In progress at UNHQ

Political Process in Syria Long, Difficult, but Still Possible, Special Envoy Tells Security Council, Outlining Steps to Build Trust, Create Constitutional Committee

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Briefing the Security Council on a range of priorities today, Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen detailed efforts to build trust among warring parties, facilitate the creation of a constitutional committee and clarify the fate of persons missing since the start of the conflict, now in its eighth year.

Security Council ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds One Entry to Its Sanctions List

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On 1 May 2019, 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.

Adding Civilian Component to Abyei Interim Force Essential for Matching ‘Reality on the Ground’, Peacekeeping Chief Tells Security Council

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The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) remains essential to the stability of the border regions between Sudan and South Sudan, the Organization’s Peacekeeping chief told the Security Council today, proposing the creation of a civilian unit to support progress towards political resolution of the dispute and requesting a six-month extension of its mandate.

Speakers Argue Over Special Information Programme Addressing Question of Palestine, as Information Committee Session Continues

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As the Committee on Information entered the second day of its forty-first session today, speakers took opposing stances on the Special Information Programme on the Question of Palestine — which the Department of Global Communications oversees — while also spotlighting the potential negative impact of fake news on international relations.

Security Council Adopts Resolution 2468 (2019), Authorizing Six-Month Extension of United Nations Mission for Referendum in Western Sahara

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The Security Council, by a vote of 13 in favour to none against with 2 abstentions (Russian Federation, South Africa), today decided to extend the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for a period of six months.

Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed grave concern today that thousands of civilians remain stranded in conflict-affected areas of Tripoli.  She stressed in a statement the urgent need to create safe humanitarian corridors for trapped civilians, for an immediate ceasefire and for resumed talks.

Reforms by Newly Named Department of Global Communication Aim at Outreach ‘for Impact’, Under-Secretary-General Tells Committee on Information

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The newly named Department of Global Communications is instilling a culture of collaboration and innovation and undertaking measures to create broader public engagement needed to tackle global challenges, the Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications told the Committee on Information today as it opened its forty-first session.

Corporate Tax Reform Must Focus on Developing Countries’ Needs, Combating Inequality, Speakers Tell Special Meeting of Economic and Social Council

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Harnessing the power of taxation to help nations realize sustainable growth and development requires inclusive, innovative approaches based on developing countries’ needs and aimed at leaving no one behind, delegates told the Economic and Social Council today during its one‑day annual meeting on international cooperation in tax matters.