Development

The Secretary-General expressed his shock and sadness today over the heinous mass shooting that took place at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, saying it is particularly heart-wrenching that most of the victims are children.  He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and to the entire community.

A new report released today by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says most wealthy countries are creating unhealthy, dangerous and noxious conditions for children, not just within their borders but also across the world.

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message for the seventy-eighth session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), held in Bangkok today:

For the first time on record, the number of forcibly displaced people around the world had topped 100 million, propelled by the war in Ukraine and other conflicts, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports. 

The following statement by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed was issued today:

The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has, in what it calls a major breakthrough, brokered a peace accord between the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka communities, who agreed to dialogue to protect people, livestock and property, and to find a sustainable solution to the final status of Abyei.

The Secretary-General is concerned at reports of increased tension and violence in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast of Tajikistan, including reported loss of life. He calls for restraint and for all efforts to be made to resolve the current situation by peaceful means. The United Nations will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the International Forum of Architects Affordable Housing Activation Forum, held in Madrid from 18 to 20 May:

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Economic and Social Council segment on operational activities for development, in New York today:

Following is the text of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s video message to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) round table on Partnerships for Peace II in Paris today: