A brief roundup of United Nations-related political and peacebuilding events and developments globally. USG DiCarlo on the situation in Lebanon: “Further escalation benefits no one” On 11 March, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo briefed the Security Council regarding the situation in Lebanon. She said the decision by Hizbullah to attack Israel on 2 March had drawn the country into a conflict it neither sought nor could afford. She said…
If Bunia Could Speak: When poetry becomes a space for healing and advocacy for peace
“If Bunia could speak, it will wake up with hope tomorrow. It will ask to stop bleeding. It will ask to breathe peace.” Inside the conference room of MONUSCO’s logistics base in Bunia, these words were spoken in a single voice. They did not come from one poet alone, but from a group of women — community mediators, women’s rights advocates, young leaders and female peacekeepers — gathered for a poetry workshop. The text they were reading had just…
Displaced families in Mundri live in limbo amidst persistent violence between armed forces
The usually quiet church compound in Mundri has turned in a bustling hub of activity with more than 4,000 people crowded together in makeshift shelters. These families have sought sanctuary at the site after being forced to abandon their homes and flee for their lives during military confrontations between armed forces in Greater Mundri a few months ago. Thirty-eight-year-old Aida Stephen is among those struggling to support her family in dire…
UN Security Council extends UNAMA mandate for three months
On 16 March, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2818 (2026), extending UNAMA’s mandate for an additional three months.
Advancing women, peace and security
Members of the Libyan Women’s Caucus hold an online meeting with young women to capture perspectives and recommendations for the Structured Dialogue
TRIPOLI – In an online meeting on Monday 9 March, members of the Structured Dialogue’s (SD) Libyan Women’s Caucus met with around 30 young women from across the country to brief them on their work and hear their perspectives on key issues related to governance, economy, security, national reconciliation and human rights. Supporting effective participation of women of all ages and person with disability in the SD, and ensuring that their concerns…
An UNMISS- supported dialogue seeks to build social cohesion, counter hate speech
JONGLEI - “Information is the backbone of communication. When the public lacks accurate information, rumors and misinformation can quickly spread and create conflict.” This warning from civil society leader Bol Deng Bol reflects growing concern among community leaders in South Sudan’s Jonglei, where peace actors are intensifying efforts to counter hate speech and strengthen peaceful coexistence between communities. A dialogue supported by the…
New Special Protection Unit in Maridi boosts confidence in reporting violence against women
WESTERN EQUATORIA - A newly established Special Protection Unit (SPU) in Maridi a county in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state, has had a tangible impact on increasing women’s protection. This confidential space for community members to report violence against women has led to a noticeable reduction in incidents over the past year. “After the Special Protection Unit was fully functioning, we have seen a distinct increase in reports related to…
In Bor, survivors of sexual violence and abduction finally find safety, support
JONGLEI – “I don’t want to return home. It will only remind me of what we have been through.” Nyakim’s * tragedy began with her husband being killed and her home being burnt down when armed actors attacked her village in northern Jonglei last month. But it didn’t stop there: she and her seven children were abducted by the perpetrators, alongside 22 other women and children. What followed can only be described as a seemingly never-ending nightmare…
Over 13 tons of food items donated for displaced people in Tyre
As part of UNIFIL’s continued efforts to support communities affected by ongoing exchanges of fire in south Lebanon, the mission’s Italian peacekeepers made substantial food donations to internally-displaced persons (IDPs) in Tyre last week. On 13 March, peacekeepers delivered more than 13 tons of packaged food items – in addition to essential medical kits, medicines and hygiene kits – to the Disaster Management Unit (DMU) of the Union of Tyre…
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In Beirut, Guterres demands end to Middle East war and pays tribute to injured peacekeepers
The UN Secretary-General on Saturday called on the international community to intensify support for the Government and people of Lebanon, warning that the south of the country “risks being turned into a wasteland.” Speaking to reporters in the capital Beirut following two weeks of widespread destruction triggered by the US and Israeli bombing of Iran, António Guterres noted that Hezbollah rocket fire into Israel in support of Tehran had been…
Secretary-General António Guterres (centre left) and Under Secretary-General for UN Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix (far right), meet with Rodolphe Haykal (centre right), Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, during their visit to Lebanon. UNIFIL/Haidar Fahs
The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire, Mrs. Aichatou Mindaoudou, on 22 May 2015, handed over the keys of a women's Help Centre in Duékoué, rehabilitated by the United Nations…
KANDAHAR - A joint team led by UNAMA’s southern regional officials visited Qalat, the capital of Afghanistan’s Zabul province, to assess the humanitarian and security situation in the aftermath of recent military activity…
Baidoa, 2015.05.27: UNSOA Director Amadu Kamara, while leading a delegation, visited AMISOM Ethiopian troops headquartered in Baidoa (Sector 3) today. The delegation was received at the airport by AMISOM Sector 3 commander…
The World Health Assembly wrapped up its work today after giving the greenlight for the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) to reform its emergency and response capacity to better tackle future disease outbreaks…
UNMIK chief briefs UN Security Council on Kosovo 26 May 2015 - Statement by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in Kosovo, Farid Zarif, to the United Nations Security Council. UNMIK chief briefs UN…
Tunis, Tunisia – 25 May 2015 – As part of UNESCO’s regional projects that promote and support freedom of expression, a three-day practical training on basic standards of reporting was organized for eighteen (18) Libyan…
23 May 2015 – During her visit to Bentiu, UNMISS Chief, Ellen Margrethe Løj, appealed to the Unity State Government for full cooperation with UNMISS and humanitarian agencies to reach vulnerable people in villages. “Unless we…
ISLAMABAD - Regional cooperation and security issues were discussed today at the 'Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process' meeting in Islamabad, attended by Nicholas Haysom, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for…
On 24 May 2015, the Ambassador of Japan to Sudan, HE Mr. Hideki Ito, paid a courtesy call to UNAMID’s Acting Joint Special Representative (AJSR), Abiodun Bashua, at the Mission’s Headquarters in El Fasher, North Darfur. In…
Each year, Africa Day is an opportunity to celebrate the continent's achievements and to reflect on its challenges, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, highlighting the courage and determination it took…