Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ opening remarks to the United Nations Ocean Conference, in Nice, France, today:
Briefing the Security Council today on the latest developments in Central Africa, a senior United Nations official described electoral gains coupled with security setbacks, as Council members welcomed the former, expressed concern over the latter and noted the additional threat posed by financial constraints on humanitarian operations.
The Special Committee on Decolonization opened the substantive portion of its 2025 session today and approved three draft resolutions relating to territories whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government.
NICE, FRANCE, 9 June — The international community must stop using the oceans as a garbage dump, speakers at the first panel discussion of the 2025 Ocean Conference underscored, even as they expressed “cautious optimism” about the growing momentum around marine ecosystem protection, from global agreements to scientific knowhow.
NICE, FRANCE, 9 June — The ocean is in crisis, but recovery is still possible if the world acts urgently, speakers told an international conference today on the shores of the Mediterranean, as they underscored the ocean’s essential role in sustaining life — from producing oxygen to supporting billions of people and enabling global trade.
In Ukraine, attacks across the country, which started last night and continued this morning, have reportedly killed over 45 civilians. The UN and humanitarian partners are providing immediate assistance in the impacted regions, including construction materials, hygiene kits, emergency shelter and psychological support.
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (Guyana):
The new Permanent Representative of Botswana to the United Nations, Charles Masole, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.
The new Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, Jayantha Jayasuriya, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.
Welcoming the Syrian interim authorities’ continued engagement to address chemical-weapons issues long left unresolved by that country’s previous Administration, the United Nations’ disarmament chief told the Security Council today that international support is needed to fully realize the elimination of Syria’s chemical-weapons programme.
