Global warming and rising political tensions are dangerous and avoidable, Secretary-General António Guterres told reporters on Thursday, previewing the UN’s upcoming Climate Action Summit, and spotlighting geopolitical hotspots.
Ten years after the start of a violent insurgency in north-east Nigeria plunged the country into a humanitarian crisis that is “still far from over”, the United Nations and its aid partners have underscored the need to “collectively redouble efforts” to help the most vulnerable.
DPPA is pleased to issued its Quarterly Report (01 April to 30 June) covering activities funded under the Multi-Year Appeal. During the reporting period, the Department made further progress, thanks to funding under the Multi-Year Appeal (MYA), in assisting Special political Missions (SPMs) and non-mission settings, as well as servicing the whole UN system in the areas of electoral assistance, conflict prevention, crisis response and mediation. DPPA also organized a field visit to Addis Ababa on 3 and 4 June to inform partners of its work with regional organizations.
The MYA is an ideal instrument to kickstart new initiatives and support emerging areas of work of the Organization. A new funding window has been created under the MYA to support SPMs in the delivery of their mandates with targeted local peace and mediation initiatives. Local Peace Initiatives (LPIs) will now fund grass-root activities to complement and bring gains to larger-scale, strategic-level engagement on peace and reconciliation (i.e. peace or national dialogue processes). This new window will support local peace and prevention initiatives that place strong emphasis on inclusion (e.g. women, youth and/or minorities) and on the participation of civil society. LPIs also capitalize on the opportunities created by the management reform in relation to the delegation of authority to heads of entities, which can facilitate project implementation.
As of 30 June, the Multi-Year Appeal (MYA) was 35 per cent funded, with $10.4 million received in contributions out of the $30 million requested for 2019. Guided by the six priorities under the Strategic Plan (2016-2019), below are a few highlights of achievements with MYA funding, making a difference on the ground.
DPPA is pleased to issue its Quarterly Report (01 April to 30 June) covering activities funded under the Multi-Year Appeal. During the reporting period, the Department made further progress, thanks to funding under the Multi-Year Appeal (MYA), in assisting Special political Missions (SPMs) and non-mission settings, as well as servicing the whole UN system in the areas of electoral assistance, conflict prevention, crisis response and mediation. DPPA also organized a field visit to Addis Ababa on 3 and 4 June to inform partners of its work with regional organizations.
Our main stories today cover: A new report on children and armed conflict, a day to combat human trafficking; funds needed to fight Ebola in DR Congo; UN rights office condemns the execution of two Bahraini citizens; and International Day of Friendship
Our main stories today cover: A new report on children and armed conflict, a day to combat human trafficking; funds needed to fight Ebola in DR Congo; UN rights office condemns the execution of two Bahraini citizens; and International Day of Friendship
Bombing and shelling in Syria for more than 90 days by the Government and Russia have led to “carnage in the so-called de-escalation zone” of Idlib, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator told the Security Council on Tuesday, in his seventh update since the “current onslaught” began.
The conflict in Afghanistan continues to be devastating for civilians, with the latest United Nations update released on Tuesday showing that the number of civilians killed by aerial operations increased in the first half of 2019, even as overall civilian casualties declined.
A new UN report has found that 2018 was the worst year on record for children caught up in armed conflict; the year saw the highest numbers killed or maimed since the United Nations began monitoring the violation.
In the wake of the murder of indigenous leader Emrya Wajãpi in Brazil, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has called on the country’s authorities to “react quickly and decisively” to protect the rights of indigenous peoples on their lands.
Fighting in Libya “shows no signs of abating”, the head of the United Nations Support Mission (UNSMIL), told the Security Council on Monday, painting a grim picture of worsening humanitarian conditions, and warning that the instability and influx of foreign weapons is fueling a proxy war in the north African country.
Our main stories today: UN chief and senior UN official condemn the ‘terrible massacre’ in Nigeria that left some 65 dead, and the shelling of a hospital in Libya that killed medical workers; UN Secretary-General António Guterres reacts to a deadly landslide in China; recycled plastic waste is used to build classrooms in Côte d’Ivoire; and scouts are urged to become human rights defenders.
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 CouncilKubiš: Council signals continued for UN missions in LebanonAfter briefing the Security Council in closed session on 22 July, Special Coordinator Ján Kubiš noted strong common ground and unity in the Council in support of UNSCOL and UNIFIL’s work in Lebanon. Mr. Kubiš’s briefing focused on the implementation of resolution 1701, related to the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, as well as on his recent activities in the region. Read full press statement on UNSCOL’s website DPPA chief warns of dangerous paralysis in Middle East peace efforts
Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed briefed the Council on implementation of the women, peace and security agenda in Afghanistan. "Afghan women, like women everywhere, must play a part in decisions that will affect their future," Ms. Mohammed said.
Women, peace and security in focus as senior UN officials visit Afghanistan |
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SomaliaInternational Partners visit Galmudug
Great LakesAssessment mission on reintegration of former combatants
Trinidad and Tobago and GuyanaASG Jenča underscores the importance of the Caribbean region Colombia"There is no 'way to peace'. Peace is the only way": children of Arauca "Building peace, territory and life"
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Contact DPPA at dppa@un.org
Afghan women have “paid a high price” during their country’s nearly four decades of conflict, the United Nations deputy chief said on Friday, addressing the Security Council a day after Kabul had been hit with a fresh round of “horrific” bomb attacks.
Our main stories today: UN leaders call for a return to sea rescues in the Mediterranean, following Libya shipwreck; UN human rights chief denounces indifference to victims of Syrian airstrikes; World Food Programme doubles supplies to those affected by Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, and WHO urges more investment to eradicate hepatitis.
Mr. President,
Distinguished Members of the Council,
This is an important year for Afghanistan, as the population marks the 100th year of its independence. As the Deputy Secretary-General has just highlighted, the country is at a pivotal juncture with an unprecedented opportunity for peace. While a number of initiatives are ongoing, presidential elections are just nine weeks away.
Allow me to update you briefly on political developments since the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mr. Tadamichi Yamamoto, briefed the Council on 19 June.
I will first turn to elections.
Our message to the Afghan people is the need for the upcoming presidential election, scheduled for 28 September, to be credible and held on time. We are pleased to once again provide technical assistance for the conduct of this election.
I am pleased to report that the Independent Electoral Commission, or IEC, has made steady progress to prepare for the voting. I met with IEC members as well as with members of the Electoral Complaints Commission, or ECC, during our recent visit to receive an update on their plans and learn of the challenges they still face. In addition to a large technical support team imbedded with both electoral bodies, the United Nations has also deployed two non-voting members to each Commission. They are experienced former electoral commissioners from Bulgaria, Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal appointed to provide advice to the commissions. The Afghan commissioners were appointed through a consultative process that included political parties, civil society and presidential candidates.
Regarding the progress made, a USD 149 million election budget has been finalized. The Government has committed to cover a significant portion - USD 90 million. The international community has pledged to finance the remaining USD 59 million.
The voter registration update exercise was just concluded. Over half a million more Afghans have registered, of which some 36 per cent are women. This is the first time that citizens were given an opportunity to review and make corrections to the 2018 voters list. The IEC announced a preliminary figure of 9.6 million registered voters for the upcoming election.
The IEC is also working to implement Biometric Voter Verification and Electronic Results Transmission technology. If successfully implemented, they will introduce an additional layer of fraud mitigation and address specific post-election challenges observed in 2018.
The security assessment of over 5,000 polling centers has been completed. Security arrangements for the campaign period are also being put in place. Security, however, has been a consistent concern for Afghan elections, often infringing on the right to vote, particularly of women and of those living in very insecure areas. We encourage the Afghan Government and the IEC to pay attention to the security of all voters, including women during this process.
Ahead of the campaign, starting this weekend, the IEC also issued accreditation letters for presidential candidates’ agents. There are 18 presidential candidates; three of the candidates have women as vice presidential candidates on their slates.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. Recruitment of thousands of polling staff has to be finalized, training of those staff as well as observers and candidates' agents is extremely important, the necessary equipment and materials shall need to be in place to complete all preparations in a timely fashion and deliver the upcoming election in a credible and transparent manner. With only nine weeks remaining to the polling and with the Commissions working against the clock, there is no room for delays of technical or political nature. Close collaboration among all actors is critical to ensure the remaining steps are completed according to the set electoral calendar.
But successful elections are not determined by technical matters only. Maintaining a level playing field amongst all candidates is key for credible elections. The United Nations urges all actors to exercise restraint and show respect for the independence of the IEC and the ECC. We also encourage both Commissions to regularly engage with a broad range of stakeholders and ensure that the public is kept fully informed during the process.
Similarly, we expect the candidates and other stakeholders to assume their important responsibility for the credibility of the electoral process. The overriding responsibility for a successful election lies with the political leaders themselves.
Credible presidential elections are vital to give the newly elected president the authority needed to bring the country together in the peace process.
Mr. President,
Let me now turn to the peace process. As the Deputy Secretary-General has stated, all Afghans we met made clear their desire for peace now and view recent events as an unprecedented opportunity to achieve peace after so many decades of conflict.
Direct talks between the United States and the Taliban continue. The first intra-Afghan Peace Conference co-hosted by Germany and Qatar took place from 7 to 8 July in Doha.
While delegates, including government officials participated in their individual capacities, this was an important step forward towards one common objective: to start formal negotiations between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban to reach a sustainable peace agreement. Additional intra-Afghan conferences are being planned.
Regional engagement to support an Afghan peace process has also intensified. From 10 to 11 July, representatives of China, Russia, and the United States held their third consultation on the Afghan peace process in Beijing. Pakistan joined the consultation. On 19 July, the fifth round of the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Practical Cooperation Dialogue took place in Islamabad.
Our interlocutors stressed that peace cannot come at any cost, particularly the democratic gains of the last 18 years. I was heartened to see women, as delegates, participating in the dialogue in Doha. As the Deputy Secretary-General has stressed earlier, women need to fully, effectively and directly participate in peace talks and negotiations for a peace process to be sustainable.
A political solution to the conflict in Afghanistan remains more relevant than ever, as civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict. All too often, civilians are either injured or killed, including when caught in the cross fire, struck by explosive weapons, or deliberately targeted. We call on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, to ensure access for humanitarian agencies to provide life-saving assistance and to distinguish between combatants and civilian targets to protect civilians from hostilities.
Mr. President,
Afghans deserve peace and the right to choose their representatives. The United Nations remains committed to assist Afghanistan in its efforts for peace, stability and prosperity. And as the Deputy-Secretary General said, we urge this Council to do the same.
Thank you, Mr. President.
The relentless campaign of airstrikes in Syria has been met with a “collective shrug,” the top United Nations human rights official said on Friday, denouncing the world’s apparent indifference to the mounting civilian casualties a “failure of leadership” by the world’s most powerful countries.
Our main stories today: senior UN officials condemn attacks on Somalia capital, and call for continued international support; the International Atomic Energy Agency and UN’s Economic and Social Council welcome new leaders; and the Food and Agriculture Organization warns of possible locust swarms in Horn of Africa and Yemen
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned Wednesday’s deadly terror attacks in Somalia, that targeted the offices of the mayor of Mogadishu, reportedly killing six Government officials and injured several others.
Although Somalia has made “considerable progress” in its political, economic, social and human rights situation over the past six years, “there is much more to do,” a United Nations expert said on Thursday, urging the international community to assist.
Progress has been made in consolidating democracy in West Africa and the Sahel, according to the United Nation’s Special Representative in the region on Wednesday, who cited successful elections and “political dialogues” as part of the advances made.
The problems of eradicating Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are not only medical, but also linked “to a variety of political and social factors”, the head of the UN mission in the country told the Security Council on Wednesday.
A formal agreement between Liberia and the UN to supply peacekeeping personnel to serve in the UN Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), marks an “immensely significant” transition for the former war-torn West African nation, its UN Ambassador said in New York on Tuesday.
Our main stories today: UN officials warn of desperate situation for migrants and refugees in Libya; the UN peacebuilding chief calls for ‘tangible steps’ to alleviate the crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and keep two-State solution alive; Idlib in Syria suffers more deadly attacks on civilians; Europe and Bangladesh deal with extreme weather events; and Angry Birds take on the climate crisis.
