Bienvenidos a las Naciones Unidas

Reports and Policy Documents

2019

  • 22 Oct 2019

    After nearly two weeks of fighting in northeast Syria, the UN’s humanitarian wing has estimated that around 180,000 have been forced to leave their homes or shelters, including 80,000 children, all in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.

  • 22 Oct 2019

    HERAT - A free and independent press is crucial for promoting peace and the respect for human rights, stressed participants in a UN-backed event that was later broadcast by television to audiences...

  • 21 Oct 2019

    First, thank you to the Permanent Mission of the UAE and the Georgetown Institute for organizing today’s event.

    A growing body of research has shown that women’s effective political participation is fundamental to building stronger and more resilient societies.

    Indeed, the United Nations has recognized that successful efforts to rebuild from conflict in just and inclusive ways are fundamental to preventing a return to conflict, breaking the cycle of violence, and achieving sustainable peace.

    But achieving sustainable peace requires political will, effort and investment.

    For its part, the United Nations has undertaken significant institutional reform to bring together its peace and security, sustainable development and human rights work to meet the challenges of sustaining peace.

    This includes scaling-up our efforts to promote women’s participation in prevention, peace processes, governance and decision-making.

    So, what are the strategies to ensure women’s participation in post-conflict life?

     

    1. First, during peace talks, women must be at the negotiating table when possible and always provided the support to engage meaningfully. Put simply, there is no substitute for direct participation.

    It is for this reason that in UN-facilitated political process for Syria, the UN has been working to ensure women’s direct participation by:

    • encouraging the Government and opposition to strengthen women’s representation on their own delegations;
    • receiving advice on all aspects of the mediation process from the Syrian Women’s Advisory Board; and
    • ensuring women’s effective representation from the outset on the recently-agreed Constitutional committee.

     

    1. Second, we know from experience that if women are not included from the outset of any decision-making process, their inclusion rarely improves over time. Early planning based on gender-sensitive conflict and political analysis must inform all peace and security interventions including post-conflict planning.

    To strengthen our efforts in this regard, a few months ago I issued a new DPPA Women, Peace and Security Policy to ensure women’s meaningful participation and gender-sensitive analysis are integrated into all our work.

     

    1. Third, legislative and policy protections are needed to support women’s rights, remove discriminatory laws and promote gender equality.

    In Somalia, the UN Peacebuilding Fund has supported efforts by the federal and regional governments and women’s civil society to integrate gender equality in policy and legal frameworks, including the introduction of a new Gender Policy. Meanwhile, Iraq was the first country in the Middle East to adopt a National Action Plan on Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security, and has also adopted an implementation plan on preventing and responding to conflict related sexual violence.

     

    1. Fourth, electoral reforms should be prioritized to enable and embed women’s safe political participation as voters and candidates, and to strengthen the credibility, inclusiveness and transparency of elections.

    The UN has supported women’s electoral participation in many countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Somalia. This includes by assisting national efforts to develop or reform electoral laws to provide better chances for women to participate in public life; and providing technical advice on temporary special measures, such as quotas in electoral laws, as well as voter registration, electoral security, awareness raising and voter sensitization. In Somalia, such efforts saw an increase in women’s representation in parliament from 14 percent in 2012 to 24 percent in 2016.

     

    1. Fifth, inclusive approaches must be prioritized, with women – including women’s civil society – engaged in setting peacebuilding priorities.

    In Liberia, where women were at the forefront of peace efforts to end the civil war, the Peacebuilding Fund has established multi-stakeholder platforms to enable local communities – including women – to engage with companies and government representatives, empowering women to exercise greater voice in demanding their rights.

    In Iraq, the UN Assistance Mission earlier this year established the Women’s Advisory Group on Reconciliation and Politics to enable women leaders to act as a source of independent expertise and advice. The Women’s Advisory Group has the potential to greatly contribute to the gender-inclusive rebuilding by allowing women leaders, the international community, political actors, the legislature and civil society to engage in dialogue, identify entry points, and advocate for measures to enable the meaningful participation of women in decision-making processes in Iraq.

     

    1. Sixth, the international community must put its weight behind supporting national and grassroots-level peacebuilding priorities.

    In Sudan, where women played a prominent role in protests leading to the ouster of the former President, the new transitional government has committed to enhancing women’s participation and included two women on the 11-member Sovereign Council, four women Ministers in the new Cabinet [out of 18], among them Asmaa Abdallah, Sudan’s first woman Foreign Minister, and just last week swore in Sudan’s first woman Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. It has also promised to ensure a minimum of 40 percent women’s representation in the Legislative Council. The UN has committed to supporting the transitional Government in these efforts.

    In Liberia, the PBF has supported 12 women-led peace huts as local dispute resolution venues and rehabilitation efforts for marginalized youth in Monrovia improving young women and men’s access to agricultural employment in conflict-prone rural counties. It has also funded women filmmakers to document the role of women in the Liberia peace process, which will help to share lessons learned with women all over world.

     

    1. And finally,  these priorities need to be adequately, predictably and sustainably financed.

    Since 2015, the UN’s Peacebuilding Fund has exceeded the Secretary-General’s 15 percent target for gender-responsive peacebuilding, and the PBF’s own target of 30 percent. In 2018, 40 percent of its funding was allocated towards gender equality and women’s empowerment.

    DPPA’s new Women, Peace and Security policy also comes with a commitment to provide resources in support of its implementation.

    And the new PBF investment plan for 2020-2024 is based on the recognition of the importance of women’s inclusion to sustaining peace and allocates a growing share of the portfolio to the gender dimensions of the SDGs, including support for women’s participation in political, economic and social life.

    Of course, many challenges remain.

    In Iraq, women’s participation in national-level decision making positions remains limited with no women ministers currently appointed to the federal cabinet.

    In Somalia, UN advocacy led to the introduction of a 30 per cent parliamentary quota for women for the 2016/17 election. Twenty-four  per cent was achieved – a marked improvement on previous results -- but still short of the quota set.

    Meanwhile, in Sudan, long-standing structural discrimination will have to be addressed to durably increase women’s participation in political and reconstruction processes. This will take time, support and ongoing advocacy.

    Meaningfully improving women’s participation in post-conflict governance and reconstruction requires a long-term and sustained approach. The indispensable role of women must be seen not only as a rights or equality issue, but as a peace and security priority.

    The UN is committed to supporting Member States rebuilding their societies and governance and to ensuring that women are afforded their rightful place in shaping national values, ideals and priorities .

  • 21 Oct 2019

    Prime Minister Saad Hariri received today at Grand Serail the members of the International Support Group (ISG). Ambassadors representing France, Germany, Italy, the...

  • 21 Oct 2019

    A recap of Monday’s main stories: companies ‘failing’ to address offline harm incited by online hate; gender equality ‘precursor’ to sustaining peace; UN rights chief urges ‘immediate dialogue’ to resolve Chile crisis; African migrants would make perilous Europe journey again; Security Council visits South Sudan. 

  • 21 Oct 2019

    In a visit to South Sudan this past weekend, members of the UN Security Council urged leaders to expedite implementation of a 2018 peace agreement aimed at ending six years of ongoing conflict.

  • 21 Oct 2019

    The top UN human rights official is calling for politicians and civil society in Chile to engage in “immediate dialogue” to resolve the deadly crisis which has gripped the nation in recent days.

  • 21 Oct 2019

    9th Meeting of the Steering Committee of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the...

  • 20 Oct 2019

    NEW YORK - The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack that took place inside a mosque in the Haska Mena district in Nangarhar province,...

  • 20 Oct 2019

    KABUL - The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemns the attack that took place Friday at a mosque in Nangarhar’s Deh Balah district, killing and injuring more than 100...

  • 19 Oct 2019

    Tensions around global trade and technology continue to rise and the international community needs to “do everything possible” to prevent the world being split into two competing spheres, led by the United States and China. 

  • 18 Oct 2019


     

    12 - 18 October 2019

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

     

    New York

    More needed to increase women’s participation in political and electoral processes, DiCarlo tells General Assembly rights panel
    Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo introduced the latest Secretary-General’s report “Strengthening the Role of the United Nations in Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Principle of Periodic and Genuine Elections and the Promotion of Democratization” at the General Assembly’s Third Committee on 14 October. During her opening remarks, she stressed that the increase of women’s political participation and representation is encouraging, but clearly more needs to be done. “Supporting the efforts of Member States in promoting women’s participation in political and electoral processes therefore remains one of the highest priorities of the Organization.”
    Full remarks here.

     

    Preparing roadmap for 2020 review of UN peacebuilding architecture
    The Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) and the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation convened an informal retreat on 15 and 16 October to prepare a roadmap for next year’s review of the UN peacebuilding architecture. Twin resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly in 2016 had called for a comprehensive review in 2020. Members of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), including countries who have engaged with the PBC, senior UN officials and the co-facilitators of the 2010 and 2015 review processes, were invited to the retreat to identify critical themes and issues to shape the review of the peacebuilding architectures.
    For more information, contact DPPA

     

    Security Council

    Griffiths: “Signs of hopes for the people of Yemen”
    Martin Griffiths, Special Envoy for Yemen, briefed the Council on 17 October on the latest developments in that country. He said there were signs of hopes for the people of Yemen – among others, the seeming progress achieved in talks between the Government of Yemen and the Southern Transitional Council, the recent reduction of violence in the north and the freeing of detainees. "At the same time let’s be under no illusion about the challenges and the difficulties ahead," he cautioned.
    Full remarks here.

    Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, briefed the Council in closed session on the situation in northeast Syria on 15 October, while and Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo briefed on Libya on 16 October and on Resolution 1559 on Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence, on 18 October. Both those sessions also took place behind closed doors.
    For more information, contact DPPA.

     

    Syria

    Special Envoy holds talks in Riyadh and Damascus
    Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen held meetings with the opposition Syria Negotiation Commission in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 12 and 13 October. On 16 October, he met with Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Muallem in Damascus to discuss the situation in northeastern Syria and the launching of the Constitutional Committee. “The discussions that I have had here in Damascus and with the opposition in Riyadh have been very good when it comes to launching the Constitutional Committee, and of course this is hopefully then can be a door-opener, as I said many times, to a broader political process,” Mr Pedersen told the press in Damascus.
    Read more from the press stakeout here

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


     

    Colombia

    Former FARC combatants and their families enjoy professional football match
    A group of 40 former FARC combatants, 20 of their relatives and 20 residents of the community of Llano Grande, Dabeiba, for the first time, on 13 October, experienced a Colombian professional league match - Atlético Nacional vs Águilas Doradas de Rionegro - with some 24,000 other spectators at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium in Medellín city. "Before the signing of the agreement, we managed to listen to the matches on a small radio and I always imagined what a stadium would look like,” said Óscar López Tuberquia, former FARC combatant. This visit was made possible by a group of young people under the slogan “To the football court for the first time” with the support of the Reintegration and Normalization Agency, the Mayor's Office of Medellín, Proantioquia, UNDP, the Governor's Office of Antioquia, and the UN Verification Mission in Colombia.
    Read the full story in Spanish.

     

    Truth Commission, UN, and Caritas Colombiana promote social dialogue to strengthen peace process
    More than 80 people participated on 15 October in a forum at the reintegration area of Tierra Grata, in the municipality of La Paz, Cesar, Colombia to reinforce the commitment of ex-combatants to remain in the reintegration process and to evaluate the progress on the commitments made after the signing of the Peace Agreement. During the debate between ex-combatants, victims of the conflict, representatives of the Truth Commission, Pastoral Social Caritas Colombiana, and the UN Verification Mission in Colombia the future of the peace process and the contributions that can be made from society were discussed. Carlos Ruiz-Massieu, head of the UN Verification Mission, participated in this “commitment to peace” dialogue. The event concluded with a symbolic act of reconciliation.

     

    Haiti

    New Special Political Mission starts work in Haiti
    The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) started its operations on 16 October, following the closing of the UN Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH). BINUH will work in an advisory capacity with Haitian authorities and the UN Country Team to further the consolidation of the stability, security, governance, rule of law, and human rights gains achieved since 2004.
    For more information, visit BINUH’s website.

     

    Niger

    Peacebuilding Fund partners visit Niger
    To see the context and impact of the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF)’s support up close, a group of PBF partners undertook visits to several regions in Niger on 15 October. Representatives of the European Union, Germany, the United Kingdom, Estonia, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden; two members of the PBF Advisory Group; the Director-General for international development cooperation of Sweden, and the Director of the Clingendael Conflict Research Unit made up the mission. They met with the Government, beneficiaries, civil society organizations, and the UN System to discuss the PBF's focus, results and current challenges, including major conflict drivers and limited access to resources due to climate change. 
    For more information, contact DPPA.

     

     

     

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  • 18 Oct 2019

    A recap of Friday's main stories: Afghanistan mosque killings condemned by UN chief, Syrian civilians flee violence, thousands affected by flooding in South Sudan, UN migration agency warns of “pervasive” human trafficking in Ukraine, UN expert calls for better education to combat growing anti-Semitism.

  • 18 Oct 2019

    A recap of Friday's main stories: Afghanistan mosque killings condemned by UN chief, Syrian civilians flee violence, thousands affected by flooding in South Sudan, UN migration agency warns of “pervasive” human trafficking in Ukraine, UN expert calls for better education to combat growing anti-Semitism.

  • 18 Oct 2019

    Authorities in Egypt are being urged by the UN human rights office, OHCHR,  to immediately release scores of citizens who have been arrested in connection with recent anti-government demonstrations in several cities.

  • 18 Oct 2019

    NEW YORK - The Secretary-General strongly condemns the 18 October attack inside a mosque during Friday prayers in Nangarhar province, eastern Afghanistan, which resulted in scores of civilians killed and dozens...

  • 18 Oct 2019

    Shelling and clashes in northern Syria on the border with Turkey continue to cause hundreds of people to flee, the UN said on Friday, despite a cessation of hostilities deal between Turkish forces and Syrian-backed Kurdish military. 

  • 17 Oct 2019

    In the light of on-going instability across Haiti and this week’s transition away from fully-fledged peacekeeping operations, the UN chief on Thursday promised “the continuous commitment” of the Organization “to support the Haitian people on their path to peace and development”.

  • 17 Oct 2019

    Despite major political developments at a national level, which have led to the establishment of a civilian-led government, the security situation in the Darfur region of Sudan remains unstable, UN peace chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed the Security Council on Thursday.

  • 17 Oct 2019

    A recap of Thursday’s stories: Hope rises as violence abates in Yemen; TB infections slowdown but not fast enough; civilian casualties in Afghanistan hit record level; thousands paint picture of sustainable development in Paris; labour research finds strategies to tackle poverty.

  • 17 Oct 2019

    There are “small signs” of hope for Yemeni civilians caught up in fighting, following a reduction in violence, coupled with a 20 per cent increase in funding for the UN’s humanitarian response, the Security Council heard on Thursday.

  • 17 Oct 2019

    There are “small signs” of hope for Yemeni civilians caught up in fighting, following a reduction in violence, coupled with a 20 per cent increase in funding for the UN’s humanitarian response, the Security Council heard on Thursday.

  • 17 Oct 2019

    Afghanistan has seen record-high levels of civilian casualties in the third quarter of 2019, stemming mainly from the violence between rival political party supporters, the UN Assistance Mission in the country (UNAMA) revealed in a report published Thursday, which concluded that more must be done to protect the country’s people.

  • 17 Oct 2019

    @OSESGY

    Mr. President,

    Thank you for giving me this opportunity to brief this Council. 

    ...
  • 17 Oct 2019

     

    TRIPOLI/ 17 October, 2019 - Three months ago, Siham Sergewa, an elected member of the House of Representatives, was seized at night from her home in Benghazi. Since...

  • 17 Oct 2019

    Richard Ngatia, Chair of the ICGLR Private Sector Forum and President of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the opening session of the meeting. UN Photo/Penangnini Toure

    ...

  • 17 Oct 2019

    KABUL - Figures released today by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) showing record-high levels of civilian casualties in the third quarter of 2019 indicate an urgent need for all...

  • 16 Oct 2019

     

    TRIPOLI/TUNIS, 16 October 2019 – The Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) are marking World Food Day with initiatives to strengthen and support Libya’s efforts to realise the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger by 2030.

     

    “Both WFP and FAO are working with communities and the Libyan government on projects that bolster food security...

  • 16 Oct 2019

    UN Statement as delivered by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNOAU, Ms. Hanna Tetteh at the African Union Peace and Security Council Meeting on the Situation in South Sudan. 

  • 15 Oct 2019

    New York, 15 October 2019 - The members of the Security Council reiterated their full and unanimous support for the peace process in Colombia.  They welcomed both parties’ continued affirmation of their commitment to its...

  • 15 Oct 2019

    Eighty-five people were killed and another 373 injured during attacks related to the recent presidential election in Afghanistan, a report by the UN Assistance Mission in the country, UNAMA, reveals.

  • 15 Oct 2019

    A recap of Tuesday’s stories: Millions of children undernourished and overweight says landmark report; Security Council marks transition after 15 years of ‘blue helmets’ in Haiti; violence continues ‘on both sides’ of Syria-Turkey border; UN human rights office raises concerns over deportation of Haitian migrants from the Bahamas; UN migration agency helps migrants in Algeria return to Niger; rural women celebrated on International Day.

  • 15 Oct 2019

    Although 15 years of UN peacekeeping in Haiti has drawn to a close, the Organization’s commitment to strengthening and stabilizing the country, will continue, the Security Council heard on Tuesday.

  • 15 Oct 2019

    Amid ongoing fighting in northern Syria and disturbing reports that extrajudicial killings have been streamed online, the United Nations and their partners are continuing to deliver humanitarian supplies to tens of thousands of people displaced by the violence, UN agencies stressed on Tuesday.

  • 15 Oct 2019

    After serving with the United Nations for forty years during a career spanning development and international cooperation, humanitarian coordination, conflict...

  • 15 Oct 2019

    KABUL - A special report released today by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) describes the severe impact of election-related violence on civilians, mainly coming from the...

  • 14 Oct 2019

    A recap of Monday’s stories: UNICEF estimates some 70,000 children have been newly displaced in northeast Syria; UN chief sounds alarm on threat of ISIL amid fighting in Syria; Secretary-General welcomes start of Ecuador peace dialogue; Deadly Libya attacks 'blatant violation' of human rights; Food agencies reveal scale of global food waste problem. 

  • 14 Oct 2019

    The ongoing Turkish military incursion in northeast Syria could unintentionally lead to the release of scores of people associated with the terrorist group ISIL, the UN Secretary-General fears.

  • 14 Oct 2019

    Tripoli, 14 October 2019 - Once again, innocent children pay the ultimate price. An attack today ended, in the most horrible way, the lives of three innocent young girls of the same...

  • 14 Oct 2019

    Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates,

    I have the honour to introduce on behalf of the Secretary-General the report on strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections and the promotion of democratization (A/74/785). In line with General Assembly resolution 72/164 of 19 December 2017, the report discusses developments in the field of elections and provides an update on the UN’s provision of electoral assistance to Member States.

    I am pleased to report that during the last two years, the United Nations has assisted, at their request or on the basis of a Security Council mandate, some 55 Member States in conducting elections. While the nature of the requests has varied, our support is mainly provided in the form of technical assistance or the strengthening of the capacity of national electoral authorities.

    Our response to Member States is a system-wide endeavour, which includes the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, the Department of Peace Operations, the UN Missions on the ground, the Country Teams, the United Nations Development Programme, as well as other UN partners, among them: the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; UN Women; UNESCO; and UNOPS.

    Let me highlight a few elements of the report.

     

    As the General Assembly designated UN system-wide focal point for electoral assistance, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs is responsible for ensuring system-wide coordination and coherence with the partners I mentioned earlier. Over the past two years we have continued to make progress in ensuring that United Nations electoral assistance delivers as one. We have, for example, continued to expand the system-wide internal policy framework.

    Beyond the UN system, I am also pleased to report progress made in strengthening our collaboration with regional organizations. We designed and implemented a number of activities in collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the secretariat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the League of Arab States (LAS), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This included staff exchange programmes with some of these organizations. We have also engaged in new partnership activities with the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).

    I reaffirm our commitment to continue our strong regional cooperation, which offers a platform to facilitate actions in the electoral field by United Nations and non-United Nations partners.

     

    During the reporting period, elections continued to be compelling and effective ways for citizens to participate in their countries’ political processes. In some case, however, Member States experienced tension or disputes around elections. As noted by the Secretary-General in his report, these experiences have reconfirmed that it is political leaders – from both government and opposition parties – who bear the overriding responsibility for successful elections. Both those who end up winning and those who are defeated face the choice of reaffirming public trust in their country’s political system or undermining belief in its legitimacy. Winning magnanimously entails: recognizing that a part of the electorate preferred another candidate or party; giving appropriate political space to such different views; and refraining from monopolizing a hold on State institutions or harassing opponents. Losing graciously after a credible process involves refraining from broad, potentially provocative comments about an “illegitimate” election without sufficient evidence.

     

    Mr. Chairman

    I wish to make few points on the question of women’s political participation and representation. Since 1997 the percentage of women in lower or single houses of parliament worldwide has almost doubled, increasing from 12.4 per cent to 24.3 per cent in 2019.

    That is encouraging, but still far short of the gender balance highlighted in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which will be reviewed, at its 25-year mark, in 2020. Clearly, more needs to be done, in both developing and developed countries, to improve the situation. Supporting the efforts of Member States in promoting women’s participation in political and electoral processes therefore remains one of the highest priorities of the Organization.

    The violence perpetrated against women in elections is of deep concern. It deprives women of exercising their right to participation and to live a life free from violence; hampers opportunities for their full and equal representation in decision-making; and thereby weakens democratic processes and institutions. We stand ready to support Member States, to understand these forms of violence and develop tools to prevent them.

     

    Mr. Chairman

    In his report, the Secretary-General notes that the influence of the Internet and social media in elections has raised complex issues for Member States. The paralyzing suspicion that any information or discourse can be or has been manipulated, leading to the erosion of trust, lies at the heart of the Internet’s challenge to democracy. Furthermore, the spread of hate speech through online platforms can have a damaging impact on an electoral process and be a trigger for violence. The response to these challenges is still evolving, as are opinions on how to best confront them. Member States may wish to focus on building the resilience of their societies to handle potentially false, emotive and incendiary online content, including by promoting critical thinking and digital literacy and supporting professional journalism. Particular attention should be focused on protecting those who are often the target of hate speech, such as women and vulnerable groups.

     

    Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates

    I would like to conclude by recalling that the United Nations system stands ready to support Member States, at their request, in facing these and other challenges in conducting their elections. The strength of the system lies in its political impartiality and in the global expertise accumulated over several decades. It also lies in the fact that United Nations assistance is designed to be multipronged, drawing on the expertise of a range of diverse United Nations entities, while maintaining a cohesive, coordinated framework with a global focal point function and a strong focus on integration and delivering as one. These institutional arrangements have proved to be efficient. Furthermore, electoral assistance is designed to complement other UN activities, in particular, those in support of peaceful transitions, democratic governance, the rule of law, human rights and gender equality.

    We look forward to working together as we pursue these important goals.

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

  • 14 Oct 2019

    Mogadishu – On the second anniversary of the deadly October 14, 2017 suicide bombings in Somalia, the United Nations envoy to the country today remembered the victims of the attack and reaffirmed the world...

  • 14 Oct 2019

    KANDAHAR - Peace remains the top priority for Afghans, said religious scholars and other community leaders gathered at a UN-backed event in the southern province of Kandahar....

  • 13 Oct 2019

    UN chief António Guterres has strongly condemned Friday’s attack on a mosque in northern Burkina Faso, in a statement released on Saturday.

  • 13 Oct 2019

    PRESS STATEMENT 20/2019

    Mogadishu – The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, James Swan, condemned today’s indirect fire attack on...

  • 13 Oct 2019

    KABUL - The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is encouraged by the Afghan people who turned out to have their voices heard on 28 September and to exercise their constitutional right...

  • 12 Oct 2019
    Tenth Edition of the Regional Open Day on United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 (2000) and subsequent on Gender, Women, Youth, Peace and Security Women and youth call on...
  • 11 Oct 2019

    Amid violent street protests that have rocked Ecuador’s Government, fomenting a political crisis, the UN Secretary-General has voiced his concern, saying the Organization is standing by to help mediate if politicians can agree to sit down for talks.  

  • 11 Oct 2019


     

    5 - 11 October 2019

    This Week in DPPA aims to keep you abreast of political and peacebuilding events at UNHQ and the field.

     

    DPPA Chief in Middle East

    Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo visits Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, visited the Middle East from 5 to 11 October to discuss current efforts by UN Missions, agencies, funds and programmes in the region with key counterparts and partners. She met with government official and civil society organizations in Israel and Palestine and visited the Office of the Special Coordinator for the
    Middle East Peace Process
    in Jerusalem. On Twitter, she reiterated that  “[t]he UN remains fully committed to the two-State solution.“ In Amman, Jordan, she met with Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, among other officials. Ms. DiCarlo continued on to Lebanon, where she held talks with Prime Minister Saad Hariri and other government officials, and civil society organizations. She was accompanied during much of her visit by UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon. The Under-Secretary-General also visited UNIFIL in southern Lebanon.

     

    Security Council

    Guterres: “Prevention brings enormous rewards”
    In a Security Council session on the centrality of preventive diplomacy, conflict prevention and resolution in Africa held on 7 October, Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Conflict prevention is difficult to quantify and may not make news. But no news is good news for the people we serve. Prevention brings enormous rewards.”
    Read his full statement here

    Ruiz Massieu: Precious opportunity to end recurrent dynamics of violence in Colombia
    Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, briefed the Security Council on the latest developments in the country on 10 October. “It is now more important than ever to support the women and men who remain resolutely committed to peace and to transforming their lives and those of their families and communities,” Mr. Ruiz Massieu said. “This a precious opportunity to put an end to the recurrent dynamics of violence in Colombia, “he concluded.
    Read his full statement here

     

    The same day, the Council held consultations on northern Syria following the latest developments in the region. Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari briefed the Council in closed session. The Council also discussed the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS).   

     

    New York

    First high-level political consultations between DPPA and GCC
    Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari co-chaired the first-ever high-level political consultations between DPPA and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in New York on 8 October. The GCC delegation was led by its Assistant Secretary General for Political and Negotiation Affairs, Dr. Abdulaziz Hamad Al-Owaishek. They exchanged views on peace and security issues of mutual interest and agreed on strengthening cooperation through a joint action plan. Both sides attached importance to strengthening cooperation on conflict prevention and resolution. It was agreed that the GCC side would host the next annual high-level political consultations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2020.
    For more information, please contact DPPA



     

    Peacebuilding Commission contributing to World Bank Strategy
    The World Bank presented its forthcoming Fragility, Conflict and Violence Strategy 2020-2025 at a meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) in New York on 9 October. The meeting aimed to contribute to the finalization of the strategy and explore opportunities for greater collaboration and cooperation between the UN and the World Bank in peacebuilding and sustaining peace contexts. “The Fragility, Conflict and Violence strategy is an opportunity to explore joint efforts that align the PBC’s gender strategy with the World Bank’s own to close the gender gap in fragility, conflict and violence settings,” UN PBC Chair H.E. Guilermo Fernandez de Soto said while opening the meeting.
    For more information, please contact DPPA

     

    Afghanistan

    Afghanistan’s Youth Representative to the United Nations selected
    Aisha Khurram has been selected as Afghanistan’s Youth Representative to the United Nations for 2019, joining a group of other young people from across the globe to act as representatives for a new generation seeking to make their voices heard at the world body. The selection of Khurram as Afghanistan’s second Youth Representative to the UN follows a multi-stage process involving video and in-person interviews, as well as a debate that took place on 7 October 2019 in Kabul. Tadamichi Yamamoto, Special Representative for Afghanistan and Head of UNAMA, was among the judges.
    Read more on UNAMA’s Facebook page

     

     

     


     

    Central Asia

    First UNRCCA Preventive Diplomacy Academy held in Kazakhstan
    The United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia held the first session of its new initiative, the UNRCCA Preventive Diplomacy Academy, in Taraz in southern Kazakhstan from 7 - 9 October. SRSG and Head of UNRCCA Natalia Gherman, Mayor of the city of Taraz Kairat Dosayev and partner organizations opened the event. The workshop brought together 15 young people from the city of Taraz and 15 young people from the city of Talas, just across the border in Kyrgyzstan, to learn about preventive diplomacy and the work of UNRCCA, conflict prevention strategies for their daily lives and in their communities, intercultural communication, leadership and the basics of project management.
    Read more on UNRCCA’s website

     

    Papua New Guinea

    Peacebuilding and sustaining peace in Papua New Guinea
    The Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) met on 10 October in New York to discuss peacebuilding and sustaining peace in Papua New Guinea (PNG), at the request of the country’s Government.  The meeting, which brought together senior representatives of the Government of PNG, of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, PBC members and partners from the region, focused on the preparations for the referendum for the political status of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and the situation in the Hela Province of the Highlands region. The Government acknowledged the key role of the UN since the start of the Bougainville Peace process in 2001, and the role of the Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund -- which has invested $16.5 million in PNG since 2015 -- in enabling them to move forward with implementing the peace agreement.
    For more information, please contact DPPA

     

    Guinea-Bissau

    Joint mission to secure Presidential election in Guinea-Bissau
    A joint mission of the United Nations, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP) visited Bissau on 7 October 2019 to emphasize that all efforts should be made to hold the first round of presidential election scheduled for 24 November 2019. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, and Rosine Sori-Coulibaly, Special Representative for Guinea-Bissau, took part on behalf of the world body.  
    Read more on UNOWAS’ website

     

    Lesotho

    Support to national dialogue in Lesotho
    The Fourth National Leaders Forum of Lesotho took place on 9 October in the capital Maseru. The forum aimed to develop a roadmap for next phase of the reform process. Prime Minister Dr Motsoahae Thomas Thabane gave the keynote address and acknowledged the UN’s support.  The Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund backs the Lesotho National Dialogue and Stabilization Project, a response to  political instability in the country and a first step towards the implementation of comprehensive national reforms aimed at long-term stability and sustained peace and development.
    For more information, please contact DPPA

     

    Somalia

    Insecurity among the pressing challenges of business women
    Special Representative James Swan met Somali business women on 8 October to learn more about their experiences. The women, drawn from Somalia’s hospitality, textile, tourism, travel and agricultural sectors, flagged insecurity, lack of income and lack of local inputs among their pressing challenges.
    or more information, please contact DPPA

     

    The Gambia

    Ibn Chambas expresses support to The Gambia during three-day visit
    Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), concluded a three-day visit to The Gambia on 10 October. He underscored the importance of moving forward with the reform process in accordance with timelines that will allow the international community to continue to support the country. “We remain engaged and committed to support The Gambia in its efforts towards consolidating peace and development, “ Mr. Ibn Chambas said. 
    Read more on UNOWAS’ website

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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  • 11 Oct 2019

    Airstrikes and a ground offensive by Turkey in northern Syria against Kurdish forces have left civilians dead and forced tens of thousands to flee, UN agencies said on Friday, amid fears of another “humanitarian catastrophe” in the war-torn country. 

  • 11 Oct 2019

    The winner of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize has been praised by the UN Secretary-General for creating a pathway to stability in the Horn of Africa region.