Press Release

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

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

Following is UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ message for the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, observed on 27 December:

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Berlin from New York on Thursday afternoon, 17 December.

The Security Council decided during a 22 December videoconference meeting to terminate the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) on 31 December 2020, withdrawing all uniformed and civilian personnel other than those needed for liquidation by 30 June 2021.

Iran must refrain from further steps to reduce its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on its nuclear programme, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council during a 22 December video‑teleconference meeting of the 15-nation organ, during which several members acknowledged a possible United States return to that landmark agreement.

The United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Mari Yamashita of Japan as his Representative and Director of the United Nations Office in Belgrade.

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Barrie Lynne Freeman of the United States as his Deputy Special Representative for the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

The Security Council reaffirmed today its ongoing commitment to fostering interaction with the International Court of Justice, as it took note of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Charter of the United Nations and the 100^th anniversary of the Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice.

The United Nations official on Middle East peace updated the Security Council today on developments in the region, highlighting continued violence, including against civilians and children, as well as Israel’s ongoing settlement-related activity in the occupied West Bank.