Press Release
UN Report: Urgent need to resolve the PA’s Fiscal Crisis and Support the fragile Palestinian Economy; Gaza’s Health System faces serious challenges
Monday, 23 September 2019, Jerusalem – A newly published United Nations report highlighted the urgency to resolve the continuing fiscal crisis faced by the Palestinian Authority (PA) and to support the Palestinian economy. It also called for increased attention on Gaza’s...
Amid reports of a Saudi-led coalition airstrike near Yemen’s port city of Hudaydah, Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concerns for the attacks in a Saturday statement attributable to his Spokesperson, Stephane Dujjaric.
21 September 2019, New York - The Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, welcomes the initiative announced by Ansar Allah on 20 September, on the cessation of hostile military acts against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He also welcomes the expression of further openness towards the implementation of the Prisoner Exchange Agreement and the desire for a political solution to end the conflict.
The Special Envoy stresses the importance of taking advantage of this...
This Week in DPPA aims to keep you abreast of developments and events on the agenda of the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, at UN HQ and in the field, and especially those that sometimes "fly under the radar".
Security CouncilSpecial Envoy Griffiths strongly condemns attack on Saudi Arabia Mladenov: "I unequivocally condemn all attacks on Palestinian and Israeli civilians”
ColombiaPresident visits a reintegration area
Great LakesSpecial Envoy visits the UK and France
SomaliaKey role of Somali youth in peace efforts highlighted in meeting with Head of UN Peacebuilding chief
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Sri LankaYouth Peace Panel launched in Sri Lanka IraqSpecial Representative visits IDP camp in FallujahThe Special Representative for Iraq and Head of UNAMI, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, visited Ameriyat al-Fallujah camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) on 15 September. Mohammed al-Halbousi, Iraqi Parliament Speaker, accompanied the Special Representative. They heard about the obstacles IDPs face in attempting to return to their areas of origin. For more information, please contact DPPA AfghanistanParticipants of UN-backed TV series call for urgent ceasefire and a peaceful solution to end the war
New YorkUnder-Secretary-General DiCarlo joins Twitter
Interview with SRSG Tadamichi Yamamoto
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A recap of Friday’s top stories: Climate emergency threatening peace progress; Guterres urges States bring concrete answers to GA; Migrant shooting in Libya signals danger; Xenophobia attacks rise in South Africa; Record number get UN food aid in Libya.
The “steady deterioration” of chances that a lasting peace can be negotiated between Israel and Palestine as two States live side by side, reflects a “collective failure” of leadership across the region and the world.
Staff at UN Headquarters in New York joined untold numbers of students, scientists, organized labour, and everyday people worldwide, who took to the streets on Friday, demanding action to address climate change.
Among the efforts to build a sustainably peaceful world, “urgent climate action is needed” to curb environmental threats to all our well-being and security, the Secretary-General told the annual peace gathering in New York on Friday, addressing a largely youthful crowd.
The UN Security Council on Thursday failed to reach consensus on either of two competing resolutions on a cessation of hostilities in Idlib, Syria: the last province in the war-torn nation that is still largely held by rebel forces.
A recap of Wednesday's top stories: Guterres previews next week's summit agenda; UN and Red Cross appeal to eliminate urban warfare; South Sudan's one-year peace progress report; Cameroon renews call for 'durable peace'; Cities both helping and hurting, when it comes to climate change action.
One year on from the signing of a Revitalized Agreement to ease conflict in South Sudan, the country’s political leaders “have met some, but certainly not all”, of the expectations laid out, the top UN official for the country told the Security Council on Wednesday.
With some 50 million people in urban areas suffering from the impact of armed conflict, war in cities “cannot be back page news”, the UN Secretary-General and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Wednesday.
All Afghans have the right to live “free from fear, intimidation and violence”, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement on Tuesday strongly condemning two suicide attacks, which left dozens dead.
Attacks against oil facilities in Saudi Arabia over the weekend, claimed by rebel fighters in Yemen, are a sign that the war-torn country could be drawn into even greater conflict, the top United Nations official there told the Security Council on Monday.
Hundreds of thousands of ethnic Rohingya who remain in Myanmar may face a greater threat of genocide than ever, amid Government attempts to “erase their identity and remove them from the country”, UN-appointed independent investigators said on Monday.
The UN Secretary-General appealed on Sunday for “maximum restraint" following a wave of drone attacks claimed by Houthi rebels in Yemen, against a huge Saudi Arabian State-owned Armco petroleum processing facility, which threatens to disrupt global oil supplies.
The ongoing closure of crossing points on the administrative boundary line with South Ossetia is creating additional hardship for the local people and is further raising tensions.
We are in contact with all relevant actors, urging them to abstain from taking unilateral steps that have negative humanitarian consequences for conflict-affected people and undermine stability on the ground.
We call on all participants in the Geneva International Discussions to engage constructively within the existing security and dialogue mechanisms and to search for solutions to all issues of concern.
It is in this respect essential that conflict-affected people are not subjected to additional hardship and that their human rights, including freedom of movement, are fully respected.
We intend to discuss this and other worrying developments further during our upcoming consultations.
“The UN Special Envoy for Yemen is extremely concerned about the drone attacks claimed by Ansar Allah today against two major oil facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The recent military escalation is extremely worrying.
The Special Envoy calls on all parties to exercise restraint. The Special Envoy urges all parties to prevent such further incidents, which pose a serious threat to regional security, complicate the already fragile situation and jeopardize UN-led...
This Week in DPPA aims to keep you abreast of developments and events on the agenda of the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, at UN HQ and in the field, and especially those that sometimes "fly under the radar".
Security CouncilYamamoto highlights the importance of intra-Afghan negotiations
New YorkUSG DiCarlo pledges continued UN support for Haiti Social media campaign highlights women peacebuilders around the world The UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) has started a social media campaign highlighting women peacebuilders around the world. The campaign, began on 1 September and will continue till the 21st as the UN will celebrate the International Day of Peace. The Day of Peace will be just before the high-level segment of the General Assembly in New York. PBF is using this opportunity to recognize exceptional women peacebuilders, either colleagues or partners working for or supported by the PBF, having particular impact on peace in their communities and countries. The PBF is featuring 21 women from different countries through our social media platforms. On 21 September, the PBF will highlight the group as a collective sample of agents of change which the UN employs or supports worldwide. Follow the campaign on Facebook For more information, please contact DPPA ASG for Peacebuilding Support visits Somalia |
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LibyaAgreement on ethical principles to counter hate speech in Libyan media
Great LakesUN Envoy: Women and youth should be regarded as key partners in sustainable peace and security Guinea-BissauNew SRSG arrives in Guinea-Bissau African UnionA safe and secure enviroment is a pre-requisite for Somalia’s upcoming elections in 2020/2021
AfghanistanParticipants of UN-backed TV series call for urgent ceasefire and a peaceful solution to end the war
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Just as the greatest global challenges cannot be solved by a single country, peace cannot be pursued in isolation, outgoing UN General Assembly President María Fernanda Espinosa said on Friday.
The members of the International Support Group (ISG) for Lebanon met today and welcomed the economic meeting of 2 September convened under the leadership of President Aoun as a catalyst for political leaders to address the economic challenges Lebanon faces in light of its own economic assessments and in line with Lebanon’s economic vision and its commitments at the Conférence Economique pour le Développement, par les Réformes et avec les Entreprises (CEDRE).
Noting with...
A recap of Thursday’s top stories: UN Chief’s global call to safeguard religious sites; South-South Cooperation ‘accelerates’ towards SDGs; Guterres on West Bank annexation threat; WHO says one in 10 children not getting proper vaccines; Protestor protection call over Hong Kong; New ‘UNComplicated’ podcast launches.
Israel’s intention to annex the Jordan Valley is illegal and threatens chances for a meaningful two-State solution with the Palestinians, a UN independent human rights expert has said.
Amidst a global call by Secretary-General António Guterres to “reaffirm the sanctity” of religious sites and keep worshippers safe, the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) on Thursday launched a new plan of action to “counter hate and violence around the globe”.
Since the inauguration of Guinea-Bissau’s new Government in July, the political arena has been dominated by preparation for presidential elections, the assistant chief for UN peacekeeping operations in Africa told the Security Council on Tuesday, briefing members on the state of the nation, and the UN peacebuilding office there (UNIOGBIS).
Mr. President,
Distinguished members of the Council,
Thank you for the opportunity to brief you today on the developments in Guinea-Bissau and the activities of UNIOGBIS.
Following the successful holding of the legislative elections on 10 March, renewed political tensions resulted in a stalemate over the composition of the Executive Bureau of the National Assembly, and delayed the appointment of a prime minister and the formation of a new government. The situation was further complicated by the conclusion of President José Mário Vaz’s five-year term in office on 23 June 2019, amidst differing opinions regarding interim arrangements for the office.
The ECOWAS’ decision on 29 June addressed these issues, enabling the swearing in of a new government on 3 July and determining that President Vaz would remain in Office until the holding of the next presidential election, with limited powers, leaving the management of national affairs to the new Government.
Allow me to commend the Government for the unprecedented achievement on gender parity and the appointment of some highly qualified youth in the new Cabinet. This opens a new window of opportunity for inclusive governance in the country. The 31-member Government is composed solely from the majority alliance, reflecting the results of the legislative elections. However, the recent nomination and replacement of senior officials in key positions, including the new commander of the National Guard, Rear Admiral Agostino Sousa Cordeiro, who is under EU sanctions for his participation in the 2012 coup, has triggered negative reactions from national and international stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the Government has adopted a seven-month emergency plan aimed at providing relief to key sectors namely the education, health, infrastructure and public services sectors. It has also submitted its programme to the National Assembly for approval. However, given the current tensions within and between political parties, including within the majority alliance led by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cabo Verde (PAIGC), the approval of the new Government’s Programme by the National Assembly will be a testament to the majority alliance’s strength and ability to govern the country.
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Since the inauguration of the Government, the political arena has been dominated by preparations for the presidential election. Several political parties have organized primaries to select their candidates, while some independent candidates have also emerged. As we approach the 25 September deadline for submission of candidacies to the Supreme Court for validation, we will continue to witness the emergence of new candidates.
Meanwhile, the electoral process remains fraught with challenges. Some political actors have expressed concern about the correction of the voters’ register to regularize approximately 25,000 persons who were disenfranchised in the legislative elections, owing to their fear of fraud. They have also questioned the creation of the new position of Secretary of State for Electoral Management.
There is a general feeling of mistrust among national stakeholders surrounding the electoral process, which must be addressed before the election if we are to ensure a peaceful and consensual process, and an outcome that is accepted by all. To address this, the Group of Five in Bissau, [the African Union, CPLP, ECOWAS, European Union and the UN] has advocated for enhanced procedural control, transparent measures, information-sharing mechanisms, and the development of a communication strategy on the voter correction exercise. Ultimately, the joint message is that the country must remain focused on ensuring the timely holding of the presidential election.
Moreover, yesterday [9 September] an ECOWAS ministerial delegation visited Bissau to assess progress in the organization of the election. In its final communiqué, it insisted that in the absence of consensus by all political parties on the voter register correction exercise, that the same voters’ register used for the legislative elections be applied for the presidential election. It also took note of the decision of the electoral bodies to hold the election during 2019, including the second rounds – if needed. The communiqué also requested a clarification of the responsibilities of the Secretary of State for Electoral Management. In its response, the Government indicated today that the correction process will proceed for now but the actual register will be updated only if the presidential candidates agree during an upcoming meeting at the plenary session of the CNE.
Meanwhile, the initiatives taken by the Government and the electoral management bodies (the CNE and GTAPE) to enhance general communication and consultations with political parties, are steps in the right direction. To support this, the UN recommends the establishment of an all-inclusive stakeholders’ platform of national actors for information sharing purposes.
In the meantime, civil society organizations, including women’s groups, have begun preparations for the establishment of a situation room to jointly monitor the election. They have also put in place coordinated efforts for the preparation and implementation of a Code of Conduct for the election.
The Government has developed a consolidated election budget that amounts to USD 5.3 million. The UN is working closely with the authorities and the electoral bodies to fine-tune and finalize the budget. Additionally, the Government has committed to contributing to the electoral budget to cover initial expenses for the presidential election (USD 730,000), in addition to paying the outstanding debt (1.6 million USD) from the legislative elections.
The correction exercise, which started on 24 August, is the first of the major electoral activities, and is expected to end on 24 September. However, less than a quarter of the funding required for this exercise has been disbursed thus far. To address this, UNDP has contributed USD 100,000 to the Basket Fund, while the Government has contributed approximately 160,000 directly to the electoral management bodies (CNE and GTAPE).
Efforts to mobilize resources from the international community have yielded limited results so far. Several pledges and indications of interest have been made but with no actual contribution. We expect the first batch of financial contributions by international partners to arrive before the first week of October. Should the fund arrive, these will be applied to the training of civic educators and training of trainers of polling staff during October.
With 75 days left to the presidential election, it is important that funding is made available now either bilaterally or through the UNDP-managed basket fund, to ensure that the electoral operations of the month of November, namely the training, deployment and payment of polling and security personnel, as well as the movement of materials to all the polling stations, are completed in a timely manner.
I would therefore wish to take this opportunity to encourage international partners to extend their generosity to Guinea-Bissau to provide the necessary financial support for the election with urgency. Time is of the essence. Your contributions will be instrumental in ensuring the holding of the presidential election on 24 November.
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Since the formation of the government, UNIOGBIS has developed with the Minister of Women, Family and Social Solidarity, a programme to promote the visibility of the eight women Ministers, to support their out-reach to the population to discuss key public administration programmatic areas from a gender perspective. UNIOGBIS has also supported a civil society network, including women organizations, to monitor and advocate for key reforms during the post-electoral period.
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
The political environment continues to negatively impact the economic performance of the country and the living conditions of the population.
The human rights situation continues to be negatively impacted by socio-economic tensions, including targeted restrictions on freedom and civil liberties. Upholding these rights remains crucial to sustaining peace, stability and development in Guinea-Bissau.
Meanwhile, drug trafficking and organized crime continue to pose threats to peace and security in the country and beyond. The seizure by the Judiciary Police of about 1,869 kg of cocaine on 2 September, signals that Guinea-Bissau remains a transit route for drug trafficking, but also illustrates the enhanced capacity of the Judiciary Police to combat the scourge. The signing on 2 August, of an MoU between Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia and Senegal, to combat drug trafficking and organised crime along their borders, is a commendable effort to tackle the cross-border threat.
I appeal to the international community to continue to provide financial and technical support to the Government of Guinea-Bissau in its fight against drug trafficking and organized crime, to prevent losing the gains achieved thus far.
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Pursuant to Security Council resolution 2458 (2019), measures have been put in place for the UN transition for the prospective closure of UNIOGBIS by 31 December 2020. As a first step, one regional office has been closed and the remaining three will follow by 31 December 2019. Additionally, coordination structures to oversee and plan for the transition have been established in Bissau and at Headquarters.
The development of the UN transition plan including a preliminary Mission drawdown plan is ongoing. A full-scale transition implementation will be launched in close coordination with the UNCT, UNOWAS and the national authorities, following the conclusion of the presidential election.
The UN presence in Guinea-Bissau, has also engaged with the Government on the gradual transfer of the UNIOGBIS residual mandated tasks to the UNCT, UNOWAS, and other partners. With the arrival of the new SRSG, Ms. Rosine Sori-Coulibaly, in Bissau, as of 5 September, scaled up engagement with the Government is planned, in particular after the presidential election.
Meanwhile, UNIOGBIS and UNOWAS have already started strengthening their information sharing arrangements and SRSG Chambas (UNOWAS) has increased his engagement with UNIOGBIS on the political process and has visited Bissau twice this year.
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
2019 is a pivotal year for Guinea-Bissau to seize the opportunity to end the recurring cycle of instability that has hampered its socio-economic development for decades. The risk of further instability in the period leading to the presidential election is high, with political rivalries and poor economic prospects for the population. The role of national political stakeholders in ensuring stability cannot be overemphasized. All national actors must be mindful of their duties towards the people of Guinea-Bissau and the need to transcend narrow individual and party interests.
All efforts must be made to ensure the timely holding of an inclusive, credible and peaceful presidential election. Both the Government and the international community should abide by their commitments to provide resources for the election.
On the longer run, key institutional reforms, including the Constitutional review, will remain critical to consolidate the country’s stability. Collaboration between all the branches of power and in the National Assembly, will therefore be vital in preparing the ground for an inclusive reforms process. The sustained engagement by international partners will also be crucial to accompany Guinea-Bissau in its path towards lasting stability.
I would like to conclude by commending ECOWAS for its leading role and steadfast commitment towards ensuring stability in Guinea-Bissau, including the maintenance of ECOMIB, despite other security challenges facing the region. Sincere appreciations also go to all partners, including the AU, CPLP, and the EU for their valuable contribution to the stabilization efforts in Guinea-Bissau.
Thank you.
A recap of Monday’s top stories: All Afghans must participate in peace process; Nicaragua’s rights crisis can be resolved says Bachelet; Rohingya refugees impacted by monsoon rains; Libya detainees to be evacuated to Rwanda; and multiple donors show solidarity with the Bahamas.
A recap of Monday’s top stories: All Afghans must participate in peace process; Nicaragua’s rights crisis can be resolved says Bachelet; Rohingya refugees impacted by monsoon rains; Libya detainees to be evacuated to Rwanda; and multiple donors show solidarity with the Bahamas.
