In its first open briefing since the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad nearly 10 days ago, speakers at today’s Security Council meeting hailed the end of his family’s 54-year dictatorship as a moment of hope for the Syrian people, with two Syrian citizens urging the 15-nation organ to stand by Syrians in their efforts to achieve an inclusive political transition, as well as justice and accountability for the atrocities committed by the Assad regime.

The General Assembly adopted 47 draft resolutions and one decision recommended by its Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, covering a wide range of issues, from countering violence against children and combating the glorification of Nazism to protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and ensuring the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Linda Thomas-Greenfield (United States):

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ statement on Syria:

Updating the Security Council today on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, a senior United Nations official stressed that repeated attacks on that country’s energy infrastructure by the Russian Federation — as well as the continued inability to reach civilians living in occupied regions — could have dire consequences in the third winter of this “intolerable war”.

In Lebanon, over 900,000 people have begun returning to their areas of origin since the cessation of hostilities was announced on 27 November, the International Organization for Migration reports. Nearly 179,000 people remain displaced. The UN and its partners continue supporting the response across the country.

The Economic and Social Council today elected members and approved appointments to various commissions and subsidiary bodies ahead of its 2025 Session.

Barely two weeks before the start of the Organization’s 2025 budget year, General Assembly President Philemon Yang (Cameroon) urged Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) delegates today to remain flexible and collaborate so as to close their regular session before Christmas.

The people of Libya are yearning to choose their leaders, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, as she outlined a detailed plan to help the country to hold overdue national elections, following the recent municipal polls held after a decade-long hiatus.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Michelle Gyles-McDonnough of Jamaica as Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). She will succeed Nikhil Seth of India, to whom the Secretary-General expressed his utmost gratitude for his dedication and commitment to the United Nations.