Palestinian elections scheduled for later this year will be a crucial step towards unity, the new UN envoy in the region, Tor Wennesland, said on Tuesday in his first briefing to the Security Council.
Palestinian elections scheduled for later this year will be a crucial step towards unity, the new UN envoy in the region, Tor Wennesland, said on Tuesday in his first briefing to the Security Council.
UN independent rights experts on Tuesday, described Israel’s conviction of human rights defender Issa Amro earlier this month, as showing disdain for the country’s international obligations.
The President of the General Assembly, on Monday, underscored the importance of effectiveness and efficiency for all bodies of the United Nations so that the Organization can deliver results for people everywhere.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to rising antisemitism which shows the world must remain vigilant against this persistent form of racism and religious persecution, the UN Secretary-General told an online event on Monday to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.
Since September, the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened, infecting close to 100 million people, costing more than $3 trillion in lost wages and intensifying obstacles for peace and security around the world, the UN political chief told the Security Council on Monday.
Mr. President,
Thank you for the opportunity to update the Security Council on the impact of COVID-19 on peace and security.
Since the Council last met on this issue in September, the devastation wrought by the pandemic has deepened.
More than two million people have died. Close to 100 million – over 1 percent of the world’s population – have been infected. Workers have lost over $3 trillion in wages. And new strains of the virus are poised to unleash more severe waves of infection at a time when health systems and social safety networks are already on the brink.
The pandemic’s impact on peace and security is of pressing concern. The trends that we reported on in September – and which the Secretary-General had already warned about in July – have intensified.
By upending lives and economies, challenging community relations, and undermining trust in the very institutions meant to address its fallout, the pandemic has exacerbated inequality and corruption; bred misinformation, stigmatization, and hate speech; and created new flashpoints for tension and increased risks of instability.
We remain particularly alarmed by the impact of COVID-19 on women and youth as well as other populations suffering from marginalization. This includes the loss of employment and income and the dramatic escalation of gender-based and domestic violence. Young women and men are also at risk of being left behind in education and economic opportunities.
The pandemic has hindered diplomatic action and complicated our peacemaking efforts. It has not, for the most part, affected the underlying dynamics of armed conflicts. Yet, by exacerbating existing fragilities it has amplified the prevention challenge I underlined in September and made the steps needed to address that challenge more urgent.
Mr. President,
The Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire generated widespread support and, in some instances, added new momentum to faltering peace processes.
Libya is an example of how sustained political engagement, more unified support from the international community, and commitment by the parties can lead to tangible progress.
The signing of a ceasefire agreement by the Libyan parties on 23 October was a major achievement. Since then, the 5+5 Joint Military Commission has been working to operationalize the ceasefire agreement and establish a ceasefire monitoring mechanism.
The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum met in Tunis, despite an initial lack of much-needed in-person meetings, thanks to the creativity and perseverance of all involved. The Forum represents a pivotal opportunity for moving toward inclusive, intra-Libyan political negotiations and national elections on 24 December 2021. I would like to thank the Government and people of Tunisia for their support in assisting with mitigation measures which enabled the holding of this event.
Libya remains at a critical juncture; it is imperative that the Libyan parties maintain the momentum towards peace with the full support of the Security Council.
Afghanistan is also at a historically consequential inflection point. The Afghanistan Peace Negotiations present an opportunity to end decades of instability and conflict.
The increased levels of violence in the country underscore the stakes. The United Nations will do everything in its power to assist Afghans and achieve an inclusive, negotiated political solution to the conflict.
In Mozambique, notwithstanding serious obstacles caused by the pandemic, insurgent groups, with the active support of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, began a process of disarmament. An estimated 29 percent of the process was completed in 2020 – an important milestone. The announcement of a unilateral ceasefire by a RENAMO breakaway group on 23 December is encouraging and will allow negotiations to take place without the threat of violence.
And in eastern Ukraine, the ceasefire agreed on 21 July has continued to hold, constituting the longest such period since the start of the conflict, and giving us cause for hope.
Mr. President,
Despite these positive developments, in a number of other contexts the ceasefire call had more mixed results. In some situations, regrettably, we saw dangerous escalation.
In the South Caucasus, despite the support of both Armenia and Azerbaijan for the Secretary-General’s ceasefire appeal, large-scale hostilities in and around Nagorno-Karabakh broke out in September.
The clashes presented a serious risk of regional escalation. The Secretary-General welcomed the 9 November ceasefire and called on all concerned to cooperate fully with UN entities to ensure unfettered access to conflict-affected areas.
We take note of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ united position for a comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the conflict and hope that both countries will embark on a path of dialogue.
Mr. President,
The pandemic has affected how we support political and peace processes.
Without exception, our special representatives, envoys and missions had to adjust to the changing reality brought about by the pandemic, combining virtual and in-person work, and taking calculated risks to fulfil their mandates to advance peace processes, de-escalate crises and prevent conflict.
New tools – such as digital focus groups – were developed and used to broaden the inclusiveness of our engagements. They have been particularly useful to enhance our outreach to women and youth.
In Yemen, our Special Envoy has not let up on efforts to help bring the devastating conflict to an end. He has continued his shuttle diplomacy in addition to virtual meetings. With the support of the Swiss Government and the ICRC, the Special Envoy successfully and safely convened the parties in Geneva last year for talks that led to the largest prisoner swap since the start of the Yemeni conflict.
Our urgent work to end the suffering in Syria also continues. Today the fifth meeting of the Syrian Constitutional Committee is taking place in Geneva, a demonstration of the determination of the Syrian people to resolve issues that have undermined peace in that war-torn country.
And here, let me thank the Government and people of Switzerland for their cooperation in hosting this and other meetings during the pandemic.
Further, we have had to adapt our electoral assistance to comply with COVID-19-related restrictions and in line with the decisions of governments to either hold or reschedule polls. Since the onset of the pandemic, we have supported 19 elections and one referendum in 18 countries. In addition, we provided electoral assistance in eight countries where elections were planned for 2020 but did not take place.
In Bolivia, for example, despite tensions over the initial postponement of elections, polling took place peacefully in October with the support of the UN and because of the commitment of the Bolivian people.
Mr. President,
As the impact of the pandemic continues to increase, deepening vulnerabilities and fomenting grievances, the risk of tensions and instability will continue to rise.
These risks are magnified by the inequalities in the global recovery. As wealthier countries get vaccinated, the developing world - including countries already affected by conflict and instability - risk being left behind. This would be a catastrophic moral failure, as Dr. Tedros noted last week. It would also be a severe blow to peace and security.
One thing is clear: The pandemic has served as a political stress test as much as a structural and public health one. It has laid bare where acute crisis is seen as an opportunity to gain advantage in the battlefield or as a pretext to perpetuate or entrench oppressive practices.
But it has also confirmed that where there is real political will to make and sustain peace, almost no barrier is insurmountable, especially if there is support from the global community.
The collective and individual engagement of members of this Council will remain crucial, especially in supporting the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire and engaging with conflict parties and their backers to ensure that the appeal is heeded.
Mr. President,
The pandemic was impossible to predict. Many of its consequences on peace and security are not. Not surprisingly, COVID-19 has hit hardest in the most vulnerable places and among the most vulnerable people. This is why “recovering better” must involve strengthening our capacity for prevention with more political and financial investment. The support of the international community in this endeavor is critical.
Thank you, Mr. President.
New York, 24 January 2021
When education is interrupted, it affects everyone – especially students, teachers and families.
Today, on the third International Day of Education, I pay tribute to their resilience in the face of a pandemic that, at its peak, forced almost every school, institute and university to close its doors.
...Against the backdrop of a rapidly deteriorating security situation in Mali and the wider Sahel region, the UN peacekeeping chief concluded a visit to the restive northwest African nation on Thursday.
This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
Security CouncilUnder-Secretary-General DiCarlo hails strong UN cooperation with League of Arab States
Ruiz Massieu: 2021 must be remembered as a year of bold steps to fulfil promise of sustainable peace Special Representative Carlos Ruiz Massieu on 21 January briefed on the latest report on the work of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia. Reviewing the achievements of the four years since the signing of the Peace Agreement, he said: “Colombians in rural areas, who suffered the brunt of the conflict, are beginning to see increased investments and State presence in their communities; Colombian society is coming to terms with its past through a transitional justice system centered on victims; and thousands of men and women who were in arms five years ago are now building better lives for themselves and their families, alongside local communities.” But Ruiz Massieu also emphasized that violence against former combatants, social leaders, human rights defenders and communities remains the most serious threat to peacebuilding in Colombia. “It is incumbent to ensure 2021 is remembered as the year in which bold steps were taken to bring to fruition the full promise of sustainable peace enshrined in the Agreement,” he concluded. Read his full remarks here Read more in UN News
Central AsiaNew publication highlights young voices
IraqWe need to unite in our response while staying apart |
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LibyaDigital dialogue with 1,000 Libyans
MediationUN support to local mediation processes
Security Council
The Work of PeaceVirtual exhibit
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A sharp uptick in intercommunal violence in Sudan’s Darfur region has forced more than 100,000 people to flee their homes in search of safety, including many into neighbouring Chad, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reported on Friday.
A sharp uptick in intercommunal violence in Sudan’s Darfur region has forced more than 100,000 people to flee their homes in search of safety, including many into neighbouring Chad, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reported on Friday.
The first multilateral nuclear disarmament treaty in more than two decades, came into force just after midnight on Friday, hailed by the UN Secretary-General as “an important step towards a world free of nuclear weapons”.
Illegally-armed groups and criminal organizations in Colombia are determined to “drive out State institutions and stamp out the voice of social leaders” through violence and intimidation, the head of the UN mission in the country told the Security Council on Thursday.
Perpetrators behind twin deadly suicide bombings at a busy market in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on Thursday must be prosecuted, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement strongly condemning the attacks.
The UN chief announced on Thursday that he has set up an independent Senior Advisory Panel on strengthening the mechanism whereby humanitarian workers and sites are better protected from attack in Syria, according to a statement released by his spokesperson.
The top UN official in the Central African Republic (CAR) appealed to the Security Council on Thursday for more peacekeepers and equipment amid escalating violence surrounding elections last month.
After a decade of conflict, economic collapse compounded by COVID-19, corruption and mismanagement, the UN Syrian envoy told the Security Council on Wednesday that “a slow tsunami” is now “crashing across Syria”.
Two United Nations peacekeepers were killed after their convoy was ambushed by members of the UPC and anti-Balaka armed groups in southern Central African Republic (CAR), the UN Mission in the country said on Monday, bringing the overall toll of 'blue helmet' deaths to nine so far this month.
Cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States has been critical to addressing the ongoing war in Syria, the search for a two-State solution for Israelis and Palestinians, and other challenges, the UN’s political affairs chief told a virtual meeting of the Security Council on Monday.
The UN Secretary-General has praised the breakthrough made by a key committee of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum at the weekend, over an interim political leadership deal, ahead of nationwide elections at the end of the year.
A group of independent UN rights experts released a statement on Monday condemning the violent storming of the United States Capitol building in Washington DC on 6 January, which they described as a shocking and incendiary attempt to overturn the results of a free and fair election.
Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this discussion on “Cooperation between the Security Council and the League of Arab States.” It is an honor to be with you today. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, a valued partner of the United Nations.
Mr. President,
The Secretary-General has made cooperation with regional organizations to prevent conflict and sustain peace a priority. We know that no organization or country alone can address the complex challenges our world faces today. The United Nations needs the cooperation of these groups and their members.
Challenges that we face today, including the COVID-19 pandemic, remind us of the wisdom of the drafters of the UN Charter, who 75 years ago enshrined the potential role of regional arrangements in the maintenance of peace and security. Their vision has clearly taken hold.
Cooperation between the UN and regional organizations has grown and evolved exponentially since 1945. Today it encompasses such areas as preventive diplomacy, mediation, countering terrorism, prevention of violent extremism, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, human rights, climate change and, most recently, our collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a stress test for the global community. It has exacerbated strains on the multilateral system just as the need for solidarity and cooperation has never been more critical.
On 23 November of last year, the Secretary-General held a high-level interactive dialogue with heads of 23 regional and subregional organizations - including Secretary-General Aboul Gheit. Participants agreed on the multi-dimensional impact of the pandemic, including on peace and security, and pledged to work together, especially in fragile settings, to address these concerns.
Mr. President,
In the early days of the pandemic, Secretary-General Aboul Gheit and Secretary-General Guterres called for a global ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and open space for diplomacy. Since then, both the League and the UN have worked to implement this call. Security Council resolution 2532 in support of this call reinforced the global commitment to change the calculations of conflict parties in order to end wars and crises in the region and beyond.
The Arab region has experienced much tumult over the past decade. Conflicts in Libya, Syria and Yemen; a stalled Middle East Peace Process, and fissures among members of the League have exacerbated regional instability and hampered economic and social development.
The close cooperation between the United Nations, including our Special Envoys and Representatives, and the League has been crucial in augmenting our efforts to address various situations in the Arab world.
On Libya, the League has actively supported the efforts of the United Nations to broker the 23 October ceasefire and a return to the political process. An active member of the International Follow-up Committee to the Berlin Conference on Libya, the League co-chairs its political working group (together with Algeria and Germany). The League has also been an active member of the Quartet on Libya, along with the UN, the African Union and the European Union.
In relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the UN and the League work to uphold the broad regional and international consensus on the two-State solution, promote intra-Palestinian reconciliation and focus on preventive diplomacy to avoid escalation of tensions. We welcome the increased engagement of the League and its members, including through an expanded Middle East Quartet and the so-called Amman format.
The two-State solution that realizes the legitimate national aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis, in line with UN resolutions is the only way to lead to sustainable peace between the two peoples.
The financial situation of UNRWA remains a serious concern. Sufficient funding is essential for UNRWA to continue delivering its vital services to millions of Palestine refugees in the region and playing its critical stabilizing role.
Our two organizations are also active in the Friends of Sudan format, which supports Sudan’s transition to democratic governance. We are grateful for the League’s generous pledge of support at the Sudan Partnership Conference, hosted by Germany last June.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Syria, successive UN envoys have worked closely with the League in the search for a political solution. We are grateful for the League’s support to Special Envoy Pedersen’s efforts to facilitate the work of the Syrian Constitutional Committee and to broaden the political process to all aspects of Security Council Resolution 2254.
On Yemen, the support of key Member States of the UN and the League is crucial to not only achieve progress on the political track but also to support the world’s largest aid operation and urgently address the growing risk of famine before it is too late.
Despite our efforts, heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf region persist. The Secretary-General continues to call for restraint by all sides and stresses the need to avoid acts of or rhetoric that may escalate tensions. We urge all concerned, in the region and beyond, to opt for dialogue to address their respective security concerns. The United Nations stands ready to support such measures.
We welcome the recent al-Ula declaration recognizing the importance of unity among the Gulf Cooperation Council states and hope it will strengthen regional security, stability and prosperity.
The UN and the League recognize the urgent need to include more women at all levels and aspects of peace processes. We have made important strides in this area. For example, 30 percent of participants in the Syrian Constitutional Committee are women, as are 22 percent of participants in the Libya Political Dialogue. I commend the Arab Women Mediation Network, established under the auspices of the League in collaboration with UN Women, which will enable the region to increase women’s participation in resolving conflicts and sustaining peace. We encourage expansion of this important initiative.
Mr. President,
The United Nations and the Arab League have increased cooperation in recent years, conducting staff exchanges, workshops on mediation and peacebuilding, and capacity-building exercises on inclusive peacemaking, among other activities.
The United Nations Liaison Office to the League of Arab States, established in 2019, has strengthened our communication and cooperation. The Office has also facilitated regular contacts between UN Special Envoys and the League. We look forward to building on these contacts as we address regional crises.
In December 2021, we will hold the fifteenth general cooperation meeting between the United Nations and the League to advance a biennial framework that encompasses activities in peace and security, development, human rights and humanitarian concerns.
Mr. President,
Allow me to conclude by stressing the critical role of the Security Council in amplifying our collective efforts in the region. The impact of a united and actively engaged Security Council is incomparable. We look to the Council, as a principal steward of Chapter VIII of the Charter, to continue to support the UN’s collaborative work with the League of Arab States to promote peace and prosperity in the Arab region.
Thank you.
In the current report, the evolving nature of armed conflict and violence is highlighted and seven major trends related to global peace and security today are examined. Areas of progress and areas in which solutions are still wanting are noted in the report, along with opportunities and persistent challenges faced by the international community.
The United Nations Secretary-General has voiced deep concern over escalating violence in West Darfur and called on the Sudanese authorities to “expend all efforts” to end the fighting and protect civilians.
The UN Secretary-General has welcomed Friday’s announcement from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of the first full parliamentary and presidential elections in 15 years, scheduled to begin in May.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned another fatal attack carried out against a peacekeeping convoy that left a ‘blue helmet’ from Egypt dead, and another seriously injured on Friday.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged authorities in Cameroon to take steps to prosecute perpetrators behind two recent deadly attacks in the Anglophone provinces of the country, his Spokesperson said on Friday.
This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
Security CouncilIbn Chambas: “Dialogue is one important arena for the building of national consensus” Griffiths: “The path to peace in Yemen was never easy” Yemen Envoy Martin Griffiths on 14 January briefed the Council on peace efforts in the country. “The path to peace in Yemen was never easy. And I believe that it is now a great deal more difficult than it was a month ago. There is a way out. We must remember that, even after all the tragedies that Yemenis across the country have suffered, peace is possible where there is the will to make it happen,” Mr. Griffiths said. Read his full remarks here More in UN News
AfghanistanNangarhar university students take peacebuilding discussions to communities
IraqUN stresses the need for urgent action to alleviate Sinjaris’ hardship
New Deputy Special Representative
TajikistanTraining on countering the financing of terrorism
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LibyaMeeting of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum
SomaliaUN delegation visits South West State to discuss support and cooperation in 2021
West AfricaHigh-level meeting between the Mano River Union and the UN to enhance partnership
Security Council There will be a briefing on cooperation between the UN and the Arab League on 18 January; on 20 January, Syria Envoy Geir Pedersen will update the Council on the situation in the country; Special Representative Carlos Ruiz Massieu will brief on Colombia on 21 January. Niger
The Work of PeaceVirtual exhibit
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“Worsening” election violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) has forced 120,000 people from their homes, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Friday.
“Worsening” election violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) has forced 120,000 people from their homes, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Friday, as the UN Secretary-General also condemned another attack by combatants on a UN convoy, which left a peacekeeper from Burundi dead, and two others wounded.
