As of 30 April, the United Nations’ regular budget collections have trailed estimates and fallen significantly below last year’s levels, the Organization’s top finance official reported to the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today, urging Member States to expedite their payments and communicate their payment plans promptly.

Approving two resolutions regarding the work of the Department of Global Communications as well as on ensuring equity in access to information, the United Nations Committee on Information concluded its forty-seventh session today.

In Syria, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that more than 670,000 people have been displaced since November 2024, while over 1 million people have returned to their areas of origin. Meanwhile, the UN and its partners continue to deliver aid across the country despite reduced funding.

The United Nations Forum on Forests concluded its twentieth session today, setting up its twenty-first session to be held at UN Headquarters from 11 to 15 May 2026 as its Chair observed that those present functioned similarly to that critical global resource — independent units growing together in harmony.

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) until 30 April 2026.

In occupied East Jerusalem, heavily armed Israeli Forces entered three UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) schools in Shu’fat Camp this morning and forced out over 550 children, UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini reports. One UNRWA staff member has been detained.

The following statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres was issued today:

Women and girls must be at the forefront of designing and implementing technology and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to promote gender equality and combat gender-based violence, speakers emphasized today at the tenth multi-stakeholder forum on science, technology and innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the welcome dinner hosted by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Denmark, in Helsingør, Denmark, today: