United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Abdourahamane Diallo of Niger as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Congo, with the host Government’s approval, on 5 January.
Following Israel’s 27 December attack on the last functioning hospital in north Gaza, the Security Council today heard calls for urgent international action to protect civilians and ensure accountability, including independent investigations into these incidents and the alleged misuse of medical facilities by Hamas.
In Myanmar, where conflict has driven over 3.5 million people from their homes, humanitarian needs are expected to reach unprecedented levels, with nearly 20 million people requiring assistance. The 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan aims to reach 5.5 million people with aid, requiring $1.1 billion in funding.
Overall, 39 per cent of UN attempts to move aid workers anywhere in Gaza were denied by the Israeli authorities, with another 18 per cent disrupted on the ground or hindered. For the besieged areas in North Gaza governorate, the access has been denied for 88 consecutive days; that is since 6 October 2024.
The Security Council’s January programme of work will feature a high-level signature event on tackling terrorism in Africa and a ministerial-level meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, its President for the month announced at a Headquarters press conference today.
The United Nations is now accepting nominations for the 2025 United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Jaap van Hierden of the Netherlands as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Mongolia, with the host Government’s approval, on 1 January.
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
Since the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon was announced on 27 November, over 800,000 people have returned to their areas of origin, according to the International Organization for Migration. More than 160,000 people remain displaced, while the situation remains fluid.
Millions in Yemen, Israel and throughout the region continue to bear the brunt of military escalations, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, as its members stressed the importance of protecting humanitarian workers and civilians.
