UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the conduct of presidential elections in Afghanistan on 28 September and commended all Afghans “who exercised their democratic voice and upheld their right to vote, braving security concerns”.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the conduct of presidential elections in Afghanistan on 28 September and commended all Afghans “who exercised their democratic voice and upheld their right to vote, braving security concerns”.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Yemen on Saturday called on the United Nations and the wider international community to stand by his crisis-torn country as it struggled to cope with daily assaults and “terrorist aggression” at the hands of vicious, Iran-backed Houthi militias.
Organized criminal networks continue to pose a threat to Guinea-Bissau and undermine stability in the West African nation, Foreign Minister Suzi Barbosa said in her speech on Saturday to the UN General Assembly.
The Vice-President of Venezuela on Friday criticized administrations which have recognized National Assembly president Juan Guaidó as leader of the South American country.
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".
New YorkGeneral Debate of the General Assembly kicks off During a Women, Peace and Leadership Symposium organized by the International Peace Institute on 25 September, DiCarlo said that the only way to overcome the lack of political will to implement the women, peace and security agenda was to nominate, appoint and elect more women to leadership positions and decision-making roles – in government, the UN, public institutions, the private sector and community life. Later that day, DiCarlo participated in the side-event on Somalia during which she welcomed the significant progress achieved in the country and reiterated the importance of inclusive dialogue between the Federal Government and Federal Member States of Somalia. The Group of Friends of Mediation held a Ministerial meeting on 26 September on the sidelines of the General Assembly. Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo said that she has made exploring the impact of digital technologies on peace and security issues one of the priorities of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. She mentioned two recent DPPA initiatives in this regard: the Department is establishing an Innovation Cell to strengthen capacities for innovation, including the use of digital technologies, across our peace and security mandates; and DPPA recently co-published an online Toolkit of Digital Technologies and Mediation with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. The Toolkit, which will be continuously updated, assesses the opportunities and risks that digital technologies present for mediation. The same day, the Under-Secretary-General also attended a meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC). The AHLC is the only forum where all parties to the Middle East Peace Process participate, including Israel and Palestine. DiCarlo stressed that initiatives to strengthen the capacity of Palestinians to develop their economy were encouraging but no substitute for establishing a legitimate political horizon that ends the occupation and establishes a negotiated two-state solution that meets the legitimate aspirations and security needs of both Israelis and Palestinians. The Under-Secretary-General took part in the high-level event on Sudan on 27 September, convened by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to reiterate the support of the international community for the priorities of the civilian-led government of Prime Minister Hamdak, and for sustainable peace and inclusive development throughout the country.
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LibyaSpecial Representative assesses prospects for peace
AfghanistanStrong commitment to credible elections
IraqHuman rights training for civil society and youth
“Iraqi Youth: Pioneers for Dialogue and Stability” workshop held in Diyala
Colombia“Living together in peace“ |
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Contact DPPA at dppa@un.org
While crediting the United Nations for preventing ‘World War III’, the Foreign Minister of Russia lamented to the General Assembly on Friday that the number of conflicts on the planet has not declined, nor has enmity weakened.
Three peacekeepers were killed and a fourth was severely injured after a helicopter crashed on Friday morning local time, in the west of the Central African Republic, the UN mission to the country (MINUSCA) has confirmed.
Three peacekeepers were killed and a fourth was severely injured after a helicopter crashed on Friday morning local time, in the west of the Central African Republic, the UN mission to the country (MINUSCA) has confirmed. The injured 'blue helmet' later succumbed to his wounds, bringing the death toll to four.
Three peacekeepers were killed and a fourth was severely injured after a helicopter crashed on Friday morning local time, in the west of the Central African Republic, the UN mission to the country (MINUSCA) has confirmed.
Hurricane Dorian, one of the most destructive Atlantic storms ever recorded, “is a generational tragedy” for The Bahamas, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said on Friday.
Sudan is now on the long road to socio-economic recovery, following the establishment of a civilian-led government, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told a high-level meeting on Friday, at UN Headquarters in New York.
All key actors in Afghanistan must “uphold their responsibility to support a peaceful, credible, transparent and inclusive electoral process”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement on Friday, the day before presidential elections are due to be held in the country, adding that “there is no place for violence, intimidation or fraud”.
The international community must join together to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, the Foreign Minister of Israel told the UN General Assembly on Thursday evening.
Climate change is putting Pacific tuna fish stocks at risk, potentially creating an “economic Armageddon” for Nauru, President Lionel Aingimea warned the UN General Assembly on Thursday.
African countries are building increasingly strong partnerships for advancing peace and security, as well as inclusive sustainable development across the continent, the Security Council heard on Thursday, during a briefing by the UN Secretary-General’s Chef de Cabinet, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti.
A short roundup of events and statements making the news at UN Headquarters on this Thursday, of General Assembly high level week.
With Africa at the centre of many global challenges, it is time for the continent to have a seat in the UN Security Council, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) told world leaders on Thursday.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday denounced what he called “arrogance and aggression” by the Israeli Government and called on the United Nations to push harder for the two-state solution to resolve the conflict.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday denounced what he called “arrogance and aggression” by the Israeli Government and called on the United Nations to push harder for the two-state solution to resolve the conflict.
Progress made in reducing the danger posed by nuclear arsenals has not only come to a halt, “it is going in reverse”, and any use of a nuclear weapon in the future would ignite “a humanitarian catastrophe.”
The past 45 years of “unacceptable status quo” has prevented lasting peace and stability in Cyprus, President Nicos Anastasiades told the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday.
Minister Haavisto (Finland)
Minister Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
It is a great pleasure to join you today for the 10th ministerial meeting of the Group of Friends of Mediation.
Over the last decade the Group has led the way in promoting the use of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes. Allow me to recognize the leadership role played by Finland and Turkey, as co-chairs of the Group.
Looking forward to the next decade, I welcome the choice of today’s theme: “New technologies for peace and mediation as tools for inclusion.” While mediation remains a human intensive endeavour, we must also recognize that more and more significant political discourse happens online, with implications for how conflicts start, evolve and end.
Consequently, I have made exploring the impact of digital technologies on peace and security issues one of the priorities of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. Our efforts are in line with the Secretary-General’s system-wide initiative to harness the use of new technologies to further the objectives and administration of the United Nations.
In our Department, we are establishing an Innovation Cell to strengthen capacities for innovation, including the use of digital technologies, across our peace and security mandates. We have also recently co-published an online Toolkit of Digital Technologies and Mediation with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. The Toolkit, which will be continuously updated, assesses the opportunities and risks that digital technologies present for mediation.
Excellencies,
Inclusivity is one of the core principles of UN mediation. Inclusive processes produce greater legitimacy and ownership because they ensure that the needs of those who have suffered the consequences of conflict most directly, including women and youth, are addressed.
Inclusivity is also essential to addressing the growing fragmentation of today’s conflicts. We know that when peace processes are not inclusive, they often fail.
In this regard, digital technologies offer considerable opportunities to access a wider group of stakeholders beyond the main conflict parties. This is especially important in ensuring that the voices of people in hard-to-reach and conflict affected areas reach the negotiating table.
On the other hand, mediators need to seriously consider digital security, safety and reputational risks. On-line hate speech is a pervasive problem. Misinformation campaigns, bot nets and artificial intelligence can be used to “game” online inclusion efforts. We must also be careful to ensure that lack of access to information and communication technologies do not produce new patterns of exclusion.
Before I conclude, let me share a few examples that illustrate the potential of technology to promote inclusion.
During preparations for a National Conference Process (NCP) in Libya in 2018, the UN Mission developed an Arabic-language website that allowed Libyans to provide their insights on issues related to the future of the Libyan state.
Over a period of three months, 1,700 questionnaires were submitted and half a million comments were generated in an accompanying social media campaign.
We have developed a new Artificial Intelligence-powered platform to convene largescale digital focus groups to enhance our analysis of peace and security trends. This information can be used to enhance the work of our mediators and envoys in the field. In June 2019, we conducted the first pilot test of the platform.
During the past year we have used big data to assess opinions of average citizens regarding key political concerns including elections and peace processes. We have also used virtual reality and other technology to increase awareness of the work and challenges of special political missions, including before the Security Council members.
Excellencies
Digital technologies have clear potential to advance peace and security. But we must bear in mind the associated risks.
I very much look forward to today’s conversation and to any suggestions you might have to enhance the mediator’s toolbox through the strategic and secure use of technology.
Finally, allow me to take this opportunity to thank you for your contributions to DPPA’s Multi-Year Appeal, which has helped fund our innovation efforts.
Thank you.
The second worst Ebola outbreak in history is “on the retreat” said the UN’s health agency chief on Wednesday, warning however that there is no room for complacency, with dozens of new cases each week still being recorded in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Humanitarian and development responses for Mali and Africa’s wider Sahel region “are falling short”, and support must be scaled up to ensure a hopeful future for its people, the Secretary-General told world leaders at a special high level meeting inside UN Headquarters on Wednesday.
President Faustin-Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic (CAR), addressing the UN General Assembly’s annual general debate, spotlighted “modest but sure” progress in implementing the landmark peace agreement signed by his Government and 14 armed groups on 6 February 2019.
“Liberia is a UN success story”, President George Manneh Weah told the annual United Nations high-level generalral debate in New York on Wednesday.
The Gulf region is “on the edge of collapse”, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told world leaders on Wednesday at the annual high-level segment of the United Nations General Assembly, saying that “a single blunder can fuel a big fire”.
Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the move to increase cooperation between the UN and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Wednesday.
Amman, 25 September 2019 - The Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths is saddened by the recent military activity that claimed once again the lives of scores of civilians, including children. “This is yet another heartbreaking event. ” Mr. Griffiths said.
The Special Envoy calls on all parties to seize the opportunity that lies ahead and to commit to it. “I urge all to take tangible and quick steps to reduce the violence, respect international humanitarian law and...
Advances in weaponry have made the world smaller, which means leaders are not only responsible for the fate of their citizens but of everyone else on the planet, the President of Ukraine told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.
Kazakhstan, the Central Asian country which has renounced nuclear weapons, continued on Tuesday to urge the international community to make a nuclear-free world reality.
In a world facing “enormous and diverse cross-border challenges”, the Emir of Qatar told the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level session on Tuesday that only international mechanisms can deter violators of international law, ensure sovereignty, prohibit land annexation and prevent armed conflicts through peaceful dispute resolution.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro spoke out against what he characterized as “media lies” about the Amazon and alleged manipulation of the indigenous people who live there.
We are living in “a world of disquiet”, the United Nations chief told the High-level session of the General Assembly on Tuesday, urging the Heads of States present to advance “common good” while upholding “shared humanity and values”.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) signed today, an agreement with the European Union (EU) to renew the partnership to support Joint UNDP-DPPA programme on building national capacities for conflict prevention.
The US$ 2.8 million agreement will aim at building, strengthening and consolidating national capacities for conflict prevention in conflict-affected, fragile countries, as well as countries undergoing political instability or difficult transitions.
Through the deployment of Peace and Development Advisors (PDAs), the Joint UNDP-DPPA programme offers critical support to UN Resident Coordinators, the UN Country Teams and national stakeholders to consolidate local capacities for dialogue, mediation, social cohesion, and national infrastructures for peace. The Programme is currently active in more than 70 countries.
"I am proud that today we are renewing our work with the Joint Programme. The programme is a crucial piece in the EU's overall support to the UN peace and security architecture, in a world where the number of conflicts is on the rise. Our joint efforts help ease tensions and sustain peace", said Hilde Hardeman, the Head of European Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instruments.
“The Joint Programme builds on the reformed peace and security and development pillars, and the strengths of the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and UNDP collectively. Our Peace and Development Advisors are the embodiment of coherence of the UN for enhancing our support to national conflict prevention capacities. We very much value the EU’s partnership and support to our joint efforts”, said Miroslav Jenča, UN Assistant Secretary-General in UN DPPA.
“The Peace and Development Advisors play a key role within UN Country Teams as they help the UN translate analysis into strategic actions and programmes on prevention. Notable examples across the globe include cross-border prevention programming, enhancing participation of women and youth in political processes, and developing early warning and response mechanisms,” stated Asako Okai, UN Assistant Secretary General and Director of UNDP’s Crisis Bureau.
The Joint Programme is widely recognized for providing thought leadership on conflict prevention and is considered a unique example of how the political and development pillars of the UN can successfully work together in pursuit of preventing violent conflict and sustaining peace.
UN-led discussions to secure a peaceful future for the people of Syria have resulted in agreement by the country’s Government and opposition representatives to the formation of a new Constitutional Committee in a bid to end the “tragedy” of more than eight years of fighting, UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced on Monday.
As global leaders gathered at UN Headquarters on Monday to present their plans to combat climate change, United States President Donald Trump put the spotlight on the need to safeguard religious freedom worldwide.
