Civil society organizations are on the “frontlines” of peacebuilding, a senior UN official said on Thursday, as the Organization convened the inaugural dialogue with grassroots organizations aimed at building and nurturing peace initiatives on the ground.
A last-minute extension of the pause in fighting in Gaza between Israel and Hamas on Thursday offered hope that UN humanitarians and aid partners will be able to pursue their efforts to reach the enclave’s most vulnerable people.
Amid hopes of a deal to extend the pause in fighting in Gaza between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) reported that humanitarian assistance had reached its shelters in northern Gaza for first time since war erupted last month.
The UN Security Council met intensively through Wednesday morning in New York on the Middle East crisis. It was the first open meeting since the 15-member body passed a resolution in mid-November and the first featuring foreign ministers from across the region and beyond.
The United Nations and the African Union have reinforced their partnership following the conclusion of their seventh high-level dialogue in New York on Tuesday.
The situation in Syria remains dire, with continued fighting, and tens of thousands displaced - all exacerbating the suffering of civilians and compounded by the effects of the war in Gaza, senior UN officials said on Tuesday.
Gang violence in Haiti is on the rise with new alliances being forged and expansion into rural areas previously considered safe, warns a new UN report.
The brutal attack by Hamas on 7 October followed by Israel’s devastating assault on Gaza, has only highlighted the importance of a peaceful and just solution to the situation in the Middle East, the President of the UN General Assembly said on Tuesday.
As the pause in fighting in Gaza appeared to enter a fifth day on Tuesday, UN humanitarians warned that aid deliveries needed to multiply immediately to save the lives of the injured and stem the risk of a deadly disease outbreak that has left doctors “terrified”.
On 28 November, the Secretary-General chaired the United Nations-African Union 7th Annual...
Remarks for Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East and Asia and the Pacific
REMARKS TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL
ON NON-PROLIFERATION/DPRK
New York, 27 November 2023
Mr. President, members of the Security Council,
At 10:42 PM local time on 21 November, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) launched a rocket “Chollima-1" loaded with the reconnaissance satellite "Malligyong-1", from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station. The DPRK’s National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA) announced that the rocket flew normally along the pre-set flight track and that the satellite entered orbit at 10:54 PM. It also announced that the DPRK would be “launching several reconnaissance satellites in a short span of time”. This follows previous failed attempts on 31 May and 24 August this year, also using the "Chollima-1" rocket.
The DPRK’s launches represent a serious risk to international civil aviation and maritime traffic. While the DPRK issued a pre-launch notification to the Japanese Coast Guard, it did not issue airspace or maritime safety notifications to the International Maritime Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, or the International Telecommunications Union.
Mr. President,
While sovereign states have the right to benefit from peaceful space activities, Security Council resolutions expressly prohibit the DPRK from conducting any launches using ballistic missile technology.
On 21 November, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the launch of yet another military satellite using ballistic missile technology. He reiterated his call on the DPRK to fully comply with its international obligations under all relevant Security Council resolutions and to resume dialogue without preconditions to achieve the goal of sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Mr. President,
The DPRK continues to implement its five-year military plan unveiled in January 2021. It should be recalled that developing a military reconnaissance satellite was part of the plan, along with various other weapons systems including so-called tactical nuclear weapons.
On 27 September, the DPRK adopted a constitutional amendment further enshrining its policy on nuclear forces in the Constitution. As such, the DPRK has consistently demonstrated its strong intention to continue pursuing its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, in violation of relevant Security Council resolutions. We emphasize once again our call on the DPRK to refrain from such actions.
Mr. President,
The increase in nuclear rhetoric on the Korean Peninsula is deeply concerning. The Secretary-General has consistently noted that the only way to prevent the use of nuclear weapons is to eliminate them. All states must reinforce and recommit to the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime built over decades, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which has yet to enter into force.
Pending the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, it is imperative that the DPRK maintains the highest level of safety at its nuclear facilities.
Mr. President,
With growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the importance of re-establishing communication channels and off-ramps is essential, particularly between military entities. Exercising maximum restraint is critical to avoid unintended accidents or miscalculations.
We call on Security Council Members to unite and explore practical measures to halt the current negative trend, making full use of the tools of dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiation, while adhering to all Security Council resolutions.
Mr. President,
On a separate note, I would like to highlight once again concerns regarding the humanitarian situation in the DPRK. The United Nations is ready to assist the efforts of DPRK in addressing the basic needs of its vulnerable populations. We continue to closely follow the easing of DPRK border restrictions and urge the DPRK to allow the unimpeded re-entry and rotation of the international community, including the United Nations Resident Coordinator and other international UN staff. A collective return would positively impact international support to the people of the DPRK, including on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
Thank you, Mr. President.
The recent launch of a reconnaissance satellite by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), presents a ‘serious risk’ to international civil aviation and shipping, the Security Council heard on Monday.
Desperate Gazans in the north of the enclave had their first sip of clean water in weeks on Monday as a continuing pause in fighting enabled broadening aid access to the Strip, UN humanitarians said.
The look on people’s faces in Gaza reveals “the trauma, the stress, as if sorrow and sadness have taken root here in Gaza”, according to James Elder, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson who has joined the aid effort in the besieged enclave.
Sixty-one trucks hauled aid to northern Gaza on Saturday – the largest number since 7 October, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Sixty-one trucks hauled aid to northern Gaza on Saturday – the largest number since 7 October, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
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Trucks with relief supplies continued to enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing from Egypt on Friday after the entry into force of a four-day pause in fighting, UN humanitarians said.
Humanitarians are urgently scaling up aid in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) where an escalating crisis is again unfolding, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, and the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said on Friday.
On a sunny day, Ivan, a burly retired welder in his fifties, stood in front of his ruined house in Posad-Pokrovske, in the Kherson region of Ukraine.
Trucks with relief supplies continued to enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing from Egypt on Friday after the entry into force of a four-day pause in fighting, UN humanitarians said.
Humanitarian agencies preparing to go into Gaza continued to build up stocks of desperately needed aid for the war-torn enclave on Thursday, amid delays in the implementation of a temporary halt in fighting and the release of hostages held by Hamas militants.
A feminist activist and acclaimed writer from the United States, Gloria Steinem has been on the front lines of social activism for decades and received countless honors, including the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, for her service to humanity.
@OSESGY-Group photo
The Office of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen (OSESGY) and UN Women convened a consultation meeting with 33 Yemeni...
The heads of three UN agencies on Wednesday highlighted the disproportionate suffering faced by women and girls amidst the ongoing crisis in Gaza, urging a collective response to protect the most vulnerable and a commitment to lasting peace for the women and girls caught in the crossfire.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the latest launch of a military satellite using ballistic missile technology by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
A deal on Wednesday to release hostages taken during the Hamas terror attack on Israel has been welcomed by UN chief António Guterres, who added that the UN stood ready to “maximize” the positive humanitarian impact of the agreement.
MR. MIROSLAV JENČA
ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR
EUROPE, CENTRAL ASIA AND THE AMERICAS
DEPARTMENTS OF POLITICAL AND PEACEBUILDING AFFAIRS AND PEACE OPERATIONS
—
Remarks at the Security Council meeting on Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine
21 November 2023
Mr. President,
Last weekend, we reached a new grim milestone in the war in Ukraine.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has confirmed that to date, more than 10,000 civilians have been killed, and more than 18,500 injured, since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in violation of the UN Charter and international law.
Hundreds of children are among the victims.
The full toll of this war is likely to be much greater - as there is no sign of an end to the violence.
Instead, there are indications that attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure may escalate further during the upcoming coldest season. The impact for millions of Ukrainians will be dire as they brace themselves for the second war-time winter.
Since I last briefed this Council less than two weeks ago, Russian aerial attacks across the country have continued to inflict death and destruction to areas near and far from the frontlines.
On 11 November, Kyiv was attacked by missiles - first time in two months. While the capital was spared from casualties that night, attacks on Kyiv and its region have continued. The city was attacked by drones just this weekend.
On the same day, strikes killed four people: two in Kherson, one in Dnipropetrovsk, and another in Zaporizhzhia region, according to local officials.
The city of Kherson, recaptured by Ukraine over a year ago, has continued to suffer regular intense bombardments, resulting in civilian deaths.
Last week, at least nine people were reportedly killed in the region, and 25 more, including a two-month-old child, injured.
In the Black Sea, the risk of escalation and spillover remains.
On 9 November, in Odesa, a missile reportedly hit a cargo vessel - killing a port worker and wounding crew members of the ship. Landmines posing risks to civilian navigation have been reported.
A military incident in the Black Sea – whether intentional or not - could result in a dangerous escalation.
Global food security depends on the ability of food exports to move safely and predictably through international waters, including in the Black Sea.
We once again stress that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international law.
Wherever they occur, they are unacceptable, and must stop immediately.
Mr. President,
Amidst fresh waves of attacks against energy infrastructure and in anticipation of frigid weather conditions, humanitarian needs are on the rise.
Last Friday’s drone strikes alone resulted in power cuts in more than 400 towns and villages in the south, southeast and north of the country. They also damaged an oil depot in Odesa.
This year’s Winter Response Plan, developed by the United Nations and its partners in full cooperation with Ukrainian authorities, is already in full swing.
International solidarity and support for winter and beyond, including through timely donor contributions, remains essential. Some 360,000 people have already received winter support. But 435 million US dollars are still urgently required to deliver house repair materials, winter clothes, heating appliances, fuel and repairs to district water and heating systems for 1.7 million people in need.
Continued contributions are also needed for the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan for Ukraine - currently only 54 per cent funded.
UN agencies have provided humanitarian assistance to over 10 million people this year. We aim to reach 11 million by the end of 2023.
Regrettably, around four million Ukrainians in need cannot be reached in Russian-controlled areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine due to lack of access. They receive only minimal aid through local actors, in partnership with the UN and international non-governmental organizations.
Humanitarian partners are ready to expand operations in these areas - if given access and adequate support.
Mr President,
The destruction wrought on the country will take years, decades to overcome. The United Nations is actively working towards long-term recovery and rebuilding of the country’s energy sector.
We focus on infrastructure support for energy generation and transmission for the functioning of basic utilities - heating, water, and sewage - in war-affected areas.
In collaboration with the Government of Ukraine, the World Bank, and the European Union, the United Nations has initiated the Third Ukraine Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment. It will guide the Ukrainian Government’s investment priorities for recovery and reconstruction next year.
The previous assessment had estimated recovery costs for Ukraine at over 400 billion US dollars.
We are committed to advancing an inclusive recovery, based on rights and local needs, in communities affected by the war - leaving no one behind.
Regrettably, this war continues to cause often irreversible damage to Ukraine’s education sites and hinder children’s right to education. The Ukrainian authorities have reported that 365 educational institutions were destroyed and at least 3,428 damaged.
We are also concerned about the disregard of international law in the regions of Ukraine currently under Russian control. Russian officials are holding so-called elections, appointing Russian judges, and applying Russian law, even retroactively. Policies aimed at forcefully changing or imposing institutions and identities have far-reaching consequences and are unacceptable.
The UN Human Rights Office has also continued to document cases confirming that the use of torture has been widespread in the context of arbitrary detention in territories of Ukraine that are currently under Russian control.
Accountability for all violations of human rights must be ensured, in line with international norms and standards.
Mr. President,
In September, the Secretary-General urged all countries to do their part to prevent further escalation in Ukraine, and to lay the foundations for sustainable peace. Instead, attacks have increased and conditions on the ground deteriorated.
While prospects for peace may seem distant, and the risk of further escalation looms, urgent efforts must be undertaken to minimize the impact on civilians.
Amidst global challenges and crises, the international community must sustain its focus on Ukraine and end the suffering caused by this war.
As the Secretary-General underlined, peace in Ukraine must remain a priority - a just and lasting peace, in line with the Charter, international law, and the resolutions of the General Assembly. We remain ready to support all meaningful efforts to that end.
Thank you.
