Following consultations with the Executive Board of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Henrietta H. Fore of the United States as the Fund’s new Executive Director.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary‑General António Guterres:

Following are UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ remarks at a joint event with Cabinet Ministers, academia and civil society of the Netherlands, “Security Central:  The United Nations and Current Threats to International Peace and Security”, in The Hague today:

Following are UN Secretary‑General António Guterres’ remarks at the opening of the Centre for Humanitarian Data in The Hague, Netherlands, today:

After four decades of conflict in Afghanistan, a convincing peace process was still not assured, the top United Nations official for that country told the Security Council today, calling on the Taliban to express a clear willingness to begin negotiations.

Partnership and resources were key to ensuring that every peacekeeping mission was supported by properly‑trained, well‑equipped and motivated troops and police, a senior peacekeeping official told the Council today as it discussed how best to fill critical capability gaps.

The Security Council today reaffirmed its commitment to enhance the effectiveness of the United Nations in addressing conflict at all stages, from prevention and settlement of disputes to post‑conflict peacebuilding, employing a context‑specific response and utilizing the full range of tools available.

Expressing grave concern over risks posed by foreign terrorist fighters returning from conflict zones, the Security Council today urged Member States to strengthen their efforts to stem the threat through measures on border control, criminal justice, information‑sharing and counter‑extremism.

The General Assembly voted overwhelmingly during a rare emergency meeting today to ask nations not to establish diplomatic missions in the historic city of Jerusalem, as delegates warned that the recent decision by the United States to do so risked igniting a religious war across the already turbulent Middle East and even beyond.

The Secretary-General has established a Chief Executives Board Task Force to address sexual harassment in the United Nations.  Led by Jan Beagle, Under-Secretary-General for Management, it will review policies to prevent such behaviour, capacities to investigate allegations, as well as the support and protection offered to victims.