Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, said in a briefing to the Security Council this morning that the realization of a two-State solution for Israelis and Palestinians has not advanced, with violent incidents erupting at a worrying rate.

The Security Council today extended the mandates of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force and the integrated peacebuilding offices in Guinea-Bissau and the Central African Republic, as well as by the Chair of the Council Committee on non-proliferation.

“The transition process in Yemen is moving forward with the participation of all sides,” the Special Adviser dealing with the situation in that troubled country said at Headquarters today, adding that the United Nations would continue to support the 10-day old unity Government as it implemented a landmark power-transfer accord that would “hopefully steer the country towards stability and reform”.

From being increasingly vocal on human rights to taking decisions on tackling non-communicable diseases, the General Assembly had taken great strides in its current session during an “eventful and demanding” year for the United Nations, the Assembly President told journalists today at Headquarters. Speaking at a year-end press conference, Nasser Abdulaziz al-Nasser outlined some of the achievements made over the first three months of his tenure.

Michelle Bachelet, the head of UN Women, has expressed great concern about reports of direct attacks on women for exercising their political and civil rights to public assembly and expression in Egypt. She called on the Egyptian authorities to protect them from violence from any side.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has confirmed today the deaths of two staff members and a colleague working for a cooperating partner organization. The attack took place this morning in Mataban town in Hiraan Province in central Somalia. Two WFP members of a monitoring mission were shot, as was a third person who worked for Doyale, one of WFP’s NGO partners.

The Russian Federation wanted Security Council action to end violence in Syria, but not if it would become an “auxiliary of regime-change policy”, Council President Vitaly Churkin said at Headquarters today.

In the face of inter-ethnic conflict, the Government of South Sudan, supported by the locally based United Nations Mission, had taken decisive steps to evacuate civilians and deter spiralling violence, a senior official of the world body said at a Headquarters press conference today.

The Security Council would hold five briefings, 11 closed consultations and three formal debates in January, covering the Middle East, justice and the rule of law, and cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union, according to the programme of work outlined by Council President Baso Sangqu (South Africa) at Headquarters today.

The Secretary-General was informed today by Josette Sheeran of her decision to accept a position with the World Economic Forum as Vice-Chairman upon completion of her term, in April, as Executive Director of the World Food Programme. He wished Ms. Sheeran great success in her new assignment and looks forward to her continued engagement with the United Nations family.