Increasing demolitions of Palestinian property — and the announcement of 1,200 new construction projects in East Jerusalem — are now the backdrop for a worrying spike in COVID-19 cases in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the senior United Nations official for Middle East peace told a Security Council videoconference meeting today, while calling upon the parties concerned to cooperate urgently on health and economic matters.

Speakers today urged the Secretariat to closely track the efficiency and cost benefits gained from the massive restructuring of the United Nations peace and security architecture into two main departments — the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Department of Peace Operations — as the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) reviewed progress in implementing the reform begun in January 2019.

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message on the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Academic Impact, today:

The World Health Organization (WHO) today reported that the eleventh Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has ended.  WHO thanked partners for their support and congratulated responders and all those who tirelessly tracked cases, provided treatment, engaged communities and vaccinated more than 40,000 people at risk.

In a full day of action, held in person, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) approved 12 draft resolutions, including 8 on human rights questions and 2 on crime prevention.

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video remarks to the Youth4Climate virtual event, held today:

Eight individuals so far have been sanctioned for obstructing implementation of the 2015 Mali Peace and Reconciliation Agreement, the Chair of the Committee charged with overseeing the punitive measures told the Security Council today.

The General Assembly concluded its debate on Security Council reform today, with delegates calling for limits on the use of the veto by its permanent members and improved geographical distribution, particularly for Africa, on the 15‑member organ tasked with upholding international peace and security.

The African Union‑United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur reported that they held two dialogue forums in North Darfur’s Khartoum Jadid and Korgul villages to help prevent tension between farmers and herders during the current harvest season.  The 95 participants, including 35 women, were addressed by community and traditional leaders.

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the closing of the fifteenth annual Internet Governance Forum Internet Governance in the Age of Uncertainty, held today: