-organized by the UN Country Team and the Regional Department of the UN Coordination Office for Europe and Central Asia. Under the guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator, the Peace and Development Advisor, and regional foresight experts, the workshop delved into how futures thinking can be applied to strategic country planning amid rapid political, social and economic changes. The UN Country Team in Kyrgyzstan team is one of the first to apply coherent foresight methodology as part of its priority setting for the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

Read more here how DPPA is exploring futures as it relates to our work

 
Launch of Peace and Security Data Hub

As part of the World Data Forum, DPPA and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations organized a panel on 5 October on “Strengthening peace and security data analytics” to mark the launch of the Peace and Security Data Hub. Over 150 participants joined the discussion that followed a video message from the Under-Secretaries-General Rosemary DiCarlo and Jean-Pierre Lacroix expressing strong support for the Data Hub and the need for data-based decision making on peace-related issues. The panel included Clionadh Raleigh from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) Project and Slava Jankin, Director of the Data Science Institute of the Hertie School of Governance. The discussion highlighted the need to make data more accessible and usable, requiring data literacy and a commonly understandable language across datasets. Participants noted that data is often underutilized and overlooked in organizations. New data tools, such as the Peace and Security Data Hub, can support experts in their analysis by bringing more accessible and disaggregated data. 

New Appointment

Staffan de Mistura of Italy announced as new Personal Envoy for Western Sahara

Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Staffan de Mistura as the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara. He succeeds Horst Köhler of Germany, who completed his assignment on 22 May 2019. The new Personal Envoy will provide good offices on behalf of the Secretary-General. He will work with all relevant interlocutors and carry on the UN's support to the political process. Mr. de Mistura brings more than 40 years of experience in diplomacy and political affairs.

Read more here  

Next Week

The Security Council will hold an open debate on 12 October to discuss peacebuilding and sustaining peace. On 14 October, Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg will brief the Council on developments in Yemen in the morning, and Special Representative Carlos Ruiz Massieu will brief on the situation in Colombia. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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