The Economic and Social Council concluded its 2024 coordination segment today, bringing to close two days of conversations in which Member States as well as stakeholders from different parts of the United Nations system exchanged ideas on reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and eradicating poverty through effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions.

On the borders along the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel, United Nations peacekeepers report that they continue to carry out their tasks, including patrols and other activities, amid daily exchanges of fire along the Line.

The war in Gaza will remain a priority focus for the Security Council in February, its President for the month said at a Headquarters press conference today, adding that it will hold meetings on the situations in Ukraine and Myanmar.

On 31 January 2024, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya decided that the following individual is no longer subject to the travel ban measure imposed pursuant to paragraph 15 of resolution 1970 (2011).

In the Republic of Congo, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that more than 520,000 people need life-saving assistance following severe floods in country. A joint UN-Government assessment found that nine of the country’s 12 departments are now impacted, since the floods started in October.

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

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the opening of the 2024 session of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, in New York today:

The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations today met to consider a skeleton report of its 2024 regular session — held from 22 January to 31 January, and on 9 February — and to review the remaining previously deferred applications for special consultative status.

Donor countries that have suspended funding to the United Nations agency for Palestine refugees — following allegations of staff involvement in the 7 October attacks against Israel — should reverse their decisions, speakers told the Palestinian Rights Committee today, as they stressed that such cuts will penalize millions of aid recipients, rather than individuals implicated in the case.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is the beating heart of all humanitarian efforts in Gaza, and decisions to withhold funds from the Agency must be revoked, the United Nations humanitarian chief told the Security Council today, underscoring that an investigation into the alleged involvement of some UNRWA employees in the 7 October attack on Israel are under way.