The Security Council must amend its working methods, including through restraining the use of the veto and making improvements to its penholdership system and sanction regimes, to enhance its transparency, accountability and credibility and to improve its ability to take effective action in the face of multiplying and worsening global and regional conflicts, speakers told the 15-member organ today in an open debate on the topic.
There are reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence — including rape and gang-rape — occurred across multiple locations of Israel and the Gaza periphery during the attacks on 7 October 2023, a senior United Nations official reported to the Security Council today, as she presented findings from her visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank.
The Security Council today called for an immediate cessation of hostilities by warring parties in Sudan during the month of Ramadan and for them to seek a sustainable resolution to the conflict through dialogue.
The Ukrainian Black Sea port city of Odesa has become a frequent target of missile and drone attacks in recent days and weeks, with deadly consequences, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, as delegates condemned Moscow’s intensified attacks against Ukrainian cities.
The Security Council today extended through 12 March 2025 the mandate of the Panel of Experts charged with assisting its Sudan sanctions committee, requesting a final report on its findings and recommendations by 13 January 2025.
April will mark one year since the outbreak of brutal fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council today, calling on all parties in Sudan to “honour the values of Ramadan” by observing a cessation of hostilities during the holy month.
Calling for sustained international engagement towards an Afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbours, the head of the Organization’s mission in that country called on its de facto authorities to reverse its repressive policies towards women.
While South Sudan is not currently ready to hold elections later this year, they can still take place before the end of the transition period, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, as speakers discussed the support necessary for that to happen amid increasing internal and external challenges.
The Security Council met this morning to discuss the situation in Syria. Briefing the Council was Adedeji Ebo, Director and Deputy to the High Representative, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.
Adopting a presidential statement today, the Security Council stressed its ongoing determination to combat impunity and ensure that all persons indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda — including the remaining fugitives — are brought to justice.
