There were just under 150 incidents of illegal or unauthorised activity involving nuclear and other radioactive material reported last year, according to the international nuclear energy watchdog’s monitoring database tracking these incidents.
UN humanitarians on Friday warned again that thousands of families could starve in the coming weeks inside the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday stressed that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza must hold, urging all parties to honour their commitments and prevent a breakdown of the agreement.
The ongoing emergency in Haiti is crushing children’s chances of an education and a better future as scores of youngsters are recruited by heavily armed and violent gangs, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Friday.
New York, 28 February 2025
I send my warmest wishes as Muslims around the world begin observing the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Ramadan embodies the values of compassion, empathy and generosity.
It is an opportunity to reconnect with family and...
Since the ceasefire began in Gaza on 19 January, “unparalleled progress” has been made in providing desperately needed aid to families across the devastated enclave, said UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, on Thursday.
The head of UN peacekeeping operations on Thursday called for more investment in the UN Police service, highlighting the mounting challenges officers face in conflict affected regions.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk issued a strong appeal on Wednesday for the fragile ceasefire in Gaza to hold, amid delays to talks between Hamas and Israel on extending the truce into the second phase.
Weeks of deadly Israeli military raids in the occupied West Bank have turned Palestinian communities into “battlefields” and left 40,000 people homeless, UN humanitarians warned on Wednesday.
Peacekeeping efforts by the United Nations are being challenged by growing disunity between Member States, the UN head of Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix said in an interview with UN News, during the Conference for Women Peacekeepers in New Delhi.
A senior UN aid official has called on the Security Council to ensure better protection for civilians in Sudan together with unhindered humanitarian access, as the brutal war between rival militaries approaches a second year.
As the war in Sudan approaches a second year, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the country has emphasized the need to re-double and coordinate efforts towards a peace agreement that respects national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity – and ending the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
Around 700,000 people were forced to leave Goma, one of the biggest cities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) when it fell in January to rebels, known as M23. With the conflict spreading, many of them are on the move again but a return home is no guarantee of safety.
A sustainable resolution to the war in Gaza and the broader Israel-Palestine conflict relies on political courage from all sides, the top UN official for the Middle East Peace Process said on Tuesday.
Ongoing fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and Congolese troops has claimed more lives and forced even more families from their homes.
More than 6,000 people in Haiti have been forced from their homes by gang violence in almost a month, hampering aid efforts by humanitarian agencies, the United Nations warned on Tuesday.
UN humanitarians reported on Tuesday that aid workers in Gaza supporting local health authorities have now managed to vaccinate nearly 550,000 children under 10 – nearly all those it aimed to reach.
Mr. President,
Three years ago today, the world watched in shock as the Russian Federation launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a clear violation of the UN Charter and international law.
This act undermined the very foundations of the international order.
For three long years, the people of Ukraine have endured relentless death, destruction and displacement.
Families have been torn apart, lost loved ones, and witnessed their homes and entire cities reduced to rubble.
The Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) has verified that, since 24 February 2022, at least 12,654 Ukrainian civilians, including 673 children, have been killed.
Another 29,392, including 1,865 children, have been injured. The actual figures are likely considerably higher.
The numbers only continue to rise as Russia’s brutal attacks persist across the country. In 2024 alone, civilian casualties increased by 30 per cent compared to the previous year.
The war has created the largest displacement crisis in Europe since the Second World War.
More than 10 million Ukrainians remain uprooted – 3.6 million displaced within Ukraine, and 6.9 million seeking refuge abroad. Many remain in precarious conditions, uncertain whether they will ever return home.
Beyond the immediate physical devastation, the long-term psychological toll on an entire generation of Ukrainians is incalculable.
Ukraine is now among the most heavily mined countries in the world.
This is a deadly legacy that will take years to overcome, including its immense environmental consequences.
The massive destruction of civilian infrastructure impacts millions.
For three consecutive winters, repeated strikes on the energy grid have left communities without power, heating or other essential services.
Over two million families remain without adequate shelter.
At least 790 attacks have damaged or destroyed medical facilities.
This has put the lives of countless patients at risk, with medical professionals struggling to work under extreme circumstances.
In 2024 alone, attacks on medical facilities tripled compared to the previous year.
The education system has also been decimated.
More than 3,600 schools and universities have been damaged, preventing 600,000 children from attending classes in person.
Last year, attacks on educational facilities surged by 96 per cent, compared to 2023.
Mr. President,
Over the past three years, the conflict has also escalated and expanded, not only across Ukraine, but also into parts of the Russian Federation.
We have seen reports by local Russian officials of increased civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure in the Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk regions of the Russian Federation due to alleged Ukrainian attacks.
It cannot be said often enough: Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law.
They are unacceptable, no matter where they occur.
The war’s impact is also felt globally, as it destabilizes economies, disrupts food security and threatens international peace.
The further internationalization of the conflict is deeply alarming, particularly with the reported deployment of troops from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea into the conflict zone.
Moreover, the risk of a nuclear incident remains unacceptably high.
A drone attack on 14 February caused a fire in the building confining the remains of the reactor destroyed in the 1986 Chernobyl accident.
This incident once again underlines the persistent risks to nuclear safety in Ukraine.
Mr. President,
The United Nations is committed to assisting Ukraine in its recovery. We continue to work with our humanitarian partners to deliver life-saving assistance.
In the past three years, over 200 inter-agency convoys have reached 810,000 people with assistance along the frontline.
However, without sustained funding, these critical efforts risk being suspended, which would leave 12.7 million people without the assistance they so desperately need.
Further, we still do not have access to the estimated one million people in need of humanitarian aid in areas of Ukraine currently occupied by the Russian Federation.
We recall that international humanitarian law requires the facilitation of rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for all civilians in need, no matter where they live.
International humanitarian law also prohibits attacks on humanitarian personnel and assets.
Since February 2022, 25 aid workers have been killed in the line of duty and 86 others injured.
There have been 236 documented incidents involving violence against humanitarian personnel, assets and facilities.
Humanitarian workers must be protected.
Mr. President,
The full-scale invasion brought a dramatic increase in the number of human rights violations in Ukraine, as reported by the by the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU).
OHCHR also documented the systematic and widespread use of torture, including sexual violence, by Russian authorities against Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs).
OHCHR reports that 95 per cent of Ukrainian POWs and three quarters of Ukrainian civilian detainees interviewed have suffered torture or ill-treatment in Russian captivity.
Russian forces have executed at least 71 Ukrainian POWs since February 2022, with an alarming spike in executions since August 2024.
And at least 170 civilians, including five children, have been executed in areas of Ukraine controlled by Russian authorities, including in places of detention.
Meanwhile, about half of the 469 Russian POWs interviewed by OHCHR described torture and ill-treatment, mostly during the initial stages of captivity.
Twenty-six of those interviewed reported having been subjected to sexual violence.
The Monitoring Mission has also verified the execution of 26 Russian POWs; with one exception, these killings occurred in 2022 and early 2023.
These crimes must not go unpunished.
All victims of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law deserve justice. Accountability is not optional – it is an obligation under international law.
Mr. President,
In its only consensual decision concerning Ukraine since the full-scale invasion, the Presidential Statement of 6 May 2022, the Security Council recalled that all Member States have undertaken, under the Charter of the United Nations, the obligation to settle their international disputes by peaceful means.
The resolution the Council adopted a few minutes ago urges a swift end to the conflict.
Indeed, it is high time for peace in Ukraine.
This peace must be just, sustainable and comprehensive, in line with the Charter of the United Nations, international law, and resolutions of the General Assembly, including those adopted this morning.
This includes full respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders.
Thank you.
Three years to the day since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UN General Assembly adopted two competing resolutions on resolving the conflict on Monday, one initiated by the United States and the other by Ukraine – a sign of strategic differences within the transatlantic alliance over the way forward for peace.
February 24 marks three years since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Thousands of civilians have been killed and injured, the economy shattered and energy infrastructure destroyed. As the General Assembly and Security Council debated how peace and security can be restored in eastern Europe, three resolutions were passed which reveal new policies and alliances that signal a major shift in the pattern of diplomacy towards the war, here in New York. UN News app users can follow live here.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday warned that the risk of nuclear conflict is rising – as global security arrangements unravel and military spending soars – urging governments to push for total disarmament.
The humanitarian crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is worsening as M23 rebel attacks continue to drive tens of thousands from their homes and claim hundreds of lives, UN humanitarians warned on Monday.
Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern on Monday following the announcement by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia and affiliated groups, of a political charter proposing the establishment of a rival governing authority in RSF-controlled areas to the transitional Government.
With no end to numerous protracted conflicts - not least in Ukraine, three years to the day since the full-scale Russian invasion - UN chief António Guterres on Monday scorned the world’s “warmongers” for trampling on people’s most fundamental rights.
February 24 marks three years since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Thousands of civilians have been killed and injured, the economy shattered and energy infrastructure destroyed. As the General Assembly and Security Council debate how peace and security can be restored in eastern Europe, we'll bring you full coverage as competing resolutions from Ukraine and an amended US resolution both pass during an eventful morning in the Assembly, pointing to a day of high stakes diplomacy. UN News app users can follow live here.
Monday marks three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in clear violation of the UN Charter and international law, and the UN Secretary-General has renewed his call for de-escalation and an end to the conflict.
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The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Friday that strongly condemned the ongoing offensive and advance of M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Around 80,000 people in northeastern Colombia are suffering the devastating consequences of an armed conflict that escalated on 15 January of this year. Caught in the crossfire between armed groups, thousands have been forced to flee with nothing but the clothes on their backs while others remain trapped in their homes.
In the nearly three years since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the country’s people have endured continuous attacks, “psychological terror…displacement and hardship”, top UN aid coordinator Matthias Schmale said on Friday.
The continued occupation of North Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by the M23 armed group has “severely constrained” the UN stabilisation force’s ability to protect civilians and carry out lifesaving operations, the mission chief Bintou Keita told reporters on Friday.
Escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has continued to uproot thousands more people to neighbouring countries where they face dire conditions without many basic necessities, UN humanitarians said on Thursday.
The recent attack on a UN patrol in the Central African Republic (CAR) which resulted in the death of a Tunisian peacekeeper, underlines the constant dangers facing peacekeepers from armed groups there, the head of the UN mission (MINUSCA) told the Security Council on Thursday.
The UN Secretary-General on Thursday condemned the “parading” of coffins earlier in the day containing the bodies of dead Israeli hostages by their Hamas captors, describing the manner of the handover in Gaza as abhorrent.
Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo’s remarks to the Security Council on the situation in Libya
19 February 2025
Mr. President,
I am pleased to brief the Council on recent developments in Libya.
Two days ago, Libya marked the fourteenth anniversary of the 17 February Revolution. But the dream of a civil, democratic and prosperous Libya remains unfulfilled.
Entrenched divisions, economic mismanagement, continued human rights violations, and competing domestic and external interests continue to erode Libya's unity and stability.
There is an urgent need for progress in Libya. UNSMIL, mandated by this Council, is taking steps to revive a Libyan- political process, anchored in the principles of inclusivity and national ownership.
Let me brief you on key ongoing efforts.
On 4 February, an Advisory Committee was established by UNSMIL. It is tasked with providing recommendations to address the contentious issues in the electoral legislation that have prevented the holding of national elections.
It is not a decision-making body, but its proposals will support efforts to remove obstacles to holding national elections in Libya.
The Committee is composed of 20 Libyan personalities, including legal and constitutional experts. Thirty-five per cent of them are women.
On 9 and 10 February, UNSMIL convened in Tripoli the inaugural meeting of the Advisory Committee.
Many Libyan stakeholders, including political parties, social movements, and women and youth groups, have publicly welcomed its establishment as an opportunity to move the political process forward.
Yesterday, the Committee reconvened for three days to examine in detail the contentious issues and begin considering options on how to overcome them.
In parallel, UNSMIL is also taking steps to convene a structured dialogue among Libyans on ways to address longstanding drivers of conflict and develop an inclusive, bottom-up vision for their country's future.
Recognizing the importance of a strong, equitable and resilient economy for the stability in Libya, UNSMIL is facilitating consultations among independent Libyan economic experts to identify priorities, barriers and solutions to achieve sound economic governance.
In this regard, a meeting was organised in Tunis on 10 and 11 February.
Mr. President,
Divisions and competition over the control of State institutions continue to dominate the Libyan political and economic landscape.
Despite UNSMIL engagement with all relevant stakeholders, no progress has been made on a unified budget or an agreed spending framework.
It is critical to address the issue to support the efforts of the Central Bank of Libya to stabilize the financial situation of the country and enable transparent and equitable public spending.
Recently, a disagreement over the appointment of the leadership of the Libyan Audit Bureau has escalated, threatening the body’s integrity.
The United Nations urges all parties to respect the Bureau's independence and keep Libya’s oversight bodies free from interference and politicization.
Mr. President,
After six months of litigation and contradictory judicial rulings, the dispute over the position of President of the High Council of State remains unresolved.
Although some of its members are attempting to transcend the current divisions, the High Council of State stands deeply divided and unable to fulfil its institutional role.
Politicization and political divisions are also hindering progress on national reconciliation.
Despite an UNSMIL-facilitated agreement in December among the Presidential Council, the House of Representatives, and the High Council of State on a draft law for national reconciliation, subsequent amendments to the draft law by parliamentarians have raised concerns over the independence of a future National Reconciliation Commission.
Earlier this month, through a process led by the African Union, a charter for reconciliation was agreed in Zintan, and adopted on 14 February in Addis Ababa, in the margins of the African Union Summit. While some Libyan stakeholders have supported the charter, others did not.
UNSMIL continues to engage with all relevant parties to urge them to pursue a rights-based, inclusive national reconciliation process free from political interference.
Mr. President,
Following successful local elections in 56 municipalities in November 2024, the High National Elections Commission has begun preparations for the next group of 63 municipal council elections.
The preliminary candidate nomination phase has concluded, with over 4,900 candidates nominated, out of whom 1,345 are women. This is to be followed by voter registration.
Funding from the Government is crucial to enable the High National Elections Commission to implement this next phase of municipal council elections.
On the security front, the activities of non-State and quasi-State armed actors continue to pose a threat to Libya’s fragile stability.
On 12 February, the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Mr. Adel Juma, was injured in an armed attack on his car in Tripoli. We call for a full and transparent investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
In the south, the Libyan National Army took control of a military base in Obari, previously held by a Government of National Unity-affiliated military officer.
The 2020 Ceasefire Agreement has only been partially implemented.
Renewed efforts by Libyan authorities to implement its remaining provisions are crucial to improve the fragile security situation and to create conditions for the reunification and reform of security institutions.
In a positive development, UNSMIL facilitated in December the establishment of a joint technical team of senior military and police officers from the Government of National Unity and the Libyan National Army.
The aim is to improve coordination and information-sharing on border security, counterterrorism and irregular migration.
Mr. President,
The continuing trend of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances across Libya is deeply concerning.
We appeal to Libyan authorities to take urgent steps to cease these practices and uphold the rights of detainees to due process, including the right to a fair trial and to legal counsel.
UNSMIL continues to engage with authorities to strengthen legal safeguards, accountability and civic space.
The increasing number of deaths in custody is troubling, with 15 cases recorded since March 2024.
While UNSMIL has been recently granted access to detention facilities in Mitiga, Benghazi, and Al Baydah in a positive gesture by the respective authorities, much wider access and systemic reforms are needed to help the Libyan justice and corrections system align with international human rights standards.
Mr. President,
Migrants and asylum-seekers, including children, continue to face serious human rights violations across Libya, including torture and cruel and inhumane treatment.
The alarming and tragic discovery of mass graves following raids on human trafficking sites highlights the severe danger faced by migrants in Libya.
On 7 February, a mass grave was discovered on a farm in Jikharra in northeastern Libya and a day later another mass grave was discovered in Al-Kufra in the southeast. To date, 93 bodies have been exhumed in Jikharra and Al-Kufra district.
A full and independent investigation is critical to bring the perpetrators to justice. This is yet another reminder of the urgent need to protect migrants and combat human trafficking.
In December, a joint UNSMIL and UN country team mission to Al-Kufra engaged with local authorities, partners, refugees and host communities to strengthen humanitarian responses for Sudanese refugees.
The 2025 Libyan chapter of the Sudan Refugee Regional Response Plan targets 446,000 individuals and requires $106 million – double the support from 2024 – as refugees continue to arrive in Libya.
I plea to donors for their continued support to address the growing needs of Sudanese refugees in Libya and across the region.
Mr. President, Members of the Council,
The fragile stability in Libya is increasingly at risk. The country’s leaders and security actors are failing to put the national interest ahead of their competition for political and personal gain.
I urge Council members to extend their support to the newly appointed Special Representative Hanna Tetteh -who will be taking up her functions in Tripoli tomorrow – in her work to help break the political impasse, resolve Libya’s protracted crisis and support the Libyan people towards unifying Libya’s institutions and holding inclusive national elections.
I express my appreciation for Deputy Special Representative Koury, who, as Officer-in-Charge, laid important groundwork for the UN-facilitated political process.
Thank you.
As the Security Council prepared to gather on Wednesday to debate the international community’s response to the growing emergency in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN’s top aid official there urged all warring parties to allow lifesaving relief supplies to reach the most vulnerable.
