USG DiCarlo attends Doha Forum

On 7-9 December, Under-Secretary-General (USG) Rosemary DiCarlo attended the Doha Forum, where she participated in a panel event on the Pact for the Future. Over the course of the two-day conference, developments in Syria took centre stage at the Forum. USG DiCarlo discussed the situation in the country with Qatari interlocutors, stressing the need for an inclusive and orderly transition and highlighting the UN’s readiness to support the Syrians on this path. She also discussed the conflict in Gaza and the prospects for an immediate ceasefire as well as developments in Lebanon. She also discussed the need for expanding partnerships and cooperation with Qatar charities and foundations. USG DiCarlo also met with the foreign ministers of Norway and Cyprus as well as representatives from the Syrian National Coalition.

In addition, USG DiCarlo spoke on a panel entitled "What It Takes: Advancing the UN's Pact for the Future for Global Peace and Sustainable Development." In her remarks, she emphasized that the adoption of the Pact for the Future represented an important milestone, demonstrating that Member States remain invested in the multilateral system to advance their shared priorities. She stressed that the Pact had cast a spotlight on diplomacy, peacemaking, and the pacific settlement of disputes and conflict prevention.

The Doha Forum brings regional and global leaders together every year to discuss global challenges. This year, the Forum focused on the need for innovative approaches to cooperation and diplomacy in tackling the world's interlocking challenges and conflicts, with a particular focus on Gaza, Lebanon and Sudan, as well as Syria.

"A peaceful resolution is possible" in Yemen, Special Envoy Grundberg tells Council

On 11 December, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen Hans Grundberg told the Security Council of the persistently fragile situation in the country, with ongoing flare-ups in areas such as Al‑Dhale'e, Hudaydah, Lahj, Ma’rib, Sa’adah, Shabwah and Ta’iz. “Ending the war is a choice — one that remains within reach of the parties,” he said, urging them to actively engage with his efforts on the road map, which would deliver a ceasefire, economic measures and preparations for an inclusive political process. He went on to note the persistent insecurity in the Red Sea, and called on all involved to take the necessary steps to create a conducive environment for the conflict’s resolution. “A peaceful resolution in Yemen is possible,” he said, stressing that “Only through a shared commitment and decisive action can we create and maintain an environment conducive to effective mediation and realize the sustainable, inclusive and just peace that the Yemeni people have yearned for and rightly deserve.”

SRSG Otunbayeva says latest restrictions on women in Afghanistan have "deadly implications"

On 12 December, Roza Otunbayeva, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), told the Council she “strongly urged the de facto authorities to reconsider” the barring of women from medical training, which would have "deadly implications" for women and girls. The measure is part of the authorities’ pursuit of a vision of an Islamic system and Afghan culture characterized by a “progressive erasure from almost all walks of life”, she said. Outlining UNAMA's engagement with the Taliban on issues such as human rights norms and detainee access, as well as on counter-narcotics, she said that “Engagement is not normalization or recognition.” Engagement serves to prevent Afghanistan’s isolation or — worse — a return to conflict, she said.

Global challenges have not spared Central Africa, SRSG Abarry tells Council

On 13 December, SRSG and Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa Abdou Abarry told the Council that "current global challenges...have not spared Central Africa," he said, noting that the region had not escaped security crises, the climate emergency, or geopolitical rivalries. He also highlighted that electoral cycles have been held or will be held in the sub-region, and his office had been following with great attention the preparations for the numerous elections that are expected in the region in 2025 and 2026. It should be noted that UNOCA had always advocated for consensual and inclusive elections, free from any restriction on freedom. of expression and outside of any hate speech or call to violence.

Iraqi Government is "strong voice for regional peace and stability," SRSG Al Hassan tells Council

On 6 December, Mohamed al Hassan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) told the Council that “Today’s Iraq is not the same as the Iraq of 20 years ago, or even five years ago." He went on to note that a major milestone was the successful conduct of the national census on 20 November, and that preliminary results from the first census to include the Kurdistan Region since 1987 indicate a doubling of the population in 30 years to more than 45 million people. “Decision makers will now be able to plan based on reliable facts and figures,” he said. On the security front, Iraq’s Government has shown resolve in staying out of the widening regional conflict while standing firm as a "strong voice for regional peace and stability," he said.

Security Council hears briefing on Haiti sanctions

Briefing the Council, the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti told the Council that the Committee has met on three occasions in informal consultations and has held two briefings to Member States. She said that the Panel of Experts assisting the sanctions regime submitted to the Council interim and final reports on 29 March and 30 September respectively, and also noted the submission of two confidential periodic updates to the Committee during its mandate. “These reports provided extremely useful insights on the situation in Haiti,” she observed, adding that they also supplied information on several individuals who could be responsible or complicit in, or had engaged — directly or indirectly — in actions that threaten peace, security and stability of that country.  On 27 September, the Committee added two individuals to its sanctions list, bringing the total number of those individuals to seven.  

Council receives update on Sudan sanctions

On 11 December, the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) concerning Sudan briefed the Council on the subsidiary body’s work from 12 September to date. The Committee met once in informal consultations, and added two individuals to the 1591 Sanctions List, as well as received the Sudan Panel of Expert’s second quarterly report, he said. On 8 November, the Committee listed two individuals for engaging in activities or policies that threatened the peace, security and stability of Darfur. On 18 November, the Sudan Panel of Experts submitted its second quarterly update to the Committee, on the situation in Darfur. 

PBSO and Interpeace host 2024 Civil Society Organization dialogue

On 12-13 December, DPPA/PBSO and Interpeace co-hosted the 2024 Civil Society Organization (CSO)-UN Dialogue on Peacebuilding at UN Headquarters. This second annual Dialogue contributed to preparations for the 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review, and contributed to the operationalization of the Pact for the Future, highlighting conflict prevention as the overarching theme. More than 160 civil society representatives from all region - over 50% women and almost 20% youth—actively participated in person, with regional representation as follows: 37% Africa, 23% Asia-Pacific, 7% Eastern Europe, 14% Latin America and the Caribbean, and 19% Western Europe and others. Over 30 Member and 10 UN entities participated in the exchanges. Elizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary-General of Peacebuilding Support, DPPA, remarked: “Civil society organizations are on the frontlines of peacebuilding, often working in the most challenging places. This dialogue recognizes their central role in building and sustaining peace.” Itonde Kakoma, President of Interpeace, added: “This dialogue is a unique opportunity for all of us gathering here today to come together to reimagine multilateral efforts for peace.”

UNMHA calls for de-escalation and adherence to Hudaydah Agreement

This week, in response to the increasing rhetoric and ceasefire violation reports, UN Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) Head of Mission Michael Beary held meetings with the Government of Yemen Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Ansar Allah de facto Foreign Minister, emphasizing the urgency of de-escalation and dialogue. The Head of Mission called for adherence to the Hudaydah Agreement and echoed the Secretary-General’s call for the immediate release of detained UN staff. These discussions underscored the Mission's commitment to maintain regular contacts with the parties on the ground and to sustaining peace efforts in Yemen, in coordination with the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (OSESG-Y).

UN Military Staff Committee engages with AU counterparts in Ethiopia and Somalia

From 9 to 13 December, a delegation of the UN Military Staff Committee (MSC) visited Ethiopia and Somalia alongside the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council’s MSC. The mission focused on deepening collaboration on peace operations and understanding the African Union’s perspective on Security Council Resolution 2719 (2023). In Somalia, discussions with diverse stakeholders covered the operational landscape, the transition from the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), and Somali Defence Forces’ progress on security sector reform. This visit reaffirmed the strong UN-AU partnership and explored pathways for future cooperation.

SRSG Onanga-Anyanga gives opening remarks at Africa Women, Peace and Security Forum

On 5-6 December, Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union and Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) Parfait Onanga-Anyanga attended the fifth Africa Women, Peace and Security Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Forum aimed to take stock, reflect and recommend practical strategies to deliver tangible results for women and girls, especially those in conflict situations, and contribute towards silencing the guns in Africa.

The Office of the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region partners with regional organizations to fight transnational crime

From 9-11 December, the Executive Secretariat of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), in partnership with the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region, organized a meeting of the Great Lakes Judicial Cooperation Network (GLJCN) in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting focused on reviewing a draft policy on cross-border crimes, and brought together focal points from the 12 ICGLR member States, representatives of the ICGLR Executive Secretariat, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),  the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), Kenya’s National Coordinator, and international partners. 

Great Lakes office holds workshop on the inclusion of women and youth in energy transition

On 5-6 December, the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) jointly organized a regional workshop in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The workshop aimed to identify challenges, share best practices, and develop actionable strategies for fostering women and youth inclusion in energy transition and mineral supply chains in the Great Lakes region. Participants included representatives from the governments of the DRC and Burundi, Chambers of Mines, mining associations and regional cooperatives, ICGLR Women and Youth Forums, academia, development partners, and civil society.

SRSG Al Hassan meets with Iraqi Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs, attends IDPD event in Baghdad

On 9 December, SRSG Al Hassan met with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein. They discussed the situation in Iraq, as well as developments in the wider region.

On 10 December, the SRSG attended the annual carnival celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) organized by the Iraqi Alliance of Disability (IADO). The United Nations in Iraq fully supports the efforts of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to promote the rights of people with disabilities and special needs and its work to provide a comprehensive environment that supports their empowerment and active participation in society.

UNAMI marks 76 years of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

On 8 December 2024, the UNAMI Human Rights Office participated in an event organized by the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights (IHCHR), to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Acting Head of UNAMI Human Rights Office Rupert White emphasized that “the principles outlined in the Universal Declaration of human rights have real-life relevance and play an essential role as a preventive, protective and transformative force to change the life of all Iraqis for the better.” 

Communities build roads for peace in southern Cauca

On 7 December, in the village of El Sinai, municipality of Argelia, Cauca, 25 peace signatories, together with community leaders and people from the community, designed and built almost 100 metres of road to allow children and people with disabilities to access the local sports arena. The project sought to promote community reincorporation in this territory, which has been affected by the armed conflict. The initiative was supported by the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalisation-ARN, local authorities and the UN Verification Mission in Colombia.

A bike ride for reconciliation

On 8 December, six peace signatories joined more than 50 cyclists on a 71-kilometre section of an internal route connecting Tolima and Huila departments in Colombia's south-central region. The signatories live in the "El Oso" Territorial Areas for Training and Reintegration (ETCR in Spanish), which was established as part of the 2016 Peace Accord to help former FARC-EP guerrilla combatants transition into civilian life. The event was planned by a group of cyclists from Gaitania (Planadas) and other municipalities, and supported by local businesses. The engagement of the signatories in events such as this one helps to advance social and community reintegration in the territory.

‘Juntas Café en Paz‘ is a space for reincorporation and female entrepreneurship in Medellín

On 12 December, "Juntas Café en Paz," the first café of women signatories of the Peace Accord, was inaugurated in Medellín as a commitment of the Association of Women Building Peace in their reincorporation and economic development. Visitors were able to buy coffees, dessert, honey, and other products made by victims of the conflict. The Verification Mission supported this initiative, which was carried out with the support of UN Women Colombia, Alterpaz and IAP Catalonia.

Next Week

On 16 December, Acting SRSG Stephanie Koury will brief the Security Council on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). On 17 December, Special Envoy Geir Pedersen will brief the Council on Syria. On 20 December, SRSG Leonard Santos Simão will brief on the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).