Press Release

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Security Council open debate on “peace and security in Africa:  strengthening peacekeeping operations in Africa”, in New York today:

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

Following the adoption of resolution 2444 (2018) on 14 November 2018, by which the Security Council lifted the arms embargoes, travel bans, asset freezes and targeted sanctions imposed on Eritrea in resolutions 1907 (2009), 2023 (2011), 2060 (2012) and 2111 (2013), the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning Somalia, formerly known as the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 751 (1992) and 1907 (2009) concerning Somalia and Eritrea, began its work under a modified mandate.

The new Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations, Luis Benigno Gallegos, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.

During its informal consultations on 24 October 2018, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015) concerning South Sudan was briefed by Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.  Ms. Patten, whose predecessor last briefed the Committee in March 2017, noted inter alia that sexual violence remained rampant in South Sudan and was used as part of a strategy to degrade, shame and humiliate both the victims and communities, often along ethnic and/or political lines.

Following are UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ remarks to the Group of Friends of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, in New York today:

Following consultations, United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres has appointed Miguel Ángel Moratinos Cuyaubé of Spain as his High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, from 1 January 2019.

On 19 November 2018, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al‑Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities approved the addition of the entry specified below to its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List of individuals and entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 2368 (2017), and adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.

Following is UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ message for Africa Industrialization Day, observed on 20 November:

The membership of the Multistakeholder Advisory Group of the Internet Governance Forum has been renewed.