Peacekeeping

In Niger, the situation remains tense in the Tillaberi region along the border with Burkina Faso following several clashes.  Since 1 May, 51 civilians have been killed.  The United Nations and its partners are working to increase access to the affected border areas, with food security likely to worsen.

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 Zimbabwean peacekeeper who recently completed her assignment with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), will receive the 2021 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.

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.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will award the “Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage” to the late Captain Abdelrazakh Hamit Bahar of Chad during the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers commemorations in New York on Thursday, 26 May.

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

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

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