In a video message to the opening of the 2017 session of the Conference on Disarmament, the Secretary-General described disarmament as an integral element of a peaceful and prosperous world, spotlighting its potentially important role in ending existing conflicts and preventing the outbreak of new strife.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
As part of his reform agenda, the Secretary-General has approved a whistle-blower protection policy to have the United Nations function in a more open, transparent and fair manner by enhancing protection for individuals who report possible misconduct or cooperate with duly authorized audits or investigations.
The Secretary-General told President of the Gambia Adama Barrow of his full support for his determination, and the Economic Community of West African States' historic decision, with the unanimous backing of the Security Council, to restore the rule of law in the Gambia so as to honour and respect the will of the country’s people.
Three months after Hurricane Matthew made landfall in Haiti, the World Food Programme (WFP) says that the number of people facing hunger and food insecurity in the country’s most affected areas has declined steadily — from approximately 1 million to 400,000.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi expressed shock today at yesterday’s bombing of a site for internally displaced people in north-east Nigeria that left dozens of people dead. A United Nations Humanitarian Air Service helicopter airlifted eight injured Nigeria Red Cross workers.
The Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process told the Security Council today that despite the relative tranquillity of the Israel-Palestinian conflict compared to other regional crises, the spectre of violence is always near. He said that all stakeholders must avoid any unilateral action that would prejudge a negotiated final status solution.
A report published today by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the United Nations Human Rights Office details grave human rights abuses as well as serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in Juba during and after the fighting that occurred between 8 and 12 July 2016.
The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process said authorities must cooperate to resolve the electricity crisis in Gaza, noting that he is closely following the tense situation unfolding mid-winter after 2 million Palestinians can access only two hours of electric power daily.
This morning the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations briefed the Security Council on Darfur. Although there been a decrease in armed conflict in Darfur, he said, civilians had remained exposed to significant sources of insecurity such as intercommunal conflict and criminality.
The Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations briefed the Security Council today saying that the 31 December 2016 agreement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had contributed to defusing tensions there. However, he noted that major efforts would need to be made to ensure all parties follow and implement the agreement.