Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Ceremony and the Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award event, in New York today:

The Secretary-General expressed his shock and sadness today over the heinous mass shooting that took place at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, saying it is particularly heart-wrenching that most of the victims are children.  He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and to the entire community.

A new report released today by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says most wealthy countries are creating unhealthy, dangerous and noxious conditions for children, not just within their borders but also across the world.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for Africa Day, observed on 25 May:

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the International Day of Peacekeepers, observed on 29 May:

For the first time on record, the number of forcibly displaced people around the world had topped 100 million, propelled by the war in Ukraine and other conflicts, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports. 

United Nations Headquarters will observe the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on Thursday, 26 May.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message on the International Day for Biological Diversity, observed today:

The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has, in what it calls a major breakthrough, brokered a peace accord between the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka communities, who agreed to dialogue to protect people, livestock and property, and to find a sustainable solution to the final status of Abyei.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed its serious concern about armed clashes on Sunday involving indiscriminate fire and alleged use of heavy weapons in the Janzour area, a densely populated neighbourhood of Tripoli.  The current mobilization of forces by different armed groups creates tensions and increases the risk of clashes.