USG DiCarlo tells Council of "horrific violations" in Sudan

On 12 November, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo, briefing the Security Council on Sudan, said that "we are receiving reports of horrific violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including sexual violence committed predominantly against women and girls." She condemned the Rapid Support Forces’ continued attacks against civilians, and the Sudanese Armed Forces’ indiscriminate air strikes in populated areas. “Let me stress that both warring parties bear responsibility for this violence,” she said, underlining the need for an immediate ceasefire and a negotiated political solution.

ASG Jenča updates Fourth Committee on the work of Special Political Missions

On 12 November, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenča introduced the Secretary-General’s report on “Overall policy matters pertaining to special political missions” (document A/79/303) to the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly. Since the first mission was deployed in 1948, he said, the UN had established more than 130 special political missions, which had accompanied Member States through "historic times of change." He noted the importance of the request contained in the Pact for the Future for the Secretary-General to conduct a review of the future of all United Nations peace operations – which include all peacekeeping operations and all special political missions – in order to provide strategic, action-oriented recommendations, in close consultation with Member States.

Security Council renews Yemen sanctions, Panel of Experts

On 13 November, the Security Council renewed, for 12 months, a travel ban and assets freeze imposed on certain designated individuals and entities in Yemen. It also extended for 13 months the mandate of the Panel of Experts tasked with assisting the Council’s Yemen Sanctions Committee. The Council requested the Panel to provide a midterm update to the relevant committee no later than 15 April 2025 as well as a final report to the Council no later than 15 October 2025.

UN and African Union Military Staff Committees strengthen partnership for peace and security

The United Nations and African Union Military Staff Committees engaged in a three-day meeting in New York from 12-14 November, building on their initial in-person meeting in Addis Ababa in October 2023. Their discussions focused on deepening collaboration for peace and security through lesson-sharing, mutual support, and strengthening relationships. Participants underscored the importance of establishing a "Joint Statement Memorandum of Understanding" to formalize their partnership, define key areas of cooperation, and ensure regular communication and evaluation of progress.

SRSG Imnadze attends Central Asian Women Leaders' Caucus Conference

On 14-15 November, Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) and Head of the Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) Kaha Imnadze participated in the final Conference of the Central Asian Women Leaders’ Caucus (CAWLC) under Kyrgyzstan’s Chairmanship. The SRSG commended CAWLC for incorporating Afghan women into its activities and encouraged continued support for Afghan women while strengthening collaboration with civil society initiatives across the region. The conference concluded with the adoption of an Outcome Document outlining key commitments for the coming years, including ongoing engagement with Afghan women, initiating consultations on a regional Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Action Plan, and launching regional initiatives to foster cooperation among women entrepreneurs and innovators across Central Asia and Afghanistan.

Special Representatives Abarry and Simão visit Chad to assess humanitarian challenges

From 12-15 November, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa, Abdou Abarry, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simão, undertook a joint visit to Chad. They had meeting with stakeholders and authorities in N'Djamena to discuss the political and security situation, including challenges posed by terrorist attacks, particularly by Boko Haram in the Lac Chad Basin region. The two SRSGs also visited Bol in northern Chad on 13 November, to assess the humanitarian challenges facing the country.

SRSG Hassan meets with Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council

On 10 November, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Mohamed Al Hassan, met with the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, at the GCC Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The GCC Secretary-General affirmed the organization's backing for the ongoing efforts to consolidate security and stability in Iraq and commended UNAMI for its support to Iraq in achieving the country's priorities. 

SRSG Al Hassan meets Iraqi Speaker of Parliament

On 8 November, SRSG Al Hassan met in Baghdad with the Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani. They discussed matters related to the legislative work in the forthcoming period, emphasizing the priorities that serve the interests of Iraq and are in line with the legitimate aspirations of the Iraqi people. 

Building a sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture system in Iraq

This week, in an op-ed on climate resilience published by the International Trade Centre, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghulam Isaczai wrote that "Ensuring Iraq’s food supply and protecting its children from a future of scarcity is essential for economic stability and the well-being of future generations." Iraq is ranked as the fifth most vulnerable country in the world to water and food shortages and extreme temperatures. By 2050, water availability is expected to drop by 20 percent, which could lead to the loss of nearly one-third of Iraq's irrigated land​.

UNAMI holds Human Rights workshop

On 12 November, the UNAMI Human Rights Office, in collaboration with Zoroastrian representation in Baghdad, held a workshop in Baghdad. Twenty-five participants attended the event, including members of Iraq’s religious and ethnic component groups, faith leaders, representatives of civil society. The workshop was part of a series aimed at raising public awareness and advocacy to engage with the Government of Iraq in the implementation of the concluding observations on the combined twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh periodic reports of Iraq. The concluding observations were issued on 24 August 2024 by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).  

Promoting Global Dialogue on Peacebuilding at the fifth UN Data Forum

From 12-15 November, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia joined UN System agencies at the fifth United Nations World Data Forum in Medellín, Antioquia. At the event, the Mission highlighted its mandated role in verifying the Peace Agreement and underscored the importance of the Comprehensive Rural Reform. Attendees explored the Mission's immersive virtual reality experience, Pathways Colombia, which shares inspiring stories of peacebuilders. Visitors also enjoyed a cup of "peace coffee" at a barista exhibition, where Peace Agreement signatories, victims, and local farmers showcased their coffee products, supported by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Colombia.

Next Week

On 18 November, Special Coordinator to the Secretary-General for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland will brief the Security Council on the Middle East. In the afternoon, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo will brief on Ukraine. On 21 November, Special Envoy Geir Pedersen will brief on Syria.