Air and ground strikes in the region of Idlib, northwest Syria, are causing “massive waves of civilian displacement and major loss of civilian life”, causing unacceptable human suffering which must stop now, Geir Pedersen, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, told the Security Council on Thursday.
On day four of UN-led talks to transform an uncertain truce in Libya into a permanent ceasefire, veteran negotiator Ghassan Salamé on Thursday welcomed the “progress” that had been made so far, before urging an end to any “provocative” military action that might dash the chance of a successful outcome.
A military escalation in northern Syria which has trapped civilians in Idlib has “shocked and horrified” a senior UN humanitarian official.
Nairobi, 4 February 2020 - The Technical Support Committee of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region held its 26th meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, on 3-4 February 2020.
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) is stepping up response in Africa’s Sahel region where escalating violence has forced a rising number of people to flee their homes.
Nearly 50 per cent of all violent deaths between 2010 and 2015, more than 200,000 each year, involved small arms and light weapons, the Security Council was told on Tuesday, during a briefing by UN disarmament chief Izumi Nakamitsu.
Although around 1.4 million refugees are estimated to be in urgent need of resettlement worldwide, only 63,696 were resettled through the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) last year - that's only 4.5 per cent - due to a continuing shortage of offers of sanctuary from governments across the world.
Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is “key to sustainable peace in the Middle East”, the UN chief said on Tuesday, maintaining that the lack of any progress only “furthers radicalization across the region”.
The expert leading UN efforts to stamp out sexual violence committed during wartime has welcomed the release of 78 women and 50 children by an armed group in South Sudan.
Rising instability and unpredictable geopolitical tensions have led to a “wind of madness” across the world, Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday during his main annual press conference for journalists at UN Headquarters in New York.
With Bolivia this week reaching a “decisive stage” in its electoral process, the United Nations “will do everything possible” to support the country in holding a vote that is credible, transparent and inclusive, envoy Jean Arnault has said.
The UN negotiator leading talks in Geneva to secure an end to fighting in Libya said on Tuesday that high-ranking officials from both sides of the conflict have agreed on the need for a “permanent and lasting” ceasefire to replace an uncertain truce.
Representatives from international sporting federations and the private sector joined with ambassadors at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday to launch a global programme aimed at safeguarding major sporting events from terrorism-related threats.
The World Health Organization (WHO) raised the alarm on Monday over critical health threats facing hundreds-of thousands of Syrians forced to flee due to intensified hostilities in Syria’s northwest, where health facilities and workers have increasingly come under attack.
The top UN official in Iraq is calling on the country’s newly designated Prime Minister to urgently deliver on reforms and demands for accountability, amid ongoing protests.
The UN Secretary-General has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in northwest Syria.
Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General - on Syria
The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the ongoing military escalation in northwest Syria and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities. He reaffirms that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including on healthcare and educational facilities, are unacceptable.
Military operations of all parties, including actions against and by designated terrorist...
The UN Security Council on Friday renewed the arms embargo against the Central African Republic (CAR) and extended the mandate of the expert panel assisting its sanctions committee for the country.
A United States plan released this week to resolve the decades-long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is “lopsided” and will only entrench occupation, an independent UN human rights expert said on Friday.
This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
Washington, D.C.The Future of Multilateral Peacebuilding Security CouncilGrave situation in northwest Syria
Special Representative urge parties in Libya to work towards a ceasefire
Cooperation between the UN and ASEAN
AfghanistanKhost leaders advocate for the rights of children in armed conflict
Women’s essential role in peace efforts spotlighted The crucial importance of Afghan women’s meaningful participation in peace efforts, locally and nationally, was the focus of two UNAMA-backed events in the city of Khost this week. The events each drew 30 women from districts across Khost to meet with provincial leaders and discuss ways to empower women in the region and strengthen their involvement in peace efforts and the national development agenda. Participants at the events expressed concern that while women continue to be severely affected by Afghanistan’s armed conflict, their contributions to peace are limited to symbolic roles. Read more on UNAMA’s website |
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RwandaSpecial Representative visits Rwanda
SomaliaUN-EU partnership in Somalia discussed in Brussels
TogoElection-related workshop in Togo
ColombiaSpecial Representative visits Arauca and Caquetá to dialogue with elected authorities Special Representative Carlos Ruiz Massieu visited Florencia-Caquetá and the reintegration area of Filipinas-Arauca between 29 – 30 January to discuss the progress and challenges in Peace Agreement implementation with newly elected mayors and governors. “Municipal and departmental authorities will be key in implementing the development programs with a territorial focus and in improving security for communities and leaders, as well as in ensuring the sustainability of the reintegration process. Their commitment to peace and their support for the implementation of the Agreement is fundamental, you can count on the partnership of the Mission,” Mr. Massieu said at the end of his visit.
Women politicians meet in Bogotá to share experiences
PeacebuildingPeacebuilding Fund Advisory Group meets with Secretary-General
UN Youth Envoy launches project in South Sudan
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Contact DPPA at dppa@un.org
DPPA's Strategic Plan 2020-2022 is the basis upon which the Department will prioritize its engagements to prevent conflict and sustain peace over the coming three years.
The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs' (DPPA) new Multi-Year Appeal (MYA) for 2020-2022 carries special significance, for reasons of symbolism and of substance. It marks 10 years since the Department first asked Member States for voluntary contributions to support its work. And, with the launch of our new Strategic Plan for 2020-2022, it provides the means to help secure DPPA’s position as a central part of the UN’s conflict prevention, peacemaking and peacebuilding work over for the next three years, a longer span than any previous appeal.
In a briefing to the Security Council on Thursday, Secretary-General António Guterres underlined the value of cooperation between the UN and the 10-member regional bloc, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The top UN official in Libya on Thursday expressed his “deep anger and disappointment” over intensifying conflict in Libya despite a high-level summit held in the German capital of Berlin earlier this month, that set out measures to de-escalate fighting and put the divided country back on a path towards peace.
Amidst ongoing anti-government protests, rising casualties and the likelihood of further demonstrations, the top UN official in Iraq on Thursday, urged politicians to break the political deadlock, and “press ahead with substantial reforms”.
Mr. President,
It is an honor for me to brief this Council today. The Special Envoy is in Damascus where he is seeking to de-escalate the situation in the northwest and to renew progress in the UN-facilitated political process. Let me update the Council on where we stand today.
First on the political track, the Special Envoy continues to engage the Syrian parties and key international stakeholders to unlock progress in the difficult path out of the Syrian conflict and towards the implementation of Security Council resolution 2254.
One aspect of this effort is the Constitutional Committee, which has been established and has been convened twice in Geneva. It comprises representatives nominated by the Government of Syria, representatives nominated by the Syrian Negotiations Commission, and a Middle Third of civil society.
As the Special Envoy briefed you last month, disputes between the Co-Chairs over the agenda prevented the meeting of the Small Body during the second round.
The Special Envoy and Syrian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Moallem agreed in Damascus today on the importance of strict observance of the agreed Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure. They also discussed all issues related to the overall political process.
After communications with the Co-Chair nominated by the Syrian Negotiations Commission in late December and talks today in Damascus with the Co-Chair nominated by the Government of Syria, the Special Envoy is working to narrow the differences and hopes to be in a position to convene the Constitutional Committee shortly. He hopes the Constitutional Committee’s sessions will continue with a steady rhythm in the months ahead. There is a need to build trust and confidence, which can contribute to opening the door to a broader political process.
Meanwhile, I am pleased to officially inform the Security Council that for the first time the working group on the release of detainees/abductees, the handover of bodies and the identification of missing persons comprising Iran, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations will convene, as part of an ongoing rotation, in Geneva later in February. We realize progress on this file is not easy but it would be of enormous significance to so many Syrians to see the pace and scale of releases increase. Special Envoy Pedersen underlined the importance of this issue in his consultations today with the Government of Syria.
Mr. President,
Let us recall however that there is a grave and, in many ways, worsening situation on the ground. The alarming scale of military operations in the north-west has resulted in devastating humanitarian consequences for the three million people in Idlib area, including hundreds of thousands of displaced; reported airstrikes, including on civilian infrastructure; mutual shelling; and civilian deaths in and around the north-west. We reiterate the Secretary-General’s call for an immediate ceasefire and continue to press all parties for a sustained de-escalation for the entire north-west, along with all other areas of Syria, and remind all parties of their obligations to protect civilians. Countering Security Council-listed terrorist groups is imperative. It is true that HTS and other proscribed groups, including foreign fighters, are a major force in Idlib. As the Special Envoy has stressed, countering such groups must be through an approach that ensures the protection of civilians and fully respects international humanitarian and human rights law, and is only likely to be effective with genuine cooperation among relevant players.
In the north-east, the various ceasefires and understandings that were reached continue to provide relative calm. However, the situation remains turbulent, with some impact on civilians: in recent weeks armed activity has continued, as well as other tensions, including between international actors. A sustainable arrangement, inclusive of all actors and in the framework of respect for Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity, remains imperative.
Protracted tensions in southern Syria also remain a source of concern.
De-escalating violence, leading to a cessation of hostilities, across all Syria, is more critical than ever. And the presence of five foreign armies operating in Syria is a reminder of the continuing dangers the crisis presents to international peace and security and the challenges to the restoration of Syria’s sovereignty.
You are aware of serious humanitarian challenges in Syria. Let me also stress that the economic situation of all Syrians, across all areas, has continued to sharply decline with a number of factors combining to increase the economic hardship facing the society. This was impressed upon us by the Syrian Women’s Advisory Group, who convened in Geneva earlier this month. They shared firsthand experiences of the daily suffering of Syrians living with severe shortages of basic commodities. The WAB, the Syrian Women’s Advisory Board, spoke of the suffering of Syrian women in this context, many of whom are now primary breadwinners and those facing heightened risks of violence and exploitation. We believe a broader process must deliver in this regard too.
In all his international engagements this past month – with valuable consultations with senior European, US, Arab and Turkish officials in Rome and Davos, and in wide-ranging and positive talks with the Foreign and Defense Ministers of Russia recently in Moscow - the Special Envoy has continued to stress the importance of them working together to support a broader process. Indeed, it is apparent from all his consultations that the constitutional committee is not sufficient to address the real concerns of all parties. There is a need for a broader process that builds trust and confidence step-by-step. It could develop with reciprocal and mutually reinforcing actions by Syrians and by outsiders as well, delivering tangible improvements for Syrians, towards establishing a safe, calm and neutral environment. Such an environment would also help give confidence to refugees for safe, voluntary and dignified refugee returns and to those who wish to support the reconstruction of a war-torn country. The Special Envoy believes there are modest openings to further pursue this work, and he will be doing so with deliberation and care. And this does still require genuine dialogue among key international players to deepen.
We continue to prioritize accommodating the full range of Syrian voices in the process. Last week I had the honor to welcome Syrians from inside and outside Syria to consultations of the Syrian Civil Society Support Room in Geneva. They pressed on humanitarian, socio-economic and political concerns, and stressed the need for maximum transparency and inclusivity in the political process. We will continue for our part as the United Nations to consult widely and build bridges wherever we can.
Mr. President,
The Special Envoy will continue to press for an end the violence and work for resuming the Constitutional Committee and securing detainee releases. He will continue also to seek to unlock the kind of comprehensive political process that would result in a lasting political settlement, that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, and that respects and restores Syria’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and independence, in line with resolution 2254.
When it comes to dealing with armed conflict, the eyes of the world often turn to the UN Security Council and members’ attempts, with varying degrees of success, to resolve or prevent bloodshed.
The “dire and deteriorating humanitarian situation” affecting women and children in northwest Syria was the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator’s top concern on Wednesday morning as he briefed the Security Council in New York.
Note to correspondents
In response to questions, the Spokesman for the Secretary-General has the following to say:
The Secretary-General has seen the announcement of the United States plan for the Middle East. The position of the United Nations on the two-State solution has been defined, throughout the years, by relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions by which the Secretariat is bound.
The United Nations remains committed to...
The UN Special Envoy for Yemen told an emergency session of the Security Council on Tuesday that a recent upsurge in violence between pro-Government and rebel forces following weeks of relative calm, had to end “before it’s too late”.
