On 24 April, the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean celebrated a year of youth commitment to building a Latin America region free of armed violence through hosting a dedicated webinar on its “GenerAccion Paz” initiative.

The commission charged with preparing for the entry into force of a new treaty on marine biodiversity continued its first session today, with delegates resuming consideration of modalities for the operation of the instrument’s Clearing-House Mechanism and exchanging views on issues to discuss during the body’s second session in August.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that there’s been an increase in the number of vulnerable individuals among those deported from the Dominican Republic to Haiti, particularly women — including pregnant and lactating women.

The commission responsible for preparing for the entry into force of a new treaty on marine biodiversity continued its first session today, with speakers urging gender balance and equitable geographic representation in the membership of subsidiary bodies established under the accord and commenting on modalities for the instrument’s Clearing-House Mechanism.

Mining companies must obtain free, prior and informed consent from Indigenous Peoples when pursuing projects on their ancestral lands, speakers emphasized at the 2025 session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues — a high-level advisory body to the Economic and Social Council. Participants also discussed how partnerships can mobilize adequate development finance for Indigenous communities.

In Somalia, flash floods have impacted nearly 30,000 people in different parts of the country. Authorities say at least four people have been killed in the past week. Humanitarian officials note that the rains come after months of dry conditions that decimated water sources and grazing land.

The commission tasked with preparing for the entry into force of a new treaty on marine biodiversity continued its first session today, tackling matters such as how the accord’s Clearing-House Mechanism will function, where the agreement’s secretariat will be based and what rules of procedure should govern the various subsidiary bodies established under the instrument.

In Ukraine, humanitarian officials there report that civilians continued to suffer the impact of hostilities over the Easter period. Authorities reported nearly 190 civilian casualties between 18 April and today. The most severe attack occurred in Kharkiv on Good Friday, injuring several people and damaging schools and homes.

The Secretary-General announced today the appointment of Ian Martin of the United Kingdom as Head of the Strategic Assessment, as part of his UN80 initiative, of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Eight years after the signing of Colombia’s peace accords, significant challenges remain, the Head of the United Nations special political mission in the country told the Security Council today, warning that violence is resurging in some areas.