Afghanistan

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Kairat Umarov (Kazakhstan):

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Koro Bessho (Japan):

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

After four decades of conflict in Afghanistan, a convincing peace process was still not assured, the top United Nations official for that country told the Security Council today, calling on the Taliban to express a clear willingness to begin negotiations.

The Secretary-General has established a Chief Executives Board Task Force to address sexual harassment in the United Nations.  Led by Jan Beagle, Under-Secretary-General for Management, it will review policies to prevent such behaviour, capacities to investigate allegations, as well as the support and protection offered to victims.

Concluding a two-day debate on Afghanistan, the General Assembly adopted a draft resolution on the situation in that country today, reiterating its grave concern about the security landscape, condemning all terrorist attacks and noting with great concern the strong nexus between the drug trade and terrorist activities.

The security and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remained precarious and required the support of regional and international partners, particularly in addressing the concerning nexus between terrorism and narcotics, the General Assembly heard today as it held its annual debate on the Central Asian nation.

Secretary-General António Guterres called for continued calm in Zimbabwe.  Closely following developments, he underlined the importance of resolving political differences through peaceful means, including through dialogue and in conformity with the country’s Constitution.

A total of 925,000 suspected cholera cases in Yemen included more than 2,200 associated deaths, as of 12 November, aid agencies reported.  Fuel to run hospital generators and pump clean water would run out in weeks and the blockade continued to prevent air and sea humanitarian supply deliveries.

An innovative debt-swap between the Russian Federation and Mozambique has unlocked $40 million, which will be used by World Food Programme (WFP) to provide school meals for 150,000 children in Mozambique over the next five years.  The largest in WFP history, the debt-swap will free up new resources for development, as well as provide debt relief.