Colombia

Marking the twentieth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security, the Secretary-General told the Security Council today that the world has a choice: continue down the path of increasing militarization, conflict and inter-generational losses or work towards greater inclusion and gender equality.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, held a virtual visit to Colombia on 28 and 29 October.  She was accompanied by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women); , Rosemary A. DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs; and Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

A new Food and Agricultural Organization report warns that the Sustainable Development Goals will not be achieved by 2030 unless the world’s forests are restored.  Regional responses are making significant advances and 63 countries and other entities have committed to restoring 173 million hectares, but more needs to be done.

The World Health Organization (WHO) today said that the roll-out of newly approved antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests for COVID-19 in Africa will significantly boost testing capacity and may become a game‑changer in the continent’s fight against the pandemic.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced today it has been laying the groundwork for the rapid, safe and efficient delivery of the eventual COVID-19 vaccine by stockpiling syringes and other necessary equipment, in anticipation of delivering 1 billion syringes to support vaccination efforts in 2021.

Following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Vassily Nebenzia (Russian Federation):

Although hand-washing with soap is critical to anti-coronavirus efforts, millions of people around the world lack ready access to a place to wash their hands, UNICEF) warned today, reporting that, according to the latest estimates, only three out of five people worldwide have basic hand-washing facilities.

Briefing the Security Council during a videoconference meeting today, the senior United Nations official in Colombia took stock of strides and challenges in implementing the country’s 2016 Peace Agreement, as members broadly hailed the parties’ commitment — and their own unity — towards turning the page on the five‑decades-long conflict.

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia and related reporting requirements until 25 September 2021.

The United Nations and humanitarian partners today released a tri-national action plan seeking $10.4 million to support Government responses over the next year to urgent needs in the border area between Colombia, Peru and Brazil, which currently has the world’s highest COVID-19 mortality rates per 100,000 people.