New York, 27 March 2021
We need to make peace with nature.
Without nature’s help, we cannot thrive or even survive on this planet Earth.
Climate disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution threaten lives, jobs and health.
It’s time to re-...
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This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
Subscribe to This Week in DPPA by clicking here Contact DPPA at dppa@un.org |
The 52nd round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) took place in the Palais des Nations on 25 and 26 March 2021. The meeting was held in person, with all requisite pandemic mitigation measures in place.
All participants reiterated the importance of, and their commitment to, the GID process. Two separate working groups focused on security and humanitarian issues. The security situation on the ground was assessed as relatively calm and stable. Participants reviewed a number of issues including detention cases, missing persons, freedom of movement, and the security situation in certain areas.
Particular focus was given to the core agenda item of non-use of force and international security arrangements. Participants had a frank and open exchange of views on the matter.
As the global COVID-19 pandemic continues, the GID Co-Chairs and participants focused on the needs and concerns of conflict-affected people. Participants also discussed possibilities for joint efforts to address the pandemic and mitigate its impact on the humanitarian and socio-economic situations, and threats to livelihoods.
Since some participants walked out, a discussion on the core issue of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees could not take place.
The Co-Chairs welcomed the continued utilisation of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Ergneti and emphasised the need to resume regular meetings of the Gali IPRM as soon as possible.
While concerns remain about freedom of movement, the Co-Chairs welcomed some steps taken to facilitate crossings in order to give vulnerable people access to social benefits, pensions and medical care.
Aspects of the “Women, Peace and Security” framework were also discussed. In this context, the Co-Chairs underscored that conflict has a different impact on women and men.
The Co-Chairs again called on all participants to increase efforts to build trust and confidence among them, to address all elements of comprehensive security, and to ensure constructive co-operation with international humanitarian and human rights organisations.
The participants agreed to hold their next meeting in Geneva on 29 and 30 June 2021.
Bogotá, 26 March 2021. The United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia condemns the car bomb attack outside the Mayor's offices in Corinto, Cauca, which left dozens of people injured, including municipal officials and community members.
The Mission rejects this and all of the recent violence which has taken place in Cauca department and other regions of the country.
The Mission calls for the implementation of concrete measures for the comprehensive...
The military in Myanmar has turned on citizens and is putting the nation’s future at risk, the UN Special Envoy for the country warned on Friday in a statement issued on the eve of the annual celebration of Armed Forces Day.
The report contains summary findings and recommendations drawn from four lessons-learned studies and two evaluations on a wide range of themes such as boundary dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon; UN support to local mediation; UN transition in mission settings; Value-for-Money assessment of the MYA etc.
To strengthen the Department’s accountability and organizational learning, DPPA commissions several evaluative exercises every year. Such exercises are confidential and cannot be shared in their entirety, but DPPA is committed to widely disseminate the executive summaries.
COVID-19 continues to have a devastating effect on Palestinians, the Secretary-General’s envoy for the Middle East peace process told the Security Council on Thursday, urging greater support for vaccination efforts.
Praising women’s fundamental contributions to peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts, the UN peacekeeping chief reiterated on Thursday that empowering women in the military remains a top priority, but to achieve this goal needs “all hands on deck”.
Madam President,
Members of the Security Council,
On behalf of the Secretary-General, I will devote this briefing to presenting his 17th report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2334 (2016), covering the period from 11 December to 23 March.
Madam President,
...
The independent UN Special Rapporteur investigating human rights in Myanmar has called on the international community to hold an “emergency” summit of all stakeholders, including the parliamentarians who were democratically elected prior to February’s military coup.
New York, 25 March 2021
On the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members, we recognize the extreme dangers encountered by so many colleagues as they carry out the vital work of the United Nations.
The threats vary -- from deliberate and deadly ambushes to kidnappings, intimidation and unlawful detention. But the thread is the same: these are...
After years of “paralysis and internal divisions”, progress towards a lasting peace through stable national government and dialogue, is being made in Libya, the top UN envoy for the country said on Wednesday.
The United Nations Secretary-General has reaffirmed the Organization’s support and solidarity with Niger, as the second deadly attacks against civilians in less than a week rocked the west African nation.
New York, 24 March 2021
Today we commemorate the life of Monsignor Oscar Romero, who was murdered for his vocal opposition to inequality, marginalization and injustice in El Salvador.
We honor all victims and survivors of gross human rights violations around the world.
We...
The Envoys of the Middle East Quartet from the European Union, the Russian Federation, the United States, and the United Nations met virtually to discuss returning to meaningful negotiations that will lead to a two-state solution, including tangible steps to advance freedom, security and prosperity for Palestinians and Israelis, which is important in its own right.
The Envoys also discussed the situation on the...
The UN Secretary-General on Tuesday welcomed the announcement by Saudi Arabia of steps aimed at helping end the fighting and restart the political process in Yemen.
Amidst a period of “heightened intensity”, the UN Special Representative told the Security Council on Tuesday that the killing, displacement and suffering of the Afghan people “must end now”.
UN’s Najat Rochdi Calls for Rapid Formation of New Government
23 March 2021
Beirut, Lebanon
Ms. Najat Rochdi, UN Deputy Special Coordinator and Officer in Charge of the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) today called on Lebanon’s political leaders...
New York, 22 March 2021
This year’s World Water Day, with the theme “Valuing water”, asks: What does water mean to me?
The value of water is profound and complex. There is no aspect of sustainable development that does not fundamentally rely upon it.
For me, water means protection. A well-managed water cycle – encompassing drinking...
New York, 21 March 2021
Humanity’s well-being is inextricably linked to the health of our planet. Forests play a crucial role.
Forests filter the air we breathe and the water we drink. They regulate our climate, absorbing one-third of the global greenhouse gases emitted each year.
Forests provide habitat to 80 per cent of all...
New York, 21 March 2021
Last year, people around the globe took to the streets to protest the vicious global pandemic of racism.
They recognized racism for what it is.
Dangerous. Abhorrent. Ugly. And everywhere.
Racism is a deeply rooted global evil.
It transcends generations and contaminates societies.
It perpetuates inequality, oppression and marginalization.
We see racism in the...
The brutal conflict in Yemen continues to exact a devastating toll on children, with at least eight killed and a further 33 injured in attacks since the beginning of March, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Saturday.
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The situation for children in Tigray is becoming increasingly serious as the conflict in the northern Ethiopian region continues to escalate, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Security forces in Myanmar have reportedly occupied more than 60 schools and university campuses across the country, marking a further escalation of the crisis, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday. In a statement issued later in the day, the UN Secretary-General condemned the "continuing brutal violence" being directed at peaceful protesters as the death toll mounts.
The UN Special Envoy for Myanmar continues her work towards engaging with officials in the country nearly two months after the military coup, the global Organization said on Thursday.
21 March 2021
Dear friends,
Each year, Nowruz marks a new beginning.
Last year, the Nowruz celebration coincided with the early days of an unprecedented and devastating global pandemic.
This year, the Nowruz spirit is more vital than ever.
Solidarity between communities...
Underlining that “diversity is a richness, not a threat”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for greater investment in promoting social cohesion and tackling bigotry in a message on Wednesday to mark the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
The recent “horrific killings” of dozens of civilians in two villages in western Niger have been condemned in the strongest terms by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
An arms embargo imposed on Libya by the Security Council in 2011 remains “totally ineffective” a UN Panel of Experts has said, adding that civilians, including migrants and asylum seekers, continue to suffer widespread rights violations and abuses.
The UN’s top official in Yemen has warned of a “dramatic” deterioration in the country’s ongoing conflict, telling the Security Council on Tuesday that fighting has expanded on several fronts amid the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
Rising food and fuel prices present a looming threat to the poorest and most vulnerable communities in Myanmar, as supply chains and markets are starting to feel the impact of the ongoing political crisis, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday.
