This Week in DPPA: 26 October - 1 November 2024

Sudan facing "utter humanitarian catastrophe," says Secretary-General

On 28 October, at an emergency meeting of the Security Council, Secretary-General António Guterres warned of the “utter humanitarian catastrophe” in Sudan. He went on to underline the need for decisive action, including an immediate cessation of hostilities and unfettered humanitarian access. “Eighteen months after brutal fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, suffering is growing by the day, with almost 25 million people in need of humanitarian assistance,” he said. He also noted the “shocking reports” in recent days of mass killings and sexual violence in villages of Al Jazirah state in the east.

ASG Jenča warns of “dangerous, escalatory trajectory" of war in Ukraine

On 30 October, Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča said that since his previous briefing to the Council a week before, Moscow’s attacks had continued to cause civilian casualties and damage to critical infrastructure across Ukraine. He referred to reports that troops from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) had been deployed to the Russian Federation, including possibly to the conflict zone. "We have followed with serious concern [these reports]," he added.

Special Coordinator Wennesland describes "horrific humanitarian nightmare" in Gaza

On 29 October, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland told the Council that the violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and wider region showed no signs of abating. "We are witnessing not only a horrific humanitarian nightmare, but a rapidly accelerated unraveling of the prospects for a sustainable resolution to this conflict," he said. Wennesland went on to note that, while he was in the Gaza Strip last week, he saw the "sheer magnitude of the devastation" and spoke to UN colleagues and humanitarian partners, who faced increasing challenges in their efforts to deliver vital assistance. He also said that 7 October was "a grim marker" of Hamas' horrific attack in Israel and marked a year of captivity for hostages still held in Gaza in unbearable conditions. "For them, as well, this nightmare must end," he said.

"We urgently need de-escalation on all fronts" to prevent all-out war in Middle East, says ASG Khiari

On 28 October, Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari briefed the Council on the Middle East, noting that “the latest exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran risks plunging the region into the unknown at a time when we urgently need de-escalation on all fronts." He went on to report that “in the early hours of 26 October, the Israel Defense Forces announced that they conducted ‘precise strikes on military targets in Iran,’” which it said were missile-manufacturing facilities. “This is the first time Israel’s military has claimed responsibility for attacking sites in Iran,” he said, noting that Israel said the strikes were in response to Iran’s 1 October attack. “Both sides must stop testing the limits of each other’s restraint and act in the interest of peace and stability for the region,” he said.

Security Council extends UNSMIL mandate by three months

On 31 November, the Security Council extended the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) mandate for three months until 31 January 2025, with an automatic nine-month extension if a new Special Representative and Mission Head is appointed by that date. Unanimously adopting resolution 2755 (2024), the Council urged Libyan political institutions and key stakeholders to resolve outstanding politically contentious issues pertaining to elections.

Security Council renews mandate of Verification Mission in Colombia

On 30 October, the Security Council voted unanimously to adopt resolution 2754 (2024), extending the mandate of the Verification Mission until 31 October 2025. By the text, the Council expressed its willingness to work with the Government of Colombia on continuing the mandate on the basis of agreement between the parties.

Security Council transfers UNSOM mandate to the Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia

On 30 October, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2753 (2024). By the text, it decided that the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) would now be the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia, and that this Mission would begin the formal transition of its functions on 1 November.

Somalia Sanctions Committee Chair briefs Council on partial lifting of arms embargo

On 31 October, the Chair of the entity overseeing sanctions on Somalia briefed the Council on recent developments. Kazuyuki Yamazaki of Japan, Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2713 (2023) concerning Al-Shabaab, recalled the 2023 arms embargo imposed on the group. Due to progress made on the weapons and ammunition management benchmarks endorsed in resolution 2662 (2022), the embargo had been lifted for Government of Somalia and the Somali national armed forces. 

Central Asian water experts meet to enhance cooperation on climate issues

 On October 29-30, 2024, in Almaty, Kazakhstan, the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia (UNRCCA) organized an "Expert Meeting on Water, Energy, Environment, and Climate Cooperation in Central Asia." The meeting brought together representatives from relevant ministries, state agencies, and national and international experts, including from the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN Economic Commission for Europe, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), and DPPA, to assess the current state of regional cooperation and identify priority areas for 2025.

Strengthening women's political participation in Central Africa

On 30-31 October, the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA), in collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), organized a workshop in Libreville to promote women's political participation in the region. The event, which brought together more than 30 women leaders from Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), highlighted practices from electoral processes in the DRC, offering valuable expertise to the Gabonese participants. Discussions focused on women's leadership, gender equality and ways of countering gender-based political violence.

SRSG Hassan participates in Middle East Forum

On 30 October, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Mohamed Al Hassan participated in the Middle East Forum 2024 in Erbil. The Middle East Research Institute (MERI) organized. the forum under the title "Towards Good Governance and Prosperity."

In a session on UNAMI and the future of the relationship between the United Nations and Iraq, the SRSG pointed to the Mission's contributions n Iraq over the past 20 years.

DSRSG Cordone attends announcement of Kurdistan election results

On 30 October, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq for Political Affairs and Electoral Assistance Claudio Cordone, attended in Erbil the announcement ceremony by the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) Chairman, Judge Omar Mohammed, of the uncertified results of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq parliamentary elections.

DSRSG Isaczai and EU Ambassador to Iraq visit EU-funded project in Kurdistan Region

On 30 October, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghulam M. Isaczai and the European Union Ambassador to Iraq, Thomas Seiler, visited UNESCO Iraq's EU-funded project at the Erbil Agricultural Vocational School. This initiative equips Iraq’s youth with essential agricultural skills, linking education with job opportunities for a sustainable future.

UNAMI Human Rights Office holds workshop on "Protecting Freedom of Expression and Countering Hate Speech"

On 28 October, the Human Rights Office of UNAMI organized a training in Erbil entitled “Protecting Freedom of Expression and Countering Hate Speech” for civil society organizations and human rights defenders from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The training gave participants information on how to identify hate speech, as well as one the tools available to monitor hate speech in social media. The participants were also familiarized with fact-checking techniques to accurately identify misinformation and disinformation.

Secretary-General visits Colombia for COP16

From 28-30 October, Secretary-General António Guterres visited Colombia for the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP16). Guterres welcomed the renewed efforts of President Gustavo Petro and his government to accelerate the implementation of the Final Peace Agreement and acknowledged the firm commitment of the other signatory party, the former FARC-EP combatants. UN Special Representative for the Secretary-General in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu echoed the Secretary-General's call to the Colombian people to persevere in consolidating peace.

At Parade in Cúcuta, a call for reconciliation and peace

On 29 October, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia attended the "Hand for Peace" parade In Cúcuta, alongside the Mayor's Office and the Governorate of Norte de Santander. The parade brought together civil society and institutions together to call attention to peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

Next Week

The United Kingdom will assume the Presidency of the Security Council for November.