Setting out a Security Council work programme that covers a range of global crises, Ambassador Samantha Power of the United States, the body’s President for September, this afternoon stressed the urgency of forging consensus at an upcoming Council summit on stopping the international flow of terrorist fighters.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Nickolay Mladenov, said that the United Nations “level-three emergency” declaration for Iraq – the Organization’s highest global humanitarian priority - will facilitate mobilization of additional resources to the humanitarian needs of communities affected by forced displacement.

The Secretary-General has asked the General Assembly for its support in defeating Ebola, having confirmed that $1 billion would be needed over the next six months. He also announced the establishment of a UN mission, combining the World Health Organization’s strategic perspective with strong logistics and operational capacity.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern over Afghanistan’s Supreme Court decision to affirm the death sentence given to five people. The Office said that although the crimes are horrible, it remains concerned about that lack of due process and the failure to comply with national and international fair trial standards.

The Secretary-General has warmly welcomed the announcement by the United States Government to provide assistance in the global response to Ebola. Calling for more such aid, he stressed that Ebola is not just a health crisis, but had grave humanitarian, economic and social consequences.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, reaffirming its commitment to cooperate with the government of national unity, welcomed the inauguration of Mohammad Ashraf Ghani as the new President today, as well as the pledges made by President Ghani and the Chief Executive Officer, Abdullah Abdullah, to work together to serve all Afghans.

The Secretary-General urged Afghanistan’s two presidential candidates to conclude an agreement on a government of national unity in accordance with the commitments they made in July, emphasizing that both parties share a responsibility to guide the country to a peaceful and more prosperous future.

The situation of the United Nations Disengagement Force on the Syrian side and the area of separation has deteriorated severely as armed groups have made advances in the area of UNDOF positions, posing a direct threat to the safety and security of the UN peacekeepers along the Bravo line and in Camp Faouar.

United Nations Humanitarian Chief Valerie Amos arrived in Iraq yesterday as part of a four-day mission to the country. Ms. Amos met the President of Iraq in Baghdad and the Kurdish Minister of the Interior. She assured the Minister that the United Nations will continue to support Iraq’s efforts to help displaced people in the governorate.