Amidst an upsurge in armed conflict around the world — with the highest number of conflict-related deaths in 30 years — the Security Council heard today of the urgent need to promote inclusive prevention strategies that address the root causes of conflict during its first-ever open debate on empowering all actors, particularly women, to engage in that task.
In progress at UNHQ
Security Council
With multiple global crises threatening the foundations of international peace, stronger cooperation between the European Union and the United Nations is more important than ever, the Council heard today, as delegates highlighted the indispensable role of multilateralism.
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 members of the Security Council were briefed on 6 March by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), María Isabel Salvador, on the situation in Haiti. The Permanent Representative of Kenya, the Permanent Representative of Haiti, and the Permanent Representative of Jamaica, on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), participated in the meeting under Rule 37.
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.
On 7 March 2024, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) enacted the amendments, specified with strikethrough and/or underline, in the entry below on its Sanctions List of individuals and entities.
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.