Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the Internet Governance Forum, in Riyadh today:
Spotlighting Central African States’ renewed commitment to multilateralism, a senior United Nations official briefed the Security Council today on positive political developments in the region amid ongoing violence and security threats.
Delegates in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today considered the 2025 budget implications of five outputs of the First Committee’s (Disarmament and International Security) 2024 session that — if adopted by the General Assembly — would deliver nearly $800,000 to help verify nuclear disarmament, study nuclear-weapon-free zones and explore how the military’s use of artificial intelligence will impact peace and security. These First Committee actions would also establish a 21-member independent Scientific Panel on the Effects of Nuclear War and boost the progress of a group studying security and the use of communications technologies.
Five outgoing Chairs of Security Council subsidiary bodies briefed the 15-nation organ on the work of these entities today, with many of them pointing to the significant amount left to accomplish despite the considerable effort invested during the past two years.
In Syria, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that he United Nations and its partners continue to support the response there as the security situation permits. Health care across the country continues to be disrupted against the backdrop of a fluid security situation.
The Security Council today extended for 14 months the mandate of the team monitoring sanctions against the Taliban and associated individuals and entities that threaten Afghanistan’s peace, stability and security, as delegates highlighted the experts’ vital work.
Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message on the International Day Message on Epidemic Preparedness, observed on 27 December:
The Security Council today extended its authorization for Member States to intercept vessels transporting banned items to and from Somalia, including illegal arms imports and charcoal exports, until 28 February 2025 — a short-term renewal to provide members with additional time to discuss “the best shape” of the sanctions regime amid the ongoing United Nations drawdown in Somalia.
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
At least 68 journalists and media workers have been killed in the line of duty so far this year, according to a report published today by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Over 60 per cent were working in countries in conflict, the highest percentage in over 10 years.
