Against the backdrop of a two-year political deadlock in a 13-year-old conflict, Syria remains beset by ongoing violence, an economic crisis and a worsening humanitarian situation, the Security Council heard today, as the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Envoy for the country urged sustained de-escalation towards a nationwide ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian aid via all modalities and parties’ meaningful engagement in a political process under UN auspices.
Recent escalation in the Middle East — particularly between Israel and Hizbullah along the Blue Line — is concerning, the head of United Nations peace efforts in the region told the Security Council today, as he also warned that ongoing hostilities in Gaza are further fuelling regional instability.
Amid widespread concerns about a dysfunctional Council unable to discharge its responsibility to maintain peace, the General Assembly took up that body’s 2023 report today, and called for more transparent and analytical reports that go beyond meeting records.
Urging a return to nuclear diplomacy, senior UN and Government officials briefing the Security Council today called on the United States and Iran to reanimate dialogue towards reimplementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear programme — while the Plan’s erstwhile participants traded charges and sparred over the parameters of any such return to engagement.
In its journey from conflict to recovery, Somalia continues to pursue its key national priorities — including the adoption of constitutional amendments to the first four chapters of its 2012 Provisional Constitution, introducing a “one-person, one-vote” electoral model — a senior official told the Security Council today, as members warned that Al-Shabaab continues to pose a serious threat to the country’s peace and security.
The General Assembly today urged accelerated action to reduce deaths and injuries from traffic accidents worldwide by implementing the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030.
With preparations under way for a United Nations-hosted meeting between the Taliban, Member State envoys and other stakeholders, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, briefing the Security Council today, called for greater flexibility while stressing that engagement is not normalization.
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today approved nearly $5.6 billion to keep 14 peacekeeping missions, two service centres and support staff at Headquarters in operation for the coming year, as it concluded its second resumed session.
While advances in digital technology offer incredible opportunities to create a better future for all, “breakthroughs must be oriented towards the good”, the leader of the United Nations told the Security Council today during a day-long debate on evolving cyberspace threats, during which speakers spotlighted myriad examples of the opposite.
Amid a political stalemate, insecurity and arms embargo violations, the commencement of voter registration for municipal elections is a positive note in Libya’s troubled and divided landscape, the Security Council heard today.
